I've been acting like a BABY!

So, in our Birth and Babies class tonight I realized that I have been whining way too much over the past few days. Sure, I thought I'd have a baby by now, I'm as big as a whale, I love our little girl and just want to hold her in my arms, I'm puffy, swollen, nauseous, I waddle, can't sleep, and my fingers and numb and in pain most of the time....but....

My body is making a HUMAN...and is almost done. What a HUGE BLESSING. Seriously...what do I have to complain about????? There is a MIRACLE happening right before my eyes and I have been whining about it. No more...I'm done complaining and feeling sorry for myself.

However, tomorrow morning I am going to take advantage of the 10 floors of stairs we have in our building...that might get things going! :)

40 Weeks!

Olivia is way too comfy in my womb if you ask me! I went to my Dr. appointment today. Olivia keeps getting bigger...which is good for her, but I'm not sure how good that is for me! However, I am 4cm dilated...which means I am through the 1st stage of labor! Yahoo!! I have not had any contractions yet (that I know of anyways) so maybe I'll just continue to dilate without knowing it, then I'll sneeze and she'll just fall out?? haha. I could only hope!

Anyways, we are going to my sister-in-law's birthday dinner tonight. I plan to go into labor after that and have a baby in my arms just a few hours later. That's my plan. We'll see if Olivia is on board!

Thanksgiving!

Last weekend was Thanksgiving! This year was a very special Thanksgiving for the Pitchers. Because of this, we (all who live near enough) wanted to be together. We met at Barb's and ate dinner. Then, played the game "Things"....this is always sure to bring out MANY laughs!!

Dinner was SO GOOD!

Vanessa was sporting a cute, little mustache...

I tried to eat enough to squish Olivia out..but, it didn't work.....

On a side note: I thought something might happen last Monday evening (Oct 12th). Olivia had been moving like CRAZY all day Sunday and Monday....she was just going nuts in there! Sunday night she calmed down (as she usually does), but then on Monday was still moving like crazy when I went to bed. I felt really nauseous (as I usually do in the evenings) but then I also found that I had to use the restroom every 5 minutes....this is not normal for me. Like I said before, I usually feel nauseous, but this night I actually got sick! I began to feel anxious and was thinking that this might be THE TIME due to all "different" things that were happening...the extra activity, vomiting, and bathroom trips. I called Wes at work to warn him that I might be calling him later. I just felt like something was going on. I went back to bed....she stopped moving around so much and I feel asleep. Nothing happened.

38 Weeks

Ok, Olivia...Momma's READY!!!! You can come at any time now and I would GLADLY welcome you!!

I am tired, achy, swollen, and chubby.

I think I've been pregnant long enough...don't you??

Baby Shower

Last week my sisters threw me a baby shower...

It was so much fun!

37 Weeks = Full Term!

Yes, I know I am huge....I can't tell you how many times I've heard the phrase "it looks like you're going to pop any day now" or my husband laughing behind me, "haha...you're waddling". Yes hunny, I'm quite aware of the fact that I'm waddling...no need to point it out! :) And, about the popping...it just could happen...I'm not sure how much bigger my belly (or the rest of my body) can get!

WOW...37 Weeks!!!! I could technically have this baby any day now and everything would be A-Okay. I can't believe it! And, to be honest...I'm ready. Wes and I were talking this morning about how we just want to see her cute face and meet our little girl. I do have a few little items to pick up....some more receiving blankets...newborn outfits....sleepers...etc. But, I plan to have all of that by the end of the week...just in case.

Olivia was head-down at my last Dr. appointment, and still was this morning. Dr. Tupper said she was very active...my tummy was moving a lot and she had a hard time catching the heart rate.

I have started to terms with the fact that the only way our baby is coming into the world is through me birthing her here...contractions and all. Yup, there is just no way around it. A few weeks ago we had a sub teaching our Birth and Babies classes. She was so negative about the birthing experience (in my eyes anyways) and basically told us that our "Doctors and Nurses don't know anything so good luck if we don't have a Dula with us". I left that class feeling awful and wondering how in the world I am ever going to do this! Thankfully, our regular instructor was there the following week. She is also a Dula and is SO POSITIVE about everything. I left feeling a lot better. Of course I can give birth...I am a woman...and that's what our bodies are made to do.

I've also been going back and forth between working until close to the end (Oct 16), or taking a longer break before she arrives. I think about how nice it would be to put my feet up or take a nap whenever I need...and have more time to get things more prepared. But, then I think about taking a ton of time off and waiting for her to get here...and getting bored in the process. So, this morning I'm back to mindset of working until October 16, unless she is early of course. Besides, October 16 is only 2.5 weeks away!!! I can do 2.5 weeks! And our calendar isn't half as chaotic in the next couple of weeks as it has been in the past few months...so, I think I'll get some more R&R in.

An Act of Charity

Most new mothers probably have the desire to have everything in order when their new little one arrives, as well as a house that is spic and span! For me this is no different.

Our house is usually pretty clean and tidy, but I have been wanting to do some really deep cleaning for a while now.

My mom and sister did the most thoughtful, charitable thing for me....they came and helped me clean my house from top to bottom! And, even let me sneak in a little nap while they continued to clean away.

Thank you so much

Mom and Naomi!!!

XOXO

Another Special Day

My doctor booked me for a second ultrasound because at my first one they couldn't see the lips and nose clearly. We were excited to go back...of course hoping everything was forming properly and hoping we would be able to see the gender.

Well, it was confirmed that everything on and in our baby was forming perfectly (thank goodness) and that this baby is definitely a GIRL!!! I was not surprised by this, but Wes on the other hand had his heart set on "his boy". It took him a few minutes to adjust to the fact that "his girl" would be coming first...and now he is also really excited!!

For anyone who doesn't know...girls run rampant on my side of the family: My parents had 4 daughters, my step-dad had 2 daughters, my oldest sister is expecting her 4th daughter (10 days before I'm due), my younger sister has 2 daughters of her own and 2 step-daughters. My step-sister is expecting her 3rd daughter in January. So, our daughter is born my mother will have:

• 9 granddaughters from her 4 daughters


• 4 more granddaughters from her 2 step-daughters with 1 on the way


• 3 grandsons from her step-daughters
  

WOAH! Just wait until all these girls all hit puberty!! However, there are a lot more boys on Wes' side so this little girl will start to balance things out on that end.

We got to see her cute, chubby cheeks, fingers, and toes, and even see her yawn...or something. We didn't get a super clear shot in 4D because she kept covering her face with her hands.

A long time ago we discovered the perfect name for our little girl....

Olivia Jill

We can't wait to welcome her into the world in 8 short weeks. We love you Olivia!!

25 Weeks!

Today I am 25 weeks. Time is flying by and I can't believe that I will be a MOTHER in 3.5 months!!! Next week I begin my LAST trimester! Where has the time gone. I think I expected this pregnancy, being that it is my first, to drag on...but really, it has gone by super quick. Not that it's over yet, bu I can't believe how little time is left.

My belly has grown a lot and I am feeling pretty good. I no longer have any desire for pickles and cheese, I never feel nauseous, and I have a lot of energy most days. However, I have a really hard time falling asleep these days and staying asleep throughout the night. Rolling over from one side to the other takes a lot of concentration and effort...not to mention my trips to the bathroom!

My Doctor says everything looks and sounds good so far. At my last appointment, the baby's heart rate was at 140 or 145 (I can't remember which). Also, I have LOVED feeling the baby move around a lot. I seriously love it so much...and just can't put it into words how wonderful it is. It is so fun to see my belly move and it makes me even more happy when Wes can feel it too. I look forward to the baby getting bigger, and the movements stronger and more defined.

Half Way!

I can't believe that I'm already half-way through my pregnancy!! I LOVE being pregnant and feel SO great!!

I got to feel our baby move/kick for the first time on Sunday. I was in Primary and we were singing a lot of songs...he/she must have like that! It was such a neat feeling...hard to explain, but just that there was a little leg in there. Later, I felt a movement...but it wasn't the same as the kick I felt. Since then, I have felt more kicking...but this time it has been coming from Wes in his sleep! haha! Actually, I have felt a couple things that could be the baby...but I'm not sure. I can't wait until I feel this baby moving around all the time!

20 weeks down, 20 more to go!!

I'm in LOVE

Ok, So this morning was the big ultra sound-day!!! What a neat experience!! We asked to find out the gender, but unfortunately they couldn't tell...first the cord was in the way, then the legs were crossed. I also asked to get a 4D ultrasound, but I wasn't aware that I needed to specify that when I made my appointment, so....no such luck. Oh well. The important thing is that this little 19 week boy or girl is HEALTHY!!! The technician kept saying "your baby is very well behaved". I was thinking to myself: it must take after me...we all know or have heard stories of the little rascal Wes was. haha!

Let me tell you....it is so amazing to me when I think about the miracle that is happening right before my eyes...it is so incredible, I don't even know how to put it into words. In my body, there lays a little human being, when a healthy heart, two legs, two arms, eyelashes, and everything!! WOW!! I am so grateful for this experience I have to carry a little child of our Heavenly Father.

When I look at this picture, I see a lot of Wes...the long torso and the face profile. Cute as a button if you ask me!

I'm going to make a poll....take a second and vote on what gender you think it is!

It's Alive!

So, I think it's pretty safe to say that I'm a nervous first-time expectant mother...not that I worry about everything, but I was REALLY anxious to hear the heartbeat and receive confirmation that I do have a baby inside of me and it is alive.

I have heard of many, many woman who have heard the heart beat well before 16 weeks, but for some reason my doctor didn't think it was possible...or didn't have the equipment or something. After the nurse told me that I will be able to come in at 16 weeks and hear it, I have really been looking forward to it.

Wes is out of town this week, so he wasn't able to be there...which means he wasn't able to drive us to the appointment...which means I had to drive myself. Anyone who knows me well knows that I have NO sense of direction. Of course I've been to this office a couple of times before, I couldn't remember how to get there. I ended up going to extra long way, and then eventually the wrong way. I begin feeling stressed out because I didn't want to miss this appointment. I got there 10 minutes late...but it was OK because they hadn't gotten to me yet. So, I wait...and wait...and wait...and wait. Meanwhile I feel a migraine coming on and am starting to feel upset because the wait to taking so long, there are sick people coughing all around me, and I have to get to work.

Two hours later, it's FINALLY my turn. So, as you can imagine, I am feeling somewhat frazzled by this time and physically not well. When Dr. Yuen told me it "may be too early to hear the heart beat" I just lost it. I just started crying and couldn't control it. My doctor is really nice and immediately asked me if I was OK...if I had any worries...if everything at home was OK...if everything at work was OK. I assured him that everything was good, I just need to hear the heart beat!

He started feeling around for my uterus. I asked him if he could feel it....he assured me that he could (my immediate thought was, "thank goodness I have one!"). And then he put the instrument on my tummy...I heard a heart beat (that was mine), and then I heard another heartbeat that was a lot faster (that was the babies'). WHAT A BEAUTIFUL SOUND!!! I as so happy to hear it...that is our little muffin growing in there! The heart rate was at 150. At this point I felt relaxed, blissful and wonderful. We are going to have a baby, and his/her heart is healthy and strong.

So, Wes is in Toronto right now for some training at work. He is having a lot of fun! I can't wait to see his pictures and I hope he'll blog about it when he gets back. I miss him, but am so happy to hear that he is having such a great time. And, what a great opportunity it is for him to be chosen to go.

As he's been gone I've stayed busy putting furniture together for our bedroom....which has actually been very time consuming...and fun...I've loved it! And, with new furniture and moving things around means more organizing...which is always exciting!

15 weeks

As of last Wednesday, I am officially 15 weeks along. My belly is a bit bigger...I can tell because my pants are tighter. I was going to have Wes take a picture of me, but then I didn't feel like it...so, maybe next week.

I have noticed that my energy levels are back up on most days...which is really great and something I had been waiting for. However, I have now have headaches often...but they usually aren't too bad. Is till get nauseous from time to time, but it seems to be getting better. This little baby inside of me must love pickles and cheese...that is my favorite snack these days!

I'm so excited to hear the heart beat on Wednesday! I'm thinking then it will feel more real.....like there's really something in there! Too bad Wes will miss it...he will be in Toronto.

Something I love doing to reading up on what is growing and developing each week for our baby. This is what is happening this week:

• Your baby’s skin has been continuously developing, and it is so thin and translucent that you can see the blood vessels through it. Hair growth continues on the eyebrows and the head. Your baby's ears are almost in position now, although they are still set a bit low on the head. Internally, your baby's skeletal system continues to develop. Muscle development continues too, and your baby is probably making lots of movements with his or her head, mouth, arms, wrists, hands, legs, and feet.

And, here's a picture of what the little one looks like this week:

It's nothing like an ultrasound, but at least it gives me an idea!

Hard at Work

For the past little while I have been EXHAUSTED...every task, whether great or small, seemed like such a chore...and I seriously had to think if certain things were worth doing or not...or if I had enough in me to get it done. As a result, my house hasn't been the tidiest....floors went a little too long without being washed...the dishes in the sink piled up...groceries were sparse at times...the dust was making itself at home...and the laundry piles were bigger than they had ever been.

But, even though it may appear that I'm was doing nothing (because all I wanted to do was sleep all day)...I was actually REALLY hard at work....my body was building a BABY!!!

Wes and I found out on Valentines day that we were going to have an amazing addition to our current family of two. The only pregnancy symptom I really noticed was that I was SO TIRED...like always feeling wiped out. I attributed it to other reasons: maybe I didn't a good of sleep as I thought I did, maybe I'm coming down with something... (that's all I could think of). The thought of pregnancy did cross my mind, but I didn't really want to focus on that and risk getting my hopes up for nothing. Wes suspected that I was...he kept asking me...I kept telling him "I don't think so....I don't feel pregnant"....he would respond, "how do you know how it feels to be pregnant? You've never been pregnant before...". He would ask me this every other day.

So, Valentines day....my energy level had not increased... I took a 2 hour nap after we ate breakfast because I was absolutely exhausted. After the nap, I decided to give it a whirl...the test will either be - or +, but at then at least I'll know for sure.

Much to my surprise....TWO lines quickly appeared!!! TWO LINES = PREGNANT!!!!! I started jumping up and down, screaming a little bit, and crying (I have come to find that there are many more of those tears to follow...my lucky husband).

Wes and I are SO HAPPY!!!! We can't wait to have a little Wes/Amanda running around. I am currently 3.5 months along...and am due on October 20, 2009. YIPEEE!!!

Celebrate

Today was such a GREAT day!!

Wes picked me up from work and we went out for Vietnamese...

I had been craving it for days...and, we felt like having a little Celebration...