Full Term!!! 37 Weeks

How Far Along? 

37 Weeks = FULL TERM!!  Hip, hip, HOORAY!  Cominse the power walking, eating pineapple and spicy food, thinking positive birthing thoughts, etc so that we can meet our girl!

Size? 

Suzanna Grace is:

At the doctor on Thursday she weighed 6.6 pounds!  With 3 weeks to go, she is for sure going to be a 7 pounder! 

Maternity Clothes? yes. 

Weight Gain?  At the doctor on Thursday I weighed 142 so thats about 22-25 pounds 

Stretch Marks? Nope,  Burt's Bees Momma Tummy Lotion twice a day.  

Gender? A precious baby GIRL, Suzanna Grace!     

Sleep?  So much better this week for some reason.  I go to sleep sitting up but by my 2-3am bathroom break I can lay down and feel fine.  It has been a science, that's for sure.  Now that's not to say that I wasn't writing thank you notes at 3 am the other morning but that had nothing to do with not being able to sleep and more to do with a racing mind and a check-list. 

Movement?  ALL. THE.TIME.  Even when I am standing and moving around she moves.  I think that her space is limited so I probably feel them even more too.  Dr. Heraty was able to SEE her moving as she checked the heartbeat on Thursday too.  I am also pretty sure that my excitement and adrenaline are pumping into her.  Lord knows she is excited for spring and to enter God's beautiful world...she's doing her happy dance! 

Food Cravings? Just the usual...anything sweet. 

     

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope, thank goodness. 

Labor signs? When I was being monitored on Thursday the nurse told me that I was having contractions but I could not feel them.  I am assuming that if your contractions aren't painful then they probably aren't anything to get too excited over...or maybe painless/not so painful contractions are a godsend. :) 

Belly button in or out?  Out and flat.  By the end of the day she's poking through my shirt.

This was not even the end of the day...rather a poor wardrobe choice.  Not sure that the picture shows an actual representation of how cropped this shirt really was.  Thank goodness I had on another shirt underneath.  How inappropriate, Georgia Anne. 

  

Wedding rings, on or off? It's on but not as loose as it has been.  Still think the freezing temps are keeping the swelling down.

What I Miss? Nothing.  

Symptoms? As my mother pointed out last weekend...I waddle.

Happy or Moody? Happy, happy, happy.  I could cry at just about every mention of babies, friends, family, and all sweet things but, as my Momma would say, that are always happy tears.  

Dr. Visit Update:
On Thursday I started my once a week appointments and met with Dr. Heraty.  When she measured me I was only at 33 weeks but SG was moving all over the place and her HB was just fine.  Even though I have been measuring 2-3 weeks behind the whole time she thought that 33 weeks was significant and suggested that I go down to be monitored and to have the grow sonogram early (I had one scheduled for Monday already).  She told me that if Suzanna Grace was in distress then she would not have been moving so much and her HB would reflect an issue but that she just wanted to take a peek to make sure that she was growing alright.  I called work and told them that I would need to take a half day (thank you Lord for this amazing school!) and went to register downstairs to be monitored.  They hooked me up for about 45 minutes while I watched daytime TV and chatted with sweet Nurse Barbara who, of course, is a southerner herself from TN.  During that time SG rolled and stretched and kicked the monitor around and showed off her superb HB.  The nurse even said that I was having some contractions.  I sure do hope that the contractions that I was having, and didn't know about, are the kind that bring SG into the world.  HAHA--wishful thinking. And even if they are I would never tell anyone for fear of being hated by every woman in the world. :)  The sonogram went well too.  Everything was normal.  Fluid levels were great and she is in the 54th percentile which just means that she is an average joe.  She also weighs 6.6 pounds!  WOW!  Thank you Lord for our healthy girl!  I will go back each week to be monitored and to check fluids too.  Dr. Heraty told me that she is on call on March 29 (one day after SG's due date) so I am hoping that if SG does not come before then, we can talk about helping her to come when Dr. Heraty is there.  

Best Moment of the Week: 

-Getting to peek in on our little girl and finding out that she is healthy

-SPRING...this may seem silly to anyone in the South but this screenshot of the weather is pure gold to Chicagoans as anything higher than 22 degrees seems like a warm front and to see multiple days in the 30s and 40s means that spring is surely right around the corner...and as we know...spring means Suzanna Grace!  If she decided to come on Monday when it's "hott" I wouldn't blame her one bit. (PS-Rude, polar vortex, just RUDE.  You can't get up to 39 one day and snow the next...) Update: It's 8 am on Saturday morning...and it's snowing. :(

-Car seat installed = CHECK!

Looking forward to... 
-Meeting our precious little girl any day now...or at the very least, in a few short weeks

-Bowling Party/Baby Shower that my students and their families are throwing for us next weekend

Sweet things and Life in General:  

If this doesn't just make you squeal then I don't know what will.  Thank you to Mrs.Miriam Thames for this precious searsucker backpack!  I am already a little jealous of all of SG's adorable fashion and this just adds to it!

Sweet Kyle is gearing up for his last week of classes before his finals (the week before SG's arrival) and I could not be more proud.  This quarter has flown by but I have never seen someone work so hard yet balance work, school, and family so well.  Even though that ole Kyle doesn't read this blog, I do make sure that I tell him every day.  Sometime when I say, "I am so proud of you..." He'll say, "Why?"  I think it just goes to show how hard work is simply in his blood. Working full time, taking 3 MBA classes, having a life. and managing me all seem to be NORMAL to him.  Thank you Lord for that Kyle Moore.  

We, of course, want Suzanna Grace to come on HER time...BUT if she could just come ONE WEEK early then her Daddy sure would appreciate it seeing as he would be on his school's "spring break" and would get to spend all of his nights with her.  If she waits and comes later though, like always, he'll make it work perfectly.

Suzanna Grace's Chicago Baby Shower

On a chill day in January our sweet Chicago friends, new and old, helped us celebrate our sweet girl by hostessing a shower in our honor.  Momma and MA were able to make the trip from MS and Jessica travel up from Indy as well.  With the freezing temps and snow, just making it to the shower even if you lived in Chicago was quite the feat and I was oh so grateful for the hours that we were able to spend together.  

My sweet Coonley Friends gave Suzanna Grace a "Happy Everything" goodie bag full of outfits for her first everything...from Easter to 4th of July and Halloween to Christmas, she is set!

 Sweet Hostess: Ashlee, Amanda (Boozie), Leslie, Momma-To-Be, Liz G., Renee, and Michele                                       (Sweet Meggo Carlstedt was stuck in Indy)

These girls are some of my Chicago sisters (plus our AL Boozie) and I love them dearly.  They teach me daily what is means to be a good and caring friend.  I don't know what I would do without them!  Thank you girls!

Hey there Miss Suzanna Grace!

Thank you to everyone who was able to make the shower and to those who could not make it but sent their love from all over the country.  Suzanna Grace is one lucky and LOVED little girl.  

Week 36 Update

How Far Along? 

Holy moly- 9months?!?!  Where has the time gone?  Suzanna Grace has surely made her presence more and more known as the weeks have passed.  Check out that big round bump!  Oh how I LOVE it!  

And yes, I was practicing my "strolling" throughout the house.  What else does one do when it has been winter for the past 5 months?

Size? 

Suzanna Grace is:

I cannot believe that she weighs 6.5 pounds...but if she doesn't then she is probably close.  WOW.  Again, even though I am getting bigger, I wonder how that large of a human is stuffed inside of me.  Truly amazing.

Maternity Clothes?  Yes and I have the same rotation of clothes each week. I love my black leggings and Piko tops.  What life savers!  Chicago and the polar vortex are jerks and still think it is winter so my sweaters are also getting A LOT of wear.  I very much look forward to burning them all once we get some decent weather.   

Weight Gain?  22-25 pounds :) Steadily gaining about a pound a week...grow baby girl!  

Stretch Marks? Nope,  Burt's Bees Momma Tummy Lotion twice a day.  

Gender? A precious baby GIRL, Suzanna Grace!     

Sleep?  Sleep?  What's sleep? Not only do I sit up when I sleep but I have also started elevating my feet.  It is super ridiculous looking and poor Kyle basically sleeps hanging off the bed.  I just cannot seem to get comfortable and feel nauseous when I lay flat on my back or sides.  I guess that is just my body preparing me to be able to survive on just a little sleep for the rest of my life. :)  

Movement?  Bless her.  This sweet girl moves and grooves and practices her dancing skills all day and all night.  Last week I watched (and felt) a limb move from my belly button across to my right side.  Based on how we think she is positioned I think that she was stretching her legs!  She gets the hiccups a lot too.  My Momma was able to feel lots of her big jerks when she was here this weekend.  I am really going to miss this part of pregnancy.   

Food Cravings? Just the usual...anything sweet.  We got some nurse and doctor happies this weekend and I am afraid that all of the candy is just about gone...

     

Anything making you queasy or sick? Just trying to lay down to go to sleep.  

Labor signs? NO!  I have talked to several friends and hear that you may not have any BH or other signs until it is "go time."  PLUS my doctors do not check you until 39 weeks and even then she says that they may not.  I am honestly very thankful for this as the anticipation and anxiety over this knowledge might drive me crazy. 

Belly button in or out?  Out and flat.  By the end of the day she's poking through my shirt.  She looks like a little piggy tail. 

A special thank you to my dear friends, The Rogers, who found this picture of me as an almost 2 year old with my little tummy hanging out.  Since I do talk about my belly button so much Mrs. Mandy thought it only appropriate that I take a look at this picture to be reminded that my BB has always poked out!  I can honestly say, and anyone who has seen it can attest, this is nearly exactly what my belly looks like right now at 9 months pregnant.  PS-How cute was I with those pig tails, crop top, and giggly personality. 

  

Wedding rings, on or off? It's on but not as loose as it has been.  Still think the freezing temps are keeping the swelling down.

What I Miss? Nothing.  

Symptoms? Aching hips. Sleepless nights.  My Momma confirms that she has no labor signs until her water broke with all of us...so....  

Happy or Moody? Happy, happy, happy.  I could cry at just about every mention of babies, friends, family, and all sweet things but, as my Momma would say, that are always happy tears.  

Dr. Visit Update: Kyle, my Momma, and I went to the doctor on Friday to check in.  We met Dr. Dennis and loved her just as much as we have loved the other doctors in the practice.  As soon as she entered the room she told us that she would probably do a quick sonogram to see if SG was still breech.  I quickly looked at Kyle and my Momma and gave them the "don't say a word" stare!  Remember we got a quickie the previous week and confirmed that our girl was indeed head down.  After her healthy heartbeat (which was again located on my left side--head down position) we felt confident that she was where she needed to be.  Once we got into the sonogram room though, Dr. Dennis told us that we should be looking for a white glow to show where her head was and that it was not pointing down...oh no!  Before she put the wand away with us thinking that she was still breech I piped in and told her that the week before we were told that she was in fact head down.  Dr. Dennis moved the wand a little to the right and quickly found that angelic glow that confirmed that Suzanna Grace was in fact still head down and that she had NOT flipped back into her breech position.  Praise the Lord!  I was told to schedule all of my remaining appointments as I now go every week.  We have a growth sonogram again on Monday and we cannot wait to get the pictures of our sweet girl before meeting her face to face. 

Best Moment of the Week:
-Our surprise sonogram, plus the fact that my Momma was there too.  To say that she was excited is an understatement.  Happy tears flowed...from us all. 

-A long weekend with my sweet Momma--separate post to come!

-Learning that Isla Claire Rosamond and Bailey Templin where born on Thursday.  These are the two babies that were to come before Suzanna Grace and now that they are here, SG can safely make her appearance!  Congrats Mallory, Tyler, and Alec and Walt and Kate!

Looking forward to... 
Mary Agnes' visit this weekend, tea with MA and Renee at the Four Seasons, constructing the hospital door hanger made by the ever so talented Dana Ingram of Tickle Me Tacky (picture to come), and meeting our precious Suzanna Grace in just a few short weeks!

Sweet things and Life in General:  

My precious Coonley Family showered Suzanna Grace with a surprise baby shower last Tuesday.  She received lots of children's books to add to her growing library and lots of cute summer time clothes!  Coonley has been such a blessing and I cannot wait to raise a family while working there. 

These booties were HANDMADE by one of my teacher friends, Heidi.  SG now has two pairs of booties (the other from Uncle Bryson) that Kyle and I both wish were big enough to fit us!

Yummy pink frosted cupcakes that I took home "for Kyle."

Books, books, and more books make this teacher Momma proud.  My dear friend and teaching partner, Cara, had her mother make the tag blanket and burp clothes.  Oh how I love any and everything that is made with LOVE.  

Praying Through Delivery and a Special Prayer for Us

I have been reading the weekly devotional Praying Through Your Pregnancy for the majority of the past 9 months and have loved it.  The authors take you through the weekly developments for baby and have specific prayers for such things as their hearing, skin, and even future relationship with God.  I take notes and record dates so that I will be able to look back over each of my pregnancies and be reminded of the joy that I felt along the way.  I even gave the book to my Momma for Christmas with the idea that she will pray for all of her grandchildren along the way too.

This week I was especially humbled at the story of one woman's birthing experience as it talked about how spiritual it was.  Sure there was pain but her focus was on the positives of it all.  Just the fact that she was able to have carried her child and that her body was oh so wonderfully made to create, develop, protect, and now deliver such a miracle.  She talked about how she had a team of prayer warriors surrounding her and praying for specific aspects of the delivery and about how she prayed through contractions and the most uncomfortable and anxiety inducing phases.

While I pray for Suzanna Grace all day long I never really thought about my labor and her delivery in this way.  I was telling Mary Agnes last night that usually when I say quick prayers for folks they are just that...quick.  "Lord please do XYZ for ----.  Give them peace, help them to feel your presence...Amen."  My devotion reminded me of how important it is to call out to the Lord with our specific request and that He hears us.  I am sure that there will be modifications and revisions to this prayer as I live through it and realize new specifics that laboring and new moms need but for now, I like this prayer that the book provided.  It is my prayer for our sweet friends who will deliver in the near and distant future and one in which I hope that you will pray for Suzanna Grace and I in the coming weeks.  

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for the privilege of knowing You as our personal Savior and Friend.  Thank You for the awesome privilege of praying for the sweet friends who are pregnant, will one day become pregnant, and for those who will soon meet their precious little one.  I praise You, because You are a great and wonderful God, full of love and care and understanding for each one of us.

Lord, I pray that you will give ----------- (mother’s name) the most wonderful birth experience she ever imagined.  Be close to her from the time she goes into labor and throughout.  Let her feel You left her up into Your love during each contraction.  Let her know You are with her, helping and guiding ---------- (baby’s name) to be born.  Give her strength and endurance. 

And Jesus, I pray Your holy presence will fill the room as ------------ (baby’s name) comes into the world.  Let there be an atmosphere of joy and gladness, of peace and praise.

Give her an awesome birth experience, one she will treasure forever.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 At the end of each devotion you are given a journal assignment.  Questions that guide you in preparing for the baby, thinking about how you will further your relationship with God, friends, family, baby, husband, and sometimes even check/"to-do" lists.  This week I was to make a list of people who I could count on to pray for me while I am in labor and then to make sure that I asked them to.  Since I know the power of prayer I wanted to humbly ask that anyone who reads this blog join me in prayer in the weeks, days, and hours leading up to the arrival of our precious girl.  Knowing that these prayers are coming already and will continue to come from all over the country from friends and family fills my heart and brings tears to my eyes.  Please feel free to pray anything that you like...no one is picky when it comes to prayers :)  If you like, simply pray this prayer for our whole family: 

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for the privilege of knowing You as our personal Savior and Friend.  Thank You for the awesome privilege of praying for the sweet friends who are pregnant, will one day become pregnant, and for Georgia Anne who will soon meet her precious daughter, Suzanna Grace.  I praise You, because You are a great and wonderful God, full of love and care and understanding for each one of us.

Lord, I pray that you will give Georgia Anne the most wonderful birth experience she ever imagined.  Be close to her from the time she goes into labor and throughout.  Let her feel You left her up into Your love during each contraction.  Let her know You are with her, helping and guiding Suzanna Grace to be born.  Give her strength and endurance. 

And Jesus, I pray Your holy presence will fill the room as Suzanna Grace comes into the world.  Let there be an atmosphere of joy and gladness, of peace and praise.

Give Georgia Anne an awesome birth experience, one she will treasure forever.

And Lord, take care of that ole Kyle throughout Georgia Anne's labor and the delivery of his first daughter , Suzanna Grace.  Help him to be the rock that his girls need and the spiritual leader of their growing family. 

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

I want to thank you for taking the time to pray for us and hope that you know that we can FEEL your prayers.  I would love to return the favor too.  Please let me know how I can pray for you and I will...and not just a quickie.  

35 Week Update

How Far Along? 

I think it is safe to say that we are no longer worrying about either of our weights and/or growth.  It is wild to think that next week I will be able to say that I am 9 months pregnant!  WOW!  This week I am saying, "I am nearly 9 months pregnant..." which, so far, gets lots of crazy looks from folks.  

Size? 

Suzanna Grace is:

Goodness gracious!  If these stats are legit then Suzanna Grace is all cooked and could potentially come any day and be one healthy little lady!

Maternity Clothes?  I love my maternity pants.  LOVE.  I am still wearing my regular flowy tops and rotating the Piko tops throughout the week.  Yesterday, as I was out walking in the WARM 32 degree weather, I kept feeling cold on the bottom of my tummy...realizing that not only was my t-shirt too short and exposing my stomach by my button up coat was also exploding from the middle button down.  I love my pregnancy body and would not trade full coverage for anything right now. 

Weight Gain?  At the DR this week I was at 142 which is a total gain of about 22-24 pounds.  Still on track with about a pound a week and hopefully plumping up our sweet girl.  Who doesn't just love a baby with rolls?!

Stretch Marks? Nope,  Burt's Bees Momma Tummy Lotion twice a day.  My stomach itches like crazy which lets me know shes growing and stretching.  

Gender? A precious baby GIRL, Suzanna Grace!     

Sleep?  Actually much better this week, thank goodness.  My pillow fort is growing and poor Kyle has given up even making the bed in the morning because of the number of pillows and supports that I have added to the routine.  If I can prop myself up on three pillows and then only slightly sleep on my side (what in the world...it's become a science) then I can make it through the night only needing to get up for a bathroom break.  I am wondering if it has anything to do with the fact that she has flipped too???  

Movement?  All.The.Time.  I will oh so very much miss this feeling.  Her movements are whole body rolls and poking out of limbs.  This week she has woken me up during the night several times because the movements are so strong.  What a miracle. 

Food Cravings?  Oh how I wish there was a Mexican place with the soupy gooey queso dip up here.  The only thing that the Mexican restaurants around her have is the fried queso which, lets be honest, I will settle for and plan to grab today at lunch time.    

     

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope, thank goodness. 

Labor signs? No!  Still have a little less than 5 weeks to go.

Belly button in or out?  Out and flat.  By the end of the day she's poking through my shirt.

  

Wedding rings, on or off? It's on but not as loose as it has been.  Still think the freezing temps are keeping the swelling down.

What I Miss? Being able to bend over and tie my shoes/put on my boots without feeling like I am going to throw up or pass out from crunking over. 

Symptoms? Aching hips. 

Happy or Moody? Happy, happy, happy.  I could cry at just about every mention of babies, friends, family, and all sweet things but, as my Momma would say, that are always happy tears.  

Dr. Visit Update:
Kyle met me at the doctor for our 2 week check up with the final doctor in the practice, Dr. Poppy (sp?), on Wednesday.  I was anxious to ask her about the techniques for trying to help Suzanna Grace flip and whether she thought that heading to San Fran was a good idea.  Like all of her partners, including my beloved Dr. Heraty, she was loud, bubbly, and just oh so wonderful.  She quickly told us about one technique which requires you to eat something sweet and basically get as close to standing on your head as you can without actually doing it.  As your husband watches on you put your bottom up and head down and do a little swaying as baby moves because of the sugar high...hopefully she gets her up and down confused and through the sugar dance she flips right on over.  

As soon as the DR started trying to find the heartbeat we could tell that something was different.  Her HB has always been on my right side but this time it wasn't...luckily I wasn't feeling panicked by this since I could feel her moving around.  The Dr moved over to my left side and quickly found that precious sound on my lower left side.  Kyle pointed out, "Wow...I bet she has moved!"  We didn't want to get our hopes up too much, but after a tummy "touch" exam to see if she could feel SG's head pointing down, we went to another room for a quick sonogram to confirm...no more breech, much less frank breech, baby girl....we have flipped!  Hooray!!  The DR says that she is pretty low and will hopefully stay head down.  Suzanna Grace moves so much and I know that she could still flip herself back into a breech position but right now she is right where she needs to be!  Go girl!!

Sweet texts from family ;) 

Best Moment of the Week: 

Seeing our sweet girl, hearing that glorious strong heartbeat, and learning that, for now, she is NOT breech!

Looking forward to...  

Visits from my Momma and MA in the next two weeks. 

Sweet things and Life in General:  

We clearly did not make that baby moon trip to SanFran.  In fact the doctor laughed at me when I asked.  I did not have my heart set on it since I knew that 35 weeks was probably too close to go time.  Kyle still went to SanFran for his work trip on Friday though and considered staying for the weekend to give himself a babymoon...I told him that he had my blessing but he left the warm 75 degrees and flew back to me late Friday night.  Kyle and I still enjoyed some time together though and he took me to look at 3rd bands (push present) downtown.  Missing the warm weather but still enjoyed a Chicago babymoon.

Last Sunday we hosted Supper Club and a late celebration for Kyle's birthday.  Potato soup was on the menu along with some good ole birthday ice cream cake.  Since we have been cleaning out in preparation for SG we are down a few chairs but no one seemed to mind and we rotated through couch, chair, and floor spots.  Thanks for taking the picture Ash!
We are truly blessed. I love our friends. 

 Ole Sam came for a visit last weekend as he visited hospitals and did interviews for his fellowship after residency.  The McBees and Moore's showed him a great time and enjoyed hearing all of his parenting advice and worldviews...Sam style.  Sam has been a close friend since freshman year in college and with two new Chicago babies arriving in 2014 we would LOVE for Sam, Richa, and Nandi to move to Chicago too!  

34 Week Update

How Far Along? 

Size? 

Suzanna Grace is:

Maternity Clothes? Exclusively.  I feel like I really became pregnant less than a month ago in terms of me being able to feel the extra tummy measurements and having the need for bigger clothes.  I am not sure if it is the clothes that add to me looking bigger or that I am in fact bigger and the maternity shirts just fit.  I sure do love an elastic jean though and will miss the belly band after baby. 

Weight Gain?  20 pounds as of last week but hopefully continuing to steadily gaining about a pound a week...grow baby girl!  

Stretch Marks? Nope,  Burt's Bees Momma Tummy Lotion twice a day.  My skin has never been so "moist" and soft.  In addition to the fact that I drink gallons upon gallons of water each day the lotion reallys seems to have been helping as there are 0 stretch marks to report!  

Gender? A precious baby GIRL, Suzanna Grace!     

Sleep?  I think the fact that I was awake around 4:50 beginning this post should answer that question.  I sleep hard for a few hours but the moment that I wake up my mind starts running and, in addition to being uncomfortable, I cannot shut it off.  I have also been having weird dreams.  Not so much about the baby...but about Philip Seymour Hoffman and random people from high school...I read that this is common during pregnancy and, like everything else, has something to do with your hormones. 

Movement?  Literally every second that I am sitting down.  She is so active and it is not just little jabs---she continues to move her whole body.  Just a few minutes ago my tummy looked deformed because she was pushing so hard on my right side...then a few seconds later she would do a full body shake down, even out, and then put her weight on another side.  It is absolutely wild.  Last night the only way that I could describe her movements was to say that she was tweerking, as her little bottom was pulsating on my left side. (This of course scares me because there is nothing else that worries me more about having a daughter than her becoming a teenager...and just the thought of Miley Cyrus makes me cringe.)  

Thank you Lord for an active little girl who will no doubt be an outstanding athlete receiving a full ride scholarship to an Ivy League school where her kindness, smarts, and athleticism will surely continue to carry her through to success...does it hurt to dream big??  I think not (plus I read that there are not enough girl athletes to use up all the scholarships that are available...just saying...)!

Food Cravings? Just the usual...anything sweet. 

     

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope, thank goodness. 

Labor signs? No!  Still have a little less than 6 weeks to go.  I was born at 5.5 weeks so this week is a little nerve racking as we see if she will be like her Momma...

Belly button in or out?  Out and flat.  By the end of the day she's poking through my shirt.

  

Wedding rings, on or off? It's on but not as loose as it has been.  Still think the freezing temps are keeping the swelling down.

What I Miss? Nothing.  

Symptoms? Aching hips.  I find that I need to sit down more often too. 

Happy or Moody? Happy, happy, happy.  I could cry at just about every mention of babies, friends, family, and all sweet things but, as my Momma would say, that are always happy tears.  

Dr. Visit Update:

We had another growth sonogram this Tuesday and got to see our sweet girl yet again.  Since she is so big it is becoming harder to get shots of her face and nearly impossible to get a profile shot (PS-our hospital does not do 3D sonos).  She measured exactly where she should for a 33 week 4 day healthy baby, there was plenty of amniotic fluid for her to dance around in, and her tummy was full.  I knew that she was breech but this sonogram told us that she is "frank breech" which means she has folder herself in half and her legs are straight over her head (do not google images of this...it's a little scary and looks super uncomfortable...which my DR assured me it is not for the baby).  In fact, in one of the shots that I saw, her little fist was actually holding on to one of her ankles.  I think that this just goes to show what a southern girl she is as she has rolled herself, like a roly poly, into a ball in protest of the bitter cold Chicago winter.  If my tummy would allow me to stay warm in a similar position I think that I would join her.  I was told that being frank breech makes it harder for the baby to move themselves into their head down birthing position but that her moving herself or the doctors assisting in flipping her was not out of the question.  We are just putting that in God's hands and knowing that HE will put her the way that she needs to be for the best possible delivery.  

Suzanna Grace weighed 4.9 pounds and though she was asleep for most of the sonogram (surprisingly) she did wake up towards the end and give us a few little waves.

Funny enough my Momma was able to locate an X-Ray of herself when she was pregnant with me and sure enough I am breech and one of my legs is sticking straight up by my head as well.  My Momma says that leg stuck straight out of swaddles and blankets for weeks, if not months, after I was born.  It looks like ole Suzanna Grace is following right along in her Momma's footsteps...

Best Moment of the Week: 

-Receiving our 2013 Family Year Book in the mail! 

I saw this idea on Pinterest last year and since then I have become the queen of creating hardcover, bound picture albums online.  I usually find great deals on Amazon Local or Groupon and am able to create 20+ page books for less than $20 which is way less than printing all of the pictures that we take and physically putting them into a photo album.  This way I can include narratives about what we did, people we saw, and the fun memories that were made on each page as well. Look out for many more of these to come as I have already been inspired to make several once SG arrives, including "On the Day You Were Born" where you include pictures from babies first few days AND the texts/emails that were sent and received about baby and  "Who Loves Suzanna Grace" a book of faces and names so that she will always be able to see her grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. 

-Valentines with my sweet Kyle
There has never been a doubt in my mind that ole Kyle would be a fabulous Daddy and I have enjoyed seeing and benefiting from him practicing his "even more tender hearted, sweet girl Daddy" skills on me.  My students had a hay-day trying to guess who sent me flowers at work (a first for Kyle) and a nice surprise dinner reservation capped off a very special day.  I know that when he has an additional Valentines next year he will treat her like a little queen as well.  That ole Kyle...  

Looking forward to... 

Visits from my Momma and MA for final momma-daughter/sister-sister time before SG arrives.  Both of them are secretly hoping that we spend one day together and then SG decides to come.

The San Fran trip would be top on my list but we won't know until Wednesday when I go to the DR. if I can go or not.  I will still be 5 weeks out but Lord knows that we do not want to have a SanFran baby and I am just so worried that Suzanna Grace will feel the warmth of the sun, decide it is in fact spring in Chicago, and try to come while we are away from home. (Have I now made her sound like the groundhog??)  We shall see. 

Sweet things and Life in General:  

Life, in general, and babies are such miracles.  Each day the Good Lord opens my eyes a little wider to how blessed we are to have a healthy little growing girl and gives me the strongest desires to be better for her.  This week we found out that some of our Madison transplant Chicago friends will be welcoming a baby in August (shout out to G and Meg Alvarez for their July baby news that I forgot to mention before now) and we eagerly are anticipating the arrival of 3 precious babies this week (possibly next), Isa Claire Rosamond (Mallory and Tyler, plus big brother Alec), Bailey Templin (Kate and Walt), and Baby Sirois (Marisha and Adam).  Friends in MS, the Bains, welcomed their baby girl on Wednesday and I sobbed throughout the day as I watched and rewatched the video of Daddy Russell bringing out his baby girl to show off to their friends and families.  I just CANNOT wait.  God is good. 

As we praise the Lord for our healthy girl we also join in prayer with the Clay family.  Their little guy John Pearson is such a fighter and his parents are oh such wonderful examples of courage and faith.  Lauren and Wesley post updates and specific prayer request often so please check them out and add their precious baby to your prayers right now.

Chronicles of Clay