Week 27

Week 27, the last week before I enter into the third trimester. That seems like a big deal somehow. In the third trimester your medical appointments increase twice, you start your prenatal classes, you start to get really huge, you start a count down for when your maternity leave starts, all of the flutters you've been feeling turn into kicks and jabs and you start thinking about things like your birth plan, registering at the hospital, the nursery and all of the things you haven't gotten done yet that apply to this new little one who is being added to your family so soon.

Week 27, the week before you only have 10-12 weeks left....

THANK YOU Aunty Tansy!!!

For myself personally I had an eye appointment and I found out that my retinas are attached perfectly well (praise God), I had a midwife appointment and Raymond and I started our prenatal classes. I got to visit with my dear friend Amy, my cousin Katrina, go to a chiropractor appointment, pick up the most beautiful hand made baby jumper thanks to my sister Tansy and celebrate Val's birthday and retirement. Plus I worked my 40 hours (at the best job/training ever) and made a sale of my MK product. It was a big week. A busy week. But until now I didn't really reflect on what kind of a week it was. The kind that's bringing you to the edge of something and hurling you over it but you aren't really aware yet.

Our prenatal classes are being held at the midwifery clinic I go to and when we got there we were presented with a gift bag, comfy chairs, candles and snacks. We chose this class because it's run by our doula and we thought it may be wise to get to know her a bit better and get her views on birthing before the big day. I'm glad we did. This class was special to me. It started out by lighting a candle and joining the circle and sharing a bit about ourselves. We moved onto creating a beautiful water color mantra we can bring into the birthing room if we want to help us remember and focus - mine said "you are loved, BREATH, and You can do this" Raymond also got to make one which I thought was great as he will be a huge support and comfort for me on our delivery day. We did a few other things that weren't applicable to me or my lifestyle but it did give the other couples options for what they may want in their birthing room and I liked the idea of a sacred space. I feel that giving birth is a holy moment and while pain is present it isn't the focus, objective or victory - receiving the greatest joy of a new life is. It's just another way God shows me how amazing He is - everything is planned out and has a reason. The class ended with each couple sitting face to face, legs entwined, staring into each others eyes with a scarf over our heads to provide privacy and we listened to a beautiful song - everyone cried. It was really healing and beautiful. As couples we get so busy working, preparing, living etc that we don't properly date and this moment in time really brought each of us back to our other, the one we chose and made us see them.

bump bump bump! Oh how she grows!!!

So week 27 started softly with church and relaxation, amped up and was full speed ahead, no slowing down by the end. It was a great week. A tiring week. Make sure you eat and hydrate properly if you to find yourself in a busy week no matter where you are in the pregnancy. Don't get so busy you forget about your husband and make sure you're taking your prenatal vitamins!

Keep searching for the healing and sunshine!
Love,
Laura

Week 26

BUMP! 26 WEEKS!

Easter Sunday was a fantastic way to start week 26 for Raymond, Baby O and myself! I was so excited to celebrate this amazing day with my friends and spiritual family at RPC and I just wanted to shout out HE IS RISEN!

I asked God what message he wanted to share with his people and I got this; Today heaven is throwing the biggest, loudest celebratory party because today we celebrate Jesus conquering death and the grave. Today we celebrate Jesus rising from the dead, not only are our sins forgiven and we are made right with God but our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ rose from the dead and we too will rise, new creations to live forever with God. I couldn't be more excited!!!

This week is a big one for my husband as he studies like a mad man and writes his final exams. Did I mention that he's currently a full-time student? He is changing careers and I couldn't be prouder! Anyway it's a big week and so my goal is to cook good food, bake yummy treats and keep the requests to a minimum so he can have all of the study time he needs/wants. I may throw a few suggestions for walks out there as everyone needs a few breaks here and there and he loves the outdoors.

We also went to Agassiz (after Raymond's exams) and I got to spend the day sorting little tiny baby girl clothes with my mom and sister in law which was both fun and exciting. She's coming so soon! It was busy but so fun! We usually stay at my mother in laws home as she has a spare room for us and we love her mothering and cooking (my husband is very loved). While I did the girly stuff, my husband worked on our vehicle, he's so talented! This trip included talking to cows, getting haircuts by my other amazing sister in law (I'm lucky enough to have 2) and go to my old church CLC. I loved every minute of it and was so grateful for a non emergency filled week. What a blessing.

Ps. I had super bad Braxton Hicks at church but that was technically the first day of week 27 and doesn't count in my fabulous week 26 report!

Keep searching for the healing and sunshine!
Love,
Laura 

Week 25

Good Morning dear ones, I hope you had a great sleep. This morning is beautiful, sunshiny and I am so excited to have the day off.

Today I will be going to the dentist ~ MAKE SURE YOU TELL THEM YOU'RE PREGNANT before you get in the chair or when you make your appointment. You may want to see your dentist an extra time while pregnant as everything in our bodies change from carrying our littles including our teeth! We want healthy, clean, strong teeth and to do that we need to make sure we are flossing, brushing but NOT rinsing with mouthwash. That stuff isn't good for you or your babe.

So this week I began to really notice Braxton Hicks contractions - nasty things. They are intense and I tend to get a little grumpy if I have too many in a row or they are particularly strong. I got woken up by one at 3:15 AM and was not impressed. However, the great thing about them is that they are your bodies way of practicing for the real deal! This means you will be all ready to rock on your delivery day and won't be surprised as you'll already know what to expect for the early stages of labour. Braxton Hicks contractions are irregular (you don't want more than 5/6 per hour) and they have no rhyme or rhythm to them. If you can time them, if you have any change in your discharge or if you have cramping with them this may be signs of early labour and you need to go to emergency or call your health care provider to see what he/she recommends.

This 25th week I had a 3 day work week, worship practice, I swam, had an orthodontist appointment, a Dr. Appointment and I was not constipated which for me is a two thumbs up! A lot of women have to deal with this uncomfortable side effect (which can lead to hemorrhoids - varicose veins in your anus) and so I make sure to put a lot of fibre into my morning shakes and try and have a bowl of bran or a few prunes throughout the day as well. It may be too much information for you from me but I'm trying to be honest here. If you can avoid laxatives then why not???

This week baby O really picked up her game kicking and fluttering and moving which was comforting and fun to feel. I love knowing she's happy and healthy and ALIVE inside of me.

We also had to go through another trip to the ER as a family because on Thursday I had some spotting. It wasn't a lot and it wasn't fresh blood but when I contacted my midwife she said to go as soon as I could. Spotting in the third trimester isn't a joke, and so if you see anything irregular make sure you call your health provider and see what she says to do about it. Don't go online and freak yourself out but call someone who has been seeing you throughout your pregnancy and knows your body and baby. If you don't have anyone then just go into the ER to get checked out. Spotting can come from a lot of things; sex, an internal exam by someone on your medical team, tearing of the placenta or it could be your cervix. Two of those aren't worrisome and two are. For us I believe it was from the internal exam my OBGYN performed on Monday and everything ended up being fine. I got an ultrasound as they are making sure my cervix isn't shortening due to the genetic issue I have. I also got a stress test done on baby O (which she rocked at for being so small still) and had my urine checked and a blood sample taken (which I am getting great at - praise God!)

The weed ended with 3 appointments. One was the all girls bible study that I attend once a month (which isn's an appointment really) and it was amazing as always, next up was an echocardiogram (an ultrasound on my heart due to EDS and pregnancy) and last was a massage because my boss bought me one for my birthday a couple of years ago and I was holding onto it for the day I would NEED it and what do you know, my neck pinched a nerve and I was desperate for relief. The bible study was so much fun, the Echo results came back GREAT (my aorta valve is closed!!!) and I loved my pregnancy massage and my neck feels so much better.

This sunday is Easter Sunday which I'm really pumped about and I get to sing with the worship team which I love so this week over all was two thumbs up. When you live with pregnancy pain or chronic pain it's good to measure your week in two ways (at least). For myself it was a good week, I had a good attitude, God gave me the strength I needed and turned everything for good every time and while my body had a hard week with pain and spotting I separate the two and say two thumbs up for me, all of the praise and honor and glory go to God and my body did its best!

Keep searching for the sunshine and healing! Don't give up, God is waiting to heal you - I promise!
Love,
Laura xo