Quick Update

I had my weekly OB appointment yesterday. Because of my blood pressure still being high the doctors still have concerns that I may be developing pre-eclampsia. My blood work and urine test from last week came back fine, but they decided to repeat it to make sure nothing has changed. I really really love my doctors. They are being extremely thorough to make sure we do what is best for me and RaeLynn. They put me on a stress test that monitors the baby's heart rate and any contractions. I'd been feeling some random contractions the past week or so and after my exam was having some pretty regular ones. RaeLynn's heart rate was good and responded to movement, etc the way they wanted it to.

I was also actually dilated to 1 cm. The doctor said that is really good in case they end up having to induce me. My gut feeling is that they'll end up inducing...but we'll see! I guess we'll find out more on Monday! I can't wait to meet our sweet little girl. I know that everything that's going on is totally in God's hands and that she will make her arrival in His timing.

In the meanwhile, we've been busy getting everything ready (and I've still been resting...don't worry about that!) Slowly but surely our house is starting to look "baby ready." 

We can't wait for RaeLynn to be here!!

Dr's Orders

Well, my OB appointment on Wednesday didn't go as expected. The swelling in my feet/ankles/legs had gradually gotten worse. Many friends and family had started to express concerns that my blood pressure may be getting high. Anddd it was. Dr. Fredrick asked me how possible it'd be for me to stay out of work the remainder of the pregnancy and I told her I'd do whatever was best for RaeLynn's health and mine....sooo no more working! Unfortunately there is just no way for me to be off my feet enough at work. This definately wasn't the news I wanted. I was really hoping to be able to work up until our little girl arrived, but everything happens for a reason! The doctor said that RaeLynn would be fine if she came now, but that obviously she'd like her to stay put for at lease a couple more weeks. So...it seems that baby girl may possibly be here sooner than expected. Today was the first day I was at home and I can already tell a major difference in the swelling in my feet and legs. I can actually see my ankles again! Please just pray that the Lord's will be done as far as when RaeLynn is to make her big appearance and for my health in general. Looks like I'll have plenty of time to rest before I spend all my time caring for a newborn! That I can be thankful for!

 

This is what I did for part of my first day of rest:

 

I've been wanting to learn to crochet for a while so I started watching some Youtube videos today. My mom is awesome at crocheting and had bought me a beginners set. The videos are great since it helps me to actually see it being done.

Feelin' the love!

Whew! It has been crazy busy the past week or so! I have officially graduated to once a week OB appointments. Last Wednesday I got to hear RaeLynn's heartbeat again and that never ever gets old! I've started swelling over the past few weeks and had some concerns about it, but the doctor said it's perfectly normal. I go back again tomorrow so hopefully everything will still be a-ok and my blood pressure will still be normal. This whole swelling thing isn't so much fun! None of my shoes fit anymore and slowly but surely my legs have started swelling too. It is all worth it for our little girl though, even if it means I get to sport some attractive cankles for a while! haha!

My very sweet sister and mom had a baby shower for us on Saturday. We were so extremely overwhelmed by how generous our family and friends were. RaeLynn is pretty much set and has everything she'll need. It was wonderful to get to spend time with friends I haven't seen in a while too. 

RaeLynn is one very loved little girl! We can't say thank you enough to everyone who has helped welcome her into our family. She isn't even here and is already so blessed to have each and every one of you in her life!

I was also super excited to get the cd of photos from our maternity photo shoot from Sutherland Hill Farms Photography this past week. I'll leave you with a few of my favorites. 

If you're looking for a great photographer, Krista Sutherland is amazing!!

Life on the farm

If you're reading this, you probably already know that Justin and I have what most people would probably consider a funny farm. Currently we have a horse, two miniature donkeys, three ducks, five guineas, fourteen chickens, two cats, and three dogs. I am soo lucky to have such a wonderful hubby who not only puts up with all the animals, but loves them just as much as I do (other than the cats!)

If it were up to us we'd have much much more land and a bunch more animals. Our dream is to have enough land so we can have a "real" farm and grow/raise most of the food we need right on our own property. I like the idea of being as self-sufficient as possible Our animals are a huge part of our lives, so I hope RaeLynn loves them just as much as we do! I can already picture her in overalls and boots following us around taking care of the animals. 

34 weeks!

I really can't believe how fast time is flying! I was 34 weeks pregnant on Monday!! It still feels like yesterday that we found out we were going to be parents and now it's right around the corner. A lot of people have started asking if we're nervous. The answer would be yes and no. I'm not worried about RaeLynn being here...but I think Justin and I are both nervous about the process of getting her here. We have a hospital tour this Thursday, so hopefully that will put our minds at ease a little (or completely freak us out!)

I've been working like a crazy person on RaeLynn's nursery. I've had a lot of DIY projects in the works and have finally finished a few of them. Here's a couple sneak peaks of what I've done so far. I hope that in the next couple weeks the nursery will be pretty much finished. I'll post pictures of the whole room then.

Well, I'll try to update after the hospital tour! We also have our baby shower this weekend :) Can't wait to see everyone!



New Beginnings

June 21, 2012 is a day I'll never forget. To make a long story short, on that day a text message from a co-worker prompted me to go buy a couple pregnancy tests.

 

Well, at first I bought a couple tests...then when those appeared to be POSITIVE, I ended up with another test! I guess the first two weren't enough proof for me.

One thing I've always wanted was to be a mom. I've known that I wanted children for a long time but over the past few years that want grew stronger and stronger. Logically though, we decided it was best for us to wait to start a family until I finished school ( I've been working on my bachelors in Elementary Education from Anderson University for about 1 1/2 years now.) The idea of working full time, going to school full time, being a wife, helping to keep a house in order, and trying to have somewhat of a life seemed to be enough without adding a baby into the picture. So the plan was to wait another 2  years until I graduated and then try for babies! Isn't it funny how God laughs at our plans sometimes??

When I took those first two tests I'll be honest, I was shocked. I wasn't expecting them to be positive so when they were, I freaked out a little (or maybe a LOT!) Looking back, I feel a little bad about my initial reaction. It wasn't at all that I didn't want a baby. I just wasn't expecting a baby to come into the picture for a while! Justin handled the news a lot better than me. He just stood there grinning. I wish I could've handled it that well! It took a few days for everything to really sink in. We are going to be parents. We will be responsible for this little human being. There is a little miracle growing inside me.

Well, somehow about 6 months have FLOWN by since we found out the big news. Since then so much has happened. I finished another semester at Anderson University, we've gone to many doctors appointments, found out that we're having a little GIRL, and have attempted to prepare ourselves as much as possible for her arrival. I've meant to write in this blog for months now because I want to remember as much of this journey as possible. With school and work and well....just life, it's taken me a while to get started. Today I am 32 weeks and 3 days pregnant. I can't wait for little RaeLynn Mackenzie to be here. I can't wait to see Justin fall in love with her like I know he will. Sometimes I still can't believe there's a little person growing inside of me and that God chose me to be her mama.