33 Weeks

Dear Cambria,

I know, I know, I have been slacking on posting this past week and I apologize for it. Officially I am 33 weeks pregnant with you now (although I'm closer to 34 because my letter is late this week). We have had a jam packed week and a half since my last letter!! Mommy has been very busy at work and you continue to keep me busy as well with all the new ailments and symptoms you are causing me lately too!

We started out last week with a little bit of a scare. I had just not been feeling very well since about Sunday night. I was tired, my stomach was hurting and I just felt like something was wrong. After barely sleeping at all on Sunday or Monday night I decided (with some coaxing from your Daddy) to call the Doctor on Tuesday morning. After describing my symptoms to them over the phone, they decided they wanted me in right away that day to make sure you weren't trying to make an early escape! When we got to the Dr. we were very thankful to find out that although I was having contractions, they weren't because I was in labor. Apparently you sitting on my bladder constantly gave me an infection and the infection was causing some contractions. The Dr. reassured me that you were safe and sound in there with no signs of any early escape on your part. I happily took the prescription for the antibiotics to begin feeling better and left with peace of mind that you were (and still are) comfortable, safe, sound and perfectly growing. I am now on my 5th day of the antibiotics and am feeling MUCH better (no more contractions, so that's always good).

I will say that another lovely symptom you have been giving to me (your Mommy) lately is a severe case of cankles. I came home from work on Friday night and as soon as I pulled up my jeans to look at my ankles I gasped out loud. Your Daddy came quickly over to see what was going on and when he too saw my feet, ankles and calves he said, "Wow - you have NO ankles anymore". The weird thing is that my right leg is ALWAYS swollen way worse than my left leg too. I am not sure the reason for this, and I will ask the Dr. when I go next, but for now I'm chalking it up to the fact that you're always hanging out in the right side of my belly so you're probably pushing on something on that side that's causing my right foot, ankle and calf to swell that much more. My feet/ankles look the best in the morning and by about noon they have just gone severely downhill. I just pray that this is just a normal part of pregnancy and that when I go to the Dr. next they don't tell me they want me home on bed rest until you're born. I REALLY don't want that, so please cooperate little girl!!!

This weekend is Labor Day weekend so Daddy and I have been lucky enough to have a nice 3 day weekend to stay home and relax. I took a nap yesterday afternoon for over 2 hours and I'm pretty sure I will take a nap this afternoon and possibly tomorrow afternoon too. Weekends are so wonderful because I get to catch up on just relaxing and making sure that you and I are both happy, healthy and rested. Daddy is so understanding too when Mommy needs to rest (whether it be for a nap or going to bed at 8:30) because he wants his girls healthy and safe. God love him!!

As much as I have loved being pregnant with you Cambria, I think I am about ready to meet you. A lot of people have been asking me lately if I'm nervous about labor and delivery and my immediate answer is "Oddly, No!" I think I am just so ready to meet you and have you here with us that I don't even care about the multiple hours (and probably days based on my Mom's experiences) of pain and labor that I will first have to go through. I might change my mind while I'm experiencing this pain, but for now it doesn't make me nervous or anxious at all. I guess I just have my eye on the prize - a beautiful and healthy baby girl! We can't wait to meet you - until then, stay safe and cozy (oh, and please stop poking me in the ribs so I can breathe). I love you!!

Love,
Mommy

Strollin' and Stylin'

I can't believe that I have forgotten to make a post about our latest purchase for Cambria. Here is her brand new stroller and car seat. My personal favorite picture is the last one I posted - it's the Mommy Cam View of what I see while I'm pushing the stroller. (**Notice the cool car seat strap covers too - they're made by my awesome sister-in-law and they go PERFECTLY with her pink/white headrest**)

Jon and I are thrilled with our choice and we know Cami will be the most stylin' baby on the block (or in the mall, park or wherever else we take her). The nice thing is that we didn't have to pay one dime out of our own pockets for this lovely stroller/car seat combo. We had so much money with gift cards and gift returns (due to duplicate gifts) that we had more than enough money to get this without breaking our bank account even further than we already have. I LOVE free baby purchases!

Needless to say, although Cami hasn't made her debut yet, and hopefully she won't for at least another month, her stroller has already gone on numerous 'strolls'. We haven't taken it outside in the neighborhood for fear that our neighbors will think we're lunatics for walking an empty stroller, but we have taken many 'strolls' around our living room and kitchen. Each time one of us is 'strolling' around the house the other typically has a big grin on their face with a cute little remark such as 'it's very fitting on you' or 'you're a natural'. I guess you can say we're just a little bit excited to become parents.

Cami has NO idea how stylin' she'll be with all of her cool gadgets when she arrives. What a lucky little girl! Next on our 'to do' list: Have the base to the car seat installed in our car and then we'll REALLY be ready for her arrival! I can't wait!!!

Peaceful!

This afternoon I did something that was new to me. I washed all of Cambria's 0-3 months sized clothes in preparation for really getting her drawers and closet in her nursery organized. Usually I HATE doing to the laundry. Today was the exact opposite.

As I was folding her clothes (and some receiving blankets, little mittens, etc.) I found myself off in my own world and in complete peace! I found myself smiling as I picked up little onesies. It so suddenly didn't matter that today is Sunday and I have to go back to work tomorrow. Washing and folding her clothes made it that much more real that in less than 8 weeks our little Princess will be here.

After I folded all of her clothes I carefully carried them upstairs and spent a good half hour by myself in her nursery just loving life. I put her clothes away and organized some things and all the while I was in total bliss. I still feel like I need to pinch myself and remind myself every now and then that this is real. Maybe I just need to do baby laundry more often, especially on Sunday's, so it helps put things into perspective for me going into the work week. Who knew laundry could bring someone so much peace and bliss?

32 Week Letter

Dear Cambria,

Another week has come and gone and as always, it's so hard to believe! This week I have been very busy at work and you have just been along for the ride. I have been getting many more comments lately too from students and coworkers about the size of you (and my belly), so obviously they are all noticing how much you've grown lately. I'm glad I'm not the only one who's noticing how big you're getting, but at the same time I'm not sure how I feel about some of the comments that I get either. I do know that I love the fact that each day that passes brings me one day closer to meeting your beautiful face!!

This week your Daddy bought a baby carrier for you from someone at work. He is a little nervous about how he's going to carry you anywhere (to walk the dog, go inside Best Buy, go to the mall, etc.). Not only is he worried about the functionality of carrying you - but you know your Daddy, and he's definitely worried about carrying you in style too! The sling that Mommy got for you is too 'girly' according to your Daddy and so he needed something a little more 'manly' that he would be comfortable carrying you in. Tonight we both tried on the new carrier he purchased and we were getting so excited just thinking of having you inside it so we can go places as a family!

I also want to thank you for something this week. I want to thank you for allowing me to get a little bit more sleep than you have been in the past few weeks. For a while you were a little ninja at night and you would just beat me up all night long, thus keeping me wide awake. This past week you have been more calm at night and so I have been able to sleep in longer stretches (at least until my bladder wakes me up from your little head pushing on it). Last night I slept from 9:30 PM - 2:00 AM without waking up once and it was GLORIOUS! I pray that you continue to cooperate a little in this department so that when you do decide to make your arrival into this world I am a little bit rested for the many sleepless nights that lie ahead of me!

As you continue to grow your Daddy and I continue to patiently wait for your arrival in 8 short weeks (or less possibly - your GMa predicts you'll be born on October 17th). I will admit that the closer we get to your due date the more impatiently we wait, but we know that you need to continue to bake for a while longer so that you will come out as strong and healthy as possible. All I ask is that you don't weigh as much as your Daddy when he was born. Having a 9 pound baby scares me! One thing is for sure though; we will (and already do) love you with everything that we have!

Love,
Mommy and Daddy

Little Pumpkin...

When my Mom and I were shopping this weekend we came across this most adorable pumpkin costume for a newborn. It only seems fitting that Cami dress up as a pumpkin for her first Halloween since that's what she's making her Mommy look like lately.

I swear that my stomach has grown a ton overnight. Today at work I was so uncomfortable and even sitting didn't help to make me feel better. In fact, whenever I sat down today I felt as though someone was squeezing my chest and restricting me from breathing. Oh wait - that's right, someone (someone we plan to name Cambria) is pushing up on my chest and making it difficult to breathe!

Then there's the awful heartburn that has been making an ugly appearance lately. Usually I can deal pretty well with the heartburn but lately it's been an all day and all night affair and it is NOT fun or doable much longer. This morning as I was getting ready for work I dropped my brush on the floor. As I bent over to pick it up, which was a show in itself, I experienced the most burning sensation in my chest that I have ever had to deal with. For a minute I panicked that something was seriously wrong with me until it settled in that I am 32 weeks pregnant and that it's totally normal under these circumstances. Tums will remain my best friend for the next 8 weeks, that's for sure!

Okay - so back to the pumpkin. Our little pumpkin continues to grow each day and based on my belly size I am SURE of that! I guess I don't mind her making me look more and more like a pumpkin for the next 2 months under ONE condition: She must make her exit in time for Halloween so that the roles can be reversed.

Cambria, on Halloween night you better be born and ready to get dressed up as Mommy's Little Pumpkin. Your costume is adorable, ready and waiting! I can't wait to see you and I know neither can the rest of your family!!

Extreme Exhaustion!

Lately the exhaustion has hit me, and it's hit me HARD! I have heard from people that this exhaustion comes back with a vengence in the third trimester but I was convinced for a few weeks that I had escaped that awful end of pregnancy symptom - until now.

Over the past 2 weeks I have become increasingly more and more tired. It has almost gotten as bad as it was when I was first pregnant. The other day (Saturday) I woke up after sleeping a good long while and after being awake for only 2 hours I was ready to head back upstairs and climb into bed for a 2 hour nap. I guess it's just my body's way of telling me that I need to slow down and relax now while I can.

I have come to the conclusion that this tiredness would not be such a big problem if I didn't have to work full time when being this pregnant. By the time I get to work in the mornings now I am ready for a nap. The problem with that is - once I get to work I just run myself ragged for 8 straight hours before I can head home to do any type of relaxing. I guess I just have to keep looking at that 3D picture of Cambria that's sitting on my desk to remind myself that everything is worth it. Hard to believe in 8 short weeks she'll be here with me - and not to mention that I will get a nice long break from work to be home with her for a few months! :-)

Okay, exhaustion, I will somehow deal with you for a little while longer just so I can get my prize at the end of this 40 week journey!

31 Week Letter

Dear Little Miss Cambria,

I apologize for not writing a 30 week letter to you last week. Things were just too crazy in my life and I didn't get around to it. Now I am back in the swing of things and ready to write to you again.

As of today I am officially 31 weeks pregnant with you. Wow - it almost scares me to say that. 31 weeks seems so far along in my pregnancy and SO close to meeting you!! You are running out of room in my stomach and I'm a little curious as to how you'll even be living in there in another few weeks. Every time you make ANY type of movement now I not only feel it but I can see it from the outside too. Even a little girl at work today claimed she knew I was having a baby because she "saw my belly move" when she was standing next to me. Apparently I'm not the only one that sees you moving around a lot!

I love that you're growing and I love that each day my stomach seems as though it has doubled in size from the previous day. The picture above is a beautiful picture your Daddy took on the morning of Mammy's funeral. I was getting ready and he snapped the picture without me knowing. Your Daddy is fascinated lately at how big you are becoming too. I absolutely love how excited he is now that my belly is so big. Every day he kisses you numerous times and tells you how much he loves you. He has even given my stomach a new nickname: torpedo belly.

What a miracle it is to be pregnant with you and to have new life growing inside of me! As I've mentioned before, when I was little I always dreamed of the day I would find my Prince Charming, get married and be pregnant with a baby. Now that I am actually living that dream, pregnancy is nothing and everything that I expected it to be all rolled into one. Feeling you move inside me is NOTHING what I had imagined it to be - I don't know why and I can't explain it, it just isn't. On the same note, feeling you move inside of me is by far way more cool than I ever expected it to be as well! I will NEVER be able to verbally express the intense motherly bond that I share with you right now. I must admit - although I'm SO excited to meet you in 2 months I am also a little sad to see my pregnancy end. Once you're out in the wide open world that means I have to share you with other people. Rest assured too that there are PLENTY of people who will be pestering me constantly to spend LOTS of quality time with you - your Daddy being #1 on the list. :-) I guess I don't mind sharing with him, especially since he helped make you!

Stay safe, grow stronger, longer and more beautiful every single day. Soon enough you'll be making your departure into the real world to help Daddy and I figure out our next journey in life together: Parenthood! We love you with all of our hearts!!!

Love,
Mommy