39 Weeks

There was a moment in time that I was so positive that I was going to have the baby early, that I didn't think I was going to make it to write this post, but sure enough...here we are! Just over 39 weeks pregnant, 6 days until our due date and so, so ready to meet our little Miss or Mister. Shawn's Daddy leave starts this weekend and with the full moon on Saturday, who knows maybe Luda Bean will make the big debut a little earlier than big sister did. She came 1 day before her due date, so I guess all I can hope for is that we don't go over our due date.

With that being said, I had an appointment with my OB this morning and there has been some labor progression. Yay! We did schedule an indication date, just in case, so if Bean does decide to run over his/her EDD then we will be inducing on 9/8/15. I however, don't think we are going to get that far and am really praying that we go on our own. My heart rate, blood pressure and weight were all "great" this morning. Baby was measuring just as he/she should and our little one's heart rate was nice and strong.

As excited as I am, there is still a part of me that is more nervous about this labor than my first. I think it's the added worry of our sweet girl and making sure that she is being taken care of before we rush off to the hospital. We do however, have a list of people to call when labor does start and I know that she will be well taken care of while we are working to bring her brother or sister into the world. Everyone is so excited to meet our Luda Bean and we just can't wait to find out if we are having a daughter or son. 6 days and counting!

Along: 
39 Weeks, 2 days

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 
36/37 Pounds

Gender: 
????????????

Movement: 
Still quite the active one, but I'm definitely starting to notice more sleep/wake cycles.

Sleep: 
Has been pretty great...and I'm heading for a nap as soon I finish this post.

Ever since I can remember I've been popping those buttons! Haha. Evidence of the growing belly.

Cravings: 
Sweet, tart and salty. Basically anything. Today's specialty....a spicy chicken sandwich and frosty!

Symptoms: 
My muscles are just sore. Legs, abdominal. The extra weight is definitely starting to take it's toll.

Best Moment of the Week:
We have had a lot of fun day dates with our girl, but the Air and Space Museum has been the best! She even got to go again today with her Granny and Papa!

Hopefully the next time I am writing it will be about our Luda Bean's BIRTHday! 

Hope you have a blessed weekend!

Ash

38 Weeks - Any Day Now Bean

As much as I'd like to think I am completely in tune with my body, I'm just not. Baby's have minds of their own and I know that this little one is going to make the big debut when he or she decides, or more like the Lord decides, the time is right. Today is our 9 year Dating-versary, so tomorrow would be cool. The 23rd is my parents wedding anniversary. If I had the baby on the 24th, then we'd have birthdays exactly a month a part. And if the baby stays in there until September, we'd share a birth month! Basically any day now is just fine by me!

Along: 38 Weeks
I'm blessed to say that I had another great appointment with my OB. Everything seems to be looking great and I am so happy to be a healthy Mommy, with a healthy baby growing inside. My blood pressure and heart beat were perfect, baby was measuring right at 38 weeks and had a heart rate in the 130s, and even though I was having mild contractions while in the office there is still little going on in terms of labor progression. Which is OK...for now!

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Up 36 pounds, but I'm sure my weight is fluctuating quite a bit from day to day because I have started to retain fluid and notice that I have sausage fingers and swollen ankles at the end of most days. Anyways, weight has actually been a sore subject for me this go around, so maybe I won't make it to my next appointment, so I won't have to see that number rise anymore! 

**Disclaimer: I am still in love with pregnancy. There is something so special about this time and with just 14 days, give or take, of this pregnancy left, I plan on cherishing it to the fullest. I love my round belly, although I hate when people call it big or huge (those words don't sit well with me), and I love the way that Shawn looks at me while I'm pregnant. Like I'm the prettiest things in the world, even with the swollen ankles and stretched out belly, which is still free of stretch marks, so far!

Gender: I'm starting to get a little anxious to find out, but we have a boy's name fully picked out and a first name for a girl, so I'm feeling good. For a while I was afraid that if we had a girl we'd be leaving there with a daughter named Baby Girl. 

Movement: Still having tons a movement. It's kind of a myth that babies stop moving around as much as you get later into pregnancy. The movements may not be has frequent, but getting in 2 hours of 10 kicks an hour is still a requirement and I am happy to say that this baby is an active little one. He/She has been being super still later into the morning, so maybe Bean will sleep in while I get time with the early rising Big Sister in the mornings. We shall see!

Sleep: Sleeping has been a little rough, I'm just more uncomfortable these days and I have been waking up in the middle of the night, sometimes for more than a hour and am unable to fall back to sleep. With that being said, Em spent some time with her Granny this week, since I was working my last shifts in the ER and I slept solid until 8:40! I can't remember the last time I went to sleep and woke up not once until 8:40. It was pretty awesome. 

Cravings: No new cravings. I try to make smart choices with my diet, but at this point I am pretty much eating what I want because I know that I won't be able to do that for much longer. Don't worry, Bean is still getting fruits, veggies and protein, but he or she is also having a slice of cake, or two, if the desire is there!

Symptoms: After working Monday I came home having a bit of pain in the left leg from the baby sitting my sciatic nerve. Those shooting pains are no joke. I've continued to have some contractions here and there, but nothing consistent and I'm still having heartburn. I remember when Em was born it was like the acid in my stomach just turned off and I am hoping that the same thing happens this go around. This Mommy is tired of constantly having a stomach acid taste in her mouth and a burn in her throat.

Best Moment of the Week: This week has been pretty great for getting things done. I was able to make some freezer meals for when the Bean arrives, pack a hospital bag for me and Shawn and finish up another book that was on my reading list. I'm currently working through "Strong Father's, Strong Daughters" as well as the the last book in the Divergent series. We'll see if I get those finished before the Bean arrives!

Sorry for all the iPhone selfies, that is all I had energy for this week!

37 Weeks w/ Miss or Mister #2

Along: 37 Weeks

My view from above. 

We are down to weekly appointments now and everything is continuing to look great. My heart rate and blood pressure were right on track. Baby's heart rate was 126, measuring 37 weeks and head down. And as far a labor progression, I haven't had any true signs of early labor yet, so I'm thinking we are going to be holding tight with this baby until our due date. Although there are a couple special days in August that I wouldn't mind bringing another life into the world on!

Size: This week baby is the size of a bunch of swiss chard, coming in at roughly 6 1/3 pounds and measuring just above 19 inches. Although some people consider 37 weeks full term, keeping the baby on the inside for the next 2 weeks or so allows baby's brain and lungs to fully mature.  So as excited as I am to meet this sweet baby, we need him or her to stay put for just a little longer. 

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Down from last week, but up 33 pounds total.

Gender: Miss or Mister, we'll find out soon!

Movement: Yes! Still have huge movements, so much so that I have been waking up in the middle of the night. Bean definitely likes to let Mommy know that he or she is in there. 

Sleep: I'm waking up at least once a night and having a hard time falling asleep afterwards. Looks like insomnia is in full swing. If I didn't have a toddler to take care of the next morning, I'd make better use of that time, but instead I lay there trying to fall asleep again. I guess this is just my body's way of preparing me for when Luda Bean arrives!

Cravings: Eating has never been a problem for me and I have to admit, I sometimes wish I was that pregnant person who was running out of room, but lets face it, I love food. I love to eat and I don't think that is going to change anytime soon...although I probably should eat a littler healthier at times...ice cream or chocolate anyone?! Even Em has developed a liking for the ever delicious, dark chocolate pomegranate by Brookside. 

Symptoms: Heartburn, heartburn, heartburn. Every time Shawn catches me popping a tums he thinks he needs to remind me that they aren't candy. Yes dear, I know, that is what the chocolate in my purse next to the tums is for. 

Best Moment of the Week(s): We have had such a good week! We didn't do anything major, but just the normal every day things have been great to sit back, relax and enjoy. From shopping with Granny on Saturday, to flower picking, splash pad playing and swim class; we have had so much fun just doing the every day. With all that is about to change in our lives, it is nice to not have anything major planned and to be able to be as spontaneous as possible, knowing that any day now our lives are going to be changed, for the good, when our new Miss or Mister debuts into the world. 

I mean seriously. These two melt my heart.

20 Months Old

My sweet girl, you're twenty months old! I can hardly believe it. I honestly feel like every month you grow you get sweeter and sweeter and I love how your personality is sprouting before our very eyes. You make us laugh, you make us cry, but mostly, you make us proud. Proud to be your Mom and Dad and blessed to have been given the duty to raise you. You are absolutely the most perfect daughter for us and I love getting to live life through your eyes.

20 months old and still the best snuggle buddy.

In just a few short weeks, before your next "month" birthday, you're going to be a BIG SISTER. This is a whole new role for you, but I know that you are going to be amazing. You are going to love having a sweet baby to care for and give kisses to. To hug, hold and rock and I can't wait to see the two of you grow up together, hand in hand, partners in crime, the ultimate friends.

So full of life! <3

Always, remember that Mommy loves you. She loves you just the way you are. She loves you because you are you. And even though things are going to be different, I want you to know that I will never stop loving you. You are my first blessing, my first reason to be called Mommy, my first love at first sight and even though my time with you is going to be different, my love for you will only grow stronger.

I love you little lady,
Mommy

36 Weeks - Less than a month!

That's right people, less than 1 month until the big day! At my appointment this morning things checked out great. Baby is head down, yay! My heart rate and blood pressure were perfect and baby's heart rate was 140. Although I don't think that we will be having our baby too early, my OB just said she for sure wanted me to keep the baby cooking until 37 weeks, so bake baby bake.

Along: 36 Weeks
(Above is 16 weeks and 26 weeks...crazy to see them next to each other and show just how much my body has changed over the last 9 months)

I don't THINK I can get any bigger!

Size: It's great to know that baby's Kidney's and liver are now developed along with most of the basic physical development, which means that the next 4 weeks or so baby can focus on putting on the chub. At this point baby is roughly 6 pounds, about 18 1/2 inches long and will put on about an ounce a day from here on out!

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Up 34 pounds. Yikes.

Gender: ???????

Movement: This baby is still rocking and rolling. 

Sleep: I have been sleeping pretty good, although I have been waking up here lately to go to the bathroom at least once a night. I've also just started to feel more tired, but I'm hoping for some super Mommy energy soon, so I can get everything that I need to get done before the baby comes. 

Cravings: Let me just say that when sweet potato fries and a large amount of ice cream sound like a perfectly acceptable lunch combination, you may have a problem. 

Symptoms: Heartburn and nausea have been my only real complaints here lately. 

Best Moment of the Week(s): TWO girls weekends in a row was just what this Mommy needed. Although it was hard to leave me girl, I even cried the first weekend, it was great to have some refreshing time with both my girlfriends and family before Luda Bean makes his/her arrival. There was plenty of shopping and seafood in Annapolis and beach time in Wilmington. I really have been blessed to have some pretty spectacular women in my life and I am loving that I am getting to walk through some of the same stages of life with them. 

Goals for the next Week:
1. Rest, but stay active...if that makes sense.
2. Read! - I have really struggled with setting aside time for reading and it's something I want to work on since time will seem even more limited with TWO littles.
3. Pack freezer meals for Baby's birth month.
4. Pre-register at the hospital and pack the hospital bag.

Soon-to-Be Mom of Two

A Mom of two. It's hard to believe that in 35 days, give or take and who's really counting, I will be a Mom of two! There are days when I feel like there is no way I will be able to handle having two kiddos under 2, especially when my sweet and sassy baby girl is running wide open; she definitely gives us a run for our money. It's on those tough days and there were several this week, 1 of which involved me sitting on the steps having my own little melt down while Em ran around screaming and I couldn't help but think about how exhausted I was, that all I can do is ask for grace. Grace from the Lord and confidence from him that I can do this, that he is equipping me to be not the perfect Mom or Supermom, but the godly Mom who was picked for Em and for the Bean. With that being said, I am working on accepting that grace and realizing that I'm not perfect and that's okay.

I know I have said this before, but when I found out that we were expecting baby #2 I went through a wide scope of emotions. Excitement for what was to come, but fear of the unknown. How were we going to handle going from double-teaming to man-to-man defense? How were we going to make sure that we gave each of them the one on one love and attention that they deserve? Questions came piling in, but one answer prevailed, the Lord. God picked Shawn and I to be the parents of not just our sweet girl, but to her brother or sister who is to come and this of course is not a task we take lightly. In doing this He is affirming in us not only the ability, but the trust to raise these two sweet babies and any future babies that He sees fit in blessing us with. Not that we are already planning or anything! ;)

So, with prayers on top of prayers we are facing the challenge ahead relying on the Ultimate Father to guide us as we bring another miracle into the world. The love that I have for sweet Emerson is immeasurable and with each day that passes in our countdown to #2 I become more and more excited to meet our Luda Bean. After Emerson was born we felt like she had always been there, a part of us in some way. Once Bean arrives I know that those feelings will be the same. I can't imagine my life without these sweet babies and the joy that they bring me.

There was a time that I felt guilty that I was pushing Em to grow up too soon. That I was going to miss out on time with just her by bringing another life into the mix. I'm learning that instead of focusing on what I was "taking" from her, I should focus on what is being given. A sibling, a partner in crime, a forced best friend, a shoulder to lean on. All the things that I am thankful to have in my siblings, she is going to get to experience and I am so excited for her to have that. There is nothing sweeter than when she wakes up asking about the baby, lifts up my shirt to expose my belly and kisses me right on the belly button. I hold back tears every time, knowing that her curiosity of my ever-expanding tummy will soon turn to love and amazement, and maybe a little frustration, when she finally gets to meet the baby behind the belly button. I also got to experience her holding a real baby for the first time this week and let me tell you, I was holding back tears. It was the sweetest thing and she was all about giving that sweet girl hugs and kisses.

In practical ways we are constantly talking to not only the baby, but to Em about the baby. About how her room will soon be inhabited by two little humans and that her Mommy will soon have another little blessing to love, hold and snuggle. We've given her baby dolls and talk to her about being gentle, touching the baby on the head and rocking the baby in her rocking chair. I'm trying to focusing on the important things, serving the Lord, being a loving, supportive wife to Shawn and the Mom God called me to be to my little ones.

Who knows how long it will take for me to get used to having two little ones to care for, but bathing in grace is definitely going to be part of that journey. For now, I'm loving on my family of three, while waiting patiently and excitedly for our number four to join us.

**I included some pictures from our Anniversary/Family/Maternity session with my super talented friend Abby of Abby Grace Photography. She is amazing at what she does and beautiful inside and out. We are so lucky to have her in our life, not because of the gift God gave her, but the gift she gives us of her friendship. Thanks again Abby for the beautiful images!

Happy Thursday!

34 Weeks - Only 6 to go!

It's crazy to think that the first time we saw our sweet Luda Bean he or she was measuring small at 6 weeks and here we are with just 6 weeks to go and our sweet baby is measuring "big". I'm 34 weeks today and baby was measuring at 34 1/2-35 weeks at my appointment this morning, maybe we'll have an August baby after all.  Baby's heart rate was in the 130s and my blood pressure and heart rate were both great. Needless to say with just 6 weeks to go I am glad that I have been able to have another healthy pregnancy, so far!

The bump makes the perfect pillow. 

Along: 34 Weeks

Size: The great news is that if I were to go into preterm labor, at this point babies born between now and 37 weeks generally do fine. And although they may have a few short term health problems, they usually do as well as full-term babies. With that being said, I want Luda Bean to keep on baking! As of now he or she is weighing about 4 3/4 pounds and measuring 18 inches long, about the size of a cantaloupe. Fat layers are filling out, skeletal bones are hardening and the central nervous system and lungs are continuing to mature. 

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Holy weight gain...up 30 pounds. 

Gender: Crazy to think that in 6 weeks give or take we will either be tied up or the Ludeker girls will be running away with it! 

Movement: Yes, yes, yes. Still have tons of movement going on. I commented to Shawn that when I was pregnant with Em she'd always sleep/lay still after a long walk or run, but this baby seems to kick it into high gear once I stop, as if he/she is saying, "Keep going Mommy!" I'm sure I'll need that encouragement once our Luda Bean arrives. 

Sleep: Still no complaints, other than the crazy vivid dreams. I've always been prone to "bad" dreams and when I am pregnant that all seems to intensify. There have also been several nights that I have woken up with cramps in my calves...the worst!

Cravings: No new cravings. Just trying to stay balanced and right now that means balancing my savory with all the sweet! Ice cream, please!

Symptoms: Leg pain, nausea, heartburn and the worst.My linea nigra returned in full force, a change in skin pigmentation on my abdomen due to hormones and my belly itches from my skin stretching. I am so glad that I have been using Belli Oil to help prevent stretch marks and keep my skin hydrated. I've also been having braxton hicks contractions, but nothing serious. Just getting me ready for the real deal. 

Best Moment of the Week(s): There haven't been any big happenings over the last two weeks, but every day I have just been embracing each moment for what it is. A chapter in our lives that will soon be coming to a close as we start a whole new adventure. It puts a lump in my throat and brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it. The nerves are definitely still there and I am praying that the Lord will calm those nerves and help us all transition smoothly to our new roles. Mom of two, Dad of two and Big Sister, but we are definitely getting anxious to meet our Luda Bean.

Goals for the next 2 Weeks:

Enjoy the next two girls weekends;
      Annapolis with close friends and Wilmington with my cousins!
Read as much as I can in my "free" time and sleep. :)
Continue to stay active; we walked or jogged a total of 14 miles during weeks 32&33.
      (Not a lot by any means, but I am still proud that I am continuing to keep moving.)
Finish up the final touches on the Kiddos room.

Dr. Luda! My OB asked if she wanted to come to surgery to be his assistant and she proudly said, "Yes!" Haha.