pregnancy update: week 29

how far along:  29 weeks

baby size: butternut squash (15 inches, 2.5 lbs)

maternity clothes: yes, even had to buy some new shirts to cover my big belly!

sleep: yes, but becoming harder with all the heartburn!!

best moment of the week: I heard his strong heartbeat yesterday.  My friends are planning a baby shower so it was fun picking out some new items for his nursery.

movement: oh my, yes yes and yes! I keep trying to video it but the stinker knows every time I turn on the camera.

food cravings: anything I see on a  commercial, still carbs/sweets but I'm trying to do better!

what I miss: having more energy, I feel like an 80 year old!

what I'm looking forward to: meeting Anchor, holding him, and nursing him! Yes, I know I have a long way to go. And I want him to stay in there as long as possible. But I am very ready to meet him!

pregnancy symptoms: major pain under my right rib, heartburn like crazy, stuffy/bloody nose, sometimes round ligament pain
*my hemoglobin was a little low (9.5 and they like it to be around 11-12)  I need to be more consistent about taking my chlorophyll and I'm starting NingXia Red.

stretch marks: not yet!

belly button: still an innie but getting very flat


***I have been SUPER stressed with all that's going on and I was planning to have a horrible appointment today! I figured my midwife would put me on bedrest and be concerned about the protein levels in my urine, high blood pressure, and excessive weight gain.  BUT GOD!!! He is so much bigger than my stress. He knew what I'd be dealing with while being pregnant, He's not surprised by this, and is completely taking care of me!  My blood pressure was 98/50!! My urine was "perfect" and I've only gained 5 pounds... not quite the 1lb/week goal, but not the dreaded 2lbs/week either. My midwife laughed and said "you might have an extra pound to lose but we know you can birth babies... breeched, head up, head down, sideways... you will get them out!"  I'm so thankful for the Lord's provision... and how in my weakness, HE is strong!

when roseola came to visit

Last Wednesday, Janette watched the boys while Kenny and I went to our first counseling appointment.  When we picked them up, I noticed Maverick was really warm.  I found out he had been running a fever and that she had given him a dose of Tylenol.

That night he was up several times, burning hot! The next morning I took his temperature and it was around 103.  I realize that's not super high, but it's the highest fever Maverick has ever had.  All he did was lay around and sleep.  I couldn't get him to drink or eat much.  Around lunch time his eyes started to glaze over and I knew he must feel horrible.  I gave him another dose of Tylenol, but was trying not to bring the fever down too much as I know it fights infection.  I put him in a bath with apple cider vinegar and my poor buddy just looked at me like he wanted to die. Miserable for both of us.  Throughout the day, I boosted his immune system with elderberry syrup, a wellness formula, and Thieves.  While natural healing isn't quick, I know it's so much better for their immune systems.

We had plans to go to Babe's with the Merrimans for dinner so I called a sitter.  I felt horrible leaving my sweet, sick boy but I knew all he'd do is sleep.

On Friday, his fever was still high (staying between 102-104) but he had no other symptoms.  Everything inside of me was screaming to call the doctor.  But logically, I knew there wasn't much a doctor could do.  I didn't want him on antibiotics and if it was a virus, it just has to run its course.  He continued to sleep a lot and it was work to get him to eat and drink.  He'd eat two eggs for breakfast, yogurt for lunch, and oatmeal for dinner.

By Friday evening, I was starting to get worried that I could not get his fever to break. I told Kenny to pick up some ibuprofen.  We gave it to Maverick around 5:30 and within twenty minutes he was a different kid! He was running around, smiling, talking, and eating!!  Talk about mommy guilt... I had been giving him the wrong medicine!!! At least he had some relief and I got my buddy back.

Saturday he woke up with a much lower fever, only 100-101.  He continued to snuggle and sleep a lot, but seemed a little more interactive when he was awake. He would try to play but after a few minutes, he'd crawl back up on the couch.

On Sunday morning, the fever was completely gone but his belly was covered in a rash!  My poor buddy just couldn't catch a break!! The rash didn't seem to bother him, but he continued to sleep a lot.

This morning his rash had spread all over his body.  I researched a little, and from what I can tell this horrible virus is called roseola.  The rash is a reaction to his high fever that lasted so long.  It's supposed to go away in 2-3 days so I'm hoping praying he's significantly better tomorrow.  If not, I can't guarantee a call to Dr. Chartrand won't be happening.

I miss my happy little buddy who's always smiling and playing peek-a-boo.  I miss him eating and drinking all day long.  I miss his smiles and hugs... snuggles from a burning hot, sick little baby just aren't the same (though they are still so sweet).  I miss hearing his laugh and the stories he tries so hard to tell us.

I hope roseola packs up and goes home soon.  He was never welcome in the first place.

Still, I'm thankful we serve a healing God who cares more about my little one than I could ever dream of.  I'm thankful for natural remedies.  I'm beyond grateful that I'm able to stay at home with my boys and don't have the added stress of missing work or finding someone else to take care of them and nurse them back to health.  I'm thankful for Kenny's support to treat our boys naturally first, but if/when needed, he's also supportive of seeing a doctor.

4th of July

I hate to admit it but I'm normally a dud when it comes to small holidays.   Even on the big ones I procrastinate so long that I run out of time for crafts and decorating.

This year was different. I got into the patriotic spirit early enough to go to Hobby Lobby for supplies, pick up some 4th of July books, make crafts, and invite friends over for dinner.

First we made t-shirts. It was so much fun and I really hope this can become a tradition.  I even found an iron-on anchor so baby could be a part of the fun.

Then we decorated a bucket to collect candy in at the parade.  Joshua really got into it and made sure there was a star for each member of our family.  The small star inside the big star was for anchor (the baby in mommy's belly).... made my mommy heart melt.

Next we learned about patterns by creating this firework hat. Joshua LOVED making it but didn't want to wear it at the parade.

Finally we read our Fourth of July books: Corduroy's 4th of July; The Berenstain Bears God Bless Our Country; and The Night Before the Fourth of July.  I'm so blessed to have little ones who enjoy reading... it's a passion of mine and I love sharing it with them.

On Saturday morning, we woke up bright and early to get ready for the parade. The Denton Parade has been a tradition since before we had kids!! Unfortunately, I have no family pictures... oh well, live and learn! 

2013 (I was pregnant with Maverick)

2014 (at Fuzzy's before parade)

2014

We put on our shirts, stuck on our temporary tattoos and loaded up in the Merriman's van.  First (and most important) stop: DONUTS!!

At the parade, the boys wanted a "bucket head" photo. We told them to line up and this is what we got:

REDO... sort of!! 

Maverick loved watching from high up on daddy's shoulders.

The boys LOVED seeing the fire trucks, old cars, tractors, horses, and police men.  They ran and played on the lawn and just had fun being boys. I finally got my family photo! Hopefully there will be many more to come!

We headed home for lunch and naps and daddy surprised us with a swimming pool! Perfect timing! The Merriman's came over around 4 and Joshua and Jackson swam constantly from then on. We grilled shish kabobs, had corn salad, watermelon, and a yummy 4th of July dessert.  Doug and Melissa DOMINATED our game of Phase 10 but it was still a lot of fun.  It's so refreshing to spend time with good friends, good food, good conversation... it's just so easy hanging out with them! And an added bonus is that our boys get along so well. 

This is one fourth of July that's going in the books as an awesome fun-filled day of memories.