As of Late...

Okay things have been pretty crazy around here my mom grandma and grandpa all showed up and surprised me! It was AMAZING! So now I have my mom here until the 13th of Dec.

We started decorating Lola's nursery so I will get pics up once it is finished.

I also was in the hospital with contractions. They had me walk for 2hrs and nothing really changed so I got sent home and now its just a waiting game. Could be days or even weeks..

Next post will have pictures of my belly and her nursery so stay tuned ;)

36 weeks

Only 4 weeks left until our princess arrives

A Short Recap

I am almost 36 weeks (Sunday is the day). I weight 136lbs still, but doctor says as long as Lola is healthy then she isn't worried about me not gaining any weight. I am still only 1cm dilated :( And her heart rate is 165 (because she was up and moving around). And now I am officially OFF bedrest! HORRAY.. Time to get the house and Lola's room in order because she is coming within the next month! woohoo..

HORRRAYYYYYYY

After IMpatiently waiting for Lola's bedding to arrive today, it finally came at 4pm! So I have to share...

My AMAZING mother-in-law made everything I am about to show you! She is the greatest and Lola is soo lucky to have such an awesome grandma! <3

We thank you so much Suzy I don't know what we would do without you!

AMAZING!!!!

Lola's matching quilt with her bedding

Amazing quilt with ladybugs<3

Receivers with matching burp cloths

My very own handmade breast feeding cover!

Exhausting Weekend!

I am just EXHAUSTED! We moved into our new home over the weekend and I have been slowly getting stuff organized and back to normal. So far I think it is coming along quite well. We are going to go and get Lola's swing soon and I need to make her curtains once we receive her bedding that Grandma Suzy made for her. Once we get it all done I will be sure to put up some pics.

I am 35 weeks 2 days! We are almost there... I will update with my next doctors appointment on Friday <3

Almost Ready! 34wks 1day

What a week this has been! We went to the doctor last thursday because I was experiencing a lot of pressure. They checked me and no my cervix is slightly open and she is very low in my pelvis which is why I am feeling the pressure. So she is almost ready :)

I am now 34 weeks 1 day pregnant and feeling every bit of it!! It has gotten very hard to get out of bed and to even sleep but its all worth it :)

This past weekend we have been packing and cleaning stuff out for goodwill because WE ARE MOVING! Hooray I couldn't be any happier to get into a house with a yard :) And to set up our baby girls nursery.

My wonderful Coastie Wives threw me a baby shower on Sunday at La Brisa and it was the best day! I was able to get out and just relax with a great bunch of ladies!

I gained my sanity back and am ready to tackle this last 2 weeks of bedrest..

Fathers Are Expectant, Too

Throughout my pregnancy I have been reading a book called "What to Expect When You're Expecting". I am sure most women who have been pregnant have come across this book. Well I wasn't really interested in soaking everything up and doing it by the book but it has given me some insight on my constant mood changing and helps me understand what I am feeling and going through as well as Lance.

Being pregnant can be emotionally and physically draining. Your body is going through so much change and you don't have any control. Losing control of my body changing has been tough on me. I have never been overweight before, never had stretch marks, never been so emotional.. But it is all just a part of the process and I have been more then willing to let my body do what it needs to ensure our baby grows healthy before entering this world.

This weekend I came across a section in the book called Fathers Are Expectant, Too. This is something I haven't really put into consideration my entire pregnancy thus far. Studies have shown that fathers can experience many of the prenatal symptoms that are common in pregnant women. Although most don't show it they often get nervous over all the life changes such as being a good father, can I support this baby, being gone most of the baby's life. These are all things I am sure Lance has thought about but never addressed them with me. This chapter in the book has taught me so much about the changes and feelings that he may or may not be going through.

I want to take the time right now to thank him for everything he has done to provide for our family. And everything he does for me throughout the 5 years we have been together. But most of all I want to thank him for helping me get through this pregnancy and sticking by my side! I love him and am very grateful to have married such a great guy!

Ima Happy Mama:)

Lola is one precious baby girl! Today was our ultrasound with the high risk doctor and let me just say I am in LOVE :) She is everything and more!

She is weighing around 4 lbs 4 oz and is about 14-16 inches long- doc says she will be short :(

Her cheeks are super chubby as well as her legs just like her mama :)

She does have the Martinez nose like her daddy, and if you are into the wives tale stuff she has a ton of hair-my guess is black...then it explains the crazy hearburn I have been having!

Mama and baby are both doing GREAT!

And hooray we only have 53 days to go!

Crafting while on Bedrest

I have finally found my crafting hobby..PAINTING! I can't believe how relaxing it is to me. Lance and I went down to JoAnns and bought a ton of crafts for me to do being I am on bedrest for still another 4 weeks.

I painted this super cute monkey face for her and finished her LOLA letters and it all turned out FABULOUS I must say!

And I do have to mention that I am officially 32 weeks today WOOHOO

63 Days To Go

31 weeks 63 days to go!

Doctor Check Up

We had the BEST doctors visit today! I haven't gained any weight which I was ecstatic about so I weight 134 still. The baby is doing FaNtAsTiC! My belly is measuring perfect and my cervix is still closed. They did another test to see if I am due to deliver within the next 2 weeks so we have to wait to get those results back but I am sure this bedrest is gonna keep her in there nice and cozy to full term! And the BEST news of ALL.......... I get off bedrest at 36 weeks WAHOOO! Only 5 1/2 more weeks of bedrest to go.

And I do have to mention the AWESOME baby carrier Grandma Suzy got for us... Thanks so much!!!

Only 10 Weeks Left

Ahhh only 10 weeks to go! HOLY COW 10 WEEKS! I can't believe that I will be a mommy in just 10 weeks... It seems so unreal!

Lola and I are doing GREAT! We are still on bed rest and still on the Diabetic Diet but we have reduced a ton of the fluid in there and not contracting as much. I love getting good news! We also got to see her on the ultrasound and she is getting big! Her head is down and feet are up in my ribs OH JOY :) (its not too pleasant but I can manage as long as my baby is comfortable)!

Hospital stay and now bedrest BLEH..

OKAY... Here is the whole hospital story so everyone gets it at once :)

I went to work at the Daycare on Tuesday. I was exhausted when I got home at 5 and made Lance and I some dinner. While eating I had a few contractions that were pretty close together. My doctor told me that if I were to have more then 3 in 1 hr I needed to go in. So.. we waited a little while longer and they just kept coming. Being new to all this I wasn't sure if they were contractions or something else so I tried to look it up but everyones bodies are different obviously.

Lance said next contraction we are going in... and of course I am STRESSING to the MAX because I don't know what to expect its the first time going in and I do NOT want this baby to come out yet her mama isn't ready!....I called the on-call physician at the Hospital and she said come in ASAP!

So we get some things together (i didn't have my hospital bag together-not making that mistake again) and we jump in the truck and head to the hospital. We were sent on detours there might I add and Lance wasn't too happy! We get there and immediately I go to a room and they hook the baby monitor and contraction monitor up and sure enough I was contracting pretty heavily. I was having the braxton hicks but in between I was having real contractions that were lasting anywhere from 40-60 seconds.

They tried hydrating me-that didn't work. They tried shooting me up with Morphine-that didn't work. They finally put Magnesium through me and did a ton of swabs and tests that weren't so pleasant and did a catheter..EHH!

The doctor finally said nothing is working get her up to the high risk doc and do an ultrasound and figure out why she is contracting.. I get up there and he tells me after doing the ultrasound that I have 2x the amount of amniotic fluid in my sac then normal, so basically I am in-taking too much sugar and carbs and its making the baby pee too much and filling the sac.

SO he puts me on a medication called Indocin and keeps the Magnesium on. They monitor me and determine that even though i have a soft cervix I am not dilating and my cervix is long, so I get to go home......WITH RESTRICTIONS! I have to be on bed-rest until further notice and I have to be on a diabetic diet SUCK!

Glucose Test DISASTER!

This past week I was dreading for Thursday night to come.. This was the night I had to start to fast for my Glucose test the next morning at 9:15. This is how it went... I couldn't sleep at night of course because I am so uncomfortable and I was super hungry! So the night just drug on. I woke up at 7am Choppy doesn't let me sleep past 7 that punk! And I wasn't able to have my morning cup of coffee or eat anything until my doctors app. So I am super grumpy and we get to the doctors and they make me wait in the waiting room for half an hour before I was called back to drink that nasty drink! It was a lot too!! I was told to go back and wait the hour but in that hour I would be able to see my doctor for my check up...well that didn't happen! I was soo dizzy for the first 30 mins cause I had a major sugar rush it sucked! Then I go back and get my blood drawn after the hour was up (which I hate having to do)! And had to go back out to the waiting room and wait another 30 mins till I got to see the doctor! I hate that every time we go there it's always an hour past my app time till I actually see the doctor! So I see the doctor I weight 134 lbs BLEH I have gained 20 pounds.. but the baby is good and her heart rate was 158.

Afterwards we go to Chipotle because I am starving and haven't had it in like 6 months! And it was delicious... but gave me horrible heartburn and a pretty bad upset stomach, which wasn't fun!

Later that day I take a nap and wake up with this ungodly huge migraine and cried for like 2 hrs straight because I couldn't get it to ease up.. I didn't make dinner I just went straight to bed.. Well Lancer came to bed around 10:30 and I woke up and my stomach just hurt soo gosh dang bad and my head was even worse! If you don't know me when I get headaches like that I puke and it goes away instantly. So I go into the bathroom and am puking, Lance comes in and gets me some watered down gatorade and some new clothes because I peed myself (being pregnant I get that luxury of not being able to control it). Then I get in the shower and my headache was gone and I felt like a new person and slept like a baby!!!! THANK GOODNESS FOR THAT!

Emotions are running HIgh

As I talked about in the previous post we are getting closer and closer to Lola being here as each day passes. The emotions that are all running through my body/mind have started to sink in more and more as she gets closer to being here. This past week has been a little rough, I worked a ton, got sick, and am getting the "I am ready for this to be over already" feeling more. I haven't like being pregnant much because feeling crappy everyday isn't ideal for 9 months straight. But then when you feel that little foot kick it just makes you smile and your heart melt.

Although I am very nervous about giving birth, it will be something that I will remember for the rest of my life. That first time I get to hold her is going to be worth all the 9 months that I have felt crappy.

For me I am a VERY emotional person and I don't hide those emotions well. The thing that makes me cry instantly is the thought of having her here in my arms. I am suddenly going to be responsible for a precious princess and I get to care for her everyday! There is nothing like the bond between a mother and her daughter. SHE IS GOING TO BE PERFECT!

I was truly inspired by the documentary " The Business of Being Born" I think every pregnant woman should watch this video (If you have Netflix it is on there). It's not only very informative but also inspiring and YES I cried..I am sure you will too!

Anxious And Nervous As It Gets Closer

So we have made it to 26 weeks!

Things have been a little stressful lately and I haven't had time to blog about this precious baby girl and it makes me sad. I have been working around little kids the past few weeks in childcare and they got me sick boo :( (It was bound to happen right..).

Lola has been one active little baby growing and kicking like crazy! The contractions have started and I can feel her body when I do have one. It is kind of a weird feeling but so cool! The closer it gets to delivery the more nervous and anxious I get. There are so many emotions.. becoming a mommy, taking on the responsibility of a baby, nerves about delivering<-- this is prob the one that freaks me out the most.. and just the change in our lives that we are going to be experiencing through this journey of raising a family. But I am sure everything will be just fine when she is finally here..

A Bunch Of Happenings..

This was one of the best weekends I have had in such a long time! I had the luxury of going home to AZ to visit for a few days and have my baby shower and do some maternity pics..

I want to take this time to say my thanks to my mother, sister, sister-in-law, and mother in law for making my baby shower just absolutely fabulous!! I couldn't have been more pleased at how everything turned out. Lola got soo many great presents and I can't wait until she can wear all the sweet one-z's and bibs everyone decorated for her.

OH and I almost forgot we did decorate Lola's bathroom finally and I am in love! All that is left to do is put up some decor on the walls.

Maternity pic SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO ROSEMARY WATSON THE GREATEST!!!

Alexa Storey made this one-z so darling!!

Miss Izzy Silva made this sweet bib

Butterfly bathroom

All the stinkin cute clothes all everyone got for her THANKS GUYS!

22 weeks & 1 day

Holy Cow.. time has gotten away from me! I am now 22 weeks and only have 18 to go.

Daddy has been drawing up his plans for all of Lola's furniture: he is going to build her a tall dresser, a long short dresser that will be half changing table, and hopefully a small toy cubby!

She is going to love love it all once its finished.

Over the past few weeks I have painted her 3 picture frames the color of a darker pastel purple color. I also have painted a glass jar and put her name on it. I want to make it her little Pennies for Lola piggy bank. So here are some pictures to leave you with and a 22 week belly picture.

We Made It

Holy Cow I can't believe we finally made it to the half way point! It is so hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that in 20 weeks I will have this precious little baby in my arms. She is growing like a weed! I feel like just the difference from last week to this is a significant difference. We went to a doctors appointment on the 13th of this month and her heartbeat was 141 and I have gained a whole 8lbs!

We went out and bought her the mattress for her crib finally and she received a package from her Auntie Rosie. There was a cute banner for her room, a dress, swimming suit, and a super cute handmade, by Rose herself, card for Miss Lola to read when she gets older. And she also received a package from our dear friend Dianna Krise. She got her very first baby book and it already has writing in it! Thanks guys for the lovely packages Lola is going to love them!

So here are some pics from this past week starting with my big ole belly :)

19 weeks and a doc app

Wow almost half way there! She is getting so big and her features are showing more and more each ultrasound. She is breech as of right now and her heart rate is 133 BPM. The doctors found a calcium deposit commonly known as Echogenic Intracardiac Focus. It isn't as bad as it seems according to the doctor. It is found in babies that have birth defects such as down-syndrome. I went through my first trimester screenings and the test results for any birth defect came back (-). Because of that they aren't to worried about it. But are going to monitor it just incase there becomes more. In some babies they can go away and some will have it for the rest of their lives. Lets home hers goes away! Here are some pics of her ultrasound...

18 weeks 3 days

So I missed posting on Sunday for my 18 week but I have had a lot going on...

Last week I had a doctors appointment but it was just to get a blood draw and it

went very well! I feel Miss Lola moving more and more every day that passes. It is just magic to be able to feel our precious baby movin inside. There is nothing like it! Although I do not like being pregnant I have developed this bond with my belly knowing I have a life I carry around everyday. She has so much love surrounding her already and can't wait until she is here.

17 weeks to date

Horrrayy we have finally hit the 17 weeks mark!

And boy am I feelin it!!

HOT AIR BALLOONS

So as I have mentioned Lola's Nursery is going to be the theme of vintage hot air balloons so help us decorate and figure out what will go where!!!! Here is a few pictures of her room and the layout..

Here is a wall next to the entry of the door

Here you see her window love that it is long and has room for decorations on both sides

The wall that the crib is on right now

Here is the entry to the left and the right is her walk-in closet door

The entrance into the bedroom

I cry for this baby girl..

My heart goes out to Caylee Anthony..

I have been following this case for awhile and have watched everyday they are live in court. It is such a tragedy and I can't imagine what I would do if anything happened to my baby girl!

Even though Lola isn't born yet you develop this bond with your belly that just can't be put into words.

I have no idea how someone could harm any child for any reason... It makes me very sick inside to think there are people like that out there in this dream world we all live in day in and day out..

I want to take a few minutes to pray for this little girl <3 she will no longer be hurt!

Lola's Nursery

My AMAZING sister-in-law Rose is helping design Lola's nursery. We have decided on an Up Up and Away theme- hot air balloons. I am so excited to get it going because as we all have noticed I am one impatient mama! I wanted to share some of the pictures Rose has put together on her pinterest http://pinterest.com/rosemarywatson/up-up-and-away-nursery/ ..

I have also decided that the she will be wearing one of these for her newborn pics..

15 wks 5 days

I am now almost 16 weeks pregnant and we know that there is an 80% chance of it being a girl. Lance has always wanted a boy being as he is the only one in his family out of 4 girls. But he warmed up to it and now loves the thought of having a precious baby girl to hold everyday! We decided on the name Lola (because it is just darling) Marie ( named after one of my big sissys that passed away in 2007 in a car crash, Johnna Marie Leone-Degroot) Amos ( DUH) :)

We can't wait to take this step in our lives! It almost seems too good to be true.. She is growing like a weed and kicking already! We have had 2 ultrasounds done and have a total of 10 pics of our princess. So here they are... ENJOY!!

IT'S A GIRL

Our little alien baby ( FACE)

Profile with her legs crossed and her little fingers

Her little ribs and an arm and hand

And last her little spine

We are gonna be parents!!!!!

On March 29th 2011 we found out that we were expecting our first baby! Let me take you back to the day before...

On the morning of March 28th I was due to fly out of Santa Barbara to Arizona because our tour was up in Santa Barbara and we were in the process of moving to Galveston, TX. I wasn't feeling well and thought it was just nerves from all the stress of moving. I went to get on my plane and started to feel faint and had to be assisted and the paramedics came to check me out.. they saw nothing wrong with me. I am anemic and hadn't taken my medicine because it was with the movers on its way to TX. So they decided to put me on a later flight so I could have time to maybe start feeling better... At that time me and Lance went to a pizza place to eat and I had told him that I thought I was pregnant and he laughed at me stating that I have never been pregnant before so how could I possibly know that... and I just said okay and had decided I would just take a test once I get to Arizona.

I was able to make it on the plane and to AZ and decided the next morning is when I would take the test.. I got up and went into my mom's bathroom and took the test (not waiting the 5 mins) I saw it said - and just threw it away. My mom then went in to go to the bathroom and asked if I waited to see the results and I stated yes it was -. So she went and got the test and said "uhhh amanda...this says you are pregnant". At that time I got a little faint and was in shock! This wasn't supposed to be happening...

I then had to figure out what the heck I was going to do. I went to my niece and nephews doc apps with my sister and she said I had to tell Lance right away. So I went outside and called Lance and told him the situation and he thought I was lying and hung up. Then called me a few more times after that just kinda in shock as well not knowing what to do now. Because this wasn't planned.

But once we got used to the idea of being a mommy and daddy we were excited! So here we are learning all about pregnancy and the do's and don'ts.

Next post we will have an ultrasound picture of the baby and tell all we have been experiencing over the last 15 weeks.