36 down... 4ish more to go!

Today was our 36 week appointment, so here's our update!

It started out a little more stressful of a day than I had hoped. I have had a sick kid home with me all week. I was hoping he would feel better before today so he could go to school. Nope. So I was on line before my appointment trying to line up someone who wouldn't mind watching a germy kid. Thankfully my wonderful friend Darlene stepped up and watched him for me. Phew. Stress off my plate.

So then, I park at the appointment and get out and start walking. And then I trip. And fall flat on my face. Lucky for me, I didn't fall on the anthill I was trying to avoid when I tripped. Nor did I fall on the cement that I tripped on. My face and my belly both landed on a pad of grass, thankfully. It's a good thing I was already on my way into a sonogram, because I probably would have wanted the reassurance. 

Everything is fine, Miss Molly looks fabulous. Heart beat was about 155bpm. Pics and videos below update. We are measuring right on target and as of this moment, no progress toward labor has been made. Cervix still high and closed. That's still a good place to be for now. Hopefully we'll see some progress soon, though... like a centimeter a week or so would be nice ;)

Since my last visit, I've gained 2lbs. Pretty awesome. Again, right on target. I've "gained" 22.4lbs since I stopped getting sick. Before I stopped getting sick, I lost 14. So technically, I've only gained 8.2lbs. 6lbs5oz of it is estimated to be Miss Molly. Woot!

I'm hoping that I can get in and see the head nurses in the labor and delivery within the coming week so we can all be on the same track when it's time for Miss Molly to come. We are all very excited. It's going to go by so fast!!

Ok, now for some pics!!

First, the usual belly pics :)

 

Next... Last week a friend and I got together and did some maternity photos! I'm so happy with the way they came out! To lessen the amount of photos in the post, I made a collage of some of the best ones. If you are interested, they are on my friends blog, at Bella Mia Portraits. 

Aren't they awesome? The lighting was beautiful out, but tricky, so I'm really really glad they came out as great as they did!

Last but not least... Miss Molly's 36 week photo shoot!

The first video was cut off by a phone call in the middle of my appointment. I ignored the call and kept recording for the 2nd video. Some still shots follow.

Even the second video got interrupted by the person who called leaving a voice mail! hehe

And finally, some still shots...

And finally, Miss Molly moons us, and shows us she's still a girl... Bottom's up!

Anyway, thats all for this week! I start going weekly now, and will see you all back here in a week! Next appt is Wed. Feb 6 at 10am!

34 weeks and some mushy stuff...

How far we have come in just one year! Last year at this time I was just starting to get to know Katie! Little did I know what God would have in store... ok well, a little... but I couldn't have imagined a better family to help build! I want to share something special but it's kind of mushy. So first, here are the appointment details for 34 weeks... after that I'll be a little mushy if you care to read it.


Here are some belly pics to look at first!
They, again, don't look much different to me, but hey, who knows. The cropping is off, so one of the pics is closer than the other... but the shape of the belly is what matters, right? ;)

I went for my 34 week check up today.  It went really well! Measuring right on target. Miss Molly's heartbeat was 147 which is exactly where it needs to be still. Surprisingly enough, I had only gained 2lbs since the last visit. What the? How in the world? I have consumed enough steak, ice cream, milk, cheese, and donuts to feed 30 people, at least, in the last 2 weeks. Where did all those calories go?! I'm happy about it, but wonder where the pounds I should have gained went!

I also gave in and got a flu shot, my first ever. Ouch. I debated on it for the last two weeks as I saw the flu hit almost everyone we know. I haven't gotten the flu in years, so I really questioned the doctor on risks and benefits before deciding to do it. In the end, the benefits outweighed the risk of getting the flu... plus it will help protect Molly for a few months, too. 

Our next appointment is January 30. During that appointment I'll get to see (and record) Miss Molly on the ultrasound again during a growth scan. I'm so excited to see how different she looks now as compared to her 20 week ultrasound! I also have an internal exam that day to see if Molly decides to start descending and getting ready or if we need to help her along with evening primrose oil or anything. I bought an exercise ball to sit on, too, hopefully that will help her decide to get into position on her own as well.

Now onto the mushy stuff... Divine Timing.

It's interesting how God works things out for the big picture, while we're so busy working on our small piece of it. In November 2009, I began researching and praying about finally doing what I had thought about doing way back when I was pregnant with my oldest, Micah. I knew way back then I could do this for someone else, at the time thinking it would possibly be my best friend who I did it for. Shane and I talked about it way back then kind of as a "maybe we could do that" kind of thing. In 2009 When I came to him and said it was something I was ready to do and asked for his support, he was admittedly kind of taken aback by the topic being brought up again, I think he thought it was something you say you could do someday and then never do. I told him I was serious and that it was something I was ready for since we were done having our own children. He said he'd support me if that was what I wanted. We talked a lot about what it would mean for him, for the boys, for me, etc. As time went on and we researched and I prayed and prayed, he took hold of my dream, and he invested in it as if it were his own, its now OUR dream. I love him! But back to November 2009. I felt called to do it, and started down the long road of pursuing it.

While I was learning about the calling God placed on me, and I really do feel that I was called to do it, in 2009, He was readying a family just for me to help. Jack, Katie and Kevin's son, was born in November 2009 via c-section. After which, they learned that it wasn't in the cards for Katie to carry another child. I wasn't there, so I cant imagine what they went through, but I'm fairly certain it was a very hard and scary time for them as they processed and worked through all the medical and emotional aspects of it all. Then, they also started down the road to pursue surrogacy.

A year ago next week, Katie and I were introduced via three different arenas all at the same time. That's one of those things I just look back and realize how perfect God's picture is. Even if we had just been introduced through only ONE of those arenas, the fact is that our paths would have crossed eventually. But all three arenas at once. "Here you go, just for you!" is how I feel maybe God wanted me to see it.

Last November, around Jack's birthday is when I realized just how big of a picture God had painted. Way back in 2009, he was preparing me to help this family and preparing them for finding me. Think about it. He loves us THAT much, that even while we're going through horrible storms, He thinks of us and plans ways to redeem that situation... even if that redeeming comes years down the line. I can't express it enough how much He loves His children and wants only great things for us.

Anyway, that's my mush for today. I just think it's really awesome how everything works together. If ever there were any doubts about this being something God called me to do or if this was at all HIS purpose, knowing the above would show any doubt the door.

Again, that's it for today. I hope you have an awesome weekend! I'll post again after the next appointment!

32 Week Update

Wow time is FLYING by! I say this every post, but I really can't believe how fast this is going. We are 32 weeks and 5 days right now. The holidays definitely made the last two weeks seem to go by even faster than usual.

Over the holidays, my family kept it low-key. We had a great Christmas... of course the boys were spoiled. I was, too. I got new knives, a necklace, pans and a pregnancy pillow, and got myself some new makeup. I felt so spoiled and blessed. Add to it that we had a wonderfully white Christmas afternoon, and Christmas was perfect.

Here's a little snow lovin' for you...

(wearing no make up (ah!!!) and my kids new beanie because I don't have one and they had hoods on their coats)

Oh... and one with my new pillow...

Another for fun, we went to the mall for a bit and DH got a snack at Chick Fil A with no pickles. I thought it would be funny to put the no pickles sticker on my belly. There aren't any pickles in there!

Friday night I met with Maria, my doula for delivery day. It made it feel so real and so soon discussing everything we desired for the birth. It was a great discussion and I'm excited to start drawing up our birth plan soon.

Over this last week, I had the misfortune of losing my wedding rings, my anniversary ring, and a necklace my DH had gotten me for Christmas. One foul swoop. By Saturday, after keeping it low key all week and the dreary weather keeping us inside, I was experiencing major cabin fever along with the sadness of losing my jewelry. So I skipped out on the kids and hubby and headed to a lunch with a bunch of other surro girls at the Cheesecake Factory. It's no surprise what I ate. Steak. and Cheesecake of course. Every time I eat out lately, all I want is steak. So it's become a staple for me! Anyway, I had a GREAT time and loved meeting new surros and surros I loved hanging out with already. Pic below!

And... My friend and fellow surro brought me a sweet gesture to help me not be so sad over my rings. A simple and very pretty band to wear until I'm able to replace the ones I lost. I nearly cried at the table when she gave it to me.

Sunday night, the same surro friend said she had to run to Austin the next day for a document. She was looking to meet the Austin surros for lunch. I decided to stow away and head there with her. To get out of the house, and kind of have a girls day. It was a wonderful day, I got to meet a few more surros, in addition to my very sweet friend and lawyer Simi Denson! Another pic, below!

Yesterday morning I was greeted with a text and email letting me know that Katie and Kevin's PBO was complete and we have it ready!! Later in the day, I think the knowledge that she and Kevin really were going to get to bring Miss Molly home in probably no more than 9 weeks really hit her. I got THE sweetest text saying "Thanks for carrying my baby." I giggled and cried a little with that text. It has been a blessing and an honor to carry Miss Molly for them thus far, and thinking about the completion of it makes my heart swell with joy, pride, and gratefulness.

Today was my 32 week appointment and it went great. I've gained 4.4lbs in the last 2 weeks. A little more than typical per week at this point, but it makes up for what I lost being sick before the last appointment. And well, eating steak, and cheesecake and mexican food... and pretty much all the holiday stuff helped, I'm sure. Molly's heartbeat was a wonderful 148 (a little slower than previously but on target for 3rd trimester heart rates in general) and I measured perfectly for 32 weeks. My doctor expects me to have a little growth spurt in the next few weeks. I hope I don't disappoint!

And with that, a couple more pictures for you!

31 Weeks

32 Weeks... some people say they see a difference...

It's been a busy but fast two weeks, and I'm sure with my kids going back to school next week the next two will fly by again. Next appointment is on the 17th at 10:15. We'll see if I can't have a little growth spurt before then!

Have a great next two weeks!