{Hannah}: 38 weeks!

We are getting SO CLOSE to meeting Hannah! I could say that I am worn out, exhausted, not sleeping, and in pain, and that wouldn't really cover it. Pregnancy is no joke. I'm just trying to keep an attitude of gratitude: thankful that she's healthy, active, and that so far this pregnancy has been good for her. I'm thankful we live in a country where I can assume that she and I will be taken care of with the best medical technology available if something does go awry!

We went to another gorgeous wedding this weekend - this time it was for Austin's step-sister, Chelsea, and her new hubs, Evan. It was wonderful and beautiful, and an excuse to pull Austin's nose out of his books!

We also celebrated Austin's 29th birthday with family (you can start sending in 30th birthday celebration suggestions now, I'm already working on it!!).

He joked that he didn't want to have to share his birthday with Hannah, and now we won't have to worry about that since it's already passed!

In all, it's been a good week, but I am completely worn out. Exhausted.

This week, Hannah is the size of a ukulele... Preferably a pink one. ;)

How far along? 38 WEEKS AND THREE DAYS!!!!!!! Just four more days til we are full-term. WHOO HOOOOO!

Maternity clothes? 90%, and breaking out some flowy fall tunics that's aren't maternity

Stretch marks? Nothing new
Sleep: not getting much. You come anytime, Hannah. Nothing will change. 

Miss anything? Bending, sitting and sitting up normally!
Movement: sometimes vigorous, usually just slight movements.
Food cravings: anything I didn't cook.
Anything making you queasy or sick? Not lately.
Gender: Girl!
Labor Signs: Now dilated to 3 cm, and 50% effaced. Doctor said, "see you in a week - if you make it that long." We all know that doesn't mean I'll have a baby before next week... But I won't complain!
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time? Exhausted, so probably moody.
Looking forward to: HANNAH'S BIRTH! Anytime you want, baby girl.
Prayers this week:

For Austin: that he would be able to focus and remember the principles he is re-learning. It's a struggle for him to be away from us to study so much - I know that the pictures I send him of what Ethan and I are up to sometimes make it harder for him to continue studying. I'm proud of him for persevering, I'm prayerful that he would pass his test so we don't have to endure this mess with TWO kiddos in the spring. 

For me: I had a major anxiety attack this week when I couldn't get Hannah to move during one of the times I'm supposed to check her movement (one of the times that she usually chooses to move). Pray against that kind of anxiety an that I would TRULY cast my cares upon the Lord, both now with her in my belly and when she arrives. (Yes, she moved - after I called my parents AND my doctor). I could also use a little motivation and energy. On Friday I attempted to boycott all house work, but it didn't work. So finding some form of rest when caring for a 2 year old solo would be good, too.

For Hannah: for her health in the womb, through delivery and postpartum (and mine, too!), and that she would be a little girl who is passion all for Jesus.

For Ethan: he's getting to be more clingy, so our prayer is that he would adjust well to Hannah's arrival, and love his little sister well.

xo,

Elizabeth

{Hannah}: 37 weeks!!

We spent most of this week fighting off a cold. I hate colds. They're obnoxious, and Ethan seems to get them an awful lot. He's mostly fine, but he sure is oozing some snot, and he sounds pretty congested. I try to be cognizant about spreading it around, so this week we have avoided MDO and small group, where he would be in close contact with lots of other kiddos. It sure can make you stir-crazy!

Hannah, we have made it a long way together! I'm getting more excited to meet you as I get more and more exhausted by pregnancy. (Add cramps to the list of things keeping me awake at night.)

Right now, Hannah is considered "early term". 37 weeks used to be considered full-term, but sometime in late 2013, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists changed this to 39 weeks (Ethan was born at 39+1). Research shows that babies born at 37 weeks have more of a risk of complications, such as difficulty breathing, than those born just two weeks later. (More info: http://m.acog.org/About-ACOG/News-Room/News-Releases/2013/Ob-Gyns-Redefine-Meaning-of-Term-Pregnancy?IsMobileSet=true.) For this reason, as "done" as I feel, and as exhausted as I am, I really want Hannah to hang out for two more weeks! (And then she can come!)

Hannah is currently the size of a tackle box (that one's for you, dad!), 19.75" long and weighs around 7 lbs.

I forgot to take a picture before Austin left, so we squeezed this one in - jammies again!!

How far along? 37 WEEKS (and 2 days)!!! Just under 2 more til we are full-term. 

Maternity clothes? Mostly
Stretch marks? No new ones
Sleep: mostly awful, occasionally ok!

Miss anything? Sleep
Movement: lots, when she wants to!
Food cravings: anything easy!
Anything making you queasy or sick? Nothing too bad since they changed my heartburn regimen for the 3rd time.
Gender: Girl
Labor Signs: I'm still just dilated to 2 cm, and 50% effaced - no further progress this week.
Belly Button in or out? In, and I think it'll stay that way.
Wedding rings on or off? On, no swelling
Happy or Moody most of the time? Just tired!
Looking forward to: Austin & Sarah's birthdays, and a family wedding this weekend!Prayers this week: praying that the end of this pregnancy would be healthy and as smooth as it can be, as well as the delivery! We will meet our girl SO soon!

xo,

Elizabeth

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{Hannah}: 36 weeks

This weekend, we went to Dallas briefly to visit one of Austin's best friends from college, and see my childhood bestie get married! I DO NOT recommend being the driver for a 3.5 hour road trip at 36 weeks pregnant (I did it so Austin could study). However, we made it there and back safely and Hannah stayed put, which was awesome :)

I'm SO glad I convinced Austin to try the bow tie. He pulls it off so well!

This week, Hannah is the size of a Cabbage Patch Doll, is about 19.25", and weighs 6 lbs 7 oz according to her ultrasound from today!

Hannah is perfectly positioned for birth, her organs look great, her weight is great - rejoicing that everything looks good with her.

How far along? 36 WEEKS!!! 3 more til we are full-term. 

Maternity clothes? 90% of the time. The shirt I'm in above is actually not maternity but it is forgiving, to say the least.
Stretch marks? No more new ones... yet.
Sleep: Terrible. Toss, turn, hydrate, bathroom, repeat.

Miss anything? SLEEP!! And more than one cup of coffee per day. Ugh. If I can't have one, can I have the other?!
Movement: still a good amount, but I can tell space is getting tighter.
Food cravings: food I don't have to cook. I'm getting lazy.
Anything making you queasy or sick? The addition of Zantac to my Nexium seems to be helping (hooray)! But I still need Tums close by.
Gender: Girl!!
Labor Signs: I'm dilated to 2 cm, and 50% effaced!
Belly Button in or out? In, and I'm wondering if Hannah will make it pop out (Ethan couldn't)
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time? Long car rides, when pregnant and driving, make me moody. Otherwise I'm just tired.
Looking forward to: our nephew's 3rd birthday party this weekend, Ethan seeing Unca Macka (Matt) this week sometime, and Austin's step-sister's wedding next weekend!
Prayers this week: I felt like I had really started to accept the idea that Hannah could be late (I was in total denial for a while because of the misery with the constant heartburn issues). And then this weekend wore. me. out. So praying again that I would be patient. Also praying for a healthy baby girl and a safe, easy delivery! She will be here before we know it either way.

xo,

Elizabeth