Maternity Leave productivity

Here we are...December 29th and that means 29 weeks and 5 days into the Max and Me journey! I am really looking forward to our last several weeks together in this whole thing because I realize that once he is out, we no longer have the same bond. That being said, I will be glad to get back into jeans with a button, sleeping more than 1 hr at a time, and spending much less time talking and thinking about urine!

Max had his 28 week check up last week with our OB as well as the Fetal Maternal Specialists. Everything is going very well and we found out that my hemoglobin A1C is down to a 5.8 which is super healthy in terms of diabetic control. We are so grateful for an uneventful pregnancy with diabetes and issues of complication. We have also not seen any further problems with my blood pressure as it is staying in a normal range for pregnancy. Max had a new ultrasound and as crazy as it is, He already looks just like Anthony (see picture above) Almost everyone that sees it says he looks just like his daddy. I think that is wonderful...super handsome is what that means. I only hope his heart is as great as his daddy's!

Symptoms are about the same with some new fun ones to add in. I am still nauseous vomiting on a every other day basis. I was one of those lucky women who have ALL pregnancy morning sickness. I am just grateful that it really does end by about noon-2 pm for me. I know women who have all pregnancy and all day sickness. I am also still really having trouble sleeping and usually get about an hour or two of sleep at a time before I am up using the restroom, waking up out of nowhere and being wide awake or just plain uncomfortable in whatever position and place I have chosen to sleep at that time. The new symptoms are that my stomach has started to burn night and day so I am using a lot of cocoa butter to soothe the pain and help my skin to be softer for stretching to Max's growth spurts and another symptom is that I now have more swelling in my ankles. This was to be expected for sure and I'm grateful it is just now happening.

We are getting very excited for all of the new things happening including Maternity Leave has started officially, January is our baby shower, and Max's room is coming along. I will be sure to post pictures on the blog when his nursery is complete. I hope that isn't with him in it. :)

It was fun to spend our first Christmas thinking about it being our last without him. He got lots of great Christmas presents already from his nana, Aunt Hilliary, and from us. It was awesome to see his stocking hanging up in my mom's house and ours and awaiting him patiently. This dream is somehow becoming reality and we are so excited about that. I will now start having Dr appointments every two weeks where Max will get stress tests and we are going to start talking about birth plans, registering at the hospital, and discussing specifics. Those are exciting yet fearful subjects for me so please keep us in your prayers.

We love you all and thank you so much for being invested in us and Max! He will love all of you so much

Love,

Anthony & Erica

Insomnia, Pain, and Joy oh my

Well here we are finally in the third trimester and I am only 16 days away from taking maternity leave, but who's counting?! Things at work are getting harder and let's be honest, things at home are too. I have only gained 10 lbs with Max but it seems like 30 billion with how difficult it now is to get off the couch, bend over, and get on any of my clothes. Everything is still very healthy and we go for our next two appointments on December 10th (OB) and December 12 (Maternal Fetal Specialists). We are excited for yet another ultrasound and our next opportunity to see our Boy! :)

Things are rapidly changing in my body and I am having the worst time with bed time and ligament pain is sure happening so as far as I know, Maxwell is growing as he should be. My stomach is rounding out like a basketball and I can see why it would have been ideal to be at a healthy weight BEFORE getting pregnant. I have much motivation to get off more weight after Max is born for sure.

Another exciting up and coming is the baby shower. My friend Carrie is planning it and we are going to have it in January. I am very excited to see all of our friends/family that are local and have an opportunity to celebrate our boy with the ones who love him. Also, we are in the process of picking out Max's crib which is always surreal and getting his room prepared for his arrival. I feel a hundred miles behind on this but having two jobs for the entire pregnancy has been a bit difficult as far as free time and energy is concerned.

The "nesting" has begun in our home as I have deep cleaned my master bathroom and am about 90% completed on deep cleaning our bedroom. I am finding the need to get rid of things that take up space that we don't use, clean every dust particle I see up, and organize, organize, organize! I wish I had the energy and ability to do what I would like to do.

I can't believe in just a few short months I will be the mommy of a little boy and not be working! I have been working two or more jobs for the last 10 years and it will be interesting to have one full time job that encompasses more time and energy than 5 regular jobs. I have never ever looked down my nose at what moms do and I am sure I will only gain more respect. I pray that you are all doing well and ask that you continue in your prayers for Max and I as we journey through the last trimester of pregnancy and gear up for labor. I can't wait to introduce our boy to all of you!

Erica & Anthony