La Vita E Bella

Babywatch 08'

I am 38 weeks, 3 days pregnant.

Finally got to see my OB yesterday. What a relief! All is well in the pregnancy world. I had an internal and found I was 3cm dilated and 50% effaced - which really doesn't give me any insight into when LMV will arrive - but it does mean I'm progressing and that makes the whole labor and delivery process that much quicker. In fact, when I went into labor with Lucas - I was 1cm and 50% and labored for a few hours before I ever got to 3cm - so I won't complain that I'm already there.

I'm OFFICIALLY scheduled for induction on March 5th at 9am which is crazy to think of. That's basically 5 days from now. Ofcourse, I would be more than thrilled if she came on her own - but I'm not banking on anything! I'm in the early stages of labor - contractions, pressure, etc....so I know my body is preparing itself for the birthing process. I did this for about a week before I went into labor with Lucas, so none of this is new to me. In fact, I'm MUCH more relaxed this time around and know that everything will be timed accordingly.

Holy Stretchmarks Batman!!!

Well, I decided to have Trei take a photo of my growing belly this evening. With Lucas, I took a photo every 4 weeks from 18 weeks to 34 weeks. I have no other photos of my pregnancy with Lucas beyond 34 weeks, except for some video Trei took just a few days before I delivered him. This pregnancy, I didn't take a single belly shot until 34 weeks (for comparison purposes) and decided I should probably take one on the eve of my 38th week just for the fun of it.

Well, I know one day I will be glad I did this - even though I'm currently amazed at the size of my belly and the amount of lovely marks that dance across my tummy. It's funny, because the stretchmarks really don't bother me at all. I guess Ive decided to look on the bright side of things....atleast I didn't get any on my breasts or legs. Just a startling amount on basically the only area of my body to stretch to the max!

FYI: I gained 38 pounds while pregnant with Lucas and have barely tipped the scales at 20 pounds this time around. Granted, I've been on a pretty strict diet because of my GD - but I'd say 20 pounds is pretty darn good. Click on the "Continue Reading..." link for photos - and I say Beware to those who are fearful of those damned stretchmarks. The following page is proven to be full of them!

Drive Safely!!

Tonight at 8:50pm, Trei and I were settled into our couch for an evening of American Idol when he hear a deafening screech followed by the most horrific crashing sound. All I remember is watching my husband jet from the couch - running towards the front door - as I fumble for my phone and follow him. My initial thought was that someone had crashed into our apartment building. Our unit faces the street - and although we are in a barrage of trees and surrounded by an iron gate, I always wondered if a car would come crashing into our living room (very unlikely!). Not more than 10 steps from our front door, and on the other side of the iron fence - there was a car. Crashed. Most of the front smashed to bits. I was on the phone with 911 before I even got to the gate - and Trei was talking with the few people that had pulled over to try and help......

News Flash!

My OB's nurse practitioner doesn't know what is going on.

My induction has been moved to March 4th at 7am. But, according to her, she's not sure why I'm being induced. I'll be SO pleased to see my OB next Wednesday. I know she knows what she is talking about.

Oh, and no internal. So I'm not sure if I'm dialated or not...not that it would matter....but the knowledge is somewhat soothing when you are this far along.

Oh well....such is life :) Have a great day!

Still Baking (and Beautiful!)

Small update. Had my 37 week measurements taken today. LMV is currently  weighing in at 7 1/2 to 8 pounds (I'm voting for 8!) and measuring just a few days ahead of my due date. This means that unless she comes on her own - I won't be induced any earlier than 39 weeks. I'm contracting semi-regularly, but nothing too painful. I'll have my cervix checked tomorrow, but it likely won't result in anything. 

So, for my sake, pray my water breaks soon :) I'm ready to have this baby!!

14 Months and 37 Weeks.

I took this photo of Lucas on my iPhone yesterday morning which is why it's so blurry. However, it's the most recent photo I have of him and I do enjoy accompanying every post with a photo for the readers enjoyment. You can't deny he's cute though, no matter how blurry the photo. So today marks Lucas's 14th month birthday and my 37th week of pregnancy (hence the title of my post!) which is kinda cool if you ask me. With less than 2 weeks until I'm induced, I'm trying to enjoy the one on one time I have with Lucas before his sister joins the family. My home has stayed consistently clean (thanks to the good ole' nesting instinct), we are fully stocked and ready for a newborn and family is already scheduled for their stays once Little Miss Vossler arrives. Janet, my wonderful mother-in-law will be staying with us the first week - and then my own wonderful mother will be staying with us the following week. Although no one stayed with me after I had Lucas, I realize I may need some help with Lucas and it would probably be beneficial of me to get some help while everyone is willing :) Next Tuesday my Grammy arrives in California and will be here for 2 weeks, which just means more family to help love and support Trei and I. Trei will continue to work 4-5 days a week and will be finishing this quarter of school in 5 weeks. Unfortunately, he can't take much more than a day or two off once the baby is born - so having in home help will be VERY beneficial to us. We are SO blessed to have people in our lives willing enough to give up their own lives for a period of time to give us a break. I'm not gonna lie....I am SO excited for this impending birth. I keep swearing my water is going to break "any minute", even though it didn't break on it's own with Lucas. I don't know why. Lucas came just minutes shy of his actual due date, so I'm not exactly sure why I'm feeling like she will arrive early. My body is definitely preparing itself for delivery. Now, the exact time is still a mystery! I know that the longer she cooks the better.....not only for her physical development, but also for my mental sake - but I can't help but feeling anxious to meet her, hold her, kiss her. You know :)

There is really nothing new to report of other than what I've already typed. The days continue on as normal, which makes for a good routine. We've made a trip into the valley to see my parents the last 3 weekends which was a lot of fun. I enjoy the nice break I get (Lucas is always taken care of my SOMEONE) and the socialization outside of just Lucas, Trei and I. I'm pretty sure there won't be any more trips like that for a few more weeks. I'm feeling more and more tired on a daily basis and am trying to give my body a break. Friday night the Keyes graciously watched Lucas so Trei and I could have a "date night". We are going to try and get in as many of these as possible. We dropped him off at 4pm, went and saw "The Bucket List" (GREAT movie!) and then ate some amazing Mexican food. We didn't pick up Lucas until 9pm and I can say without a doubt that Trei and I thoroughly enjoyed our alone time. Even reminiscing about our lives before Lucas arrived. Although we wouldn't trade our little boy for anything - we definitely cherish the memories of our life alone together. There is nothing like the freedom of married life without children. Trei and I had a great 2 years before becoming parents and we definitely loved it. Becoming parents has given our lives more meaning....but  to all my friends who are child-less and newly married....DON'T RUSH! Children will come at the perfect time...for now? Learn to appreciate the excitement and joy that comes from your husband or wife. It truly is a magical time :)

Well...enough of my advice column. Time to step down from the podium, bathe my son and get some errands run. Keep checking in - I'm trying to be more diligent in posting. I think I'm doing pretty good!

Me

Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock....

  3 weeks. 3 WEEKS. Actually, it's only 19 days until induction. Which is LESS THAN 3 WEEKS! Ohmygosh. Although I know I'm nearing the end because my body is giving all sorts of signs...it still feels very surreal. Everything is prepared. I'm waiting on the beautiful bassinet my parents bought for us and a baby carrier I purchased online. Other than those two things....we are absolutely ready for LMV's arrival. I'm having a hard time imaging being the mother of two - let alone two under two. I have such a great support system which has helped my sanity - and a ton of people who have been in my shoes at some point in their lives who are offering great advice and moral support. I am usually feeling either extreme. Extreme excitement and anticipation - or - extreme fear and doubt. I'm sure it's normal....I guess I'll just have to tackle the highs and lows as I get to them. All I know (without a single doubt) is that despite my intense HATE for birth control - I will be going on it without a second thought. I know without a shadow of a doubt that I'm done having babies for a few years. My body needs a break. I need a break. My husband needs a break. So I'm looking forward to enjoying the next few years with my two children without being pregnant or trying to adjust to a new addition. I kind of feel bad for Lucas - like I've done him an injustice by filling the past few months with a lot of distraction. I think I'll feel much better once his little sister is here and I know that the next few years I'll be able to focus my attention on them. I wonder if motherly guilt ever subsides? Or if it's not one thing, it's another?

The above picture is of Lucas and I yesterday morning as we waited for Melody to arrive for breakfast at Corner Bakery. I can't ever get him to smile for the webcam because he is way more interested in his own reflection on the screen. Oh well. I thought it was cute either way. In fact, here is a photo of him and I in June of last year. Look how big he is! I can barely remember that age! He was such a little cutie. No wonder I wanted to have another baby. Lucas was so precious and immobile and didn't know how to say "no". Ha ha. No, but seriously - how adorable! So, in other news - I have fetal monitoring tomorrow and then my weekly OB appointment on Wednesday. I'm dying to know whether I'm dilated or not. It would be so ideal if I went into labor in my own before the induction date...but I don't want to get my hopes up. I remember totally thinking that Lucas was coming early and as most remember, he arrived just a few minutes shy of his due date. I could have died :) Atleast this time around I don't have to suffer through until 40 weeks...because I'm not sure I believe that the little girl I'm carrying is much smaller than Lucas. In fact, I would venture to guess she will be just as big as he was. I have official measurements done next Wednesday. I guess the measurements done at 32 weeks aren't "accurate". It should be interesting. I'll keep everyone posted.

Well, I shall close. Time for me to focus on school. Oh yes...I must have forgotten to mention that. I'm enrolled in 8 units at a local junior college. Talk about bad timing...but I seriously had no choice. It was enroll in school or start paying Sallie Mae her loan back. Looks like I'm a student again.

Me

My Best Friend

I think it's so easy to fall into the monotony of life that we lose sight of the very most important things in life. I was sitting here on the computer. Paying bills. Looking at the syllabus for my online class. Marking my calendar with important dates.

Then, I looked over my shoulder at my husband who is currently watching television and was struck by a sudden wave of emotion. I began remembering moments from when we first met. Our first kiss. Date. Proposal. Wedding Day. When he first held our son Lucas.

In Trei, I have something so special. So exciting. So perfect. I may not recognize it on a daily basis - but there are moments when I am reminded just what a lucky woman I am. I have the greatest husband and companion and I know my future is going to be full of security, love, and adventure.

I don't say it enough...but I love this guy so much. I was meant to be his....and he was meant to be mine. Forever and Ever. Always.

Must See!

I got this video off my friend Chrissy's blog....I thought it was absolutely adorable!