I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!!! This year was bittersweet for us. Just as we have the last 6 years, once again we had our double gathering. We spent the early afternoon at my mom's and the night at home. That's a lot of food!!! This year, however, thanks to a growing bundle, I could hardly eat a bite for dinner. We have tons to be thankful for this year. Thankful that both our families have been in the same town, to make it easier to spend the holidays with each other for the last 7 years, thankful for all the experiences, good and bad, and time spent with Justin's parents the last 7+ years, thankful for the opportunity to finally make a house our home, for being able to live our life together on our own and really get to grow with one another, and last but certainly not least, thankful for the wonderful life we are very excited to meet in the coming weeks, and the time we have to prepare for her arrival.
~THE HOUSE~
In the last few weeks, since Justin's parents moved, we have been working hard to get things re-organized and the way we like it. It's starting to feel more like us, and our home, rather than living in someone else's, and that is a feeling I have been longing for, for a long time!!! It's a good feeling to come home, and know that things are where you put them and they will stay there. There are a few things we still need to get done, in time. Finish putting up the trim throughout the house, replacing doors, and two more rooms to paint. I am looking forward to tackling those things in the future!!! For now, I'm glad to feel home!!!
~THE ITCH~
So, for those of you who do not know, I am 36 weeks pregnant today. Thus far, I really have no complaints for the most part, as she has been very kind to me. I am so thankful for not experiencing "morning sickness", and not developing Gestational Diabetes or Preeclampsia, two things I was really worried about, and that ran in my family.
I do have slightly high blood pressure, and that has made for more frequent appointments, but I really enjoy listening to her heart and movements, as well as sometimes getting to peek in on her. She is going to be a stubborn lil thing, but I am certain she is going to make life much lighter and filled with lots of laughter, joy, and love.
People have told me the last month or so is the worst, miserable, uncomfortable period of pregnancy. And, I have to say, most of the reason's friends have shared why their's was so miserable, are different than my reason. She doesn't stick herself in rib cages, she doesn't keep me up at night with movements, really, I am not uncomfortable in a way that most are or would think I would be.......but, my discomfort comes from something else. THE ITCH!!!! And, this is not the usual expected pregnancy itch caused from skin stretching and drying out.........this is the most miserable, uncontrollable, nothing makes it feel better, crawl out of your skin, ball your eyes out itch.
Referred to as PUPPP, this is a more rare type of rash, that starts in one place and eventually spreads EVERYWHERE!!!! I have tried almost everything under the sun to help ease the itching.....and pretty much everything does nothing. My skin is scratched, bruised, and scabbed, and the bad thing is, a lot of the scratching I do, happens in my sleep. When I sleep.
For future mom's to be, in the absolute unfortunate time that you may come down with this itch, the two things that provide the most relief for me, are Aloe Gel and Ice Packs. But, as the rash worsens, the effectiveness of those two things, are much less.........but, don't give up hope, as much as you want to rip your skin off, crawl out of it, or cut limbs off......there is a med the dr can give you to help. I just started mine yesterday, and last night I was still quite itchy, but hopefully tonight will be better. And, I keep reminding myself, it's almost over, it's almost over.
But, I pray, you do not develop THE ITCH!!!!
~THE BABY'S ROOM~
Over the last couple weeks, Justin and I have been working in her room, organizing and preparing for her arrival. We have all of her laundry washed and put away, toys all in one bin, blankets and such organized. We set up all of her equipment, pack n play, bouncy chair, and rock n play. Moved the rocking chair in. We are going to hopefully arrange things how we'd like them this weekend. And we need to get the trim put up in her room as well. It's very exciting to see it all coming together, now we just need to put her in it!!!!! We can't wait!!!!!
So, that's pretty much what's been going on in our world. Making a home for our expectant baby!!! We can't wait until we can share her with you all, as well!!!!
Justin and I thank all of you for your kind offers and help, up to now and for after she arrives. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a safe and healthy New Year!!!!
