3 years married to my love!

   Yesterday, January 14th, Husband and I celebrated our third anniversary! Wow, we have come a long way in three years. We have had a lot thrown our way in three years. From Adam getting flagged for recruiting duty, moving from NC to TX, My traumatic delivery of Connor and Adam sticking by my side and proving how amazing he truly is, and now we are expecting another sweet boy. It has been a crazy three year ride, and I am so happy with my life. Next year Adam is done with recruiting duty, and his USMC contract is up. We are not sure what life will throw our way, (whether he will stay in or follow a different path) but we will surely go through it together as a family of four! I've been a stay at home mom since pregnant with Connor, and we are not planning for that to change for a few more years. I truly feel so blessed to be able to share this journey with the one man I cannot imagine my life without. Adam is my best friend, and even through the times when I want to ring his neck, he somehow brings a smile to my face. He is funny, genuine, thoughtful, and so sweet. He loves me despite my many flaws, and for that I am incredibly grateful. Love you babe. Happy 3 years, and here is to MANY more!

20 weeks. HALFWAY through!

            WHAT?! I cannot even believe I am really over halfway through! (Scheduled c-section is usually a week-ish earlier than the due date) Bonkers! I have so much to do, and I keep thinking I have all of this time, but I don't. Connor came over 4 weeks early, and I am really praying Austin stays put for at least 38/39 weeks, but I want to be prepared early enough! We are starting on the boys' rooms probably this week or the next, and I'm so excited! Ready to move Con up to the big boy bed! I think he is ready. He doesn't try to escape from his crib, but I want to move him into his big boy bed before he thinks it is a game to escape. He is really great about going to bed too, so hopefully it won't be that hard. I'm sure we will have a long few nights though. We are all sickness free in the house, besides Con's snot face and little cough. I am pretty sure we will be fighting colds all winter long though. RSV symptoms linger. No, he doesn't have it, but the symptoms linger since it affected his respiratory system and whatnot. Speaking of Connor, he has really started to throw tantrums. It is lovely! He gently lays himself on the floor and THEN starts crying. bahaha. My method with this is walking away. It usually works. Connor is incredibly happy outdoors, and as long as he isn't bored, he doesn't usually throw a temper tantrum. Busy little bee. The sun is finally shining, but I don't think it will last. We spent over a week indoors due to rain. Hello CABIN FEVER. We were miserable. I hate having him watch a lot of t.v., so I turned it off or put it on music and we played and read books.. every day. Cleaning is overrated. (just kidding), but I'm trying to spend more time playing and laughing with my sweet boy, and less time worrying about little messes. I think the hard part is really that at the end of the day I'm too exhausted to run around and clean clean clean, pick up pick up pick up, like I used to do. So, to hell with it! .. Moving On ..

      Today, at the anatomy scan, Austin looked fabulous!! I just absolutely love seeing his sweet face on the ultrasound. Can't say he was as happy to see us. (Not that he can actually see us, but you get it). He was not feeling it, but the sonographer said all of his organs and everything look perfect. :) I asked her about the "sore spot" on the upper right side of my stomach, and she checked the spot, but it looked fine. Everything looked fine, and she even checked my kidneys, gall bladder, etc. (said she technically isn't supposed to, but it looked fine). The doctor came in later and I asked her. She said that is where my bowels are. Bahha. sweet. Pretty fantastic. Gotta love how pregnancy can affect your body. I've gained about 10 lbs. Not great, not bad. Not really worried about it. I'm aware of what I put in my body, and I am busy all day every day. My blood pressure was fine, and the doctor just said we will wish any pre-eclampsia and thrombocytopenia away, but that usually doesn't show up until the 3rd trimester anyway. I'm confident in this team of doctors I have, and I'm confident in my God. :) For now, all is perfect, and I'm in love with my baby boy!

 How far along?: 20 weeks
Sleep: Eh. I have to be careful turning over. It hurts if I make sudden movements!
Best moment this week: Seeing my baby's sweet face on the ultrasound!
Movement: Yes!
Symptoms: aches, pains, movements :)
Food cravings: crap! lol
 Food aversions: Not so much anymore.
Gender: BOY!
Labor Signs: Oh no, no.
Belly Button in or out?: IN.
What I miss: Being able to bend over without thinking about ti.
What I am looking forward to: Getting the nursery together!
Weekly Wisdom: Everything is pretty much "normal" in pregnancy, but don't be afraid to mention any aches and pains to you doctor.
 Milestones: our baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (For the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against his torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of his head to his bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, he's measured from head to toe.)
He's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in his bowels, and you'll see it in his first soiled diaper (some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery).

  

16, 17, 18 weeks..

      Oh, wow, I am way way behind on my updates! Again, I have been busy prepping for travel, traveling, and you know... chasing a toddler. I can't believe I missed 2+ weeks though! Yikes. Nothing too exciting has been going on with me in my pregnancy, except that I'm expanding by the day. It's really hard trying to keep Connor off of my belly when we lay down/snuggle, and it's even harder trying to explain to him why he can't climb on mommy. I have noticed my belly feeling sore off and on from ligaments stretching. Austin is definitely kicking me more and more. It still isn't consistent to where I can "count" kicks and whatnot, but I feel him at least a few times a day. I really love that feeling. That is by far my favorite part of pregnancy. I have been on a pregnancy forum and read that in second and subsequent pregnancies, the ligament pains/stretching is more painful. Uhm, yes. I'd agree. I turned over in bed last night and seriously wanted to cry it hurt so bad. Then there is Austin, kicking away. I am enjoying the expansion of my tummy though. Not so much enjoying the expansion of my ass. Good grief :( Oh well! I've been much better about not "chowing down" this time around.. for the most part!
...continued Dec. 30, 2012
       Anyway, week 16 of pregnancy was spent preparing for vacation plus a doctor's appt that went great. Week 17 was spent in VA, and week 18 was spent over the toilet with the stomach bug! Oy! We got home Thursday night, and I started feeling sick in the middle of the night into Friday morning. Friday I was absolutely miserable. Adam had to go back to work, so I had to play Mommy while feeling like someone was punching me in the stomach. Finally, I called Adam and he was able to come home and help. He sent me to our room and took over :) He is great. Saturday Connor woke up vomiting. Ugh. I have to say that is the absolute worst part of being a parent. Not being able to take the pain/sickness away from your baby. Especially because I know I am the one who got him sick! He has a cough/runny  nose, but luckily, the bug only seemed to be a 24 hr thing. Adam woke up this morning feeling terrible, but he didn't seem to have it as bad. He usually skates away with minor symptoms.. punk! I really don't wish for anyone to feel how we felt though. It plain sucked, but we are good now! Gonna ring in 2013 with some sparkling grape juice and my boys! :) Here is my survey for week 18.. might as well skip weeks 16 and 17. I promise I'll get better.. if anyone cares.

How far along?: 18 weeks
Sleep: Eh. I have to be careful turning over. It hurts if I make sudden movements!
Best moment this week: Feeling sweet Austin kicking more and more!
Movement: Yes!
Symptoms: stretching pains!
Food cravings: nah.
Food aversions: Not so much anymore.
Gender: BOY!
Labor Signs: Oh no, no.
Belly Button in or out?: IN.
What I miss: Medicine besides Tylenol!
What I am looking forward to: My anatomy scan on the 7th!
Weekly Wisdom: I don't really have any "wisdom" to give ya this week. ;)
 Milestones: Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.

God Speed

    Friday was such a stressful day for me. My husband broke his finger last weekend, and he ended up needing surgery on Friday. At 5 a.m. 45 minutes away. I knew sitting in the surgery center with a 20 month old was going to be impossible, and we don't have family here. One of the other Marine wives offered to help, but it was kind of just a "play by ear" situation. I ended up going in with Adam, and then Connor and I went home until the doctors called me. Adam was done, and I was back to pick him up by 8 a.m., and we were on our way home by 8:30. Once I got home, I had to turn around and go to the baby doctor, (All is perfect), and then I had to drop Connor off at home for a nap and run errands. Phew, I thought my day was rough. My mom called me when I was in Wal-mart and informed me of the CT shootings...
    I don't think I really understood what she was saying. I had obviously not been on facebook, and I was so confused. "What do you mean someone shot up an elementary school?!" She was misinformed for sure.. No. I came home and immediately put on the news. I was in complete and utter shock, and all I could do was just hold my baby tight. Friday night I went to bed with the tragedy on my mind, and woke up with a soaked pillow. I had a nightmare about the shooting and sobbed in my sleep, waking up with swollen eyes. Same thing on Saturday night. I had  a dream about someone dying, and I woke up to a wet pillow and swollen eyes. I have been going about my days with my family, but I cannot shake the sadness that is so overwhelming, and the tears are flowing at night. There is a poem I read online today, and as I was reading it to my husband I broke down. I couldn't read it without crying. My heart aches with sorrow and sympathy for those poor families. There is no greater love than that of a parent, and theirs was ripped away from them because of a selfish, horrible, tragic act. What do you say at a moment like this? I will never understand why people commit such horrific crimes, and I hope and pray to God that I never have to go through the pain and suffering that these parents are going through right now at this moment. Right before Christmas. Their Christmases will never ever be the same. Nor will any day of their lives. All I ask is that everyone prays. Pray for a these families who lost their babies. I know these sweet babies are cloaked in God's loving arms, but at this time, I know the parents of these children would rather be the ones holding their babies tight. I am so thankful for my sweet little boy that runs up to me so I can swoop him up in a hug, and I am so thankful for the kicks in my belly from baby boy number two. I will never forget what happened on December 14. 2012. May these precious angels rest in peace. God speed. <3

14 weeks 5 days and boy oh boy...

IT'S A BOY!

   Sweet Austin James Hill will make his appearance in May, and I am so excited that we found out already! I had to go see a Specialist/High Risk doctor today to discuss my previous pregnancy with Connor and delivery. They did the ultrasound first, and the first thing the sonographer said was, "do you want to know gender?" Adam wasn't there, but he told me if they could tell me to find out anyway. And, I knew it was a boy when it didn't even take her 2 second to ask the question. hahaha. It was clear as day. I got to see my baby boy kicking and squirming around for a while before the Doctor came in. I looove the doctor, but fortunately for me, I won't have to see her except for the anatomy scan at 20 weeks! She looked at Austin some more and said he was a perfect little 4 oz bundle. Then, we got down to business. She asked me about the blood clot in my lung, and I told her everything that happened. She said, "THEY GAVE YOU BLOOD THINNERS?!" I told her yes, and that after everything they couldn't find a clot. She said that if there was a clot that it would be visible even after the hemorrhaging because clots don't disappear, they shrink overtime. She also said that if I did have a clot, they would have sent me home on meds for weeks. Then, we discussed the gestational thrombocytopenia. She thought I had ITP, which is thrombocytopenia while not pregnant. I don't have ITP, I had GT. (I even brought in my blood lab work from June to show her my platelet count was normal then. I'm on top of these things, and she was impressed, lol). I may have GT again, but she said it was mild so it isn't a huge concern. So, clearing that up we moved on to the pre-eclampsia. She said my risk for getting the pre eclampsia is about 15%, but since it happened so late in the 3rd trimester that they will monitor me, but I don't need to come back and see her for anything other than the 20 week anatomy scan January 7th! I cannot tell you the range of emotions that are flowing through me right now. It is such a HUGE relief to hear that everything is great. I have prayed and prayed, and while I have been excited about the pregnancy, I couldn't help but worry too. Now, I feel like I can breathe, relax, and enjoy this pregnancy! :) But, seriously, what am I going to do with 2 boys??? 

13 and 14 weeks!!

     Tomorrow I will be 14 weeks, so I'm rolling it all into one post. I would have posted last week, but we were in the hospital with our sweet Connor. He has RSV, and let me tell ya, that is an awfully mean virus! My poor baby was so sick. He had diarrhea, fever, vomiting, cough, runny nose, trouble breathing. You name it, he had the symptom. We spent Monday through Wednesday in the hospital, and then we got to be home for Thanksgiving! :) However, I was miserable because I quickly got sick as well. It is impossible to avoid an illness when all you do is comfort and snuggle your sick baby. I wouldn't have it any other way though! It sucks being pregnant and sick. I can't take anything for it, and benadryl is out of the question because I have to keep up with my toddler who quickly went back to being busy busy busy! We had his follow up doctor's visit today, and she told me that RSV usually lasts 2 weeks. Ugh, but he is doing much better and back to his Connor ways :)
    I had my appt Nov. 16th, and all was great! My doctor pulled out the U/S machine incase we didn't hear the baby's heartbeat, but we didn't need it. Within about 30 seconds, we heard that sweet heartbeat at 147! Such a beautiful sound! I get an U/S next Monday when I go see the specialist for my consultation. At first, I was upset that I had to go see a specialist. I thought, "really?! I'm 24, and I'm healthy," but I quickly reminded myself that I want to take every precaution that I can take. :) Every pregnancy is different, but I'd rather the doctors be overly cautious than not at all. I'm excited to see my baby again! I wonder if they'd be able to determine the sex.. 14 almost 15 weeks? Hm, I may ask. Anyway, here is the survey for week 14. Can't believe I'm already 14 weeks tomorrow!

How far along?: 13 weeks 6 days
Sleep: I am struggling right now with the cold!
Best moment this week: Having my baby boy home for Thanksgiving!
Movement: Maybe! I think I feel something every now and then!
Symptoms: Just a big ol' belly already.
Food cravings: Tomatoes.
Food aversions: Not so much anymore.
Gender: Don't know yet.
Labor Signs: Oh no, no.
Belly Button in or out?: IN.
What I miss: wine.
What I am looking forward to: Next Monday's appt.
Weekly Wisdom: Rest rest rest. If you don't feel well, rest. The house can wait.
 Milestones:
This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb.
In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.

10 weeks Pregs.

How far along?: 10 weeks 1 day.
Total weight gain/loss: +1
Sleep: I am having a hard time sleeping on my side.
Best moment this week: Halloween with my family!
Movement: of course not.
Symptoms: The nausea has gotten better and the headaches have started..
Food cravings: Tomatoes.
Food aversions: Everything.
Gender: Don't know yet.
Labor Signs: Oh no, no.
Belly Button in or out?: IN.
What I miss: sleeping on my belly.
What I am looking forward to: Getting out of the 1st trimester.
Weekly Wisdom: Try not to feel guilty about your child's cabin fever. Connor has been so cooped up, but he's been a good sport, and I really beat myself up about everything.
Milestones:
Though he's barely the size of a kumquat — a little over an inch or so long, crown to bottom — and weighs less than a quarter of an ounce, your baby has now completed the most critical portion of his development. This is the beginning of the so-called fetal period, a time when the tissues and organs in his body rapidly grow and mature.
He's swallowing fluid and kicking up a storm. Vital organs — including his kidneys, intestines, brain, and liver (now making red blood cells in place of the disappearing yolk sac) — are in place and starting to function, though they'll continue to develop throughout your pregnancy.
If you could take a peek inside your womb, you'd spot minute details, like tiny nails forming on fingers and toes (no more webbing) and peach-fuzz hair beginning to grow on tender skin.
In other developments: Your baby's limbs can bend now. His hands are flexed at the wrist and meet over his heart, and his feet may be long enough to meet in front of his body. The outline of his spine is clearly visible through translucent skin, and spinal nerves are beginning to stretch out from his spinal cord. Your baby's forehead temporarily bulges with his developing brain and sits very high on his head, which measures half the length of his body. From crown to rump, he's about 1 1/4 inches long. In the coming weeks, your baby will again double in size — to nearly 3 inches.