Sleep Whats That??

Yes its 6:00 am on Monday morning and I am awake. I have no where to go but have been up since 1:30 am with Insomnia. Everyone says, "rest these last few days/weeks of your pregnancy and sleep because once Lawson is here you will never sleep again". Well that would be wonderful if I could actually sleep. So I did some research while not being able to sleep on Insomnia during pregnancy. Here is what I found out.

Many women suffer from intermittent or chronic insomnia during pregnancy. There are many reasons you may have trouble drifting off to dreamland during pregnancy. Some of the more common problems include frequent urination, an unquiet mind, stress, leg cramps or the inability to get into a comfortable position. 

Tips For Reducing Insomnia During Pregnancy

The most important step toward sleeping well during pregnancy is relaxing. Too much stress and too much anxiety, whether centered around your inability to get comfortable or your concerns over labor and delivery, can dramatically affect your ability to catch some quality zzz's.

Relaxing.. Yeah right how am I supposed to relax when it seems like everyone around me who is due after me is having their baby but Lawson is still staying put. Today marks the last day in January. Must I remind you that my doctor kept saying he would be here before the end of the month? Well unless Lawson starts doing something soon January will have come and gone and I will still be pregnant.

Stress ... Well Yes I have stress even after not working since the 14th, I am stressing because Met Life who is in charge of our Disability Claims still has not approved my Short Term Disability claim for my pregnancy. Jonah tells me not to worry, my dad tells me not to worry or stress, but thats all I think about. How can these people keep post poning a decision.. Maybe even though I was having pre-term labor I should have kept working with the debilitating pain and who knows Lawson might have been here at 36 weeks. This all is just too much to comprehend right now and keeps me up stressed and worrying.

Anxiety... Well there is a lot of that too. It doesn't matter how long you think about having a child or how long you plan for it, or how well you feel suited for the task, you will still have anxiety over how well you will be a parent.  You can read every book known to man kind, ask for support and information from your family and friends but until Lawson is here I have no clue how I will adapt and still not have this anxiety of being a good parent. You read all this information about children growing up too fast, making the wrong decisions. How will I raise Lawson to make the right decisions and know I am a good parent.

Through reviewing articles on insomnia during pregnancy this is the best advise I have found. I will say it seems easier said than done but its worth a try :)

"Last but not least, remind yourself that nothing is worth stressing out over so much that you lose sleep over it. Once you are asleep there is little that you can do to solve the problems of the world. You might as well let your troubles float away the moment your head hits the pillow. You'll have plenty of time to obsess about life's little struggles in the morning. Your job at night is one thing...to get some sleep"

So tonight I will continue to spray my pillow with a relaxing lavendar pillow spray, and attempt to ignore my stresses and anxieties to deal with them tomorrow. Hey maybe I should try listening to Lawsons "comfort me lamb" to help relax me who knows the sounds of waves, a heart beat or a whale might work on me. ;) 

Wish me luck! 

38 weeks

So I now wished I felt better about my pregnancy physique and took more belly bump pictures or that I had maternity pictures done.  At this point I truly feel like a beached whale and that I weight 800 million pounds. Yes its a pure exaggeration but that is how I feel. I really want my size 4 pants back and my size 2 or zero shirts back. I know my body has changed and it will take a act of congress to get back into my pre-pregnancy wardrobe but for some reason I think I will work hard to make it happen. 

I often question myself, " all these ladies embrace pregnancy, Why cant I?" Guess that is just something that is different for everyone. I read an article online and sent it to Jonah. It truly made me feel better about not feeling so hot throughout pregnancy and made me realize that not every woman feels this since of embracing her baby bump and baby figure. Thank goodness I am not alone!! 

Survey: 

1. How far along? 38 weeks

2. Weight gain? 24 pounds.  Lots of women stop gaining at this point :) Who knows what will happen with me. It was a task to get any weight on in the beginning and now it seems like in the end in a week Ill gain about 2 pounds. I am having some swelling and literally feel like a beached whale. I cant wait to be back in normal clothes and stop raiding Jonahs supply of sweatshirts and T-shirts to wear while I'm lounging around the house. They say my belly is the size of a watermelon at this point. I feel like i have 3 of them in my belly right now.

3. Signs of labor? Nope they are all gone.. still having some sharp stabbing pains.. now I have some that in my inner thigh as well. Some menstrual feelings but nothing really significant. Had my Doctors appointment Wednesday and no progression from the 3cm and 85% effacement..

4. Sleep? I'm exhausted all the time but CANT SLEEP

5. Food cravings? SWEETS!! Jonah found this cupcake place in Baxter Village.. I went to get one cupcake to eat there and one to bring home. We made one stop on the way home and Jonah found me eating my other cupcake in the car. HA!!

6. Food aversions? change daily

7. Best moment this week? Just knowing that not much longer till we get to hold Lawson in our arms. Even though we thought we would have done that by now. As the doctor, Beth and Jonah say.. eventually he will get evicted from that comfy home :)

8. Looking forward to? Actually going into labor and meeting Lawson

9. Milestones? 2 weeks til d-day!

10. Pregnancy thoughts this week: Lawson why are you being so stubborn. The entire Saul and Smith family and friends want to meet you. Please come out sooner rather than later you are making your mommy miserable ;)

Nesting

 This is an uncontrollable urge to clean one's house brought on by a desire to prepare a nest for the new baby, to tie up loose ends of old projects and to organize your world. Females of the animal kingdom are all equipped with this same need. It is a primal instinct. Just as you see birds making their nests, mothers-to-be do exactly the same thing. The act of nesting puts you in control and gives a sense of accomplishment toward birth. You may become a homebody and want to retreat into the comfort of home and familiar company, like a brooding hen. The nesting urge can also be seen as a sign of the onset of labor when it occurs close to 40 weeks of pregnancy.

I have officially started Nesting!!! The couple of days off and on I have had an urge to clean the entire house. Jonah has done an awesome Job throughout the pregnancy but for some reason I have an urge to clean everything. Wednesday night I moved all rugs and slid the downstairs furniture around to mop everything and vacuum. I even went to the extent to wipe down all kitchen cabinets with Clorox wipes. I dusted and cleaned the walls with a magic eraser. Today I went crazy in our master bathroom and bedroom, dusting and cleaning every crevice. I don't think any inch of the bathroom went unturned. I even used a tooth brush to scrub. If this is any sign that Lawson will be coming soon lets sure hope it is.

My next doctors appointment is Friday February 4th. Kinda funny Wednesday Dr. Palermo said, " Well i didn't think you would need to schedule another appointment after this one but umm go ahead and make one for next week." 

Showered with Gifts of Love!!

As I write this blog I have to say I am in some pretty bad pain, but I am trying to keep my mind off of things. 

As Jonah will tell you one of the most exciting times of the day is when the mail man comes. I have no clue why I enjoy getting the mail even if it is normally junk mail, but I do.

Today has been rough.. back pain and contractions off and on since about noon, so when I saw the mail man come by through the front windows I said, "OK Stoney and miss P lets go see what he has for us today". Yes I talk to the dogs, this should not be surprising.

Upon opening the mailbox I saw a little padded envelope addressed to me. Inside was a handmade Gamecock colored knitted hat for Lawson. I was ecstatic. My friend Karen from work in Columbia had it made for Lawson. So some may not think this is a huge deal but Karen is a Clemson Tiger so the fact that she actually bought something.. or actually had something Gamecockish specifically made for Lawson is a pure treat. Below are pictures of the hat. I cant wait for Lawson to wear it and yes its the little things that make me smile on days like this.

Thank you Karen!!

Lawson has been showered with gifts from many of our family and friends and we feel truly blessed for everything given to us. We could not be more grateful for all of the love and gifts that come each week. THANK YOU !!!

37 Weeks !!

THE CLOCKS TICKING 

1. How far along? 37 weeks.

2. Weight gain? still 22 pounds.

3. Maternity clothes? Yes pants and still fitting into some normal longer sweaters :)

4. Sleep? I think I forgot what sleep was about 2 months ago and unfortunately I think Jonah is suffering as well. My attempt at sleep at night starts off with 4 pillows.. 3 under my head and 1 propping my legs or knees up. Then once I have dozed off some I seem to loose a pillow.. waking up about 30 minutes later to find that pillow, stab Jonah in the back with it and fluff the covers just enough for him to say.. Hey your letting the cold air in, then attempt to get back in a comfortable position. Then just when i start to doze off...oh crap I have to pee.. Ughh..

5. Best moment this week?  Today at the doctors office crying but realizing that Lawson is officially full term. There was a while with pre-term labor contractions i didn't know if he would make it. Now I am glad he did because at this stage he should not have any issues with his lungs or development.

6. Food cravings? SWEETS!!! I would think at this rate the past several weeks I would be diabetic.. but Im not

7. Food aversions? not really many

8. Looking forward to? actually meeting Lawson... its been a roller coaster ride recently. Contractions during the day and night. Stabbing pains and of course with my first pregnangy the mind racing of is this true labor or just practice.

9. Milestones? Started the slow pregnancy waddle walk today. Yes I look like the pregnant lady about to pop at any minute

10. Pregnancy thoughts this week: 1. My husband has been wonderful and well is Super Excited. Though he still thinks he will get bored and will build the fence right after Lawson is born.. LOL yeah you just wait 2. Do I need to take my hospital bag? With all these contractions I wonder even if i go to get gas or redbox if I should take my hospital bag with me just in case real labor comes on 3. Even though someone has already had a baby they may have no clue what I am experiencing.  4. Stonewall... will he ever go back to the well behaved doggie he was before he realized I was pregnant.. come on big pup.. im tired of picking up shreaded papers and stuff everytime i leave you home for 5 mintues or longer :)

The Belly at 37weeks

Lawson's Zodiac Sign

A lot of people say that your zodiac sign says a lot about you.. If Lawson is born tomorrow through February 19th, which hopefully he will, he will be an Aquarius

Element: Air, Quality: Fixed, Rulers: Saturn Uranus.

Traditional
Aquarian Traits

Friendly and humanitarian
Honest and loyal
Original and inventive
Independent and intellectual

On the dark side....

Intractable and contrary
Perverse and unpredictable
Unemotional and detached

Aquarians basically possess strong and attractive personalities. They fall into two principle types: one shy, sensitive, gentle and patient; the other exuberant, lively and exhibitionist, sometimes hiding the considerable depths of their character under a cloak of frivolity. 

Both types are strong willed and forceful in their different ways and have strong convictions, though as they seek truth above all things, they are usually honest enough to change their opinions, however firmly held, if evidence comes to light which persuades them that they have been mistaken. They have a breadth of vision that brings diverse factors into a whole, and can see both sides of an argument without shilly-shallying as to which side to take. Consequently they are unprejudiced and tolerant of other points of view. This is because they can see the validity of the argument, even if they do not accept it themselves. They obey the Quaker exhortation to "Be open to truth, from whatever source it comes," and are prepared to learn from everyone.

Both types are humane, frank, serious minded, genial, refined, sometimes ethereal, and idealistic, though this last quality is tempered with a sensible practicality. They are quick, active and persevering without being self-assertive, and express themselves with reason, moderation and sometimes, a dry humor.

They are nearly always intelligent, concise, clear and logical. Many are strongly imaginative and psychically intuitive, so that the Age of Aquarius, which is about to begin, is much anticipated by psychic circles as an age in which mankind will experience a great spiritual awakening.
 

36 WEEKS and counting

This past Tuesday we ventured out of the house into the snow and icy roads to make our way to see Dr. Palermo.

 

I had a GREAT check up and since no other pregnant women went out in the bad weather Jonah and I had a lot of time to ask all the questions that had been pondering in our minds. 

I had been having some sharp pains that would stop me in my tracks and make me wait for them to stop before I could walk again. This was occurring more frequently the longer I was on my feet at work and the less sleep I had gotten. We found out these pains were Pre-Term Labor!! Yep you got that right!!

 

Dr. Palermo checked me and said well we have a January baby on our hands not a February baby!! I was like huh.. She said well you are about 2 cm dilated and 75% effaced. Those pains you were experiencing are your cervix and Lawson pushing his head down. She also said he was ready to go.

We left excited but also with some anxiety. 

Wow we thought we had about a month left ( original due date February 11), but now we are being cut short 2 weeks. So all the thoughts that go through a first time parents mind circulated. Are we really ready for this? How painful will this childbirth be? Even though everything looks GREAT in the ultrasound is there something they are missing? And of Course for me.. wow how am I going to loose this baby weight? 

 

I also talked to Dr. Palermo about work and how exhausting and stressful it had become. The fact that the pains were more severe and happening more frequently after I worked and was on my feet all day, she agreed for me to check with Met Life (my benefits company) and get back to her on Thursday. 

 

I did my homework with Met Life and called her office Thursday. She agreed to put me out of work on Short Term Disability due to the pre-term labor, stress and just my work situation. Here is a picture of my my last day of work Thursday, January 14.

36 weeks starting week 37

We will keep everyone updated with the progress. The next doctors appointment will be January 20. At that time Lawson will be 37 weeks and considered a full term baby :) 

 

 

ITS SNOWING AGAIN!!!

Well Its January 10, 2011 and we are having a pretty good snow storm here in Fort Mill, SC.  The weather people estimated 3 inches but this morning we awoke with 3 inches. Last time around Christmas I was determined to stay inside, this time I wanted to get out a little bit and have some fun. So I had to decide what I was going to wear to keep warm and dry.

Last year Jonah and I were planning a ski trip so I had gone out and bought some snowboard pants, a snow jacket, gloves, socks, etc for the planned expedition that never happened. Who would have thought that in my 9th month of pregnancy I would be able to get my snowboard pants all the way up??? CRAZY I KNOW and I thought I was insane for trying but It worked! Only problem was they wouldn't button. Oh wait I still have my belly bands that I wore to keep my pre-pregnancy work pants up at 6 months. Hey its worth a try right?? So I told myself here goes nothing.... BUT IT WORKED!!!

I was able to put on my pants, put on the belly band, move around bend down and keep my pants up!! WAHOOOOOO!!!So I threw on Jonahs Northface Jacket and headed out to the snow infested back yard with Stoney and Miss P. 

Here is my first attempt at a Snowman. Yes its small but took me about an hour to make :)

While I was outside I noticed Stonewall digging. I thought to myself what is this crazy dog trying to get now? So finally after finishing my snowman I found Stonewall with his soccer ball. He dug it out of the snow and wanted to play. It was hysterical watching him !!

Well, that's about it for now with the snow day. I will continue to take pictures and keep you updated. Please pray the weather isn't too bad tomorrow that my 36 week doctors appointment doesn't get canceled. We are scheduled for an ultrasound and I cant wait to see how big Lawson is and see his profile again!

Jonah got home around 4pm and insisted that we make a BIG SNOWMAN.. Here are some pictures..

.

35 week check up

Well I had my 35 week check up today. I gained a whole pound.. WAHOO!! Dr. Palermo was very happy and told me to go drink a milkshake on my way home.

Lawson is checking out GREAT and is in the head down position. She said hes ready to go. We have an ultrasound on January 11, 2011 and that will give us more information on how much he hes grown and a better idea of when he will joining us. I truly cant wait! 

His room is completed and I truly feel blessed with all the gifts and clothes we have received from everyone. Its not much of a picture but below is a picture of Lawson's stocked walk in closet. Yes his dresser and the closet are full of clothes and necessities :) 

Christmas 2010

So I decided to start a blog. Yes Jonah you were right.. you knew I would do this! 

Since I am new to the blogging scene it may not look as pretty as other blogs but I figured it would be good to get started to keep everyone up to date with the last 6 weeks of my pregnancy and life of the Smith Family.

We couldn't travel anywhere for Christmas with me being in my last trimester so my dad and Pat decided to come into town to celebrate with us. Thank goodness they did because I was so exhausted all I did was sleep all Christmas day! Its amazing how all the sudden your energy goes away in the last trimester and all you want to do is sleep but can't. Yes you got that right, I can't get comfortable or by the time I do get comfortable I have to get up at night to pee. The wonderful joys of pregnancy!

Jonah was excited on Christmas Day because they had predicted snowfall. Unfortunately it didn't start snowing until after the sun went down Christmas Day but we awoke to a winter wonderland the following day. 

 Stonewall wasn't quite sure of the snow!!

 Our back yard

 A view of the neighborhood street

 Pops eating a snowball... Yes he did this when he wasn't throwing a snowball at one of us !

The front of our house

I was supposed to work the day after Christmas but due to the snow and me still being tired I called out of work and stayed inside. Pops and Pat went for a walk in the snow and we later ventured out to the grocery store to get some items to make homemade Vegetable soup! Besides that, I enjoyed the view of the snow but not much more than that. Everyone knows I am a klutz and well I didn't want to slip and fall.

Pregnancy Update!!

 

Well I only have 6 more weeks to go!! 

Jonah and I had 3d Ultrasound pictures done on December 10, 2010. It was just amazing seeing Lawson in 3d and I have came to the conclusion that like Stonewall, he always has his legs crossed! He also has Jonah's little lips and tons of hair!! I wake up every morning and look at this 3d picture and I am just at awe that he is growing inside of me!

It has been a healthy but trying pregnancy and I guess it would be worse after hearing others stories. The nausea and vomiting lasted till about week 24... then stopped and only 3 weeks later started the acid reflux and nausea again. I am still having nausea, acid reflux, and vomiting issues but I know its worth it in the end.

It has been a constant struggle for me to gain weight and the doctor and Jonah are after me. I lost about 7 pounds in the beginning due to me being sick and since loosing those 7 pounds have only gained a total of 18. I know every pregnant lady's dream right????? NOT!!

Oh what I would give to be able to eat normally like I did before I got pregnant and not constantly feel ill.

I have continued to work throughout the pregnancy, but now my doctor has me down to only 4 days a week. The standing and constant walking for 8 hours a day in Retail Sales at Verizon Wireless is very tiresome and stressful. I am hoping to make it as long as I can but then also would like a couple weeks off before Lawson comes to make sure everything is in order. Oh and the constant nightmares of having Lawson at the Verizon Wireless store also make me want to stop sooner than my due date.

Well that's it for my first posting I hope this has gotten everyone up to date. Below are some pictures of Lawson's Room if you  haven't seen it yet.  

Take Care and Happy New Year !!