39 Weeks; I'm running out of clothes!

How far along? 39 Weeks!

Total weight gain: up 34 lbs. (according to last Friday’s checkup).

Maternity clothes? totally.

Stretch marks? yup. I’m not worried about them anymore though. They just mean that my little peanut is growing & that’s a GREAT thing!!

Sleep: I get up a few times every night to pee & it’s becoming a little harder to fall back to sleep. But for the most part, I’m sleeping fairly well!

Best moment this week: all of the moments spent chatting with the Hubs about our little lovebug :)

Miss Anything? being comfortable.

Movement: LOTS! Which kind of shocks me considering how cramped she has to be in there now. I feel sorry for her; she has got be uncomfortable since she’s losing space to move around in daily.

Food cravings: anything with strawberries or strawberry flavor. Someone brought a Paula Dean Strawberry Cake into work today & I almost made myself sick off of it & I had 4 pieces. Yep, 4 pieces folks. Haha & I loved every single bite!!

Anything making you queasy or sick: cooking meat. I can eat it, just don’t want to handle it or see/smell it cooking.

Gender: girl

Labor Signs: boooo. none. She is verrrrry content with where she is right now so I’m not expecting an early delivery even though I was hoping for one haha. I will say that tomorrow (February 7th) is a full moon & I’ve heard that lots & lots of babies are born on those days! Eeee! That could mean that this is my last post before she is here. Whoa, that would be so awesome!!!

Symptoms: week 37/38 were when I officially became crazyyyy. I can’t stress enough the term uncomfortable. I’m more uncomfortable than I am in pain so I am thankful for that. I seriously HATE that I’m complaining about some of these (seemingly) petty things but it’s just so different than how I’ve ever felt in my life. No one can prepare you for what to expect with pregnancy, all of the advice & stories still don’t help you really understand what to expect. I have absolutely loved this experience though. I’ve had such a great pregnancy; I’ve been pretty healthy, Derek has been soooo great (for real. I have an AMAZING Husband ya’ll), we’ve had so many people shower us with love throughout this whole journey, and God has just been so so good!

Belly Button in or out? it’s still an awkward in/outie

Wedding rings on or off? off

Happy or Moody most of the time: it’s about even haha

Looking forward to: Harper's arrival!!! I can't believe it’s almost time!

38 Weeks & She's still Snug as a Bug in a Rug

FIRST let me say that I have had an amazing pregnancy & I have enjoyed it more than I ever thought that I would! The Lord has blessed me with pretty great health & as far as I know…a healthy baby :) But the following blog post is what pregnancy has felt like these last final weeks…I don’t want anyone to think that I don’t still feel blessed. I just feel like I need to vent a little & share what I’m feeling at this point in the journey. So bare with me please.

How am I feeling?

I honestly don’t know how to answer that the majority of the time. It’s such a sweet gesture when people ask me but I really wonder...do you want the raw truth? Haha doubtful. Hiiiighly doubtful ;)

(1) My abdomen is stretched farther than I ever thought possible---in fact, I now have stretchmarks below the IN-OUTIE belly button I’m sporting (its half in, half out. yeah. weird.) Up to 3 weeks ago I didn’t have any new stretch marks. Not a single ONE. Ohhhh I was sooo happy! I already had a few on my hips from back in the day when I lost weight & gained it back real fast. But those didn’t bother me because I’ve had them for years & I read that they would go back to their original appearance. These 2 new ones though…they get on my nerves. Oh well, I’m glad my little lovebug is growing & that’s what’s important! I've gained 34 pounds so far...which feels like alot to me but I know it could have been much more, so I am content :)

(2) Speaking of Little Miss Harper---she is sooooo heavy. If I lay on my back, it feels as though an enormous bowling ball {one of those with the giant finger holes} is crushing every one of my internal organs. But if I lay on my side it goes numb after a while so I have to switch over every 20 minutes {it makes for an annoying movie night haha!}

(3) I get winded getting up off the couch. If I don’t remember to sit “just right” {there really isn’t a “right” position but nevertheless} I need a crane (but settle for Hubs’ arm muscles) to pull me up…fun times folks. fun times.

(4) Freaky Deaky Dreams. Before pregnancy, I don’t know the last time I remembered a dream. But now. Holy cow. I could go into the writing or movie making business with all of the strange-totally-out-there stories I now have in my weird brain. I don’t think I would feel comfortable sharing them though. People would be shocked of the things that I dream of!

(5) I’m becoming very crabby in the afternoons/nights. No, like REEEALLY crabby. Some nights…I pretty much want to stab Derek’s eyes out with a hot french fry. I really am loving person. I promise. But when it gets dark out…it’s like I turn into a werewolf. A fat, hormonal werewolf.

(6) Ok, maybe that IS a bit extreme {I would never hurt him haha}...but you get the picture. I’m not myself.

(7) My hip and pelvic bones feel like they are going to fall apart any minute. They creak. They crack. They feel like toothpicks about to snap in half. And the PAIN of trying to roll over, get up or anything else involving those bones. ABSOLUTELY ridiculous and annoying. It doesn’t help that I had a car wreck 6 years ago & broke my pelvis in 5 places. Way to go Meagan! WAY.TO.GO.

So...do people really wanna hear all of this? Are they looking for these awful details? Probably not. That’s why I just gently smile and say, “I feel pretty good, I’m just ready.” And then they watch me waddle off. Because I’m totally waddling these days ;)

I would like to put a megaphone to my belly & say in the sweetest voice I can---"Harper...I reeeeally want to meet you. Daddy and I are so excited for you to join our family. And our friends and family are super excited to see you too! Now please come out soon...because Mama would really love to walk normal again" For real though. I do kind of wish she would come before the 11th for selfish reasons & just to meet her! But I also want her to be ready and if her health depends on it being a few more weeks…I am more than fine with that. My biggest care is her wellbeing; I would do anything for her to be safe and healthy!

My First Letter to Harper

The movements you make first thing in the morning are breathtaking…in a good way. They're slow & beautiful like you're in there dancing yourself awake. I can't describe the way your little nudges & stretches make me feel. It's probably the most incredible feeling I've ever experienced. I fear that once you're here & no longer a part of me physically, I'll long for these movements. But I know that having you face to face & being able to hold you will be far more incredible than having you within my womb. I'll be honest, I've always thought of pregnancy as this awful thing that you must go through to have a child. Like it was going to be horrible in so many ways but something women had to suffer through in order to become a mother. I think that's ONE of the reasons why I've always been such a fan of adoption. I wanted the joy of being called Mama but not the physical pain & stretch marks that came w/ it. I won't say that this has been an easy journey, but it’s been such a blessing to carry you! The amazing things that have happened along this almost 8-month journey have far outweighed the struggles & rough times. I'm still a huge fan of adoption, your Daddy & I know that it is something we feel called to be a part of. But this pregnancy has altered parts of me; I feel changed, like my mind works different in some ways now. Harper, you've helped me see not only the beauty in carrying a child but also a different part of The Father's love. Its so crazy to think that He is still forming you & He is making sure every tiny detail is running correctly throughout both of our bodies in order for you to gain nourishment & growth! Ahh, He is so powerful & mighty!!

Well I had better finish getting ready...FYI, we officially close on our house today! & your room is first on the renovation list ;)

Love you, so so much!
Mama

31 Weeks!!

How far along? 31 Weeks

Total weight gain: 23 lbs (as of last Tuesday at my doc appt) I'm pretty happy with that...Hoping to stay below 35 though!!

Maternity clothes? I'm still mixing them in with my other clothes

Stretch marks? I already had a couple on my hips that have just gotten darker since pregnancy...but when I discovered the few new ones on my breasts the other day it made me so sad!

Sleep: fairly decent, still getting up for potty breaks in the night though

Best moment this week: anything that Derek said to me was pretty much a best moment this week, he's been so caring & just precious with the things that he says about me & Harper! & the way he prays for her brings me to tears...sorry if I'm being too sappy but I can’t believe I've been blessed with such an amazing husband!

Miss Anything? I know it’s petty but I miss feeling cute in fall/winter clothing. You can’t really rock a cute sweater when you have this big bulge ;)

Movement: all the time! She jabs my ribs like she’s playing the drums!

Food cravings: fried pickles (I’ve always loved them but way more now!) & Welch’s Sparkling Grape Juice!

Anything making you queasy or sick: not really

Gender: Girl!!

Labor Signs: technically no, I'm having Braxton Hicks contractions on occasion. They don’t feel great but they aren't that horrible either

Symptoms: the weight is putting pressure on my pelvis & that hurts sometimes but nothing too painful or bothersome

Belly Button in or out? can't decide, but it sure is funny looking…the right side is sort of out while the left side seems to be still an innie haha!

Wedding rings on or off? off, but still wearing Nana’s ring

Happy or Moody most of the time: happy..although the random mood swings are happening a bit more frequently

Looking forward to: the Holidays of course! & I can’t believe it’s only about nine weeks until my due date! Sometimes I feel as if I've been pregnant forever...but right now I'm thinking where has the time gone?! I'm looking forward to meeting Harper! I went through some of her clothes for the 1,000 time tonight...I just can't stop wanting to look & marvel at them! Baby clothes are seriously so adorable!!

26 Weeks

How far along? 6 months (turned 26 weeks on 11/5/11).

Total weight gain/loss: 16 lbs gained so far.

Maternity clothes? yes & no. I'm still rockin' the dress & leggings on most days. Occasionally I'll wear maternity jeans & I’ve bought a couple maternity shirts & dresses.

Stretch marks? no, but the couple ones that I already had are darker.

Sleep: pretty great, only getting up to pee once a night.

Best moment this week: celebrating my little sister's 21st birthday in Memphis with her, Derek, & her boyfriend :)

Miss Anything? being able to walk a block without taking a break.

Movement: all the time! We love lying in bed at night & feeling her move all over!

Food cravings: this whole pregnancy I’ve wanted Mexican food {still do!}. But these past couple of weeks it’s been coffee.

Anything making you queasy or sick: the usual. Anyone talking about blood has always made me queasy.

Gender: Girl! [Harper Linn!]

Labor Signs: No. Thankfully!

Symptoms: ligament & neck pains.

Belly Button in or out? in-ish…its slowly popping out!

Wedding rings on or off? Off. I’ve resorted to wearing a ring my Nana gave me that’s slightly larger.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy! I try not to complain much…mainly only when I’m hurting & even then, only to the Hubs haha.

Looking forward to: owning our own home! I can’t wait to decorate a nursery!

6 months into the Adventure

Eeeee! We’re getting closer & closer to holding our sweet little pumpkin. [due February 11th]

I’m at 6 months now people! asdfghjkl!!!

Sorry, I freaked out there for a second. thebump.com says that I have 103 days left. Whew, thats seems like alot!

& to think…I'm already pretty uncomfortable standing, sitting, walking, & even laying down. Hmm, that doesn't leave me with a whole lot of options.

Actuallyyy, I haven't tried headstands yet ;)

My belly button is almost all the way popped out...like the turkey button on Thanksgiving! {which reminds me...Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Yummm!}

Her sweet motions are slowly becoming swift kicks to the ribs. Good thing I have plenty to spare. Also, my lungs are becoming nonexistent as she grows into the eggplant size that she is.

I find it disheartening, yet somewhat humorous that I can barely get up from the floor without having to have assistance from Derek {though he finds it more humorous than I}

I'm quite certain that I am undeserving of this angel. When I think about her at this very moment, despite all the aches & pains; I'm filled from head to toe with complete happiness.

I also don’t deserve the blessing of the man that I’m married to. He has yet to complain about the whining that goes on in our home now. As well as the constant “Babe, can you hand me this…” & “Will you do this or that…” {usually it’s me asking for a back rub!}

Gosh, I’m a beggar! That Hubs is without a doubt the 1^st most amazing gift that God has ever given me. Harper coming in as the 2^nd one of course.

Okay, one more confession…

I'm pretty positive that her name is perfect.

*Harper Linn Pearson*

Ahhh, it just sounds like a world-changer-name!

Lord, please use her in more ways than her father & I can even imagine! We pray that You will be a constant, consuming fire within her that she can’t help but spread Your love to the ends of this earth!

Slackety Slackin'

I'm a slacker. I'm so far behind on blogging that I don’t even know where to start.
We'll we went to Haiti & made it back safely & we LOVED it there {wanna go back sooon!}...[Btw I STILL desperately need to blog about Haiti..but that'll take forever so I’ll save it for another time]

A couple months after getting back from Haiti we went on an anniversary getaway to Memphis. We had fun touring the area & eating at some yummmmy places!

We got back from Memphis Sunday night {June 5^th}. That following Thursday we found out that our little family was EXPECTING!!!!

We were shocked but we’re extremely excited & can’t wait to find out what we’re having! Speaking of, we find out this Thursday :) Eeeee! I can’t wait!!

For the longest time I wanted us to have a boy but now I am really fond of the idea of a little girl. I know its cliché but in all honesty we just pray for a healthy baby. I worry for the baby so much & that has been something that I’ve had to give to the Lord over & over & over again during this pregnancy. I just keep reminding myself that he/she is already His. & God is a much better parent than I could ever dream to be. He has entrusted me with His creation & all I need to do is trust in His promises & in His plans. A friend posted a quote on twitter a few weeks ago & it spoke so much to me. She said “Choosing to focus on details instead of our God given purpose is rejecting His gift, ruining the surprise. God’s handling the details.”

Geeze Louise, I needed to hear that! So I’m trying to remind myself daily to trust EVERYTHING in Him & not on my own understanding {Proverbs 3:5}.

Oh! & please join with us & pray for our little bun in the oven :)