Another Baby Post
I want to apologize for blogging so much about my pregnancy, preparing for Elias, etc. I know some of you read my blog for scrapbooking inspiration, and I haven’t provided that very much lately. I actually scrapped this week, so hopefully I will post some inspiration soon. 🙂
Today I am 33 weeks – yea! Yesterday we had an appointment with our midwife, Emma, who we just love. I am measuring 32 cm which is great – you should measure about the same as your weeks (so I should measure around 33). So, my belly is totally normal size. She also felt Elias and said that she doesn’t think that Elias is going to be a big baby. This is very good news – especially considering that Matthew was a 10 lb. baby.
This weekend is going to be another Eli-prepping weekend. We need to get his nursery painted and I need to write thank yous from my shower. The paint color is Behr “calm air” (scroll down on the link to view it). We also are going to do more purging for another Goodwill run. Next weekend we are in Wisconsin for a shower my family is throwing and my Dad’s 50th birthday party. The following weekend my parents are coming to Nashville to bring down the shower gifts and help us set-up the nursery furniture. My dad is also really handy, so he is going to do some things around our condo too. I am so excited. Somewhere in there I need to write our birth plan too. Then, June will be almost over and Eli will be almost here!
Please be praying for the following as we prepare for Eli:
- Marriage – That Matthew and I don’t get overwhelmed/stressed by all there is to do
- Health – That Eli continues to grow strong and healthy, and that he is healthy enough to arrive into the world a few weeks before his due date (which would be a-okay by me!)
- Energy – That I continue to have energy, particularly since I plan to work until I go into labor
- Delivery – That I am able to have a natural birth, without major interventions, particularly a c-section
- Post-delivery – That I have an easy recovery and am able to breastfeed (is that too much information?)
- Childcare – We are on a waiting list for a great chilcare program – hopefully we get in in September (all the good places in Nashville have waiting lists…)
Do you have any advice for Matthew and me for these last weeks?
Hey Jessica,
My only advise for you during these final few weeks before Elias joins your family (outside the womb) is to enjoy each other’s company, laugh lots while the two of you work, pray together, and rest, rest, rest (HAHAHA)!
Have a blessed week,
Cindy ~ Phoenix
Good luck getting everything done this weekend. The next few weeks are going to be busy. Just enjoy each other and relax (as much as you can 8 months pregnant!) 🙂
Hi Jessica,
This is very exciting! I love reading your pregnancy posts, I’m 24 weeks along with my third right now, and can’t wait to hear about Elias’ arrival!
My best advice would echo what everyone else seems to be saying, try to relax and enjoy yourself! Two reasons- first, being pregnant is so special and this is such an amazing time for you and Elias to be together and peaceful. I love knowing that my baby boy is always with me, and right now my favorite thing to do is lie in bed in the morning while my husband has our other two downstairs for breakfast. Usually I take at least 15 minutes to enjoy feeling my baby moving around and I talk to him, sometimes out loud, sometimes silently, sometimes I pray, but mostly I just try to BE.
The other reason I’d recommend taking it easy is because I ended up sending myself into early labor with my second! I was due in Mid January with him, but after all of the running around I did over Christmas, I ended up with lower amniotic fluid levels and he made the executive decision to come 3 1/2 weeks early on his own!! Everything was fine, he was perfect and healthy and I had a brand new date for New Year’s Eve (he was born on NYE, and so he and I spent the night together in my room watching the ball drop! Bliss!), but still.
Relax relax relax. Take a load off! Use this time for meditation, it can be some of the most inspiring. 🙂
Since I am not a mother yet I can’t offer too much advice. But I just wanted to add that I love that color you picked for his nursery. I am in the middle of painting my new home and I might just suggest that color for our bedroom. 🙂 And I will keep you in my prayers in the upcoming month.
Hi Jessica! My advice for you and Matthew is to just enjoy each other, go on dates when you can (those become a little more scarce after the baby is born…at least in the first year) and rest, rest, rest. Especially you.
I love reading your pregnancy updates. I am actually looking forward to getting pregnant again. Hopefully by this summer. Have a great weekend!
I agree with the previous posters, spend time with Matthew, go on a few dates together.
And… savor your pregnancy. Try to remember exactly how it feels, each kick and hiccup! Even the not so fun feelings like tossing and laying awake at night, heartburn, swelling feet, etc. It’ll be over before you know it and its amazing how fast those thoughts and feelings disappear. I have 3 mo old twins and I was so looking forward to their birth, I was not focusing on the pregnancy. My sister told me to slow down and enjoy each day because they may come early (they did not). I did what she suggested and really enjoyed the last few weeks of pregnancy. One thing I wish I had done, write the feelings down!
My prayers are with you, Matthew and Eli!! Babies are such a precious gift from our Father!
my only advice is for you and Matthew to take a last minute get away trip if you can, it will be your last for awhile 🙂 Enjoy some moments reflecting on who you are individually and who you are as a couple! Enjoy these last quite moments, get a massage 🙂 That’s all I got for now. 🙂
Jessica,
Praying for you these final few weeks until Elias arrives!
~abby~
I just gave a “talk” to mom’s at a baby shower re: all of the “firsts” that you’ll go through. Actually you are anticipating giving birth to your “first” baby and once he’s here…did you know that God will be in the process of teaching you to ‘let go’?? That eventually it is your goal to work yourself out of the job?? It’s true! Relish your ‘firsts’ and learn to transition with them. You can also teach your child spiritual things from the beginning by praying aloud for him and later with him! Reading from Bible story books and letting him see you pray and having a quiet time. More is caught than taught!!!
As Cindy says rest now and enjoy your pregnacy as allowed. Later on you will also want to nourish your marriage relationship as the best thing you can give your kids is to “love your spouse”. I’m saying all of this because I’m a granma! Blessings!!!!!!!
Oh…and I’m also from Wisconsin! (smile)
Oh, how I echo the previous post from Wisconsin. The time for our kids to graduate from HS & college & perhaps move away, seems oh so far away, when they aren’t even born yet & little did I think about the time to “let go”….until probably the year my son was a Senior in HS….but, it is very true….the entire time we have them w/ us for nurturing, training, rearing, teaching….is all in preparation to let them go.
You will be busy and lots will come your way over the years and it will be difficult to take it all in and remember all the advice, but do your best. Keep God first. Remember His commandments and promises and you will do great !
P.S. You shouldn’t apologize for posting about your pregnancy….this is HUGE for you & Matthew. This is a gift & blessing from God. You SHOULD talk about it and capture EVERY moment.
I think I have rambled, but I hope you can try to understand what I have tried to say.
Blessings,
Jackie (from IN)
You’re almost there … not a lot of advice except to just take things as they come. When I had my first, I was determined not to have certain things happen during delivery but I told my doctor (a believer) that I trusted his hands. Joshua needed assistance coming out … for his safety and I “went along for the ride” … so to speak. My biggest blessing has been learning to go more with the flow of things … and I can’t wait for you to hear Eli talk to you. We have 2 now .. Joshua and Eli and last night … I got up from J’s bed and had forgotten to pray with him and he said “Mom, we pray, Jesus.” Nothing beats that! Nothing!!
Have a fun few weeks left of pregnancy!
Hi there Jessica,
I’ve been reading your blog for a few weeks now (after stumbling upon it… must’ve been linked from someone else’s blog, I think!), and I am loving hearing and learning about pregnancy, scrapbooking, and the other happenings of your life!
I think you look beautiful with Elias inside your belly. 🙂
Those are great things to be praying for. All the best!
I can’t offer much advice, as I’ve never been married or had a baby, but I echo what people have said so far. 🙂 I’m sure you’ll be great!
– CG
SLEEP!!!
And enjoy the extra attention!
Liz
enjoy this time!!! it goes so fast despite that it is june and HOT HOT HOT!!! my baby is turning 2 next week, he is our sixth, and i miss not being pregnant a little. I have had 5 totally natural births including 2 vbacs. you can do it and will feel so proud when you are through!!! it is worth it. find a pool, grab some sweet tea, & just be glad it is almost over:)
christa
HHhhmmm……my DH always made sure I cut my fingernails before delivery. With our first he didn’t and now has scares on his arm from me digging my nails into his arm. ;o) Having your toenails painted makes a big differance too
I love Behr paint!!! It’s my fave.
And I love hearing baby news, so doesn’t bother me on bit!!!
The only thing that will affect your marriage when having a baby is poor communication and dishonesty. Stay honest and keep the lines of communication open! Ask for help when you need it (I can’t tell you how frustrated I’d get because I ASSUMED my husband should know when to help).
You guys will be awesome parents!