baby lopez – Hello Leelo

Baby Lopez | 36 Weeks

Baby,

We’re in the month in which you’re to be born! I can’t believe its finally here. I’m so ready to hold you and see your squishy little face. You’ve had the hiccups quite a bit this month and your movements are getting so strong! You’re still sideways and you like to keep your head to the right, which it where I usually feel your little hiccups. People can even feel them on the outside of my belly, which means you must have some strong lungs! I’m looking forward to that first, super strong cry as soon as you come out.

Braxton Hicks are strong with you, little one. I’ve had a few that felt like real contractions. You have also kicked me SO hard, twice now, that I’ve had to stop mid conversation and recover.

The doctor continues to remind me that I’m measuring about a week ahead and that you are a BIG baby. Surprise, surprise. I’m actually glad you’re going to be big because that means you’ll be a good eater and you’ll sleep for LONG stretches… right?

Come soon little one! We can’t wait to see you.

* * *

This final month is going by…. so… slowly. My goodness. Some days are REALLY good. I have a ton of energy and my nesting is in high gear. Some days require coffee and a whole lot of Jesus. Also, naps. I am so blessed that brother bear has adjusted to his new nap routine and bed time routine. It should make the process of rocking and nursing the baby constantly a little bit easier, or at least I can hope.

Alex and I have decided that Baby bear will be our last biological child. It’s not a decision we came to without great prayer, but we ultimately are very happy with the children we’ve been blessed with biologically. We’ve always been open to the Lord growing our family in other ways and we know that our family isn’t done growing, but I’m done growing them. Hah. Don’t get me wrong, I love my babies and pregnancy is a beautiful thing, but my body is done with this stage of life. I’m ready to start raising my little ones into amazing men and women. I can’t wait to see what the Lord has blessed us with this time!

As I’m writing this, I’m actually 37 weeks along (so is my picture) so we only have 2 weeks and 1 day left until my scheduled c-section. That means only 2 more weeks until we get to find out is Baby Lopez is a boy or a girl. I’m still 85% sure it’s a boy — as if I could actually know that.

For most of my pregnancy people have said, “Oh! you’re definitely having a girl.” But, recently almost every single person has said, “Are you having a boy?” I don’t know if I’m just all the sudden carrying differently or what, but it seems as though most people are jumping on the “boy” bandwagon lately.

This month has been an interesting time for us. On March 11th of 2014 I went to the hospital for my D&C, four days before that we had our second ultrasound to confirm that the baby’s heartbeat was null. Two days before that was our 8 week ultrasound where we would find out that there was a 7 week and 1 day old baby, but no heartbeat. To say that this past week has been emotional would be an understatement. I think Alex actually felt it more than me. I think because he never truly got to process it as it was happening, where as I’ve had the whole year to feel every single bit of the grief and pain to finally reach the point of acceptance. Maybe that’s what this feeling is. Acceptance.

The Lord has provided much distraction for me this past week, between family visiting and prenatal appointments, to retreats for Alex and maternity leave prep for me. I think He knew I needed the distraction, to focus on the joy that’s about to happen. I know I’ll have time to remember and grieve but I also think God wants me to notice and remember THIS pregnancy. I so appreciate that.

It’s been a long and tiring year, but also one full of so many, MANY blessings. God is beyond good.

Baby Lopez | 32 Weeks

Baby! You are a big one and your mama is getting bigger and bigger. You’ve been all over the place lately, giving me heartburn and moving around a lot at night when I’m trying to sleep. I feel you move even more so than I did with your brother at this stage. I can actually feel your elbow or your foot when you kick and you leave it there for a long time. It’s almost as if you’re reaching out, wanting to come out. I wish you would! I’m trying so hard to rest as much as I can and enjoy this time where I can keep you safe inside me, but boy… the bigger you get and the bigger I get, the more I want you out!

You aren’t shy like your brother was. Anytime I hold someone’s hand to my belly you are sure to put on a show and I love it! I love having you so close and I love that you wiggly like crazy when you hear your Daddy’s voice.

Only 7 more weeks until we get to hold you! I can’t wait.

* * *

Wow! 7 weeks left. So long and yet not at all. Almost two months but then it’s really not! I can’t believe this pregnancy is almost over. So much has happened this past month. Alex and I celebrated our 7 year anniversary and I turned 29. My parents met us in Pasadena the weekend of our anniversary and took Teddy for two days. In those two days, Alex and I tore it up at the house! We painted, scraped wall paper, binge watched FRIENDS on Netflix, and got the baby’s room ready. It was a precious time together and the house looks so great!

We also had some many random mishaps this month. My tire went flat after I ran over a nail, my back brakes were shot, Alex’s car broke down, and the plumbing under the sink went kaput! With each thing, came a bill or some money that needed to be spent but God provided through the month for us. We even found out Alex’s school loans are starting up again, since he graduated and that my medical bills for the miscarriage are not finished being paid, as we had hoped. AND, our flood insurance isn’t accurate and needs to be updated. We know this house is a blessing and we know that purchasing it was the best thing for our family, but man. When thing after thing piles up… it sure makes you wonder. In those times, its so important to remember what’s most important. We have our health, clean water, clothes, food, a roof over our heads. Even if it’s tight, even if we have to use all our savings for these last minute mishaps, God has provided and has kept us safe. Even if He didn’t, we would find a way to praise Him.

This past weekend, I was beyond blessed to have a shower thrown for me by my dear friend, Jonna. She commissioned my mothers, sisters, cousins, and best friend to help her pull off a beautiful shower in my honor. We spent Friday evening moving furniture, making centerpieces, and decorating until midnight. Then, Saturday morning we did all the prep for the food (which was DELICIOUS). A henna tattoo artist came and did full belly artwork on my baby belly, as well as art work on many other shower guests. There was mimosas, Italian sodas, quiche, scones, fruit and salad. I was blessed with all the gifts I needed to prepare for this little one and many of the guests decorated onesies for little Samuel or Eleanor. The decorations were beautiful and the company was even better. I couldn’t have been more honored, blessed, or celebrated.

This little baby is craving milk and semi sweet chocolate chips like crazy. I have to limit my milk intake because I’ve discovered that it’s what gives me heartburn! Also, I’ve had to cut carbs out of my dinner otherwise I’m up all night with heartburn as well. Peaches are also a craving I’ve had with this one, but I’ve noticed that my craving for brined food items to have gone down. I remember that could eat a whole jar of Spanish olives with Teddy and while, I’m sure I could, I haven’t really craved them at all.

This baby, constantly has me guessing as to what he or she will be, but I still stand firm that it’s a boy (at least at 80%). I had my 32 week appointment yesterday and we actually got an ultrasound! I had thought we were done with those. I’ve gained 17 lbs so far this pregnancy, which I’m happy with and Baby seems to be taking up all the space in my stomach as possible. The baby wouldn’t even fit on the screen! He/she is SO BIG now. I thought I was looking at his/her head, but it was an eye! So crazy. And, the baby is laying sideways, which explains the kicking of my bladder whilst grabbing at my ribs. The doctor also said, the baby has a fairly large nose. Hah! How you can tell that, I’ll never know but it’s cool. Teddy’s nose was pretty prominent too and it’s literally the cutest little bear nose, ever.

Okay little one… If I don’t make it to 36 weeks that would be fine with me! But, I’m guessing you’re pretty comfy in there, so I’ll see you when I see you.

Love, Mommy

Baby Lopez | 24 Weeks

Little baby, we’ve crossed the halfway mark and we’re rocking the second trimester, you and me. I’m pretty positive you’re a boy, although everyone (like pretty much everyone) says you’re a girl. Your kicks are so strong! Any time I take a second to slow down from chasing your brother around you make your presence known with a swift kick to my bladder or any other internal organ you happen to be next to. I LOVE your kicks though. I’m so happy to have the constant reminder that you’re alive and well.

I have crazy heartburn with you, just like I did with your brother so I’m guessing you’ll have a full head of hair too. I haven’t had any super weird cravings or carpal tunnel which has been fantastic (however, a slight addiction to coca-cola thanks you).

I can’t believe we’re full swing into the Christmas season already, then into the new year and THEN in three short months you’ll be here. Wow. I’m really enjoying this pregnancy and enjoying cherishing each moment with you until you come into our lives in a crazy way!

* * *

Wow! I cannot believe this pregnancy is already almost half way over. This being my last, I’m trying so hard to take it all in and remember each thing. However, I’m already realizing that splitting attention between two kiddos (even with one in utero) is proving to be an interesting task. People will occasionally ask me, “So, do you feel like you’re ready?” And all I feel like I can say is, “I have no idea!” And truthfully I’m just not entirely sure there’s a way to prepare for life with multiple children.

This past month has been insane — to put it mildly. This month we put an offer on a house, got it approved, went through the inspection process, counter offers and closed escrow all this month! We moved in just this past weekend and the process went incredibly smoothly. I still am in shock that we own a home. It’s ours.

I’m nesting like crazy which is good because there are so many boxes to unpack and so much to get ready before this baby comes. But, I’ve been struggling with sciatica this time around. It’s something I haven’t experienced in past pregnancies and I don’t quite know how to deal with it. I only seem to notice it when I sit or lie down. It always starts to feel better but then there is a burning sensation too. So, as long as I’m on my feet most of the day I don’t really notice it, until my left side of my body twinges or I get numbness. Then I have to stop and ice my back.

Our new house is so great! It has 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a sunroom and a small office. The backyard is small and manageable. I LOVE IT. I’ve been pinning ideas like crazy on Pinterest and I can’t wait to tackle each little project one weekend at a time. Our neighborhood is so great. I’ve met two of the neighbors so far and I’ve heard people will come over and introduce themselves soon. I can’t wait. We’re on a cul-de-sac so there are always kids playing outside and there’s a great sense of community already.

I’m ready to start decorating for Christmas already! Let’s get this house unpacked and the tree up. I’m looking forward to this Christmas with Teddy and remembering to cherish this special time I have with just him too.

Happy Christmas!