17 Weeks

How far along? 17 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: gained 4 lbs according to the Dr’s scale
Maternity clothes? I’m in them on a full time basis! 
Stretch marks? I think there are some, but I’m okay with it, the belly butter has been great with all the itchiness
Best moment this week:  a great report at the Dr’s office
Miss anything:  not really I’m pretty happy!
Movement:  I think there is something more noticeable going on feeling flutters and bubbles
Food cravings:  oranges are still my go to food
Anything making you queasy or sick? Hamburgers
Have you started to show yet:  yes, this week I am officially showing
Gender: TBD on November 8^th!
Labor Signs: Way too early for that
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time:  Happy
Looking forward to: Anatomy scan and Gender Reveal (4 more long weeks)!

October is...

In October 1988, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed October as National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month.  “When a child loses his parent, they are called an orphan.  When a spouse loses their partner, they are called a widow or widower.  When parents lose their child, there isn’t a word to describe them.  This month recognizes the loss so many parents experience across the country and world.  It is also meant to inform and provide resources for parents who have lost children due to miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, still births, birth defects, SIDS, and other causes.

I have been trying to figure out ways to honor the little ones we have lost.  I wear a pair of angel wings given to me from my husband that help me know our three little ones are surrounded in God’s love and watching over us.  I have a handmade bracelet from my mother in law that includes three angels, a prayer angel by the side of my bed, and a cross given to my from my mother that says trust.  All of these things remind me of the love I have for those little lives.  Sometimes they bring calmness and tranquility or a tear or two but these are things near and dear to my heart.  As I think about this I feel I have been able to honor our little angels on a daily basis and want to open this up to honor all the angels lost too soon and their courageous parents who deal with the heartache daily.  I’m not sure how to do this…any ideas?  I have several friends and family that have shared their journey with me and I want them to know how important each of them and their angels are.

 

"A life may last for just one moment, but memory can make that moment last forever."

In honor of little angels lost too soon:

Fox Babies - #1, #2, and #3 (miscarriages)

Jenna Dorene – precious niece

B Babies - #1, #2, and #3 (miscarriages)

Kacey Anne – still birth

M Baby - miscarriage

W Baby - miscarriage

Z Baby - miscarriage

H Baby – miscarriage

D Baby – miscarriage

S Babies - #3 and #4 (miscarriages)

Deuce – miscarriage

Baby Boy G - miscarriage

Jack – cord accident

W Baby – miscarriage

Jared Wade – SIDS

W Babies - #4 and #5 (miscarriages)

F Twins – miscarriage

Y Baby – miscarriage

W Baby – miscarriage

M Baby – miscarriage

G Baby – miscarriage

H Babies - #1 and #2 (miscarriages)

H Baby - #3 (miscarriage)

G Baby -#2 (miscarriage)

M Babies - #1, #2, and #3 (miscarriages)

H Baby – miscarriage

G Baby – miscarriage

J Baby – miscarriage

And to the babies around the world that were lost but are never forgotten and always loved.

The Untold Story of Pregnancy after Miscarriage

When I found out I was expecting for the 4^th time I was beyond nervous.  Questions swirled in my mind wondering, “is this really going to happen,”  “how long will it last,”  “what did we do differently to make this successful,”  and “are we really going to be parents?”  Before each ultrasound I would hold my breath waiting for bad news.  It hasn’t come…17 weeks into this pregnancy I am finally starting to believe THIS MAY REALLY HAPPEN!

Then I quickly shake myself into reality and remind myself something could still go wrong.  I think this is my coping mechanism, silently preparing myself for the worst and hoping for the best.  It’s like one of those movies or books that leaves you on the edge of your seat and all you’re hoping for is a happily ever after.  

So far this pregnancy has been uneventful which has truly been a blessing after all we’ve been through.  It’s amazing to me how much time has passed and in about 3-4 weeks we will get to find out the gender of our little one.  I am beyond anxious to learn what our baby is.  I am not hoping for one gender over the other, this is truly the case of all we want is a healthy living baby.  

I think some people forget that I am not in total pregnancy bliss.  Yes, we are ecstatic but the constant worry and fear is bothersome and sometimes takes away from this happiness.  One thing I have learned, no matter where a woman is on her journey, she still needs support.  I have some awesome family and friends who go out of their way to make sure baby and me are doing well.  I have been banned from lifting anything over 5lbs (even during an office move), my husband buys me the juiciest oranges on the planet to fulfill my cravings, and my mom listens to my endless pregnancy pains.  The list goes on and on but I am ever so thankful for these people in my life.  I am hoping I can continue to be a support for others.  Going through the miscarriages I learned so much about myself and truly hope I can be the support others need through their journeys.   

I ask for continue prayers for this little one and our family, I believe the love of God and those around us have made all of this possible.

16 Weeks

 How far along? 16 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: maybe a pound or two, I am feeling much better this week so have been trying to eat a lot when I can
Maternity clothes? I’m in them on a full time basis! 
Stretch marks? I think there are some, but I’m okay with it, the belly butter has been great with all the itchiness
Best moment this week:  mini trip to Colorado
Miss anything:  sleeping without waking up like a truck ran over my hips…the pain is awful
Movement:  I think there is something more noticeable going on feeling flutters and bubbles
Food cravings:  still oranges and orange juice, anything orange I’m on it and Star Crunch Cosmic Snacks by Little Debbie
Anything making you queasy or sick? Hamburgers
Have you started to show yet:  yes, this week I am officially showing
Gender: TBD
Labor Signs: Way too early for that
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time:  I felt much better this week, besides the mild discomforts, but I am much happier too!
Looking forward to: Anatomy scan and Gender Reveal

**someday I'll remember to take a bump pic!

15 Weeks

How far along? 15 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: holding steady, I haven't gained anything
Maternity clothes? I’m in them on a full time basis
Stretch marks? Still applying that belly butter
Best moment this week:  taking off early from work on Friday, it has been a long week
Miss anything:  I really would like a cheeseburger but anytime I think of them I want to throw up and once again I forget my 15 week bump picture
Movement:  bubbles here and there but nothing specific
Food cravings:  still oranges
Anything making you queasy or sick? Hamburgers
Have you started to show yet:  I think it’s obvious now, but maybe to others they just think I’ve gained some weight in my stomach area
Gender: TBD
Labor Signs: Way too early for that
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time:  very tired this week due to crazy work schedule so I’m going with moody, tired mess
Looking forward to: Anatomy scan and Gender Reveal!