Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!

Well Christmas wasn't eventful for me, since my baby shower(s) aren't far off I asked that we not get anything for her. Somewhat defeats the purpose of a shower :)

 So, I know I'm not the only one who has had this problem..but I really feel like a lot of people don't really care what you want when you're having a baby. They do what they want reguardless of what you request, feel or want. I'm not sure why people do this, but it just adds more stress for the new parents...I guess it's just a selfish indulgence for that person or people. This has brought me the MOST stress (besides being sick) during my pregnancy.

I had my growth ultrasound yesterday and even though I've not gained a lot of weight, I do have a pretty healthy kid in there! She is approx 4lbs 9oz. and pretty darn active. (the length of the baby cannot be determined because of the awkward positioning) She is head down and her head is turned to my right, which is preferable for a vaginal delivery. Bad part, her head is wayyyyy down in my pelvis...like WAY down...resting on my cervix. Measurements were hard to get because she was so low and basically behind my pubic bone. This makes for a VERY uncomfortable carry. I will not know what "lightening" will feel like...cause she is IN there. I've had a feeling since about 5 months that she would come earlier than my due date and I think I may be right.

Speaking of the pelvis...the pain at times is debilitating. Like literally cannot stand, sit or lay...depending on positioning. If I sit for more than 30 min without considerably changing positions, I am in pain when I stand, if I can stand. Or I have a really nice contraction when I do stand. Getting out of bed is getting to be more and more fun. Oh, the flexibility of just bending at the waist....how I took that for granted!

If I eat a lot, well.....I feel like I have to lay down because of the pressure of the food in my stomach. It puts pressure on the rest of me and my stomach feels like a ROCK.

Emotionally, things could be better. I have no interest to really talk to anyone much, so please don't take offense, but I just am not in the mood. I guess sometimes thinking of all the things I need to do and don't have the energy to do overwhelms me. Anxiety is a big thing for first time moms & I'm starting to see this come to pass the longer I'm pregnant, the more I can't do...the more I feel it. There's a lot of stress and anxiety I have right now, but I am hoping that passes soon.

And I'm about done with people telling me I'm being "too sensitive." Seriously? Let me just be a doormat where you can wipe all your crap all over me...cause that's ok. Were you too sensitive when you were pregnant? Or how about when people just say rude things? Your emotions are already high & unfortunately, I feel as if I'm constantly faced with this one. Maybe this is why I don't really talk to people...because I'd like to avoid the situation completely.

Sorry for venting, but these types of things seem to be really rubbing me wrong. I wish I could say more, but there are many peering eyes and loud mouths here on the internet and I'm afraid if I say much more...I'll have to deal with it even more so :/

I think emotionally I'm done being pregnant...lol. So it's switched from the physical to the emotional and it's not like I can really go "work it out." And it's not like I can take a trip or anything...I guess I'm just thankful for a good husband who listens and feels bad I feel so stressed all the time.

I've decided I need more "me" time and need to pull myself away from those who put the most stress on me. So I get prenatal massages and I also need to do things that make me happy & not worry about what others think. (I think a lot of women have that problem in general!! Not ALL, but most.)

On a happier note, I've discovered some things that have helped my pregnancy!!

• REST, not necessarily sleep..because that doesn't happen a lot, but resting is great.
• Sleeping with a ton of pillows...Jon calls it my mountain.
• I have a wedge I sleep on & some nights that's the only way I get relief from pelvic pressure.
• Ignoring rude people :)
• Prenatal Massages
• Pedicures (Kind of can't help this one at this point in my pregnancy!!)
• I'm happy I have great skin & hair during pregnancy. 
• Being thankful for a great boss & co-workers who are so kind.
• Being thankful for my family.
• My husband, who is the kindest, nicest man I've ever known. He may seem passive, but he's really not & always willing to help me. I think he feels bad that I feel terrible somedays.
• Concentrating on getting enough to eat and feeling kicks. She's a mover!!

Some items I LOVE

how cute is that? I love my gownie (I ordered two, one was last years stock & it was only 14.99...so I got two for the price of one :)

I just got this a few days ago. I purchased it because I have such a long torso and all my shirts are becoming too short. I didn't want to buy new shirts, so this was my solution! I love them. Of course they roll a little when you sit, but that's expected. I got two :)

I'm 33 weeks and 1 day...Not that much longer. And many changes to come within the next two months I'm sure of that ;)

I hope all of you have had a happy new year & a wonderful CHRISTmas season. I'm sure mine will be much more eventful next year!

31 Weeks....UPDATE!

So, call me a slacker or pregnant, at this point I don't see much of a difference :)
Since my last post, I have finally gained weight, 9lbs total. 
New things -

• I cannot sleep, nothing over 5 hours so far. Even with pre-natal yoga. Which helps with the aches & pains
• Leg, back, pelvic, & vaginal pain
• I'm either Hot or Cold...no inbetweens
• I went through a period where I wanted to take a shower everytime I got cold.....everytime...
• I've got so much less tolerance for things now...driving, people, etc
• Less energy, I need a nap every few hours or so, or I can't function
• I lost weight, so I need to go in & get an ultrasound to measure the baby
• I need to eat healthier, I usually just eat whatever I can keep down....
• Throwing up comes in waves....between weeks 30-31 were terrible
• My limbs are much more tired when I move and do things now...
• Fatigue has set in...
• My feet grew
• I think I got taller...I'm measuring at an exact 5'6 instead of 5'5.5....not even kidding measured twice with two different things
• She is active, I mean really active...

Now, if you were invited to my baby shower, please come :) My major fear is that no one will come :( If you didn't get an invite, please let me know, I will inform the hostess...if you'd like to know where I registered it's Babies R Us & Target......

I hope all of you have an amazing Christmas & New Years!!! I haven't asked for much this Christmas because Jon & I don't really NEED anything...well he does...work stuff. But, I don't...I'm just praying for a healthy, happy, sleepy baby ;) Plus, I'd rather get baby items!!!

Love you all.....Sara

I'm hungry....

Seriously, the past week has hit me like an atomic bomb. I"M HUNGRY, for the first time during my pregnancy I'm freakin starving!
According to all the baby sites, your second trimester is when you need 500+ calories a day. 500 calories is apparently hunger pangs and waking up in the middle of the night to eat. It's not so bad, finally feeling hunger and not nausea is pretty nice!

Today, I bought my maternity winter coat...which was pretty awesome cause I got it on sale with an extra 25% off.....thank you OldNavy.com! I also bought something for Lily today....FIRST thing I've bought! I love it....cause she's a February baby, my little Valentine!!!

Isn't it cute?!!! I don't normally like things like this, but since she is coming in Feb....I thought it to be very appropriate!

Okay, now lets get down to the nitty gritty.....

I still occasionally throw up! I did tonight in fact, it was great ha ha! (chocolate cream pie doesn't taste good coming back up!) But I'm no longer taking Zofran like it's a religious practice....so that's awesome.

I'm starting to swell up, not so nice. Just at night though, and just my fingers and ankles/feet. Goes away during the day. Which is great.

This whole kegel exercise/bladder thing is a joke. I do it, doesn't help. I sneeze or cough and a little still comes out. I have just learned to wear a pad/pantyliner. I'm in the "Oh, well..." stage of that.

I have a lot more energy now, thank goodness! I'm almost 6 months......so I was hoping it would happen sometime, anytime. And it has

<3My favorite part of the day is when Jonathan says hello to Lily...it's very endearing!<3

I'm not sleeping with the pregnancy pillow right now..something about it just doesn't feel comfortable, but that will probably change again in a week.

I've learned to not think about buying a million bras as my size changes...I got a maternity/nursing sports bra when I was about 14 weeks and it "grows with you." Best 17.00 I've spent.

I've had a cold/stuffy nose for over 2 weeks now. It is terrible!! While you're pregnant, your immune system drops way low and inhibits the body from fighting off infections effectively. I've always gotten sick easily and now, it's not any better. I just can't seem to shake it.

My hormones are constantly changing. I got really emotional last Thursday and just cried. Don't ask me why, your guess is as good as mine. The next day I woke up with three zits. I normally have acne, but! the only wonderful thing about the early part of the pregnancy was gorgeous skin.....seems like this changed, now it's getting better again...roller coaster!

The more I hear about "parenting" or seeing young girls expose themselves emotionally, physically & mentally I realize how I want to guard my child from these things, but at the same time let her know that they are out there and not shelter her to the point where it harms her. This is a delicate balance and will have to be done carefully, but I do know it's possible.

I notice I'm much less tolerant of stupidity lately. If you know me well, you know the fuse is short already. Ha! You know, the important stuff, bad drivers, leaving stuff out, dirtiness (which is REALLY getting on my nerves cause with a baby on the way, I notice A LOT more!)

I need a lot more sleep lately. I feel like a child many days...more sleep, more to eat, and I occasionally tinkle a bit. HAHAHA I did really just laugh......

Last but not least, what keeps me going everyday is feeling her little hands and feet beat up my organs! :) When she kicks to the front, it's not so bad, but when she decides to go after the back...now, that's a feeling/urge you'll never forget! Wether it's using my bladder for a trampoline or kicking my intestines making me feel like I'm gonna go...it's not so bad. It reminds me that she's just getting bigger faster stronger :)

So this is week 23, second trimester is flying by and everyday is getting a little bit better/easier.....

Registering for a new life...literally and then some.

FYI - I just waxed my mustache...hows that for hot?

Who said registering would be/is fun?

I do not know what I'm doing (mark this one on your calendar, I don't admit this sort of thing often.) I can definitely weed out what I won't need and what's EXCESSIVE!!!! But this is slightly stressful...

In our day and age there is something for EVERYTHING!! They have more things for the little people who can't talk, than for the ones that do. I honestly feel it is our fault. We, adults think way to into some things and babies, well they can't talk. Just in case you didn't know.

Here's my dilemma, I want people to get me what was MOST HELPFUL for them when they had a baby. Not a box of diapers and some dookie outfit (because, lets face it I'm flippin picky and I don't want betty boop or tweety on my 1 month old...sorry if you think that's cute. Hope you think mullets & spit up on tweetys' beak is cute too!)

There are some things I do want though...that I want to pick out, but besides that I'm all about necessity. Do I really need that wipe warmer? 

Seriously, a wipe warmer?...If you have time to do that, then forget you.

We've been graciously given a gently used crib and changing table/dresser, which is awesome. So that's knocked off the list. I'm also not one for themes (take a look at my registry and you'll easily see I just picked what I liked!) or characters or the overdoing of patterns....aka a theme. I'm also trying to make things nuetral and that's hard. I'm having a GIRL and I want pink stuff! But I understand my want is not equivelent to the need right now.

So, please....tell me what I need. (another problem is I like items from everywhere! not just the two stores I'm registered at whoopee!)


Lily and I are all ears.

The Woes of Pregnancy (Do not read if you don't wanna know!)

Lets just be honest, the CRAP you go through while being pregnant is NOT fun.
Things I've experienced (if you have not experienced these and have been pregnant...I do not want to hear about your amazing pregnancy.....thanks...... ha ha)

• Constipation
• Peeing every time you cough, laugh, sneeze, MOVE
• Insomnia
• Sleeping TOO much
• Sore Back
• Sore limbs
• Limbs falling asleep with NO relief
• Round Ligament pain
• Rectal Bleeding due to Constipation and hard stool
• NO sex drive
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Unable to take medicine while being sick (this sucks so so bad)
• Uncomfortable Sleeping
• Weight Loss due to lack of appetite and vomiting
• NO sex drive
• The emotions you go through are phenomenal and they pass as quickly as they come, but seriously it's like an evil trick.
• Not feeling good about myself...I didn't look "pregnant"  (just fat! it was super!) so it was hard for a while!
• Thinking about Labor......really, all you people who think it's a spiritual experience or whatever.....I think you're slightly crazy, but to each their own. I've just never known pain to be euphoric.....thanks masochist.

So, you want to get pregnant huh? Ha, well....here are a few things to look forward to!

•  Ultrasounds/Sonos.....it is SO cool to see what's inside your belly!
•  The baby moving in your belly, reminds you why you throw up everyday :)
•  Motivation to be a better person...seriously.
• NO PERIOD FOR 10 MONTHS....yes you are prego for 10....dont' let them fool you.....you just know for 9 months!
• Buying cute new maternity clothes 
• Not being ashamed of having a "belly"
• Picking out names......FUN! ours was easy.....we agreed quickly!
• Guessing the sex until when/if you find out!
• Finding out the sex!
• Registering for people to buy you tons of cute baby stuff! Yay!
• Picking out all the cute stuff!
• Having your family be excited! This is the first Great Grandchild on my moms side, first grandchild for my mom, etc....so you can imagine the excitement
• Having an excuse to look like crap...ha ha! I love saying "I really don't care about how I look!" if you know me well, you know that this was NOT true before!
•  People waiting on you hand and foot because they don't think you should be doing things.....shhh, don't tell them you can either......just keep it going LOL
• Only gaining ONE POUND (you could say I've gained NONE cause I've been so constipated, but we'll go with one pound for now) all you skinny girls......eat your heart out. Being curvy has its advantages...my baby had what it needed. (being sick contributed to this, but I still won't gain anything but just baby weight now!)
• Having the sweet new baby...... :)

So as you can see, pregnancy is a balancing act! Seriously, its rough. Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying...liars. I've heard every pregnancy is super different though, so we'll see. But for now, I will tell you it has been rough

At 21 weeks (which I am today) this has been an interesting experience so far. I'm betting this baby comes out at 38 weeks. And if SHE is anything like me......I know some people around me will NOT be prepared for it either.....I was not a docile child. I was climbing on things at 6 months, I do not feel as if this baby is going to wait to come and meet us! And for as much as she likes to move...well I have a feeling she will be a lot like me! Bring it on Lily, Mommy is ready for the challenge!

20 weeks down....20 weeks to go

Time to start a blog (and keep up w/ it) for the new baby coming, YAY!
Due Date - February 21st, 2012 (that's fun! 2-21-12)


If you are my friend on facebook, you already know this pregnancy has not been easy for anyone in the Lawrence home. Jon has been such a trooper and has helped me out emensely. He's such a loving husband and definitely tends to my needs above his (most of the time ;)

I'm still throwing up on a daily basis, feeling sick, constipated, aggravated (whos not when they don't feel well?), and tired. Most of all tired of not eating. But it's not a suprise I am enjoying the weight loss/stabilization even though I shouldn't be. Oh well, I've got plenty for this baby to live off of, don't act all suprised or appauled cause I've never been "thin". At least I won't be hugely ugly for maternity pics right? I so can't wait for those! Jon and I have never had pro pics taken and it will be nice, even though a bit late to finally get them done.

Now, for the biggest suprise, we find out later this week what the little one is. We already have an idea, but since the baby likes to pretend it's a gymnast 99% of the time, it wasn't a "for-sure" thing. (no I will not induldge!) but!!! I will be letting everyone know when the time is right!