36 wks Along!!

I am officially 36 wks along!! Nine months and counting now... I really hope this baby comes soon! I am misserable and I don't exactly like being pregnant any longer. ;) I'll catch you up on about the last week...We got so many awesome Christmas gifts from all mine and Andrew's families. We got two digital pic. frames, robe, tool bag, griddle, pic. frames, kitchen set, and many other little knick knacks that will come in handy once we live on our own!
Also, Andrew was so sweet...he got me a digital camcorder! I love it. I am so glad we will be able to tape Noah's birth and his first few days. Andrew knew how much I wanted one and he was so sweet!!! I am glad I found such a sweet guy like him <3. Also, we spent Christmas day with my dad and his side of the family. It was very fun--we did our gift exchange, which my dad got me a Willow Tree doll, the Cherish one, which is a preggo one. Also, we all played Taboo and SceneIt. It was nice spending my first Christmas EVER with all my siblings, my dad & stepmom, and all the other family members. Me & Andrew had a blast!
Then we went to my Grandpa's and Kory and Kass opened their gifts from me & Andrew, which my sister loved her American Girl Doll, which she should for the price I paid. ;) Then we all played Wii for a few hours and at some ham sandwhiches, which are my fave!!! All in all, it was an amazing Christmas, with Andrew's family Christmases and mine.
My sister came and spent the weekend with me & Andrew, which she loved. Her & Andrew had some quality time, where all they did practically the whole weekend was play Tony Hawk ProSkater. haha.
This holiday season has made me realize how much I love all of our families and how lucky I am. Even though I have lost a lot and had a lot of hurt in my life...I have gained so much...with Andrew, my siblings, his parents, my dad, his family, and everything inbetween. I couldn't ask to be surrounded by better people in my life. I am the happiest I have ever been, and wouldn't change a thing.

Baby Shower Scrapbook Page

I had my 35 wk. midwife appt. on Monday. So far...so good! Noah is in my belly with his head down (thank goodness) and his back aligned with my back. The midwife said its an odd, and kind of uncommon position, but he can be delievered that way and he can still turn and move. Pretty calm visit...still no weight gain! YAY. It has been about 3.5 months since I have gained any weight, so thats good...cuz I gained my weight in the begining :/

Also, Andrew's Jeep broke down, so he is driving the Mazda only now, which isn't exactly ideal for Winter. We are trying to sell it, since the motor is no good and blew up, yet the body is still ideal.

I am going to post some pics on here from my Scrapbook. I think I have gotten pretty good!

Here is pictures of the Baby Shower page:

(Showered with LOADS...)

(...OF LOVE):

Here is the bottoms...look like baby boy clothes hanging on a laundry line.

...Catch up...

We have been SO busy lately!! I had finals all last week, so it was cram time! Also, we have been buying all the last minute baby things we need for Noah. I have been heavily reading Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, preparing for my all-natural birth. I find it very motivating and encouraing to any woman who is going to deliver a child, especially if they plan to go all-natural.
I went to see my dad, grandpa/siblings/uncle, friend Angie & Jami, and Cindy all in one day! It was so nice to see all of them and to know you have people who care about you and love you.
I am a little dissapointed since I attempted to make pumpkin cheesecake, since I was craving it...and it didn't turn out at all! Oh well, I guess I will just stick to buying desserts. haha.
I made my family baby shower page in Noah's baby book. I still need to do the "family tree" page, and then start on his Birthday page! YAY.
About the pregnancy...I am 34 wks and 4 days. I am having a lot of pelvic pressure, cramping, braxton hicks, pains, and am misserable. I am getting so anxious and excited for Noah to get here...I can barely wait! I know Andrew feels the same way! He will be an amazing dad. Well, time for bed....work tomarrow :[

Maternity Pictures

Here are mine & Andrew's maternity pictures. I think they turned out amazingly!!! My friend took them at Target and gave us a good deal, so that makes them even better. We decided to do these since it is a very common thing to do nowadays. Also, I think it will be something cool for Noah to look back and see how we looked before he was born. Also, I have started reading Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. It is so inspirational and motivating. I am reading it since it is highly recommended if you plan on doing natural childbirth. My Midwife and many other moms have recommended it to me to read. I like it and reading all the birth stories are very empowering. I just can't believe that Noah can be coming so soon and we soon will be able to hold him and be with him everyday(not that we aren't now) :). We still have a few things to buy, which we plan on going shopping this weekend! Just thought I would share our pictures with everyone! Have a good rest of the week! :]

Busy, Busy Weekend!

So we have had such a busy weekend! On Saturday we went to Child Birth Classs from 9-4:30! It was long and kind of tedious, but we leanrned a lot. We had to do the accelerated course, due to Andrew working nights, we couldn't do a regular one. I am excited to have Noah at Methodist since they are more pro-natural than Mercy, the other hospital in Des Moines. Also, we saw our rooms--with jacuzzi, baby in room all the time equipment, and many other awesome ammenities. I am very excited to deliver there.
Also, we went to my grandpa's house and visited with a family memeber who wasn't able to come to my shower, so we got our gift from her! Sunday we went to Jolly Holiday Lights in Des Moines with Andrew's family and grandma. It was a nice little outing and then we ate at Perkins for pie and hot chocolate.
I have started walking once again, due to no pre-term labor and I feel like crap when I don't walk. Also, I have Infant Care class that I will be going to tom. (Tuesday) from 6-8:30.
We are expecting a big 'ol storm to come in tonight, so my class may be canceled. I sure hope not, since there isn't very many left since I only have 6 wks. and 6 days left!!!! Also, I have some things I still need to get before lil Noah gets here, and I plan on shopping tom. :]
Well, I am going to bed. I am constantly exhausted. :/
God Bless All!!!

Doctor Appointment - 32wks 4 days

So today I had my doctors appointment. I have had a lot of frequent bowel movements and splitting back pain, so I mentioned it to my midwife and she was concerned. She tested me to see if I was going into preterm labor. Also, they hooked me up to a fetal monitor to check Noah's heartbeat and movement since he also had'nt been to busy the last few days. All this had me so worried! They told me they would call me later and tell me if the test was positive (pre-term labor) or negative (nothing) and they called and said it was nothing. The midwife told me to quit consuming so much dairy products and possibly I just have a stomach virus causing the bowel movements. Then, when she measured me I was measuring about a week and a half ahead of my due date, which she said wasn't really a problem but that she just wanted me to have a US done by them...since my last one was done at 20 weeks and by the OB. So...on Thursday I will go for my US at Methodist, then Friday an apt. to talk about it and check up on me & Noah. All this stuff had me terrified and made me regret saying, "I just wish I would have him now," because I would hate that! He isn't done cooking yet, and can NOT come out of the oven yet. Besides that, we still need to get NB diapers, some NB clothes, clothes, and some other things. I realized...after worrying and then being told that my baby and me were both fine that I am tremendously lucky to be having an OK pregnancy and to have no complications! I couldn't imagine having to go to the doc. all the time and having to worry about how my baby is and if it is still alive. God bless you women who have to put up with that fear/anxiety/worrying for nine months! I couldn't handle it. Well, thats my day and tomm. we have child birthing classes, getting our maternity pictures back & are going to my grandpa's house to see a relative who was unable to come to my shower to get their gift for us. Then on Sunday we are going to Jolly Holiday Lights with Andrew's family. So we have a busy weekend ahead!!! Maternity pictures coming soon! Have a good weekend! :]

Going Home...

So I went back home tonight. It was my sisters Winter Program. She is in Fourth Grade and seems so big. I can't believe only ten years ago I was on stage singing "Jingle Bells." Oh how the time flies! I am glad I went though to support her. Ever since my mom died, for those of you who don't know in April of '07, right before my senior prom/graduation I have raised my sister, up until May of this year when I moved out and into an apt. with Andrew. I try and go back, which is like an hour from where I live now, and visit to stay in touch with my Grandpa, Uncle, Brother, and Sister. My grandma died as well, so it leaves Sean and my Grandpa as lone rangers to raise the kiddos. I think they do a good job, some people think otherwise...but I won't get into that. But yeah...The concert went good and it makes me realize how much my sister loves me and relies on me to support her, what a good feeling. It's going to be really hard moving 3 hours away from her in March. : ( I also love going back to see Kory. He is my lil brother who is 26 months. He is so cute and adorable and I feel so attached to him too, since I raised him from 6 months to almost a year! Here is some pictures... And I have an appointment with my Midwife tomm. I will keep you all updated!

Me & Kory

Kassidy.

The Pregnancy So Far.

This is my first post...so I will catch you all up to date. I am 32 weeks along. This will be the first kid for me and Andrew. We are expecting a little boy! And will be naming him Noah Lee Pierce. My due date is Jan. 26th. I am switched to a midwife at 25 weeks, as a result of not being satisfied with my OB's performance. Me & Andrew didn't like how they treated us...They didn't seem to care too much about our needs, we waited about 30 minutes before each 10 minute appointment, they had me worried about things that I didn't need to be, and seemed to be dissapproving of my pregnancy...I guess because I am only 19, who knows?!?! And the most important thing..I will be going through labor without, yes...without, pain medication!! I want NO epidiral, no spinal, nothing! I am doing it all natural using breathing techniques, a birthing ball, squatting, and a whirlpool for birthing. Well...thats about it for now...tune in for more later. ;)