Seriously y’all, how did we get in to the home stretch already? Meeting our little guy seems so far away at times, but in reality he will be here so very soon! His “nursery” is all set up and stocked with books galore from friends and family – hoping he’s inherited his love for reading like his mama. Hospital bags are packed and the car seat installed. While packing our bags I was hit by the realization that I am a mama! There were times when I didn’t feel like I would get to experience the joy of motherhood and we feel so blessed to know that our baby boy is growing healthy and strong.
#GROWINGBEBETAYLOR BUMP UPDATE
HOW FAR ALONG ARE YOU?
I will officially be 35 weeks on Monday, which we will be celebrating big time. Braxton Hicks made their appearance around the 20 week mark and by week 24 I was having full on contractions, which were able to be stopped thank goodness. At 29 weeks we found out that I was already 85% effaced so I was sent to the hospital (again) for a round of steroids to help baby’s lungs develop and another dose of medicine to stop my contractions. I’m now considered high-risk for premature labor so every week baby H stays put we celebrate! And 35 weeks also means I can deliver at my local hospital with my doctors, so yeah, we’re doing a little happy dance over here!
HOW DO YOU FEEL EMOTIONALLY? PHYSICALLY?
Emotionally: My anxiety surrounding labor comes and goes so I’m trying my best to prepare for what to expect and learn stress reducing techniques. It’s been a big help to talk with other mama’s who have recently gone through labor to hear their experience and to learn what they felt was helpful. I’m a planner who likes to know what to expect and when to expect it, so learning to adapt to changes or things out of my control has been a great first lesson in motherhood.
Physically: Besides the occasional contraction, overall I am feeling pretty good. I’ve had a few days that felt like flash backs to the first trimester with headaches and nausea and my growing bump makes getting comfortable a struggle. But nothing that isn’t manageable or unbearable. Crossing my fingers that if I make it to 37 weeks I will be taken off bed rest, I’m missing my daily walks and my muscles could use a good stretch.
MY GO-TO OUTFIT RIGHT NOW?
With being on bed rest, I don’t really dress up these days and you can usually find me wearing my comfies. I recently added a couple of new pajama and lounge-wear pieces, I’m loving these super soft tencel pants and these cropped lounge pants. As we approach go time, nursing friendly pieces are working their way in to my wardrobe – I picked up this nursing bra that is very comfortable to wear around the house.
Recently we took our maternity photos and opted for a non-maternity flowy dress – this one came in a close second (I ended up wearing it a wedding instead).
ANY BODY CHANGES?
Oh man, where to start…haha. My bump has officially blocked me when it comes to trying to shave my legs, paint my toe nails, or tie sneakers. Basically I have to be a circus contortionists when doing any of those things these days. Acid reflux is unfortunately sticking around and now that baby boy has turned head down, his little feet like to kick up in my ribs.
My maternity pillow has become my best friend, it took awhile for me to warm up to it, but now I can’t imagine my life without it. Back and hip pain has been reduced by using it and I frequently like to lay on my side and tuck it under my bump for extra support.
SLEEP?
Insomnia hasn’t taken its hold too much and I’m usually able to sleep through the night with only having to get up once a night. Now that I’m home on bed rest I’m trying to embrace the fact that I can sleep in and take a nap whenever I feel like it. There are days I’m really tired and take cat naps, but other days I have a surprisingly good amount of energy and can go all day without a nap. If only I could bottle up extra sleep because people keep telling me to embrace sleeping in now because in a few weeks proper sleep will most likely be a figment of my imagination.
FOOD CRAVINGS OR AVERSIONS?
I’ve developed a big ole sweet tooth with this pregnancy – so much so my grandma is like “who are you?”, lol. Fruit has been a go to almost every morning, berries especially, and I can’t seem to get enough La Croix in my life.
HOW ARE YOU PREPARING FOR BABY?
After our 29 week scare thinking baby boy was about to make is grand entrance, I reviewed my checklist and we went on a crazy baby buying spree. Over the past few weeks we’ve slowly set up his sleeping area in our room and we organized the office to turn it in to baby boy’s room. Living with in-laws has presented its organization challenges and we don’t have an official nursery to decorate, but my mother-in-law has been rearranging the house to make room for all things baby!
Learning, learning, learning as much as we can has become part of our routine as well. We’ve completed our labor and delivery classes and I took a couple of breast feeding classes that were full of great information. Next week I’ll start hypnobirthing classes, not quite sure what too expect, but figured it wouldn’t hurt to try it out.
At the beginning of my pregnancy I bought the Mama Natural pregnancy week-by-week book (a big thanks to my hair dresser for recommending it!). It breaks all things pregnancy and preparing for baby down in to small, easy to digest chunks – it has really helped with not feeling overwhelmed with everything.
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO?
My body is craving exercise, so I’m really looking forward to being able to take my dog for a walk and going to a yoga class. And as we get closer to our due date I can not wait to snuggle our little cutie. Sometimes I find myself daydreaming of who he will be and what he’ll look like – I’m sure once we get to meet face to face he’ll be better than I ever imagined!
Photography by Chelsea Erwin
Makeup by Maria Sommers
Pregnancy looks good on you. All the best to you throughout the remainder of your journey and on the day you deliver your bundle of baby.
Blessings on blessings to you.
That is so sweet of you Yvonne! Thank you so much! xo