The 12 things you miss most during pregnancy....

I receive weekly e-mail updates from thebabycenter.com and occasionally they send random things to ponder or think about. This weeks e-mail was entitled "The 12 things you miss most during pregnancy". I felt the need to share this....and my thoughts on each of the 12 things...

#1 A Normal Sense of Smell
Ok, yes, your smell buds are little off during pregnancy, but I wouldn't go to the point of "missing" the normal ones. Some things do trigger nausea, but there are things that trigger nausea in me whether I'm pregnant or not...so I don't truly "miss" my sense of smell or the intensity of smells during pregnancy!

#2 Booze
"I'm not a drinker in the least, but I've been craving margaritas like they're the secret to life"
-copied from a girl named Jen (I couldn't agree more!)

#3 Off-Limit Foods
Honestly, the only one off-limit food that I've truly sort of craved is a tuna fish sandwich. But, I also feel that it was just normal to want one b/c my mother in law and I make ourselves one regularly on harvest instead of the nasty, traditional ham and cheese that we make for the boys! So this hasn't been a "big deal" either!

#4 Cute Shoes
Ok, some girls on this website quoted missing their stiletto heels or dress shoes...
My thoughts- I'd have to own a pair of stilettos to even remotely want to miss them! And dress shoes? Ha! Teachers who are "Real" don't wear uncomfortable shoes---and it's summer--- it's flip flops or nothing!

#5 Feeling Sexy
Bingo! There is nothing uglier than a naked pregnant woman! I don't care who you talk to or who you ask, if they tell you they think their wife is or if that person says that they think they look sexy pregnant-- they are LYING! Personally-- I can't stand maternity clothes and especially maternity bathing suits. I just feel that some things just shouldn't be "made" at all-- and a maternity bathing suit is one of them. God help me- yes I do own one--but nothing looks more like Shamu walking through the door than a pregnant lady in a swimsuit! That's like making a 2 piece bathing suit for plus sized women-- sorry--I just don't agree with it! Some things were MEANT to be COVERED!

#6 A Rocking Sex Life
LOL! That's all I have to say about that!

#7 Being Included
I have found that those that don't want to "include" you--just aren't your friends. If your friends/family truly want you to be there or go with them-- they alter their plans so you can! I haven't felt this way at all!

#8 Your Pre-Pregnancy Body
Ok- yes I miss it-- but it's also hard remembering what it was like as well!

#9 Emotional Control
Given my family's current lifestyle---I don't think you can blame pregnancy for the emotions. Of course, it definitely contributes, but my emotions were out of whack before I got pregnant and trying to go with the flow---I'm anxious to see how it goes after Jentri arrives!

#10 Caffeinating like you used to
Never was a caffeine addict---so this hasn't bothered me. I do have my occasional Dr. Pepper, but that's it. I've always bought decaffeinated tea bags, so that's not an issue either!

#11 Peaceful Sleep
AMEN! AMEN! AMEN! I cannot even begin to think back to the last time I had a full night's sleep. It was before I was pregnant. I am up all the time during the night from either being restless, hip pain, practice contractions, needing a Tums, going to the bathroom, dealing with Jaylee when she wakes up, and on and on and on. I know it won't get better when Jentri arrives so I better just suck it up!

#12 Feeling Strong and Independent
Physically-- of course--- Emotionally-- I haven't been given the option to not feel strong and independent. My in laws are gone on harvest, my mother is working 5 hours away, my sisters are busy, my husband works from sun up to past sun down--- so I don't have a choice other than to be strong and independent!

Thank you, Lord!

FINALLY......RAIN! I almost couldn't believe my ears/eyes last night. And although we weren't at home to get the abundance of rain that Canadian did, I am still ever so thankful and appreciative as it is just as dry here as it is at home.

Life is going smoothly at the current moment. No change on our "big decision" yet. Still waiting on one main factor and the deal will be cinched, that is if it is God's will. I've been waiting very patiently, and staying as laid back and calm as possible and I know that if this is in God's plan... he's going to work it all out. And if this isn't in his plan.....then everything will be just as well!

Jentri is still "brewing"! I almost thought she might be making an early appearance by the way I was feeling earlier in the week, but not yet! And that's fine with me too! It's still just a wee bit early and I wouldn't get to miss any school if I had her right now....so what good is that!? I atleast deserve a week off!!

Back To......

What a great sight today! I went into the local dollar store and grocery store, and there were signs and displays of "Back to School!" Awww....I've been waiting all summer to see that stuff get put out!

I always told myself this summer that once the "back to school" stuff got put out--then it wouldn't be much longer until Jentri's arrival! And so-- here we are! I'm currently 34 weeks, measuring 36 weeks. I go for my next appointment next Tuesday. That will make 5 weeks since my last appointment! Then it's time for the good ol' weekly visit and "checks" to see if any progress is made towards labor! I am getting very very anxious! I feel that it isn't going to be much longer, especially with all the practice contractions that I've been having. But, some studies/blogs say that this can go for weeks and weeks before labor so who knows! She has started to "drop" so this is also a good sign of progression as well! I'm just glad that God's got it all figured out! I hope she does stay tucked away for at least these next 2 weeks so we can enjoy this week up here with Daddy, then a trip to the water park next week and me finishing up my classroom! Once I get that finished, I think everything will be set to go! I think from next week on, I better start staying at home rather than back up here in the Panhandle! I think I might be risking it just a wee bit if I come back up here being 37, measuring 39 weeks pregnant! Especially knowing our first one came early!

Just one more!

Well, it seems as though our road is getting less and less bumpy! We have only one more bump to conquer in our decision, and all should be set to go! I think about what all this is going to involve, especially with a baby set to arrive in the next month, but I know God has a plan and we are blessed with a huge support system! So, I've said from day one of this process-- I will not get excited until the process is complete, nor will I stress out if it does not. If it works-it works. If it doesn't- it doesn't! We are very blessed with what we have thus far and will be content in the decision or path that is taken.

It's getting cramped in here!

Oh my goodness! I feel like I have blown up as big as a whale this week! My shorts are getting tighter and Jeremy says I'm poking out more and more! Miss Jentri is slowly dwindling down in the movements, so I feel that we are getting closer and closer to delivery! Not as in a few days, but still a few weeks yet! Nights are by far the worst for me. I know, you would think it would be the heat of the day, but honestly, I am a hermit at this point so I couldn't tell you how hot it is outside! I get up anywhere from every 30 minutes to once an hour right now. I just can't get comfortable! And then, just as soon as I do, finally, find some sort of comfort, my acid reflux acts up and it's time to go find the tums, again! Then, when I get that under control, I get back to sleep, and my hips start to kill me! So then, it's time to get up and go find some Tylenol! I then get back to sleep, and low and behold, my child is standing at my bedside needing to go potty..... oh yes I'm thankful she can wake up and go potty, don't get me wrong! Then, the other interruption is having to go the restroom myself about 4-5 times as well! So between cramps, a needy toddler, uncomfortableness, a cramped up bladder, and indigestion---it really makes a night restless! This kid, in my mind, should have a full head of hair just like her sister did with all this indigestion! All in all, I can't wait to meet and hold miss Jentri in my arms! I can't wait for Jaylee to have a little sister and to have another member added to our precious family.

Can someone explain??

So, today has been a very bad day in the Lowe Trailerhood for Miss Jaylee. We have had 4 accidents and I don't know what the deal is. We have been accident free for several months now, in and out of public, and even most nights we are accident free! But, she just randomly started having accidents today. Is this normal!? I knew regression was common with a new arrival of baby, but she isn't even here yet! I was hoping by pulling out the pull-ups she would decline and fuss and scream at me saying she wasn't a baby, but she didn't, she willingly put it on! What in the world is happening!?!!? We've come way too far, too easily, to regress and have to do this all over again!

Decision Making....

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you what path to take."
Proverbs 3: 5-6

Decisions! Decisions! Decisions! I do not like making decisions, especially when they are decisions that can affect you long-term! Just when I think God is showing me his way, I always start second-guessing. Is this really HIS way, or is this what I am wanting him to say? I have turned to my 2 trusty advice givers this weekend, and I still don't know which way to go. I've weighed out the pros and the cons. I've lost much sleep and am trying not to stress myself into labor.

My husband's only response to this entire process is "CHANGE-I DON'T LIKE CHANGE!"

So, I guess I'll continue for God to direct us on the path he wants us to take. I do have some sense of calmness in the fact that if it does work out, I will be excited and if it doesn't work out, I will be perfectly content.