It's time!!

Well, it is almost time to meet our Cam Cub guys! I think Lila Faye is getting to the point where she is not sure if we are serious about a baby coming or if we are just kidding with her. She has told me numerous times the past week that she is ready to hold Cam. She is going to be the best big sister. She practicing her swaddling, so I can't wait until she shows us how to correctly swaddle when Cam is here. She is very particular with her babies!

Just being adorable in her hat! She looks ready for the Derby!

6 days left!

Practicing for Cam's arrival!

This has been a pretty stressful pregnancy with the moving, my parent's cancer, job changes with Andy, and my poor veins. Oh, did I mention my brother is deploying again in November? Oh, that is happening too. I am so lucky I have been able to get my walks and exercise in because I think that has been the only thing that has kept me from completely going insane (and lots of chocolate). I can really tell the days that I don't because I just don't feel as good mentally (and physically for that matter).

So the contractions have really started picking up and getting stronger, and I have continued to dilate over the past two weeks. Unless our new man comes before the tomorrow, then we are inducing. I have my nerves and am overly anxious about everything, but I am ready. I had three huge "cries" last week with Andy being gone so it is just time. I guess I saved up all the emotions of the past 9 months for last week!  Plus I feel like Cam is running out of room! I can feel him wanting to stretch out and well, that is just not really happening for him. The doctor gave us the green light, and I have not decided yet about epidural/pain meds and all that. It is different this time around with inducing because we go in at 6 a.m. rather than the night before. So, we shall see! I am just praying that everything will be fine and just having Andy here has already helped me relax. I know a little girl that feels exactly the same way too! She ran up to him and gave him the BIGGEST hug when he got here.

I have compiled a list of what has helped me during pregnancy and odd things that are possible because I think every pregnancy has its ups and downs. I hope that most are smooth sailing but you know, life is never easy and there are struggles we all have to deal with. Here is a wrap up of my pregnancies:

1. Take a walk. EVERY day. If you can. I try to get a least a 20-30 minute walk in, whether it be a power walk or leisurely walk. I highly suggest it.

2. Take a bath! And by that I mean a really nice long soak. I take one very night and not only does it help me mentally relax and get ready for those zzzz's, it just helps redistribute all that blood and fluid and and helps me feel better physically all over. Plus, once the kiddo is asleep this is sometimes the only relaxing time that I get during the day!

3. If you are a coffee drinker, have your one cup in the morning. Look, I can't give up my coffee. I look forward to it the night before! I only have my one cup in the morning, and I think that I perfectly fine. I Every now and then, I have a cup of decaf in the evening too. I love coffee!! I gave up caffeine a few years ago except for my one morning cup. CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT IT!

4. If you worked out before pregnancy, continue! I worked out a lot more with my second pregnancy than the first. I really didn't want to give up all of my muscle tone that I had been working on before. I never feel as guilty eating a little extra since I know I am burning calories too (which you burn extra calories anyways during pregnancy, so make sure that you are taking in enough). LF is a big snacker so we had our breakfast lunch and dinner and snacks together.  Always get the ok with your doctor but I am sure he will suggest to continue light to moderate workouts throughout the pregnancy.

5. Take a nap. Now with my first pregnancy, I did not get as many of these as I would have liked. I worked and that was hard, but even if I had time to just set my alarm, close my eyes and relax for ten minutes on my lunch break, it helped. With this pregnancy and keeping up with LF, when she naps, I napped. I really didn't have a choice because by the time I read books and got her down, I think I was asleep before she was most of the time!

6. Eat some chocolate, chips, or whatever. Yeah, it's ok. That is another one I can't give up. That little mini Milky Way or Twix or Dove Dark Chocolate calls my name and you know, it's pregnancy. Enjoy the cravings and all. One day I would crave chips and salsa and the next day I want brownies...the next day it might be a banana and yogurt...and I ate that. And I am totally ok with it. I am not sure about other people, but I love food, so please see number 4. I try to eat in moderation but sometimes you just gotta have that extra cookie. I also mentioned My Fitness Plan in a previous post and that helped me keep my calories in check. Just make sure you keep a balance - I eat a lot of vegetables and fruit too!

7. Put your feet up!

8. Wear compression hose. I WISH I would have done this during my first pregnancy. I really wonder if it would have made any difference with the second. I did not have any problems with my veins til at the end of LF's pregnancy but at that point, I really did not think too much about it. As torturous as they are, if I don't wear my compression hose now, my leg just plain aches and hurts (and not to mention my ya-ya). And let me tell you, you know it is bad when you don't care that is 115 degrees outside and immediately feel like a hair dryer is blowing in your face and you break a sweat when you open the front door - these were a must every single day. A lot of days I tried to get them on as soon as I was up too.

9. Wear comfortable shoes. I mean, if you want to wear high heels when you are 8 months pregnant, by all means go for it. I'll stick to my FitFlops (I have two pairs and LOVE them) and tennis shoes, 90% of the time, with the occasional flat or cutesy flat sandal with a cute outfit. Save the heels for your first post pregnancy date with your hubs.

10. Take everything with a grain of salt. Ok, I have seen and read about some pregnant women who get so worked up over remarks or comments like "Oh you look like you're ready to pop any day now" (when you are only 6 months pregnant) or let's see, oh, "Hey there Fatty!" (yes, this happened but I just compared my belly to his and shut that down pretty fast). Most people are smart enough to tell a pregnant woman how beautiful, glowing, or cute she is pregnant - but understand, there are those that are not. And just let it roll off your shoulders...please. It is not worth getting upset over. And it will happen! I usually like to make a comeback remark too such as "Oh, I am not pregnant...I just really like beer and tacos." It helps. Promise.

11. Try not to compare to other pregnancies. This is another one that is somewhat impossible because all you do when pregnant is look at other pregnant women. It's like you have on pregnancy blinders when out in public. I highly suggest do not compare yourself. Everyone gains weight differently and wears a baby in different ways. My sister and I carry completely opposite (hers sit under her belly button basically and mine are up to my boobs!) if that tells you anything, and we are related! And this kind of also goes with #10 but try  not to get too worked up when anyone compares your pregnancy with someone they know. It's just not worth getting upset over. "Oh so and so only gained this much weight during her pregnancy." Congrats! "She actually ran 6 miles last week and is 5 months pregnant." Fantastic! It is just not worth comparing or getting upset over. Promise again.

12. Enjoy your alone time with your husband. Can't stress this enough...especially after you have your first. I think it is so important to have date nights, see movies, or even just go to the grocery store by yourselves if you get the chance. Remember that your husband's life and routine is changing as well but he is hopefully the biggest supporter that you have. Try not to be too mean to him when coping with all the aches and pains. He loves you and it is hard to see his partner in crime in pain and not be able to really do too much.

13. Make sure you ask your hubs for a back rub or foot rub or to even just to pick up take out for dinner! Trust me, he would rather stay busy than have you yelling at him with the aches and pains for no reason.

14. Ask for help. I think this really applies after your first kiddo. I have no idea what I would do without my family and friends that have helped out with LF. I have a hard time asking for it but with all the traveling and everything this pregnancy, I have had to have the help with LF when we have been in town. I am so grateful for all of it and getting some "me" time in when I could, even if it was just going to the grocery store by myself.

15. Treat yourself to a pedicure. I think at the end of pregnancy this is relaxing, and it gets impossible to bend over to try and paint your own little piggies! I got one today and had the works. I also feel like since every one and their mother get to see your ya-ya during delivery at least your focal point will look fresh and nice! Ha!

16. You will probably feel like you are going insane at some point or do really off the wall shit. Please see picture below. It happens and most likely more than once. I was able to capture this moment on my phone.

Oh! That's where I left the milk the night before! 

Well, I hope this helps, and it will be fun to look back and share all of this with Lila Faye and Cam when they   have kids one day.The biggest thing I can tell you is to just enjoy pregnancy! It is a life changing experience to feel that little miracle growing inside of you.

 Tomorrow is the start of the next chapter, and we are so excited! Lots of prayers and positive thoughts please!