Maternity Pictures

Labor and Delivery--Trip #1

I was so embarrassed to go to Labor and Delivery without any labor symptoms, but the phone nurse said that I must go since I am so far along. I had to go because of PUPPS; it's a horrible pregnancy rash that is caused because I'm allergic to fetal DNA. It began on my stomach, which was rough, but bearable. After a week of scratching my belly, it spread to my legs, arms, feet, and hands. Sadly, the only thing that can be done for it is Benadryl and hydrocortisone cream.

We went to Labor and Delivery though because it was unbearable on my legs. I was ready to chop my legs off at the knee on Saturday. I was admitted and released from the hospital in 5 minutes. The doctor looked at my belly, told me to stop scratching, wrote me a prescription for a stronger cream, and told me that he would induce me in a few weeks. Thanks...

Now, I just sit around and try not to itch. The doctor told me to knock myself out with Benadryl when I was home. This is definitely not how I imagined the last few weeks of my pregnancy. I'm so afraid of being induced. When I try to walk to get her out, the PUPPS flare up and cause me to miserable. I have tried eating The Beacon and spicy food. Maybe the food combination with the current full moon will help naturally induce me!

All I Want for Christmas is You

One of my favorite Christmas songs is "All I Want for Christmas is You" by Mariah Carey. Last year, I could not listen to this song without sobbing like a fool. Here are the lyrics...

I don't want a lot for Christmas
There's just one thing I need
I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is...
You

I don't want a lot for Christmas
There's just one thing I need
I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I don't need to hang my stocking
There upon the fireplace
Santa Claus won't make me happy
With a toy on Christmas day
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you
You baby

I won't ask for much this Christmas
I don't even wish for snow
I'm just gonna keep on waiting
Underneath the mistletoe
I won't make a list and send it
To the North Pole for Saint Nick
I won't even stay awake to
Hear those magic reindeers click
'Cause I just want you here tonight
Holding on to me so tight
What more can I do
Baby all I want for Christmas is you
Ooh baby
All the lights are shining
So brightly everywhere
And the sound of children's
Laughter fills the air
And everyone is singing
I hear those sleigh bells ringing
Santa won't you bring me the one I really need
Won't you please bring my baby to me...

Oh I don't want a lot for Christmas
This is all I'm asking for
I just want to see my baby
Standing right outside my door
Oh I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
Baby all I want for Christmas is...
You

All I want for Christmas is you... baby

Pretty much every word of this song made me long for my baby in Heaven. Any time I did listen to the song, I sang it more as a prayer to God.

I finally let myself begin to listen to Christmas music this week and guess what song I heard on the way home from work yesterday? Yep! I still sobbed like a fool because I realized how sovereign our God is. It was not in God's plans for me to have a baby last Christmas. However, this year, he is giving me a baby for Christmas! The Big Man really has a good sense of humor!

1 centimeter!!!

I don't think I have ever been so excited about something so small! Today, at the doctor, they checked to see if I was dilated, and I am 1 centimeter!! The doctor told us that I will mostly likely not make it to my due date since I'm measuring ahead and I'm already dilated. I still hope she bakes until Christmas Break begins.

If she doesn't make it until Christmas Break, I met my long-term substitute today. It made me feel much more comfortable meeting her and getting to know her strengths as a teacher. I know my 8th grade babies will be in great hands while I'm out with my little lady.

Speaking of the little lady, she has the hiccups right now! She is still so active! I forgot to ask what her heartbeat was today, but Jordan got to hear it for the first time in a long time today. The doctor also told us that she's head down. I haven't gained any weight since last week, which is odd because she's gaining weight so rapidly now. Maybe she is taking from all the weight I have gained so far...

One month from today...

My due date is one month from today!! We realized this on our way to church this morning. I was so overwhelmed because I cannot believe that this precious gift that we have prayed for for almost three years is almost here!!! I really want to meet her, but I can't believe the wait is almost over!

We also had a maternity photo shoot today with Jamie, our family photographer. I'm so grateful to have this huge belly. I can't wait to post a few.

We had to finish putting the nursery together for the pictures. I feel more comfortable now that things are together if she does come before school is out for Christmas break. My mom had my little brother at this point in her pregnancy, and he was over eight pounds. I am trying not to worry about all the things that are unfinished and just enjoy the last few weeks of carrying this little lady around.

Giving Thanks

Jordan and I have so much to be thankful for this year. When we think back to last year at this time, we had a lot to be thankful for, but we were still very sad. This year, I don't think we could ask for any more.
1. We are so thankful for the healthy baby growing inside of me. We never thought we would be in this position. In less than a month, we will be holding her in our arms. That is so emotionally overwhelming. God is so good.
2. We are thankful for our supportive families. We could have never gotten through half of the hard times we have experienced in our three and half years of marriage without them.
3. We are thankful to both have full-time jobs that we enjoy everyday. It took a lot of prayer, but Jordan is happily working with the Spartanburg Sheriff's Office and I am teaching full-time at McCracken. We may not have a lot of money, both being public servants, but we enjoy what we do!
4. We are thankful for our fur babies, Peyton and Caroline. They bring us so much joy!
5. We are thankful for our home and vehicles. We don't have the nicest home in Spartanburg, but it is all we need and it makes us happy. We are blessed to own our home and two, working cars.
6. We are thankful for good friends who have loved us through the darkness. I know that I was not the most pleasant person to be around for a while, but I found out who my real friends were.
7. We are thankful for our church family who are always there for us.
8. And of course, we are thankful for Jesus and his sacrifice on the cross for our eternal life.

I'm sure there are many other things that slipped my pregnancy brain. I could have been way more specific, but I might have hurt some feelings if I left someone out.

For a quick pregnancy update...
I am measuring 35 weeks, still a week ahead. Her heartbeat is still strong and she is very active! I finally have stretch marks on the bottom of my belly. I'm hoping those go away since they won't have too much time to stick around. I have gained 49 pounds!! I'm still not to my breaking point of 200 pounds, and I hope I don't get there before (or after) delivery! I'm not really craving anything in particular. I am just loving all of the food of the holiday season! We have about 30 days to go!!!

Where does time go?

Jordan and I are always wondering where does time go. We will never forget the journey we endured to get to this point. It seems like we waited forever, two and half years, to have a healthy pregnancy. We still remember Easter morning so clearly and now we are anticipating the birth of this baby girl!! These past seven months have flown by! It really hit me hard last weekend; she could be here in 6-10 weeks! There is still so much to do to prepare for her arrival. Her nursery is almost complete. We still have a few design things to complete and we still need the crib bumper and sheets for the crib and changing table. Then there are all the other baby necessities we need. Oh, my! Thankfully, I haven't had any showers yet! Those are coming early November!

She is still moving often! I know that I have a sweet baby because anytime I begin to worry about her moving she will move. It's like we have a connection! I really cannot wait to meet her! I'm beginning to dream about her birth and that makes me even more excited. However, I do love being pregnant! The first trimester wasn't so fun, but I love carrying one of God's miracles inside of me. Now I have swollen feet, extra weight, and immobility, but nothing beats feeling her move and knowing that God is carefully forming her within my sinful body.

We have approximately 63 days left. I am somewhere between 31 and 32 weeks. At the doctor this week, she had a heartbeat in the 150s and I had a weight in the 180s...haha!! Earlier this month, I had my glucose tolerance test for gestational diabetes. I failed the one-hour test and had to take the three-hour. That was absolutely no fun, but I passed! I celebrated by eating every dessert at Fall for Greenville! Ironically, she is the size of a pumpkin this month.

Earlier this month, we also went to prepared childbirth class at our hospital. It was very informative and put me at ease. Jordan was very interested in the equipment; he even wanted to see the epidural needle. We'll see how excited he is to see that needle when it's going into my back!! Regardless, I feel more comfortable with the laboring process. The nurse who teaches the class was Nurse Payne...what a name for a medical professional!

The other major event this month was Jordan began his career as a Sheriff's Deputy. He is really enjoying it. Hopefully, this will mean he will have more time with our daughter after he finishes the police academy.

Life seems to be moving a record speed! So much is happening, and I want to be able to enjoy it all!

Too Busy to Blog! 99 Days to Go!

I have been so busy with school and getting ready for our little girl that I haven't blogged in almost a month! We are calling her Clementine for the time being because we still don't know what to name her. Clementine is definitely not an option, and we think it's funny!

I am huge and getting larger every day. We feel her kick all the time. The last time I went to the doctor, her heartbeat was 150. She kept kicking the Doppler off of my belly! She also loves to cheer on the Gamecocks on game days! My stomach is jumps while we watch the game every Saturday. We are just so delighted to have made it this far in a pregnancy! We enjoy every moment!

Everyone thinks she is going to have a lot of hair because I've had heartburn like crazy. Even cereal and milk gives me heartburn!

I have gained 26 pounds since the beginning of my pregnancy. Everyone loves calling me 'fatty'. However, I have a student who likes to ask me about my weight. This week, he asked me, "Do your thighs get tired carrying around all of that weight?" He didn't know me before, so I don't let it bother me. Thirteen year-old boys are special anyways!

Speaking of my students, they come in daily with name recommendations. One girl went through the Bible and found female names. One even recommended Katie Reese; I told him that was too close to Cayden Reese (my niece). They are so concerned!

Her nursery is almost finished, so I will post pictures when it's more than lavender walls and tools all over her room! People are already scheduling my showers, and we have completed registering for gifts. We are 99 days away!!! I can't wait for her to be here!!

Sugar and Spice!

The past few weeks have been consumed with all things little girl! We have spent most of our weekends looking for textiles for her nursery, picking out paint colors, and scavenging for accessories perfect for our little girl. We have finally picked out the fabrics; we found a purple and cream toile, a purple/blue/green/ stripe, and a really soft, green polka dot. Her room will be painted a very light lavender. Everything has to be perfect for our little miracle!!

I feel her moving daily and many times a day! She is very active. I wake up in the mornings to her kicking and go to bed feeling her swim around. Jordan got to feel her move for the first time this past week. She likes to be still when he tries to feel her move; I hope that means he has the magic touch! It has been a real obstacle to manage her kicking my bladder while I try to teach for six hours straight! I'm getting a lot of exercise running to the restroom during class changes.

She is the size of a large papaya! She is drinking the amniotic fluid, urinating, and working on her first poo-poo which will happen after birth. When she is not moving, she is sleeping 12-14 hours a day. We still haven't decided on a name; it's so hard to name little girls! My students try to suggest names daily. You can only imagine the uniqueness of some of those names!

I almost have no belly button! We enjoy watching my belly grow every day. I should be growing half an inch every week! My sweet tooth has finally returned, which is quite dangerous for my waist line. Jordan had to run to the store for chocolate chip cookies one day and I bought Krispy Kreme doughnuts one night.

My favorite part of the past few weeks has been shopping for her! I went to a consignment sale this past Thursday with my mom and mother-in-law. I bought her several cute outfits for her to wear for the first few months. Both grandmas bought her some cute clothes this week too! We plan on working on the nursery over Labor Day weekend! We're also going to buy her car seat and stroller soon!

Words cannot explain how overjoyed I am to get to carry this baby in my womb. I remember last Christmas, I was so sad because I should have been very pregnant. Instead, I had an empty womb and a slim chance of becoming pregnant. I had honestly given up the dream of being pregnant. I spent most of the Christmas season begging God for a baby. I realized today that God couldn't give me a baby last Christmas, but he is this Christmas!! I feel so blessed! God is so good! I wouldn't trade the swollen hands, constipation, mood swings, crazy cravings, hip pain, fatigue, etc. for anything else in the world because God has allowed me to carry a miracle inside of my body.

We're having a......

Did that surprise anyone else? We are absolutely thrilled to have a healthy baby! She is absolutely adorable! Everything measured "normal" on the ultrasound. She weighs about 13 oz. She was very active and was laying with her right hand above her head and her legs parallel with her body. She looks like she has very long legs like her mommy, and I think she may even have my nose! She is measuring ahead of schedule at 20 weeks and 3 days, which puts our due date at 12/27/11.


We revealed the gender to our families last night at a cookout. We had all the parents, grandparents, and siblings together. I baked a pink and blue cake the night before and iced them both with chocolate icing. We put out the pink cake and had our moms cut it to reveal to gender to everyone. Everyone seemed very surprised!

I am most excited about smocking, monograms, ruffles, bows, and all the frills that come along with a little girl! I had a little boy's nursery completely planned, so now I'm having fun looking at toile, damask, and all the little girly nursery things!

I was very surprised at Jordan's reaction to the news during the ultrasound. I looked over at him when she said, "It's a girl!" and he was smiling from ear to ear! She already has daddy wrapped around her tiny finger!

As for the pregnancy, everything is going well! I'm starting to swell a little bit, but the doctor said it's because I'm on my feet more with school starting back. I have gained 18 pounds since the beginning of my pregnancy. Everyone is really enjoying being able to call me fatty. Thankfully, this fatty was blessed with a co-worker's maternity clothes! Yay! Getting dressed will not be as stressful!

Almost Half Way!!

When people ask how far along I am, and I respond, "18 weeks." I always feel like I'm telling them something wrong! It sounds so weird to say that I am so far along...almost half way!

This week, our little one is the length of a sweet potato plus legs and arms! I am really beginning to feel those little legs and arms. He likes to swim around a lot! He even responds to noises! We were at the Beacon this past week, and JC Strobble yelling, "Call it!" had him going crazy! He kept me awake one night moving around, and of course I don't object because I don't want to miss anything! I can't wait until Jordan can feel him too!

We're really starting to prepare for this little one to come into our lives. I unofficially went back to work, which meant I had to tell my principal our good news. I was really nervous to tell her since it's my first full-time year there, but she is ecstatic! Every time she sees me, she talks about the baby and she's even counting down to the gender reveal. I also went to two of the local consignment sales to find some good baby deals. I bought a whale bath tub, infant car seat insert, a crib wedge, a Boppy pillow, a grocery cart/high chair cover, a baby carrier, some maternity clothes, and a cute little blue outfit. I know I'm getting ahead of myself with the blue outfit, but it was too adorable to pass up! We also received a stationary bouncer with all sorts of fun toys on it and a wipe warmer this week!

As for me, I'm getting larger and larger everyday! It's so much fun to eat whatever, whenever! Of course, I'm eating healthy and in moderation because I want a healthy baby and minimal weight to lose after birth. My favorites this week have been Moe's burritos and Orville Redenbacher's Natural Simply Salted popcorn. Next week will be a trial week for the school year, as I try to work out the snack/meal situation. It's been so nice to be at home and eat whenever I get hungry! I am happy to say that all of this eating has not caused any stretch marks (fingers crossed that it stays that way)! However, my belly button is no longer deep, just flat and wide.

We are less than a week away from finding out if there is a little boy or girl swimming around inside of me! I hope this week of teacher inservice days flies by because I'm so impatient!

Time is flying!

Wow! I am 17 weeks pregnant this week! Baby Bomar is moving all around as we speak. I have also reached other pregnancy milestones these past two weeks. Jordan's parents bought us a crib and today Jordan and his mom put it together! We have a room cleared out for a nursery with a crib. I also bought a diaper bag!

This week, our baby is the size of an onion or the size of a hand spread apart. Last week, he was the size of an avocado. The combination makes me want guacamole!

Speaking of food, I have to eat every two hours! My favorites are chicken salad (still), Palmetto pimento cheese, and Ben and Jerry's Half Baked ice cream! I'm going to be in trouble when school starts back; that will be 5 small meals I have to pack per day!

Our baby now has fingerprints, footprints, fingernails, and toe nails. This week his bones are hardening and fat is starting to develop! We have two weeks until we get to see our little ::hopefully:: man on the big screen!

Everything is going so fast! January seems like forever away, but I know it will be here before I know it. I'm so thankful for every single day that God allows me to carry this baby! I especially love feeling his movements!

One last thing...this week, many people I know personally and people my friends and family know have lost their babies before they made it to the mommy's arms. Please keep these families in your prayers. God gives and takes away. While I am celebrating pregnancy everyday, there are some women mourning their babies lost. I pray everyday that this baby inside of me lives a long, prosperous, Christian life here with me.

Week 15

Our baby is approximately the size of a naval orange this week! He is growing so fast! This week, his lungs are beginning to develop, he is growing eyebrows, his taste buds are developing, and his digestive system is beginning to work.

I have been feeling great! I cooked three meals this week, cleaned a little bit, and took care of some errands. I also started taking my prenatal vitamin pills again, instead of chewing the gummy vitamins. All in all, this week has been wonderful! I guess the baby's taste buds like chicken salad, because I'm still on that kick. I had it for dinner Tuesday, lunch Wednesday, dinner Thursday, and lunch Friday.

This was also the week of doctors' appointments. On Wednesday, I went to the dentist and chiropractor. The dentist was the most excruciating pain I experienced all week, and it was just a routine cleaning! Apparently, pregnant women's gums are extra sensitive and more susceptible to gingivitis. I now I have a strict dental routine because I don't want any dental problems! The chiropractor told me that my hips were in place and the swelling is going down! Now, I only waddle after I've walked too much! The best appointment was Friday...the OB! It was just a check-up, but they did use the Doppler to hear my precious one's heartbeat. The heart is still beating strong at 163 beats per minute!! I also scheduled my 20 week ultrasound for August 12th, which means we'll know the gender in 27 days!! I can't wait!!

Sorry for no picture this week; we've been too busy to take one!

Week 14...Lemonade

Week 14...

Our baby is the size of a lemon this week! This "lemon" life has handed me has reminded me to make lemonade out of the unique situations pregnancy presents.

The week began by retiring my 25 pound handbag and fun, summer sandals. I visited a chiropractor and he informed me that the reason I waddle like a full-term pregnant woman is because my hips are swollen. Therefore, I needed to do something to relieve the pressure on my hips. I am now the proud new owner of a tiny purse and a pair of Clark sandals! I hope to find some more supportive shoes because anyone who knows me well, knows that I cannot wear the same pair of shoes everyday!

We also celebrated Independence Day this week. July 4th is a bittersweet day for us. On July 4th last year, we discovered we were pregnant with our first child. That child never made it to our arms, so any reminders of that pregnancy are painful. We are very thankful for everyday of this pregnancy because of our previous loss!

I spent the remainder of the week suffering from all-day sickness. I really thought it would have gone away by now, but every trip to the bathroom reminded me that the second trimester isn't as blissful as I once thought. The immediate reward of all this throwing up was discovering the pina colada slushy at Spinx. Some days a slushy was the only thing I could keep down.

Another "lemon" is my ever-growing belly! I have purchased a few maternity items as I see them on clearance, but it is no where near the size of a modest wardrobe. I get very frustrated when Jordan and I have to leave the house because it is so difficult to dress appropriately. My old pants and shorts now require a rubber band to hold them closed and my old shirts and dresses look very scandalous! I guess this requires a few more shopping trips...

We are so thankful for this baby! The everyday obstacles are daily reminders that God has entrusted me with a healthy, growing baby. If that isn't as fabulous as lemon bars with strawberries on top (yummmm!), then I don't know what is!

Helllllo Second Trimester!!

Hello, second trimester! It's so nice to meet you! I can't wait for you to work your magical powers and take away my all-day sickness once and for all!

Is anyone else as shocked as I am that I am already 13 weeks pregnant?!? I am just so thankful for every day that I get to grow this baby inside of me. I feel so privileged to carry one of God's most special creations inside of me for six more months!

This week, my precious little one is the size of a peach! His (that's the pronoun we're going with until we know otherwise) vocal cords and his fingerprints are developing. His head is becoming more proportional with his body and his digestive system is starting to work. It's very hard to believe that all of this is happening inside of me! I guess I shouldn't be too surprised because Psalm 139:13 tells me, "You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb."

As for me, someone, who did not know I was pregnant, noticed!! My all-day sickness comes and goes these days. For some reason, it is always the worst on Sunday mornings! Maybe that means it comes from Satan? I have learned to cope with the headaches. So, parts of some days are really nice!

I crave greasy food, but my stomach does not love greasy food. I did read an old wives' tale that said if a pregnant woman eats greasy food, she'll have smooth labor. There are some other funny wives' tales, like if you see a mouse while you're pregnant then your baby will have a hairy birth mark or wearing high heels will cause your baby to be cross-eyed. I love reading old wives' tales for entertainment!

11....12!!

Wow! Week eleven flew by! I can't believe I'm already 12 weeks pregnant. Only a few more days and I'll be in my second trimester! This is me at 12 weeks and 2 days. As you can see, I have a small little belly and my face looks like I'm 14 again!


Week eleven...
The week started out with Jordan buying me an inflatable swimming pool. I told him I had all I wanted for my birthday (being pregnant, having a full-time job, being done with my pesky part-time job, etc), but I told him I wanted to go swimming. He came home Sunday with a "redneck" inflatable pool! I wasn't able to really get in it until the following Saturday, but it's so nice too cool off with.

We had several storms during week eleven too. One of which almost caught our house on fire and knocked our power out. Jordan and I escaped the scorching house for the front porch. We lounged in our chairs and listened to the rain. It was nice to escape to a simpler life for a few hours.

I celebrated my 26th birthday in week eleven too! There was a lot of eating, but the best present of the day was hearing Baby Bomar's heartbeat! I had a doctor's appointment on my birthday and I was praying they would do an ultrasound. We didn't get to see our babe, but we got to hear his heart! The sound in itself is wonderful, but the doctor said it was pretty early to hear with the doppler. I'm taking that to mean that Baby has a strong heart. She didn't tell me the exact beats per minute, but she said it was in the 150-160s.


Week 12
Week twelve has just begun! Baby is the size of a plum and his brain and digestive system are beginning to develop. His hands and feet are completely formed, but will continue to grow. We're praying this week that those little hands will serve our Heavenly Father!

My current addiction is Goldfish crackers. If you see me, I'll always have a bag of them in my purse. The "all-day-sickness" is subsiding some. My newest worst enemy is headaches and neckaches. The doctor said they are hormone related, but I'm trying the chiropractor ASAP! I also purchased a prenatal massage that I'm going to get sometime before going back to school.

10 Weeks

I have made it to 10 weeks (and 5 days to be exact) without any spotting! I still fear that something may happen, but the all-day sickness reminds me otherwise. We are starting to tell a few close friends, which is making it seem more real. We made our first trip to Buy Buy Baby, and were amazed at all the baby gear! We have also been looking at cribs and other baby necessities. These are all huge milestones!

I have been craving everything and anything. Chicken salad is actually my favorite right now! Anything and everything also makes me gag...especially the kitchen sink! That gets me out of doing the dishes!!

There is still a week until our next appointment. I hope they do an ultrasound because daddy really wants to see the little one again! I just want to make sure that he's healthy! We may start adding weekly belly pictures now too. We started really early last pregnancy and they were just painful to look at after the miscarriage. We are cautiously optimistic with everything we do...ahhh to be naive again!

Life As Of Today

We're finally experiencing the joy that was coming, the healing, the morning...

On April 24, 2011, I took a pregnancy test. I was expecting it to be negative because we had kind of taken a break and we had not been successful in the 9 attempts after our miscarriage. Our Easter morning surprise was a pregnancy test that said, "Pregnant"! We were very cautious, but told the grandparents at church that morning.

I was supposed to see a reproductive endocrinologist the following day, so I had the day off from work. Instead, I got to go to the regular doctor for blood work. An ultrasound was scheduled for May 17th.

We counted down the days. With our first pregnancy, we never saw a healthy baby or a heartbeat on the ultrasound. We were trying not to let ourselves get too excited until we knew this baby was okay. On Tuesday, May 17th, we went to the doctor and waited for what seemed like eternity. Then the doctor spoke with us; it was the same doctor who informed us of our prior miscarriage. Then he did a physical to make sure I was okay. It was sooo painful, but the ultrasound was completely worth it. The ultrasound showed a baby measuring at 7 weeks with a heartbeat of 166 beats/minute. Of course I cried. Jordan was smiling from ear to ear.

This pregnancy has been completely different from the last. I have been tired, haven't had much cramping, and have been nauseous constantly. Thankfully, I haven't thrown up that much!

Our next appointment is June 17th...my 26th birthday! I pray that our little one will still be strong and healthy!