Last month of Pregnancy

Had an appointment and ultrasound yesterday. I got to see her again! 

Her nose looks a little squished because she is low in my pelvis.

I can't wait to hold her and kiss her!!

Her head is still on the small side, but because she is so low it is hard to know if its accurate and no longer a concern. She is growing and weighing around 5 lbs. 6 oz. which is close to what I weighed when I was born. So little girl with long legs, just like mommy!! :) So thanks immensely for all the prayers!! God is amazing and continually blessing us with His love and provision! I did have to get more blood work done to check my levels again. Prayers that it will be good and I can deliver without needing a blood transfusion or anything else!

This is my last month pregnant, hopefully. With the boys I never went passed my due date, so hopefully she doesn't either, lol! I already feel her head low and just feel too big. I always stop gaining weight at the end and this week lost a pound, so we will see. I feel ready, we have our bags packed. My parents are on call when its time and being only two hours away is a blessing. I have my sister here luckily, but she does have 3 children of her own and works full time. Our compadre's are the other plan to help with the boys. So we are set, but still can't help be a little nervous. I also have been getting stronger contractions here and there. Yesterday I had them all day and last night my infamous back labor begun. Although at this point its nothing to send me to the hospital, definitely getting them. Practicing my breathing and relaxing through them. I need to remember to breathe!! 

As the time of carrying her inside me comes to an end I can't help but be grateful for the privilege of bearing another little miracle and soon birthing her. Prayers for a healthy and natural delivery because we know laboring is no easy task. I have to say it is sacred to birth another life, even through the pain and hard work it is truly one amazing way to see how splendid God's love is for us. The grace also given is one to remember because He surely provides it! Like I have mentioned in the boys birth stories, I always offer up all my pain and suffering for all the babies that are aborted. It is like if at that moment our offering helps a little toward ending them and we see that glory of His forgiveness in the miracle of a new life being allowed to live!! It helps me get a grip on what to focus on and truly give of myself in such a small way in a challenging time. Plus knowing you get a fragile, beautiful, and precious baby after it all is sooo worth it!!! 

I will leave you with this awesome quote until next time, maybe baby birth announcement. :)

"Each child is sent into this world by God with a unique message to deliver, a new song to sing, and a personal act of love to bestow." --John Powell, S.J. 

Hospital bag

With all my pregnancies I packed my bag well in advance. It helps me be organized so I won't forget anything and to feel ready for baby. I thought just for fun to write a post about it, so here is what is in my bag and diaper bag. :)

Hospital Bag

-Pink and brown polka dot bag (got this for my wedding from my sister-in-laws) 

-Comfy PJ's (pants are loose and soft; shirt is nursing friendly, comfy, and soft; both from Wal-Mart)

-Nursing bras/Accessories (Nursing bra from Target by Gilligan & O'Malley; Sleeping nursing bra from JCPenny's by Duo Maternity; White nursing cami from Motherhood Maternity by Glammourmom Basics)

-Undeies (cotton briefs from Wal-Mart)

-Socks/Slippers (cute fuzzy ones from Wal-Mart)

-Robe (cotton and comfy also a gift)

-Go home outfit (a maternity dress from Target & Maternity pants/loose shirt)

-Toiletreis: toothbrush, toothpaste, Lanolin cream, body wash, deodorant, shaver, face-wash, face-wipes, shampoo & conditioner, disposable nursing pads (cotton ones never work for me, soak too quickly), bag of cotton balls & cotton swabs, overnight extra long pads, hairbrush, and headband. I never worry about make-up :)

-Lucas clothes

-Snacks (chocolate of course, lol, gaterade, my water bottle, and almonds) 

Diaper Bag

-Diaper bag (from Ameribag)

-Take home outfit (long sleeve with cuffs to cover hands, pants with feet from Target by Carter's)

-Mittens (from Ross by Baby essentials)

-Hat (gift) 

-Socks (from Wal-Mart)

-Extra outfit, socks, mittens, and hat

-Diapers (Luvs or Pampers Newborn size, our hospital provides some but just in case)

-Wipes (from Sam's Club by Simply Right)

-Blankets (from Wal-Mart)

-Burp Cloths (from Wal-Mart)

-Breastfeeding Cover (homemade)

-Boppy Pillow (thrift store find)

So that is about it for our bags and we are packed and ready for the big day!! Can't believe its 5 weeks or less away and we get to meet her!!! ;)

  

Grace in childbearing

This a pregnancy update of how God is so good to me and provides grace in childbearing. With this baby I have had a rough pregnancy. From horrible morning sickness in the beginning, now with low blood platelets, and delayed fetal growth. I have been pregnant twice before and not had any complications before. This is a new thing for me to go through and it has been difficult. It could be because the baby is a girl, lol! With the boys I felt amazingly beautiful and glowing the whole pregnancy. With little baby Karissa, I have not. I know that the added hormones have a lot to do with it. I also know I could not be happier to be having a little baby girl!! :)
As I reflect on this pregnancy thus far I can't help but love this verse: "For this child I prayed, and the Lord had granted me my petition which I asked of Him." 1 Samuel 1:27. We have prayed and asked for so many prayers for her. I love that she is already keeping me in check and we have not even met her in person yet. So even if I have yet to feel physically beautiful, my heart sure does because she is allowing me the honor of loving the Lord even more and drawing me to Him in ways I never thought possible.
I know God gives mom's the ability to forget all our suffering, hardship, and labor when bearing children. I am beginning the uncomfortable body stage: when you waddle from the pressure of their head being in position, are out of breath after just small tasks, and aching hips/back/pelvis. Not to mention the whole laboring part, lol. No, really I am weary and ready to have her. The Lord spoke to my heart this past week with these verses to help calm my heart in preparation for her arrival.
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light," Matthew 11:28-30. Because I been to so many ultrasounds, blood being drawn, and just worried I am weary. I am grateful as well for the great medical care I am receiving to get healthy and have a healthy baby. Here is another verse from Isaiah 40:28-31, "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up on wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." 
Now with her head down the pressure in my pelvis to prep for birth is ever so noticeable. So now I am done and ready to have her, lol! I just have had so many scares of different complications that it makes it stressful which is truly physically and emotionally exhausting. My blood platelets dropped a bit again, so next month get them checked again before delivery. Also, another ultrasound to check on her growth. It could be worse and better but the Lord is reminding me how to wait, hope, and love.
This verse in Romans 8:18, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Also my reflection for this week is from 2 Corinthians 12:9, "And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore more gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." So beautiful because the Lord gives us His grace when we are weak and for mother's when bearing children is a great time to need it, after all we carry a precious gift of life. :) <3