Starting week 39...no mas

So this week has been pretty hard emotionally on me. When I talk about crying I start crying. Today I am just feeling so overwhelmed. I tell myself that everything is OK about having a c-section but really...I just don't feel like it's fair. I feel like I have lost a piece of the puzzle. Obviously I want what is best for baby but I can't help feel sad. So I lay at night preparing mentally on how I will recover and the what the pain will be like during and after the c-section. Then-I am upset because I feel like when my sisters come, with two dogs, it's going to take away some of my sister time. I can already hear, "I gotta go b/c the dogs need to go out", or something like that. I just want to spend as much time with my sisters without any distractions. I know it's selfish but I can't help it right now.

My body is starting to really wear-down. I walk much slower, there is this pain in my groin all the time, everything is swollen, Joao can't sleep with me b/c I snore so bad, and the head is so big it there is not room to even put my finger between my ribs and the head. So as you can see...I am just emotionally exhausted.

But then I think about seeing my baby for the first time and the smile on Joao's face...it makes me feel a little better.

Anyhow- just a few more days...actually 10 days! :)

More belly paint!

Apparently Renee forgot to post the new masterpiece! Even the Pepe was interested... Enjoy!
  

All the important places this summer!

            

Starting week 38...OMG

So today was a big day for Los Norona...I was called by my OB/GYN and she made me an apt. for MAY 19th to have a c-section! OMG! So that is in two weeks! When I heard the date and put it in my agenda book I almost puked. I immediately called Joao and my family. Joao was just as flabbergasted as me. It's really just around the corner, no joke. We only have two more weekends to do everything we want before baby comes! Just the thought of this makes my stomach turn (in a good way). The other thought I have is that I am going to be able to hold our baby in my arms in two weeks. THAT makes me smile from ear to ear! Oh baby Norona...I can't wait to meet you!

Starting week 37...

So this week Joao and I had fun painting my belly! What an artist he is, huh? I hope baby gets that trait...because it won't be coming from me!

The best part of my week was the crazy amount of movement from Baby Norona's hands and feet. Maybe with all the acupuncture and chiropractor apts. allows baby move a little more freely. Anyway, everyday this week I gently put my left hand on my belly and can feel little hands and feet softly bouncing around! It's such a sweet feeling!

On Monday we will do another ultrasound to see the position of baby and then probably make an apt. for the version. This week I started thinking about not doing the version due to fear of pain; but today I realized that I can do it and will try everything I can to have a natural birth! So here we go!

Belly painting time!

Ok, so this is my first attempt at this and I have to say that I impressed myself... hehehehe... I will try to get more creative on the next ones... Viva Baltimore!

Starting week 36...oh man

So now we are counting down the last few weekends/days we have together as Renee y Joao. I just started a book given to me by my friend Claudia and the the first chapter was so ON...that I almost did not feel the urge to read anymore. A healthy strong marriage makes for a wonderful confident child. Joao and I really do believe that baby is coming into our world....not the other way around. This may sound horrible to some, but I firmly believe this will make for a very happy child!
The new thing this week is that I am having some semi-intense contractions. They feel like really hard period cramps and they shoot into my lower back. It makes me have to bear-down on all fours and just rock. This method seems to work quite well.
Okay enough of that...so we have four weeks and some days left. This was my spring break and I totally pampered the hell out of myself. The week started with a massage, which followed with some acupuncture, and will then end with a session with a chiropractor. All this is not just good for me, but it is our hopes it will help Baby to consider moving into the right position.
All though this week has been really nice just relaxing and enjoying some Renee-time, it can be a little stressful to be always thinking about the Baby. I mean I love having Baby Norona in my thoughts but sometimes it's just a bit overwhelming. Clearly you can see I am just babbling...

Starting week 35!

So...normally I would have said this was a week like any other...but...yesterday (wednesday) I woke up with swollen feet and decided I would treat myself to some flip flops! :)

After packing my lunch and preparing my coffee I headed out the door to drop of some Thank You letters on a crummy rainy day. As I stepped on our marble steps and turned toward the mailbox, my right foot slipped on the rain puddle on the step and I flew backwards. I hit my head on the corner of the brick and marble and somehow rolled down the steps leaving the imprints on my back.

In order to make sure Joao would come to my rescue I had to let our a little yell; which woke up my neighbor and caused another neighbor to run his ass off down the street! What a pitiful sight I was...crying with blood all over my hands from the gash in my head.

So Joao took me to the ER. We got in really fast and they were really super. The nurse suggested staples but I asked her if it was totally necessary so she brought in the doctor...he confirmed immediately I would need them. Never having been in a hospital for anything but a check up I got really nervous. BAMM BAMM BAMM...three staples in my head! I plugged my ears so the sound would not creep me out! hehee

Well after the whole staples thing, they asked if I would be willing to go up to labor and deliver so they could observe me for an hour...at first I was not totally down, but then I decided FINE...I need to be a good mom. SO we went. The next thing you know, I am having to stay for a 23 hour observation period!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Arhhhggg, I was so annoyed. They were concerned because I was having contractions every 3-5 minutes...but I didn't even know some of them were happening. With the help of some friends visiting me, the time passed by and they released me in the manana! So here I am, sore, and tired. I am just happy Baby Norona is okay! I really want to have this baby now...time is going so slow! Plus Claudia y Raul had Rulo and I am not so anxious to have my baby! Six more weeks!

Starting week 34!

This week was interesting because we just found out baby is breech. At first I was really sad and Joao was so cute and supportive. But after having some time to think about it I realized that everything will work out for the best. Although the idea of having a c-section kills me...what am I going to do? All we really care about in the end is a healthy baby! So that means I need to do whatever it takes regardless of my 'birth plan'.

Anyway- we are trying some new and interesting approaches/exercises to help baby move down. The first one requires me to lay off the couch upside down at an angle. Then I put a cold bag of peas on the head and a hot towel where I want the head to be...and I do this for about 20 minutes! It gives me a killer headache! Then I lay around watching t.v. on all fours allowing gravity to do its' magic! So hopefully with these things and positive thinking baby will move into the downward position! I have to say, I am starting to get really excited to see baby Norona! I can't believe it's 7 weeks away! OMG! I try to imagine how the first few minutes will be and I just get chills thinking about it. I love the concept that Joao and I really have created something that is growing inside me...what an amazing process! Well that's it for this week!

Starting week 33!

Okay so I just finished week 32 and am moving onto week 33! OMG! This week has been much better than the last. I am afraid if I say it I will regret it but my ribs have finally chilled out and I really don't have any pain. My new thing this week is my weight putting pressure on my tail bone...but to be honest I can deal with that!

I saw a baby today that was just under 5 lbs and I was thinking, 'this could totally be our baby living inside my belly right now". It was so tiny! I cannot wait to see our baby. I want to look into his/her eyes and see Joao or me.

My friend Claudia, who is 5 weeks ahead of us, is dilated 3 cms already! OMG! I am so happy for her...and luckily she has to do it first so she can give me heads up! Joao and I are really trying to embrace these last few weeks before baby comes. We talk walks together everyday with Fina, make dinners, and have a lot of laughs! Oh by the way...every time I laugh really hard...a little pee trinkles out of my body....but NO ONE ever talks about that! That would have been good information to know! hahaha

I think we have finally settled on a name...but I think I will keep it a secret until Baby Norona is here...just in case we change our minds! :)

Starting week 32!

So we have 9 weeks to go! Holy smokes I look like I am about to burst! I just am so amazed how nature can allow the body to do this.

Last weekend we went to our birthing class. At first we weren't that excited to go but I felt it was the right thing to do. By the second day, I was glad we went. We learned a lot, had questions answered, and started to freak out a bit. I mean it's really close! How is baby going to exit from my body? I just can't imagine!

Well this week my ribs are back to normal! Thank you GOD! I am sleeping much better now. Joao and I go for mile walks each day and towards the end my tail bone is starts to bother me! If it's not one thing it's another. But really, what do we expect? My body is totally transforming!

This weekend Joao is in Mexico at Alejandro and Jani's wedding. I am sad to say but I could not go with him. It was so hard to say no, but I just did not feel like I would be my fun self. I mean, I love you baby, but you make me tired and put a lot of pressure on my hernia! I guess this is preparing me for parenting, no?

Starting week 31...

Well this week the biggest news is my costillas! My ribs feel like they are about to explode from my body. It's so bad that I can't sit in a chair, lay on my left side, or relax on the couch.

Poor Joao tries to help me but there really is nothing he can do. I hope this pain goes away because I am not sure if I can do this for two more months!

Baby is moving a lot! There aren't as many kicks now as there are HUGE movements moving from my right side to the left! The shifting inside my body is so amazing. Then sometimes I feel something really low in my tummy...it feels like little fingers trying to tickle my stomach. It's a really cute feeling...I always end up laughing by myself when I feel it.

Well...as far as names go...still on the search! So annoying! :)

Starting week 30!

All I can really say today is I don't know if I can handle getting much bigger. My poor ribs are getting destroyed! I can't...
... and ... no she couldn't... yes this is Joao, Renee had to lay down (sideways) on the couch because baby is kicking the hell out of her ribs... so there she is now, moaning, grunting, huffing, and puffing... I wish I could record the sounds!!! hehehehe, that would be hilarious... with Glee playing on the background, of course, what else do people do on Tuesday nights in this auspicious 2011...
Well, it seems as if she will not be writing more tonight, hehehe. I gave her all of the show to get back into it, but she is too uncomfortable tonight, so she is off to bed, and I am off to study for my Competitive Intelligence final exam tomorrow... yuck!
Oh, by the way for those of you who noticed that her outfit is different than usual, she is modelling a beautiful bathing suit top because she had just come back home from her weekly preggar's swim class. Gotta stay fit!

Starting week 29!!

Ewww, look at that belly button! It kinda creeps me out...jajaja
Things are going really well. I feel great and baby is moving a lot! I did start developing heartburn which is a very horrible thing. I am so sorry for anyone that has to suffer with this on a normal basis! :(
Joao and I continue to search for the RIGHT name for this baby. It is killing Joao that we have to think of a boy and a girl name! Well we have 12 weeks until we have to decide on a name! Wish us luck!

Starting week 28!

So now only 12 weeks left!!! Holy cow... this baby keeps growing and growing... I don't know where 12 more weeks of baby will fit!!! My ribs are so bruised... ;(

Halfway through week 26!

I had to post this because I find this belly so amazing. Can you believe how big it is? My ribs are starting to hate me and baby b/c there is really no room left for them. :)

And to think this picture was at 25 weeks and a few days...meaning I have a lot of weeks to go! YIKES!

Starting the 25th Week!

So- yesterday I went to my first prenatal swim class. Before going, I asked my cousin Christine if she thought it would be odd for me to wear a bikini since that is really all I have (my one piece does not fit). She was like, "of course...it's beautiful". So feeling confident, I went straight in that pool proudly showing off my 14 lbs belly! And of course...I was the only one wearing a bikini! jajaja I found it quite comical so I had not choice but to stand tall and stick that belly out with a smile! What a great class. There was only one other girl so it really felt like I had my own private lesson. The lady worked us hard...it was nice to 'run' in the water without feeling hernia pressure. I think baby liked it too! :)

So there really has not been a lot of changes this week. However, I have announced that if someone else says, "wow, you are really big" I am going to scream! I mean seriously, is that what you think I want to hear? What kind of response do you think you will get from that comment? jaja I love being pregnant with my friend Claudia but damn people really do compare the two of us! So yes, to the public, my belly is much higher than Claudia's making it look bigger...but in reality...she has the bigger belly (just put the two of us on a scale)! Oh yeah, I am not calling her FAT...she is just 6 weeks further along than I am! :)

Anyhow, enough of my ranting.

Week 24! Does it get any bigger?

Well this is a real belly! Crap...you can't even see my boobs! :) Well the changes in my body are really starting to take place. I am officially sleeping solely on my sides (mostly the left). Baby is also moving quite regularly now. It even has a schedule...Joao felt it kick the first day he got home from Rwanda...what a nice gift, huh?

The size of my belly is starting to affect my ribs which in turn bothers my breathing when I am sitting down. Sometimes I think it would be best to sleep sitting up. I can also feel baby shifting my body organs around b/c sometimes when I get up I feel like I can't stand up straight. jaja

And the other biggest change is my stupid hernia...what a pain in my butt. The worst part is that it is my fault...trying to move a friend's classroom was not a smart idea. Although I don't know for sure if this is what caused it...it really doesn't matter at this point. Now, I have to be very careful....so Joao is picking up a lot of slack for me! What a great man!

FYI: baby is just over a pound! Holy cow, right? I can't believe we only have 16 weeks left! YIKES!

Week 22!

Baby and I have been connecting since papá is away in Rwanda. I have been trying to calculate when baby is kicking but it's not quite on a schedule yet. Sleep is starting to stink...I have to sleep on my sides...no more tummy sleep! :(

20 weeks...DONE!

1/2 way there!

So- I am officially done with 1/2 of the pregnancy...super exciting...and kinda sad to think that 1/2 of it just flew by so fast! I feel really good right now!

On Monday, January 3rd, I had my last ultra sound to check the anatomy of the baby. Again, it was so amazing to see this life inside me. The lady said we have a VERY active baby. She had asked if I had felt any movement yet, and I said 'no'. She told me that as soon as I did it would be all the time b/c how much baby was moving already! :)

I was really sad that Joao was not with me b/c I knew this was probably the last time we would see baby. That morning, Joao left for Rwanda. :(

Anyhow, that day I went home feeling really good (like I always do after an ultra sound) and decided to go for a run. When I came home I ate some food and then chilled on the couch. That was the first time I felt the "POP". It was like I had just eaten some street tacos in Mexico and my stomach was not loving the aftermath. I was kinda not sure what was going on....and then I realized....I was feeling my baby! OMG! Words cannot describe it!

I just sat alone on the couch, laugh and wishing I could tell Joao all about it. What a day to finally feel the baby...ironic...maybe?

Well, no worries...b/c once Joao gets home he will have a chance everyday to feel the baby b/c it is a moving fool!

I just adore the feeling b/c I feel so connected to the baby! I am trying to convince myself to start singing to the baby but I think it will never want to come out if it hears my singing voice! hahaha

Ohhhh...there it goes. It loves to move at night and when I am sitting down. Well, I am going to end with this...it seems like the right spot. Next post will come soon again!