35 weeks

Hello 35 weeks, you would think that not so much could change in only a matter of a week but they definitely can. I need to start getting use to this because I'm sure any parent can attest to that having little ones can be a not only a week by week change but daily or even hourly changes. When I went into see my Dr. last Friday for my regular check up. Overall it went very well, however she did surprise me and shake things up a bit by letting me know that she would like me out on maternity leave by the end of the month. There is no medical emergency why she would like to take me out, but she just feels that it would be best for my continued health as well as prepping for baby Isaac's arrival. It is not like a have a stressful job and I am already down to 30hrs per week, but I am listening to whatever the Dr. says. I guess you could say that the news is somewhat bittersweet. Bittersweet in that I was planning to work up until a week before my estimated due date, but I am flexible and maybe if this little guy comes earlier than expected this will work out for me. I have really been trying not to stress about all that needs to get done..even saying 'stress' is taking it a bit far. I am just the type of person that likes to be prepared and have everything ready ahead of time. That is why I feel that taking off a bit earlier than I had planned would be just what I need.

On Saturday my Sister's and Mom hosted a baby shower for me! It was awesome, it was a wonderful time to relax and enjoy the company of my family and friends. A shower sounds like a corny word, but it is really how you feel. You feel completely showered with love, just unpacking all the gifts and setting stuff up Eddie and I counted our many many blessings on how much support and love we have received from our family and friends. I do have to admit getting all of Isaac stuff ready is fun! At times it has proved to make me pretty tired but overall I have been having lot and lots of fun preparing for our little guy.

More baby Isaac news, they say that it is hard to really be sure or know..but I 95% sure that my little guy has "dropped". When the Dr. measured me she mentioned that I was measuring a little small, but that could mean that he is tilted in there or that he had begun to drop. Well, a couple of days after that when looking at my big ol' belly it looked a bit lower. There is definitely a lighter feeling in my belly and my heartburn had subsided. And according to my Baby Center info those are two key factors. This doesn't have me thinking that he is coming right away or anything, there was also the added disclaimer that babies can drop weeks before they are due.

Things to look forward to this week: Another Dr's appointment on Monday, possibly my last week of work before maternity leave, more reading on labor and breastfeeding.

34 weeks, it's the final count down

Hooray for 34 weeks! This is a week that I have very much been anticipating and looking forward to. Why? Because I can officially say a big GOOD-BYE to preterm labor. Now should our little man decide to make and earlier than expected arrival his has developed enough to be taken out of the 'high risk' or preterm zone. That just sounds so very very great to say, in everything letting go of my anxiety about this has been a constant test of my faith. I 100% trust that God is the one in control and when these insecurities start to penetrate I have to choose with everything that is in me to press stop. It really has been a constant battle that at times I have questioned giving up and giving in...but when I talk to God about it I again and again feel an overwhelming peace. God is constantly reminding me of his grace in that way. Now with all this talk about the potential about Isaac arriving early I am reminded of a prefect saying that my Mom told me when we were trying to conceive, "God's timing is prefect. He is never late and he is never early, he is ALWAYS on time".  This brings me back to knowing that there is definitely the potential of Isaac holding out until 41 weeks! I don't want to focus solely on the fact that his arrival may be early, I also want to keep in mind that he might decide that he is comfortable where he is for another 7 weeks or so. But overall....I just come back to know that what I think is early or late is irrelevant, God will have him come right on time.

I had a little chuckle this morning when reading the 34 weeks email from Baby Center. They like to compare the size of baby to fruit and veggies. This week he is the size of cantaloupe, for those that know me well you know how much I love my cantaloupe so this just made me chuckle to think of Isaac as a cantaloupe! I am enjoying this final count down in weeks. Even though there I am feeling like a rotisserie chicken turning during the night coupled with the constant bathroom visited (sometimes almost hourly..tmi) I still have energy and the swelling is really not bad at all. I am dare I say it...enjoying pregnancy. I would not be one so bold to say that I am loving pregnancy because that would make me a liar, but I have really enjoyed the 2nd and even much more so the 3rd trimester. Now coming into the final countdown as I like to refer to it I am just excited and happy for all that is to come, and feeling very blessed that I have had no major complications thus far. Labor is still on my mind pretty much everyday in one way or another. As well as I have to keep reminding myself to slow down...not literally like walking slow or driving slow, more like not trying to be so active and on the go.

Something different at the Tostado home this week is that Eddie is away at a conference...in Vegas!! A part of me was a bit worried with the "what if I go into labor" while his is gone but on the other hand I am really glad that he gets to get away and have some more down time before Isaac's arrival. He is only going to be gone for a couple of days but we sure do miss him already. Being at home alone has its perks of course and I am staying busy getting Issac stuff in order. I just got the stroller and baby carrier out of the box and put together and it is awesome. We got the Chicco KeyFit 30. After checking and comparing around I finally decided on this stroller and without Isaac here to test it out I am already very impressed. It has all the features that I wanted and probably some more that I will find and I can't wait to start using it. A BIG thanks to my wonderful sis-in-law Melissa and my Mother-in-law for getting it for us :)

Things to look forward to this week: Eddie (Daddy) coming home, over the weekend my Mom and sister's are hosting a baby shower for us! I am super super excited and can't wait. I know that it is going to be lots of fun mixed with great company, and a visit to the Dr to check on Isaac's progress....stay tuned!!

33 Weeks and Daddy is turning 33

Week 33 has arrived! With it being summer we are sure staying busy all the way around. What a blessing it has been to have so much time with friends and family. We celebrated with a baby shower hosted by the Tostado's, 4th of July BBQ at the Cornelio's, and a trip to the county fair. Not that once Isaac is here we will become hermits that never go out, but I know we have been taking full advantage of spending time out while Isaac is still safely cooking in the oven. With Isaac's arrival is getting closer and closer and I am more than elated to report that our health has continued to remain stable and the only contractions that I have been feeling are random Braxton Hicks. It is going to be Eddie 33rd birthday this Saturday, and we are celebrating 33 week as well...it just seems so fitting.

The shower hosted by the Tostado family was perfect in many ways. It was such a great time to get all the family together to just relax and enjoy food, drinks, and great company. We even got the wonderful surprise of Eddie's oldest sister and brother that came all the way from SoCal! Family means so much to us both and it is was great to see our families together and what Isaac will one day be a part of. What was a small shower turned into a all day/night party!

Yummy Cake!! From Vienna Bakery

Daddy, Cousin Belley, & Mommy 

The 4th of July has always shared a special place in both our hearts. This year marked the 8 year anniversary of when we met. Of course I am sure that being pregnant my emotions are running more fluidly (aka I get 'choked' up easy) but, I can't help but think back on all that we have been through together in these years and it just makes me get teary to know that we are just at the begging of starting our own little family. Eddie is truly my best friend, and more that I could of ever dreamed for in a husband in many ways. Now that we have an official anniversary (our wedding day) we still acknowledge our special day but we don't exchange gifts or do a fancy dinner we just like to enjoying the day and spending time together.

Last night Isaac and I went out to the fair with my parents, Belle, and AJ. This was another one of those take advantage of Issac being in the oven. I have not been pushing myself to do all these things but I have the energy and I am not on bed rest so I feel that I want to do these things. Making memories with AJ and Belle has been something that has always been really important to me. Seeing how much they have grown over the years just shows me how fast the time does fly with kids. They had a blast, and of course Papa spoiled them the entire night. It was fun to do the kid things at the fair with them, they got to see the show rabbits, model trains,  and cowboy stations. We then enjoyed some Izzy's BBQ and had squeezed lemonade and headed on over to the kids rides. Their little faces just beamed with excitement from the lights and carnival noises.

Riding in the pasture

Belley milking the cow

AJ the farmer

Enjoying the kids rides

 Family is something that is precious and means so much to both Eddie and I. This past week spending so much time with our families has really taught me many things. I thank God that we are blessed to have both our parents in our lives, our bothers and sister to learn from, and our little nieces and nephews that continue to grow and amaze us every time we get together. All I can say is that Isaac is going one lucky kiddo. He had so many people just waiting for his arrival, and can't wait to welcome him into our lives.

Things to look forward to this week: It is going to be Eddie 33rd birthday this Saturday, and we are celebrating 33 week as well...it just seems so fitting. Getting all the baby clothes washed and organized, and a baby shower for our friends the Angulo's.