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April 8, 2015

Pregnancy Updates


Hey ya'll! 
Thank you for all of your comments and emails making sure I was okay. 

I've had a hectic few weeks and have been wanting to update you on things, but really just needed some time for things to calm down first.







As many of you know, this hasn't been an easy pregnancy for me. I had horrible all day morning sickness for the first 15 weeks. 
And it didn't stop there.

For the past three months (since about week 17), I've been fighting off preterm labor and I haven't been able to do much other than lay on my couch. Weekly doctor visits, nonstop tests, and multiple trips to the hospital...it's been the hardest few months of my life. But, I've tried to stay positive, not complain too much, and not get too sad about all the stuff I can't do.

There have been a few weeks where I've just cried and cried and basically been a blob of tears, and then there are weeks where I do okay and am able to handle whatever is thrown at me. It varies widely.
 So hug Jesse if you see him.

The good news is that baby is healthy and so am I. My cervix, although stable so far, is extremely short and a constant concern for my doctor
 (I never thought the day would come when I would have to utter the word 'cervix' on my blog. You're welcome.). This causes me to experience A LOT of Braxton Hicks contractions, and to feel like I can't be on my feet for longer than 10-20 minutes. But, nonetheless, we are marching on, baby and I, and we are determined to make it as far as we can.

I am currently 29 weeks, and with each passing day, I celebrate another victory. I can't even begin to tell you how far away 29 weeks seemed when this all started happening around week 17. 

So, none of this is ideal, and it's definitely not the pregnancy I had envisioned...the one complete with baby showers and maternity photos and assembling a beautiful nursery (you know, all of the superficial yet fun stuff everyone looks forward to). It's been more of a 7 month long panic attack filled with barf and tears. But this is life, and sometimes life has a way of giving us what we need rather than what we want. So, as I always try to do when having a hard time, I've been thinking a lot about what this experience is trying to teach me. 

And in this instance, I know that life was telling me not to take a single thing for granted. And so when I look around, rather than seeing all of the things that have gone wrong, I see how much my love for Jesse has grown with each passing day (as he takes every burden he can off my shoulders and continues to show me unconditional love despite my moodiness and week long stints of wearing the same maxi dress), and most of all, I see how absolutely thankful I am to be continuing on with a healthy pregnancy.

Who can complain, really.


So, that's what's been going on.
 My sincerest apologies for being a little sporadic with the blog posts these days. We finally finished the majority of our basement last weekend (Well, Jesse did.) and have actually been living down there, as we decided upon some last minute renovations to the upstairs before the baby comes. And yes, I'm a crazy person. I hope to be able to share all of this with you guys over the course of the next month or two, but I won't make any promises, as things are a little hectic and hard to predict. Plus, I just move a little slower than usual right now.

Thank you guys so much for being here and for your patience with me as I get through the next little while. 
Tootie and I will basically be doing this until the end of June:




'Til next time!




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49 comments:

  1. Been thinking about you a lot. Sorry to hear about your difficulties, but glad to hear that you and the baby are doing OK. Very best wishes - now go and have another lie down!! xx

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  2. Hey Lady, I feel your pain. Pregnancy is really hard for me, too. And bed rest seems like a great thing when you don't have to be on it but it is mentally hard to lay down all day everyday. I have had similiar pregnancies as to the one you are having. I have had four children. All with preterm labor. One thing it taught me was I had no control over my body holding a baby in until the due date. The last pregnancy, I went to a healing mass at a Catholic Basilica. The Priest did a blessing on me and the baby and my preterm labor stopped until he was born at 37 weeks. I hope that your baby stays put for several more weeks.

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    1. Hi Amber! I'm so sorry to hear you struggled with difficult pregnancies, too. But happy to hear things turned out well! It definitely is VERY mentally hard to have to lay around all the time, but I know it's only temporary. Hugs to you!

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  3. Praying for you and baby LLDIY! -- I'm so sorry to hear it has been such a rough pregnancy. -- You still look beautiful though! :)

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  4. Here comes love and a hug from Portugal! I'm a midwife and a DIY amateur. Love your blog.

    Sara

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  5. At 36 weeks with our first, I am very familiar with needing to do ALL OF THE THINGS and feeling extremely unprepared for parenthood because ALL OF THE THINGS are not done. My sweet husband keeps reminding me that it's impossible to be fully prepared, which is completely true and logical, and I nod and agree as my swollen ankles and I continue trying to figure out how to accomplish everything because "logic" is not one of my favorite things right now :) Hope the rest of your pregnancy is uneventful!

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    1. Thank you, Kim! Congratulations on your first!

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  6. So refreshing to hear how positive you are throughout a trying pregnancy. At least baby and mom are healthy. This too shall pass...

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    1. Thank you Angelica! That's kinda my mantra right now! :)

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  7. Hold on Virginia :) Kisses from France

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  8. Hang in there momma! Motherhood is the most rewarding feeling, and I know all the barf and tears will be all worth it. I am pregnant too, and this pregnancy isn't as easy as my first. My daughter is now 8 years old, and so pregnancy feels new to me all over again. Take care and stay positive!! Aloha!

    Danielle
    HangLooseWahine.com

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Danielle! Congrats on your second! xo

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  9. You can do it, you can do it, you can do it!! Cheering you on from afar!

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  10. Virginia, I'm pretty sure I speak for all of us when I say that we just super love you and this is one of the few moments of your life where you are allowed to spoil yourself rotten. You are growing a whole tiny human in there and it's an amazing thing. I barfed every day with both of my kids to the point that I sobbed into the toilet at my 7th month about how i just didn't want to throw up anymore, and THAT is enough on it's own--I can't imagine going through all the other stress you have too. Plus doing all the "mundane" pre-baby stuff is so fun, so of course there are going to be tears!! Its sucky to feel kind of cheated out of the prep time--but just remember there is NO time limit to having things "done". The only thing you HAVE to do is a parent is love your child unconditionally and you and Jessie already do that, so you're already there. All that other stuff will get finished when you're feeling better, because trust me--you WILL feel better almost instantly--both mentally and physically as soon as your beautiful daughter is welcomed into the world. I promise. Aka, no more barfing and almost all happy tears for the most part going forward. Lastly, I'm convinced that maxi dresses are the awesome girl solution to being able to wear comfortable p.j. like clothing out of the house without the scrutiny of wearing p.j.'s out in public cause they are the best kind of dresses in the world! :) Lots of love and hugs to all three of you.
    --S

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    1. That seriously brought tears to my eyes!!!!! Thank you so, so, so much. And yes, maxi dresses truly are the best invention everrrrrrr. :)

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    2. Absolutely they are! <3 ;)

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  11. I've decided not to comment several times, but I just can't help it. I am SOOOO sorry to hear this. And I love that your post comes off so positive, but I know how seriously drowning this can be. 9 months is a freaking long time to be deathly ill and then on bedrest (I know, I did both too!), especially since you get your kicks from creativity. No one really understands either unless they've experienced it and it just frustrates me that you've had both - one or the other is hard enough! Anyway, I'm on baby 2 and will start going for my lovely "special" ultrasounds to check cervical length too and I'm hopeful but freaked out at the same time. You aren't alone in all of this!! I hope you have someone you can just spill to when you need it. And here's to hoping that baby stays put. ;-)

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    1. Thank you for taking the time to comment, Lisa! It definitely helps to hear from others who have experienced something similar....although I'm SO sorry you have to go through it, too!! And yes, those 'special' ultrasounds really are SO special. Nothing like being awkwardly probed once a week! Small price to pay though. Congrats on baby #2!! :)

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  12. Hang in there, V. Sending lots of love your way! xoxox

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  13. Hope you are feeling better every day. Just think, you and Princess Kate have a lot in common. I'm sure she had similar thoughts when her head was in the loo!

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  14. So sorry to hear that you've been ill :( Hang in there, it will all be worth it as soon as your beautiful baby is in your arms :) Sending thoughts and prayers <3

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  15. Listen girl, don't you apologize. You have absolutely nothing to apologize for. You take care of yourself, the sweet little life growing in you and get all the rest you need. Just do what the doctor orders. Rest with those fur-angels and you know your husband loves you and wants to do for you. We will all be here whenever you feel like blogging and in the mean time you are in my thoughts and prayers. Love your blog whenever you feel like writing it.

    A big fan!

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  16. Hang on! And stay positive! Sending happy and good thoughts from agar!!!

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  17. Sweet Virginia, rest comfortably in the knowledge that you are doing everything you possibly can (all of the right things) to ensure a healthy pregnancy for you and your baby. I'm sure with everything you have been through, 29 weeks seems like 58 weeks. I had our second baby at 34 weeks. He was a tiny little man and had to stay in the hospital until he fattened up a bit, but he grew to be a happy, healthy baby and is now a Daddy with a toddler and a baby of his own.
    Don't fret about not being able to do all of the preparation you think is needed to bring your sweet baby home. I was 21 years old when our 1st baby was born. (Yes, my husband and I were young and in love and just couldn't WAIT to get married while I was still in college and (whoops! we got a baby too). I was involved with school and still very immature. When our Lauren Ashley was born, we had not even set the crib up in her room! I had baby shower gifts stashed in the closet and no idea what I had or didn't have. You know what? She didn't know she was supposed to have a finished nursery with all of the accessories. We set up a small portable crib in our room and she was perfectly happy in her innocence. After a couple of weeks, my husband and I shopped and worked in her little nursery and had great fun doing the prep work; post baby.
    All you have to do is rest and you will be surprised how fast these next few weeks will go. All of the stress and worry will disappear on "go" day, whenever it arrives. I will hold you and your precious package in prayer.

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  18. Dear Virginia, keep strong! I have went through the same first-the-hardest-three-months, laying down in bed whole day long, crying and crying, and crying. Now my daughter is 2,5 years old and I am happy having her.
    God bless you! Everything going to be PERFECT!

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  19. Well you look beautiful and I hope everything works out well. My daughter is 26 weeks pregnant so I'm right there with you. God bless.

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  20. Bless you, Virginia, Baby, and Jesse. Happy thoughts to you and those who love you.

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  21. I usually just read along without commenting but I just wanted to say best of luck to your little growing family! I can't wait to hear about your little baby in a few months and I know that if anyone can get through a rough pregnancy you can :).

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    1. Thank you for the vote of confidence, Marie! :)

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  22. Wow girl,
    That's a rough hand to be dealt with your first pregnancy. One day when you're staring at you're beautiful little girl, it will be but a distant memory. I will be praying for you and your sweet little one. Hang in there!

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  23. Hi Virginia
    I'm sending lots of prayers, good wishes and healthy thoughts to you and your unborn baby. It is really rotten luck you are having but I can vouch that it is so worth every rubbish day you are having. Best wishes, keep your feet up and your beautiful smile and spirit fed with what you need. Mainly hugs and feet/back rubs from hubby.
    Love Gemma x

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  24. I've been checking here constantly for updates. So happy to know you're at least semi-okay and that you and baby are happy! Sending love (and excitement!) to you guys :)

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  25. Virginia,
    As the Good Book says, "It came to pass." It didn't come to stay. All the craziness will soon be erased when pregnancy amnesia kicks in.

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  26. I'm glad to hear that you are resting and taking some time for yourself - even if it's mandated. I had a rough first pregnancy and remember going into see my boss after being late to work for the 30th time to let her know I was pregnant, even though it was earlier than I wanted to announce, and her saying, "Oh thank God because I thought you were dying!" I guess that put some perspective to it. I was hospitalized with dehydration for a week, had to go in to the ER several times for dehydration and after 6.5 months of constant morning sickness I had 3 months of nonstop indigestion. It was miserable. Pregnancy is hard and I think sometimes the first pregnancy is the hardest because we don't have any idea what to expect and just think it'll be easy and similar to what we see in the movies. We forget that it isn't glamourous. I'm currently toward the end of my first trimester for my 3rd pregnancy and believe me every pregnancy is different. With this one I only have morning sickness for an hour or two in the morning and as long as I eat regularly I'm usually fine. And with this one the indigestion has started nice and early... gotta love it! I hope we hear more updates from you - just to let us know you're ok. Hoping you can keep that precious baby in for at least a few more weeks. Good luck!

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  27. Heart breaking as I remember similar days during my own pregnancies. All were none stop vomit fests from the date of conception (I literally didn't need a test as I would wake up the morning after, barfing away) until delivery....as in the last minute before too since I even vomitted INSIDE the delivery room before the birth. Anyway, my point (which really isn't to see how many ways I can use barf in a sentence) is that any unpleasantness will all be forgotten once they hand over that sweet baby. In fact, after the first few months of teething and such, you'll probably start looking back on this time of rest with envy and longing....i know I did, lol. So hang in there and know you have lots of prayers and warm wishes heading your way!

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  28. You are amazing and inspirational woman, take this time to get some much needed rest for your mind, body and soul. Take care of you and your precious baby and husband. We all understand. Sending you positive thoughts and strength!

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  29. So good to see your post! You continue to inspire!

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Thanks so much for leaving a comment!! I do the hammer dance every time I read one.

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