Thieving

I stole this form below from a couple of other blm's - I admit it, I'm a thief.  Here goes, anyway!

How far along?  29 weeks 4 days


Maternity clothes?  Almost exclusively.  Since I'm at home about 99.9% of the time, I wear a lot of oversized shirts I own and maternity yoga pants, but I have preggo jeans and tops that I wear to the doctor and stuff.

Stretch marks?  So far, only down by my hips, where the swelling of my belly starts - and they're not that bad (knock on wood).

Sleep?  Ugh - not great, usually.  My OB has had me on Ambien since I had Maddie (it's safe for pregnancy), so I get a couple of hours right away, then get up to pee, then get a little bit more, then have to rotate due to really bad hip pain, maybe get another half hour, then get up to pee, then repeat the whole process.  I wake up really early, too.

Best moment this week?  In the past week, there were two.  One was seeing Baby A on the ultrasound - she's just so precious that it takes my breath away.  The second was on Saturday night, before Mother's Day - I took Maddie's urn and went up the stairs, as I do every night at bedtime.  I was putting her urn on the dresser where she sits at night, and found the card that my husband had left me.  I opened it up to the most sincere and sweet words I've ever read.  I was also so very touched to receive Mother's Day cards from my mother-in-law and the amazing Fishsticks & Fireflies.  (Have I mentioned that she's one of the sweetest people ever?)

Worst moment?  I don't want to even think about this, as it's not productive.  I'm sure it was during one of the many contractions when I was panicked that something was wrong.
Movement?  I'm not sure she ever stops when she's awake!  I do my kick counting, and she usually passes within about 3 min., sometimes up to 13 min. or so.  I think she probably moves somewhere between 20 - 40 times an hour (depending on the hour), and I love it!

Food cravings?  My cravings have slowed down a little bit.  I purposely eat a ton of fruit when I crave sweet things.  I would really like some fried dill pickles from a specific restaurant, and I keep going through a curry thing (JTD got me some about a week ago, which helped), but that's about it.

Gender?  This baby is definitely all girl, based off of all of the ultrasounds.  If not, we have a lot of pink stuff to return.

What I miss?  Just being active, and human interaction.  I miss it, but not so much that I'm willing to put Jota in any kind of danger for it.  (I obviously miss Maddie every moment, but I don't think this question is asking that.)

What I look forward to?  The obvious!  Having her here with us, being able to hold her and take care of her.  In the short term, I look forward to my OB appt tomorrow (just a manual cervical check), and then we get another full ultrasound next Tuesday!

Milestones:  Every day is a milestone!  I'm just so grateful that God, the doctors, and medicine have allowed us this opportunity.  I think about all of the medical marvels that have gone into this pregnancy - the intricacies of IVF and FET, the simplicity yet preciseness of the cerclage, the whole wonder that there is such a thing as a C-section.  This certainly hasn't been a "natural" pregnancy by any stretch of the imagination (in fact, I can't really imagine how we could have required more medical intervention), but every step is a gift.
Emotions:  Well, I'm terrified still by each contraction and cramp (and sad when each makes me think of Maddie), but it doesn't do any good to complain about it (other than putting others in an awkward spot when they're forced to give pity).  I am also filled with wonder at the blessings we've been given - I mean, I'll be 30 weeks on Saturday with our little miracle baby!  It's so amazing and shocking!  Every day this little girl gets bigger and stronger, and I'm just so blessed to be a part of that process.