Introducing...

 My Nephew

 

 Emmett John Harkes

Born: July 19th -10:02am

Weight: 8lbs 1oz

Length: 21.25 inches

 

Mom, dad, and baby are all doing wonderfully!

 

 So happy I got to snuggle him! Aunt Ren thinks he is the cutest. I can't wait for him to meet his cousin! Just four days til my due date!

Proud Grandma!

Congratulations Alisha and Andrew!

Birth Plan

With my impending labor just days away, I was sure at this point in my pregnancy I would be a mess of nerves. Quite the contrary actually. I am relaxed and oddly excited. Maybe not excited for the pain, but for the outcome. It outweighs all else. :)

After much research and taking in my own personal beliefs, I have decided I want the birth of my son to be as natural as possible. Now I am well aware labor and delivery does NOT typically go as planned, and I am also prepared for the unknown and a change of course if medically necessary. However, at this moment in time I am planning a natural drug free labor. I said it, no epidural. I can do it. I can do it. I can do it. Let's see how brave I am in the moment! ;)

I have been doing a few things to help prep my body for labor... 

1) Walking: I walk daily. Last week I walked 17 miles total! 
2) Birthing Ball: I've been practicing some fancy moves on my birthing ball while watching TV. Husband probably thinks I look ridiculous, but won't admit it. Dave Dog is terrified of the ball and won't even get near me!
3) Good Eats: Trying to eat small clean meals throughout the day to keep my blood sugar level!
4) Sleep: Getting 7-8 hours a night so I am well rested and energized!

I hope all of this helps! Other tips and natural labor inducing advice is welcome :)

How far along? 38 weeks!!!! :)

Total weight gain: 12 lbs

Maternity clothes: My maternity clothes are barely fitting. A sign I'm near the end! 
Stretch marks? None :)
Sleep: Not the greatest but I can still find a few comfortable positions.
Best moment this week: My sister hitting 40 weeks! Can't wait to meet my nephew. Any day now!!
Miss anything? Quite a few things yes, but it's all been worth it.
Movement: There are limbs everywhere! 
Food cravings: I NEEDED a chocolate chip cookie the other day and that craving was quickly satisfied. I have a good husband ;)
Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope!
Symptoms: I've just been moving very slow and steady. 
Labor Signs: Frequent Braxton Hicks contractions. So frequent I called the Dr about them one night thinking it could be pre-term labor. False alarm...but still getting them regularly!
Belly button in or out? Out! I wonder if it will go back in? 
Wedding rings on or off? On...but after my 2 to 4 mile walks outside in the heat, they will NOT come off. So swollen! 
Happy or moody most of the time: Happy mommy
Looking forward to: Just meeting my little man!! C'mon baby!

Full Term

Full term. Full term. Full term. I just love the sound of that! To me it means my baby is now safe. Ahh, he's safe. <3

I remember it like it was yesterday - no - an hour ago - seeing those two pink lines for the first time. My emotions went from defeat and sorrow to pure existential bliss. There was no way I was stopping the tears, or wiping that smile off my face. It's not a secret that Dan and I had trouble conceiving. I wasn't sure if we would ever be able to have a biological child - and this thought consumed me, but more than that, it crushed me. I will never forget those long wearing months of uncertainty and frustration, and I feel for anyone in a common situation. It is tough - be sensitive. You never know who may be going through it.

So here I sit, full term and just 3 weeks from my due date, with a BABY growing and twisting inside my belly. It still feels surreal at times. I haven't seen him yet, how does anyone really KNOW there is a baby in there? Maybe they put false ultrasound photos up on the screen to trick me - maybe I just went to Qdoba too many times. Seriously, these are REAL thoughts! I am going to be a MESS when I see my sons face for the first time. I will melt all over the hospital floor and they'll have to mop me up.

This whole experience has been a wave of emotions, but I wouldn't change where I am at in my life for anything. Many women are left to raise their children alone, whatever the situation. I am so fortunate to have a husband that's respectful, patient, selfless, loving, generous, and committed. He's SO excited to be a father, and that makes me even more excited to be a mother - and a family. I feel grateful to have such a wonderful man to raise children with. Yes children. We want two little nuggets!

So c'mon nugget number one, we are waiting patiently to kiss those cheeks. :)