The final count down...

36 weeks and cooking

I need to post an update.. I am slacking. I had a doctor's appointment last week and it was a quick one. BP was up at my first try but then I laid down and it went drastically down. I don't know what the deal is with my BP when I get to the doctor. It's been fairly low when I check it at home. I don't know if it's nerves or what but Dr. Hahn said she isn't too concerned since it does go down when I take it easy, so she said continue to take it easy. Otherwise, Halle's heart rate was good and I am alright. I am still swelling, which is pretty :). The most annoying part of the water retention is the carpool tunnel. My right hand is now almost all numb. It started with my middle finger but is now my entire hand for the most part which just feels funny and my notes at work are pretty sloppy. ha.

Speaking of work I have 2 more weeks left until I go on leave. I was going to try to stick it out until Halle arrived but my Mom talked me into going out 2 weeks before her due date. It is getting harder, it is hard to get up and down with my little ones at work and the drive is tough in the morning after not sleeping so well. My bosses are extremely understanding and have been really helpful in helping me figure out my maternity leave schedule and what my schedule will be when I get back. Deciding on my return schedule has been the tough part. Trying to figure out working enough to survive but trying to make it so that I can spend as much time as I can afford to with our little girl.  Just like everyone says "You figure it out." The unknown is a little unsettling but it's worth it. I am a little more of a control freak then I thought I guess :).

I have a consultation appointment with the Pediatrician that we would like to use on Monday and I have my next doctor's appointment on Friday. The cervical exam on Friday should be telling! Fun times! :)

Quote...Unquote

I just found this quote and I think I am going to paint it above Halle's crib. Classic.

"Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think" Christopher Robin to Winnie the Pooh.

Thunder thighs!

We had another Dr. appointment on Friday. We got an ultrasound first to check on my placenta previa. Placenta Previa RESOLVED! Woop woop. Along with that good news we got to see Halle for the first time in 12 weeks and boy is she a chubby little girl. We confirmed that she is in fact still a girl :). The tech called her an over achiever as she is already head down. She has definitely grown since our 20 week ultrasound, we could see the little chubby on her legs. Poor little girl has no hope, she is destined to have tree stumps for legs :). Although, she may be a gymnast as she had one of her feet up by her face. "Little" might not be the right way to describe Halle as she is in the 72%tile. She is already measuring at 4.5-5lbs. If she continues at this pace and goes until May 30th she could be 8.5lbs, which is good size for a little girl. Her growth is measuring at exactly at May 20th which is super weird because for some reason that date has been stuck in my brain. I mixed up our wedding anniversary with that date and I keep perseverating on that date. I will feel extremely psychic if she arrives on that date :). Everything else is checking out good, her heart rate was good and my fluid levels are good.

On a side note, I tend to have minor mental break downs before we go in for our ultrasounds. I don't have this issue for regular appointments only ultrasounds. I get extremely anxious right before hand and cry, purely out of fear. In past ultrasounds I have been able to have these melt downs in ample time before our arrival at the doctors office, so I am able to get it together before we get there. This time I was meeting Arce at the office. I had my meltdown in the car and thought I had gotten it together. However, the minute I saw Arce in the waiting room, it started all over again, ha. This scared the crap out of everyone in the office, as if they have  never seen a crazy pregnant woman before. The tech made Arce give me a hug before I got up on the chair for the ultrasound. The nurse that always takes me into my appointments caught a glimpse of me running into the bathroom to leave my sample and she was waiting for me outside after asking if I was ok.  She got us in our room ASAP. Mind you at this time I was well over my meltdown so it just shows what a hot mess I was afterwards haha.  Anyways, I thought it was extremely nice for every one to be so concerned and also kind of comical.

My blood pressure was good again at this appointment. I have been swelling a lot this week but since my bp has returned to normal and my urine is good, it looks like it is just typical pregnancy swelling. So overall everything is good and my next appointment is in 2 weeks.

We are continuing to work on Halle's room. We have completed our CPR class, new baby care class and our hospital tour. We have our birthing class next Saturday. Each class makes it a lot more real. All in all, hoping for an uneventful last 7 weeks of pregnancy!

April Showers Bring May Flowers...

Well late March and April :). Arce and I know we are blessed with great family and friends but we continue to be amazed at the love and support those around us show for Halle. Halle had two showers!  One with family and friends in Southern California and another with friends and family in Northern California. 

Our So Cal shower was on March 26th.  It had a fun Sex in The City/beautiful flowers theme. I was amazed at the turn out and was so glad to see each and every person in attendance. It was so much fun. The food was awesome, amazing alcohol free cocktails-The Halle Berry Martini and the Baby Maker Sangria ((amazing title :) )), beautiful cake, tasty cookies,  the games were hilarious and the decor was beautiful.  Halle was literally showered with gifts. I had the best time and I am so thankful for all of the hard work of everyone who contributed to the So Cal shower!!

Here are some snap shots I stole from Dana!

     Dana's cookies were delish! Follow her dessert blog and request an amazing dessert! (Getdesserted.blogspot.com)

Some of the girls and I

If anyone else has any other pictures from the shower PLEASE send them my way and I post more :).

The Northern California shower on April 2nd was also a BLAST. It was a flurry of pinky girl decor, no one had to guess Miss Halle's gender :). The Estremera's know how to through a shower, I am pretty sure most baby shower's don't end after midnight; although, our bridal shower ended in an intense dance party, so I really shouldn't be surprised! Again we had amazing food, a super cute cake and of course the infamous Jungle Juice ((the real kind, which I did not take part in!)).  Again we had an astounding amount of guests and it was so great to see each and every one who attended. Halle was once again SHOWERED with gifts, in the most literal sense. Once again her room is full of bags and bags of gifts but my feet are too swollen to empty them :). Judy threw an amazing shower and Halle loves her Abuela so much. 

Here are a few snap shots of the Nor Cal Shower!

 The Adorable Cupcake Cake

 Sharissa won the belly measurement game!

 Arce was super excited about our shirts that he bought. His says "He shoots" Mine says "He scores", dork.

 Our mountain of gifts.

 Some of the audience.

 Janie is due July 2nd with a little girl too!

 The better shot. hahaha.

One of Arce's favorite gifts for Halle.

Thank you so much to everyone who had a hand in our showers. We had the best showers and we appreciate all of your efforts. Also, thank you for every one who came to the showers and gave Halle all of her awesome gifts!! She is one lucky girl!!