On the down slope to 5

Yep, its officially I am in my last month of this pregnancy. CAN I GET A WOOT WOOT? I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ready to be done. This pregnancy has been one I do not want to repeat. Although, I will say I won't complain too much about the throwing up and nausea -- because at least I wasn't in the hospital every week for it getting IV's. But the back issues--- heck no don't ever want to deal with this again. This pregnancy has been very hard. I was sick during the hottest months--- when we were always out boating and wanting to go camping and doing all the fun stuff I had planned but never ended up doing .. . that was a bummer. Then all the back problems kicked in. Then some trials we had over the summer --- sent me into an emotional wreck. This is definitely a pregnancy I will be glad to be over with! But I wanted to write down some things so that I don't forget.

*So far (don't tell) at 35 weeks I have gained 29 lbs. YEP NOT EXCITED ABOUT THAT ONE! I am REALLY REALLY hoping that I keep it UNDER 35 by delivery. But Christmas candy is getting the best of me . . .unfortunately. I threw up tons my 1st and half of my 2nd trimester and the last half and 3rd has been just occasionally. For a while it was like 1-2 times a week now its just sporadic if I eat something that I know I shouldn't have --- like ice cream or mac and cheese those are no no's.

*I had MANY stages of obsession with certain foods. At first I wanted Sub Sandwiches. So everyday I went to different places to find my favorite sandwich. I started at Subway, Safeway Deli, Great Harvest, The Sandwich Shoppe, and then Jimmy Johns. It was an expensive month that month! :) Conclusion--- none of them hit the target but the Sandwich Shoppe is always fabulous pregnant or not! Next was cheeseburgers. First I had an OBSESSION for Wendy's Cheeseburger Deluxes (the .99 cent ones) . . . yeah it was an everyday thing. Lunch-- dinner--- late night snack that I'd make Cory go get me. Then I happened to go to Carls Jr for the kids before a swim lesson . . . and their cheeseburger was DIVINE to me. So every day after that it switched to Carls Jr. After a while of eating all these cheeseburgers and getting sick of throwing them up because of the grease I suddenly hated them. lol Funny how that works. The next phase was Watermelon Laffy Taffy's and Hawaiian Punch. Cory would have to run to the gas station randomly cuz I want one . . . and the Hawaiian Punch I just bought by the liter and downed them. Sometimes mixed with a little OJ to mix it up a bit. Then for a brief time it was Peach Smoothies from the coffee shop by our house--- but I never bought enough to get sick of them. STILL LOVE THEM! At some point I was OBSESSED with Toffee. So Cory would go buy a few Heath/Skor bars to tame my cravings . . .but that didn't last too long because the chocolate started giving me heartburn. The last two and are my current have lasted the LONGEST. Every morning and every night I'd make (and still do most the time) a mug of hot chocolate with cream in it and buttered toast to dip it in. YUM! It's odd because if I was feeling sick I'd go make my nightly regimen of toast and hot cocoa and feel better. And not all I am obsessed with is chewing ice. It has taken place of my nightly routine of hot chocolate but only because the crunch of the ice I am loving. Which is a better thing for me . . . more fluids to keep my contractions down although it does mean A LOT more trips (I get up at least 5 times in the night) to go to the bathroom. Thats all I can think of now.

*I have had two full on episodes with my back-- as explained in previous posts. One that lasted for around 6 weeks because of the lack of urgency on the doctors part to do anything about it. The second one lasted about 2 weeks to be fully functioning again. Both times were treated with Lortabs/Percicet/Steroid and a muscle relaxer. The second one was a faster recovery because I started the pills the day after the flare up. The last one I didn't get any medications until week 3 I believe and that was because I went into the ER. So the recovery was very long because of how long I went without help.

*I have had Braxton Hicks early on--- can't remember when they started for sure but it was pretty early.
* I have not have too much swelling (only a couple days)
* I have been SO exhausted. I was so tired all the time a couple weeks ago -- that I slept all day literally and when I would get up or even try and hold something-- I felt like it was taking all of my energy and it made me more tired. Asked my doctor and tested for anemia. Which was positive. I have been trying to remember to take my pills-- but am SO forgetful too so hopefully that gets better. Already I have felt a little better than before but I still have to try and get a nap in during the day.

Because of all of my back problems the doctor and I were discussing different ways or better ways to deliver to try and not bring on another one of my episodes. We talked about C section but we both agreed that would be terrible to have a weak abdomen and a bad back . . . especially if it went out on me. I'd have no support down there. Then we decided to do a method I can't remember what he called it . . . where he makes sure I get a very high dose epidural so that the baby makes its way naturally down without me having to push until she is crowning. He thinks and as do I this will be the best way to prevent so much pressure being on my disc that is herniated right now. As we were discussing this I also mentioned to him that I wanted to figure out the date he'd induce me (he told me early on he'd do it at 39 wks like all other doctors usually will).. then he started talking about how he thinks I need to do it sooner because of all of the recent episodes I have had. The problem is the medicines I have to take to get back to walking again are VERY dangerous for baby and I have already had to be on them for extended periods of time. He said he would rather me get baby out then go through another round of meds if something happens. My last episode was caused by me coughing and it through my back out-- that is how fragile it is right now. So he set up to do an amniocentesis at 37 wks on Friday to check baby's lung maturity and it the levels are good we will induce on Monday. I went in wanting a date set at 39 wks and came out with one at 37 wks. I am a bit freaked out about the whole thing especially the amnio but I feel like the Dr. knows what he is saying as for me all I have ever said was what if something happens and I am not walking when I go into labor . . . it would be so awful. So as of now we are planning on having our baby on January 9th. . if goes as planned. I am currently 35 weeks and next week I have another ultrasound to makes sure everything is ok and to check the fluids . . . I cannot believe in 2 weeks I will probably have a new bundle in my arms. Araleigh is so excited she can't stand it ---- she knows that Christmas is first then the baby. That is how our countdown has gone for her. Well, Christmas is in 2 days --- then the real count down begins! I just hope everything goes as planned and my mom can make it here to help. I HATE HATE HATE self pictures but I do have one and will get one up here soon . . . . I hate seeing my as a blob trying to pose--- but for records sake for me I want to remember how fat I got so next time I can compare!

Cruise to the North Pole

I was so excited to find out that my brother and my parents decided to come up for a quick trip for Todd. The kids and I love having people come visit . . . though it never happens enough. But they came up for just a quick 2 day trip. I decided that since my parents were here it was the perfect time to go the the Lake Coeur d'Alene North Pole Light Cruise. We did it last year with the Arnolds and had a great time . . . and this year I wanted my parents to be a part of it with us. We had a great time. We got there just in time
and when we got on the boat we enjoyed some hot chocolate and cookies. It was PERFECT it was not that cold --- so when we wanted to go out on the deck of the boat it wasn't a big deal. We got over to the other side of the Lake and saw Santa in his Toy Shop and his helper elf. Yep, Araleigh and Canden were BOTH on the nice list that he read. I heard her name and they said it perfectly. She I think was actually looking at another little girl standing by her so might have missed it. Either way we had a great time. My mom later that night help me make caramels and her fabulous sticky popcorn-- it was a long, sugary night but oh so good! Having her here gave me a sense of being back home with all of the busyness of the holidays that we are missing out on. It sure is going to be hard not to be with any family on Christmas this year. . . . but I have realized that the one good thing that will come of it is waking up in our own home to see the faces of our 2 beautiful children and get swallowed up in the excited of that . . being a child again through my children. I am so excited for Christmas just for this purpose . . .

Christmas Party

This year we had the Hendricks Christmas Party the weekend after Thanksgiving because we decided to stay in Washington this year. As usual the kids had a wonderful time and we had a wonderful visit from the big Santa! The kids always love it when he comes and joke around with him a lot. But this year-- Canden was so distraught all he could think about was how to cock that nerf gun so he could SHOOT Santa. He kept getting mad at Cory for not loading it as he'd say "I SHOOT SANTA DAD" it was really funny. When it came to getting the presents from Santa Canden was NOT having it---- he cried and freaked out but as long as dad was right there holding him he was semi-okay. The only time I got a good picture was when I yelled for Canden to say cheese-- he quickly stopped crying, looked at the camera --- and did his "wink" face and yelled cheese. I got the picture then he proceeded to get upset again. It was pretty funny.

Its weird thinking that this will be our first Christmas all by ourselves. No family here. Kind of a really sad thought on my end. For me its worth the travel--- but with the baby so close and the roads I just don't want to risk anything going wrong.

Gotta get back in the game. . .

I have realized by my slacking on blogging of how much I am missing out on and forgetting. So I am going to try and do better. Key word "try."

The past month has yet to be another trying one. . after my last episode with my back I have been taking it super careful. With the baby weight coming like crazy my back is under alot of strain. Well, a few weeks ago I was really sore and trying to be careful. I went into the chiropractor to get some therapy and adjustment and thought everything was great. Well, I had been just laying in bed for a few days trying to keep everything in check and went to get a glass of water . . . started having a cough attack which I naturally hunched over and I felt the swelling. I hit the ground so fast and hard and couldn't move. It was so painful.. So I immediately got on the phone with my OB to get steroids asap. Well, he wasn't in that day so I endured til the next day. I got some steroids and pain meds and luckily got them early enough to start the healing process sooner than later. I wasn't walking again at all by myself for I think it was a week and a half and have been trying to recover ever since. I discussed with my doctor trying to come up with a birth plan that will keep the risk of me not walking out of the hospital low. Right now we are talking about a C-Section or another method he knows--- which to me is just a high dose epidural and something about making it so I do little or no pushing because that is where the pressure will happen on my spine. We will see what happens. (**UPDATE** I have talked it over with my Dr. and we have opted to try a regular delivery because of the fear of having the abdominal muscles compromised as well as my back-- which would be terrible. So he has decided to do an amnio at 37 wks and if baby is ready he will induce me the next day.)

I turned 27 this month. I FEEL OLD. I think I am the oldest 27 year old there is because of all my disabilities lately! Cory thinks I will be in a wheel chair by 40. I certainly hope not. This month we also were switched out of our church ward. This has been very difficult for me. I loved our ward. I am sure this one will be fine . . .it just seems a little less friendly and different. Time will tell. Cory and I have been having some really big issues with his job as well. I have never seen him so unhappy. It is hard for me because when there is a paycheck--- and its a good paycheck you want to do whatever you can to keep the job. But lately it has just been so horrible that I am questioning whether it is worth it . . . . and he knows its not. So that has been a battle . . . Cory has also found the school he wants to start back up at. Hopefully it is the correct path for him. I am just praying that things start back on the up ward path. We have been through so much this year that I am not sure of all the things we were suppose to learn from them.

For Thanksgiving we went up to Sugar. We left the weekend before and got to meet our new nephew Ammon. Araleigh was addicted to the little guy. Everywhere Macall was --- there she was asking to hold him or feed him. She would sit there for over an hour either feeding him or holding him. Made me realize how big she is--- I know she will be a big help for me too here soon. Everyone started showing up on Tuesday/Wed . . . we had just made the decision to stay home for Christmas this year so I was really torn with how to juggle both families. We spent most of our time with the Arnold's because that is what was designated originally. On Monday Darla got us tickets to see a play at the High School that Hailey Arnold was in (she used to babysit for us.) It was so funny because it was so hot in the room that Araleigh just kept making these comments and Macall and I ended up using our programs to fan her because she just couldn't handle it anymore. By Wed everyone got to the house and then the chaos began. Parker and Canden were into everything, fighting over every toy or sippy cup and it was just wild. . . as usual! The bigger kids all seemed to play very well this go around so that was nice . . . it was just the two little hoodlums we had to keep an eye on. After we ate dinner we ended up taking off to my sister's where my family had Thanksgiving. We soon found out that Cory's cousin was headed down to wait in line at Toys R Us to start off the shopping fiasco! We ended up meeting her down there a few hours later to relieve her. I was so glad that it opened up at 9 and by the time we hit all the stores we needed to--- we were done by 2 and in bed by 3! Just enough time for me to get a few hours of sleep and then get up and do it again with the Arnold Women. I do have to say that I over did it this weekend. I ended up having consistent Braxton Hicks for the next 4 days which wasn't fun at all. I didn't get a lot of pictures-- actually NONE of the kids with the cousins-- I am not sure why my brain was in a fog on that one. But I do want write what I am most thankful for this year. Through the ups and too many downs that has happened in our lives this past year--- I am most grateful for my family and friends. I have realized that money is not a motivator and that seeing my husband unhappy is not worth it . . . I have realized that when things are truly hard and situations arise that are out of my control that family is there. No matter what -- I have felt love and support from my family and some friends when I was at my lowest and couldn't bare my trials. I felt lifted and carried through a very ugly time and am still trying to push my way through it. I am grateful for a husband that has stepped up at the most sensitive times between our trials from the summer and my health. He became the rock when I was incapable of being a wife or mother. I am grateful for my beautiful children. I ache knowing there is so much evil in this world and all I want is to KNOW that my children feel loved by me and by our Heavenly Father. What light they have brought to Cory and I . . . we never really knew a love like the love of being parents. How blessed we are --- and now to add another one to our family . . . we are grateful. And last I am always grateful for the knowledge I have in the Gospel. . . I am not perfect and don't know all that I should probably but have felt God's arms around me this year. I have felt His blessings and know that He loves me and my family . . . it gives me comfort to know that through the Atonement I will someday be able to heal from the pain that has been endured on our family and that forgiveness will come to me someday. The Lord will help me carry my burdens and bless my children with His Love. . . and I am so grateful for that. I have much to be thankful for ----everything around me is a blessing I only hope that I can learn from the hard things and concentrate on all the good in my life.