Before I went all out and told you all about the birth story of our son and share photos of him and all the juicy details, I thought I give a little punch of color and pizzaz to this part of the blog, since the last few weeks of my pregnancy were more about emotion and wanting to meet my baby than anything else. Now that he's here, we can really have some fun!
  • Based off of a inspiration room I saw online about a year ago.

  • I'm very drawn to vintage and my husband is drawn to anything that he can build himself. We compromise a lot on colors, coordination, and structure. Clean lines with a bit of whimsy.


 
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39 Weeks
It's been quite the journey... And, now-- it continues. I'm rounding a corner.
In less than 3 hours, I will be officially 40 weeks pregnant, with nothing but an even bigger bump to show for it.

I blame my silly hubby for getting my hopes up and having all of these bogus theories about me going into labor at 38 weeks or some such nonsense. He has predicted numerous days to be the day our child greets the world. But, so far, baby Ezra hasn't liked any of those options. 

My measurements have been the same for the past two weeks. 1 cm dilated, 70% effaced, and the baby's head at -1 station. The doctors seem to think that those numbers are magical and that I could go into labor at any moment. I usually leave their office feeling a bit less optimistic than all of that. 

The weeks are getting increasingly hard. My energy is depleting more each day and so is my patience. I'm not, what most people would describe as, stressed-- just anxious. Anxious to see what my body can really do as far as labor and delivery, anxious to hold my baby and look at his face for the first time (a face that is, for now, a mystery to me), and have his little tiny fingers wrapped around just one of mine. Not to mention the look on Jon's face when he see's it all happen. Having gone through the whole emergency c-section, terrifying newborn health situation, and then having a 6.5 year old who is basically a grown up compared to changing a poopy, size 1 diaper... It's gonna be a completely new experience.

I'm getting tired of people calling me every day to ask if I'm "STILL pregnant" or say, "Haven't you had that baby yet?!" Especially when most of them are family members that would be informed the moment something happened. Most people are also convinced that because DH is so tall (6'2") and weighed 10 lbs, 6oz at birth, that our child is going to be a mammoth. I hear numerous times a week about how humongous our child is going to be. Or how late.
Even when I went shopping the other day, the lady checking my items at Victoria's Secret seemed to be an EXPERT in the fact that most 1st babies are late. While it's true that 70% of all babies are born after their due date, I don't need reminded of that every five seconds!

What's really funny is, after all of the talking THEY do they say, "Well, don't be too worried or stressed out. The baby will come when it's ready." REALLY? I didn't have a clue. -_-
If maybe, just maybe, I could get away from all that talking I would be completely fine with my baby boy waiting this thing out and letting me know whenever he is ready to make his grand entrance. And I'm sure with all the pain I'm in now, a grand entrance it will be!

Between all that and DH's mom & dad in town and wanting to come over all the time, and the awkward relationship (or lack thereof) that I already have with his sister-in-law heading into uncharted waters, I'm just a little sleep deprived, tense, and moody. Jon has literally been such a doll and told me to complain as much as I wanted. Poor thing-- I don't think he understood what that meant. Haha. He is basically my life coach right now and I don't know what I'd do without him.

So, with my due date tomorrow, I'm just sitting here drinking in the fact that hubs is cleaning the kitchen for me and my whole house smells like french vanilla creamer, and wondering- Where is Baby McConnell?

 
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38 Weeks
I really don't know what to say...
I'm 38 weeks + 3 days (almost 4) and honestly, I won't lie, I was hoping- maybe even expecting- to be done being pregnant by now. It never occurred to me that I could take this thing to 39 or 40 weeks. It just seemed impossible!
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#eisforezra

 
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36 weeks
36 weeks was pure awful. Emotions ALL over the place. I spent, what feels like, days in bed and hours of my life crying over everything or arguing with hubby... sometimes over how nice he is being? Sounds like a psycho pregnant lady to me! 


Jon went to Washington D.C. as his last business trip before baby Ezra makes his debut and I decided to spend some time with friends in the neighboring town; just a few hours.
Well, in those few hours- five, to be exact- I managed to sprain my ankle. {Stylishly, mind you. Ruining one of my favorite pairs of wedges I spend a lot of money on as a souvenir when hubby and I were in Vegas last February.} 

I oh-so-graciously tripped over a rock in the road and, fortunately, did not fall on my stomach. Thank goodness I took my good friend, Jade, with me and she was able to ease my fall. Although, my leg eased its way underneath & behind me. Nasty bruising ensued, 4 days of crutches, and lots of ice and tylenol. Jon, had to get an early flight home from work and my mom came to spend the night with me because I could barely even get around enough to use the bathroom by myself.

All this, was the same week that I am, of course, due for a dreaded vaginal test at the doctor. Warning to all you girlies who haven't yet been pregnant... If you ever get the Group B Strep test in your 9th month, you will NEVER forget it. A plus was that the doctor I saw that particular morning, before abusing my lady parts, gave us an unscheduled in-room ultrasound. I was beyond thrilled because we had not seen our little alien in almost 17 weeks!

He has gotten so big, healthy, strong, and head down! I could've leaped for joy, had I not almost fallen on my already injured ankle in front of the dozens of people in the waiting room.

On top of everything else, it was also the week of my baby shower! However, I'm grateful I was at least able to get a mani/pedi and pull myself together to make it through the weekend. My mom did a great job planning the shower and incorporating the ideas I had too without letting me know too much about it. The hot chocolate bar went over great and the desserts were so simple! Not to mention we got almost EVERYTHING on our registry. 

Plus, all the things we had to return to the store.... that money paid for all the things we didn't get and still needed. I love all of our supportive friends and family so much. Below are a few pictures from our shower day. Don't forget to follow our Ezra's hashtag to see more photos in general.... #eisforezra

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Hubby and I in the mirror...Inspired by a pinterest maternity photo.
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my mom and I at the end of the baby shower
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I originally wanted Dahlias at my shower SO badly. But, they aren't in season. So, a friend made them all out of gum paste. How gorgeous are these?!
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37 weeks
37 weeks today! FULL TERM; and totally ready to meet my kid!
Especially after last night's fiasco...



Last night, Sunday, was supposed to be our last pre-baby date night. Knowing that Ezra could arrive at any time starting today, and Noah being at his mom's house, we wanted to spend some time together after having a very busy week/end. Plus, when you have a $25 gift certificate and two $5 off an entree coupons for Olive Garden how could date night NOT sound like a good idea?! 

I was so excited and feeling good... I actually felt like I looked cute which is pretty unheard of for me on a usual, non-pregnant day. Since I've gained my baby belly, it's even more scarce. 
Well, we made it through dinner, and I actually ate a full meal which surprised me! But, by the time the check was coming around my Braxton Hicks were so strong and the twinges of pain in my pelvis were so terrifying that anyone looking at me walk out of the restaurant probably thought that I was going into labor. And, dear lord, I felt like I was!

By the time we got home, I was bawling my eyes out and writhing in pain. (At least, now we know what my impending labor will be like. Probably, as awful as expected. Fortunately, I never expected it to be easy.) I ended up furiously angry, crying, curled up in the fetal position, and asking Jon over and over, "What's happening??" To which he thought the appropriate response was, "You're just in pain, babe."-- REALLY?? I hadn't noticed!

I felt so bad; like I just ruined the last "real" date night we will ever have... Which, of course, if a bit of a dramatization. But, what else is a hormone driven, done with being pregnant woman supposed to think when you go from feeling semi-sexy and by two hours later you're about to puke in your husband's lap?
Jon was a good sport and took awesome care of me... :)

Anyway, now that my "ripening" period has finally arrived, I am thinking of every possible way to have this baby come out ASAP! I'm so anxious to be a mommy and hold my baby with my arms instead of my abdominal walls. Also, I am tired of feeling like my pelvic bones are smashed to smithereens! 

I just ate an entire fresh, ripe pineapple by myself to see if the enzyme they say is in it, bromelain, will have any effect. Not to mention, I couldn't think of anything that sounded good for dinner....again. Still.



Right now, though, I am beginning to think that Ezra is perfectly content with his feet in my right ribcage...
 
Very long overdue... Even more so than my last couple of library books. Good thing blog readers don't charge late fees, ey?

This new year has started out with a "BANG!" and I can't believe that January is nearly over. Only 3-6 more weeks until we meet out sweet baby boy and lord! I'm anxious!


 
....far away from the cold night air. With one enormous chair! Oh, wouldn't it be lovely?


Okay, so it's not cold. It's actually like 75 degrees here. In December. Yes, I know... But, that doesn't make my plea to get a room with a nice comfy chair and a half, some cocoa, and a book any less legitimate or sincere.


Ladies and Gentlemen...

 
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This morning... Whoo! 
I just turned 24 weeks (6 months) pregnant yesterday. 3 months to go! More excited than ever now to meet my little man. More than anything, though, I'm ready to be rid of the constant need to eat, but not wanting anything. 


This morning I woke up with a sick belly... Poor Ezra had hiccups last night and I just couldn't get comfortable with all of the shaking in my abdomen. It made me feel so queasy inside every time I felt the little tremors. But, what a miracle it is to be able to sense all that new life! 

I am hoping that my cravings are taking a new direction... After nausea and hiccups you'd think I wouldn't want anything to eat for breakfast.-- Not so.



Of course, I wanted something that we didn't have in the house. A butter rum muffin and a huge bowl of fruit. Unfortunately, because of my thyroid medicine, Synthroid, I have to wait 30-60 minutes to eat after taking it... And, yes, it was impossible for this craving to come on during that time so that I could've gone to the store and been back before I felt like I was starving to death! But, no. As soon as it comes time for me to eat, I want this off the wall breakfast. No muffins in the pantry. No fruit in the fridge. What's a girl to do?! 

Oh, wait. I know. Go to the store and almost pass out half way through because you're so hungry you just might die & then you decide you have one last burst of energy because if not you won't be able to chug the Bolthouse drink you've been avoiding for the last 6 months because it has coffee in it. By the time I got back in the car, I swear my head was spinning! And stupid Food Lion didn't have butter rum muffins... Cream cheese is close enough. 



So, here I sit, on my couch, blogging about food, while eating food, thinking of what food to eat next (thank goodness I'm under the weight gain they predicted!!), and have a million other things I should be doing. Like, taking care of my sick child who has symptoms of the flu because I'm the one who made him go get the flu shot so he wouldn't give it to me or the baby. *shake my head* 

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Good news: I finally talked Jon into photos of Ezra's birth!! Now we just have to see if we can afford it. Until then I will just be documenting via Instagram. Follow me @qm_mcconnell :) 




 
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BrittanyG Photography of Highlands, Utah first grabbed my attention when it came to photos of giving birth.

If you'd have asked me a few years ago if I would even attempt to give birth I would've said no, let alone the idea of someone photographing me doing it. And even now that I'm pregnant, sometimes when I think about it makes me a little jumpy; I might end up punching the poor photographer in the face. Plus, being a photographer myself, I know just how much the pressure would be on. 

When I first started thinking about having a baby, I was always looking at maternity, newborn, and quirky post-natal items I thought where cool. (Click here to see my 'bump starter' pinterest board) In the process, I came across these amazing pictures of baby Wil's birth story. None of the photos were invasive, graphic, or offensive and it made me look at the delivery process in an entirely new light.

Now that the birth of our little booger is getting nearer I keep thinking more and more about how much I would like documentation of that day. Nothing distasteful or gross... 

I think the entire idea is becoming a bit more trendy and accepted, as I've seen a number of photographers in my area and all over the country offering sessions like this. I would love to offer a session like this!! Especially after I give birth to my own child and know the ins and outs of the progression.

Hubby is a bit weirded out by the entire thought of having someone in the room and would rather just set up a camcorder in the corner. I don't like that idea because at least when you review your photos it's SILENT and you don't have to hear all of the pain you went through to get your little miracle. There are so many tender moments that a family shares in welcoming their new addition into the world; how sentimental it would be to look back on those prized possessions years later! 

A friend of mine told me to remember it on the little camcorder in my head, haha. But, I'm such a sucker and driven by emotion... I can't imagine how tear-jerking and nostalgic those pictures would be... Still-frames will always be my favorite way to capture a moment. No black & white memory could ever do the moment you meet your new son/daughter justice. Or the small instant when your first child realizes they are a brother/sister and hold their new sibling for the first time.

Ahhh! I don't really think you guys understand the crazy adrenaline running through me as I write this! Regardless, of whether I can talk Jon into doing it or not, or how much it costs... I will ALWAYS think this is a good idea. 
I've watched quite a number of birth videos, and read experiences, and heard true life stories from family/friends; I feel like this is a personal choice like everything is. Just like having a midwife or a doula, or having your baby at home vs a birthing center vs a hospital. But, it's definitely a once in a lifetime adventure. <3
 
I'm currently in bed as I write this because I'm so exhausted I feel like it would be a waste of energy to get up and go to my computer. I cancelled all my appointments for this morning as it is. Zero sleep last night and an early morning... They mixed way better a few years ago when I was 18 and single, and way more paranoid about how I would look if I just decided to blow something off.

Week 23 has been an eventful on thus far. After our long weekend trip to Ohio & our first baby shower for Ezra I was sorely deprived of sleep. To get up early and come home, plus have my friend Zoe come back with us for the week... It seems like I get more tired, uncomfortable, and out of breath every day.

Monday I had an "I can't do this" breakdown and just wanted my pregnancy to be over... Sometimes 3 months more sounds like an eternity! And other times I feel like I need all that time to be prepared. Our stroller is put together but a baby can't sleep in that! Lol

I've also noticed I've got a shy boy on my hands. Ezra kicks and moves A LOT throughout the day. Sometimes it's so much that I have to just sit very still until he stops. But, today I'm disappointed because every time I make Jon rush over to feel the movement or wake him up in the night/early morning to put his hand on my belly, the baby stops moving and won't move again for a little while after Daddy takes his hand away. So sad that it happens like that because I want Jon to feel as much of a part of this pregnancy as possible.

A friend told me that it's only down hill from here... I really hope that's not the case. For the most part I have really enjoyed being pregnant! I don't have half of the problems a typical pregnant woman would complain of or characteristics you read in the mom-to-be books.

I guess for that reason alone I'll just sing "We Are The Champions" on my way to fulfill yet another bagel craving & look forward to the 6 month mark!
 
We bought a crib today!! So excited!! The exact crib from the inspiration room that I've been wanting for forever! Jenny Lind. Vintage. White. I'm in love with it! 

It was a hard sell to talk hubby into WHITE. He thought white was only for girls and kept going for dark wood ones that looked more like our adult bedroom furniture than something for a baby. Granted, I'm not a fan of pastel blue and babyfied animal prints, but I also don't want Ezra to look like he is growing up in an office (which is what his room is currently used for).

I think right now the retro/vintage dynamic and the fun colors we are going for are the best and I can't believe I ran across something so perfect at Lay Baby Lay. They have some AMAZING inspiration pieces over there and the blog owner is SO friendly. 

We got the crib from Craigslist and while you may ask why I would want a used crib for my 1st biological child, the fact is that this crib hasn't been used at all! It was listed about 3-4 weeks ago and when I first saw it I immediately wanted to go pick it up, but hubby was still in need of some convincing. After looking at HUNDREDS of hideous baby furniture websites or cribs I adored but wouldn't be able to afford in this lifetime or the next, we decided to text the phone number listed on the Craigslist ad. Fortunately, it was still available! BUT, Jon still wanted to wait and see what else we could find. 

With much unwillingness, I agreed to go along with it, just to make sure there wasn't anything out there I was missing out on. Meanwhile, the rest of the cribs on Craigslist were very used and something I could get at Target full-price for the same as what was being asked used. I kept thinking that we would never get our baby's room started. We only just decided to stay in this house and keep renting, while Ezzy will be here in 3 months!

Today, by pure accident, the owner of the Jenny Lind crib I had originally fallen in love with text me today with 3-4 pictures of the crib and said she hoped she was texting the lady who had inquired about the mattress that came with... Honestly, I was surprised that it wasn't already sold. Jon told me to tell her we would come look at it/pick it up right away if she was up for it and she agreed. (Before doing so, I called the store where the crib was originally from and asked them what they sold it for there. Turned out it was a special order. Retail price? $199.00 + 7% tax and you had to pick it up at their location. Almost $250 if you count the gas there and back!) Shannon, the owner, had all of the original packaging for the crib and mattress and her 4 month old, adorable son had never even slept a full night in it. Once they set it up in his room, she and her husband decided that they didn't like it anymore. So, we drove off with a crib and a mattress (over $300 value) for $150! I don't think my day could've gone better!

Now we just await the approval of Century 21 and the homeowners to let us know if we can paint the baby's room the color we want. I am praying that they don't say no as that would give me incentive to change my mind AGAIN and say that we are moving so I can paint my kid's room whatever the heck I want. It's hard to know what to do nowadays with the economy changing so much and the price of real estate on a continuous roller coaster... Sometimes I get so stressed out about it that I just sit there and cry because I don't know what the best decision is for me and my family. 

Even though Jon is the 'breadwinner' we have always made all of our decisions together; even when we were dating. I think it wears both of us down to consider the next step for the 4 of us...