The List

December 22, 2014

Well I didn't think (and was hoping we wouldn't) make it quite this far into being pregnant but here I am, with a  wiggly little baby, still in my belly, and one uncomfortable mama still waddling around Dooge. I've got a quick meeting with my boss, Gary, and then at least THAT part is over with :) There are only a few lose ends to tie up. I have a few things to hang on the wall in the nursery, and today Mike did some exchange/purchase work at Babies'R'Us but most importantly, Baby Girl Hoek needs a NAME! It's still hard for me to believe we haven't picked one for her yet!

Still on "The List" are a few of my favorites and a couple that Mike still likes. We just have to narrow it down:
Piper
Emily
Megan
Kendall/Kennedy
Anna
Julia/Julianna/Julianne
Brooklyn

Mike's sister and family got up from Virginia on Saturday night and we spent most of the day with them yesterday. We asked our niece and nephew, Corinne and Tyler their thoughts, but then Mike and I realized, though we both like Julianna, we are arguing about weather to say Julie-ANNE-a or Julie-AHN-a. So there's that new trick... Since I'm done with work today and he's taking off the rest of the year as well, maybe we can get down and dirty with deciding ASAP! And I can finish that decorating and MAYBE do the cute project I need her initials for too, before she comes. We'll see. Three more days until the due date... come on Miss Baby!!!

^Last Thursday at 39 weeks. Dr. Lown confirmed that she dropped and I was dilated to 1cm, however he still said he thinks I'll make it to my next appointment. It's tomorrow at 11:30 so I think he may have been right. We'll see!

Dear Baby Girl: Part Fourteen

December 16, 2014

Dear Baby Girl

Though I'm sure it's likely wishful thinking, I'm hoping today is my last doctor's appointment with you in my belly! I suppose there's a chance at least, although I sincerely hope you decide to come on your own. Last week, Dr. Lown said that my blood pressure was back to a good place, I'm not so sure it still is, and I'm really afraid they will want to induce me. I still am not having any symptoms of pre-eclampsia, my feet have been swelling up a lot more the last few nights. And I'm just so TIRED! It's pretty crazy! I actually came into work half an hour late just so I could rest a little more in between doing my hair and doing my make-up and everything this morning. PHEW! I have decided, though, that if you don't grace us with your presence this week, I'm finished with work after Thursday. Time to rest up for you!

Your daddy and I were working on your name again the past couple days. I can't believe how hard this is, but at least we aren't getting mad at each other about it ;) We're very close but I won't give any of them away until we decide. It may not be until we're at the hospital with you, but hey, if that's what it is, I can live with it.

Oh! And two nights ago, I FINALLY had a dream about you! I think it's a little strange but up until then, I had never dreamed about you. I had a few dreams that you were involved in but I never saw you. Two nights ago, I DID! I don't really remember what you looked like but I sure liked you already, and now I'm even more excited to see your face and hold you. I'm absolutely terrified as well, but no big deal, right?

People say it looks like I've dropped in the past few days, but I'll wait until Dr. Lown tells us today. Last week, I was only dilated to 0.5cm, and he said you hadn't come down yet. But I'm HOPING today, we will have progressed. I WANT TO MEET YOU!!! I love you a ton already (and you're kicking me right now ;)

Love,
Your Very Excited Mommy

P.S. If you come today, you'll share your birthday with your cousin, Corinne. Just saying ;)

^Here we are, right at 38 weeks (12/11/14)

^I feel like maybe you dropped a little, but we'll let the doctor decide! (12/16/14)

Full-Term! Almost Baby Time!!!

December 9, 2014

It's hard to believe but I finally made it to full term (37 weeks)! I hit that mark last Thursday, so now I'm actually almost 38 weeks. But it's pretty exciting. With my blood pressure being up, I actually had a nervous day on Friday. They had me come back for a BP check and ended up sending me to the hospital to make sure everything was normal. They did two blood draws total and did a NST (non-stress test) to check baby's heart rate for a length of time and everything was mostly fine. Today I went back for a normal appointment and my BP is still a little higher than it has been but it was down from last week and I'm in a good range. Everything else is normal... yay! I also had my cervix checked and I'm only 0.5cm dilated, which Dr. Lown says means that there will likely be no baby this week. Sad! She's getting too close to Christmas (which he will not be available for so I hope she doesn't pick her due date to show up!) but that's too bad ;) I'm still super nervous about the delivery and everything, but it'll be awesome to finally meet her. And maybe by then we can actually give her a name :)

^Last Thursday... 37 weeks!

Concerns

December 2, 2014

Pretty much my whole pregnancy has been right on track. Little Lady is still moving and everything, and I'm measuring right where I should be. Of course I worry about my weigh gain but Dr. Lown doesn't seem to worry. But at least for the last week, my blood pressure has been a bit high. Noticed at the dentist and Kara had been keeping track of it for me while we were in Harrison for Thanksgiving. I finally went to the doctor's (when I called Friday, they just told me to come in if I felt like I should but otherwise not to worry). It sounds like it's still not a big deal, but they did take my blood and want me to come back this Friday to make sure it doesn't go up any further. I am sure it's all good, or at least for the most part, but of course I have to worry because this is the first REAL thing that there has been to potentially worry about. Sigh, I hate worrying. I should be okay and feeling better by Friday after my appointment but man, until this whole business is over, I'm really going to be worried I think. Bla.

Dear Baby Girl: Part Thirteen

November 29, 2014

Dear Baby Girl

As we sit here in the living room, I'm just over 36 weeks pregnant. Phew, I'm worn out, but you sure aren't! You've been moving and kicking all day. Some days you are a little more calm, but most days you have a lot going on in there. It only hurts occasionally, but I am always happy to know you are doing okay in there. This week has been a little worrisome because after my dentist appointment on Wednesday, I found out my blood pressure has been a little high. Aunt Kara was keeping an eye on it for me over Thanksgiving, and aunt Judi said that it's pretty normal to be at that rate being pregnant, but since I've been normal all this time, I just have to worry, though I'm trying not to be.

We go see Dr. Lown again on Tuesday so I think we'll be all right. This will be the first time since our first appointment at 8 weeks where he's going to be checking out things instead of just chatting with me. We're going to see if we are dilated at all, because we are getting so close! My guess is that we aren't even close to being ready yet, but I would be pretty happy if we were! 37 weeks is full term and is next Thursday, so anytime after that would be great!

We are excited to meet you (and JUST about ready with your doctor, bedroom, etc) but we still haven't decided on your name yet! You are still Baby Girl Rose Hoekstra... although I think we are finally getting closer! Right now, I still really like Piper, your dad likes Megan, and we are both thinking about Anna now too. We MAY not decide until you come, but I am sure once we see you, if we don't decide before, that we will know.

I feel huge. I'm tired and can't stand around very long anymore. Getting out of bed is just about torture, and I have to pee WAY TOO MUCH in the evenings. I've started getting my feet and ankles swollen, which is pretty normal around right now. They aren't too bad, but still something for me to worry about ;) All I know is I want you be healthy and safe, and I hope labor isn't going to be too rough on me! I'm not too good with pain, but I know the end result will be worth it because you will finally be here! I'm anxious to find out when your birthday is going to be, and what we will be naming you!

Hopefully we are putting up our Christmas decorations tomorrow so everything is perfect for when you finally arrive. Can't wait!

Love, Mommy

^Added a couple days after this post... two days shy of 37 weeks! Phew, feeling good today too!

My Hometown Halloween Baby Shower

October 26, 2014

My mom doesn't really love Halloween, but she knows I sure do. This year, my usual Halloween party just wasn't going to happen. I'm a little more exhausted than usual ;) So she was awesome and planned me a Halloween baby shower, complete with lots of fun costumes! Almost everyone participated, so that was great! I even got to dress up myself and make sure that I got photos of all the costumes! Thanks for a great party, Mer (and everyone who helped :)

^A few of the fun decorations my mom worked so hard to make.

^A few of the guests :)

^Oole and Puss came up for the party too :D

^Grandma hiding her costume ;)

^So many fun things!

^And more!

^Grandma got the pins for Mike. Awards for taking care of baby that he BETTER earn ;)



^Cousins (as "old bags"... though they already lost their costumes) before they left.

^T-Bird girl, bunny, and a goddess!

^Some pretty princesses and Gypsy Mom.

^Our usual group photo... sadly blurry :(

^The Rosie the Riveters ;)

^Halloween sweatshirt for Aunt Charlotte, not sure what Shirley is, and Theo the angel. Grandma is a baby, complete with diaper ;)

^Aunt Pam, straight from Hawaii and Nicole, straight from the clink.

^Goddess Jeanette, cowgirl Grandma, and soldier Aunt Mary.

^Bunny Kim and baby on old lady's back Mer

^Barefoot and pregnant... thanks to the Milkman ;) (that's Mike I guess ;)

My Grand Rapids Baby Shower

October 18, 2014

These photos are a little late in coming, but I wanted to be sure to post them before TOO long! Almost a month ago, my awesome mother-in-law, despite having had knee replacement surgery only a month earlier, threw a nice little bridal shower for Mike's families and some of my friends and coworkers down in our area. We had it at Heritage Christian Church, like my bridal shower, and it was a very fun time! Jenny helped create all the fun baby themed games, and Charyl's friends Mary Helen and Peggy helped organize and MC the whole thing. It was great to see lots of family members again and to chat with those from out of town. We had lots of fun!

^Definitely a very pink baby shower! :D

^Wow, way too generous, everyone!

^9 days old Ellie came to the party. Kara is squishing my buddy, Puss.

^Lots of baby snuggling going on!

^Fun presents!

^Mer, me and seeser... then my mommy friends and me!

^More of the family... I have awesome in-laws. SO LUCKY! Thanks again, Charyl!

Maternity Photos!

November 6, 2014

It's been a month and now I get to show off my maternity photos. Summer with Summer Jean Photography, who also did my boudoir and trash the dress sessions, was kind enough to do a quick little fall mini session for Mike and me. We wanted some fall colors, since that's such a pretty time, but the colors took their time again this year, and we didn't have a bunch. But shooting out in West Olive, where Summer lives, she had some good little spots that worked perfectly. Anyways, there are lots of great ones so...check them out!

P.S. We are still on our two-week doctor's visits. Everything is still looking good. I'm feeling like a house, but they say I'm right on track still so I guess we're doing all right!