LaBoR pAiNs...

it all began on saturday morning- i was having some contractions, nothing crazy just some mild ones that i could feel that were consistent...i decided that i would go on a walk for a lil to see if things would start really going. so i drove to the gym...walked on the treadmill for about 30 minutes & suddenly was realizing my contractions were about 5 minutes apart & last 45 seconds to a minute so i text jake saying "i am feeling these contractions closer together"

i drove home- took a shower & got all packed not knowing exactly what was going to happen. when jake came home from school i was still having them 5 minutes apart. my pain level at this point was about a 3...when i asked my doctor last appointment "how will i know when i am in labor?" -his response was if you are having contractions that are 5 minutes apart-1 minute in duration- & this is going on for an hour, GO to the hospital. so we drove over there, i got checked & we waited an hour to see if there was any progress. after an hour of waiting i was still only dilated to 2cm & 70% effaced. i asked what i should do? -& the nurse informed me that when you start getting contractions that you cant breath through & cant walk, then come back in!!!

i am a first timer & i was only going off what my doctor told me to do. so jake & i decided since i am still having contractions & the pain was NOTHING, we should go walking & so we walked, & walked, & walked & then i was exhausted from walking all day ((more like waddled all day)) that we decided to just go home nothing was going to happen today. while at home i started having contractions that were about 2-3 minutes apart & these were PAINFUL. holy crap i couldnt talk, or think, or anything! i always said i wouldnt be one of "those women" that get all bitchy with their husbands but i wont lie i was starting to get a lil irritated being asked "can you talk through this one?" the pain that was a 3 earlier definitely had increased to about 7-8 & i thought for sure my crotch was being ripped open. i was miserable! i honestly didnt know what to do & i wasnt wanting to go back to the hospital just to be told that i wasnt more dilated but we ended up going back because i wanted something for the pain.

this time going in i was dilated 2.5cm & about 75% effaced...ridiculous! after another hour of no progression i was given percocet for the pain so that i could at least sleep...i was really reluctant about taking it because that is a pretty strong drug & i barely take tylenol for a headache. i took it anyways because nothing more was happening...i was so confused on what i was feeling. are these braxton hicks? am i weak? what the H-E-LL!?! the nurse said that YES- what i am feeling is labor, & with our first babies our bodies take a lot longer to dilate & so i am in an awkward stage since i am early (only 37 weeks) they cant induce me but they cant stop the labor either...so i deal.

all sunday that percocet had me knocked out- still having contractions but nothing like the pain i was having, it was back to about a 3. this has been our days lately just dealing with all the fun things that happen before you go into full blown labor...trust me, some of the stuff is just, well a show! i have been so ready for this girl to get here but i know she is probably having a hard time leaving her heavenly father...we know she will be here soon, very soon! we are just anxious for it & are anticipating when it will all really happen.

so what am i up to?! i am trying to relax as much as possible. i dont sleep because of the pain of contractions & the fact that my belly is so unbelievably uncomfortable. i have been walking & bouncing on a workout ball trying to get my body to dilate. tomorrow i see the doctor & i will know more about what the plan will be. until then we wait with our bags packed! thank you all for the sweet texts & calls- i appreciate you all keeping me in your prayers too! i have the greatest friends & family! jake has been especially amazing lately taking care of me & checking on me to make sure i am doing ok. i have no idea what i would do without him! love you jake & love you all.



NuRsErY LoVe

 

i still have some last minute things to do to finish up baby girls room but it is surely coming a long & i cant wait! my baby girl is coming soooo soon. i adore her room & all the lil things in there...when i was putting the diapers away i just kept thinking- "is she really going to be that lil?" in my mind she is already a big baby ((just cause my tummy is huge)) but i know she will be just a lil one for awhile!

 

OHHH Brighton- get here now!

B iS fOr BaBy!

i cant believe i only have less than 3.5 weeks till our lil bundle of joy will be here! yesterday i had my first really fun appointment where they check you out...i am currently dilated to a 1! its nothing but definitely something, at least i know we are going somewhere. tonight jake & i are going to be picking up some of the last things that we need for brightons arrival. her nursery will be complete as of this weekend! i also have a list of chores to do as well. i realize that cleaning has consumed my life- i literally feel like i cant get things clean enough! i went out today & purchased all new cleaning supplies because those are the things that make me happy in life. seriously- there is just something about it being new that makes the whole experience that much more fun! i am hoping that all this "nesting" will somehow make me more dilated for next weeks appointment, so much so that the doc says "i hope your bags are packed because you need to head to the hospital!"

oh the joy that would bring me!!!

i am in so much pain physically i dont know if i can go the full 40 weeks. i am ready to serve lil brighton her eviction notice, ONLY because i love her & cant wait to see what she looks like. it is killing me not knowing -when i have dreams about her, she has lots of dark hair, tiny baby lips, & a tiny baby nose ((my favorite-love button noses)) it will probably end up being that she has no hair or blonde hair...who knows?!? but i am dying to find out. my mom & i were talking yesterday & she informed me that she never knew the gender of her babies until they were born...i think when i know i will be having my last baby i would do that, just wait till they are born. what a fun surprise that would be!

have any of you waited to find out the gender till they were born? if so share your experience...

WhAt'S iN bRiGhToNs BaG?

with D day just around the corner- at least it has been feeling like it a lot more lately. these crazy braxton hicks are getting me thinking "could this be it?!" sadly not yet- but it is getting close. i dropped about 2 weeks ago & i can feel all the changes that my body is making getting ready for delivery. today i have one of those "oh so fun appointments" -where they start checking you out & not just measuring your belly anymore...i am not looking forward to this AT ALL. the only news i am hoping to hear is "wow she could be here any day!" chances of that happening i know are slim with 3.5 weeks to go but i can still wish!

but like i said my body is getting there & so it is always good to be prepared & have those bags packed! todays post is just on brightons bag because well- hers is the only one ready! we will work on mine another day.

DiApEr BaG- (coach)

so with my diaper bag i literally took the plunge & went all out! i was on the hunt for the CUTEST bag of all & i didnt care how much it cost- jake probably cared but then again who is he to talk when the hubby spends hundreds on bike parts! & so i was lucky enough to find my diaper bag this summer. i picked ivory because of the timeless look it has & also it will always go with whatever i am wearing. i seriously cant wait to start using this thing!!!

bLaNkEtS-

this is one of my favorite blankets for brighton. it is sooooo soft! i know she is going to love it. my mom ((brightons grammie)) bought her this & i know it will definitely keep brighton warm on the way home from the hospital.

DiApErS & WiPeS-

not much to say about these except youre going to want to have them on hand, always! i know the hospital supplies you with diapers & wipes for the baby while you are there so you wont need to bring a lot!

SoOtHeRs-

growing up i always knew these by mi-mi's or paci's & now in our home we will call them "mute buttons" jake & i found these soothers at target the other day & had to buy them. the other says "pull to sound alarm"

GoInG hOmE oUtFiT-

i didnt pack a lot of clothes- if she needs more for some reason we ((jake)) can run home & pick some up. i packed her a going home outfit along with a onesie, socks, beanie & a swaddle blanket. it is freaking freezing here right now so i may need to go get her something else to keep her warmer.

CaRsEaT- (BRITAX)

i would hate to forget the carseat because if you dont have one- you cant take your baby home! make sure this is on the top of your list mommas. i researched carseats & strollers for a good long while because there are SOOO many to choose from but i finally found one that i loved because of how safe it was from reading reviews. when jake & i were trying to figure out how to use it, it took us about 15 minutes but once we figured it out it really is the easiest thing! i love that it is not super heavy either...a lot of carseats weigh so much & this one is heavy duty but you dont feel like you are carrying around a sack of bricks. the carseat cover was made by a friend...i love the chevron stripes. it is perfect for the spring & summer!

as for other mommies out there that have been there & done that- is there anything that i am forgetting that i should for sure think to bring for brighton?

My FaVoRiTeS

todays post is on all my favorite beauty products that i have been loving lately! while being pregnant i have been blessed with pretty great skin- & for the most part growing up i never had many issues with acne or blotchy redness but off & on i would have a minor breakout. as i have gotten older i have been more aware of trying to take care of my skin. i dont want to ever look older than i really am & so i try to always be aware to put sunscreen on when going out in the sun, i also try to always take my makeup off at night. some of the woman i know with the best skin, swear that if you remove your makeup every night before bed you will always have beautiful skin.

now is the time for us young gals to be taking care of our skin & bodies!

#1: the clarisonic- my amazing in laws got this for me for christmas this year. i had been wanting one for awhile but i am usually too cheap to buy things for myself- especially when they are spendy. i have only been using the clarisonic like i said since christmas but my skin has already changed so much for the better. it feels tighter & i can see my pores getting smaller. if you want to invest in something great for your skin this would be the product!

#2: fresh soy face cleanser- i use this cleanser with my clarisonic. i just started using this as well as my face wash. i have never had a face wash that really removed all my makeup before when i would wash my face but this stuff is amazing & gets it all! this is the only fresh product that i have used so far but i am sure all of their products are amazing. plus it is super gentle on your skin...i love the feeling of a smooth face- jake will attest to that i am always telling him to feel how baby soft my face is.

#3: fancy love- this is my all time favorite perfume! i have been using it for 2 years & just love the smell of it. this perfume is by jessica simpson & you can find it at any store- the price is great as well for a perfume. if any of you are searching for a new scent give this a whiff & see if you love it!

#4: palmers coco butter- ever since my first trimester i have been using this lotion & i swear by it! i have yet to get any stretch marks (36 weeks pregnant) & i think it has to do with this stuff. i use it about 2-3 times a day, every day & i literally lather it on like butter.

#5: coconut body butter: i use trader joes coconut butter as well. my mom introduced me to this lotion so i have been using this along with the coco butter. i love the smell! it is light but smells like paradise!

WeLcOmE!

many of you that read my "old" blog may be wondering why i created a new blog...the answer is that blogspot decided that i couldnt load anymore pictures to my account so instead of writing boring blogs without pictures -because who really reads blogs when there are no pictures!? it just makes things a lil more interesting...

any ways if you were not up-to-date on the old posts i still have the old blog up here:

JaKe & AsHLeY

things are changing quickly in the kleiman household...i am now 36 weeks prego & counting down the DAYS till our lil brighton is here with us. i know jake is too- he tells me i have been moaning like crazy at night from being in so much pain from my body making its changes for D-day. sleeping is a thing of the past for me with all the trips to the bathroom, the waking up to change positions from one side to the other & then getting stuck mid turn over. pregnancy is sure fun people, sure fun!

lately:

• i have been craving diet coke so bad lately...i seriously salivate just thinking about how amazing it would be just to get an ice cold diet coke! i picture either my drink in the can or in a huge cup filled with pebble ice. WHY?!?! of course i have not caved on this craving because i know how bad soda is for you & plus i havent had caffeine in 4 years i would probably be such a nut, but i am on the verge of a relapse!
• brightons nursery is coming along so well- i absolutely adore baby girls room! i often go in there throughout the day just to be around her things...i will stand there for a couple minutes & think i cant wait till all of this is real, when we take her home from the hospital & she will be our lil one forever.
• i am feeling sooo big lately. i have actually always felt pretty big this whole pregnancy but now i am in awe that my body could actually be this size & i could weigh this much...i have tried not to let the whole weight part of pregnancy get to me- i know it is only temporary & that whatever weight i do gain is because i needed to gain it. i am especially happy that i have yet to get any stretch marks. i have been religiously putting on coco butter about 3 times a day since my first trimester...my belly feels like silk!
• like i said earlier- sleeping is getting harder & harder each night. i literally feel like i cant make it without a nap during the day. i keep telling myself i am going to be working until i am in labor but i may need to take off a lil before just because i am so exhausted from sleepless nights. everybody i work with just looks at me with a horrified face because they think i am just going to pop any moment! "wow ash! youre huge, like really pregnant i mean!" love that i work with a bunch of dudes that say WHATEVER.
• my doctors appointments have started to be every week now...as ready as i am to have this baby i am getting so nervous that i will be having this baby so soon. everyone tells me that after labor i will think to myself that it really wasnt THAT bad. i have tried to stop thinking so much about the scariness of it & focus more on the beautiful blessing that i have been given to be able to be the temporary home to my lil girl & that as bad as it gets it WILL get better! & it will ALL be SOOO worth it!