Bead Board Wallpaper + Sciatica, Anyone?

I love the cottage / shabby chic look. I'm slowly but surely making this the style of my home. And we're currently in the process of doing the nursery. Have y'all ever heard of or used bead board? I think bead board is so pretty and definitely has that cottage or shabby chic feel to it. So, I decided I wanted it in the nursery!

Jay put up the chair rail, and my mom and sister put up the bead board. But actually, I have a confession to make. This isn't real bead board. It's actually WALLPAPER!!! They had the whole nursery hung in 2 hours, and it looks just like the real thing! We got it at Lowe's. The brand is Allen + Roth.

Unfortunately, while the paper was being hung I was in bed. This morning I bent over to get a screwdriver out of a drawer. When I did, there was a terrible, sharp shooting pain in my right butt/leg area, and I could hardly even walk or lift my leg. I had to hold on to the wall to even get to my bed.

I had been sore in that area for several days but nothing like this! I called my doctor and they want to see me. I'm pretty sure it's sciatica pain (You know that nerve pain that some pregnant get). I'm still feeling the baby move a lot, and I think she's okay. I don't think there's much they can do for me. But my doctor is very thorough and careful with me, so I don't mind going in. I'm also going to get some blood work b/c I mentioned to the assistant that I have been very exhausted recently. So they're also going to check me for anemia.

I'll let you know how it goes! Thankfully, I'm already able to walk again. But I'm still limping. Hopefully it will keep getting better & better!!

Our Masterpiece

Look at this cake my sister & I made this week for my mom's birthday! I think it's the most beautiful thing I've ever made! haha Not only beautiful but SO delicious too!!

Today's creation: zucchini bread. Lately I've been using Paula Deen's recipe, and it's oh so yummy!

Have a great weekend!

Another Dr. Appointment Today

Today I had a great check-up. Everything is going so well, and I am SO thankful! I never take it for granted and always feel so happy and relieved when I leave the office after hearing good news. The old memories have actually faded, and I don't feel sick when I go to the office anymore. I wondered if that would ever happen, and it truly has. The new/good feelings and memories have overshadowed the bad. (It also helps that I only experienced 1 miscarriage with this doctor. The 3 prior to that were at another office that I don't go to anymore.)

So I'm now 31 weeks 3 days along. But my uterus is measuring 34 weeks! Yikes! :) He said that was fine, though, and nothing to worry about. I have been measuring a little ahead for a while now. He said he usually only gets concerned when someone measures behind. The baby's heartbeat was good & strong. My weight & blood pressure are good. I'd actually lost a couple of pounds, but we think that's probably due to the sickness I wrote about recently after eating all that RIDICULOUS amount of chili last week!!

It makes such a BIG difference if you have a good doctor. I just want to encourage you all that if you're not 100% satisfied with your doctor, keep searching until you find a really good one! It's SO worth it! I really love my doctor and am so thankful to have him. You know what's pretty amazing? He said that he gives his cell phone number to all of his pregnant patients when they reach 35 weeks so they can call him personally when they go into labor. He also delivers all of his patients' babies unless he is on vacation. Other than vacation, he comes in on weekends, nights and holidays and doesn't have a partner cover for him.

And on a fun fall note since I love cooking and baking.... Take a look at these ooey, gooey, messy caramel apples I made for Jay and me the other night. Yum-o-rama!!!

Hospital Tour + A Little Encouragement

Jay & I are in the process of taking all of our childbirth classes: infant care and safety, pre-registering, childbirth, breastfeeding, etc. In one of our classes last week we got to go on a tour of Labor & Delivery as well as see a postpartum room. To tell you the truth, I kind of had a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. For me, hospitals don't have good memories. First of all, I worked in a hospital for several years. Second of all, I've been a patient in the hospital on multiple occasions for miscarriages and surgeries related to miscarriages. So the smells and sights on our tour kind of turned my stomach.

HOWEVER, I keep reminding myself that this time it's going to be DIFFERENT! This time it is a happy time. I keep telling myself that nothing is going to go wrong and that we are indeed having a healthy baby and that it will be a time of rejoicing. I praise the Lord for that!

So, I've been mulling around some ideas in my mind about how to make it a little more cozy, comfortable and homey so that I can be more relaxed during labor. I've decided that I want to bring several pillows from home along with some soothing music. I even thought about something scented lavender (I love that smell and think it's very relaxing). I'm wondering if any of you have some suggestions of things that help you to feel relaxed.

I also just want to say that I absolutely love it when someone finds my blog and has a similar story to mine and I'm able to encourage her. This has happened several times, and I want to thank those of you who contact me and comment on my blog. It really means a lot. And I hope that I can encourage you in some way. I know that I often say this, but I'll say it again: Miracles do happen!! Look at me.... Four miscarriages and now I'm over 31 weeks pregnant! Look at my sister.... 10 years of infertility and now a mom of THREE through the miracle of adoption!

God Bless you all!! And here is my email again in case anyone would like to contact me: creek jc @ nctc. com

Food Poisoning Update

Thanks so much for the comments on my last post about the food poisoning (or whatever it was I had). I'm so thankful that the baby has been moving as much as ever. I also spoke to the assistant at my doctor's office, and she told me that being sick like that won't hurt the baby as long as I stay hydrated. Now, I feel 100% back to normal. I'm so thankful for that!

And no more veggie chili for a LONG time!!! Ugh!!!

Food Poisoning

Yesterday I was so sick all day. I think I had food poisoning. Either that, or my body was just reacting to the massive amounts of veggie chili I'd eaten the day before. Honestly, that's probably what it was b/c, I'm not kidding, it was MASSIVE amounts!! I ate it for every single meal except breakfast. I had it for brunch, lunch, supper, and late night snack.

Then I woke up yesterday morning rushing to the bathroom at least 10 times. I stayed in bed until 3:30 p.m. I felt horrible. I did what I could to stay hydrated, as that's what my pregnancy book said to do. I did NOT want to go to the ER b/c I have terrible memories from that place. So I nursed myself with toast and juice until it passed.

Today I feel much better but still not 100%. I'm just pretty drained and my appetite is not very good.

And of course I've been worried sick over whether or not the baby is okay. I called my Dr. office and I'm waiting to hear back from them.

From everything I've read, the baby is well protected in utero and the main thing that can harm the baby is dehydration.

Has anyone else out there ever had food poisoning or stomach virus when pregnant? Please tell me that the baby was just fine! :)

I know it's silly to worry so much, but after so many miscarriages sometimes it's hard to always stay positive and not think about the "what ifs".

New York & Company - The West Village Collection - Go-Go Faux

Loving this look for fall!!

New York & Company - The West Village Collection - Go-Go Faux

Miscalculated!

Somehow I got an entire week ahead in my pregnancy. I'm not 30 1/2 weeks. I'm 29 1/2 weeks! So when I posted my b-day pic I was actually 28 1/2 weeks. Are you confused yet? haha Not sure how that happened b/c I thought I was so particular about counting every single week as a milestone.

In celebration of Fall, I have been baking up a storm. I absolutely love baking and cooking. It's one of my favorite things to do in the entire world! So today I baked up a batch of snickerdoodles that are PERFECT!! I love this recipe! So, if you're looking for a TERRIFIC cookie recipe, check this out: http://www.food.com/recipe/soft-snickerdoodle-cookies-97496 The only thing I did differently was not use quite as much cinnamon. Oh, and I also cut it in half b/c I knew that I didn't need ALL of those cookies sitting around tempting me!! Oh, they're so delicious!!!

I hope y'all are all having a wonderful start to Fall!!

Fashion Talk

Thanks for the sweet comments on my last post! :)

One of my bloggy friends commented that no wonder I'm so hot b/c I'm wearing jeans and a sweater in the South! You are SO right!!! haha It was burning up all that week, but I wanted to look cute for my birthday. ha! That is my one maternity top (all the rest are just big shirts), and I really wanted to wear it for my birthday! So I was definitely HOT! But now we are getting a cold front through Kentucky. It's only supposed to be in the upper 60's today! woohoooo!!!! It went from 100 to 60's overnight!

Another sweet friend commented on my shoes in the pic I posted. I got them at NY&Co, which is one of my all-time favorite stores! I love shopping there b/c they almost always have things on sale and/or a coupon to go with it! Plus, their stuff is super cute!

Things are still going well with my pregnancy. I'm still in awe every single day. I'm now 30 1/2 weeks. So many times Jay and I look at each other and say, "Can you believe that we're going to have a baby after everything we went through?" Just last night we talked about how this probably wouldn't be happening if I hadn't gone to Dr. K in Memphis. I know that God led me there, and I am SO thankful! It was the last thing I wanted to try, knowing that I wouldn't have peace about ending my pursuit of an answer to the miscarriages until I saw this one, last doctor and got his opinion. But even right up until the very moment of my septum surgery I remember having thoughts like, "You're crazy! You're having surgery, and you're not even sick! What if there's not even really a septum there? What are you doing?!" haha Well, I'm so glad I did it!

I hope you all have a wonderful day and a wonderful start to Fall. My heart goes out to everyone who so wants to be a mom. Just know that you're in my thoughts and prayers. Much love to you all!!!

29 1/2 Weeks

This was taken this week on my birthday. I was 29 1/2 weeks pregnant.

Each day is still a miracle, and I cherish every little kick.

I'm starting to get a little more uncomfortable physically. My feet swell & ache if I'm up too long. And I stay HOT & tired a lot!! But I'm not complaining. I don't mind one bit.

Just wanted to let y'all know that I'm still doing well. I hope you are too! I know that a lot of you are dreaming of having a baby, and I hope that you'll hold on to your dream and keep pursuing it's whether it's through private adoption, domestic, international, foster care, or biological. Miracles still happen!!! Much love to you all!