35 Weeks

How far along: 35 Weeks

How big is baby: Almost 6 lbs

Total weight gain: About the same, 30ish lbs

Sleep: Surprisingly better…..I wake up every time I have to roll over, but otherwise I haven’t had to pee a ton (which is sooo nice).

Best moment of the week: My baby shower was last Saturday, and it was lovely!! My beautiful friend, Aubrey, did an amazing job hosting it at her house. Everyone that came enjoyed themselves with the mimosa bar and brunch food. It went so smoothly and I loved getting to see faces that I haven’t seen in a very long time (some of them have even been years). I was definitely spoiled by everyone. We are now fully prepared to welcome this little girl into the world. A big thank you to Aubrey for throwing me the cutest most chill baby shower ever!!!! I love you! Also, big thank yous to all my family and friends (those who were able to make it and those who are far away) for all the wonderful gifts. We are thankful that V has so many positive loving people in her life.

The beautiful Aubrey

Next best moment would be yesterday, when my Dr. gave us the green light for V to make her appearance. This means that if I go into “labor” at all from here on out, they will get me in right away and get her out via c section J. Let the real countdown begin!!! I would be completely ok with a Valentines baby.

Food Cravings:  Nada. I’ve been trying to reign the ol diet in more and more. I will say I can tell my appetite has increased. As much as I try to restrain from eating a lot, I just have to give in at a certain point and try to have a healthy snack.

Food Aversions: N/A

Symptoms: More real contractions randomly, more Braxton hicks, random spiking pains down to my lady region, exhaustion, fat face haha…..

Mood: Thankfully, I’ve chilled out a little bit. I still get the urge to just go straight to grumpy cat mode, however I’ve been trying to invest more time in Bella and Ezra (this is the last time they will be my only babies). I’m starting to get anxious about the surgery (every time I remember all that goes into it I get nervous and have to pray about it to help calm down), and about having a newborn baby. It’s been 5 ½ years since the last time I did this!!! I know that it will all come back to me, but WOW…. I’m not feeling prepared haha (do you ever feel prepared???). I’m also feeling very anxious to clean/disinfect my house and car. Working full time makes this impossible. I will try and get as much done as possible this weekend.

Movement: My poor baby (and stomach) has no more room!!! Literally, she pokes her legs and butt out so much, so often, it’s starting to bruise my stomach. She gets into organs and ribs and things she shouldn’t and it will make me yell OW randomly. My little girl is quite naughty already haha.    

What I’m looking forward to: Her arrival is my main focus now. If we last till the 27^th we are at 21 days….so at max 21 days at min any day now. I am going to be a walking, squatting, anyothermethodofgettingbabyout machine! I will take any massages offered to me as well, just putting that out there. I’m also reallllly looking forward to starting my health journey again after she arrives. Ryan, my sister, Aubrey, my mom, and a couple other people are joining me on this and I couldn’t be more excited. I will say that this pregnancy has been 100% different than my other two and I can say without a doubt in my mind, it’s due to good nutrition during and pre pregnancy. For those of you who didn’t know me when I was pregnant with Bella and Ezra and just think I’m a small person and that’s why I didn’t balloon out super huge I promise you that is not the case. I was HUGE for them. I’m not proud of any of those pictures. In fact I don’t even let Ryan see my pre him pictures haha. Just so you can see the proof, I’m posting a picture of me at the same amount pregnant with Ezra so you can see just how different this pregnancy looks on me. Looks aren’t the only thing that has been different either. I have had minimal aches and pains, no swelling, back pain has been minimal, I can physically do more, I didn’t start the waddle till just recently, and I’ve been much more positive.  I’m thankful that my baby girl is benefiting from my healthy choices and will continue to benefit once she’s out.

Around 38 weeks pregnant with Ezra

21 more days until Baby “V” Lundberg is here!!!!!  (or sooner ;) )

31 weeks

How far along: 31 Weeks.

How big is baby: 3.5 lbsish

Total weight gain: …………….just a lot….

Sleep:  No changes here. Can’t get comfortable/have to pee/leg cramp/mind won’t shut off/not tired/can’t breath/side cramp…bla bla bla.

Best moment of the week: I went back to work after two lovely weeks off spent with family, honestly I don’t know that I have a specific moment that was the best haha. I’m down to 49 days till “C” day!!!

Food Cravings:  Things that are bad for me. I've decided to go back to being strict with my diet so it’s not as hard once she’s out. I've actually had an urge to start working out, I miss it so much. I can’t wait till I’m able to start my Isagenix program strictly again. I've been Instagram/Facebook stalking a ton of women who started right after delivery back on the program while breastfeeding and I am so inspired! My goal is to be as close as possible to my pre pregnancy weight/shape as I can be by this Summer.  

Food Aversions: N/A

Symptoms: Well, baby “V” has been not so subtly letting me know that she has no room left. I was informed at my appointment yesterday she is head down in the correct position (not that it particularly matters, sine I’m having a c section) which makes me believe I’m having a long legged child whose feet reach incredible lengths they shouldn't. I've had a couple contractions here and there, only 2 of them have been painful. My back has been hurting more and more…. Normal stuff.

Mood: Same.

Movement: She just moves alllllll the time. Lots of little jumps, hiccups, and stretches. This girl hardly sleeps. Her dad enjoys having pushing fights with her, which is fun for him and all, but end up causing me painful jabs in the ribs by her feet :/.   

What I’m looking forward to: January 23^rd, the day my firstborn baby turns 8 years old!!!!! How has time flown that fast? I remember being in the hospital when she was born and not realizing how big a heart could grow overnight, to love someone that much. Her little cry sounded like a person whispering waa (the cutest sound ever), and she had these perfect little penciled in eyebrows…. Sigh. I wonder if little V will look like her big sister when she comes out. The next thing I’m looking forward to is the 31^st, the day of my baby shower! I love get togethers so much, and can’t wait to see everyone. Plus this time around my dear friend Aubrey is going to be providing a mimosa bar with brunch for everyone. I think it’s brilliant, I wish I’d thought of it sooner. How many times have you gone to a baby shower by yourself only to realize that you don’t know anyone or know maybe one or two people, and then it ends up being awkward? Mimosas are a great way for people to loosen up a little bit and get to know one another/share stories. I can’t wait.

49 more days until Baby “V” Lundberg is here!!!!! 

23 Weeks

How far along: 23 Weeks.

How big is baby: The length of a large mango

Total weight gain:  Close to 20lbs :/ I just keep telling myself that I can lose it just as easy as it came once my little girl is here. I plan on being very strict with my diet and using Isagenix as my main source of nutrition (that will be amazing for not only me, but baby girl too).

Sleep: Well my daughter has decided her favorite time of day is when I decide to lay down to go to bed. I will lay on my side and she will kick off the bed….. While it’s very cute, when I’m rather very tired all I want to do is sleep, not feel my adorable daughter jump up and down for an hour or two.

Best moment of the week: Not going to lie, this week was sort of a letdown. The kids grandparents were in town so they spent it with them at their dad’s house. Ryan went back to work after being off for the last 3 months from getting back surgery, so I was rather alone haha. Apparently the needy pregnancy gene kicked in, cause I was throwing all kinds of pity parties. The best moment this week is today/tonight, while my husband will be away hunting (that sucks a lot since I do enjoy his company), I get to have a special weekend loving on my babies. There will be tea parties, sushi dates, and movies.

Food Cravings:  Maybe bagels? Really I haven’t wanted anything in particular.

Food Aversions:  For once guacamole was sort of gross to me (it was a sad moment).

Symptoms: Permanent stuffy nose, random contractions (more Braxton hicks kind), more ligament pain from sitting or lying in certain positions, itchy legs, lack of sleep….that about covers it.

Mood: Lonely and a little bummed out. I’m hoping to change that this weekend. I think just being around the kids will help lighten my mood.

Movement: Tons of activity for longer periods of time. She loves when I lay down and eat/drink anything. She’s definitely getting bigger. Bella finally felt her move around and she thought it was the coolest thing ever.

What I’m looking forward to: Baking!!! Lots of baking. I’ve been watching way too many baking shows and holiday competitions on TV haha. We are down to 15 weeks now (technically I turned 24 weeks today, so I’m always a week behind when I post) and I’m starting to get a little impatient. 

Ryan and I as children. We've been trying to imagine what our little girl is going to look like.

I'm still alive, I promise!!!!

First off, I am terribly sorry for the hiatus. This summer was packed full to the brim. It was started by the departure of a family that is so dear to me. My best friend Allyson and her beautiful family moved away to Georgia. As a child with a retired father that basically grew up on the Air Force base, this is nothing new to me. It was always the case I’d make a new best friend only to have their family get orders by the end of the year, and I would heart-breakingly cry my eyes out all summer, only to have the process repeat itself the next year. This scar had somewhat healed itself in the last 18 years and this move definitely disturbed it. Even though she’s hundreds of miles apart I know that we will leave off with our SNL inside humor and love for books the minute we are together again. I managed to successfully pull off a surprise going away party for them (barely….John, her husband, tried his best to ruin the surprise) and we had an amazing time.

Right after this we got some amazing news that was so exciting and scary to hear. We found out that we were expecting a baby. The reason I say this is so exciting and scary have to do with the last year that we have experienced. You see Ryan, my husband, and I have been trying to conceive a baby since June of 2013. We were actually successful twice, but sadly lost both babies. No one likes to talk about miscarriage and I never knew how hard of a subject it was until it happened to me. Last June was when we found out we were expecting our first little bundle and, after having two successful pregnancies resulting in my beautiful children, I was so in love and excited. About the second week in July is when I lost the baby and I never knew how hard that would be until it happened. I didn’t know having a miscarriage could throw you into a state of depression and anxiety. I’m so thankful that I had my family and loving husband to take care of me through that time, they were the only things that were able to sort of snap me out of that.

We started trying again a couple months later and again were blessed with a pregnancy in November. I felt so good about this one and just knew that everything was going to be ok, that we were finally going to get our miracle child!! January 10^th we lost our 2^nd baby. I took this one a lot better than I did the first time, although emotionally it never gets any easier for yourself or your spouse.

Ryan and I decided we were going to wait to try again until the summer and just enjoy our little family. Unfortunately I was still suffering with the aftereffects of the miscarriages and my anxiety. In about March I had decided that I wanted to do something about it and I was going to see a counselor.  It was about this time that my boss had started to lose a ton of weight and shared with me about this superfood that his wife and him have found success with gaining back their health. Me, being ever the sceptic, told him I wanted to look into this. I was already eating a “vegan”like lifestyle. I didn’t consume dairy, meat or processed foods. I tried to eat raw vegetables and fruits at all times, and I hardly ever consumed sugar. I also worked out on a regular basis. Once I looked at the results that 100’s of real people all around the world and many local to Spokane, I couldn’t believe the healing qualities of this superfood and cleanse. I made the choice to try it in the hopes that it would help me to conceive and maybe drop a couple lbs. I was amazed at week two with not only the weight I had dropped, but my mind had so much clarity it was like I was 100% me, not the 70% I had been running on. I had little to no anxiety and energy for days! I never knew that I was missing out on that. I was ecstatic. I remember going shooting with Ryan one day and he looked at me and said, “Natalie you just seem really calm and happy lately”. If you knew what I was suffering through before you’d know this was a huge compliment. I had canceled my counseling appointment and was looking forward to life. We decided in May to go ahead and try again.

Me at my smallest right before I got pregnant

On June 26^th we finally got those 2 pink lines that I wanted to see so badly. Since then we have dealt with so much uncertainty with not wanting to get our hopes up. We are now successfully 15 weeks pregnant, and so in love with our life and what it has to bring. I truly believe proper nutrition and cellular cleansing helped me get my baby. I’ve praised Jesus for bringing the people into my life (Jerrod and Sarah) who introduced this to me and led me to Isagenix.

 Me currently @ 15 weeks pregnant

Now, onto more current items, Bella has started 2^nd grade and Ezra Kindergarten. They absolutely love being back in school (I have the only child that counted down the days till Summer ended and school started). I’m so thankful I have kids that enjoy learning, Bella has even complained that her teacher is babying her and needs to give them harder reading material. How is she my child again?!?! Haha, I definitely was not as eager a student when I was her age.

This blog might be changing a little bit, I’m hoping to post more for one. I will also be adding some more personal life events to it as well. Lots of pregnancy talk (sorry in advance), as I realized that since this may be my last pregnancy I should probably document it, and what better way than through my blog? I will still be adding random recipes, especially as pumpkin seasons is upon us. This weeks will be the Vanilla bean Plum Bars I made from my father’s plum tree.

I hope you all have an amazing week, you’ll be hearing from me a lot more in the near future. To anyone that reads this and has gone through or is going through a miscarriage and thinks they have no one to talk to, please please please message me! You really don’t have to go through this alone! You are not bothering me I promise.