Kendra's Kampfire: Pregnancy

Showing posts with label Pregnancy. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Boy or Girl?

Ahh, the great debate. Deciding whether or not you wish to find out the sex of your baby. Mike and I were at odds on this one. He really wanted to find out, and I really wanted to be surprised. My husband is super logistical and is a planner, and I am much more emotionally driven. He said that he wanted to know the sex so he could get the nursery done, and he just really wanted to know if we were having a son or daughter so he could mentally prepare himself haha. I, on the other hand, really wanted to be surprised. I honestly was not wishing for one sex over the other, I genuinely was so happy either way and knew that as soon as they put that baby on my chest that I was going to fall so deep in love whether it was a boy or whether it was a girl. But I knew that even though Mike said he didn't care either way, I knew he secretly wanted a boy. And I was kind of worried that if we found out it was a girl, that he would be a little bummed. I knew that if we kept it a surprise, and it did turn out to be a girl, that when he saw her for the first time that he would forget about ever wanting a boy. I do think it's true what they say, the women become Mothers the moment they find out they're pregnant, where the men become Dads the second that baby is born. I just didn't want Mike to be disappointed.

We had names picked out for our girl and our boy, and even during the ultra sound where they could tell us what we were having, we asked them not to because we weren't sure if we wanted to know. After our genetics scare (you can read about that here), I really didn't want to know the sex, because God for bid if something happened, I knew I would either be losing Miles or Baby P (going to hold our girl name secret in case we are blessed with one in the future), and putting a name to the baby just made it all the more real.

But I obviously caved, and I decided to give in and find out, I thought that decorating a nursery would give me something to do and be hopeful and have faith that the little boy or girl inside me would one day sleep in it despite all the scares we were going through.

We decided not to do a gender reveal party, that Mike and I wanted to find out just the two of us. So Mike went out and bought a pink and a blue balloon and we asked our sweet neighbors to put either a blue or pink balloon in a box and Mike and I would open it together. We went out to the backyard, (which is where Mike proposed, so it was really special to do it in the same place), and we opened the box together and found out we were expecting a sweet baby boy! We were so excited, Mike ran around the backyard fist pumping, I kid you not, and it was really cool to finally be able to put a name to the little human inside of me.

He or She? We will see!

IT'S A BOY!!!!

Bubba is so excited to have a little brother

We are so EXCITED!

Wahoo!

So the next day happened to be my birthday and we decided to do a small gender reveal for our parents. We put a onesie in a bag and had our families open them together, which was fun :) It was truly the best birthday present I could have asked for, knowing that in 5 short months I would be meeting our SON!

My brother took a couple snap chats to remember the special moment :)

Miles Grey, we couldn't wait to meet you!

# Pregnancy

Monday, May 7, 2018

Maternity Mondays - Week 38

Kendra Petrellese 6:56 AM 0 Comments

Holy cow friends. This is it. This is my last week being pregnant!! It really hasn't sunk in yet to be honest. I am so incredibly excited, but also really nervous! Due to a concern with the umbilical cord, they are wanting to induce us a week early. So when we walk into the hospital next Saturday night, we know we will be walking out as a family of THREE! Which is so incredibly overwhelming to think about.

Awkward

-Everything about my physically is awkward at this stage

-The number of times I get up to pee in the middle of the night - my poor husband

Awesome

-Getting my last mani/pedi for awhile. I had to choose a baby blue color in honor of our little man

-Knowing we made it as far as we can go. That is such a blessing and a relief to us

How far along? 38 Weeks

Maternity Clothes? Yep. I'll be honest. I'm pretty much living in my comfy pj pants and a baggy shirt. Nothing else makes me feel as comfortable at this point.

Stretch Marks? Just the couple small dots on my hips, but those are the only ones so far!

Best Moment this Week: Having one last Me Date, treating myself to a mani-pedi

Miss Anything: I think being able to sleep comfortably. I know sleep will be few and far between in a week or so, but being able to physically get comfortable will be a small blessing

Movement: This little man is one stubborn dude. On Friday, I didn't feel him at all, so we had to make the trip to Labor and Delivery. Even though his heartbeat came up strong on the NST, the doctor was concerned for lack of movement when she did the ultrasound. She told us that if the movement was still not what it should be, to call back the next day. Low and behold, the next day, no kicks. Went back in to L and D, heartbeat was incredibly solid, and we had little movement on the ultra sound machine. They scheduled me for another NST for Monday for an extra day of monitoring just to be safe. Flash forward to Sunday, he's moving up a storm. This little guy likes to keep us on our toes!

Food Cravings: Not really, just looking forward to eating a deli sandwich :)

Labor Signs: Just the Braxton Hicks at this point, and is becoming more and more exhausted a sign of labor? ;)

Looking Forward to: This time next week, I might be a Mom. And the blessing of that is not lost on me. I just cannot wait.

# Pregnancy

Monday, April 30, 2018

Maternity Mondays - Week 37

Kendra Petrellese 3:30 AM 0 Comments

Well folks, we are officially under 2 weeks until our induction date! Of course there is still a chance he can come before then, but 2 weeks from today I will either be in labor or will be cuddling my sweet little man, I can hardly believe it!

Awkward

-It's quite comical watching me trying to get off the couch...
-Walking up our stairs is not the most fun thing to do at this stage

Awesome

-All of Mike's hockey teammates who are rooting for us and wishing us good luck with our upcoming delivery
-Knowing that little man is fully developed and that he will be healthy if he comes at any time now

How far along? 37 Weeks

Maternity Clothes? Yep. But I was able to wear a pre-pregnancy sweater to the hockey rink this past weekend!

Stretch Marks? Just the couple small dots on my hips, but those are the only ones so far!

Best Moment this Week: All our hockey friends rubbing my belly :)

Miss Anything: Being able to partake in the pitchers of beer at our annual hockey tournament

Movement: It depends on the time of the day, some times of day he is quiet, others he is moving up a storm

Food Cravings: I craved a Mint Delight this past weekend and Mom took me out on a date for one and it was so satisfying to indulge!

Labor Signs: Just the Braxton Hicks at this point, and is becoming more and more exhausted a sign of labor? ;)

Looking Forward to: Mike and I are going to Skipolini's Pizza at the end of the week. There is a rumor, old wives tale, what have you, that if you eat the Prego Pizza, it will induce labor in the next couple days. So we thought, why not?? We will keep you updated on how that goes.... :)

I meant to take a photo on the night I actually had makeup on, but pregnancy brain is real and it slipped my mind. So this week you get messy bun, tired mama

# Pregnancy

Monday, April 23, 2018

Maternity Mondays - Week 36

Kendra Petrellese 6:58 AM 0 Comments

Well, quick update. On Friday I had my normal NST to monitor baby and the doctor noticed there isn't a ton of fluid around baby. She checked me and my bag of water hasn't broken yet, so they are a bit concerned about the lack of fluid. They are having me go back in today to check on things, and if things aren't looking the way they want, they said we will have a conversation about inducing....So there is a possibility this time next week we will have a baby! Prayers would definitely be appreciated.

Awkward

-Trying to get out of bed at night to use the restroom-it's like a beached whale trying to move. I'm now getting up every hour or so, hence why I look so exhausted in the below picture

-I'm officially in full waddle mode

Awesome

-Installed the car seats in both hubby and my car - so exciting!

-Knowing we will get to meet him soooon.

-I'm officially on maternity leave!

How far along? 36 Weeks

Maternity Clothes? Yep. But I was able to wear a pre-pregnancy dress to dinner the other night!

Stretch Marks? Got my first couple little dots on my left side, but I'm considering them my battle scars!

Best Moment this Week: I'm officially on maternity leave!

Miss Anything: Ordering a glass of wine while out to dinner

Movement: It's still less than normal, but I feel him occasionally :)

Food Cravings: Sushii

Labor Signs: Starting to get contractions, although they are Braxton Hicks, definitely feeling them!

Looking Forward to: My NST tomorrow so we can have more information about our possible induction

# Pregnancy

Monday, April 16, 2018

Maternity Mondays - Week 35

Kendra Petrellese 3:59 PM 0 Comments

The weeks are starting to go by faster and faster, and little man will be here before we know it-thank goodness!

Awkward

-The previous week we had been off for Spring Break, and our first day back, I had after school car duty. Two different parents rolled down their window and said, "Wow! You got sooo big since the last time I saw you!" Thanks, thanks, as if I didn't know I look like a giant bowling ball...

-My shoes officially don't fit anymore...guess it's time to bust out the flip flops for the next few weeks

Awesome

-The adorable students in my class threw me the cutest baby shower to celebrate Baby P and I. It was so sweet, they had been spending all their recesses in the library planning it, and it was so sweet. They had games, like "don't say 'baby', the poopy diaper game, and guess what's in the bag. One student even mad a cake. To say it warmed my heart to no end would be an understatement.

-When I was out in front of the school doing after school car duty, a mom rolled down her window and said "the further along you get, the cuter you get, it definitely wasn't like that for me!" That really made me feel good since I feel like a whale at this point.

How far along? 35 Weeks

Maternity Clothes? Heck yes! And loving them!

Stretch Marks? Got my first couple little dots on my left side, but I'm considering them my battle scars!

Best Moment this Week: My students showering me and Baby with such an adorable baby shower

Miss Anything: Sleeping through the night without getting up to pee every hour...guess this is just a preview for what is to come!

Movement: It's starting to lessen because he's running out of room, but his foot or arm has found a home in my right ribs and when he moves this mama definitely flinches each time!

Food Cravings: This week I had a huuuuge craving for a Nations Cheeseburger

Labor Signs: The nurse who does my NSTs said that he has dropped since she saw me last week, and I am officially in full blown nesting mode...

Looking Forward to: This is my last week of work then I am officially on Maternity Leave! Wahoo!!

# Pregnancy

Thursday, April 12, 2018

Bridal Shower Sweetness

Kendra Petrellese 9:03 AM 0 Comments

I am one lucky girl, friends. I had so many loved ones come to celebrate Mike, Miles, and I, and I was overwhelmed with the amount of love and support that was there for us. This pregnancy has been such a long journey, and we have had so much support and so many people praying for us, and to be able to thank them all in person, was such a big blessing.

It was everything I could have hoped for, and all that helped out and pitched in made it the most wonderful day. From the food, to the games, to the generosity of everyone that gifted us with items for sweet Miles, it was almost overwhelming.

Loving all things blue!

Yummy Cupcakes!

Adorable Cake and Cookies to match our invitations

On the Wednesday before the shower, Mike had to take me into Labor and Delivery because I was running a fever. They swabbed me for the flu, thinking it was just a cold, but sure enough, it came back positive. So I had been on antibiotics, and was trying me best to get as much rest as I could, because I really wanted to enjoy myself at the shower, I knew how hard everyone worked to put it together. While I wasn't feeling 100%, I quickly forgot about the flu as soon as I saw how many people were there to support us. There was just so much love in the room, and it really made me realize how many wonderful people I have in my life and how incredibly blessed we are.

Mike's parents saved his Fisher Price Trike from when he was a kid, and wrapped it up for Miles

Love these women!

My cousin Wendi is due 3 weeks after us!!

My wonderful Sister in Law and niece

Friends since 3rd grade, pretty cool to share these milestones together!

My Benicia Mama's!

These ladies have been in my Mom's life since they were little kids!

Cousin Love

Love this girl so much! And that our hockey family is growing!

Neighbors that become family

You better believe that as soon as most people left, I changed into my sweats!

There really aren't enough thank you's to everyone who came out and showed our growing family so much love! I love you all!

# Pregnancy

Monday, April 9, 2018

Maternity Mondays - Week 34

Kendra Petrellese 7:23 AM 0 Comments

Week 34! Holy Cow! We are officially 5 weeks away from meeting our little man! It may be even sooner depending on if he wants to make his debut early. Due to his umbilical cord issue, we are being induced at 39 weeks if he isn't here already, so we are on the home stretch!!

Awesome

-Mike and I attended a Preparing for Childbirth Class on Saturday, and we thought it was going to be awkward, but we actually had a great time! We learned a lot and I have to admit that we giggled like little kids when we were trying different birthing positions - whoops

-Continuing to feel little man kick

-Finishing putting away all the generous baby gifts from our shower

Awkward

-Feeling like a beached whale every time I have to roll my body out of bed to use the bathroom at night - which is like 3 -4 times a night

-People saying "You look like you're going to pop-you must be due any day!" Then awkwardly telling them that I still have 5 more weeks to go...

-I am alllmost to the point where I can't bend over to pick my dog up anymore, and Mike has to help me put my shoes on

How far along? 34 Weeks

Maternity Clothes? Heck yes! And loving them!

Stretch Marks? Not yet! Fingers crossed!

Best Moment this Week: Having Spring Break to chill and relax before little man gets here

Miss Anything: I am desperately missing turkey sandwiches, and I would kill for some sushi!

Movement: It's starting to lessen because he's running out of room, but his foot or arm has found a home in my right ribs and when he moves this mama definitely flinches each time!

Food Cravings: Not really, believe it or not

Labor Signs: Not yet! Looking at myself in the mirror, I thiiink he's starting to drop, my belly looks a little lower than normal

Looking Forward to: Going to our Newborn Care Class this week to learn all about how to care for little man!

Please excuse the hair, this was after a very long day and this mama was exhausted!

# Pregnancy

Thursday, April 5, 2018

Maternity Magic

Kendra Petrellese 9:03 AM 0 Comments

Bless my husband's heart. The man loves a lot of things, hockey, chocolate milkshakes, his truck, but taking pictures is definitely not on that list. He knows how much family photos mean to me, so he has humored me with engagement photos, wedding photos (he didn't really have a choice there), and he reluctantly agreed to take maternity photos with me.

Our original plan was to make a trip up to Yosemite where we got married and take them at the site we had our ceremony, but the weekend we had on the books to do this, there was a gnarly snowstorm up there, and Mike thought braving that with a very pregnant wife proooobably wasn't the best idea. And as much as I was bummed, I had to agree with him. So we had to find a local photographer last minute. We connected with a local photographer, and due to rain for 2 weekends in a row, our shoot kept getting pushed back, but on the third Saturday we had our fingers crossed third times would be the charm. Our photographer, Jenny, was so understanding and flexible when we had to reschedule due to weather, which was very much appreciated.

We pull in to Napa, and it instantly started to rain. We both got discouraged, but pulled into our meeting space, and it stopped raining thankfully! Jenny was AWESOME and found such great spots for our photos! She got so incredibly creative with locations and was super chill and easy to work with. She made us both feel comfortable, and we really enjoyed our time shooting with her-even Mike! As we were driving home (it had just started raining again, so it was perfect timing!), Mike said, "I wonder if she can do our newborn photos." So maybe he doesn't hate taking photos as much as he lets on...

So if anyone in the Bay Area needs a local photographer, PLEASE contact Jenny Daughtry - you will NOT be disappointed! She was incredibly professional, but super easy going to work with. She edited our photos super fast and we had them within 48 hours. It was such a fun experience, and now we have these beautiful photos forever. I mean, let these photos speak for themselves. Thank you so much Jenny for capturing such a special time in our lives!

PS link to my dress here - Amazon for the win!

# Pregnancy

Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Trimester 3

Kendra Petrellese 1:54 PM 0 Comments

Holy cow people. Pregnancy is no joke. But guess what?! We are on the homestretch!!! We are finally in our Third Trimester, and we could not be any more excited! This has been such a long road, we can definitely say that we are ready for little man to be here!

To read about our First Trimester click here and our Second Trimester click here :)

But it wouldn't be a Petrellese Pregnancy without a little bumps in the road, right? The third trimester started out with our appointment for our ultrasound to check on my placenta issues. The tech did their thing, then called the doctor back in to finish up. As always, when the doctor is checking things out, everyone is quiet, so we were just waiting for some answers. Good news! My placenta moved away from my cervix, so no placenta previa-yay! And my placenta had not grown into my uterus, so no placenta acreta and no hysterectomy needed-double yay!! Mike and I looked at each other and were beaming, we were so ecstatic to receive good news! Then the doctor said she found something else. She said that our baby has what is called an umbilical cord varix. There are many different variations, but our particular varix is that the connection of the cord into his belly button is enlarged, and they are worried he wasn't getting the nutrients he needed, which increases the risk of still birth. And any mamas out there knows, when you hear the word stillbirth, it causes your heart to stop. I, no surprise, started to cry, and then the doctor assured me that this rare. They wanted me to start weekly Non Stress Tests to monitor the baby, and if at any time his heart rate isn't what they want, they will send me to Labor and Delivery, and then they will take him out immediately if needed.

Although it was originally scary, the weekly testing has been a blessing in disguise. I get to hang out in a comfy chair and listen to little man's heartbeat for 30 minutes, and those have been some of my most cherished moments of this trimester. Of course it's always in the back of my mind to be mindful of him and his movement, just to make sure he's doing ok in there, but the weekly testing has been nice.

Other than that, this trimester has been exciting! My work threw me an adorable baby shower, my family threw us an awesome baby shower (separate post to come), we took maternity photos (separate post to come), and we are on the home stretch of completing his nursery! I am very big, very round, and very excited!! We just cannot wait to meet this little man, and I know that all the hardships we have been through this pregnancy, will be MORE than worth it!!