The end of the journey to baby Maxton

The last time I really blogged about my pregnancy was after my first trimester... because I had a lot to talk...or rather complain about. But mostly lots of blessings to record. Then I didn't blog at all during my second trimester because it was pretty blissful for the most part... I had energy to actually do things (that's always nice) and felt pretty good! So life caught up with me, and we stayed pretty busy around here, enjoying summer and what not. Thhheeennnnn....my third trimester started. And that was a whole different story. I started getting really uncomfortable. I carried Maxton a lot differently than I did Boston. He was a lot lower, which is crazy because I carried pretty low with Boston as well. My belly button popped out a good few months before I was even due.. which usually jokingly means that "the turkey is done in the oven" ummm... not this turkey. Not even close.

I started having REALLY bad pains in my Pelvis the beginning of August. So with 2 and a half months to go... we had just gotten back from a trip to St. George and the pains had been SOO bad there that I went to the doctor as soon as I got home. I had somehow sprained my pelvis. My Midwife said it was likely just due to the fact that I have a small frame and I'm carrying very low. But the biggest difference between this pregnancy and the last is that I am chasing around a toddler all day!! And lifting him here and there, and carrying him up the stairs etc. So that's probably what did it.

It's funny, I thought this pregnancy would be easier in so many ways because I wasn't "working" and didn't have to get up early to get to work, and work with people when I didn't feel good etc. But it turns out just sitting at a desk talking on the phone while pregnant is pretty nice compared to taking care of a little toddler; who BTW is such a GREAT boy!! I couldn't have asked for a more easy going and sweet little boy to "take care of me" during the whole thing. But having to serve and take care of ANYONE is a challenge when you can barely take care of yourself.

So with the pelvis sprain, at times I could barely walk. I would literally wince and cry just walking up the stairs. And then I would get charlie horse pains in the muscles that connected my belly to my legs. (how do you get those out?!? I never did quite figure it out!) And people would say oh just lay in bed and take it easy... well laying in bed and sleeping were often the most painful!! I could barely sleep at all at night, and would just cry in pain any time I had to get up to pee (like every 3 hours! uuugghh) because going from a sedentary position to trying to roll out of bed hurt the most. I even tried sleeping in a recliner, without much relief. And last but not least, I would end up in so much pain  laying on my sides (because of my pelvis) that unknowingly I would just roll onto my back, and would wake up gasping for breath because the air gets cut off to some degree when you sleep on your back while pregnant. So sleep was no bueno. :( Then having to wake up to take care of Boston was just so tough. I called my mom in tears a time or two beggin for her to come over and help me take care of Boston, which she did frequently.  My whole family helped me tremendously, during the day, and then Andrew was a complete life saver in the evenings. I would feel so bad that I couldn't do much with Boston during the day as far as play with him, and had orders to lift him as minimally as possible. And it seemed like I was always saying careful, don't lean on mommy's belly etc. That I was so glad when Andrew would get home and would wrestle with Boston and swing him around and play with him!! He's such a cute Dad!

Watching football together! Boston loves it, and tries to be JUST like Andrew by yelling at the TV, and saying YES!! And Touchdown!! They give each other "knucks" after every good play. lol I wouldn't have it any other way. 

Enough complaining! I did make it through!! And I am soo grateful for the love of family and friends, and supportive texts and calls that I would receive! Here are a few fun pics to remember the journey!

25 week sideview! I lived in Maxi dresses while it was hot, soo comfy!! 

Dallin captured this moment... me having to take the power scooter around Smiths cause it hurt too badly to walk.
Not one of my proudest moments. But hey, pride isn't always a virtue. Dallin loved zooming it back into the store for me from the car. lol

Belly view! 

I debated getting one of these just for the last month... lol When I searched for a picture online, I couldn't figure out why none of the "models" weren't pregnant!! lol But they all look so happy, I definitely wanted one. ;)

I took this pic and posted: I've been awake for over an hour!! How I wish my brain had an on/off switch, at least while I'm pregnant!! Why must all my best organizational/cleaning/recipe/shopping/decorating/life goal ideas come at 3am?! It's exhausting! 

Decorating the nursery was a good distraction for me! Sierra helped me a lot with it. We tackled painting these stripes one night, and I love how they turned out! I'm so grateful for her help, there's no way I would have done this without her! 

Don't mind that we're not wearing any makeup,  in grungy clothes... and I'm pretty sure my sweats couldn't look more weird. 

 35 week side view!!! YAY! Almost there! 

My good friend Bre came to visit and when I mentioned I was craving a donut... she brought me a dozen.... that's what I call a good friend! ha ha :)

38 weeks!! One week to go, and it was October so I had to get a pic in this shirt that I wore while pregnant with Boston. I was visiting my Grandma Hawkins on this day, and I should have gotten a picture with her. She is one of my earthly angels, next to my Mother! I just love them so much! I left her house this night with 4 freezer dinners (that were all AMAZING FYI) to use on the hard days when I wasn't feeling up to making dinner. And she drove me to my last few doctor appointments because driving was so uncomfortable, and I loved having the moral support since Andrew had to work. She also took me to lunch afterwards. I love spending time with her. :)

Speaking of dinners, my sweet RS pres/neighbor and friend Heidi brought me dinner every Tuesday the last month of my pregnancy, and said it was just so I had at least one night a week where I wouldn't have to worry about fixing anything. I don't even think she knew the extent of my pains, but somehow Heavenly Father helped her to know that I needed her. And she regularly checked in with me with text messages and still does. She has been such a blessing for me. 

Also so grateful for my MIL Dolores. She helped with Boston several times so I wouldn't have to drag him to doctor appointments, and frequently checked in to see how I was doing. 

I am grateful to having a loving Mother and Mother-in-law! They are so wise with advice and life experience. So many times as I am going through my day as a Mother I hear my Mother's voice in my head telling me things, and comforting me, like...

"Cami, Boston and Max will be okay. They are stronger than you think even though they are little, they are strong. Have faith."

"Just take things slow, don't expect to get everything done that you normally would. This is just a season in your life where you have to be okay with taking things slow, and be okay with just whatever you can do, is good enough!"

And of course I always hear her telling me, "Cami, turn it over to the Lord. He WILL help you! Pray and tell him you can't do this alone and ask him to yolk up with you and help you. You are a team. Take your worries and concerns and give them to him through the atonement. He will bring you peace and comfort." - She always turns me to the Lord, and that is what I love most about her. I have to record these sayings, because I know one day (hopefully not for a VERY LONG TIME) she won't be here to tell me them anymore, and I want to remember them, so that I can say the same things to my kids. :)

The next post will be all about little Maxton. He is here now and such a joy, but I felt I needed to remember this journey, because it was a hard one.. but you know what, I learned that I CAN do hard things! And I don't ever want to forget it. Especially when I plan to get pregnant again, not for quite awhile, but I know I will at least go through one more pregnancy, and I know I can make it through! :)