What did you say?!

Yesterday, I had a regular check up appointment. Gracie's heartbeat is good! I did, however, find out that I am measuring 43 weeks pregnant and I am really 33 weeks pregnant!!! In two weeks, I went from 36 to 43 weeks. Crazy! I was feeling like a real wimp about getting around and being so uncomfortable, but yesterday made me see things from a different view. I am not a wimp and there is a real reason why I take 5 steps and feel so out of breath. I was at Target before my appointment and one lady was like "you look ready to pop!" Thanks, but I see now why she said that. The doctor said I could tell people I am having twins. I also thought about making up a new due date, but now I don't tell my due date. I just say due in January and people think it is the beginning of January. I was kind of freaked out when she said 43 weeks, because I was thinking "am I just going to keep getting bigger and I am going to be like 60 weeks." She assured me that my stomach will eventually stop growing, and which probably means I will go into labor. Unfortunately, I am so big from too much fluid and not because Gracie is big. I can actually hear the fluid swishing around in there when I walk, which is really weird.

I also have a skin rash called PUPPP and it is so itchy!!! It just came up in the last week, and the good news is it will go away after pregnancy. Here is a little information I found on it: PUPPP stands for "pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy." In plain English, PUPPP is an itchy, bumpy rash — annoying but benign — that usually develops on the abdomen near the umbilical area and spreads to the thighs and extremities. It’s most common in first-time mothers and those carrying multiples. Sometimes itching can become very severe and spread to the rest of the body, but never on the face (thank goodness for small miracles).  The good news: PUPPP poses no risk for your baby. So far it is just on my tummy! The doctor did say it could get worse. Yikes!

Corey and I are doing well, considering we don't know when Gracie is coming, which is nerve racking to say the least. We continue to take one day at time, which is what we have done since the beginning.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7)

We are loving our new house and getting settled. It feels like home. My parents get into town either tonight or tomorrow and staying for two weeks, which will be nice. My mom can cook for us, because that is becoming a very hard task for me.

Prayer requests: Pray that Gracie stays in there through Christmas and my birthday, which is the day after. It is not that I wouldn't love to share my birthday. I just don't want it to be a sad time every year, if it is God's will to take her home with Him. I would like her to wait till January. I also know that God has plan and we trust Him that He knows what is best for Gracie and I. Pray for family that will be traveling to get here when I go into labor, that they will be safe in their travels. And continue to pray for strength, wisdom and peace for Corey and I as we begin to draw closer to meeting Gracie. The prayers from all of you are seriously getting us through this. We feel them and we also continue to lean on the Lord in prayer. Thank you so much for following us in our journey thus far and joining us in prayer for Gracie.

Here is a picture of me, not very good. I forgot to ask Corey to take one last night and wanted to share one with you.

33 weeks, measuring 43 weeks