Pregnancy | Highs and Lows

Pregnancy.... it's beautiful, it's the miracle of life, it's full of "glowing"... Pregnancy has been one rollercoaster for me for sure! I intended to journal everything throughout my pregnancy, but to be honest I am really not that great at it, and totally failed! So here goes a little bit about my pregnancy journey summed up into one post!

We found out we were pregnant on July 3rd, which means we were already 5 weeks along! We went to the grocery store, and at last minute in the check out I remembered "Oh no! we forgot to get the pregnancy test!" So I ran back over to the aisle, grabbed a box of 2, and ran back over to the check out with Taylor. Later on, I took 1 test, and watched as the blue lines both turned blue immediately! I was trembling, and holding back tears... I waited the full 3 minutes just to see if it changed anything, and sure enough the lines just got DARKER! I opened the door, and looked at Taylor through my tear filled eyes, as he looked at me questioningly. He asked, "What, is it negative?"... I can't remember exactly what else was said, but I think it was something like "We are *sniffling* having a baby!!!" A huge hug and kisses followed, and later that night we went and watched the Lake Arrowhead fireworks with some new family friends. It was seriously perfect and like our own little private celebration! I waited to think of it as a definite yes until I took another test in the morning (which was also positive, of course)!

We waited until the end of July before we told our family and closest friends! Then waited until the end of August to announce it publicly to our church family, work friends, and our facebooks! Keeping that secret was sooo hard! But we did it! On August 27th we had a gender reveal party with our family and closest friends! Alec and Cara (two dear friends of ours), went with us to the ultrasound, and the technician told them what we were having, so that they could go buy the balloons in the right color!! We were SO happy and I was SO surprised, because I really thought we were having a boy! But I am so glad that we are having a little girl. Oaklynn is already so beyond loved and spoiled, and I can't wait to dress her and play with her blonde beautiful hair! (I am assuming she will be blonde, but you never know)! We are constantly wondering who she will look more like!

Morning sickness.... more like all day sickness!!! I couldn't stand the smell of anything deli, and avoided any pastas or pasta sauces! I remember not liking being sick all the time, but honestly once it went away, I have a hard time remembering how awful it really was! I did throw up many times a day for a while there, but once I hit 13 weeks, all morning sickness subsided and entered the golden second trimester! I LOVED my second trimester! I felt great all the time, I walked miles on miles daily, I had energy again! I wasn't napping as often as I was in the first trimester, I could fit in my maternity clothes comfortably. Pregnancy was great! I started taking trips to pee about every few hours every night! and I started feeling Oaklynn's kicks (more like flutters) at about 14 or 15 weeks, and I LOVEDDDDD feeling her move, it was incredible and made everything feel so much more real! I felt actual kicks around week 18 and then from then on she has been NONSTOP moving and kicking! Literally 24/7, most nights it was impossible to sleep while she did summersaults and punched me like a punching bag... but she is so cute, and I love that we have a little athlete in training growing in me!

Enter the Third Trimester.... This third trimester has been full of tiredness, swollen hands and feet (and really everywhere), peeing every 2 hours, and impatience! I have had Braxton hicks from about 28 weeks, and prodromal labor contractions from about 34 weeks along.... so it has been weeks of false alarms and not feeling well. I am still walking almost daily, and have gone through plenty of nesting spurts! It has been really difficult to wait patiently for our little girl. God is surely teaching me to trust in His timing! James 1:2-8, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." and I love Philippians 4:6, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." We are so excited to meet little Oaklynn! Her due date is less than 2 weeks away finally!

Cravings: In N Out and Sour skittles have been the biggest cravings consistently throughout pregnancy. There are other ones that come and go like: fruit, cookies, ice cream, and pizza! I don't have any aversions anymore, which has been great! 
Taylor has been so wonderful this whole pregnancy, so helpful and kind. Always cleaning the house, and making me rest as much as possible. He is going to be such a great dad, I can't wait to see him love on our little girl <3

Oaklynn Grace Morgan, we love you so much. Words cannot describe how much we love you, and can't wait to hold you! We are constantly feeling your kicks, and watching you roll across my tummy with amazement! You are getting so strong and so big! I can't wait to hold your little fingers and tickle your little toes! You are absolutely adorable, and I haven't even met you yet. God has such a beautiful plan for your life, and you are so loved by Him! He has made you perfectly, and you will do such great things for His Kingdom <3 I can't wait to see whose eyes you have, what qualities you get, and to hear your sweet giggles. Please, Please be here soon precious girl. 12 days is far too long away!!! We love you, baby!