Cute as a Button Baby Shower

On June 24th my amazing friends and family threw a beautiful baby shower with the theme "Cute as a Button! " It was hosted at my Mother in law's home in Claremont surrounding her pool and beautiful garden. I am so blessed to have the bestest best friends a girl could ask for and the most gracious Moms and sisters.So much thought and work went into this party, I cannot thank them enough for making me feel so special.

I felt so overwhelmed with love and support by everybody that came to celebrate Stella and from those who couldn't make it, yet still sent gifts of love! From towels, to clothes, to diapers, and necessities... we were showered with all the baby goodies anybody could ask for! Everyone was so beyond generous, and I feel so blessed to have such wonderful women in my life, and now Stella's.

Here are some photos of the special day, that I will forever cherish.

CUTE AS A BUTTON

 When I was as Cute as a Button...

 Auntie Ally & MC of the shower

 Stella's Aunties

 Button & Bow cookies favors from Julie & Melissa

 Gorgeous Cousins Meagan & Caitlin

 Melissa & Crystal

 Danielle & Baby Gia

 Bruner Family & Friends

 Playing Games!!!

 Julie & her mom Cheri

 Auntie Kells

 Guest Signing Board

 Grammy Pam & Meagan

 Auntie Gianna

 My Baby book

 30 weeks

 Lindsay, Sybil, & Jenna

 Monty & Stella... COUSIN BUMPS!

 All my Nordstrom Girls

 Baba Pam saying prayer

 Wish cards for Stella

Yummy cake from Danielle, Crystal, & Katie

Adorable book from Auntie D

 Button Place Settings

The "Box" girls <3

 Baby Stella's 4D pics

 Beautiful Tables

My little helpers! (And Auntie Chrissy & Val)

What the PUPPP???

I am warning you now, the following post is not a cute and fun post. I am writing about the worst physical pain I have ever experienced, and hope nobody I know ever has to experience this horrible pregnancy symptom in what should be the most beautiful and exciting time of your life. 

On Friday July 6th, I called out from work. Those of you who know me know how addicted I am to my work, and would only call out if I was literally dying. I was up all Thursday night with these horrible leg cramps, and could barely walk making it impossible to go to work. I also noticed I was starting to itch alot on my leg. I had these tiny little red bumps, which I thought was a bug bite from being outside on the 4th. Even though I was not at work, I logged on to a two hour long conference call to review our Dolce &Gabbana buy for Spring 2013. As I listen to all the amazing goodies we have to choose from from my favorite Italian duo, I started to notice these little bumps on my arms, which really itched. I had recently read about a pregnancy rash that could appear during your third trimester, so as I noticed the itchiness get worse and worse within a three hour period I looked up the rash.

Turns out there are about four different rashes that you can get during pregnancy. The most common rash is a rash called PUPPP which affects about 1 in every 200 pregnancies, that does not affect the baby; however there is another rash called intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancywhich can affect the babies lungs and cause developmental issues. Reading about these rashes I knew I needed to get into my Dr. right away. I called my OBGYN, and they told me they needed me to come in right away so they can evaluate the rash. My Dr. looked at me for about 4 minutes, and evaluated the small but itchy rash which had started on my lower belly, legs, and arms. "Looks like you have PUPPP!" He said matter of factly. He had the nurse take a blood sample just to make sure it wasn't the more serious rash but he was pretty sure it was PUPPP. He told me to treat it with over the counter hydrocortisone & benadryl 50/50 cream twice a day, and to try and stay cool as heat will irritate the rash.

Going about my business I returned to work for a few more shifts. By Tuesday afternoon the rash had gotten much worse and seemed to not be getting any better. I happened to be having a branch visit from my regional that day, who basically begged me to go home. I didn't even realize I was scratching away while talking to her. That evening I went right home, took a cold shower and put on  the treatment. I ended up sleeping only 2 hours that evening, and had woken up in the middle of the night with the most horrendous pain all over my thighs. The rash seemed to be everywhere, and absolutely unbearable. My calves were covered in these huge red blisters that looked like they were full of puss. I literally SCREAMED and cried at the top of my lungs in desperation for relief. By the time 6am rolled around and I was supposed to leave to work, I couldn't even move. I now had to call out from work a second time, and was desperate to find a cure for this rash. I called my Dr. again as soon as  his office opened,and they suggested I come in that day at 11. 

When I went into see my Dr., he just looked at me with such sorrow and pitty. He did let me know that my blood results came back and it was not the "bad" rash, but it was one of the most severe cases of PUPPP he has seen. He did prescribe me a higher dosage hydrocortisone cream to use SPARINGLY twice a day. He said that unfortunately there wasn't much he could do, as the only cure is to give birth, and that his treatment would only help with relieving the symptoms. He recommended I go on bed rest, as my case was quite severe, and needed to monitored, as to not cause distress on the baby.

So what is PUPPP? "Up to 1 percent of pregnant women develop a condition characterized by itchy, red bumps and larger patches of a hive-like rash on their bellies. This is called pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP) or polymorphic eruption of pregnancy. PUPPP usually begins in the third trimester and is more common among women carrying twins and those having their first baby. The eruptions usually show up first on the abdomen around or in stretch marks (if you have any) and may spread to your thighs, buttocks, and arms. PUPPP is harmless for you and your baby, but it can itch like crazy!" - www.babycenter.com

Itch like crazy? Itch like crazy? How about itches so much you become crazy, have sleepless nights, and the only thing that sometimes will give you relief is to rub raw ice cubes until your skin is numb. For the past week and a half Ive had to deal with this horrible rash. I have cried and screamed bloody murder, begging God to to get me though this pain. If I was far enough along my Dr. would induce me, but he doesn't feel comfortable inducing before 38 weeks. I am now 33 and a half weeks, which means I have to deal with this rash for another month! :( I am so thankful to all friends and family who have given me at home remedies, and all the different foums online. Besides the 50/50 teatment I do in the morning and at night, I find relief from Sarna Cream, Gold Bond Body Lotion, Grandpa's Tar Soap, Ice Packs, and COLD environments. I lay in my bed or on my Mom's couch with the AC on, and fans blowing directly on me in light cotton pjs. I have ben in so much pain, that I have taken up to 6 cold showers a day just to "survive". 

My Dr. has now put me on bed rest, which means I am off of work 4 weeks before my planned leave. Not only am I now missing out on my biggest event of the year my department hosts, which is an amazing runway show at the Ritz Carlton in Laguna Niguel, with over 300 customers attending... I also will be returning to work 4 weeks sooner than planned, which is time taken away from Stella, and my bonding period (This absolutely devastates me).

Here are some photos of my PUPPP rash. It spread to every inch of my body sparing only my face, chest, and back. The rash has flared up severely on my legs, but is shown up on my calves, arms, fingers, hands, hips, butt, arm pits, feet, and toes. 

My Legs

Ankles

 My arms

This is the ugly side of pregnancy :( Those of you who complain about stretch marks I envy you. I am just three days away from hitting the 34 week mark and am sooooo over being pregnant. Labor doesn't scare me at ALL, I am ready! I can't wait for Stella to be here. I know that after the morning sickness, progesterone treatments, nausea, indigestion, back aches, food aversions, weight gain, sore boobs, the puppps rash, let downs of negative pregnancy tests, and even the miscarriage... the end result of being a Mommy to Stella will be completely worth it, and I am forever grateful to God for this blessing.The number one, most important thing, no matter what kind of pain I have to endure, is that Stella is healthy!

Baby Bump Photo Shoot

At 29 weeks Trevor & I had a photo shoot done by the amazingly talented & cool Jack Rodriguez. Our shoot took place on a sunny Sunday afternoon at the Anaheim Nature Center. Looking at these photos I can honestly say I feel beautiful. My little Stella bump is a miracle, and I cannot wait to meet our little girl.

Two Trimesters Down... One more to go!

 19 Weeks and Happy Parents to be

 Stella Rose and her pretty profile at 20 weeks

Our Sweet Daughter at 26 weeks 4D! One pretty little girl is coming to join our family.

Trimester two was everything I expected... better than One! I had a ton more energy, and felt like "SuperPreggo"! I could work 12 hour days, clean the entire house on my days off, and surf the net for hours buying the cutest little outfits for our future fashionista. The all day nauseau was gone, my belly actually looks like a baby bump (not an ice cream bump),  and I have been able to start planning and preparing for our little babe. Although I have been a lot more comfortable, I fully admit I am NOT one of those women who "loooove being pregnant", and could have 4 or 5 kids. Trev and I have already come to an agreement, one more baby... maybe two (but that would be max). I know at the very end of this journey all the uncomfortableness will be well worth it once Stella is in my arms.

With that I give you the best and worst moments of Trimester TWO, weeks 14-26

Top 10
1. Finding out Baby Bruner was a little girl!!! YAY for tutus and bows!!! This girly girl was happily surprised.
2. Sharing the news that we are Team Pink at our Gender Reveal Party
3. Putting together our registry. Pottery Barn Kids is my MECCA.
4. SHOPPING! I have had the best time buying outfits for our sweet Stella Rose. From Miss Marc Jacobs fashionable ensembles, to preppy chic Ralph Lauren dresses, and uber cool DVF prints, she is going to be one styling little lady.
5. Feeling Stella's big kick! I had been feeling her move but hadn't really felt a big kick until the night of my friend Lindsay's wedding. I was sitting down, at the reception, and all of a sudden- KICK! From that moment on she has been a regular karate kid, kicking me from 8-10pm, and 7-9am.
6. When Daddy got to feel Stella's kicks. One evening at about 8:30pm, we were laying in bed (yes, 8:00 is now our bed time), the kicking started. I yelled at Trevor to hurry and feel, "he goes, I am not going to be able to feel it"... he then humored me and put his hand on my tummy, and BAM, then another BAM, then two more BAMS! Stella kicked him four times in a row, and Trevor finally got to feel his baby girl. I cried like a baby.... such a surreal moment.
7.Decorating the nursery! Trevor has been one hard working Daddy to be, making Stella's pretty in pink "garden" themed nursery come to life It is turning out to be so beautiful. Some days I will just sit in my rocking chair for hours, thinking about Stella Rose. Its like my little retreat at home.
8. 4D ultrasound. At 26 weeks we took all the grandparents, and proud Aunt Ally to see Stella Rose in 4D! She was a little stubborn as it was her nap time. (she was using the placentia as her pillow) lol! Then finally she turned and we got to see her sweet face!. Everybody yelled OMG she has Trevor's nose. Which she does, and it is the cutest nose I have ever seen. Then I really looked at her, and I saw me. She has my cheeks and pouty little lips. I know I am biased, but she is the most beautiful thing in the world to me <3
9. Energy. It was gone for about 3 months, so it felt great to feel like myself again.
10. Test results. So far all the tests have come back clear, and have been reassuring that Stella is one healthy little girl

Bottom 5
Unfortunately Trimester Two is not all butterfly and sunshine. There are some struggles that come along with all this joy!
1. Back Aches- Ouch! Around 20 weeks, my back started to get really sore. I can't go, go, go like I am used to. I really have to slow down, which I hate to do!
2. Indigestion. Even though the nauseau stopped, I have woken up in the middle of the night throwing up due to indigestion. Gross...
3. Pregnancy is not fashionable. Working as the Designer Manager for Nordstrom comes with high expectations, especially in the looks department which has had to be put on hold. I have not worn heels since December. (bye, bye YSLs strappy sandals, and Gucci Pumps). I bought a pair of strappy Givenchy flat sandals that have been an absolute lifesaver! I wear them almost every single day, and my feet thank me for it.
4. Stretch Marks- I have not gotten any on my belly (so far), but have noticed some pink lines forming on my hips :( Not so fun.
5. Insomnia. Waking up tp go the bathroom every hour, does not help this mama to be get her beauty rest.


Well we have at least 10 weeks left before I am considered full Term and Stella can make her arrival. As we prepare for becoming parents I can't help but thank God so much for this blessing I remember praying everyday for a sweet baby (secretly a sweet baby girl), and God has given us the most amazing gift. Although pregnancy definitely has its ups and downs, it is an absolute miracle to think that all because two people fell in love, a little life is growing inside of me. We cant wait to meet our little BABE!