The One with the Weekly Pregnancy Update

And onto week 38 (how the hell did we get this far so fast?!)

38 Weeks

Did you know it was possible to grow a baby in your ute and your ass at the same time?
Me either until I looked at this picture.

How far along? 38 weeks (pumpkin)

Total weight gain/loss: +23 pounds

From the doctor: I was at the doctor yesterday morning and there are some new things to report.  First off, I am now dilated 1-1.5 cm which is some progress since last week when I was closed up tight.  Baby is still head down and low which is good news.  I only gained 2 pounds this week but the doctor seems to think I've gotten bigger since last week and decided to do a growth ultrasound to check on how big the baby is.  I am going in on Wednesday afternoon to have this done.  Dr. B said if he's a big baby and if I make more progress between now and next week's appointment then he may start to talk about inducing me.  I have absolutely no desire to be induced, especially before my actual due date, but I figure we'll see how things look after Wednesday and go from there.  Dr. B seems to think this little one is arriving before my due date anyway.

Maternity clothes: Either those or Hubs' big t-shirts at home.

Sleep: Getting more difficult with each passing day.  I'm exhausted by bed time but staying asleep is nearly impossible.
Best moment this week: Nice to hear my body is doing what it is supposed to and starting to get ready for labor and delivery.

Miss anything? Not getting heartburn from water and everything else under the sun.

Going to miss anything about being pregnant? All the movement, even when it's uncomfortable.

Movement: Oh yes.  And I am becoming intimately acquainted with the term lightning crotch.
Food cravings: Took a trip back to Allie's Donuts again this weekend.
Anything making you queasy or sick? Nothing specific at this point except the heartburn.
Gender: one bouncing baby boy (looking forward to confirming that again if possible at the u/s on Wednesday)
Labor Signs: The Braxton Hicks contractions (tightening but no pain) are absolutely increasing.  I have also had some spotting since the doctor's appointment yesterday, which the doctor said is normal once everything starts opening up.
Symptoms: Have I mentioned the heartburn?

Major purchases this week? Nothing really new for the baby this week.  I ordered a few nursing tanks from ON that should be coming today or tomorrow.

Nursery: Finished!

How mama is feeling: Tired and achy but unbelievably excited to meet our son.

Weekly wisdom: Walking, even small distances, is good for you.  Try to stay active even when you're exhausted.
Looking forward to: Last day of school on Friday.

Next appointment: Ultrasound on May 1st and doctor on May 6th

And just for fun, a little side-by-side comparison...

 What a difference a mere 30 weeks can make!

The One with the Weekly Pregnancy Update

37 Weeks

And I look miserable in this picture.

How far along? 37 weeks (winter melon...WTF is that?!)

Total weight gain/loss: +21 pounds, according to the doctor yesterday morning

From the doctor: Yesterday morning's appointment went well.  Dr. B. did another internal exam and things are still closed for business right now, which is not surprising considering I haven't had any contractions yet.  He said he can feel baby boy's head and that he's pretty low which is definitely good news.  My GBS (Group B Strep) test came back positive.  About 25-30% of normal, healthy woman test positive for this.  All it means is that I will need antibiotics during delivery so that the bacteria doesn't get transferred to the little guy.

Maternity clothes: Nothing but.

Sleep: Hit or miss with this.  Some nights I can get comfy and stay that way for most of the night and other nights I am up a million times rearranging myself and my ginormous belly.
Best moment this week: Just about finished up the nursery (tour post is in draft form and coming later this week) and finally ordered some wedding pictures to frame and hang...we've only been married for almost 2 years!

Miss anything? Eating a normal sized meal.  While this baby may have dropped some, he still pushes on my stomach and makes eating difficult.

Going to miss anything about being pregnant? Not feeling guilty about eating cookies on a regular basis.

Movement: Pretty much all the time.
Food cravings: Bagels with strawberry cream cheese...I don't even like strawberry cream cheese.
Anything making you queasy or sick? Veggies (even the raw ones) still aren't doing much for me.
Gender: boy all the way (although I have read like 3 stories lately about women who were told one gender only to find out at delivery that it's the other...)
Labor Signs: Nada, although I have been having some different kinds of aches and pains lately.
Symptoms: Cankles, backache (especially after going back to work yesterday), heartburn even with meds, groin pain

Major purchases this week? I picked up a few last things for our hospital bags (snacks, nipple butter, chapstick), but I think we have pretty much bought every baby item known to man at this point.

Nursery: Loving how it looks!

How mama is feeling: Yesterday was a pretty good first day back at work, but I am definitely tired.  Moving is becoming slower and slower but I know it is all worth it in the end.

Weekly wisdom: Sleeping on an incline helps with the heartburn.  It's not the most comfortable thing, but it's better than waking up with stomach acid in your mouth.
Looking forward to: Meeting our son and being done with work.

Next appointment: April 29th

The One with the Weekly Pregnancy Update

Sorry I've been MIA the last few days.  It's school vacation week and Hubs and I have been working extra hard to finish up last minute projects and things to get ready for baby boy's arrival.  It's been nonstop around here, which makes me feel super productive.  And exhausted.  But walking from the couch to the kitchen makes me feel exhausted right now too, so I may not be the best judge of exhaustion at this point.

Anyway, on to the update.

36 Weeks

Yes, it's the same shirt as last week.  Stop judging.

How far along? 36 weeks (honeydew)

Total weight gain/loss: +19 pounds, according to the doctor yesterday

From the doctor: We had a very good appointment yesterday and Hubs got to meet Dr. B for the first time.  I had my GBS (group B strep) test so I'll find out the results at my next appointment.  Dr. B also did my first internal exam to check for dilation.  We are still closed up tight, which I pretty much expected at this point.  But the best news is...baby boy is HEAD DOWN!  I was having such anxiety about this whole thing and really didn't want to go the c-section route because of a breech baby.  So, it looks like he will stay that way at this point, but please keep thinking downward thoughts!

Maternity clothes: Obviously.

Sleep: Well it's been an interesting week for this.  I have had mornings where I am wide awake at 4 and others where I've slept until 7:30 (late for me).  The reflux is terrible at night and I am up several times to pee and take Tums.  I usually fall asleep pretty quickly but staying asleep all night is definitely a thing of the past.
Best moment this week: It's been a really good week all around.  I finished washing and putting away all the 0-3 month baby clothes, along with all of the other amazing things we got at our showers.  We went up to BBB and PBK today to pick up the rest of the things we needed for the little guy.  Hubs just loooves shopping with me!  I also finished all my thank you notes for my showers, which was quite the process!

This is not even close to all of them either.

Miss anything? Wearing my rings and a really cold beer.

Going to miss anything about being pregnant? I'm going to miss the connection only we share at this point.  I am still amazed that I am growing a teeny tiny human inside me and while I am so very excited to meet him as an outside baby, I will miss having him with me all the time.

Movement: Yes, and lots of hiccups lately after I eat.
Food cravings: I just had to have a roll with butter yesterday.  Ate another one this morning too.  Still having lots of ice cold milk.
Anything making you queasy or sick? My own stomach acid is pretty damn annoying.
Gender: baby boy
Labor Signs: Nothing of note yet.  Maybe a contraction or two, but nothing consistent.
Symptoms: Heartburn, sore back

Major purchases this week? We did some major shopping today and got the last things we needed on our list.  It was quite a shopping experience.  I am thoroughly exhausted but I think we are as ready as we are going to be.  I also packed our hospital bags and am planning to go out and pick up a few last minute things to add to them during the rest of the week.

Nursery: The nursery is just about done.  Hubs is hanging a few more things today and tomorrow and then I think we will be ready for the little man (or as ready as we are going to be to bring a helpless human home!).  Hubs also put together his Raptor power wheel (which we clearly needed to have ready for our newborn to drive!)

I'm thinking this will make a pretty great 3rd birthday present!

How mama is feeling: Excellent this week because I'm not working.  I can rest when I need to, sleep if I have to, and nest when the mood strikes.  I absolutely love teaching but I am so very much looking forward to being done.

Weekly wisdom:  Pack separate hospital bags for labor and delivery, postpartum, and baby.  While I haven't had to use them yet, it saves you from lugging it all into the hospital and moving it from room to room.
Looking forward to: Seeing what this little man looks like.

Next appointment: April 22nd.  I'm at the every week stage now...so crazy!

The One with the Weekly Pregnancy Update

35 Weeks

A 3 and a 5 this week?!  How long do you think this board took me?!

How far along? 35 weeks (coconut...although I think The Bump screws this up...how did we go from a butternut squash last week to a coconut this week?)

Total weight gain/loss: +18ish I think.  I honestly haven't been on the scale all week.

From the doctor: Nothing new to report here.  I am looking forward to going back next week and hearing any updates.

Maternity clothes: Like I have a choice.

Sleep: Considering I am writing this post at 4:30 in the morning, you tell me.  The heartburn still bothers me at night and my body won't seem to let me get more than 6-7 hours of sleep without being wide awake.  Although I know that much sleep will be a far-off dream in a few weeks!
Best moment this week: My shower on Saturday.  It was so awesome to spend time with family and friends and we got so many amazing things.  I also had my work shower last Thursday and I am still working to put everything away.  More on both showers in another post.

Miss anything? Sleeping through the night and normal looking feet and ankles.

Going to miss anything about being pregnant? As I get really close to the end of this pregnancy, I decided to add this category.  Without a doubt, I am going to miss the kicks, rolls, and jabs from this little guy.  It has been such a very cool experience.

Movement: Yup.
Food cravings: Still lots of sweets, along with ice cold milk.
Anything making you queasy or sick? Just the heartburn.
Gender: one little boy...better be because we have more boy clothes than I know what to do with!
Labor Signs: Nothing yet.
Symptoms: Cankles, exhaustion, backache

Major purchases this week? I haven't bought a thing but we are certainly loaded up with baby stuff after my showers.  During vacation next week, we will go and pick up the rest of the essentials from the registry.

Nursery: I put away some stuff from the showers over the weekend.

How mama is feeling: Mama is uncomfortable, mostly at night after a long day of work.  It's hard being on my feet all day long in the classroom.  But I am also unbelievably excited thinking about the fact that we get to meet this little man so soon.

Weekly wisdom:  Make your students come to you.  I am not a "sit at my desk" kinda teacher, but lately I've told my students that they need to walk to me, instead of the other way around, because I am just too tired to walk around all day.
Looking forward to: Finishing putting all the baby stuff away and as silly as this sounds, washing and putting away clothes.

Next appointment: April 16th

I am also linking up with Lisette and Catalyn for a Just Because post.  Check out their adorable blogs!

The One with the Weekly Pregnancy Update

I will be 35 weeks tomorrow.  But I couldn't skip week 34 just because this week has been crazy and I've been too tired to do a board.  However, the picture is not a chalkboard.  It is a teaser from our maternity shoot this past weekend.

So, here's my really-just-about-35-weeks-post.

34 Weeks

Courtesy of the very talented Joseph Laurin

How far along? 34 weeks (butternut squash)

Total weight gain/loss: +16ish I think

From the doctor: I saw the doctor way back last Wednesday and all looks well.  I am measuring on track, blood pressure is good, and baby boy's heartbeat was thumping away.

Maternity clothes: I found a really comfy skirt at Motherhood that I ended up wearing for our maternity pictures last weekend.

Sleep: Oh well this has been a rocking good time lately.  Between the middle of the night puke and pee fest and the insomnia that caused me to be wide awake at 3:30 the other morning, I am not exactly having so much fun with the sleep thing.  Although, last night I slept really well.  So it's pretty much a crapshoot.
Best moment this week: Maternity pictures on Saturday.  We worked with Joseph Laurin and he was fantastic to spend the afternoon with.  He posted a few teaser pictures on Facebook and I cannot wait to see the rest.

Miss Anything? Being able to stand and walk like a normal person.  Seeing my feet.  Wearing my engagement ring (I officially retired it this week).  Sushi.  Oh, and sleeping on my stomach.  I so cannot wait for that!

Movement: All.the.time.  This is one thing I am really going to miss when little man lives on the outside.
Food cravings: Nothing I just have to have, but I swear they have put crack in Starburst jellybeans because I cannot stop eating them.
Anything making you queasy or sick? Thankfully no, unless you count my own stomach juice that causes me to puke in the middle of the night.
Gender: a little mister
Labor Signs: I swear I had an actual contraction the other day, not just a BH.  It passed pretty quickly but I was in a bit of pain for a few seconds the other day and it felt very different from anything I've felt before.
Symptoms: Some swelling by the end of the day, backache, exhaustion

Major purchases this week? I picked up a few Easter things that were on sale.  I already have a couple of things for the little man's basket next year.

Nursery: I haven't done much in there, but I am planning where I am going to hang some pictures (maternity and newborn) once we get them.

How mama is feeling: I am continuing to get more uncomfortable and breathing has been a little tough.  But I am still enjoying being pregnant.  Although I am getting so ready to meet our little guy.

Weekly wisdom:  Ask for help if you need it.  You cannot physically do all the things you could do before.
Looking forward to: My shower on Saturday!

Next appointment: April 16th

The One with the Weekly Pregnancy Update

33 Weeks

I really loathe making those 3's.

How far along? 33 weeks (durian fruit...here's the Wikipedia explanation of this strange spikey fruit because I had no clue what the hell it was!)

Total weight gain/loss: +14 pounds according to the scale this morning...although with the massive quantities of Easter candy I'm consuming I see that number going up soon.

From the doctor: This was an off-week for an appointment so nothing new to report.

Maternity clothes: My new stuff from Gap and Old Navy arrived the other day and I headed over to Macy's yesterday to pick up a few things.  I got some shirts (I'm wearing one in the picture above) and also picked up a nightgown and robe for the hospital.

Sleep: This really hasn't been too much of a problem.  I wake up a few times at night, but I find myself able to go back to sleep.
Best moment this week: Seeing very good friends on Saturday.

Miss Anything? Goat cheese and Diet Coke.  I had a nagging headache yesterday and really wanted a cold DC to possibly help.  I know I can have an occasional one, but I've been trying to be good and resisted.  Definitely requesting those in the hospital.

Movement: Oh yes and I do love it.  Elbows, knees, and the bum are definitely starting to be recognizable at certain times when he moves.  I am also feeling him more on my cervix so maybe he's turned himself (fingers crossed!)
Food cravings: No real cravings, just hungry pretty much all the time.
Anything making you queasy or sick? Nothing really, but I just need to eat more frequent smaller portions to keep my stomach from getting too full.
Gender: Little guy.
Labor Signs: Nothing yet, but I can't believe that this whole labor thing is going to happen so soon!
Symptoms: Hip pain, difficulty breathing, dry skin

Major purchases this week? I picked up a few outfits and socks at Target and Macy's while I was out and about.  And I didn't buy it, but our highchair arrived this week from my fantastic aunt and uncle in North Carolina.  Well, technically it arrived last week, but we had to return it because it didn't work correctly and it needed to be exchanged.  Hubs put the new one together today and I love the way it looks.  I'll let you know how well it works with a baby in it in about 6 or 7 months!

Boon Flair Pedestal Highchair with Pneumatic Lift

Classes/Tours: We are finished with all of our classes and now just need to hope we remember it all when the big day comes.

Nursery: No big developments in there this week, but I am enjoying using my chair (I am blogging from there right now).  I am going to wash and organize a bunch of clothes after my shower in two weeks and Hubs promises he'll hang the bookshelves during our vacation in April.  I also picked up the wooden letters for his name to go above the crib, but we won't hang those until after he arrives so we can keep his name to ourselves.

How mama is feeling: I really do feel pretty good.  I'm tired and my body is sore, but I think I'm in pretty good spirits most of the time (Hubs may disagree with that one!).

Weekly wisdom:  Steal your husband's pajamas when yours no longer fit.  And while pregnancy is certainly not an excuse to eat everything in sight, enjoy your treats while you can.
Looking forward to: Pedicure on Wednesday, manicure and massage on Friday, and maternity pictures on Saturday.

Next appointment: March 27th.

On a side note, we've been doing some training with Max to get him ready for the little man's arrival.  He's been doing pretty well with the doll and I plan to try and take him for a walk with the stroller sometime in the next few weeks.  I have been using the purple Johnson & Johnson bedtime lotion on myself to get him used to that smell and he actually gets bathed using the baby shampoo so I'm hoping he's used to that smell already.  We've been playing some baby crying sounds on the phone for him to hear, but I am also going to put the phone in the crib with the doll to help him associate the two.  Once I have my shower and we get some more baby items, I am hoping to introduce more things to him.  We'll see how it goes...