37 Weeks

Thirty seven weeks...term...fully cooked...ready to roll! Like most weeks, I can't believe that the pregnancy has gone so fast. I'm definitely feeling very pregnant - back pain, trouble sleeping, swollen feet...well, swollen everything! The feet/leg/everything swelling is starting to get old - Mr Man can make his debut ANY time now.

During our 37 week appointment, I learned I am GBS positive. GBS is a bacteria in the birth canal that some women just have. It can be troublesome to the baby during labor and birth so, if present, the mama gets antibiotics every 4 hours during labor. Annoying? Yes. Disappointing? Slightly. End of the world? Hardly.

Thirty seven weeks also marks the "ok to deliver at the birth center" gestation! Yay!! Come on little dude!

Am I ready for this munchkin to come out? Yes and no. Physically, I'm pretty ready to not be pregnant anymore. Mentally and emotionally, I'm getting scared. I'm scared of a lot of things that will be coming in the next few weeks. Labor, first of all! I've been around my fair share, and lots of people's fair share, of pregnant and laboring ladies as an 8 year labor and delivery nurse. It definitely doesn't look like it tickles! I think this could be an advantage of sorts because maybe it won't be as bad as I think it may be. I might get surprised. I might get surprised?

I'm scared about being a mama too. All of the what if's keep coming to mind and consuming a lot of my thoughts. What if I seriously mess him up!? What if I'm really not a good mother? What if something horrible happens to him and he's taken from us (not by the child protective services...). What if he grows up and moves out!? What if he's a nightmare and ends up in jail? What if I don't know what to do to/what to say/how to be involved/push just hard enough...?

On the flip side, I'm so ready to meet this little creature. I'm ready to learn how to be his mother, how to comfort him when he needs it, how to nurture him to grow to be the kind of man many strive to be. I'm ready to look into his eyes in the middle of the night, exhausted, as he has a late night snack. I'm ready for his little fingers to curl around mine. I'm ready.



How far along: 37 wks

Total weight gain: 34lbs

Maternity clothes: Oh yeah

Symptoms: Ummm, being 9 months pregnant?

Stretch marks: Still just the one, thankfully

Sleep: Still challenging but I haven't slept in the glider in a few days

Best moment of this week: Turning 37 weeks

What's new this week: He's approximately 19 inches and 6.3lbs. His growth is starting to slow down just a little bit and he's busy practicing for life on the outside. I'm waiting for him to drop - I think he may have started a little bit but nothing significant. We're supposed to pack a bag...does having a few items in a laundry basket with the bag next to it count? And a list on the iphone?

Miss anything: Lots of things - sleeping well, good beer, normal shoes

Movement: I consistently have sharp jabs and kicks to my left side, right under (and sometimes way up in) my rib. Rarely is there any movement on my right side - almost always left. Sometimes I feel like he stretches so hard that I can grab his foot or knee, or whatever that is, from the outside.

Food cravings: The usual...ice water is new this week. Can't get enough of the chilly cold H2O goodness

Anything making you queasy or sick: Thinking about being pregnant for another 5 weeks!

Have you started to show yet: Nah, I just swallowed a basketball

Gender: Still a boy

Labor signs: Today, right on the 37 week mark, I did have quite a few Braxton Hicks contractions. They started to get a little more regular and pretty tight but nothing that caused cramps or anything close to real labor.

Belly button in or out: Definitely out

Wedding rings on or off: Off. I miss them.

Happy or moody most of the time: Tired

Looking forward to: Seeing that sweet little face!

They just keep getting bigger...not really fitting in the flops anymore.  You know those surgical booties?  Yeah, those have become my work "shoes"

36 Weeks

This past weekend was great!  Casie, my sister and excited auntie-to-be, hosted a lovely baby shower.  Invited to this one were our friends from Raleigh, some work friends, and of course the grandmas!  It was at Casie’s house in Pittsboro and we had a pretty good turn out.  I think my favorite part, aside from all of the guests, were the lemon cupcakes!  I’m still dreaming of those bad boys!  She seriously needs to make a bakery business or some kind of catering business.  Well maybe not because I’d buy (and eat) all of her cupcakes…

          

Susie, Ann, and Megan

Gma Donna and Jessica

Megan, Michele, and Ann

In other news this week, I have to call the insurance company to order my breast pump.  I found out midway through the pregnancy that Cigna views breastfeeding as “preventative care” and that results in us getting a breast pump covered at 100%!  Yay!!  I guess insurance companies can surprise you so times – in a good way!  They’re delivering a double electric pump in about a week – yay again!

Also in other news, I went to the chiropractor for the first time.  I was having some pain in my sciatic area and walking like a complete gimp so I figured I’d give it a whirl.  He cracked my back and then went for my neck.  I was NOT prepared for him to give it a crack!  The first crack this way went ok because it caught me by surprise but the second crack that way was yuck!  I knew it was coming!  They found out that a 25 minute massage and an adjustment was also covered by the insurance company so that’s a bonus!  I need to make a follow up appointment with them at the office that’s down by my work so I can take advantage of that!  Who doesn’t love a massage – even for 25 minutes!

How far along:  36 weeks 

Total weight gain:  I think about 30 lbs total 

Maternity clothes:  Oh yeah - and I'm pretty happy with my baby shower dress!  So comfy!

Symptoms:  I can't think of anything else clever for this answer anymore!

Stretch marks:  Still just the one - whew!

Sleep:  I'm feeling a little first trimester-y again.  Falling asleep on the couch after work, waking up for dinner...

Best moment of this week:  Baby shower fun!

What's new this week:  He's just gaining weight, practicing breathing, and swallowing.  Getting ready for life on the outside!!  Come on buddy - I can't wait to meet you!

Miss anything: My ankles

Movement:  Like a wild man.  I can't wait to see those little feet that have been consistently jabbing my left side for the past 10 weeks!

Food cravings:  Still thinking watermelon is pretty awesome

Anything making you queasy or sick:  Nope

Have you started to show yet:  Oh yeah

Gender:  Little bouncing baby boy

Labor signs:  Nothing yet

Belly button in or out:  Definitely out

Wedding rings on or off:  Off - even the fake extra large one

Happy or moody most of the time:  Ready to have the baby!

Looking forward to:  Uhhhh...having the baby!!

35 Weeks...and 4 days

This week has been pretty sucky as far as pregnancy goes.  I think I'm almost hitting wall of "is it over yet?!"  Almost.  I'm trying really hard to just suck it up but a girl has her moments.

This week, we went up to the birth center to get the swelling situation checked out.  I had been getting some higher than normal for me blood pressures and a few other symptoms.  I had a thorough exam and my blood pressure was actually a little better.  Just chalking it up to swollen preggo feet - or I lovingly refer to them as "elephant legs".

Then Thursday morning, the back pain started.  It had been lingering in one spot every time I lay down but then it persisted 24/7.  My plan was to head into work but come home once the second nurse came in (the third nurse was on vacation) but then she called in sick with pink eye.  Boom.  Out for two days.    Friday afternoon, the baby must have shifted or something because the pain was basically gone!  Hallelujah!!!  I was feeling saucy the rest of the day and had a date with my love...awwww!  We even went shopping for a baby shower dress.  It's not going to hide the elephant legs but it is cute.  Maybe no one will notice?

But then.  The pain came back last night :(  With a vengeance.  Today has been spent hobbling around the house, ice and heating pad on my back, some Tylenol, and lots of sitting on my butt.  The glider even got moved into the bedroom...and that's where I may sleep tonight.

Enough of the whining!  Suck it up mamacita!!  You got this!

Highlight of the week - pedicure!!  And then coming home to a box of half donuts.  Jess has a thing for donuts (who doesn't!?) and checked out a new donut store today.  This could be TROUBLE!


How far along: 35 weeks and 4 days

Total weight gain: Who the hell cares anymore

Maternity clothes:  Yup.  Feeling excited about my maternity dress for the shower tomorrow!

Symptoms: The belly button has popped - the turkey is done!

Stretch marks: Still only the one.  I was starting to make my peace with getting a few more so that's a good thing!

Sleep: Oye.  Sleep is becoming challenging

Best moment of this week: Friday afternoon feeling the best I've felt in about a week!  And a date with my love.  Possibly our last prebaby date!

What's new this week:  18 inches and 5 1/4 pounds!  There's 5 1/4 pounds of baby in there - holy crap!!   He's about to bulk up big time - brace yourself back!  That's pretty much all he's up to in there.  Just getting his chunky on.  I love that I feel like he has a little personality already.  I feel like he loves food because he moves like a wild man whenever I eat.  I know all babies probably do that but I like to think he loves food like his moms do.

Miss anything:  Walking normally.  Sleeping.

Movement:  All day, every day - and I could use one movement in particular this very second

Food cravings:  None in particular - ice water is pretty awesome these days

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope

Have you started to show yet:  Ooooooh yeah.  Last night for date night, I had chosen to wear a teal maxidress to dinner.  Well, I was in the bathroom drying my hands and one of the hostess ladies walked in and I took her by surprise.  She let out an "Oh WOAH! When are you due!?"  Yeah lady, big ole preggo right here.  Take your size zero and keep walking...

Gender:  Still my little man

Labor signs:  Nothing too exciting.  Some Braxton Hicks here and there and an occasional crampy cramp but nothing to write home about

Belly button in or out:  Out 100%.  That was fun trying on dresses yesterday - can you see my belly button in this?  How about this?

Wedding rings on or off:  Off.  I miss them.

Happy or moody most of the time:  Yesterday, happy when he moved!  I felt like a new woman!

Looking forward to:  BABY SHOWER TOMORROW!!!!!  My sister has been working so hard.  I can't wait to see all of the touches she's been working on...and eat one of these lemoncello cupcakes she's been talking about!

The Chair Drama Continues...

Well, the rocking chair situation continues...

We went to Buybuybaby a few weeks ago, the baby megastore that gives me chest pains every time I walk in, and sat on all of the gliders. "Just to test them out", of course. We sat in every single chair and tried to envision the middle of the night feedings, the sick baby who won't sleep unless held, the bedtime stories, and all of the other snuggly happy baby/cranky baby moments. There was this one chair - that's always how it starts - that was head and shoulders more comfy than the rest. It was a glider (and I don't like the look of gliders) that reclines AND continues to glide! Genius. The other gliders only recline when locked and that's not terribly fun. And there was an ottoman.

Here's the problem. That sucker was like $900 for the set! No way that was going to fly on our budget. What's the solution?? Craigslist to the rescue! I think I must have stalked Craigslist for a few weeks solid before we found THEE one. We picked it up on Mother's Day and it's been hanging out in the kiddo's room ever since, just waiting for some free time to make a slip cover. We scored that bad boy for less than $200 - yay Craigslist!!

I got some swatches from the fabric store and we debated back and forth about the color. Does gray go with dark brown wood? Do we paint it white? Do we have too much yellow in the room? Is this yellow too bright? Nah - yellow is just fine! I'd like to get some fabric covered buttons to do a little upholstery finish on the back of it but I need to ask my friend who has a button maker machine. I have to say, I'm pretty pleased - and pretty comfortable!

And the final product...