Full Term at 37 weeks

How far along? 37 weeks and officially full term - woohoo!

Size of baby: Well ultrasound lady says he's about 8.3 to which I said, "right now???" and she said yes, but could be off by a pound either way. However, she then told me she's generally within 10% of the correct weight and has been dead on with her last 10 or so. So, I'm thinking this not so little fella can come anytime now.

What's baby up to? Getting bigger and bigger and BIGGER.

Total weight gain: +32 lbs

Pregnancy symptoms: Got rid of the leg cramp problem by drinking Gatorade and eating bananas - thank goodness! My groin area feels like it is getting crushed and my hips pop when I roll over in bed.

Stretch marks? Nope

Sleep: Wakeups are more frequent, pretty much every 2-3 hours. Guess I better get used to it, at least I get to roll over and go back to bed now, not so much in a few weeks.

Best moment this past week: Making it to full term, completing our labor and delivery class and washing clothes for our little fella. Also got to catch up with my BFF who is in town and meet her little one. He's adorable and such a good baby, I hope to be so lucky.

Miss Anything?  Being able to bend over and pick things up off the ground.

Movement: Not sure how he's able to move, but he's still got some space and is making full use of it.

Food Cravings: Watermelon and chicken salad. I could eat them both all day, everyday.

Anything making you queasy or sick: My size. If you havent picked up on it, I have body image and weight issues, always have. Stems from being an overweight child and young teen. So this entire process has been a struggle for me, but it is getting really hard at this point. I'm just SO big. Don't worry, I'm not dumb about it and eat a healthy diet and do what's best for baby. I'm just saying I've had a hard time mentally dealing with the weight gain.

Labor sigs: Have been having some mild Braxton Hicks contractions, nothing too intense. I have a big work project coming to an end this Wednesday and will feel much better after that is over. I'll be ok having him anytime after that.

Belly Button in or out: In

Wedding rings on or off: Still off but I can still get them on from time to time, just don't want them to get stuck on so I leave them off.

Happy or Moody: Happy most of the time, but quick to snap.

Weekly Wisdom: Enjoy the peace and quiet. Pamper yourself with a pedicure!

Looking forward to: The end of this journey and holding our sweet baby boy.

36 weeks

How far along? 36 weeks - last month of pregnancy! WHAT!?!?

Size of baby: Babyzone.come says he is 18.6 inches long and 5.8 pounds, about the size of a galia melon. I feel pretty huge and turns out, the doctor thinks he might be bigger too so we're getting an ultrasound on Friday to try and estimate his size.

I have mixed feelings about this. I'm excited to see him again, but really don't want to be induced or have a c-section. So, I'm nervous as to what they recommend and then having to make a decision.

What's baby up to? His brain is continuing to grow and his touch-sensing nerves start growing their myelin sheath.

He also got his first case of the hiccups last night.

Total weight gain: +32 lbs

Pregnancy symptoms: Holly leg cramps! Woke up Friday morning and about died from the pain and scared the dog to death. My waddle has increased, my hips and my back hurt pretty bad too... I'm falling apart!

Stretch marks? Nope

Sleep: Eh, starting to get harder to do between back pain, hips hurting and the heartburn. I wake up every single morning at 5 a.m. for a bathroom break. It's pretty remarkable how exact the timing is.

Best moment this past week: Passing the 1 month to go mark!

Miss Anything? Being able to move freely and feet that don't ace. When I get out of bed in the morning these days, it feels like I danced the night away in heels the night before.

Movement: Still moving around in there so I don't think he'll be coming any time too soon.

Food Cravings: Water, water, water. It has been so hot.

Anything making you queasy or sick: My weight gain.

Labor sigs: Nope, but got checked at my visit on Wednesday and I'm 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced. Doesn't mean much, I could be this way for weeks or days, everyone is different. My mom said she only dilated a few days before deliver so we shall see.

Belly Button in or out: In

Wedding rings on or off: Off

Happy or Moody: Mellow yet anxious at times.

Weekly Wisdom: Be prepared for some pain the in the ribs. The bigger he gets the more his little foot is up in my ribcage. It used to be every now and then but now happens all the time while I'm sitting down. Makes for a very long work day.

Looking forward to: One of my BFFs will be in town this coming week with her hubby and their new little edition to the family. He's almost 7 months and super cute, can't wait to hold the little guy.

We also had our last Newborn Care Class on Wednesday night. It was pretty torturions, just not a good instructor. The hubby got board and decided to have some fun when I left for a bathroom break... here's a pic of what I returned to.

Large & In Charge

I feel like I got super big overnight, maybe even during the day today. I got up to go to the restroom earlier (8th time today) and was like, "Whoa, where did you come from?" Here's a photo booth pic of today's super sized bump.

Good news is that my bump might be super-sized, but my face swelling has come down and I have eyes again when I smile :)

35 weeks

Favorite place to go for a walk these days,
 hills AND theme park food!

How far along? 35 weeks

Size of baby: He is about 5.24 lb and just over 18 inches long

What's baby up to? He lives on my right side and just under my ribs. Come on kiddo, move over a little! Although his lungs are not completely ready for life outside the womb, his kidneys have had lots of practice excreting urine; his liver is producing bile; his heartbeat is strong and regular. His brain, which weighs about two-thirds of what it will at birth, is growing furiously as he also (you guessed it) continues to put weight on the rest of his body.

Total weight gain: +30 lbs

Pregnancy symptoms: Starting to have some more emotional moments. The hubby jokes around that I'm finally acting pregnant and he's glad he only has to deal with it for a few more weeks.

Maternity clothes? Yup, but can still wear regular long maxi dresses.

Stretch marks? No, I think I'm still good.

Sleep: This week was ok, heartburn has seemed to back down a bit.

Best moment this past week: Newborn care class was good and I feel a little more confidant about brining him home :)

Miss Anything? My shoes still. I finally broke down and got a pair of wedged sandals so I can wear pants again. All my pants are too long to wear with flats (I have short legs, but not short enough for petite pants, it's strange) and I had to buy and entire size bigger than what I normally wear.

Movement: He's been kind of quiet this week, still moving around, but it's not so intense.

Food Cravings: Frozen yogert, ice cold water and anything else that comes fromt the freezer section.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Just the heat.

Labor sigs: No

Belly Button in or out: In

Wedding rings on or off: Off :(

Happy or Moody: Happy but stressed a bit about getting all our stuff done and together both at home and work before his arrival. Not knowing WHEN he'll come adds a bit of anxiety to the mix. The thought that it could be anywhere from 2-6 weeks from now is crazy. The 2 weeks from now gives me the stress.

Weekly Wisdom: I keep forgetting to mention that something I have found kind of strange as I've gotten bigger is how wrinkled my shirts and dresses get in the area under my stomach when I sit down. It just looks kind of funny when I stand up and have this big wrinkled mess at what used to be my waistline. So, try to remember to pull your shirt or dress out when you sit down to avoid some of this.

Looking forward to: Second newborn care class is this Wednesday and we are finally taking the labor and delivery class this next Saturday. Then we should be all educated and ready for this, ha, yeah right.

Here are some pics from Newborn Care Class.

Mastering his swaddle

Not mastering his holding technique

Nursery progress!

So we got busy this weekend on the nursery, mom finished up the bumper pads, cribskirt and the bed dust ruffle for the bed we're keeping in the room. Slowly but surely it is coming together. Here are some pics. 

Here is a  close up of the bumper pads with the crib sheet. I had originally registered for sheets that were white with a light lime green geometric pattern on them (from Target), but then they recently came out with this new "Come Ride with Me" line (also at Target) and I feel in love with the sheets. They have little cars, trucks and airplanes all over and in the right colors, so I exchanged the other crib sheets for these.  

This is the original guest room bed, it has been drug around the room and turned every way possible. Still not thrilled with how it looks in the room, but having it this way gives us the most floor space possible. We'll see how it ends up, but for now, it's staying put. Seamstress mom did the bedskirt for the bed, looks amazing, and the comforter is a Ross Dress for Less find for $18! 

34 weeks

How far along? 34 weeks, just 6 weeks until the big 4-0!

Size of baby: He is about 4 3/4 lb and almost 18 inches long, about the weight of an average cantaloupe. (then why do I look like I have a watermelon under my shirt?)

What's baby up to? His skin is also smoother than ever as he packs on the pounds. His central nervous system is maturing and so are his lungs.

Total weight gain: +30!

Pregnancy symptoms: Nothing new, swelling is still ridiculous. We laugh at how big my feet get. Don't worry, I checked in with the doctor at my last appointment about it and all is well.

Maternity clothes? Yes, but I've stopped buying any, unless I see something super cute on clearance.

Stretch marks? Nope, I still think I don't have any.

Sleep: Not too bad yet, going ok.

Best moment this past week: Baby shower with the hubby's family was amazing. Photos coming soon! We had a great visit with them and got to see his sister's little one again. She's growing so fast, I'm amazed at how fast they grow and change.

Here's a group pic we snagged at the end on our way out, I'm really bad about this and told myslef I'd be better at this shower, but I was not :(

Miss Anything? A back that doesn't hurt and my shoe collection. I've got limited pairs of shoes these boats can fit in right now.

Movement: Still going strong. The hubby finally got to see one of baby's jam sessions the other night. It is crazy how much movement is going on in there.

Food Cravings: Fruit. Watermelon is my favorite.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing new, but I've been sticking to pretty bland foods.

Labor sigs: No

Belly Button in or out: In

Wedding rings on or off: Sad to report they are off. I can get them on in the morning, but they get so tight throughout the day that I'm afraid my finger will turn blue. We've had some extremely hot days too so I'm sure that's not helping.

Happy or Moody: Happy, but have more and more pregnancy moments. I even got irritated during yoga this past week. uh-oh.

Weekly Wisdom: Take it easy in the heat and drink lots of water. Lots! Better yet, stay out of the heat!

Looking forward to: Getting serious on this nursery. It's in progress and progress is being made, so hopefully over the next week or so it'll be finished.

We also have a newborn care class at the hospital this Wednesday. Looking forward to that and hope it helps answer the "so we are home, now what?!" question after baby arrives.

A patriotic bump

Happy July 4th!

We are spending the day INSIDE (it's hot out there!) doing some shopping and sewing the crib bedding. Here's the view from the top these days...

And here's a few pics of the baby bedding sweatshop. Don't be fooled, my mom did all the work, I supervised and questioned every measurement, cut and stitch. She assured me she was more than qualified with her 40+ of sewing experience, but I had my doubts :) She's done a great job so far, now if we could just get it finished. I way underestimated the amount of time it would take.

Here is all the many yards of fabric:

My mom doing some measuring for the bumper pads.

Sewing the cording to bumper pad.