Baby A’s Week 38 Update

Well friends, we’ve entered the single digit countdown!!! As of today, there are only 7 days until Baby A’s due date!

 Baby Growth:  According to our last ultrasound and assuming he has gained half a pound a week- Baby A should be weighing in at 7 pounds 3  ounces.  He has a firm grasp and his organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb. 

The veggie/fruit comparison is a leek- 19.5 inches long!

 

My Symptoms: Whoa…this week was very eventful! One day this week at school I started having contractions. They started on my right side and moved all the way down to my ovaries. After several minutes I stood up to see if they would stop- they didn’t.  When my students left I walked down to find Danielle, we decided to walk to see if they would stop and to see how far a part they were. Well, I couldn’t tell when they ended but I timed how long they lasted, around 80 seconds.  I decided to call the doctor’s office since this had been going on for over an hour, and they told me to come in.  I was super excited, but felt a little scared! I called Brian to meet me, found someone to cover my class, Danielle prayed with me, and I was on my way.  I ran home and put all of our last minute stuff in our bag (makeup, hair dryer, glasses, cell phone charger, etc.) and made it to the doctor. 

I just knew I would be like 5 centimeters and he would send me to the hospital…ummm no! I was 50% and still “closed!” Are you kidding me?!?!? I felt so silly and disappointed.  The doctor assured me I did the right thing and it was perfectly normal. He said my labor had started and that it would be any day now. I love how I’ve been told “it could be any day now” for the past 2 weeks! I asked what was I supposed to do now and he suggested I go home and rest. So after grabbing some lunch from Double D, Brian and I picked up Baby A’s  going home outfit and I came home to relax. 

The rest of the week I continued to feel contractions and began feeling super nauseous- all day and night. No foods or drinks taste good and I’ve had a headache every day too. Friday was my weekly exam and I was able to see one of my favorite doctors. I warned him before the exam that if I wasn’t dilated more I was going to punch somebody out! Lucky for him (and Brian) I was ONE centimeter…yay!!!! He tried to strip my membranes but couldn’t quite reach it. He did put a ton of pressure to try and get things going- I practiced my breathing and focal point and it did not hurt at all! According to him I could have the baby that night or in 2 weeks- he said he “couldn’t read his crystal ball yet!”

Weight: Well on Wednesday of this week at the doctor I had gained 28 pounds, and Friday I had gained 32 pounds. I almost passed out! The sweet girl told me not to worry, it wasn’t accurate because the times were different and I had just eaten lunch.  I’m interested to see what my weight gain is this week!

Maternity Clothes: Same ole same ole- jeans, tights, and I did bust out one of my Old Navy cotton skirts. 

Movement: His movements are slowing down.  It’s been really neat to see him move across my belly this week. It has to be his legs and butt since his head is so low and already in position, but it’s super cool to watch!

 

Sleep: I’ve been sleeping GREAT this week!!! I go to bed around 9:30 p.m., get up two or three times to pee, go back to sleep easily, and wake up around 6:30 a.m.   

 

Cravings: Still jalapenos and sweet tea.

 

Best Pregnancy Moment This Week: This week the Mailman turned the BIG 3-0!!!!

We partied hard the whole weekend- dinner with his family Friday night, Saturday night we went with some friends to one of our favorite restaurants, Houndstooth Grill, and on Sunday Mom, Clay, Jen, and Reece met us for lunch and then stayed the afternoon at our house. It was such a great weekend being with all of our family and just relaxing, and eating ice cream cake of course!

 

 

Saturday afternoon I had a pedicure- it was an amazefest! I read pedicures are supposed to make your labor start, and my toes were needing some serious help-Win win situation!  That night during and after dinner I started having major back pain, felt super anxious, and began contracting again.  I went to sleep and woke up Sunday morning feeling fine- oh well!

 

Questions/Concerns:  I’m taking my birth plan to my doctor’s appointment this week. I feel nervous about letting him look at it, there’s nothing crazy on it, but he is a doctor and I don’t want him to think I’m silly or being unrealistic.

Goals: Finish re-reading and note taking on BabyWise.

Keep the house tidy and laundry caught up.

Walk 30 minutes every day.

REST!

It’s so surreal that this could be my last Baby A update post! Brian and I are over the moon excited that he will be here in a few days!

Baby A’s Week 37 Update

Baby Growth:  Baby A is now considered “full term!” At our last ultrasound (Week 36) Baby A was weighing 5 pounds, 11 ounces. According to our doctor, he will gain up to a half pound a week, so I’m guessing he weighs between 6 and 6.5 pounds.

 

The veggie/fruit comparison this week is Swiss Chard- measuring a bit over 19 inches…

 

 

My Symptoms: The Braxton Hicks contractions have picked up significantly and so has his movement. I feel a TON of pressure down low and several people have told me they can tell he has dropped.  The last time I was checked the doctor said I was 50%-70% thinned out and almost one centimeter dilated. This is completely subjective (one said 50% the other said 70%); the most interesting thing they had to say was how they were shocked his head is already so low!

This week was spring break and I rested a lot. Brian and I worked on our to do list but I had to take a lot of breaks and I was pretty much a hermit all week! I’ve been having some anxiety and felt a little depressed but I read that a lot of women experience Baby Blues before the baby is born. I’m feeling much better now and peaceful. I’m finally feeling “ready” to have Baby A, mentally, physically, and emotionally! 

This was taken the day we found out I was pregnant…

And this is 37 Weeks…

Weight:  At my appointment this week I had officially gained 28 pounds total!

My hands have started swelling on and off, but nothing consistent thank goodness! I feel pretty good about the way I look, my only complaint is my arms. I feel like they are SO flabby and big. I really have noticed them this week because the weather has been so awesome and I’ve worn t-shirt instead of long sleeves- oh well, it won’t take long to get them back to looking toned and lean again!

Maternity Clothes: This week I wore yoga pants, basketball shorts, and maternity jeans all week. Pretty much every shirt I wear is non maternity. I pulled some spring dresses out of our upstairs closet and have been wearing those with leggings. I’m just piecing outfits together for these last few days, I really don’t care anymore if it looks cute…I’m all about being comfortable. 

For Easter I bought myself a new pair of black Yellow Box flip flops and my mom had a teal/pink/white paisley pair in my Easter basket (don’t be jealous, yes I am 30 years old and still get an Easter basket!)

Movement: He is all over the place! The movements are very very strong too! My all time favorite thing is when I rest my arms on my belly how he pushes at my arms…bless his heart he’s running out of room and needs all the space he can get I guess!

Sleep: I wake up every morning around 2:00 to pee and then it takes about 30 minutes to an hour to go back to sleep.  Monday night I couldn’t go back to sleep and ended up on the couch- I think I ended up sleeping about 2-3 hours that night. The next day I was exhausted!

Cravings: Jalapenos. I eat them on everything- hamburgers, pizza, sandwiches, you name it; they taste SO good to me! I’ve also put on a clinic with the Easter candy. My favorite is usually Nerds but right now it’s chocolate- Reese eggs, Butterfinger eggs, Robin eggs, etc.

Best Pregnancy Moment This Week:

Being able to cross every single item off the to do list!

Ordering Baby A’s hospital outfit! We had his initials monogrammed on a gown and his first name put on the hat; it is precious!

Our Maternity shoot with Danielle and Jon. She did such a great job and it was nice being able to relax and laugh…

 

Questions/Concerns: My next appointment is Friday and I plan to ask about the Whooping Cough vaccine for Brian and my mom.

Being able to tell the difference between Braxton and real contractions.

Goals: Walk for at least 30 minutes every day.

Re-read Baby Wise- I’m taking serious notes this time.

Keep the house and laundry up each night so we can come home from the hospital to a spic and span house.

I seriously cannot believe it’s time! I was praying one day this week, thanking God for his protection over me during this whole pregnancy. I have been very blessed to be healthy, no bed rest, no high blood pressure, etc. I really do feel like this entire pregnancy has been great. Sure I’ve been tired, had back pains, and felt nauseous but I have no complaints. I feel truly blessed to have had this experience!

Time to Catch Up: Baby A’s Updates Weeks 31-36

I know I have been MIA for the past month but the mailman and I have been SUPER busy getting our “to do list” done before Baby A arrives. Can you believe he will be here in 14 DAYS OR LESS?!?!?! Saying “days left” is a lot scarier than saying “weeks left,” but I am bursting with excitement and cannot wait to hold my sweet baby boy in my arms and see his sweet little face! Here’s what’s been happening the past month…

 

We were blessed to have five (yes I know, I told you we are spoiled!) showers given to celebrate Baby A’s arrival. Our family, friends, church family, and coworkers have more than spoiled us with gifts and we are beyond thankful for their thoughtfulness and generosity.

 

Our first shower was given by my school on February 21st.  Since Danielle and I are only 13 days apart they decided to throw us a joint shower, super fun! It was really cool to have both of our first showers together!

 

 

The next shower was on February 23rd and given by some of my best friends: Kim, Danielle, Bree, and Crissy.  These girls are the BEST friends you could ever ask for, and they really went above and beyond to make me and Baby A feel special! We decided to have the shower at our new house since we just moved in and no one has really seen it- it worked out perfect because everyone got to see the house and nursery!

 

 

 

My family gave us a shower on March 2nd at my mom’s church. Our family is huge and extremely close- which to some people seems weird because we hangout together all the time and actually enjoy each other’s company! I am truly blessed and can’t wait for Baby A to meet all of his wonderful extended family, I know he will love them all as much as I do!

 

Our sweet Sunday School class at church also gave us a shower on March 3rd. Unfortunately I didn’t think to grab my camera that morning so there are no pictures, but the shower was wonderful! The main thing I love about our church is that the people are just “real” and super friendly.  We love our Sunday School class and really appreciate them thinking of us during this special time in our lives!

The last shower for Baby A was on March 17th in Dahlonega; Brian’s family was kind enough to shower us with some great food and gifts! It was so good to see some of his family that we never get to see- Baby A already has SO many people who love him!!

 

So between showers, cleaning, laundry, finishing the nursery, writing thank you cards, assembling baby gear, exchanging and organizing outfits/diapers/etc., working, and church we have been WIDE OPEN! But as of this morning the “To Do List” is FINISHED! And let me tell you it was looooong! Brian has been super helpful hanging pictures, shelves, blinds, curtains, painting, putting together car seats, pack and plays, swings without a complaint! The hardest part of this pregnancy for me has been having to ask people to help me. Normally I do like to do everything myself, but it’s been a challenge carrying around an extra 28 pounds!  

I am truly blessed to have a husband who cares enough about me and our baby to help out around the house! He’s going to be such a great daddy!!!