35 Weeks: Coconut

How big is baby: Baby is the size of a coconut this week 17.2-18.7 inches and 4.2-5.8 lbs.  

Stretch marks: No.  I thought I had found one, but then realized it was one of the scars from my surgery that had stretched.

Sleep:  Hip pain.  Waking up at least twice now to go to the bathroom.  It's also getting really hard to roll over.   

Diet/Cravings/Aversions:  Fruit and sweets.  I've been drinking lots of chai tea at work.

Exercise:  Walking when I have time.  Work has been kicking my butt!

Gender: We'll find out in October!  It's crazy to think October is just in a few days...

Movement: All the time.  There have still been some uncomfortable movements at times.  Aaron always immediately asks what's wrong, thinking I'm having a serious contraction.  Nope, just a jab to my hip.  

The belly:  Definitely there.  

What I'm spazzing about:  I've been so worried that baby is going to come early.  I just need one more week and then everything will pretty much be checked off our list.  Granted, even more time would be nice, but I have a lot to do next weekend.

What I'm loving:  Even though there still is a lot left to do, knowing that if baby comes early, everything will most likely be ok now.  Tuesday also marked the 35/35 point...35 weeks along and only 35 days left until our due date.

Symptoms:  Sore hips at night.  Still some reflux but it's gotten better.  Numb patch at the top of my uterus.  Cramping and more and more braxton hicks contractions.   

What I'm looking forward to:  My mom's visit next weekend and our last class tomorrow!  And only two weeks of busy season and work and then I can relax more.    

Best moment of the week:  We toured the hospital this week.  It definitely made it seem much more real and very close.  Everything went well though and the rooms were really nice.  Now at least we'll know where we are going :)  And...we have names!!  Aaron requested the we have two names per gender so that we can see the baby and see which name fits the best.  I like all four names, so I was perfectly ok with that.  

Reality Check

I went to get ready to post my 35 week post ON TIME last night and then I couldn't use the camera...maybe I'll be able to get to it tonight after our hospital tour...or maybe it will be super late again when I'm almost 36 weeks. 

Regardless, I had my 35 week appointment today.  And I had all of these questions written down about all of the braxton hicks contractions I've been having and when I should start worrying about them to make sure I give the hospital enough time to stop them.  Because oh my gosh, I'm only 35 weeks and this baby isn't technically fully cooked until 37 weeks so surely they will stop labor.

Ummm...NO!  I was completely wrong.  The PA looked at me before I even got to that question and said emphatically, "Girl, we aren't stopping anything now!"  She's very spunky, and I completely love her, and wish she did labors.  But I'm pretty sure the look on my face was, what?  I'm not ready yet!

Granted, there have been no signs that this baby will come early, minus the cramping and braxton hicks.  But nothing consistent that should worry me.  But you know me, I worry :)

To sum it up, OMG, this just got real!

Letter to Baby

Dear Baby,

In just over 5 weeks, we'll finally get to meet you.  Unless of course you decide to stay cozy a little longer.  In two short weeks, you'll be fully grown and ready to come out according to all of the books.  Mommy and daddy might prefer that extra three weeks though to get a few more things done and to relax once busy season is over at work :)

I've always dreamed of being a mommy.  I carefully dressed and styled each and every one of my baby dolls when I was little.  Reading and rocking them to sleep and having tea parties. 

I was probably ready a little earlier than daddy to become a parent, so of course, I had to wait a few more months.  Little did we know what would lie ahead in our journey to you.  The road was filled with a lot of bumps, some small and others that were extremely large.  But we made it.  And all of those worries, heartaches, and tears that were shed are going to be so worth it.  Because in the end we get you.

I'm trying to soak up these last few weeks of you growing inside me.  I'm trying to savor every stretch and kick (even the ones that are little uncomfortable) and not wish the time to go by too quickly.  Mommy is a worrier and this pregnancy has definitely given mommy a whole new set of worries.  I just want to hold you and count all those fingers and toes and know that everything really is ok.  And I know once you are here, that worrying won't stop.  It will just be a whole other set of worries.  But we'll get through it.

We can't wait to meet you Baby.  Mommy and daddy love you so much already.

Love,
Mommy and Daddy xoxo

Randoms

Here is a sneak peek at our crib skirt fabric.  A huge thank you to my BFF for "pinning" the website last weekend.  I've been searching and could not find anything that went with our color scheme and didn't scream, "This is baby fabric!"  It came really quickly too.  I definitely recommend the company (Pink Chalk Fabrics)!

And I just realized that my belly makes the perfect shelf :)  Here's me while eating cereal one night.

Hands free!!

34 Weeks: Butternut squash

While this post is really late, the picture was
actually take on Tuesday at 34 Weeks.  Work got the
best of me this week!

How big is baby: Baby is the size of a butternut squash this week 17.2-18.7 inches and 4.2-5.8 lbs.  

Stretch marks: No.

Sleep:  Hip pain.  Waking up more to go to the bathroom.  I think I'm getting sick though which should make sleep interesting.  A lot of people at work have had horrible colds and it feels like I've finally caught it.  I've never really been a big medicine person during the day, but I always would take Tylenol cold PM to help me sleep through the night.  And now that I can't take that, we'll see how I do.  This could potentially be a long week.  Maybe I won't get as sick as they were.  Fingers crossed!   

Diet/Cravings/Aversions:  Fruit and sweets.  And I finally got another watermelon this week!  It's been too long :)

Exercise:  Walking when I have time.  Work has been kicking my butt!

Gender: We'll find out in October!  

Movement: All the time.  And getting more painful.  I'll take it though :)  It seems like the head is still down and the butt is up by my left rib and maybe the baby is laying sideways from that position.  Like hands and feet are kind of off to the right.  The most painful jabs are way wayyyy off to the right where arms and hands might be.  I do feel kicks closer to my ribs but the far right movement is what can get a little uncomfortable.  

The belly:  Definitely there.  

What I'm spazzing about:  Nothing really this week.

What I'm loving:  Finishing up our classes.  We have our hospital tour on Wednesday which I think will make it really real.  

Symptoms:  

1. Sore hips at night.  
2. Horrible, horrible reflux.  I told Aaron today that I am probably burning a hole through my esophagus.  I have it listed to talk to the doctor about it on Wednesday to see if I can take anything stronger than Tums.  I've been trying to watch how many I take in a day, but they are starting to just not cut it anymore.  I can live with it if I have to, but this is one of the things I am definitely looking forward to being gone once baby comes.  
3. Terrible back pain at work.  
4. Numb patch at the top of my uterus.  
5. Some cramping which the doctor said was normal since my uterus is growing.  
6. I'm starting to notice a lot more braxton hicks contractions.  Yesterday, they were coming pretty regularly after work about every 40 minutes.  Nothing painful, but definitely noticeable.  Today they haven't been as frequent, but I've had a few.  I did exactly what the doctor said and just rested and drank lots of water.  Going to bed finally did the trick :)

What I'm looking forward to:  Reflux relief...does that count?? :)  I'm really, really excited for my mom's visit in a few weeks.  I really miss being closer so it will be nice to have her here.  The fabric for the crib skirt arrived this week so once it's washed, we are ready to go!     

Best moment of the week:  Checking our breastfeeding class off the to do list.  It was extremely informative!

33 Weeks: Durian

Note to self, this shirt makes me look way bigger then I think I really am!
And yes, I now have an "outie."

How big is baby: Baby is the size of a durian (what is that?) this week 17.2-18.7 inches and 4.2-5.8 lbs.  According to our u/s yesterday, baby weighed about 4 lbs. 12 oz (52 percentile) so right on track!

Stretch marks: No.

Sleep:  Still waking up all the time.  Hip pain.  I've also been having more dreams of the baby actually being here.  Let's not make an appearance yet, we still have a few things to do before we're ready!    

Diet/Cravings/Aversions:  Fruit and sweets.  

Exercise:  Walking when I have time.  Work has been kicking my butt!

Gender: We'll find out in October!  

Movement: All the time.  And sometimes painful!  Aaron got to feel the baby in crazy action this past weekend and was shocked at how strong the kicks have gotten.  Future soccer player like daddy??  

I was completely wrong on positioning too.  I thought for sure baby was laying sideways based on where I've been feeling movement.  Turns out baby is head down and getting ready for his/her debut!  Now, I have no clue what body parts have been jabbing me in certain spots :)

The belly:  Definitely there.  And an outie belly button.  It was only a matter of time.

What I'm spazzing about:  Nothing really this week.

What I'm loving:  Getting the nursery more ready.  Making our final to do list (I love lists)!  And having only 7 weeks left (less than 7 now) :)

Symptoms:  Sore hips at night.  Heartburn...mostly just reflux right now.  Terrible back pain at work.  Numb patch at the top of my uterus.  Some cramping which the doctor said was normal since my uterus is growing.  Pretty much all the same as last week.

What I'm looking forward to:  Getting to meet this little baby.  Seeing him/her on the u/s, and so big this time, really got me even more excited :)     

Best moment of the week:  Our baby shower!  And getting to see so many friends and family :)  Oh, and how could I forget!!  Seeing baby yesterday :)  This is just an iphone picture so not the best quality, but you get the gist of it.  I think Baby might have daddy's nose?  We'll see!