38 Weeks

Hi everyone! 

How far along? 38 weeks 




Total weight gain/loss: I am down 2 lbs, ha ha, so a total gain of 30 lbs now.  The doctor thinks the "loss" might just be that my last appointment was in the afternoon and this one was in the morning.  But I'll take it.  Ha ha!  A little shocked no gain...but I guess this clean eating is really helping stabilize.  That will show ya how whole foods and good nutrition play a big part for the body.



Stretch marks? No stretch marks.

Sleep: It aches to get up at night, the belly, my back and especially my hips.  I'm going to the bathroom every 1 1/2 to 2 hours on the dot.  I've heard a lot of the "you look so tired" this week, even though I've been hitting the hay by 8:30pm almost every night this week.  Although I don't feel that tired...at least not until late in the afternoon.

Movement: This week Baby C is an active boy in the mornings.  By after lunch, he seems to settle down and nap til dinner time.  I'm thinking he just loves my choice of breakfast this week.  It's so delicious, but not exactly paleo with the eggos.  But I'll get my carbs in early in the morning.
 

Food cravings: Hello peaches!  Trader Joe's had boxes of peaches on special this week.  I'm eating like 2-3 per day.  Can't get enough of them!!  Delish!!  Oh and I've been craving Key Lime Pie, also.  Which I picked up the tart size from Wegmans today.  :)


 

Special things I'm focusing on:  Cleaning...or I guess everyone else tells me it's nesting....but to me it's still just cleaning like I normally do, I just want it all done before I leave for the hospital so when we come home the house is clean.



Eating clean as much as possible with the fun frills of the occasional bites of key lime pie, fig newton, or something sweet.

I met with a pediatrician today that was referred to us by one of our crossfit buddies.  I loved him!  So glad he was able to take the time to meet with me, answer all my questions, and he even had some questions for me.  Although he isn't affiliated with the hospital we are delivering at, they make it a point to have you call upon discharge of the hospital and schedule you an appointment within a day or two of leaving.  

Labor Signs: Still cramping daily, and been have a lot of strange pressure as far below the belly as you can go.  I describe it Baby C sitting on top of my lady parts.  It's rather uncomfortable, and honestly the only thing helping with the discomfort is to get up and walk around.  At least until my back hurts!  The braxton hicks seem to have left me the past couple of days, unless I'm just getting used to their discomfort. 

Wedding rings on or off? Still wearing the rings.  But have been taking them off as soon as I get home.  Definitely have some hand swelling going on, but not so much in the feet or ankles.

Happy or Moody most of the time:   I've been very anxious this week with all these weird sensations and feelings I have been having.  Eddie had a work trip and was gone all week, so that really kept me on my toes on paying attention to everything and how I was feeling, just in case Baby C wanted to make an early debut.

I'm very exciting though, at my doctor appointment this week, the doctor and I were pleasantly surprised to find that I am already 2 1/2 cm dilated and very "soft" she said.  She  said she didn't think I'd make it to my due date, and maybe not even my next weekly appointment!  WHOA!  This is happening folks!  EEEEEEEEEK!!!

Looking forward to: The end is VERY near.  I'm a little terrified.  A little relieved.  A week from now, YOU might just be meeting Baby C!!!

But in the meantime, I'll enjoy being a mama to just my fur babies a little longer.

 

37 Weeks

Happy Thursday!  I hope you've been having a great week.  Baby C and I have been having some interesting sensations this week!

 Lots of aches, lots of cramping, and some swolleness.

 

How far along? 37 weeks;  Baby is the size of a watermelon (19-22 in., 6.5 lbs). 

The doctor did a measurement this week and guess-timated that Baby C is 6 lbs 10 oz right now and predicts he'll be an average size baby and not huge like I keep imagining.  She did ask me what size shoe I wore...but it wasn't because she was interested in my shoes!  She said small feet tend to mean small pelvic openings.  Ugh!  At a size 6 1/2 shoe (which has not changed during pregnancy, thank goodness) and sizing up Eddie she had a talk with us about shoulder dystocia.  I read about it in Ina May Gaskins book.  I think I would be more worried about shoulder dystocia if I was going to be unable to move around and change positions. 


37 Weeks large! :)

Total weight gain/loss: Up 32 lbs. No more, no loss from last week.  Now that I am on weekly doctor appointments, I've begun eating much cleaner and more paleo again.  I figure a nice detox before labor and delivery is exactly what Baby C and I need. 




Stretch marks? No stretch marks.

Sleep: I had a rough night of sleeping the other night.  I felt as though I couldn't breathe and was having alot of Braxton Hicks.  I think Baby C is moving on down...I am feeling much more pressure on my bladder and hips.  My side sleep training was a good thing I thought, my now my hips ache to lie on them at night.  I've start out sleeping on my left side, then alternate to the other side every time I get up to pee.   By then my hip aches so bad it takes me a good 30-45 seconds to even stand up out of bed to get to the bathroom.






Movement: Baby C is still an active boy.  The doctor's smile and laugh when trying to get his heart rate with the doppler and always say, "he's an active one!"  Baby C has also been pretty consistent with daily hiccups the past week.  Sometimes two to three times per day.  I asked the Doctor about that too and she said that is a wonderful sign, that means he's practicing using his lungs. 

Food cravings: Craving sweets again, pretty sure it's because I'm being more strict on my diet again eating cleaner, but fruit is helping, blueberries, strawberries and bananas.  Sometimes even the frozen chocolate covered bananas from Trader's Joe's hits the spot.  I also have been craving coffee in the afternoons again.  I have not indulged and trying to stick to one cup of caffeine per day, sometimes two if it's a rough morning.




27 Weeks

37 Weeks

What a difference 10 weeks makes!!!


 


Special things I'm focusing on:  Moving around as much as possible.  I'm working on taking walks daily and doing some dips to keep my arms toned ha ha!  Over the next week my goal is take a walk every day. 

Like I mentioned earlier, eating cleaner.  Fueling my body and my baby for his birthday.

I'm in the process of going through a list of pediatricians to call and "interview".  I actually have two that I'm really interested in based on referrals from friends.  I guess we should have done this a few weeks ago, but I'm not too worried about it, just need to have someone picked by the time we get to the hospital. 

Labor Signs: Cramping daily and sporadically throughout the day.  Yesterday it lasted all morning and even made me felt nauseous.  I took a stroll around the  yard at lunch with the dogs which seemed to help with the discomfort. 

Wedding rings on or off? Still wearing the rings.  We had a real hot day the other day and one of the AC units broke at work so it was like a sauna which I then did swell in both the hands and feet.  But it was almost 90 degrees in the office.  Thankfully I have a little fan in my office.

Happy or Moody most of the time:   I'm happy, a little anxious and tired.

Looking forward to: The end is near.  I'll try not to complain and enjoy the rest of this experience.
 

35-36 Weeks

Hi Everyone!  Sorry my posts seem so sporadic these days.  I've been losing energy and motivation for just about everything.  The Memorial Day weekend was greatly appreciated by this lady for the extra day of lounging and putting my feet up!

How far along? 36 weeks

36 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: Up 32 lbs. 




Stretch marks? No stretch marks.

Sleep: I'm sleeping ok.  I'm getting up ALOT to go to the bathroom, I counted 5 times the other night.  It hurts now to get up from a side sleeping position.  The belly just aches to lift myself upright.  I try and nap on the weekends, but weekdays are tough on me with a full work day so by 8:30pm I'm ready for bed and still have a hard time getting up in the morning.



35 Weeks

Movement: Baby C is moving ALOT.  He's moving so much it's making me uncomfortable.  I swear I even feel him in my upper leg pulling on some nerve strings.  He's reaching out above his head I think and shoving his little feet between my ribs.  He's running out of room in there, he needs to come out soon.  Please.  :)

Food cravings: Back on the fruit cravings again the past couple weeks.  I can't get enough blueberries, bananas, strawberries, and fruit juices like cranberry and pineapple.  I've also been craving alcohol.  I think it has to do with all the beautiful weather we're having.  I have had a couple virgin mojitos the past few weeks and they are SO good!  Definitely hit the craving.


Special things I'm focusing on:   We have our "Go Bag" pretty much all packed except for a few other essentials I need to get.  Here is a list of what is in there now:

"GO BAG" LIST:

Depends

Tucks Medicated Pads

Boob-ease nipple balm

Travel size toiletries, wash clothes

Make- Up

Hair ties and head bands

Baby Stuff:  couple onesies - homecoming outfit, receiving blanket, baby wipes, baby socks, & baby hat

My Pretty Pusher delivery gown and Postpartum underwear (which has a place for the ice packs the hospital gives you. SCORE!)  Use Coupon code KKL006 for 10% off if you're shopping for something like that.

Two blankets (one for Eddie, one for me)

Pillow

Empty bag (for goodies the hospital gives you)

Nursing lounge dress (I was told that the nurses come "check" on your lady parts every hour and prefer you to not have any pants/shorts on, so I grabbed one of these soft lounge dresses which makes it easy access for nursing too.

Socks

Boppy

Still to get and pack:  I need a Styrofoam cooler for the placenta for encapsulation, a homecoming outfit for myself and Eddie, snacks, breast pump (to be taught by the lactation consultants how to use and manage), water bottles and I'm sure a few other odds and ends I'll throw in the day I'll go into labor.

I compiled this list based on advice from friends and the Doula.


We have installed the car seat in my car.  YIKES!  Feels so weird driving around with that in the back.  I haven't put up the mirror that will show baby, but man...this is all so surreal.

Car seat is ready for Baby C!

 

On a sad note, I received some bad news this week that I'm still upset about.  Our Doula has backed out on assisting us during birth due to family matters.  I am extremely disappointed with only a month left... give or take before Baby C makes his debut.  She referred another Doula to us, but I'm just not sure at this stage in the game I want to go with someone I haven't even met yet.  Eddie and I are both pretty disappointed about it, however we do feel more comfortable after our few meetings with the Doula we had with all the information she was able to provide us to help us make some tough decisions about birth and after birth procedures. 

Labor Signs: I have been 1cm dilated for the past two weeks!  WOOP!  I have also been having cramping daily and "braxton hicks".  Last night was rough night of braxton hicks...every couple hours or so I would get another one, had one every time I had to get up to pee.

Belly Button in or out? It's an outtie. 

Wedding rings on or off? Still wearing the rings with no real swelling issues.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy, but tired and uncomfortable.  Been pretty moody about having to wear flats.  I miss heels!!!  I think the flats make me look swollen and puffy.

I had a wonderful surprise baby shower at work this week.  Such a caring work-family I have.  It was a wonderful lunch and they spoiled us with gifts!

 

 

 

 

 

 Looking forward to: LABOR! 

Hope everyone had a safe and happy Memorial Weekend.  We did!  Even Buddy got in the spirit!  Eddie and I participated in our Crossfit Box's annual "Murph" workout.  The workout is:
1 Mile Run
100 Pull Ups
200 Push ups
300 Air Squats
1 Mile Run

I, of course did a modified, barely a quarter of Murph.  I did a 1 mile walk, with 150 air squats, 50 dips, and about 40 ring rows.  Better than nothing, I say!

34 Weeks

34 Weeks

Hello everyone!  I can't believe it's been 4 weeks since my last post!   Oops!!  But so much has happened, so much has changed and so much to tell.

By 32 weeks and having very little energy after work to drag myself to the gym for crossfit, I decided to save the money and put my membership on hold. I was very, very sad about this decision. I felt I had given up. I always told myself I would be one of those people who worked out til the day I went into labor. Well I'm not. The stairs at work, the stairs in the new house, cleaning, and lots of walking is about all the activity my body can seem to handle these days. I get winded very quickly... Baby C is clearly sitting on my lungs.

Everything hurts!  Ok, I may be slightly exaggerating... a little.  My back gets sore for any length of time on my feet, while my calves and my feet also seem to ache.  My DIY foot rest at work has been a lifesaver! ;)  

Footrest at work! ha ha



Eddie and I spent this past Sunday morning doing some yard work at the old house.  While he mowed, I weeded the back garden and dug up some plants to transfer to the new house.  We then went back to the new house, and I then planted all those plants.  By 2pm, I was literally crawling to get to the bathroom.  I thought my back was going to snap in half.  I definitely over did it.  It was a sad realization that my body isn't where my head is.


We successfully completed the birthing class!  Ha ha, which led us to realize we didn't want to deliver at St. Agnes Hospital due to some of their birthing protocols.  I know I don't want to be laboring in a bed, or at least as little as possible.  I want to be mobile, let gravity help the process.  In the birthing class the biggest thing we learned were all different kinds of positions to try during labor... and the worst one to be in was laying in a bed.  I enjoyed the experience with Eddie of the birthing class.  It taught me an important step... to tour some facilities or birthing centers PRIOR to choosing a doctor.  We now have an appointment with a new doctor strictly because we found another birthing hospital we prefer.  Kind of a scary transfer at this stage of the game, but I had some great referrals from the birthing class instructor and spoke to some people on the tour of Mercy Hospital that went to our newly chosen doctor's practice that said some comforting and reassuring things.

We hired a Doula!!!  We had our first prenatal visit with her this week, and she gave us a TON of information!  I'll update you all on that in my next post.  Lots of good info!!

How far along? 34 weeks


Total weight gain/loss: Up 31 lbs.  


32 Weeks

Maternity clothes? everything is getting tighter!  My one pair of black maternity pants for work may be just about done with.  They are uncomfortable to wear.  I just ordered two Liz Lange cotton dresses from Target to take me through the home stretch, one size larger than the previous dresses I bought in that brand.  With 6 weeks left, I'm hoping this is it for maternity purchases.

Stretch marks? Still no stretch marks!  WOO HOO

Sleep: Sleeping pretty well...but when I have to get up to go to the bathroom (3-4 times per night) my belly aches.  I'm no longer using just my ab muscles to lift myself up, I'm using my arms and swinging my legs for momentum to get myself up. 

Movement: The kid must have my elbows...paybacks a bitch.

Food cravings: Sweets!  I've been having lots of sweets cravings.  I need to start curbing this new addiction back some, but it's been very easy to indulge since Easter with all the goodies. I've also been snacking on blueberries.

 

Special things I'm focusing on:   Reminding myself to rest.  I'm also compiling a list to put in our "Go Bag" for the hospital.  Eddie had the "Go Bag" all picked out.  So far the only things I have in there is some after birth underroos as I'm calling them, from my friend Kristin, some tucks pad she gave me also, the baby's homecoming outfit, hat and blanket and some make up.  Ha ha...yes I packed some make up.

Labor Signs: No, other than just being uncomfortable, cause I hear labor is pretty uncomfortable.

Belly Button in or out? It's an outtie.  Eddie told me at 31 weeks that I wasn't allowed to call it a half innie-half outtie anymore.  It's an outtie.  Period.

Wedding rings on or off? Still wearing the rings with no real swelling issues.

Happy or Moody most of the time:   Happy, but tired.

Looking forward to: LABOR!  I know, I'm crazy, but this whole pregnancy thing has been fun and all, and I've been blessed with a great, no issues pregnancy,  but I'm over it.  Let's do this!



34 Weeks



 

30 Weeks

Hi everyone!  Everyone gearing up for the Easter weekend?  It should be relatively busy for us.  We have our first half of a birthing class at the hospital Saturday and on Sunday a small get together for Brunch!  It should be a fun weekend.

The meeting with the first Doula went wonderfully.  She is also a Labor and Delivery nurse at a local hospital so her experience with that I think is wonderful.  She is very balanced and flexible in her practice.  By that I mean, she works with all types of deliveries medicated or not.  Which I'd like to go unmedicated as long as possible with the hopes of not using any, but I'm not completely opposed to using it if medically necessary or I just wimp out from the pain.  We have another Doula we'll be meeting next week as well and between the two, we hope to make a decision on one or the other or see how we feel about having one at all after the first half of the birthing class this weekend.

How far along? 30 weeks



Total weight gain/loss: Up 28 lbs



Maternity clothes? I'm not sure if it's the maternity dresses and tops I'm wearing, but everyone at work has been commenting this week on how much I've 'popped' this week.  Baby C is popping out to say hello everybody!!

Stretch marks? No stretch marks.

Sleep: Sleeping beautifully still. 

Movement: Baby C is moving around all the time, in fact right now I'm looking down at my belly and I can see him moving across my belly from side to side.  He seems to favor kicking my right side.  I told the doctor how active he has been lately, she told me an active baby in the womb typically means a very happy baby out of the womb.  :)

 

Food cravings: This week I craved Nachos, yogurt and beer.  I have finally endulged in the N-A beers, and I have to admit, they taste amazing.

The past week I was pretty much off the Whole30.  I'm not really torn up about this time because after talking to the doctor, my tests came back all normal.  I'm not anemic or diabetic and she said I was at a perfect weight and one of the healthiest pregnant women she has seen in awhile.  YEAH!!  Although she did say try not lose weight but also try not to gain....  I find that maybe the gaining part might be difficult, but I have done really well in the past 6 weeks only gaining 3 lbs!  Especially since I've 'popped' out so much.

30 Weeks Vs. 24 Weeks

 

Special things I'm focusing on: Staying active, eating well and getting plenty of rest.

Labor Signs: Few nights of Braxton Hicks this week that lasted about a half hour each

Belly Button in or out? half innie, half outtie

Wedding rings on or off? Still on, and swelling from previous week must be down, because they are not tight anymore.

Happy or Moody most of the time:   Happy and emotional about silly stuff.  I was listening to the Jesus Christ Superstar album this week and got all weepy listening to some of those songs.  HA HA! 

Looking forward to: The birthing class and Brunch on Sunday....the menu we've put together has me hungry.  :)

 

Happy Easter!!