37 weeks (and pretty late posting!)

I am late posting this. And at this point I am almost 38 weeks, (but the picture shows 37 weeks). We had a pretty busy weekend so I totally forgot until now. And right now I am absolutely exhausted, so I don't know how long this one will be!

I had a doctor's appointment on Friday. It was pretty good. I lost a lb, which I wasn't complaining about. I told them about my anxiety of being overdue and losing the baby. They told me I could elect to have an induction at 40 weeks if I wanted, but that they don't like to let pregnancies go past 41 weeks, which I was happy to hear. Hopefully baby will show up before 40 weeks though! I am pretty uncomfortable, so I wouldn't mind if something happened today... or tomorrow. I'll try to be patient! I have another appointment Thursday, so we will see! I am hoping they check me one of these days to see if I am dilated at all. I have been pretty uncomfortable, crampy, back achy, mild contractions. I was sure something was going to happen yesterday based on how I felt, and then nothing happened. I am excited to meet this munchkin and to find out BOY or GIRL??? :)

How far along: 37 weeks (and then some)

Total weight gain: Maybe around 20 lbs

Maternity clothes: Always... and the looser the better when I am at home. 

Sleep: Meh... I've had better. But (knock on wood) no insomnia. I just have to pee a lot.

Best moment of this week: Finishing school so I don't have to worry about going into labor during school! :)

Miss anything: Wine and running for sure! And my body...

Movement: Definitely

Food cravings: Fruit, coke slushies

Anything making you queasy or sick: Still red meat, but not as much

Gender: Didn't find out! It will be a surprise!

Labor signs: crampiness, back aching, contractions here and there

Belly button in or out: At this point I think it will stay in. It pops out a bit when I sit, but when I am standing it is in and not coming out. 

Wedding rings on or off: On

Happy or moody most of the time: Mostly happy, but definitely notice that I am getting moodier towards people.

36 weeks and ready

36 weeks (well at this point I am closer to 37, but not in the picture!). And I am just noticing how tired my face looks in this picture. It was our 2nd to last day of school and my kids were wired because we had our End of the Year Party, and then after school my coworkers threw me and another teacher who is also pregnant and due a week or two after me a surprise shower. I had a doctor's appointment this week and an internal exam. My cervix is soft, but still closed, and the baby's head is down. I asked the doctor if she thought I would make it to my due date and she wouldn't commit. She said that labor can happen any time. I asked her how big she thought baby would be because Jeff's family grows big babies. She said if I make it to my due date, she estimated baby to be around 8 lbs. Phew! That is a lot smaller than Jeff and his brothers were! Either way, now that school is out, I'm ready to get this show on the road! I have a friend whose due date was a week ahead of me and we were texting back and forth about how it would be cool if we delivered on the same day or on Father's Day. An hour later she texted me that her water broke and it was baby time! Sure enough, baby came yesterday! She is the only person I knew that was due ahead of me, so I am next for the people I know.

This whole pregnancy I have been thinking that I am having a boy, until lately where I've had little niggling thoughts that this baby is a girl. It could just be that in my mind I feel like I have no chance of having a girl because Jeff's family is all boys so part of me wants a girl so that I get my girl. But regardless, I am happy with either. I still think boy with that small thought that thinks girl.

My job today is to pack my hospital bag and straighten the house so I can clean the house tomorrow. I had a tetanus shot Friday and my arm feels like it is falling off, so I don't have a desire to be cleaning like crazy today.

Ok- Onto the questions!

How far along: 36 weeks (and then some)

Total weight gain: Maybe around 20 lbs... they didn't tell me

Maternity clothes: Always... and the looser the better when I am at home. 

Sleep: Crappy right now because my arm hurts from my tetanus shot so I can only sleep on one side and that side gets tired so I try to sleep on my back but that isn't comfortable AT ALL and then I give the right side where the shot was a try and that hurts so then I am tossing and turning and up 3 times a night. 

Best moment of this week: Hearing that my cervix is soft and the head is down so we are closer to meeting baby!

Miss anything: Wine and running for sure! And my body...

Movement: Definitely

Food cravings: Fruit, coke slushies

Anything making you queasy or sick: Still red meat, but as much

Gender: Didn't find out! It will be a surprise!

Labor signs: Braxton Hicks contractions, and some regular contractions here and there, but nothing consistent yet

Belly button in or out: In, but when I lay down and baby moves around it pops out. I think it will always stay in. When I am standing, it is in and up, so I am not feeling like it will pop out.

Wedding rings on or off: On

Happy or moody most of the time: Mostly happy, but definitely notice that I am getting moodier towards people.

35 weeks! Large and in charge!

Getting closer and closer (and bigger and bigger!)! I can't believe I am all but 9 months pregnant already. I have 4 days left of school, and once inservice day next week that I'd really like to go to, and after that I am ready to go! (Though my due date is still 4ish weeks off) I have a lot to do in school to finish the year, but I do have to say it is so nice packing up MY classroom for it to be cleaned this summer (last year I packed up my old room and left it, not knowing IF I would have another place to go... and a few short months later I had a permanent position in the district!), knowing that I will be back to unpack it! I am taking the first month off of school, so it is important to me that I set it up the way I want it instead of have my sub set it up their way for a month and then have me come in and change it for me for the rest of the year. The consistency for the kids is so important to me. So once I get done with this week especially, I will be in baby mode! I can't wait!

We had a baby appointment on Thursday, which went well. Jeff came with me. :) I told him he doesn't have to come to my next one because it is internal (although in a few weeks that little exam will be NOTHING compared to what I'll be doing!).

How far along: 35 weeks (and then some)

Total weight gain: Maybe around 20 lbs... they didn't tell me

Maternity clothes: Always... and the looser the better when I am at home. 

Sleep: (Same as last week) Still good, but I find myself laying only on one side and then waking up uncomfortable and having to turn, which of course wakes my bladder up so I have to get up and pee and then I lay back on the other side. Otherwise, sleep is my friend.

Best moment of this week: Hearing the beautiful heartbeat at my appointment

Miss anything: Wine and running for sure! And my body...

Movement: Definitely

Food cravings: Fruit, coke slushies

Anything making you queasy or sick: Still red meat

Gender: Didn't find out! It will be a surprise!

Labor signs: Braxton Hicks contractions, and I had one or two regular contractions a few days ago, but nothing more. 

Belly button in or out: In for not much longer, it is starting to pop out when I am laying down or when baby is positioned near it.

Wedding rings on or off: On

Happy or moody most of the time: Mostly happy, but definitely notice that I am getting moodier towards people.

Looking forward to: How far along: 34 weeks (and then some)

Total weight gain: More than 17 lbs, but I don't know how much more. I have an appt on Thursday, so I may find out then... but I hate finding that number out!

Maternity clothes: Always... and the looser the better when I am at home. 

Sleep: Still good, but I find myself laying only on one side and then waking up uncomfortable and having to turn, which of course wakes my bladder up so I have to get up and pee and then I lay back on the other side. Otherwise, sleep is my friend.

Best moment of this week: The random act of kindness gift, finishing our nursery, and finishing our baby classes!

Miss anything: Wine and running for sure!

Movement: Definitely

Food cravings: Fruit, coke slushies

Anything making you queasy or sick: Still red meat

Gender: Didn't find out! It will be a surprise!

Labor signs: Braxton Hicks contractions, but otherwise nothing else! I need 2 more weeks to finish the school year and then it can happen whenever.

Belly button in or out: In for not much longer, it is starting to pop out when I am laying down or when baby is positioned near it.

Wedding rings on or off: On

Happy or moody most of the time: Mostly happy, but definitely notice that I am getting moodier towards people.

Looking forward to: Getting the glider set up, seeing how everything is progressing at my appointment Friday, finishing the school year on Thursday

34 weeks (and not sure how I can get any bigger)!

34 weeks! We finished all of our baby classes and had the hospital tour this week. It almost feels real! We also finished the nursery minus the glider (ordered)... and the baby of course! There is still a lot we need but we are getting there, slowly but surely!

One of the sweetest things to happen to me this week (ever) arrived in a package this week. The package was from someone we didn't know. When we read the message the person said they had found our registry and wanted to send a random act of kindness gift. I was in tears over the kindness of strangers! It has even inspired others around me to do the same or start ministries at their church. I am looking forward to paying it forward at some point because of how much it blessed me!

I also walked a 5K with my mom yesterday. I have done 4 half marathons, countless short races (5Ks, 4+ milers, etc), and this was one of the hardest races I have done and I was walking! It had nothing to do with the race course and everything to do with being 8 1/2 months pregnant! I can't wait to run the same course next year (pushing a stroller!).

OK- Question time!

How far along: 34 weeks (and then some)

Total weight gain: More than 17 lbs, but I don't know how much more. I have an appt on Thursday, so I may find out then... but I hate finding that number out!

Maternity clothes: Always... and the looser the better when I am at home. 

Sleep: Still good, but I find myself laying only on one side and then waking up uncomfortable and having to turn, which of course wakes my bladder up so I have to get up and pee and then I lay back on the other side. Otherwise, sleep is my friend.

Best moment of this week: The random act of kindness gift, finishing our nursery, and finishing our baby classes!

Miss anything: Wine and running for sure!

Movement: Definitely

Food cravings: Fruit, coke slushies

Anything making you queasy or sick: Still red meat

Gender: Didn't find out! It will be a surprise!

Labor signs: Braxton Hicks contractions, but otherwise nothing else! I need 2 more weeks to finish the school year and then it can happen whenever.

Belly button in or out: In for not much longer, it is starting to pop out when I am laying down or when baby is positioned near it.

Wedding rings on or off: On

Happy or moody most of the time: Mostly happy, but definitely notice that I am getting moodier towards people.

Looking forward to: The glider coming in and my baby appointment on Thursday

33 weeks and thankful!

I feel like my question every week is "how am I already X amount of weeks?", and the fact is that this pregnancy seems to be flying! And yet, I am starting to feel like I have been and will be pregnant forever!

My Mom threw her baby shower for me last weekend and it was beautiful! She did a book theme (if you recall, so did my inlaws... everyone knows me so well! This baby is BOUND to be a reader, especially being the child of a teacher!). Even though they did the same theme, everything about the showers were different and perfect in their own way! The only thing that was the same was the green dyed eggs for green eggs and ham, but I didn't care one bit! I loved deviled eggs! My mom did such a beautiful job! Some of her decorations we are going to use in the nursery. :) Her foods were all of my favorite foods, and instead of a cake she did cupcakes (yummy) and a big Edible Arrangements fruit arrangement because I crave fruit! Very thoughtful! I only knew the date and time, so everything else was a surprise, including most of the guest list. It was so fun to see who was walking through the door next to celebrate this little munchkin with me! We are so grateful and blessed to have this child loved even before it enters the world!

Jeff's work also did a surprise shower for him this week! They were very generous and thoughtful and it excites me that he got to have a surprise too! :)

We finished our Childbirth classes. We have one breastfeeding class and the tour left to do and then we are playing the waiting game for this baby too come! School is out June 6th, and I am hoping to schedule a prenatal massage (a wonderful Mother's Day gift from my wonderful Mother-in-Law!) for June 7th. I've asked the baby for a few days to sleep in and then he/she can decide to come soon after! In the meantime, it is end of school stuff and nursery stuff keeping me busy and exhausted!

OK--- enough blabbering and onto the questions!

How far along: 33 weeks (and then some)

Total weight gain: More than 17 lbs, but I don't know how much more. They didn't tell me at this week's appt.

Maternity clothes: Always... and the looser the better when I am at home. 

Sleep: Pretty good, but it is harder to get and stay comfortable... and oh the peeing! (still the same so I find no need to change this comment) :)

Best moment of this week: The beautiful shower my mom threw for me and Jeff surprising me by telling me about his shower!

Miss anything: A nice glass of wine and sleeping on my stomach! Not to mention a good run.

Movement: Oh yes, and starting to get painful... but it is a beautiful pain, not a complaining pain (except maybe when baby punches my bladder or a tendon)

Food cravings: Fruit, root beer 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Still red meat

Gender: Didn't find out! It will be a surprise!

Labor signs: Too early, but having braxton hicks contractions here and there. Nothing major. 

Belly button in or out: In for not much longer, it is starting to pop out when I am laying down or when baby is positioned near it.

Wedding rings on or off: On

Happy or moody most of the time: Mostly happy! 

Looking forward to: The hospital tour on Thursday... it will make it more real!

32 weeks! And thoroughly surprised!

**Not sure why this never published! Here is 32 weeks!

Jeff's family threw me a beautiful surprise shower on Sunday and I really had NO IDEA it was coming. It was so wonderful! They did a book theme, so all the food was after children's books... fruits and veggies for Very Hungry Caterpillar, meatballs for Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, green deviled eggs and ham for... you guessed it.. Green Eggs and Ham! Pink Lemonade for Pinkalicious! And everyone brought a book with a special message in it for Charlie. It was wonderful and so perfect for me, the teacher! It really was wonderful and I could tell all the hard work and planning that went into it, down to the acting it took to get me there. Jeff and his family deserve an Emmy after that one! I crack up thinking of all the conversations they had that were staged to get me to this shower!

Today is my shower at my mom's. I am so excited! She's been planning it for a while. The only thing I know is the date and time (at my request because it was going to be a surprise, but I was getting overwhelmed).

I know that between these two showers, and all the people who came to them, that this baby is coming into the world well loved. I am tearing up just thinking about that! :)

Ok... onto my questions and then I have to get ready to go!

How far along: 32 weeks (and then some)

Total weight gain: 17 lbs total from last week... haven't weighed myself since then.

Maternity clothes: Always... and the looser the better when I am at home. 

Sleep: Pretty good, but it is harder to get and stay comfortable... and oh the peeing!

Best moment of this week: The beautiful surprise shower Jeff's family threw for me!

Miss anything: A nice glass of wine and sleeping on my stomach! Not to mention a good run. Jeff ran a 10K last weekend and I usually run in this event too. When he lined up at the start and I stayed on the side, I shed a few tears. 

Movement: Oh yes, although not so many kicks due to lack of room in there now! But the hiccups are out of control!

Food cravings: Fruit, root beer 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Still red meat

Gender: Didn't find out! It will be a surprise!

Labor signs: Too early, but having braxton hicks contractions here and there. Nothing major. 

Belly button in or out: Still in for now!

Wedding rings on or off: On

Happy or moody most of the time: Mostly happy! 

Looking forward to: My shower today!

31 weeks!

31 weeks and each week is another week closer! I am in the single digits with 9 weeks left! YIKES! This time is going so fast, but yet I feel like I've been pregnant FOREVER! I had a doctor appointment yesterday, which was great. I didn't gain any weight in the last 2 weeks, my blood pressure was great, and I was measuring near where I needed to measure. Jeff finally came to an appointment (he went to my 22 week ultrasound, but hasn't been to a doctor's appointment). He got to hear the baby's heartbeat for the first time. So beautiful!

We are slowly but surly getting things done in the nursery. My shower is next weekend, on the 11th (my mom said there was only one weekend TO plan it... Mother's Day Weekend!), so we will be able to do a lot more baby stuff then.

Our childbirth classes are halfway over! Next week we watch the childbirth video and learn how to push. This week we learned relaxation/calming techniques for active labor. It is getting me so excited for this little one's arrival! We also learned about pain control options. I know that some people have very strong opinions about epidurals, but I never really experienced those strong opinions until this week when our instructor was talking about it and one woman was obviously NOT thrilled about hearing about epidurals. I am NOT about to get into a debate about whether or not to get one, but I wish others would not project their opinion and wishes on everyone.

Here are my questions for the week:

How far along: 31 weeks (and then some)

Total weight gain: 17 lbs total! My dr is very happy with that! I am glad to hear because I hate seeing that scale each week!

Maternity clothes: Always... and the looser the better when I am at home. Currently sporting a pair of oversized sweatpants so that I don't have pressure on the belly!

Sleep: Good, but I get SO HOT at night!

Best moment of this week: A good dr's appointment and hearing that beautiful heartbeat!

Miss anything: Turkey Sandwiches!

Movement: TONS! And I believe Charlie is now squished because every movement is semi-uncomfortable, but I am thankful for all of it!

Food cravings: Fruit, root beer 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Still red meat

Gender: Didn't find out! It will be a surprise!

Labor signs: Too early, but having braxton hicks contractions here and there. Nothing major. 

Belly button in or out: Still in for now!

Wedding rings on or off: On

Happy or moody most of the time: Mostly happy! 

Looking forward to: Working more on the nursery and another childbirth class! I also can't wait to see our maternity pictures! We had them done on Sunday and I am sure they are beautiful!