37 weeks!

How far along? 37 weeks and 1 day!

How big is baby? A watermelon!

Total weight gain/loss: I don't even know anymore! I don't want to depress myself! 

Maternity clothes? Exclusively. 

Sleep: I am crazy tired lately. Like first trimester exhausted. 

Best moment this week: Knowing that I'm dilated!

Movement: My little Bub is always on the move! Lately he's been in my ribs!

Food cravings: Fruit. 

Food Aversions: None really. 

Gender: A sweet little boy!

Labor Signs: BH contractions? Kind of real? I can't tell. 

Pregnancy Symptoms? Leaky boobs, congestion, and super bad rib pain! 

Belly Button in or out? Innie still! But it's starting to flatten out which is weird. 

What I miss: Not having my thighs rub together ;( 

What I am looking forward to: Holding that baby butt and pinching those cheeks! 

Upcoming appointments: 3 days until my next check up! 

Weekly Wisdom: Sleeping with rib pain is hard. Get a lot of pillows to help you prop up! 

Milestones: He's packing on the weight!  

Bump Picture: 37 weeks and ready for the boy!

Update :)

Went to get the Group B strep test today and... I'm 1cm and 50% effaced! Come on baby! 

I know that's not a good indicator of when I will go into labor, but it's a start! 

36 weeks-ish

36 weeks! I will take a photo later today. I am up early and not able to sleep! I can't wait to meet our son! 

My midwife gave me some tips to prepare my body for labor, and I go in tomorrow to get my cervix checked! I made the famous Scalini's eggplant Parmesan and have been eating it for 3 days! Nothing yet, but baby won't come until he's ready! 

I got evening primrose oil, raspberry leaf tea, pineapple, have been walking my butt off at work, and uh... Well, as my midwife says, "the best way to get baby out is how baby got there in the first place". So hopefully he will be here soon! 

I know he needs to cook, but I really want to meet him! I want to feel his wiggles in person, and pinch those cheeks, and kiss his little rolls, and hold his hands and nibble his baby toes and hug his little body! Nathan and I are just so excited to meet him! 

Dear Benjamin,

You are loved already by so many people! I cannot express how hard it has been to go these 9 months carrying you through the lovely pregnancy symptoms, but the proze at the end, oh that's what I'm counting on! I cannot wait to hold you and teach you about Jesus and family and how to be a good person (and your father to teach you how to be a good man), and to watch you grow and smile and learn and ask us questions. I can't wait to read to you and watch your eyes light up at all of your "firsts"! I can't wait until you're old enough to enjoy Santa, and the Easter Bunny, and then older still so you can understand the REAL reason for those holidays. I cannot wait until you give me your first kiss, and say "mama" and "daddy". I can't wait for your dad to teach you how to shave and do manly things! I just want to hold you and cradle you and protect you and laugh with you (and at you)! I really wish for this pregnancy to be over so that I can welcome you into the world. Your dad and I want to meet you so bad! You are going to change our lives for the better, and you are going to do great things! 

Love,

Mom 

35 weeks!

How far along? 35 weeks and 2 days!

How big is baby? Bigger.

Total weight gain/loss: I don't even know anymore! I don't want to depress myself! 

Maternity clothes? Exclusively. 

Sleep: I am crazy tired lately. Like first trimester exhausted. 

Best moment this week: Dr.'s visit to see if I'm effacing or dilating!

Movement: My little Bub is always on the move! Lately he's been in my ribs!

Food cravings: Carrot cake. 

Food Aversions: None really. 

Gender: A sweet little boy!

Labor Signs: BH contractions? Kind of real? I can't tell. 

Pregnancy Symptoms? Sciatica has kind of relaxed since going part time at work (FYI: working full time nights as a nurse and 9 months pregnant does not equal fun!). I guess not as much time on my feet helps. I've noticed some restless leg syndrome, rib/back pain, REALLY bad heartburn, constipation, and mildly leaky nipples! Weird. BAD RIB PAIN. 

Belly Button in or out? Innie still! But it's starting to flatten out which is weird. 

What I miss: Not having my thighs rub together ;( 

What I am looking forward to: Holding that baby butt and pinching those cheeks! 

Upcoming appointments: 2 days until I get my cervix checked...

Weekly Wisdom: Enjoy the months before you get bloated. It's truly miserable. 

Milestones: He's packing on the weight!  

Bump Picture: 35 weeks and super exhausted! 

 

34 weeks!

How far along? 34 weeks and 5 days! 

How big is baby? Big.  

Total weight gain/loss: I don't even know anymore! I don't want to depress myself! 

Maternity clothes? Exclusively. 

Sleep: I am crazy tired lately. Like first trimester exhausted. 

Best moment this week: Baby shower number 2!

Movement: My little Bub is always on the move! 

Food cravings: Pringles...

Food Aversions: None really. 

Gender: A sweet little boy!

Labor Signs: BH contractions? Sometimes it feels like it could be the real thing!

Pregnancy Symptoms? Sciatica has kind of relaxed since going part time at work (FYI: working full time nights as a nurse and 9 months pregnant does not equal fun!). I guess not as much time on my feet helps. I've noticed some restless leg syndrome, rib/back pain, REALLY bad heartburn, constipation, and mildly leaky nipples! Weird. 

Belly Button in or out? Innie still! 

What I miss: Being able to move/sleep/walk normally. Also to not be in pain would be great. 

What I am looking forward to: Holding that baby butt and pinching those cheeks! 

Upcoming appointments: 6 days until I get my cervix checked...

Weekly Wisdom: Invest in beast pads. 

Milestones: He's packing on the weight!  

Bump Picture: 34 weeks at my shower! 

33 weeks!

How far along? 33 weeks and 1 days! 

How big is baby? The size of a durian? 

Total weight gain/loss: I'm right at that 25 lb gain mark. I'm hoping not to gain too much more, but I'm experiencing fluid retention like no other! So I'm really not sure how much actual weight I've gained. 

Maternity clothes? Exclusively. 

Sleep: I am crazy tired lately. 

Best moment this week: Feeling him roll and roll and hiccup :)

Movement: My little Bub is always on the move! 

Food cravings: Fruit!

Food Aversions: None really. 

Gender: A sweet little boy!

Labor Signs: BH contractions? I'm still kind of iffy on those. 

Pregnancy Symptoms? Super, super bad sciatica :( Insomnia, bad bloating, constant peeing, constipation. Did I already mention DEBILITATING sciatica? It's becoming a daily occurrence and there's not much I can do about it. My working days may be coming to an end pretty soon... SCIATICA SCIATICA. I cried in the middle of the outlet mall parking lot yesterday with my husband standing there helpless :( 

Belly Button in or out? Innie still! 

What I miss: Being able to move/sleep/walk normally. Also to not be in pain would be great. 

What I am looking forward to: Holding that baby butt and pinching those cheeks! 

Upcoming appointments: 4 days until my 33 week checkup. 

Weekly Wisdom: Don't overdue it. I really didn't take this to heart. Even walking too long can be overdoing it my case with the sciatic pain. Rest when you can!

Milestones: He's officially in my ribs! 

Bump Picture: 33 weeks!