How far along? Yup, I'm back. And still pregnant. Officially 39 weeks today, which means baby Mason has officially hit the new full term. (Now if only he would take the hint that it's time to come out now!)
Total weight gain/loss: up 24 pounds. I'm actually quite chuffed with myself for remaining right at (or just the tiniest bit under) the goal I had set for myself. I didn't want to gain any more than 25 pounds...and I pretty much ended up right on target. According to the charts, this should be all baby and pregnancy weight (aka I'm hoping most of it comes right off!)
Maternity Clothes? Yep. And I can't wait to be done wearing them at this point. The day I fit back into my regular jeans without a maternity band attached will be a day of celebration!
Stretch marks? Still no real changes. I'm feeling really thankful that I didn't end up with anything bad at all!
Sleep: Not getting much of it nowadays. Pregnancy insomnia has definitely set in. It's like nature's sick way of getting you ready for the sleepless nights ahead. I wake up to pee and then can't fall back asleep. Once I finally do, it's time to repeat the cycle again.
Best moment this week: Starting to receive many texts/messages daily from family & friends wondering how I am feeling and if anything is moving with baby. Seems like everyone else is getting as anxious to meet our little guy as we are! It's nice to know that our loved ones are thinking of us and wishing us well! Also, just enjoying these last few days and weeks with Greg as a twosome. We've really been a great team in making our final preparations for Mason, and it's been nice enjoying some last few little date nights here and there.
Miss Anything? Again, just not being pregnant at this point...and everything that goes along with that.
Movement: Yep
Food cravings: Pumpkin everything!! (especially pumpkin coffee)
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope
Gender: It's a Boy!
Labor Signs: This is a big fat NOPE! Wish I could be saying yes, but I don't seem to be making an progress in this department. Still no contractions. My doctor did a cervical exam at my last two appointments and there has been no change at all. Cervix is closed and I am not dilated whatsoever. In fact, baby still needs to drop quite a bit! She said it is time to start walking, squatting, doing exercises on the birthing ball etc to try and help it along. If I make it to my 40 week appointment next Wednesday, (which seems more than likely) we will start making plans for an induction.
Symptoms: Pregnancy insomnia, heartburn, pelvic pressure. It's getting pretty uncomfortable here folks.
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy :)
Looking forward to: it being Fall and having Mason here with us. I guess the blessing in disguise is that the longer we wait, the more ready we feel approaching labor & delivery. I am beyond ready to have him here and cuddle and snuggle him all day long.
You will more than likely be hearing from me next Wednesday or Thursday for one final week of pregnancy updates! Until then, you can find me at home bouncing on my new 'birthing ball'. That reminds me...time to go meet with my mom for a long walk...
Friday, August 21, 2015
Third Trimester Survival Guide
Well, I have officially hit week 38 in the last trimester of my pregnancy. (The week I am hoping our little Mason will make his arrival!) I would say both Greg and I are super ready for it at this point! But while we can never be sure about these things, I figured I had better make my Third Trimester Guide post before I am officially no longer a preggo!
I just have to say, for the record, that what you hear is 100% true. The first 8 months of pregnancy fly by SO fast. And then you hit the 9th month...the last four weeks...which seem longer than an entire trimester combined. But as Aretha would say...'I will survive!'
Comfy, slip-on shoes: I saw these Havaiana flip flops (linked) while shopping at Motherhood Maternity one day, and remembered my old college roommate telling me these were the most comfortable flip flops ever. I figured if the maternity store was selling them, it must be true. It was! I've somehow luckily gotten through this pregnancy with very minimal swelling, (if any) but either way...my feet thank me when I'm wearing these shoes. And btw, bending over to put on or adjust shoes...forget it! A comfy pair of slip-ons is an absolute third trimester must! (Havaianas worked great for me during the summer, but for Fall/Winter...I would probably have gone for something of the Tom/Ugg variety.)
Comfortable nursing bra(s): My "girls" have gone through quite the growth spurt this last trimester (and my milk hasn't even come in yet...yikes). Typical for the last trimester. But since I am planning on breastfeeding, I saw no reason to waste money on buying regular bras that I would only be wearing for a couple of weeks. Time to spring for the nursing bras! The one I have linked is my new and most favorite bra EVER! Super comfortable, even with the underwire (which I need!) and the price is so on point! If you're on the hunt...check this one out!
Extra pairs of breathable underwear: This may be TMI, but nevertheless...it's the truth. Vaginal discharge (what they call Leukorrhea) happens during pregnancy and increases as pregnancy progresses. It's like the discharge you might experience at a certain time each month, only more of it...especially in the last trimester. Many pregnant women choose to wear a pantyliner throughout the day to deal with it. Here's my thing with that: it's important that you wear breathable underwear during pregnancy, as your risk for UTIs and yeast infections also increases (more TMI for ya!). And I wouldn't exactly consider wearing pantyliners all day every day a 'breathable solution.' Instead I opt to change my underwear once, sometimes twice, a day to combat it. So picking up some extra pairs was definitely necessary. That is, unless I wanted to be doing laundry all the time; which let's face it...'ain't nobody got time for that!'
Childbirth prep classes: If you are a first time mom like me, once you get close to the last trimester, your doctor will likely recommend that you look into the childbirth preparation and baby classes offered at your hospital. I've found that they pretty much all seem to offer the same classes; a 4-5 week childbirth preparation course, as well as a breastfeeding class, a baby basics class, and an infant safety and CPR class. Greg and I took them all! And I am really happy we did. They are all very affordable, and in my opinion, worth the time and money. Besides learning a lot and making us feel much more prepared for this whole childbirth thing, it also gave us a chance to get acquainted with the labor & delivery ward, and ended up being a nice bonding time for us as a couple.
Ina May's Guide to Childbirth: If you are only going to read one book during your pregnancy, this is the one I would recommend! If you have no interest in trying for a natural/medication free childbirth...you may take one look at this book and think, "No thank you!" But I think this book is great for any woman to read before having a baby. Nothing will make you feel more at peace, empowered and ready to embrace the experience. In fact...I even ended up throwing it into my hospital bag (just in case I need a little extra encouragement through the whole thing!)
Hospital bag: Once you get settled into your third trimester, it's time to start thinking about your hospital bag. And for this...I say the sooner the better. It takes longer than you might think to plan, prep and pack it! I started by researching what some of my favorite bloggers/YouTubers had packed and making a list of what I thought I would need. Once I had my list, I was able to slowly start accumulating what I needed, and setting things aside in my bag. Once I had checked everything off the list, I just washed and packed it all up. I had my hospital bag completely prepared by week 35 (which is what is recommended!) Need help deciding what to pack? Check out my post on What's In My Hospital Bag!
Thank you notes: If you will be having a baby shower, this one should be a no-brainer! But even if not, you should pick some up anyway. In the third trimester (as well as after baby is born) the gifts just start pouring in. A handwritten thank you is just proper etiquette. Proper etiquette also allows you so many weeks to get these notes sent out. My recommendation?...do it ASAP (before pregnancy brain allows it to slip your mind or baby makes an early arrival!). Shower notes seem particularly daunting? I split mine up by writing out 5 a day until they were all done. All other thank yous I have written out the day I received the gift.
Dreft: Speaking of all those gifts you will receive. Guess what! They ALL need to be washed (or sanitized) before their first use on baby. So picking up a bottle of Dreft (or baby safe laundry detergent of your choice) before your shower is a great idea. Maybe this is just because I am a cleaning freak, but I found it so exciting when I washed all of Mason's linens and clothing and his entire room smelled like that fresh baby scent!
A cleaning service: Never have I ever I wished for anything more! I never put much thought into hiring a cleaning service; mostly because like I said, I am a cleaning freak. I actually enjoy cleaning my house. But between preparing the house for Greg's diaper party and these past few weeks of doing one last deep cleaning before Mason arrives...I've realized this would have been a REALLY great thing to consider. Thankfully, with the help of my wonderful husband, I've officially tackled everything that needed to be done. But I honestly could not have done it without his help, and let me tell you...it was SO hard! I am honestly shocked I made it through without going into early labor. So if a cleaning service is something you can afford, even just for one month, I would highly recommend looking into it. I truly believe it would have been worth every penny. (And now I know for next time!) Can't afford or justify hiring this service? Someone was recently telling me about a baby shower she attended where all the aunts had pitched in together to get the mom-to-be a cleaning service for the last month of her pregnancy, as well as the first month that the baby was here. My automatic response: "That was absolutely genius!" Nothing wrong IMO with dropping a hint (to hubby, mom & dad, a close relative) here or there that this would be something you would very greatly appreciate.
Rest: this one has been a hard concept for me to grasp. But in your last trimester...it's time to start taking it easier. Listen to your body. When it tells you to stop and take a break...stop, put those feet up, and take a break! These last few weeks, I was in a bit of a panic, feeling like I was never going to get everything done that I needed done before the baby was here. And now here I sit, everything ready and thinking this baby may never come! What I'm trying to say is, everything will work out in time for baby (and if not, it doesn't even matter...you will make it work!) So make your progress as slowly as you need to and take time to rest in between. Your non-swollen feet will thank you!
VERY honorable mentions go to...
Snoogle Total Body Pillow, Tums, Burt's Bee's Belly Butter, Water, and WTE Support Group:
Because these items have already made it on either my first or second trimester guides (maybe even both), I didn't want to be too repetitive and talk about them again. But these five items have still been absolute survival/must-have items for me throughout this trimester (and throughout my pregnancy in general!) So I just had to mention them one more time. If you would like more info on why, check out my First Trimester Survival Guide and my Second Trimester Must Haves.
And there it is...My Third Trimester Survival Guide all complete! I can't believe how quickly this entire pregnancy has gone...and how good it has been to me! Now it's just time to relax and wait for our little man to make his arrival. (Then postpartum and baby faves will be on the way! Yay!)
I just have to say, for the record, that what you hear is 100% true. The first 8 months of pregnancy fly by SO fast. And then you hit the 9th month...the last four weeks...which seem longer than an entire trimester combined. But as Aretha would say...'I will survive!'
Comfortable nursing bra(s): My "girls" have gone through quite the growth spurt this last trimester (and my milk hasn't even come in yet...yikes). Typical for the last trimester. But since I am planning on breastfeeding, I saw no reason to waste money on buying regular bras that I would only be wearing for a couple of weeks. Time to spring for the nursing bras! The one I have linked is my new and most favorite bra EVER! Super comfortable, even with the underwire (which I need!) and the price is so on point! If you're on the hunt...check this one out!
Extra pairs of breathable underwear: This may be TMI, but nevertheless...it's the truth. Vaginal discharge (what they call Leukorrhea) happens during pregnancy and increases as pregnancy progresses. It's like the discharge you might experience at a certain time each month, only more of it...especially in the last trimester. Many pregnant women choose to wear a pantyliner throughout the day to deal with it. Here's my thing with that: it's important that you wear breathable underwear during pregnancy, as your risk for UTIs and yeast infections also increases (more TMI for ya!). And I wouldn't exactly consider wearing pantyliners all day every day a 'breathable solution.' Instead I opt to change my underwear once, sometimes twice, a day to combat it. So picking up some extra pairs was definitely necessary. That is, unless I wanted to be doing laundry all the time; which let's face it...'ain't nobody got time for that!'
Childbirth prep classes: If you are a first time mom like me, once you get close to the last trimester, your doctor will likely recommend that you look into the childbirth preparation and baby classes offered at your hospital. I've found that they pretty much all seem to offer the same classes; a 4-5 week childbirth preparation course, as well as a breastfeeding class, a baby basics class, and an infant safety and CPR class. Greg and I took them all! And I am really happy we did. They are all very affordable, and in my opinion, worth the time and money. Besides learning a lot and making us feel much more prepared for this whole childbirth thing, it also gave us a chance to get acquainted with the labor & delivery ward, and ended up being a nice bonding time for us as a couple.
Ina May's Guide to Childbirth: If you are only going to read one book during your pregnancy, this is the one I would recommend! If you have no interest in trying for a natural/medication free childbirth...you may take one look at this book and think, "No thank you!" But I think this book is great for any woman to read before having a baby. Nothing will make you feel more at peace, empowered and ready to embrace the experience. In fact...I even ended up throwing it into my hospital bag (just in case I need a little extra encouragement through the whole thing!)
Hospital bag: Once you get settled into your third trimester, it's time to start thinking about your hospital bag. And for this...I say the sooner the better. It takes longer than you might think to plan, prep and pack it! I started by researching what some of my favorite bloggers/YouTubers had packed and making a list of what I thought I would need. Once I had my list, I was able to slowly start accumulating what I needed, and setting things aside in my bag. Once I had checked everything off the list, I just washed and packed it all up. I had my hospital bag completely prepared by week 35 (which is what is recommended!) Need help deciding what to pack? Check out my post on What's In My Hospital Bag!
Thank you notes: If you will be having a baby shower, this one should be a no-brainer! But even if not, you should pick some up anyway. In the third trimester (as well as after baby is born) the gifts just start pouring in. A handwritten thank you is just proper etiquette. Proper etiquette also allows you so many weeks to get these notes sent out. My recommendation?...do it ASAP (before pregnancy brain allows it to slip your mind or baby makes an early arrival!). Shower notes seem particularly daunting? I split mine up by writing out 5 a day until they were all done. All other thank yous I have written out the day I received the gift.
Dreft: Speaking of all those gifts you will receive. Guess what! They ALL need to be washed (or sanitized) before their first use on baby. So picking up a bottle of Dreft (or baby safe laundry detergent of your choice) before your shower is a great idea. Maybe this is just because I am a cleaning freak, but I found it so exciting when I washed all of Mason's linens and clothing and his entire room smelled like that fresh baby scent!
A cleaning service: Never have I ever I wished for anything more! I never put much thought into hiring a cleaning service; mostly because like I said, I am a cleaning freak. I actually enjoy cleaning my house. But between preparing the house for Greg's diaper party and these past few weeks of doing one last deep cleaning before Mason arrives...I've realized this would have been a REALLY great thing to consider. Thankfully, with the help of my wonderful husband, I've officially tackled everything that needed to be done. But I honestly could not have done it without his help, and let me tell you...it was SO hard! I am honestly shocked I made it through without going into early labor. So if a cleaning service is something you can afford, even just for one month, I would highly recommend looking into it. I truly believe it would have been worth every penny. (And now I know for next time!) Can't afford or justify hiring this service? Someone was recently telling me about a baby shower she attended where all the aunts had pitched in together to get the mom-to-be a cleaning service for the last month of her pregnancy, as well as the first month that the baby was here. My automatic response: "That was absolutely genius!" Nothing wrong IMO with dropping a hint (to hubby, mom & dad, a close relative) here or there that this would be something you would very greatly appreciate.
Rest: this one has been a hard concept for me to grasp. But in your last trimester...it's time to start taking it easier. Listen to your body. When it tells you to stop and take a break...stop, put those feet up, and take a break! These last few weeks, I was in a bit of a panic, feeling like I was never going to get everything done that I needed done before the baby was here. And now here I sit, everything ready and thinking this baby may never come! What I'm trying to say is, everything will work out in time for baby (and if not, it doesn't even matter...you will make it work!) So make your progress as slowly as you need to and take time to rest in between. Your non-swollen feet will thank you!
VERY honorable mentions go to...
Snoogle Total Body Pillow, Tums, Burt's Bee's Belly Butter, Water, and WTE Support Group:
Because these items have already made it on either my first or second trimester guides (maybe even both), I didn't want to be too repetitive and talk about them again. But these five items have still been absolute survival/must-have items for me throughout this trimester (and throughout my pregnancy in general!) So I just had to mention them one more time. If you would like more info on why, check out my First Trimester Survival Guide and my Second Trimester Must Haves.
And there it is...My Third Trimester Survival Guide all complete! I can't believe how quickly this entire pregnancy has gone...and how good it has been to me! Now it's just time to relax and wait for our little man to make his arrival. (Then postpartum and baby faves will be on the way! Yay!)
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
37 Weeks
How far along? 37+6. I can't believe I am 38 weeks tomorrow!
Total weight gain/loss: up 24 pounds this week. (Think I may have overindulged a little on sweets this past week...eep!)
Maternity Clothes? Yep
Stretch marks? No changes this week
Sleep: Eh. Some nights are better than others at this point.
Best moment this week: Finishing up our deep clean and having a sense of being completely ready for Mason to arrive at anytime.
Miss Anything? Not being pregnant. At this point...I am feeling ready for it to be over.
Movement: Yes, and lots of hiccups too!
Food cravings: Sweets & seafood. Those two things have been pretty consistent throughout.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope
Gender: It's a Boy!
Labor Signs: Felt some mild cramping on Sunday and woke up yesterday with the worst pelvic pressure EVER! I seriously thought my water might just burst. But both of those things subsided as fast as they happened. I haven't had any real contractions (at least I don't think so). But at least I'm having some signs of impending labor?
Symptoms: Pelvic pressure. And I always forget to mention the nasty bloody gums (some weeks seem to be worse than others.)
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy :)
Looking forward to: Delivery day! It's hard to explain, but I've never been so excited and at the same time so terrified for the same thing in my life! I'm anxious for what's about to happen, but I just can't wait to hold my baby in my arms.
Total weight gain/loss: up 24 pounds this week. (Think I may have overindulged a little on sweets this past week...eep!)
Maternity Clothes? Yep
Stretch marks? No changes this week
Sleep: Eh. Some nights are better than others at this point.
Best moment this week: Finishing up our deep clean and having a sense of being completely ready for Mason to arrive at anytime.
Miss Anything? Not being pregnant. At this point...I am feeling ready for it to be over.
Movement: Yes, and lots of hiccups too!
Food cravings: Sweets & seafood. Those two things have been pretty consistent throughout.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope
Gender: It's a Boy!
Labor Signs: Felt some mild cramping on Sunday and woke up yesterday with the worst pelvic pressure EVER! I seriously thought my water might just burst. But both of those things subsided as fast as they happened. I haven't had any real contractions (at least I don't think so). But at least I'm having some signs of impending labor?
Symptoms: Pelvic pressure. And I always forget to mention the nasty bloody gums (some weeks seem to be worse than others.)
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy :)
Looking forward to: Delivery day! It's hard to explain, but I've never been so excited and at the same time so terrified for the same thing in my life! I'm anxious for what's about to happen, but I just can't wait to hold my baby in my arms.
Thursday, August 13, 2015
36 Weeks
How far along? 37 weeks today!
Total weight gain/loss: right in between 21-22 pounds up
Maternity Clothes? Of course!
Stretch marks? No changes this week
Sleep: It's so so. I am definitely sleeping plenty. However, it's very interrupted with all the peeing and the tossing and the turning and trying to get comfortable.
Best moment this week: Getting one last sneak peak at our little one during our 36 week growth ultrasound. AND having another great appointment yesterday! My blood pressure was still good, I found out I tested negative for Group B Strep (no antibiotics during labor for this girl!) and everything looked great on the ultrasound. They estimated that Mason now weighs 6 pounds 5 ounces! I have to say I was a little shocked. I thought they were going to tell me he was on the smaller side, because I just don't think my bump is that big and I don't feel that uncomfortable. There is always a variance with these things, so we won't really know until he arrives. But I am happy to know they think he is at a good, healthy weight.
Miss Anything? Sleeping through the night
Movement: Yup
Food cravings: Back on the seafood kick. All I want is tuna sandwiches for lunch and any seafood for dinner. I made Greg promise that whenever our first date is after we have the baby...we can go to Pappadeaux...where I will gorge myself on lobster bisque and seafood fondue. I just want all the seafood!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope
Gender: It's a Boy!
Labor Signs: Not really. I have definitely been feeling some more Braxton Hicks, and a lot more pelvic pressure. I think he finally dropped! But I would be surprised if anything happened this week. My doctor said yesterday that since everything looks good...we will just be letting nature take it's course and Mason will make his arrival when he decides to do so. It's just a waiting game now!
Symptoms: Still feeling good, other than terrible heartburn a couple nights this week. And I am talking heartburn like I have never experienced heartburn. Yikes! Oh, and pelvic pressure for sure.
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Left my appointment yesterday feeling probably the happiest I've ever felt! I just feel so thankful and blessed that I have gotten this far and had such a good, healthy pregnancy...and to know now that whenever he comes, we will have a strong and healthy baby boy!
Looking forward to: being a mom to Mason
Total weight gain/loss: right in between 21-22 pounds up
Maternity Clothes? Of course!
Stretch marks? No changes this week
Sleep: It's so so. I am definitely sleeping plenty. However, it's very interrupted with all the peeing and the tossing and the turning and trying to get comfortable.
Best moment this week: Getting one last sneak peak at our little one during our 36 week growth ultrasound. AND having another great appointment yesterday! My blood pressure was still good, I found out I tested negative for Group B Strep (no antibiotics during labor for this girl!) and everything looked great on the ultrasound. They estimated that Mason now weighs 6 pounds 5 ounces! I have to say I was a little shocked. I thought they were going to tell me he was on the smaller side, because I just don't think my bump is that big and I don't feel that uncomfortable. There is always a variance with these things, so we won't really know until he arrives. But I am happy to know they think he is at a good, healthy weight.
Miss Anything? Sleeping through the night
Movement: Yup
Food cravings: Back on the seafood kick. All I want is tuna sandwiches for lunch and any seafood for dinner. I made Greg promise that whenever our first date is after we have the baby...we can go to Pappadeaux...where I will gorge myself on lobster bisque and seafood fondue. I just want all the seafood!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope
Gender: It's a Boy!
Labor Signs: Not really. I have definitely been feeling some more Braxton Hicks, and a lot more pelvic pressure. I think he finally dropped! But I would be surprised if anything happened this week. My doctor said yesterday that since everything looks good...we will just be letting nature take it's course and Mason will make his arrival when he decides to do so. It's just a waiting game now!
Symptoms: Still feeling good, other than terrible heartburn a couple nights this week. And I am talking heartburn like I have never experienced heartburn. Yikes! Oh, and pelvic pressure for sure.
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Left my appointment yesterday feeling probably the happiest I've ever felt! I just feel so thankful and blessed that I have gotten this far and had such a good, healthy pregnancy...and to know now that whenever he comes, we will have a strong and healthy baby boy!
Looking forward to: being a mom to Mason
Thursday, August 6, 2015
35 Weeks
How far along? 36 weeks today
Total weight gain/loss: +21 pounds
Maternity Clothes? I just realized I somehow dropped this question off the list in the last few weeks...but nothing has changed anyways. It's pretty much been strictly maternity-wear this last trimester.
Stretch marks? There are some, but nothing too bad!
Sleep: It's getting rougher. I'm pretty much tossing and turning (and getting up to pee) all night long. And more ridiculous...I had to add another little pillow underneath my belly for more support.
Best moment this week: Setting up the last of the baby gear with Greg over the weekend. Okay, well he did most of it...but I was there for moral support! He installed the car seat, finished setting up the sensor pad for our baby monitor system and put together the gliding bassinet/swing/bouncer seat system. We installed the animal gates and I set up the co-sleeper (all by myself). We also went to Babies R Us and picked up the last few things we needed off the registry before baby comes, and I finished organizing his closet. Our home officially looks like a baby lives here! The last thing I/we need to do is a good deep cleaning of every room before he arrives (which starts today!)
Miss Anything? Now that I am getting close to my due date, I have been thinking more and more about things I am looking forward to being able to do again once I am no longer pregnant. On the list so far: eat as much seafood per week as I want, take a hot LUSH bath, drink a glass of wine, cuddle with hubby in bed instead of the ginormous pillow that is currently separating us, Pumpkin Spice Lattes...(okay, the last one I could totally have whether I was pregnant or not, but is it Fall yet?)
Movement: Yup!
Food cravings: I've been on a strawberry kick lately. And the other day, all I could think of was wanting some Tyson chicken nuggets and some Kraft macaroni and cheese. So I went online and found a low sodium recipe for homemade mac n cheese and went to the store in search of some low sodium chicken nuggets. That dinner (and lunch the next day) was delicious!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Results of my recent blood work also showed that my iron was a little low. So I had to start taking an iron supplement on top of my prenatal vitamin and 3 vitamin d3 tabs I take everyday. (I have never taken so many pills in my life...and they are all just vitamins and supplements!) Learned very quickly that taking an iron pill on an empty stomach is a terrible, terrible idea.
Gender: It's a Boy!
Labor Signs: Nope. And doctor confirmed my suspicion yesterday that Mason is still quite high in there. He hasn't dropped or engaged yet, which often happens between 34-36 weeks. I'm kind of hoping he isn't getting too comfortable in there! (We all know that I'm hoping to go around 38 weeks.)
Symptoms: Felt pretty good this week. The belly is in the way and makes things more uncomfortable, but can't really complain. I expected much worse at this point.
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!
Looking forward to: holding my sweet baby boy in my arms.
Total weight gain/loss: +21 pounds
Maternity Clothes? I just realized I somehow dropped this question off the list in the last few weeks...but nothing has changed anyways. It's pretty much been strictly maternity-wear this last trimester.
Stretch marks? There are some, but nothing too bad!
Sleep: It's getting rougher. I'm pretty much tossing and turning (and getting up to pee) all night long. And more ridiculous...I had to add another little pillow underneath my belly for more support.
Best moment this week: Setting up the last of the baby gear with Greg over the weekend. Okay, well he did most of it...but I was there for moral support! He installed the car seat, finished setting up the sensor pad for our baby monitor system and put together the gliding bassinet/swing/bouncer seat system. We installed the animal gates and I set up the co-sleeper (all by myself). We also went to Babies R Us and picked up the last few things we needed off the registry before baby comes, and I finished organizing his closet. Our home officially looks like a baby lives here! The last thing I/we need to do is a good deep cleaning of every room before he arrives (which starts today!)
Miss Anything? Now that I am getting close to my due date, I have been thinking more and more about things I am looking forward to being able to do again once I am no longer pregnant. On the list so far: eat as much seafood per week as I want, take a hot LUSH bath, drink a glass of wine, cuddle with hubby in bed instead of the ginormous pillow that is currently separating us, Pumpkin Spice Lattes...(okay, the last one I could totally have whether I was pregnant or not, but is it Fall yet?)
Movement: Yup!
Food cravings: I've been on a strawberry kick lately. And the other day, all I could think of was wanting some Tyson chicken nuggets and some Kraft macaroni and cheese. So I went online and found a low sodium recipe for homemade mac n cheese and went to the store in search of some low sodium chicken nuggets. That dinner (and lunch the next day) was delicious!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Results of my recent blood work also showed that my iron was a little low. So I had to start taking an iron supplement on top of my prenatal vitamin and 3 vitamin d3 tabs I take everyday. (I have never taken so many pills in my life...and they are all just vitamins and supplements!) Learned very quickly that taking an iron pill on an empty stomach is a terrible, terrible idea.
Gender: It's a Boy!
Labor Signs: Nope. And doctor confirmed my suspicion yesterday that Mason is still quite high in there. He hasn't dropped or engaged yet, which often happens between 34-36 weeks. I'm kind of hoping he isn't getting too comfortable in there! (We all know that I'm hoping to go around 38 weeks.)
Symptoms: Felt pretty good this week. The belly is in the way and makes things more uncomfortable, but can't really complain. I expected much worse at this point.
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!
Looking forward to: holding my sweet baby boy in my arms.
