38 Weeks

14 days to go until my EDD! I am now on official maternity leave and loving every moment of it. Yesterday, I realized that I could do whatever I felt like. It made me pretty giddy. I am trying to use this time wisely as I know this freedom will be over when Bean gets here and won't return until Jacob and I are empty nesters!

This week is filled with plans to clean, organize and prepare. I am trying to complete at least one room per day, making sure to rest whenever I feel the need. Yesterday was kitchen day with various bouts of organizing and picking up around the house. Today, I'm tackling the living room, both bathrooms and the dining area. Sadly, this morning wasn't too productive, mostly due to the fact that I ate an entire La Cabana breakfast burrito and then spent the next hour being super full.

My good internet buddy went into labor the night before last and after a loooooong labor had her sweet baby girl! Well, I hope she's had her baby girl - haven't received confirmation yet. However, she texted at 9.5 cm, so I'm thinking that means baby is here. I am so thrilled for her! I remember finding out she was pregnant only a couple weeks before I got my own positive. It's been such a cool journey to share with her. Congratulations to her & hubby, and welcome to her sweet little babe!

How I'm Feeling

As usual, good! I'm still sleeping very well at night (got 10 hours last night!) and, aside from the random pains and such, I feel great. Very much looking forward to cooler weather, though...Pregnancy is HOT!

What Bean's Doing

(taken from baby-gaga.com)

As you know, you've arrived at the final leg of your pregnancy journey, and if you're still carrying your little love around, they've just about reached their birth weight (somewhere between 6 to 8 pounds is average depending on whether they're a boy or girl). There really isn't a lot to report on baby this week, so lets do a quick recount of where we're at: all internal organ systems are pretty much ready for the outside world, they've got their meconium stockpile building up (their first black baby poo), lots of healthy baby fat, a rapidly developing brain (that'll keep growing with them for years to come), and they've more or less reached official baby status-- all they need to do is "head out" and say hello to the rest of the world and especially their ready-to-pop momma.

37 Weeks

I am officially full term. This milestone comes with extra excitement, nervousness and a true nesting instinct. Unfortunately, I was sad to find out that the nesting instinct doesn't really come with energy. While I feel compelled to clean and organize, my body continues aching and becoming more and more exhausted. Hopefully it'll get easier next week - my first week of maternity leave!

I realized the other day that I'm really going to miss being pregnant. I can't wait to meet Bean and have him or her here, and I know that I'm ready to sleep on my stomach again, but I know I will miss feeling kicks and rolls, always having my baby near me, etc. It's such an amazing time. I've already found myself looking forward to the next time I get to be pregnant...Watch out, Jacob!

Today, I found out that a HUGE prayer was answered! As most of you know, I tried to work out a part time from home position with my current employer, which was shot down. However, a co-worker of mine took interest in the fact that I would not be returning, and she fought for me to continue writing for my company's blog! It's an even better situation than a part time from home position would've been - my hours are 100% flexible (aside from deadlines, of course) and I'll be able to supplement our income working only a few hours a week. I am SO happy about it!

How I'm Feeling

Tired and sore, but really good other than that. Since the baby dropped, I've been able to breathe easier and I don't get heartburn anymore, which is fabulous. Most of the time I'm just feeling anxious about getting everything ready before the baby decides to come! After a crazy night of cleaning, laundry and baking (aka super nesting) I had some frequent and fairly strong Braxton Hicks contractions. Instead of wanting to rest to make them go away, they just made me want to clean more in case I went into labor!

What Bean's Doing

(taken from baby-gaga.com)

It’s the calm before the storm. Changes in your baby's weight have leveled off with only a few ounces of fat added this week. At this point your baby should weigh in at around 7 lbs and 20 inches (with boys somewhat heavier and longer than girls). Happily, as far as internal organs go, they are now developed enough to function in the outside world although the oh-so-important immune system is still developing and will continue to do so after birth. With a large boost of antibodies provided by breast milk when nursing begins. Fighting infection and staying healthy should be well within their physical capacity when your little fighter is born.

36 Weeks

My due date is four weeks from today. FOUR WEEKS. 28 days. I'm full term in only one week. How is that even possible? (I mean, I know how it came to be and how it really has been almost 40 weeks since I saw those two little lines, but...It's just so surreal to be here!)

I THINK my nesting instinct is kicking in for real. What no one tells you is that your nesting instinct is really just panic when you realize all the stuff that you want to get done before your baby comes. Bean's room is an absolute disaster area, but it's easily fixed with a couple loads of laundry and some quick organizing.

My to-do list is coming along nicely. Hopefully Jacob does his stuff this weekend. If that happens, all we'll have to do is my cleaning section, get the car seats installed and pack our bags for the birth! I feel really good about where we are regarding the to-do list, which is a really nice way to feel!

Lastly, today I have had bouts of extreme hunger every two hours. I'll eat a normal amount of food and then two hours later, it'll feel like I haven't had anything to eat for hours and hours! It is bizarre and slightly exhausting. I wonder what it means?

How I'm Feeling

As usual, I'm feeling pretty good! Having a few more aches and pains. I actually experienced my first pregnancy-related back pain only yesterday. I think I got really lucky with that one! I feel like I have a lot of energy most of the time, but crash REALLY hard when I run out of said energy. So, I'm trying to find a good balance that will help me utilize the energy well without overdoing it.

My Braxton-Hicks contractions are becoming stronger, although it seems as if the frequency has gone down a little bit. I had a couple days of semi-frequent BH contractions, but I figured out that they only happened when I sat a certain way, so I stopped doing that and it seemed to help. It's weird to actually be able to feel the contractions now, although they're not painful at all. I can also tell that Bean has really dropped. I'm going to ask Nora if s/he is "engaged" or not, because I think s/he is, but I obviously am not the expert. Our next appointment is this Thursday, and then we'll see her every Thursday after that until Bean comes!

What Bean's Doing

(taken from babycenter.com and womenshealthcaretopics.com)

Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of her first bowel movement.

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Your baby is still working on putting on weight during pregnancy week 36. While that may not seem very exciting, keep in mind this is his primary job from now until delivery. Round babies are healthy babies. This is probably the one time in your baby's life they can put on pounds with wild abandon. If you were to peak inside your womb, you'd probably see your baby giddy with glee.

Did you know that some researchers believe your baby actually releases a signal to trigger labor? There are actually several different theories. Some believe that when your baby's brain is completely mature it sends a signal to the fetal adrenal glands. These glands then start to secrete the hormone cortisol, which may alter the metabolism of estrogen and progesterone, resulting in labor.

Other researchers have postulated that the fetal lungs secrete signals indicating they are mature, as well as enzymes that result in the release of prostaglandins, which help the cervix ripen and help the uterus to contract. This is highly likely as the body does release prostaglandins around the time of birth.

Other Interesting Stuff

(taken from childbirthconnection.com)

By the end of the 36th week of pregnancy, the enlarged uterus almost fills the abdominal cavity, despite the fact that the cavity is greatly expanded by the stretching of its front and side walls. The well-developed, plump baby, in the membranous sac within the uterus, lies wholly within the abdominal cavity, with the abdominal muscles supporting much of its weight. During this week, the fundus is at the tip of the xiphoid cartilage of the breastbone, which is shown pushed forward. The liver, transverse colon, stomach, and spleen (which is behind the upper portion of the stomach) are crowded into the vault of the abdominal cavity. The small intestines are crowded above, behind, and to the sides of the uterus. The diaphragm is pressed upward, reducing the vertical diameter of the chest cavity sometimes as much as 4 centimeters; to compensate, the space on the side, front, and back of this cavity increases. The capacity of the chest cavity is not diminished. This displacement of the diaphragm changes the position of the heart, and the increased blood volume may cause the heart to dilate slightly.

Although there is an increase in the amount of blood pumped from the heart per minute and in the amount of air respired per minute, the change in the position of the heart and the upward pressure of the diaphragm probably account for the difficult breathing and the smothered feeling you may experience during this week. The crowding of the stomach and intestines contributes to the discomfort after eating.

35 Weeks

I am pretty much brainless these days, so this post will probably be short, sweet and completely convoluted.

It appears as if I will not be returning to my job in any way, shape or form after the baby is born. It is really weird to think that after 2.5 years of working for a place, I just won't be working for them anymore. I feel at peace about it, though, and am doing my best to trust in the Lord regarding our finances. There are a few things I plan to pursue that would make a little money and allow me to work from home, so hopefully a couple of those pan out.

Only two weeks until I'm full term! I would love for Bean to wait until September to make his or her debut (I don't really want an August baby, mostly because I like the name August for a boy), but I definitely wouldn't be upset if it happened before that. I am so ready to meet this baby!

Prayer request: my iron levels are still quite a bit lower than we want them to be by the time I deliver. Because my due date is so close, I am starting to worry that my iron levels will still be very low, which could lead to major complications. Prayers that my body will absorb the massive amounts of iron I am taking would be very much appreciated!

How I'm Feeling

Aside from being super tired, WAY emotional and practically brain dead, I am doing well. My body is impressing me every day by being almost entirely pain-free. I've been having a lot of Braxton-Hicks contractions, which makes me excited about the fact that it's almost time to meet my son or daughter! I just hope and pray that nothing happens before I'm 27 weeks.

What Bean's Doing

(taken from pregnancyhut.com)

The baby is growing fast and measures around 18 inches long with a weight of around 5 ½ to 6 pounds. The majority of the baby’s growth is complete by the 35th week. The development of the baby’s kidneys is complete and the liver is beginning to produce waste. The baby will have less space in the body to move; however its kickboxing routine that you might be counting at a specific period of the day will remain the same. If you have not started bonding with your baby this is a good time to start as the baby’s hearing faculty is fully developed by now. Do not feel awkward while chatting in baby talk as experts say that newborns pay close attention to high pitched tones. 99% of the babies born in the 35th week can survive outside the womb without any problems. The baby’s central nervous system is still developing but the lungs are mostly fully developed. Most of the protective tissues and hair tend to disappear but some of it might remain as a scaly coating. Tiny vellus hair grows in the next few weeks. Your baby is getting plump and the fat deposits begin to form which add fullness to the baby’s arms and legs.

34 Weeks

Feeling a little overwhelmed at the moment, so this'll probably be a short one.

I got some lame news about my post-baby work situation. I was hoping that my current company would agree to a part time from home position for after I have Bean. Because of some really, really, really sucky circumstances (other employees being extremely selfish and insane, basically) it looks like that's not going to happen. I would be glad to be rid of work, but when I work I get money, which helps quite a bit. So, now I'm trying to figure out what to do. Prayers for guidance and peace would be really appreciated!

In happier news, my second baby shower is this weekend, and I am so, so, SO excited!

Also, tonight is our last birthing class at the Breastfeeding Support Center. I've really enjoyed the classes and learned a few things. Mostly, I've liked watching the birthing videos and learning all the different birthing positions.

On Monday, we had to squeeze ice cubes for a full minute to get a VERY vague idea of what a contraction will be like. The first time through, the instructors tried to be distracting while the TV was on and the lights were all on. I found myself laughing and not really paying attention to the pain and cold from the ice cube. Jacob pretended to be a space shuttle in order to cope with the ice cube. The second time around, they made a relaxing atmosphere with nice music, our "birth partners" massaging our shoulders or somesuch, etc. I actually found that the relaxing one was harder for me because all I had to focus on was the ice cube! It was very interesting, although I honestly don't think it'll do very much to prepare me for labor.

How I'm Feeling

Physically, I'm doing pretty dang well. Still getting heartburn, shortness of breath and all that stuff, but my pelvic pain has let up, which is AWESOME! I'm really trying to be good about walking every day, but I suck at it...A lot. Perhaps I should make a rule that I can't have dessert until after I walk. That would certainly get me motivated.

What Bean's Doing

(taken from baby-gaga.com)

Your amazing baby is on the move! They’ve been riding fairly high in your stretched-out womb till now (while kindly compressing your poor internal organs), but now they’re planning on making the big move to your pelvis this week. If you haven’t noticed it already, you’ll be feeling the weight shift that signals that your baby is most likely out of breech position, with their head now resting on your pubic bone. In liver news: although not quite fully formed, your little miracle’s liver is now capable of processing a certain amount of waste. In general, most of your child’s prenatal physical development is pretty much up to snuff and ready for the outside world. Naturally, further weight gain is expected—so you’re still not at maximum capacity despite probably feeling like you definitely are maxed out.

Also, I read elsewhere that Bean is no longer floating in the aminotic fluid and is instead resting against my uterus.

33 Weeks

Spent the weekend at a campground for Jacob's family reunion. It was fun, hot and tiring! Thankfully, we had an air conditioned trailer (with toilet) to lounge in when necessary, but I did get my fair share of heat and sun. Luckily, no sunburn! It was really nice to see the few members of his family that I actually knew, plus meet many more, including a bunch of people from Switzerland.

We attended our first birthing class last night, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I knew most of the info, but I did learn a couple new things. We got to learn and practice some birthing positions, learned some stretches and exercises, breathing techniques and various other things. We also got to make collages. Still not sure what that was all about, but it was fun! At our next class, we get to see our first video of a real birth. It'll be interesting to see what everyone's reaction is...Jacob and I have both been at actual births and watched The Business of Being Born together, so I can't really imagine being too shocked.

How I'm Feeling

Right now, I'm in an awful mood, probably due to the fact that I had a terrible night of sleep. I've experienced pain in my pelvis/hips for a while now. It goes from ok to terrible to ok again, so I haven't done much about it. Last night, though, I literally couldn't move without yelping due to the pain. So, I tried sleeping sitting up, which resulted in me not sleeping and also tweaking my neck. Bean decided this was a good time to up the movement, so while not sleeping and dealing with pain in my neck, hips and pelvis, I also experienced the most painful jabs Bean could muster up. I was able to kind of enjoy Bean's movements, though, because they were SO strong and I could feel so many body parts. All in all, it was a night I do not wish to recreate any time soon.

Yesterday, though, I experienced such elation and joy and excitement that I could hardly live with myself. You can call me Mrs. Mood Swing, I suppose. Or Mrs. Grumpy If I Don't Sleep Enough.

What Bean's Doing

(taken from baby-gaga.com)

For all the weight and bulk you’re lugging around these days, you’d think your little champ should weigh much more than a mere 5 lbs and measly 17 inches in height, but nope, that’s about the average size for a baby in its thirty-third week. In terms of appearances, they’re getting cuter and pudgier every minute as they pile on the baby fat for those adorable little wrist rolls and chubby toes. And as we’re sure you’ve already noticed they’re getting stronger with every passing day. Nowadays, it’s possible to observe a well-placed kick just by watching your belly—but you already knew that didn’t you? Although they’re getting stronger, your bigger-by-the-day baby is losing space to move around, so the actual rate of movement will drop off in the last few weeks, despite that powerful drop-kick they’ve been working on. Hey, did you know you’ll continue feeling their movements even during labor?

Just For Fun

I stole this from Tiffany...

How far along? 33 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Around 30 pounds, I think.
Stretch marks? I am a walking stretch mark.
Sleep: Goes from glorious to awful. Last night was awful.
Best moment this week: Listening to music with Bean last night. S/he likes Lisa Hannigan and Damien Rice.
Food cravings: Shrimp, anything lemon, baby carrots.
Gender: Only God knows!
Labor Signs: Some Braxton-Hicks, which I don't think really count as labor signs.
Belly Button in or out? It fluctuates from sticking WAY out to sticking out only a bit. Depends on where Bean's laying.
What I miss: Sleeping on my stomach, being free of pelvic pain.
What I am looking forward to: Crossing the last item off my baby to-do list and, of course, meeting the baby!
Weekly Wisdom: Water is wonderful. Also, seriously put your feet up any time you can.
Milestones: Bean is the weight of a pineapple!

32 Weeks

8 months along. 56 days until my due date. 29 work days until my maternity leave. 0 days until I start to FREAK OUT! I'm going to have a freaking BABY! Is that not the coolest thing you've ever heard of? I know it's the coolest thing I've ever heard of.

Last Saturday was my first baby shower, and it was AMAZING! I felt so blessed and loved by all the people who came to celebrate Bean. Thank you to Joanna for putting together such a wonderful shower, and thank you to everyone who came and showered us!

How I'm Feeling

Excited, nervous, anxious, stressed, elated...The list goes on. The stress comes only from work, where I have 29 days to keep up with my daily tasks, update all the content SOP docs, train the new copywriter, and write ahead for our blog so our other blog writer(s) don't get overloaded. That is a LOT of stuff to accomplish in a month, I'll tell you what. Physically, I am feeling about the same - very tired, pretty sore, battling heartburn most of the time. However, I am glad to have gone a week without getting an illness of some sort, and I am sleeping better, which is obviously wonderful.

What Bean's Doing

(taken from baby-gaga.com)

In the latest womb reports, your amazing baby has now developed sensitivity to temperature! This means you’ll probably get a swift kick if you put a hot pad on your ginormous belly. For the Elton John lovers out there-- yes, baby’s got blue eyes. At this point, all babies do, although depending on their chromosomal disposition, this could easily change after birth (or even between now and labor), but for the time being, blue it is. Thanks to their recently matured lungs and a remarkably strong immune system, over 90% of babies born in their 32nd week, survive premature births. So it’s pretty much a done deal. Even if your little monkey’s planning on heading out early, their survival odds are in everyone’s favor. Time to celebrate (no, no, wait until after the birth to crack open the champagne!) We’re talking baby-showers and alcohol-free punch!