My 37th week - Officially Full Term

How far along? 37

Total weight gain/measurements: According to my OB appointment I gained one more pound.

Maternity Clothes: This picture was taken right after church. The shirt I bought at Macys it is a Motherhood Maternity and the skirt is a maternity skirt from Old Navy. I got it for like 10 bucks. Other than the fact it has a longer than average waist band, I'm not sure what makes it a 'maternity' skirt.  The cardigan is actually my moms. (My sister and I are always stealing her clothes) It is and Inc brand. I love that brand.
But my favorite part of the outfit was the shoes (which of course didn't make the picture). They are Nine West that I got 60% off at the Zappos outlet when I was in Louisville in Feb/March.

Stretch Marks: Just those same 2 by my (or what used to be my) belly button.

Sleep: What? Sleep. Hmmmmm... I remember doing that, and sleeping through the night. I pretty much wake up every hour because my ribs are hurting or I've gotta pee, or I'm just flat out uncomfortable.

Best moment this week: There was one day this week that I felt like... I can do this. Only a few days left really. I might even do this again to have another kid.... but then the rest of the week happened.

Worst moment this week: Pretty much the rest of the week. I was a wreck. Everything made me cry. I feel huge and gross and I'm just not dealing with this last little bit very well.

Miss anything?  What don't I miss????  Mostly I miss feeling comfortable. There is always a foot (or butt) stuck up in my ribs.  I also miss having energy. I'll be good to go, super motivated; 'lets get this all done', and then 2 hours later I'm exhausted.

Movement: He is just so active. He rotated around on Thursday night I believe. Jared and I were watching House Hunters (our new 'go to' show) and he was moving quite a bit. And then... he did some Crazy movements. My stomach was not round - nor did it resemble any such shape. Jared watched the whole thing. It hurt actually. I'm not sure if it is my muscles that made it hurt or skin, or maybe I'm just a wuss.  But when I tell other people when he moves like that and it hurts they think I'm weird.

Food Cravings: I have had a hankering for Root beer floats :) YUM.

Anything making you queasy or sick?  Just off and on nausea like before.

Labor signs:  Both the OB and I agree he has dropped a little. Although he hasn't really 'dropped, dropped' like down. He more dropped forward. You could say I've 'Popped'. I look way more pregnant now, and I can breath easier, get to eat more, and don't have as much heartburn.  Other than that, just the normal braxton hicks.

Symptoms: I had some swelling in my feet this last week. I'm thinking it is related to my high salt diet that day. I wore my compression socks that day and night, drank a bunch of water and then they were happy again. I also had some crazy heartburn this last week. Maybe it would be easier to list the things that are still normal.

Belly Button: Out of course - I don't know that that will ever change back.

Wedding rings on or off? Jared really likes me to wear my wedding rings. I don't really blame him. So I started wearing them again. I just have to be very careful especially when my hands are wet.

Happy or moody most of the time?  Moody. Jared has been so sweet to me. He rubs my sore back. He tells me how grateful he is for me. He has been awesome... except when I ask a question and he answers honestly (which is the wrong answer) and it puts me in a mood allllll weeek loooonnnnggggg.

Looking forward too...  Being done with pregnancy. Yup... any day now ... I'm ready to be done.

Random:  I've been trying to keep busy to keep my mind from going crazy. So after getting this little guys room pretty much set up (forest creature theme) I decided to copy a painting I saw that went with the bed-set. 

It was pretty easy overall, but took some time (of which I had plenty to burn).

The original 40$ painting

 My 9$ version. I like the softer colors

36- One month left!

How far along? 36 weeks!

Total weight gain/measurements: Same as the last week. No gain, no loss. Nothing new.

Maternity clothes: Can I still fit into my normal pants… YES. Crazy. He just hangs out so high my hips are about the same size.

Stretch marks? I’m not that lucky… There was a spot near my belly button at the beginning of the week. I even pointed it out to Jared. I thought it looked really stretched. Then the next night Boom! A silvery/purple-ish stretch mark.  Oh no not one… two. But they aren’t too big and they are near my deformed and discolored belly button so I really have a hard time telling its there right now. Still just a bit sad. But Jared keeps telling me I need to count my blessings.

Sleep: Sleep was pretty much non-existent this past week. Until Friday night when I took a Tylenol PM. I slept for 4 hours straight in the night! It was so, so nice. The rest of the night was pretty much an every hour thing, but I am feeling so much better with just those couple hours in a row.

Best moment this week: Random people asking how far along I am – me being able to say I have less than a month – them then telling my how amazing I look. LOL. Sometimes it’s the little things.

Worst moment this week: Oh, I don’t even want to say. Lets just summarize it as I’m a selfish brat and I was crying for not getting my way.

Miss anything? I miss not standing out. I hate that people stare at me everywhere I go.
I also miss my old wardrobe. – Only a few more weeks… hopefully...

Movement: Of course he is moving a lot, like normal. He kicked (well probably actually punched since he is head down) my pelvis so hard Friday night I actually woke up(in pain) making an ‘oooowwww’ sound.
Lately, he has some crazy cases of the hiccups. They aren't the strongest,per-se, but they always last somewhere between 10 and 20 minutes.  I kinda pitty the little guy. I hope its just all his 'practice breathing' and that he won't have crazy hiccups when he is here.

Food cravings: Not really. I think maybe I just have an exaggerated want of the things I love already. :) Too bad I can't fit much in to my stomach. Weird to feel full and yet still hungry.

Anything making you queasy or sick?  Jared making that noise... You know the one Jared, and yet you keep doing it on purpose.

Labor signs: There are days where I have like 2 braxton hicks, and then there are days where I have a braxton hicks about every hour. Kinda frustrating. Unfortunately I’m still waiting for him to ‘drop’. I think he has just stretched up and down. My pelvis is hurting constantly now yet my ribs are still getting a beating.


Symptoms: Off and on nausea. Pain. Some heartburn. And a general uncomfortable nature- this basketball is getting uncomfy and in the way.

Belly button in or out? Out

Wedding rings on or off? On… a necklace. No swelling in my fingers though they are still too small.

Happy or moody most of the time?  Moody. Moody. MOODY.
If you could complain about it I have.  Back hurts, uncomfy, gallbladder hurting, rib hurting, nausea, being tired, not getting my way, amazon (yes amazon),feet swelling, tired of being pregnant…. The list goes on.
Good thing Jared is here to let me cry.  He has gotten good at just making me feel like my feelings are valid – whether or not they actually are. Thanks hun! ;)

Looking forward to: Other than meeting this little guy… Seeing my maternity pictures :)
I wasn’t going to  get maternity photos and was going to just do newborn photos, but when the photographer offered a free maternity session if she could use some of my pictures in a brochure in a OB office- how could I say no?  We did that Friday. It took only 30 minutes, and somehow Jared survived.   As soon as I get to see them I will share a few for this weeks photo.    

I Always Thought...

I always thought that so many things would just easily work out for the best. 

That the rigors of residency were over and now it was time for the easy stuff.

We would have a little family. 

We would have an awesome job.

We would have a place to really call home.

But apparently I expected these things to come with too much ease. 

Everything has questions. Everything has multiple legitimate worries.  Everything has stress. 

I would like to fast-forward in time to see where we are and how things are working out. To see the choices and the regrets we have made.

What will happen in the next couple months?

For sure we will have a baby. 

Will he be healthy?
Will he love me?
Will we love him?
Will we be good parents?

For sure we will be kicked out of our rental home. 

Will we have a place to go?
Will we be moving far?
Will we have a job?
Will Jared be happy with this job?


How differently we thought things would be this time last year. So many unknowns with only a few 'for sures'.

Life scares me sometimes - the uncertainty of it all-
We pray to find solace, to find the answers, to find comfort.

But sometimes being uncomfortable is how we make those 'good' choices and get to where we need to go.

And so we move though each day wondering...
what's next?

35 and Stayin' Alive.

I was wearing the same dress at the "2 months to go picture." It is crazy how much he has grown in the past month!!!

How far along? 35 weeks! Hooray! (which means that as I post this I am 36 weeks along – woop woop!)

Total weight gain/measurements: Thus far I have gained about 19 pounds. We will see what the next month brings...

Maternity clothes: This outfit (I’ve worn before). I believe it is destination maternity. I really like it – except I think it makes my arms look wider…  oh well.

Stretch marks? Nope- I’m getting scared though… people always talk about getting stretch marks  on like the day before they gave birth.  I swear I just don't have enough skin to grow much bigger.

Sleep: Pretty much the same as last week. Good and Bad. Off and On. Some nights I sleep just fine, others I wake up every hour all… night… long….    I just wish I could get comfortable.

Best moment this week: 1. I got to do (probably my last) little job this week. Call me stubborn, but I really enjoy getting to work and make just a little dough. (Not that you don’t do a great job bringing home the bacon Jared.)
2. The OB appointment was this week. It was really non-eventful, except we got to see him on ultrasound one last time. The ultrasound was to make sure he was head down (which he was- as I predicted. It's easy to get it right when you have a braxton hicks and can feel his whole contour. I knew exactly where everything was before. And yes... those oh so tender ribs are from some very active feet kicking).

Worst moment this week: Not sleeping. I'm getting pretty frustrated.

Miss anything? Feeling comfortable and my ribs not hurting constantly. If he could just drop… ½ an inch I would forever appreciate the love. Some of my ribs feel like they stick out so much, and don’t even get me started on my xyphoid process. It’s pointing out now. Out! It never did that before!

Movement:  He is always on the move. On Sunday I finally got Jared to catch him having a small dance party during the opening song. My whole belly was wiggling around. Jared was impressed.  And as I type this he is kicking my oh so tender rib :(    ouch!

Food cravings: No

Anything making you queasy or sick? There was something I was just thinking about that made me feel sick, but I don't remember what, probably for the best.  I still have some issues at night feeling sick but why not keep me up for that too, I already pee all the time. 

Labor signs: Just Braxton Hicks. 

Symptoms: What have I not mentioned? Tender rib- check.  Braxton Hicks - check. Tired - check. Multiple bathroom runs - check. Nausea-check. Insomnia- check.
Pelvic pain, rib/back pain, swollen feet, and some heartburn.

Belly button in or out? Out

Wedding rings on or off? Lovin’ me my smaller Walmart ring. As much as I love my real ring, I would rather wear my copper ring than have my fingers swollen.

Happy or moody most of the time? Probably about half and half. But don't ask me... Jared knows best.

Looking forward to: Getting the baby room all finished.

34 Weeks - The Lungs are Mostly Done Cooking

How far along? 34. Sorry no picture.

Total weight gain/measurements: I did measure my bust this week (things have weirdly shrunk up there recently) and then measured around my belly. Turns out my bust is still wider. Weird right???  I think that this little boy has taken up lodging in my rib cage.  He is still pretty high. I’m hoping he falls just a little so I can breathe just a bit better.

Maternity clothes: I’ve been wearing maternity shorts, but when it comes to pants I still prefer my own pants – Plus with it getting hotter I don’t want to wear the extra fabric on my belly.

Stretch marks? No

Sleep: It has been off and on good and bad.

Best moment this week: I would say running with my running club, but this baby is getting to heavy to truly enjoy it… soo I have to say the best would be getting to set up baby room stuff with Jared. It is crazy that we are getting down to crunch time. We got to spend a 4 day weekend together! So nice.

Worst moment this week: Feeling pretty pitiful this week. I’m tired of feeling like crap. Not sleeping. Etc… etc…

Miss anything? Mostly (other than my old self and the little bit of confidence I used to have) I miss my independence. I feel like I am ordering Jared around to do everything and I do nothing but sit. Or I can’t do things, like buckle my sandals, put on my compression socks and I have to ask for help. I hate it.

Movement: He is always moving- having little dance parties where he goes crazy.  And always kicking that poor tender rib. :(  I like to see him moving when he is really active and little bulges pop out on my stomach or when whole thing looks like there is a minor earthquake happening in  baby-land.

Food cravings: Nope. But I do love me some chocolate milk. (I always have, but now I have an excuse for the extra calories)

Anything making you queasy or sick?  I’ve been feeling sick again but usually only in the mornings after I eat breakfast, and sometimes at night at 2 in the morning. Boo.

Labor signs: Just a few Braxton Hicks.  What’s new?

Symptoms: Sore hips and shoulders from sleeping on my side, fatigue and insomnia, pelvis pain, back pain- with that rib back pain –ugh, breathlessness, my ankles, feet and legs in general have suddenly decided to swell.  Whoever says pregnancy is easy should be committed. This sucks.

Belly button in or out? Out

Wedding rings on or off? I’m a wearing that super awesome copper Walmart ring still. I love how it turns my finger green. Lol.

Happy or moody most of the time? Am I crazy? Almost everything makes me cry, except for when I want to cry or should cry then I have no emotions. I think I cry at least once a day now. As I type this I have already cried today and it is 6:30 AM.  I’m gonna run out of tears.

Looking forward to: My appointment in a couple days. It will be a month before my due date! We will get to see him on ultrasound one last time to make sure he is head down. And then after this appointment I will be visiting the OB weekly. YIKES.

Rambles: I found a newborn photographer!  And I know Jared thinks I'm crazy wasting my money and time... oh well. I think that of him sometimes.  Turns out the photographer is giving me a free maternity session too. (something I always swore I would never do... and I'm still not sure I really 'want' to, but something tells me I shouldn't waste the opportunity to look back at this pregnancy. Maybe it will make me feel more confident). She needs some maternity photos for an OBGYN flyer or something and I'm the model. We will see how this all turns out. 

33 - I'm getting uncomfortable over here....

How far along? 33 weeks 5 days (in the really bad selfie. In my defense I just woke up from a nice little nap)

Total weight gain/measurements: Haha! I don’t know. We’ve been staying at my parents to make Jared’s commute shorter and I don’t have a scale around.

Maternity clothes: This is a maternity workout top from Old Navy (which I now see I need more than just the built in bra...yikes!) with a peach cardigan I got at Forever 21 years ago. The pants are my famous Lucky Jeans.  I’m thinking I will be able to fit into my pants until he decides to drop, but since my wardrobe is limited with shorts I might just break out the maternity shorts to give my wardrobe a new pop.

Stretch marks? Nope- According to Jared…. I can only see so far on the belly horizon…

Sleep: Sleeping sucks.  I have to wake up to turn. I have to wake up to pee. I wake up if Jared makes noise or moves or gets up. BUT I had 2 nights, just recently, where I have slept well. I still have to get up to pee. I still wake up with sore sore hips. I still wake up to turn, but for some reason I’ve slept better.

Best moment this week: My personal progress activity went well, and I got to talk to some of the girls and really get to know them better.

Worst moment this week: I felt HORRIBLE on Wednesday. Nauseous, tired, hot, cold, just overall BLAH.

Miss anything? Plenty of stuff… Mostly feeling comfortable and just blending in with society. I feel like strangers are always watching me.

Movement: He really likes to kick the ribs on my right side. This is nothing new, but just that its getting so strong and more painful.

Food cravings: Nope

Anything making you queasy or sick?  Nothing specifically.

Labor signs: Braxton Hicks.

Symptoms: Sore hips, fatigue, pelvis pain and breathlessness. This boy is getting too big for me; there's always a butt or head or back, or shoulder, or foot or something sticking out.

Belly button in or out? Out

Wedding rings on or off? Same as last week. On, but off. 

Happy or moody most of the time? Moody. Jared left for a course this week - a whole day and a half... I was very blue with him gone. Then I was upset at Olive Garden because they gave me a water with a moldy lemon in it (but really wouldn’t you be too?!?) and that the salad had the butt of the romaine lettuce in it, and that I was full before getting to eat my spaghetti.  I’m crazy. Watch out. My mom even bought me flowers to help cheer me up a little on Wednesday. Just overall a rough, moody week.

Looking forward to: The 36 week mark- b/c if labor starts after that… they won’t try to stop it and I could have a little baby boy in my arms!  :)

Mexican Fiesta

As I mentioned in my last post the YW did a Mexican Fiesta fundraiser for girls camp.  We had a taco bar, a silent auction, a salsa contest, and pinata smashing.

Our last few mutuals the girls make (very very sad) pinatas, made calls to the ward and came up with their own services/ treats for the silent auction.

I somehow was put in charge of 'fixing' the pinatas.

The pinatas were ugly as sin.  Jared was even surprised at how poor their work was.

Some of what I had to 'work' with...

So I spent numerous hours.... NUMEROUS hours helping fix the pinatas that would be destroyed later.  They turned from 'what is that' to 'oh cute!'

Mrs. Owl and fish

I added flair to this one... but I still don't know what it is other than an odd shaped box...

Mr Cactus (This one was actually pretty good- go beehives! I just added some more tissue paper to fill in blank spots)

Strawberry

Cat

Ice Cream cone- Jared and I actually made this one from scratch because I knew some of the girls didn't give me their pinatas therefore meaning we would never see them surface again.

All the leaders were at the church at 10am the morning of to set up. I was last to leave at 1:30pm and was asked to do a couple errands and be the first back to let the girls in to prepare at 4. And so progressed my day. It was a late, exhausting day.

The prep went well. The girls were helpful and I was able to get to know some of the other leaders better. The fundraiser did great! The people really seemed to enjoy it. I made a blueberry lemon cake and a baby blanket for the auction.

 Even though I was running around 'working' most the time I did have the time to put some bids in and munch on a chicken burrito.  I won some banana bread from the auction and a chalk board someone else made.

The whole thing turned out great and clean up went quickly with other ward members helping.


 All the girls have camp paid for! (and some was added to the budget for fun activities)

The bishoprics pinata... it was a box with duct tape...

I wish I could have gone home and just relaxed knowing there wasn't anything to worry about for a while... but that was SO NOT HAPPENING.  I was in charge of the next mutual for personal progress.

I stole an idea from the internet. For Divine Nature number 3 I made cupcakes for the girls to decorate to kick off being nice to a family member each day for 2 weeks. They loved it! They ate more of the decorations than I think made it onto the cupcakes but that's what makes it fun, right?

I'm glad this crazy last week is over and done with. On to the next personal progress mutual I'm in charge of next month.