Week 38 - YES, I'm Still Pregnant!

 

YEAH, the car seat is installed and to-be inspected on Tuesday!

About ME:

Waist: 43.5 inches (Total growth 10.0 inches)- looks like I might have reached my peak with no growth this week!  The belly has DROPPED significantly and is starting to put a ton of pressure on my pelvis.

Weight: 164.8 lbs (Total increase 21 lbs) - Down 1.2 pounds from last week - most likely due to decreased swelling this week and less water weight!

Physically, pregnancy is starting to wear on me.  I have increased pain in my left rib over the past week and mentally, I'm just ready to be "done".  I've gotten to the point that when people ask/tell me "you're still pregnant" or "almost there" or "we're waiting"...there is a small part inside of me that wants to punch them in the face.  I'm usually not a violent person, so I'm blaming hormones for this.  Thank goodness for GREAT friends who tell me it's ok to feel this way and that the last couple weeks will end up a blur in the great scheme of pregnancy!

The great news of the week came on TUESDAY at the OB when I found out that I'm Strep B negative and also ALREADY DILATED TO 1 CM!  YES! YES! YES!  Forward progress is awesome in my books, as is not needing any antibiotics when I go into labor.  One less thing to deal with at the hospital!

Plus, Thursday night, I experienced my first REAL CONTRACTIONS...yes, good-bye Braxton Hicks, hello Contractions!  They were pretty intense, but I was so excited that time is getting closer that I know that I can deal with them.  BRING IT ON!!!

 

About MONSTER:

All systems, almost go!  Monster's lungs are continuing to mature as more and more surfactant is secreted (this is what prevents the lungs from sticking to each other when Monster begins to breathe on his/her own).  Plus, vernix and lanugo continue to shed from Monster's body into the amniotic fluid.  All good things take time...and it seems that these final processes are very important for a healthy Monster post-womb!

Planning for MONSTER:

We have come to the conclusion that there is NOTHING else we can "PLAN" for Monster.  It is now just a waiting game...so we've decided to take these last days/weeks and enjoy our family of 3, get lots of sleep and get as mentally ready for our world to change as possible!

A few ways we did this during this week:

1. DATE NIGHT!  Yes, Friday night we went out to dinner and just relaxed!

2. SLEEP! We have tried to go to bed early and sleep in whenever possible...I was able to both Saturday and Sunday!

3. GET OUT AND ENJOY THE OUTDOORS!  From impromptu hunting trips with Chukar to Marymoor Dog Park trips...we are going to try to maximize the outdoor adventures until Monster gets here (and we still have the energy)!

Our happy little CHUKAR celebrated his 3rd birthday on October 18th and got to spend the day of fun at PetSmart with all his friends.  He even had a "doggie sundae"...plus many presents from Mom, Dad, Grandma and Grandpa!  So spoiled!

Plus, on Saturday, Rich and Chukar hit up a little spot outside of Ellensburg for a little Quail hunting...our proud puppy with a retrieve (typically, Brittany's are not known for this, but our little hunter loves this part too).  A great point followed by an awesome retrieve.  

 

  

 The proud pup with the days birds!

As the end of the 38th week arrives on Tuesday, we are excited to see what the FINAL (hopefully less/not more) 14 days bring!  The waiting is starting to drive us a little crazy, but we know that Monster is going to come when he/she is ready. 

Patience....YES, I'm still pregnant and must relax enjoy the final days!

Week 37 - FULL TERM!!!

 

About ME:

A picture is worth 1,000 words, so here are 2,000 words...and I think they all start with HUGE!  Yes, the BARE belly.  Enjoy...I hope you weren't in the middle of eating because you definitely lost your appetite now.  I decided that these pictures were a must so I can tell Monster (if "it" is a she) why you should NEVER get your belly button pierced...

Yes, the belly button is an OUTTIE now too...and has been for about 8 weeks!  It's like Monster saying "I'm READY"...well baby, so are we!

Waist: 43.3 inches (Total growth 10.0 inches)

Weight: 166 lbs (Total increase 22.2 lbs) - why yes, that was 4.2 lbs in ONE FREAKING WEEK!  This is the largest gain I've had to date...and I'm hoping that the next 3 weeks don't match that growth (unless it is what Monster needs and then Mama will deal).  I'm sure there will be tears, but I will deal!

This week, thank goodness was full-term, because IT WAS ROUGH! I mean, emotional meltdown central...swelling...feelings that Monster is NEVER coming...and then realizing that Monster is coming and we better be ready!

The week recap by breakdown...

Breakdown #1 - the numbers on the scale!
Breakdown #2 - ankles that now look like tree trunks from swelling!
Breakdown #3 - no effacement or cervical dilation at my weekly check-up (and the OB saying that lots of women go 2 weeks late with Baby #1) - yes, that would be NOVEMBER 21st!  Seriously, a lifetime away! 
Breakdown #4 - had to take my wedding ring off! (Of course, I made Rich put on another ring in it's place and promise me it was ok).
Breakdown #5 - questioning if Monster is a boy or a girl and how we will react to each!

Heck, I didn't ever say I was rational this week....

On a fun note, Monster went to his/her first concert...Justin Bieber and partied like a rockstar!  Baby has got the moves!!!

Thank goodness for YOGA 2 times per week...without it, I can't even imagine what my emotions would be like!

About MONSTER:

Full-term...what else can we say!  Now, it's just about hanging out until Monster is ready! 

Planning for MONSTER:

Reading! Reading! Reading!
Nesting! Nesting! Nesting!
Sleeping! Sleeping! Sleeping!

Taking EVERY free minute we have and making sure we are enjoying it...including impromptu lunches and a pedicure!

We also FINISHED the NURSERY this week...

Here is a picture of Rich and Chukar putting the final touches on one of the walls...then, the rest are pictures of the room from different angles!

 Of course, Monster won't be hanging out in this space for a while...but will be hanging out here...

We have a little "nook" in our bedroom where Monster will be spending the first nights (months)....

Alright, one more week in the books...and officially 24 more days until Monster's DUE DATE!!! Another OB appt on Tuesday ...and every week until Monster's decides to make an appearance!

Is it too early to start bribing Monster with something to lure him/her out?!?! You would think that the fact that we are his/her parents would be enough...

Until next week!

Week 36 - the FINAL stretch (we think)!!!

About ME:

Waist: 43.0 inches (Total growth 9.5 inches)

Weight: 161.8 lbs (Total increase 18.0 lbs)

It's looks like pregnancy is starting to wear on the eternal optimist! I've gone from Yes girl, to Maybe girl, to probably not going to happen girl.  Funny, how in just one week, you can really go from "I'm rocking this" to "baby, the time has come for you to move out".

The 3rd trimester insomnia and exhaustion have hit...plus, with that comes more pain and stiffness (thank goodness for YOGA).

On the bright-side, I can still shave my legs...see my ankles...eat regular meals...and even take Chukar for small walks.  I consider that a WIN at this point, as I know many ladies that were in much worse shape at this point.

About MONSTER:

Monster is about 18.75" long and weighs close to 5.75 lbs...or the "average" baby does at this time.  As for Monster, maybe we will find out more at this week's OB appt!

By the END of TUESDAY, i.e. Week 36, Monster will be considered FULL-TERM and he/she will be that much closer to meeting us in the outside world!

Planning for MONSTER:

It seems like everything we do now is with the "Monster is Coming" Mantra tattooed on our foreheads!  This weekend, we accomplished TWO huge things:

1. The Garage got cleaned out and everything stored in the attic that could.
2. We were able to clean the hardwoods downstairs and do a heavy fall cleaning.

SUCCESS!

We also were able to finish ONE wall of the nursery...it's coming together!

Plus, get MONSTER'S coming home outfit put together and packed!  Mom and Dad's bag is a work in progress.  NOTE: The headband is if he is a she...and the stocking hat if she is a he! Soon we will all know!

Week 35 - Watermelon or Basketball

About ME:

No pictures. No weight tracking. No measurements.  This is what happens when you don't back up your phone and update to the new operating system...so next week will be a BIG week.

The question of "how I'm carrying" and "have I dropped" have come up a lot lately...so to answer these questions.  I'm carrying a watermelon that should be entered into a fair for a BIG BLUE RIBBON.  This kid is getting huge.

The question of "have I dropped" is an astounding YES!  Probably about 2-3 inches...not only can you spot that I've dropped if you see me often, but if you are around me and there is food, WATCH OUT!  I'm ravenous these days...meaning my stomach might actually have a little space and I constantly want to fill it with food.  I'm still making good decisions...and have been eating fruit and drinking water like there might be a draught in the near future!

The Braxton Hicks have become out of control...but I find that if I stand up or move positions they tend to subside (a true testament that they aren't REAL contractions yet).  Definitely getting more intense and closer together, but as my OB tells me, it the body prepping for the real thing...which is just around the corner!

Next OB appt is the exciting Strep B test (look it up, no fun) and cervical examinations to see the progress (or lack there of).

Also, emotions are back.  Overwhelmed with what needs to get done and can't deal with any form of sarcasm anymore (sarcasm now = tears)...

About MONSTER:

Monster is almost fully functioning at this point...kidneys are completely developed and liver is functional and capable of processing waste products!  Baby shouldn't be growing length wise anymore, but will be putting on about .5 lbs until arrival....with body fat closer to 15% now (and almost 30% by birth).  Can't wait to squeeze those little chubby legs...

Planning for MONSTER:

A few "lasts" happened this week:

1. Our LAST birthing class was last night
2. Our LAST 2 week appointment at the OB
3. Our LAST to-dos before baby were assigned with deadlines to completion
4. Our LAST MMAC business meeting before baby

It is just crazy to think that it is weeks(or a month plus) away until we get to meet this little one!