Oh my goodness…

How far along? 37 weeks…. whaaat!?

Weight Gained: 27.5 lbs

Symptoms: Anxiety, hyperventilation, and insomnia. Just kidding, but sorta not. Well, this is becoming very real, very fast yet at the same time I still can’t wrap my little brain around what will be happening so very soon. I really hope it wraps eventually. COME ON BRAIN. I definitely feel like she’s dropped so, well, that’s pretty crazy. That nose of mine is still working on overdrive. My fingers and toes have swollen to normal proportions from their usual freakishly boney state. I like it. I just reorganized my closets. Again. Seriously, my brain can’t even comprehend what’s about to happen in 1 day to 5 weeks. Can’t. Even.

Movement: Last night she did some sort of flamboyant flip or kick that woke me up and kept me up for a nice 4 hours. Mostly because I started worrying in my half asleep state that she turned sideways etc etc and this and that and it’s amazing how long you can lie awake worrying. But also, sometimes I just can’t get enough of her little kicks and wiggles and have no problem laying there for hours and hours in the still of the night, just feeling them. She is so precious. And that foot. I’m so very fond of that foot.

Food cravings: My sugar intake these days is really astounding. The holidays + a lady with zero self control = bad time to be pregnant.

Food aversions: Nope

Sleep: I am trying to make friends with this new gal, insomnia.

Stretch marks? No

Belly button in or out? In

Miss anything? Not particularly

Mood? Up and down and all around

Maternity Clothes? Are comfy but how do you keep the pants up? Mine are always falling down. A belt seems to defeat the purpose…

New baby items: Hey! I finally got some after baby is born books! So you know, I don’t have to turn to google mid high fever and wait for the words “will probably lead to death” to float across my screen. I feel a bit more prepared with my more sensible paper copies that I can turn to in these particular circumstances ;)

Exercise: Is becoming more difficult since things start hurting fairly easily these days.

Best moment of the week: Well since I’m writing this with my tired brain on, the first thing that comes to mind is my puppy gave me some really great snuggles today that pretty much made my heart melt and left me in a napping state far longer than I intended. Voluntary snuggles are hard to compete with.

Looking forward to: Oh my goodness.. since the thought of meeting this little one gives me excitement that I can’t quite handle, I’m going to go with labor. I have wondered what it would be like since well, probably the beginning of time, and I’m so curious what it will be like for me since everyones story seems to be so different. I’m kind of scared/terrified/really excited that I get to experience it soon. And yes I’m weird and will probably be eating my words, pronto, but for now, I’ll stay excited. Because well, after that, comes her face and that… that I just can’t wait for.

One more week! One more week! One more week! And then she can come anytime!!!! Oh my goodness!

How far along? 36 weeks

Weight Gained: 28 lbs

Symptoms: That dog pretty much has one good quality. He usually smells amazing (for a big dog) and has pretty good smelling breath. My nose no longer agrees. I can smell him in all his glory from across the room and it is not my favorite. All my joints are starting to feel really loose – especially my hips – which seems kinda official and exciting except it kinda hurts. And tightening and cramps are becoming more frequent. Eeeee! Still makes me super excited though :):) except I’m going back into denial mode and can’t even begin to wrap my head around any of this. Didn’t I just find out I was pregnant a month ago??

Movement: She’s been doing this fun new move called “make mom jump out of bed” where she runs her little foot along the bottom of my ribs and man! it tickles. I’m sure she’s in there laughing away.

Food cravings: Not really… I mean besides sweets sweets and more sweets.

Food aversions: I haven’t been a huge fan of eggs these days – mostly because I’m supposed to eat so very many of them every day. But if someone else makes them for me, I don’t seem to have a problem getting them down ;)

Sleep: Can’t complain – I’ve had better, I’ve had worse :)

Stretch marks? No

Belly button in or out? Same as ever – in and flat but now it’s getting a weird moat around it. Attractive.

Miss anything? My husband

Mood? Mooooooody! And very overwhelmed and unprepared feeling.

Maternity Clothes? I finally got another pair of pants! I figured (hopefully!) I’ll be pregnant again one day and will probably thank myself for getting them. There sure isn’t much of a selection in the store :/ And I got a couple new shirts that I’ve pretty much just been wearing day after day after day. Yes, I did wear this yesterday and the day before and the day before that. They are just so dang comfortable.

New baby items: So about that store in the city…. it had the cutest, weirdest toys ever (duh, my favorite) and adorable little outfits and I think I could have spent all day in there. But I picked up one bear in particular and couldn’t put him down, obviously indicating that he was mine (I mean my child’s…) and couldn’t resist bringing him home. Greg keeps finding me cuddled up with him and nervously asks, “You’re just doing that so that it smells like you, right? You did buy if for the baby, right?” I have a strange attachment. I’ve also come to terms that I really hate knitting.

Exercise: Walks walks and more walks! I’ve set out to each one with high hopes of making them longer but then something usually starts hurting and I have to turn back around ;)

Best moment of the week: Might be right now. I’m sitting in my cozy little room and it is RAGING outside! Wind is howling, rain is pouring, trees are crashing and I am praying they don’t fall on me ;) I just wish Greg could be here.

Looking forward to: Bubba coming home

How far along? 35 weeks

Weight Gained: 27 lbs. Bye bye target weight :'(

Symptoms: Are violent sneezes a pregnancy symptom? Mine have become other earthly. Greg said they literally hurt his ears. Also, the embarrassing symptoms are saying hello again ….probably on account of the sneezing… And my bladder is apparently the size of a pea.

Movement: Oh :) We took her to a concert this weekend and she either really loved it or really hated it because she hasn’t stopped moving since. She was especially thrilled with the drumming portions which makes me so very happy because, well… When we were trying to figure out her name, I thought, of all the women I’d want her to take after, I’d most want her to take after my sister (who, if you didn’t know, is quite possibly the most wonderful human being you’ll ever meet). Anyways, little known fact about Taylor is…. she loves all things drums and drummers ;) And would you look at this! Little is already taking after her auntie :):) Oh how I hope she gets her daddy’s musical abilities (and her Papi’s and her auntie’s) and most definitely NOT her mommas. I am strictly a music appreciator and should not be let near any sort of musical equipment lest your ears be irreparably damaged.

Food cravings: I got a donut :) Actually I got two. No one was there to stop me. But then there was the other day when I was driving home from a photoshoot and found myself at the drive-thru, gladly accepting some chicken nuggets from the nice lady in the window and promptly shoving them in my mouth on the short ride home before Greg could question my decisions. Who knows how I ended up there. Who knows…. Mmm fried chicken bits.

Food aversions: Not really

Sleep: Involves a big, sleepy woman stumbling to the bathroom for multiple sessions of try-to-find-the-toilet-in-the-dark.

Stretch marks? No

Belly button in or out? Oooo! The top popped out today (barely)! And the middle is in, and the bottom is flat. It’s a button full of diversity.

Miss anything? Not really

Mood? I just realized in my effort to prepare myself for labor in which I’ve done BOATloads of research, I have yet to read one parenting book or frankly know anything at all about what to do once she comes. You know, the small area of the rest of her life. Needless to say, I’m feeling awfully unprepared and a little overwhelmed when I think about that task.

Maternity Clothes? Imma buy more next time. I’m getting over my frugal paranoia little by little. Plus, it turns out, you really do need them at this stage ;)

New baby items: Still knitting away… it’s almost the size of a dolly blanket! Hooray for me.

Exercise: Bentley and I have been enjoying some lovely rainy day walks. Someday, I’m just sure we’ll all walk as a family. I’m just sure of it.

Best moment of the week: This week, I was feeling especially anxious about everything coming up but the Lord was sweet enough to sit me between two women who had home births too and were more than encouraging. Since as a culture we seem to be extremely hospital happy, most people’s reactions have been very fear based or fear inducing.. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard, “Oh you’re having a home birth… I knew a girl who did that and she died” or “Oh ya…. my friend just had one of those and they lost the baby..” Usually followed by a monologue on making sure you know what you’re getting into, as if this was a whim decision made with absolutely no research or thought. It kinda makes you feel like you are the most incredibly irresponsible, inconsiderate soon-to-be-mother for even attempting such things when really, it’s a natural, normal way to deliver a baby and has been done since well, the beginning of time. So, anyways, being able to talk to some women that have actually been through it and would recommend it again and again, was such a gift. I am awfully excited and am looking forward to her birth day with sweet anticipation :)

Looking forward to: Tomorrow!!! Tomorrow I get to get my very first (and last, HA) prenatal massage and oh boy oh boy oh boy I can’t wait!!! And then there is the Christmas tea and then a girls city day and then and then!! There are just so many festive and wonderful things coming up :):) I love this time of year.

Happy Thursday!

Oh boy oh boy oh boy! I can’t believe this little one is full term in three weeks!!! Now that’s something to be thankful for!

How far along? 34 weeks

Weight Gained: 25.5 lbs. This week we had Greg strap on our 16 lb turkey with an extra 10 lb hand weight to give this lady some sympathy as to why I’ve been tired all the time. I was shocked how heavy them pounds are! Shocked, I tell you.

Symptoms: Ugh. Restless legs syndrome every night. No fun. Ironically, around the table last night, I said how thankful I’ve been to have had such a relatively easy pregnancy so far…. and then, just minutes later, I got heartburn, trouble breathing in any position except baby designated specific positions ;) , and my wisdom teeth decided now is the time to become extremely painful :) Aaand she seems to have just found my ribs. But man I really can’t wait to meet her! and get my wisdom teeth pulled promptly after giving birth – BAHahaha :'(

Movement: She’s been working her way into a sideways position lately. Keep your head down baby! Keep it down!!

Food cravings: Well this morning I woke up really wanting naan, but the rest of the week I’ve been contemplating sneaky trips to Ferrell’s donuts. I want a donut so very bad.

Food aversions: Nope

Sleep: Is full of the dancing legs. See above ;)

Stretch marks? No

Belly button in or out? I really don’t know if I can consider it in still. It’s basically flat.

Miss anything? Being able to get my wisdom teeth pulled if I wanted to :'(

Mood? So happy except some days, you know, I just cry all day over nothing in particular. Like this is new news.

Maternity Clothes? I’ve extended my wardrobe to Greg’s closet too. I feel like you’ve earned some sort of marriage badge when you start wearing each others clothes – namely the woman starts wearing the mans… other way around and it’s a different sort of situation.

New baby items: Hehe I found a sock toy that wasn’t ridiculously expensive and I bought it for her. I wanted her to have at least one weirdo toy to play with! All of hers are far too cute right now ;)

Exercise: I’ve definitely thought about this a lot this week.

Best moment of the week: It’s the holiday season everyone!!!!!!!! Yesterday we had the most wonderful and relaxed Thanksgiving ever! There was hiking and feasting and each wonderful thing. I was kinda sad cause our extended family is getting so big, it’s hard to do it all together these days, but it was so lovely and non stressed to just be the five of us this year.

Looking forward to: Oh man, I’m so looking forward to hosting Thanksgiving at our house someday :):):) Someday, someday.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!! I hope you all had wonderful ones filled with lots of thankfulness :D WE LOVE YOU!!!

A durian. That’s how big this baby is. I have no idea what that is or how to even eat it but apparently we are just running out of recognizable items. On average they say she’s *around* 4lbs and measuring *around* 17in long. I get claustrophobic just thinking about her being all scrunched up in there. And changing the subject..

How far along? 33 weeks

Weight Gained: 26 lbs… aaaand we are back up.

Symptoms: I got my first case of the good ol Braxton Hicks! That was kinda uncomfortable but exciting. I’m also mighty proud of certain body parts that seem to be up to the task of performing their duties. Mighty proud.

Movement: She has either learned to move her head back and forth down there like a proper wrecking ball, or that uterus of mine is continuing to practice for its big day. I think she did a big somersault last night and now I don’t know what position she’s in. But man, every time she moves makes me that much more excited to meet her so very soon.

Food cravings: Nothing in particular

Food aversions: Nope

Sleep: I’ve gone into labor at least 200 times so far. I think I dream about it almost every night. Apparently I’ve had something on my mind…

Stretch marks? No. But I remember hearing the old wives tale that if your linea nigra goes past your belly button, which mine does…. you’re having a boy. Let’s just hope those two ultrasound techs were right otherwise, that poor boy will be wearing quite a few dresses in his early years.

Belly button in or out? It’s really hangin on in there.

Miss anything? Not really. I think I’m finally content being pregnant and don’t mind just drinking water all the time. I’ve grown quite fond of water. Scratch that. I’d love a real drink.

Mood? Oh man, quite happy and excited. Cause, you know, it’s almost Christmastime :D:D:D

Maternity Clothes? Are a question every morning…. Aaaand what will I fit into today?

New baby items: No but I did get some new ornaments yesterday which obviously, she will love EVERY YEAR when they go up on our tree!!! Actually, that’s not true… I did get her some things, they are just so very boring. I got her some disposable (mom you can be happy now) newborn diapers to use till her stump falls off and a diaper sprayer (since we are embarking on the daunting cloth route) : ) Fun stuff, you know. I did wash all her little diapers this week which made me so very excited to get to change her little bum soon. Let’s see how long that feeling lasts.

Exercise: I walked to the top of our driveway the other day. I am still recovering.

Best moment of the week: Well, since I have a short memory and I haven’t been keeping up on my duties of documenting our comings and goings as well as I should, yesterday was pretty good :D I got to spend the whole day with my momma and aunt, looking for new furniture for my aunts house but consequently stumbling upon Christmassy goodness! And it was grey and kinda drizzly with Christmas lights and decorations everywhere and oh so lovely. Plus, I mean, furniture shopping? It’s kinda my favorite thing ever.

Looking forward to: Thanksgiving is still coming!!