35 Weeks!!...

35 Weeks! Why do I look exhausted all the time?

How far along? 35 weeks 1 day
Total weight gain?  20lbs+. I gained 4lbs in just two weeks. I certainly hope it's me and not him. Just yet another reason to suspect that he is big.

Sleep? I am sleeping okay. Nothing has really changed in this department. I pee a couple of times a night and wake-up to re-position. Still, generally a pretty good sleeper.

Best moment of the week?  Every day closer is the best moment. I still love feeling him and I am trying to connect with him as much as possible before he is here. I have this irrational fear that he won't like me or that because of the c-section, we won't be able to bond like we would have if I was having a natural delivery. I know, I said I was being irrational. I just hope he knows I am his mama.

Miss anything?  I really don't. I am trying to really enjoy every minute because the clock is winding down. We are so close and it's getting bittersweet. I will miss being pregnant. As far as anyone knows, this may be the only time I get to be pregnant so I am holding on and cherishing every moment.

Movement? Still no signs of slowing down. I now know for a fact that he is huge. When he moves, he seems very long. He is probably chubby too. At my appointment this week, the midwife measured me. She usually will make a comment like, "right on track". She said nothing this week and I asked her if she could feel how big he was. She said she didn't want to say anything to stress me out even more but I am measuring big now. I have always been right on schedule but I was measuring 36 weeks at 34.5 weeks. She said she thinks I am going to have big one. I have started thinking an early c-section is not such a bad thing. I had a dream that he came out the size of a toddler. It was really funny and I am obviously obsessed by his size. Really, I just want him to be healthy.

Food cravings? Still cheesecake! Cheesecake Factory is having half-priced slices this week. I just might go get one.

Anything make you queasy or sick? Nope, I have felt really good this week.

Labor signs? None, I think. I have had this groin pain off and on. I don't think they are contractions but they stop me in my tracks.

Gender?  BOY!

Symptoms? Just mostly the same heartburn and reflux. I'm ready for that to be over with. I have talked to a few people who said that it never went away after birth. Yikes! I'm saying lots of prayers that mine does.

Happy or Moody? Happy!! Happy!! Happy!! It's getting so close!

Looking forward to...?  That last ultrasound on the 8th. We have been in this "wait and see" mode for over three months now and it will be nice to know what is going to happen, definitively. I will be really happy either way. We also have the last of our baby showers. We have been so spoiled. We have great friends and family. Michael's work is throwing one and the fine women of my Primary Presidency is also hosting one. So nice of everybody.

Realization of the week? Only 6 more shifts until he is here (pending my placenta stays put)!! I think I can,  I think I can, I think I can. My maternity leave papers are all submitted and I am ready to go as soon as he is.

33 & 34 Weeks!

33 weeks!

34 Weeks! I feel like I have gotten huge!!

How far along? 34 weeks 1 day
Total weight gain?  16lbs+. We will see officially this week!

Sleep? I am still sleeping okay. I wake up a lot. A few times to pee and a few times to turn to my other side. I am looking forward to sleeping on my back again. Reflux got so bad last night that it kept me up until almost 4am and threw-up a few times. It's only gotten that bad a couple of times and I am hoping that it doesn't happen again.

Best moment of the week?  Getting through my shifts and finally getting the nursery organized. Thank goodness my mom was here. She pretty much did everything. I got really overwhelmed with how much stuff one little creature needs! All of his clothes are washed and put away, his bathroom is clean and organized. I really want to post pictures of the nursery but we are waiting for the chair cushion to be done and I don't want to take pictures until it's completely done.

Miss anything?  I really don't. I am trying to really enjoy every minute because the clock is winding down. We are so close and it's getting bittersweet. I will miss being pregnant. As far as anyone knows, this may be the only time I get to be pregnant so I am holding on and cherishing every moment.

Movement? I really think he is HUGE! He is head down and I feel him all over my belly when he moves. I have finally experienced a couple of those swift rib kicks people keep talking about. Yeah, it hurts but he is pretty good to his mama. I read they are supposed to be less active at this stage but he is showing no signs of slowing down. We got a good video of my belly moving and shaking and it cracks us up!

Food cravings? Cheesecake! I really wanted a piece of cheesecake last night and almost went to get one. Good thing I was exhausted by the heat and couldn't bring myself to do it. I still drool when I see any kind of donut, but haven't had one since I went to California in June.

Anything make you queasy or sick? Just reflux at night. This is the second time I ate pizza and the reflux was so bad that I threw-up. I thought it was the tomato sauce but I had white sauce and it still happened. I think no more pizza for me.

Labor signs? Nope. Occasional Braxton Hicks, especially when I am out in the heat. 

Gender?  BOY!

Symptoms? Heartburn, reflux, tender boobs again. Mainly the heartburn and reflux. I tell you, that is probably the only thing I will not miss.

Happy or Moody? Happy!! Happy!! Happy!! It's getting so close!

Looking forward to...?  His birthday! So, the placenta didn't move. Shocker! We were not very surprised. I will have one more ultrasound at 36 weeks (August 8th) and that will be the final word. I will be scheduled for my c-section the next week if it has not moved (which it won't...I'd bet money). So his birthday will be August 13th, 14th, or 15th. We are shooting for the 15th just to keep him in there as long as possible. August 15th seems like a good birthday, yes?! I was hoping for a September baby but I understand the risks. I am still not looking forward to the c-section but I have read and been told a lot of positive stories. The feeling like I am missing out is slowly going away. It may sound strange but I would really like to know what labor feels like. I'm not going to get that. I'm also really, really looking forward to being done with work for a while. It's getting tough. It's still very manageable but my body needs a break. I know maternity leave will be no vacation but I am so looking forward to being exhausted because my little guy is here and not because of working a 12 hour shift.

Realization of the week? 2.5 weeks!! What?! To be honest, I'm going to be a slightly disappointed mama if the placenta does move. I have had it in my head for at least two months that I will have an early c-section and that he will be here in August. If by some miracle the placenta moves and I am able to go 40 weeks, I will cry. Five weeks seems like an eternity, especially compared to two. Plus, I am terrified that he is going to be HUGE! I'm pretty sure he is big. I have nothing to compare it to but he just feels big to me. We are nesting like crazy. We are checking off our "to-do lists" but we keep adding to it as fast as we are checking things off. I can't believe he is almost here!!

31 & 32...Getting there!

32 Weeks! Please look past the dirty mirror. Gross. I feel like I have really popped in the last two weeks!

How far along? 32 weeks 3 days
Total weight gain?  16lbs+. I gained two pounds this month. I start going every other week now so I will be able to keep a closer eye on it. I am supposed to be gaining a pound a week from now on. Yikes!

Maternity clothes?  Still mostly just bottoms. I can get away with bigger size t-shirts but I did buy a few comfy maternity dresses. I should stop. I don't have long to go.

Sleep? I am sleeping...okay. When I am asleep, it's good sleep. However, potty breaks and needing to re-position every hour and heartburn wakes me up a lot. Plus, weird dreams.  I was getting really frustrated one night because I had these dreams that kept waking me up and it took a minute to decide if they were real. I had another dream baby boy came out a baby girl. I seriously hope that doesn't happen.

Best moment of the week?  Getting a good night sleep! Seriously, the heartburn is getting out of control.

Miss anything?  The more uncomfortable I get, the less I miss anything about not being pregnant. That may sound strange but it's true. Every ache, hard kick, heartburn, yucky feeling is a constant reminder that I'M PREGNANT! I am having a baby!! I am going to be a mom! These are the things that I have been dying to experience and I am truly loving every minute. I just stare at myself in the mirror and can't believe what I am seeing. It's all still so surreal. When will I wake-up?

Movement? He is getting big! He rolls a lot and it's the weirdest, coolest feeling in the world. It takes me by surprise sometimes. I am obsessed by his movements. I literally will not get out of bed in the morning until  he gives a few good kicks. Ever since the midwife said I should be doing some sort of kick count, I have been stressed out by his movements. If he is not moving, I get worried. I know babies sleep sometimes too!

Food cravings? Still donuts but I don't indulge. I have also been thinking about cheesecake. I like cheesecake but it's not my favorite. Lately, I really want a piece of Cheesecake Factory cheesecake...I don't care what flavor. I'm too tired and it's too hot for me to do anything about it which I consider a good thing.

Anything make you queasy or sick? No and yes. I feel great aside from heartburn and reflux. Seriously, it's getting pretty bad. Two nights in a row I was up past 1am because I couldn't fall asleep to due the fear of vomiting. Not because I felt sick but that is what the reflux is causing me to do. I vomited three times in the past two weeks because of reflux. I do a pretty good job of keeping it under control with weird grunts and throat clearing but as soon as I fall asleep and my esophagus can relax, that's when the contents of my stomach come back up into my mouth and makes me throw-up. Yuck! I have tried EVERYTHING! Eating small meals, not eating late, sitting up to fall asleep. Nothing works. Pepcid and Tums seem to be losing their effect. It still works okay for the acid neutralizing part. Nothing can stop the reflux! Michael was just told by a co-worker that she threw-up every night for the last month of her pregnancy due to reflux. I am hoping that doesn't happen to me. I am trying to weed out certain foods that make it worse. I think anything with tomato sauce is out for now.

Labor signs? No, no. Still the occasional Braxton Hicks but nothing that gets me concerned. I would know if I was having real contractions, right? Baby boy still has come cooking to do!

Gender?  He had better come out a boy! 

Symptoms? Just heartburn, reflux, BH occasionally. It's getting harder to breathe. I am already looking forward to that first breath after birth! And, I AM HOT! People freeze when they come to our house. It has be 69 degrees or under. It's just too hot otherwise. I try to be nice and turn it up a little when people come over but I end up turning it back down shortly thereafter and get out the blankets. I really didn't notice that I was hotter than most people until I had some people over and everyone was freezing. I was still thinking that for it being 90-100 degrees everyday and pregnant, it was still pretty much...okay.

Happy or Moody? Happy!! Happy!! Happy!! It's getting so close!

Looking forward to...?  My ultrasound tomorrow!! Michael is not very optimistic about the placenta moving. He keeps saying, "we get to find out our baby's birthday this week!". They will schedule the c-section right then and there if it hasn't moved. 37 weeks! I am a little more optimistic. I am hoping the bleeding I have been having is an indication of things moving north. The midwife said it's possible. I am trying to not dwell on things that are out of my control so if it hasn't moved, a c-section it is and I am okay with that. I cried a lot when I looked at youtube videos of c-sections. I really don't want to be cut open. And, I really want to be free to have those first moments with him. But, I know if it's necessary, it's necessary. I have been trying to focus on the positive stuff. Biggest one? Either way, I will have my baby boy here with us, sooner rather than later!

Realization of the week? If I have a c-section he will be here in 5 weeks! We are nearly ready for him. The nursery has just a few finishing touches and some organizing to do. Sometimes I sit in his room and just try to make any of this seem real. It still doesn't. When will this sink in? I feel like we are playing house and preparing all this stuff for him but have convinced myself that we are still pretending. When we talk about our child or children, it still feels like we talk about "someday" or "eventually". Not 5-8 weeks!! We feel so blessed and so loved by so many people who are just are excited for this little guy's arrival as we are.