37 Weeks...Full term!!

37 weeks!!!

How far along? 37 weeks exactly!
Total weight gain?  20lbs. I did not gain any weight the last two weeks which is nice since I gained four the last time. It's all evening out I think.

Sleep? When I am sleeping, I sleep well. It's just the many potty breaks and readjusting that keeps from sleeping through the night. Last night I was awakened by that elusive toothache! This is the fourth time this pregnancy that I have had the same toothache. Luckily, not much longer until this baby is out and hopefully whatever is causing it will go away.

Best moment of the week?  The last ultrasound and getting the c-section scheduled! He looks so smashed in there! We couldn't really see anything great but he was measuring right on track...to the day. He is not gigantic yet...so they predict. My placenta did end up moving a little bit but not enough to make him feel comfortable about letting me go naturally. He said if I was dead-set on having a vaginal birth, he would let me try. If he would have asked me a couple of months ago, I would have said yes, definitely. No c-section! But, he gave us the odds of 50% chance of it ending in a c-section anyway and hemorrhaging and I was not comfortable with those odds. He said if it was his daughter and grandchild, he would just go for the scheduled c-section. So we are scheduled! He said because of the placement of the placenta, he is comfortable letting me go to 38 weeks! At first I was disappointed and dreading finishing my shifts at work but I'm glad now. The longer he can stay in, the better for him. So, Baby Boy Hall officially arriving AUGUST 20, 2012! Yay!! We go to have blood drawn and fluids the night before and have to be at the hospital at 6am the next morning. We are so excited, we can't stand it!

Miss anything?  No, I really don't. I am just going to try and focus on enjoying having my baby boy with me all the time. Bittersweet times. 

Movement? Still all the time. He is more active in the evenings than in the mornings which stresses me out a little when I wake-up. I am totally going to miss feeling his little butt sticking out and his feet in my ribs. It really is too bad I don't get have a vaginal birth. He is ready! He has been head down for the last 2 months!

Food cravings? Lemonade and hot dogs. Weird. They just always sound good.

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

Labor signs? I wish. I have decided the pain I have been feeling is round ligament pain. Yikes! Stops me in my tracks. I keep joking I have been trying to make my water break. It's not working. I would love it if he decided to make his debut at earlier than expected!

Gender?  BOY!

Symptoms? I have been wondering if he's dropped because the heartburn has been a little better but doctor doesn't think so. People keep telling me I look a little lower but I can't tell.

Happy or Moody? Happy and excited! I can't wait to see what this little guy looks like and hold him. Nine days or less!!

Looking forward to...?  This week being over and getting this kid here! I can't wait to hear his cry and bring him home and to officially become our new little family.

Realization of the week? We will be a family of three!! It's been me and Michael for so long and I have loved it but I can't wait to bring this sweet boy into our family and see how we rise to the occasion. I can't wait to see Michael as a dad. He is going to be awesome.

36 Weeks!

How far along? 36 weeks 3 days
Total weight gain?  20lbs+. We shall see tomorrow. I wouldn't be surprised if it was another 4 lbs.

Sleep? Okay, sleeping is getting harder. It's mostly just waking up...a lot! I've had a couple of people tell me I look like I'm carrying lower and I have been wondering that myself since I wake up every hour or two to pee. 

Best moment of the week?  The nursery is finished, clothes are washed, bags are packed and we are ready for this little guy!!  I can't wait to hold him and snuggle him in less than a week (hopefully).

Miss anything?  Not yet but I think I will! This is a bittersweet time for me. I am going to miss being pregnant like crazy. I'm not going to pretend it's all roses, especially lately but I love it! The sweet part is that I don't have to endure the last three weeks of pregnancy, which I am told are the most miserable. I seem to be more and more uncomfortable during the day than I am sleeping. 

Movement? He might be slowing down a bit but he is so active still...and huge! If he has dropped, it hasn't stopped him from sticking his feet in my ribs all the time. I love it! 

Food cravings? I did go and get a piece of cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory. I ate it over three days. It was very rich but very yummy. I have to say something about cravings. If I give in to whatever I want, it's not nearly as satisfying as I would have hoped. Good thing I have not had a lot of cravings.

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

Labor signs? No? Sometimes I think I have contractions but I'm not sure and I have been told I would know if they were really contractions.

Gender?  BOY!

Symptoms? Heartburn, heartburn, heartburn. It's been a little better the last few days but it still creeps up on me. I also have started to have lower back pain, mostly after I work. It's takes me a day or two to recover from it. I feel lucky that it's just now starting. All-in-all I feel pretty lucky as it is. I have had a great pregnancy with not much to complain about.

Happy or Moody? Happy...for the most part. I did have a melt down this week about the house not being clean or finished or perfect. I realized I was being irrational at the time and Michael just took it. I felt bad. I think I ruined his day.

Looking forward to...?  That last ultrasound on Wednesday. I can't wait!!

Realization of the week? This is it...less than a week. I can't wait.
Some interesting tid-bits about my baby body...

• My belly button is still an innie. It's flattening out but it's still definitely in. 
• It's hot but I have not had a lot of issues with swelling. There was one day when my wedding ring was really tight and my toes swell sometimes but mostly it hasn't been a problem. Actually, as we speak my wedding ring is a little tight. I might have some issues if I was able to go three more weeks. 
• I do not have any stretch marks. I thought I might not because my mom never had any. I put lotions on my belly religiously but I know that it's all genetics. Thanks, mom! 
• I don't have the linea negra (the black line) on my belly. It happens in three-quarters of all pregnancies. Not mine I guess. I wonder if it might show up if I was able to go to term. 
• I haven't noticed my hair being thicker but it grows so much quicker as well as my nails. Michael is kind enough to clip my nails because I hate doing it. It's like nails on a chalk board for me.
• If you notice in pictures, I have cholasma or "the mask of pregnancy". It's hyperpigmentation of the skin on the face. Awesome. I have actually had it since I started birth control before I got married. I was thinking for a long time that it hasn't gotten worse since I got pregnant but I think it has...especially on my forehead. I have tried to treat it in the past but it was recommended that I not do anything expensive until I was done having kids.
• Looking back, I think my boobs have gotten smaller over the last couple of months? Or maybe that's wishful thinking and my bigger belly just makes them look smaller? Either way, my boobs are bigger...enough said.
• I love my pregnancy body, especially my belly. I could go naked everywhere if it were appropriate. Not because I think my body is in any way attractive but because it feels so good to not have anything on my body. It's really hot all.the.time. I will miss this body for sure but I'm excited to be able to breathe and sit comfortably again!

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.

29 & 30 Weeks!!

30 weeks at my Salt Lake baby shower! I didn't get a good belly shot. I look bigger in the 29 week picture because the dress is too big. I got a size smaller for the Utah shower. Dang maternity sizing!

29 weeks! My baby shower in California! Aren't my cankles sexy? :)

How far along? 30 weeks, 6 days...I'm seriously behind on blogging. It's been a busy couple of weeks.

Total weight gain?  14lbs+. We shall see at my doctor appointment.  According to my scale, I haven't gained anything this month so far.

Maternity clothes?  Yes. I have been annoyed that I bought a bunch of maternity clothes back in April that are too big. Maternity clothes run big, just so you know. Live and learn.

Sleep? Still sleeping okay. I wake-up at 1:30a and 4:30a to pee and a few more times to turn to my other side.  I know that this is all preparing for this little guy to arrive but sheesh! It's getting exhausting.  

Best moment of the week?  I have lots! We are nearly finished with the nursery! The bedding arrived and we are just putting finishing touches on everything. It's so cute! I had my two baby showers, one in California, one in Salt Lake and they were so cute and so much fun that they deserve their own post. Baby boy is so spoiled already!

Miss anything?  Being able to put socks on with ease! This belly is really a belly now even though it's still relatively small. Bending over is a thing of the past and I now judge the importance of picking things up off the floor when I drop them...which is a lot.

Movement? His movements have changed a lot! I think he is starting to run out of room because he rolls and pushes instead of flipping and kicking. I can tell he is bigger and I love it!

Food cravings? Still donuts but I don't eat them. I had a couple in California and loved it!! But other than that, nothing really. I'm slightly disturbed that every time I see a beer commercial with icy, cold bottles...my mouth waters. I hope that doesn't mean he wants alcohol!

Anything make you queasy or sick? No. I have been feeling great!!

Labor signs? I started having Braxton Hicks these past couple of weeks. I had a couple of really good ones on the day of my baby shower because I think I was dehydrated a little and just needed to rest more.  I get BH a lot at work when I can't sit down but I just try to take it as easy as possible.

Gender?  He had better come out a boy! We have so much boy stuff!

Symptoms? Aside from the BH and heartburn (ouch!) nothing much. I guess bleeding can go under symptoms. Yes, it finally happened. I have been trying to avoid bed rest like the plague and I have so far but early in the morning of my baby shower (in California!) I started to bleed and was told to go into Labor and Delivery. Me and my mom went to Pomona Valley Hospital at 2:30a to get checked out. They put a fetal monitor and did an exam. He was doing great! I was not dilated and I was having no contractions. Everything was fine and I was released and I went to the baby shower. I was anxious to get home after that because I was worried something would happen and I would be stuck in California. My doctors here in Utah told me they were not worried but to take it easy. Hopefully the bleeding was just the placenta moving? That would be nice!

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

Looking forward to...?  My ultrasound in a couple of weeks! I guess this is the last word on whether or not I will have c-section. I still really don't want one but I know he will decide how he arrives into this world. I am trying really hard to get things done just in case...

Realization of the week? I certainly don't want him to come any time soon but I can't help to just want to hold him. I have days that I get nervous and wonder if he is okay or not and it makes me want him to just come out! Then, I realized all the million things that I will have to worry about once he is here and I desperately want to stay pregnant forever so I can keep him safe and with me all the time. My mom says she worries more about us now than she ever has and her baby is 22 years old! I just feel blessed that I finally have so much to worry about!

28 weeks!

I didn't get a 28 weeks pic but here is preview of my California shower!

How far along? 28 weeks, 2 days...officially in the 3rd trimester.  How did that happen?

Total weight gain?  14lbs+. I didn't make it to my doctor's appointment this week. Michael's cousin passed away so we attended the funeral that day. I read that I will probably gain about 11lbs this trimester so if I didn't totally blow it this month, 25lbs is not so bad. We shall see tomorrow...

Maternity clothes?  Yep! I never considered myself to have a long torso but my belly is still relatively small and my shirts are just too short! I am getting away with longer t-shirts but my scrub situation is starting to get embarrassing. My little belly hangs out all the time if I am not wearing a long under shirt.

Sleep? Still sleeping okay. I toss and turn from side to side a lot now but it ain't no thang. The Snoogle is still magical!

Best moment of the week?  Ending my night shifts and being officially on vacation for a little bit. Night shifts kill me right now! I am getting really tired again but trying to push through it so I can get everything done and then do nothing. Also, I went swimming for the first time this summer. I would not consider myself to be uncomfortable at all right now, maybe just a little slower, but getting in the pool took the extra weight off places I didn't even know was there. It was heaven!

Miss anything?  I'm just going to say it...I miss my husband's body! With placenta previa, being intimate is a no-no. It's been a little rough the last few weeks. It's been 4 months and if this dang placenta doesn't move, it will obviously be longer. Fingers crossed for many reasons that this placenta has migrated north.

Movement? All the time and I'm loving it! I'm now trying figure out body parts but I still have no clue.

Food cravings? Donuts but I won't eat one until I go to California this week. I can't wait!! Also, still Einstein's Tasty Turkey sandwich. As soon as I'm done, that's where I am headed.

Anything make you queasy or sick? Nope. I feel great!

Labor signs? No, keep on cookin' little boy! 

Gender?  Still boy which was reconfirmed for the third time during the ultrasound.

Symptoms? I think Braxton Hicks is the new symptom this week. I am almost sure that is what I am feeling. They don't hurt but my belly just gets really tight for about 30 seconds. I get them maybe a couple of times a day. The heartburn has been really well controlled with Prilosec and Tums. 

Happy or Moody? Happy!! 

Looking forward to...?  My baby shower in California at the end of the week!! It will be nice to have a break and I can't wait to get a little beach time and pool time at my parents. I'm also looking forward to belly getting a little bigger. I still don't look pregnant sometimes and have yet to have a stranger ask me about my pregnancy. I guess I am just carrying him in my back but he is definitely there!

Realization of the week? There is not a lot of time until this kid gets here. You would think after 9 months and almost 4 years of infertility that I would have prepared more but I am so not ready! I guess maybe no one ever is? I started getting really anxious and depressed about thinking of going back to work after he is born. I am grateful my job is what it is and that I don't have be gone 5 days a week but it will still be hard. I am under contract for another year when I get back and it makes me sad that I won't be with him all the time. Also, we don't really have any ideas for child care right now.  I know it will work out but I am just trying to wrap my head around the fact that as a working mom, it's just not possible to always be there. I know it won't be long until I can go part-time or not work all together so I just hope until then, I can be okay with it...I know he will.