39 weeks

How Far Along: 39 weeks, 2 days

Size of the Baby: Watermelon, 20 inches, 7 lbs
Weight gain/loss: Ya.... not keeping track anymore. A pound since last week, I think.
Sleep: Holy crud I can't stay awake.
Best Moment of the Week: My office threw me a little shower last week, which was really sweet. We went to one of my favorite restaurants and had some tasty food and it was fun. My boss got me a beautiful Moses basket and one of my co-workers (who knows us well!) got us some awesome baby gear - a "muggle-born" onesie and a bib with "accio milk." More importantly, my maternity proposal for work was approved this week, which was a HUGE relief. We got pretty much everything we wanted and we feel so blessed that I work for such an amazing boss and for such a flexible company. We are really happy with how everything worked out.

Movement: It's finally slowing down. The movements are a lot slower, but more dramatic. The other night it was like baby was trying to push straight out through my belly button. It would stretch so far forward I couldn't believe it, and it would get all pointy. And then it would sink back down. Hans tried to get it on video, but baby's apparently camera shy. Some of the movements are still quite large and noticeable - it's funny when people across the room can see it.
Symptoms: Nothing new, I don't think. Still hugely swollen. Some back pain. I guess that's it.
Food Cravings: More cereal, very thirsty (drink so much water!), chocolate
Gender: So excited to find out soon!
Belly Button in or out: Come on little guy... stay in! You're so close. You got this.
Anything making you queasy or sick: The smell of butter. So random.
Labor Signs: Unfortunately, absolutely none. I was pretty bummed by this. I am still a little less than 3 cm dilated and 60 percent effaced. I'm also only at -2 station. I'm having frequent Braxton Hicks, but no real contractions.
Wedding ring on or off: I frequently don't even wear the fake anymore. It's just more comfortable not to have anything on my hand.
What I miss: Feeling like me. I just feel absolutely miserable and I'm really struggling to stay positive.
What I am looking forward to: Baby! Come on, any day now!
Nursery: Finished the curtains! I'm really pleased with how they turned out. We also took out all the furniture upstairs and had a company come deep clean our carpets - they badly needed it. So we did that and then re-assembled the nursery and now it feels sparkling clean and ready to go. I just need to finish that dang mobile...
Emotions: So anxious. I just have this feeling like I'm waiting for the axe to drop. Ticking time bomb. I hate the waiting. I'm also pretty grumpy and miserable - it's hard not to be when I'm so uncomfortable all the time. This last week is going to be rough.
Stupid things I have done: The normal stuff - mostly can't talk. Say words other than what I mean, forget things a lot, stuff like that. Nothing really stupid though.

Today is Tuesday and I am due this coming Monday. My "last" appointment is Friday at 3:30. I am still horribly, horribly swollen. At my last appointment, they sent three people in to look at my feet and ask me a lot of questions. I don't have any other pre-eclampsia signs and my blood pressure was actually decent this week, but the amount of swelling seems more than is normal. So we will see what they say at this week's appointment - I'm a little suspicious that my doctor will want to induce. She's been concerned about the swelling for three or four weeks now and I have a feeling that this week I'll be close enough she'll just want to pull the plug. Plus, she's on call on Sunday and they schedule inductions for when your doc is on call (there's 6 or 7 at this practice). I really, really don't want to be induced - I don't want to force my body to do something it's not ready for and I feel like induction will lead to tearing or c-section. So please keep your fingers crossed that baby will make an appearance before Friday, or my doctor will be ok with letting me go another week! Either way.... baby will be here soon and we are so excited to meet him/her.

38 weeks

How Far Along: 38 weeks, 2 days

Size of the Baby: Pumpkin, 19.5 inches, 6.8 lbs
Weight gain/loss: I've lost track, but I think it was about 1.5 lbs
Sleep: I'm so tired. All I want to do is sleep. But I don't think I'm sleeping well.
Best Moment of the Week: We had a busy and great weekend! Friday we went to my cousin's high school production of "Hair Spray" and it was AMAZING! I swear... I didn't know how high school productions could be that good. So proud of her. Saturday my lovely friend Alissa came over to help clean the house - thank you, thank you! Then we had a double date for yummy Korean food with Danielle and Rob and then spent the rest of the evening with Jenn, Jared, and Andrew. It was a full weekend full of the people we love and we feel so blessed to have so many wonderful people in our lives.

My Friday appointment went much better than the week before. Baby is measuring on track and had a heart beat in the high 160s - it's never gone about the 140s before. Doc says baby was just being particularly active (surprise, surprise). I actually passed the sugar and while my BP was slightly elevated, it didn't set off any warning bells like it did before. All in all, it was an uneventful appointment, which is what I want at this point.

Yesterday was probably the best day in a while. We decided to celebrate 38 weeks. Even though 37 weeks is technically full term, we felt like 38 was that mile marker of "ok, baby, you can come any time now." We celebrated by getting pedicures (do I have the best husband or what?) The foot massage was glorious. And much needed. Then we went to Chuy's. It was a wonderfully relaxing way to celebrate. And now that my toesies look pretty, baby's allowed to come.

Movement: Still plenty! I thought it was supposed to slow down near the end.... when does that happen? Because it's not.
Symptoms: Cannot believe how swollen I am. My feet and ankles look like the Michelin Man. It hurts to bend my toes. I thought the massage therapist was going to pop my foot when he was working on it! On the plus side, no more heartburn or nausea!
Food Cravings: cereal. poptarts. milk.
Gender: The official votes are in - a little more than 60 percent of you think it's a girl, a little less than 40 percent a boy. Something interesting we noticed within the past week or two: Up until this point, every time I've talked to a stranger about the baby, they always told me "oh, it's definitely a girl." Within the past week, that changed and now every stranger says "oh, i'm sure it's a boy." I was thinking it's because the baby dropped, which the doc confirmed at my last appointment. It's funny how that affects what people say!
Belly Button in or out: I'm gonna say it's not out yet... but it's so dang close.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope
Labor Signs: I am 2.5-3 cm dilated and 60% effaced. I'm having some contractions, but they're pretty irregular, mostly about an hour a part and not very strong.
Wedding ring on or off: Oh, how I miss my real ring. This one makes a funny noise, like it's rattling around in its prongs.
What I miss: My ankles. Being able to move. Sleep. Not being miserable.
What I am looking forward to: Valentines Day :) I am really cherishing all the time we get to spend alone together before baby comes.
Nursery: Made some slow progress. We've figured out what to do with the curtains, just need to finish them. I've started the mobile, but it intimidates me so I keep procrastinating finishing it. That's about all we have left though!
Emotions: Mostly just exhausted. I feel a lot more at peace this week than I did last week. Something about changing from 37 weeks to 38 weeks (and the BP scare of a couple weeks ago) just put me more in a mindset of being prepared for this to happen any day. I mean, I'm still scared of the delivery, but more accepting that it's coming.
Stupid things I have done: Nothing. I'm too tired to really do anything, much less anything stupid.

37 weeks

(dude, is it just me or is this twice as big as last week??)

How Far Along: 37 weeks

Size of the Baby: Swiss Chard, 19 inches, 6.5 lbs
Weight gain/loss: Didn't get a good look at the scale, but I'm pretty sure it says I haven't gained anything. Maybe that's just cuz I cut off 2 feet of hair since my last appointment!
Sleep:  It has gotten so bad. I'm so miserable. I wake up about every 30 minutes to an hour, mostly in pain. I'm having horrible back pain in my lower back (this is new). I'll get down on my hands and knees and do yoga cat pose, or I'll kneel by the bed with my weight in my arms/shoulders and rock back and forth and that'll help me get back to sleep, but it happens a couple times a night and it's miserable.
Best Moment of the Week: It's been a rough week - the good moments were very good, but the bad moments were pretty bad. Thursday we watched our fourth and final roomie-boy get married and that was so wonderful. We love Ali and think that she and Edgar are a match made in heaven. I survived the ride to the temple just fine and made it through the sealing and photos without getting too swollen. I didn't make it all the way through the reception, but did last through dinner and toasts and stuff, so that was great. We are so happy for them.

Then Friday was not a great day. I don't know if it's because we were out on Thursday and I got behind  at work or if I just have *that much* on my work to-do list (which, I AM trying to get a ton done before this baby pops out) but I was feeling super stressed and tense. I looked up and realized I was late to my weekly doctor's appointment, so I rushed over there. It was supposed to be just a vitals check, but after taking my vitals they came back concerned. Apparently my blood pressure was quite high and I was showing sugar in my urine (but no protein). Doc says she's concerned I may have preeclampsia and they have to run a bunch of tests and it's possible I may have to come back that night and deliver. I did not head into Friday thinking "Hey, I might have a baby tonight!" They took a bunch of tests and told me they'd call me before the end of the day. They also did a couple other tests (GBS - not comfy) and did my first cervical exam (ow). By the time I left the doctor I'd been thoroughly poked and prodded and was worried out of my mind. I went back to work just because I knew if I went home I'd sit there and worry until they called. They didn't call til 7 and told me that the tests results were fine, I just need to reduce stress (well then don't tell me I may have to have a baby today!) In any event, I was an emotional wreck by Friday night and it was not really a day I want to remember.

Movement: I think baby is finally running out of room, so the movement feels different. It may have lessened a little, but it's hard to say. Now the movement feels big and slow... not so many quick jabs and pangs. Yesterday, we could feel something hard and round that kept moving around my belly button. We think it was a boney behind or maybe a knee. We could track it all day because it was just sticking out!
Symptoms: Still incredibly swollen. Very irritable and short tempered (sorry if you've come in contact with me!) Stretch marks on my thighs :( (but knock on wood, not on my belly or chest!) Horrible back pain. Just awful.
Food Cravings: pizza and strawberry frozen yogurt
Gender: Who knows!
Belly Button in or out: Still holding steady at even with the rest of my belly.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope
Labor Signs: I am 1.5-2 cm dilated and 60% effaced. This is happening, folks.
Wedding ring on or off: It's funny how many people think my fake rock is real. This thing is ridiculous!
What I miss: Being able to roll over/get out of bed. It's gotten difficult and I truly dread it.
What I am looking forward to: Baby - any day now.
Nursery: Got the lamp! Thank you, Home Goods. Check! I ordered the hard-to-find pack n' play sheets and Hans ordered the baby monitor. Check and check! I've gotten just about everything to fill the frame gallery - just need to design one more piece and then I plan to send 'em for printing tonight, so this should be done tonight or tomorrow. Hans has been building some shelves in the closet and they just need to be painted, then that'll be done, too. I washed EVERYTHING in that room, including all bedding, the cover on the rock n'play, the changing pad cover, and I even took the covers off the glider to wash them (jeez, I never want to do that again. Those things are impossible to get on and off!) So everything is cleaned and put back together. I think all that's left is curtains (I have no idea what to do about that...), finding some baskets for the closet, and making the mobile. I'll do a full nursery post when I'm all done :)
Emotions: Anxious. Worried. Terrified. All normal at this point, I think, but again - finding it very difficult to stay positive. Lots of tears this week.
Stupid things I have done: Many, many this week. I pulled a Rachel this weekend. Washing all the baby's things, there was something red in one of the loads. Let's hope this baby is a girl because now that entire load is tinted pink (lots of tears there!)

And I'm having trouble with words. Apparently, the word I am saying and the word that I am hearing/thinking are not the same. Last week I kept trying to say "Doodle" to my coworker and she says I was really saying "google." I just wasn't hearing it, no matter how many times I said it. She said I was saying google every time. I did it a couple more times this weekend, with other people, but I can't remember what words I was mixing up. It's very strange.

Giggles for your Monday

Last week, I asked Hans' mom and my dad to send us some of our baby photos so that I could hang some in the nursery.

They have arrived and we have been laughing at them all morning. So, for your Monday morning giggles, check out my crazy, crazy hair and Hans' mullet.

Enjoy.

36 weeks

How Far Along: 36 weeks, 2 days

Size of the Baby: crenshaw melon (? Hans thinks they made this one up), 18.5 inches, ~6 lbs
Weight gain/loss: Will know at appointment Friday
Sleep:  Not going so hot. Can't stay asleep for very long, but so exhausted!! I went to bed early last night and still feel like I didn't sleep.
Best Moment of the Week: Friday night date night was so much fun - and kinda sad, as it sinks in that our spontaneous date nights are coming to an end. We went to California Pizza Kitchen for dinner, then we went to the mall to get baby clothes and buy baby's first gift from mommy and daddy - a teddy bear from Build-A-Bear! It was actually my doctor's idea... she suggested that we get the record your own sound thing, bring it in, and she'll record baby's heartbeat for us with the Doppler machine.

Movement: No change here. Still constant movement. I keep hearing that it should slow down, but that's just not true. Now it just looks like baby's constantly doing the wave... my stomach is always moving. Kick counts are averaging under 10 minutes and one this week took less than three. The bigger baby gets, the more painful the movement gets and my ribs are taking a beating. Whew.
Symptoms: Veerrrrry swollen. Mood swings. Tired. I think I had a growth spurt this week because I'm extra tired and extra hungry.
Food Cravings: Mostly thirsty, but this week all I want is S'mores! Oh, and Jimmy Johns. I miss Jimmy Johns and I think someone will have to bring me some in the hospital. Hint: I love the thinny chips.
Gender: Experiencing great doubt! Our friends Jeff and Erin were due this week with their surprise baby. Erin was convinced it was a girl and out popped their little boy. Makes me seriously doubt myself. I'd be fine either way, of course, but I'll feel like a terrible mother that I didn't even know what my child was!
Belly Button in or out: Even with the rest of my belly. It hasn't popped out, but it's definitely not in anymore. It just feels smooth (and soft, which is kinda weird!)
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope
Labor Signs: A few Braxton Hicks, but I really don't get as many as I thought I would. And they don't hurt. They just cause a horrible urge to pee, but that goes away as soon as the contraction is over.
Wedding ring on or off: It happened. It's off. I woke up in the middle of the night last week because it hurt so stinking bad - it was just too tight! So it's off and I miss it. I worry about people giving me dirty looks (and I just *feel* weird without it) so we went to Dillards to get me something larger to wear until baby comes. I think it's a little too blingy, but Hans thought it would be fun for a few weeks :)

What I miss: Sleeeeeeeeeep.
What I am looking forward to: Baby. I'm very quickly reaching the point where I feel like I'm done with being pregnant and I just want to have that baby already. I am NOT looking forward to my first cervical check this week, or the GBS test :(
Nursery: I didn't do anything this week. Oops. I got distracted! We did, however, make Saturday a "baby prep" day and went to Babies R Us, Target, and Buy Buy Baby to pick up the things on our "baby essentials" list that we were still missing - changing pad covers, more bottles, sleep sacks, socks, mittens, hats, a few more onesies, a baby monitor, and a mattress. Whew! Thank goodness for gift cards and good sales.... I think we're all done now, as far as immediate essentials go. There's still a few items that would be nice, but I feel like we're ready to meet immediate needs. My goal for this week is to finally finish the frame gallery and do the mobile. And I need to find a stinkin' lamp! Anyone seen a cute teal/aqua table lamp anywhere? I've checked the usual suspects...
Emotions: Very moody. Short tempered. Anxious. Trying to stay positive, but having a hard time.
Stupid things I have done: As I mentioned, I think baby had a growth spurt this week and my belly grew quite a bit. I haven't adjusted to the new size and I keep bumping into things and slamming things into my belly. I was coming out of a bathroom stall while we were out shopping on Saturday and I actually yanked the door right into my belly. It hurt!

Betting now open

We are now one month out from our estimated due date! (going to be the longest month of my life....)

We've heard many guesses about Baby Sweeting so we thought we'd do a little game! Welcome to Baby Watch 2013 (as Danny D. named it).

Go to whatisinmybelly.com, Pool #527 to vote. It makes you sign in with your Facebook account so if you don't want to do that, leave your vote as a comment below and I will manually enter it. Guess gender, birth date, time, weight, length, and hair and eye color.

Yes, there will be a prize for the winner! Let the games begin.

35 weeks

How Far Along: 35 weeks, 3 days

Size of the Baby: Honeydew melon, 18 inches, 5.25 lbs
Weight gain/loss: Gained two pounds since my last appointment. Not bad.
Sleep:  I am le tired. I could really use a good night's sleep.
Best Moment of the Week: I loved my baby shower. I felt so loved and spoiled :)

Movement: Still constant. Still hurts. There's a spot to the right of my belly button and another one centered right beneath my ribs that have both become so tender I can't touch them and wince when anything does. Bruised maybe?
Symptoms: Super swollen. Noticed a few stretch marks on my upper legs (I totally thought I was going to avoid those!). Heartburn. No nausea, though! (knock on wood).
Food Cravings: Milk. A blueberry muffin.
Gender: :)
Belly Button in or out: Same
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope
Labor Signs: A couple Braxton Hicks, but not many.
Wedding ring on or off: On.... but it's tight.
What I miss: My ankles. Not having chubby bunny cheeks.
What I am looking forward to: Nothing in particular this week. Hopefully another productive weekend.
Nursery: Frame gallery is on the wall... just need to fill it. Decided to put a bumper on after all.... but not as a bumper, haha. I couldn't find a bedskirt I liked, so I put the bumper underneath the mattress in place of a skirt.
Emotions: Irritable. Everything annoys me.
Stupid things I have done: Can't think of anything notable this week.