Baby Bound - Week 38

Its a good thing this was my last week of work.  I've officially hit the steering wheel!

The itching has become unbearable.  UNBEARABLE!!!!  I have never itched this bad in my entire life!  And nothing seems to help.  I lotion, I oil, I've even taken to putting cold wash cloths under my shirt but it only gives me temporary relief.  I reached a new level of desperation the other day.  My husband and I got home from running errands and I ran upstairs and disrobed as fast as I possibly could.  I slathered oil on my big ole' belly, threw on a sports bra and some below the belly pants, and slumped onto the couch.  I was quite the slippery sight to see.

Good news at the doctor's appointment this week.  I've had pretty consistent low blood pressure but it was the lowest its been the entire pregnancy.  So much of a difference that it was worth the doctor mentioning.  Any guesses as to why?  Yep.  Its got to be because I've stopped working in Portland this week.  Its not that I have a stressful job but I'm sure the commute wasn't helping anything.  In other good news, I was 1cm and 50% effaced which was further along than the doctor thought I'd be!  Hopefully she'll be making an appearance before D-Day!

And just for kicks.  I think Winston is going to miss his chin rest.......

Baby Bound - Weeks 36/37

The picture says 36 weeks but due to my blogging slackery (and lack of a 37 week sticker) it was actually taken at 37 weeks.  And what does 37 weeks mean???  FULL TERM!!!!  She can come at any time now!

Not loving pictures these days but I'm hopeful that I'll be glad I took them in the future

I'm so HOT!!!  Where did that come from?!?!  Sure, I've been a tad warm here and there the past nine months, but it has just reached a whole new level! I've seriously been a sweaty mess every minute of the day.  I don't envy women who enter their 9th month in the heat of the summer.  You have my utmost respect. I would die!!!

There even may have been some thermostat wars going on in our house the past few days.  Well, not really wars per say, but I may have had to break out the whiney-ness to get my point across of how hot I actually am.  That was then followed by some over-exaggerated huffing and puffing at night loud enough to express my unhappiness with the current temperature. When that didn't work, I opened all the windows in the house during the day and turned the heat off completely during the night.  It was glorious!!!  I had the best nights sleep I've had in like a week!  My excitement over my nice night of sleep was quickly squashed when I looked over at my husband curled up in a ball, clinging to the covers, shivering.  Poor guy.  I went downstairs and looked at the temperature.  It may have only been 57 degrees in the house. Oops.  BUT in my defense, it felt SOOOO good!!!  As I stood in front of the thermostat for a good two minutes trying to get the cover off (we have the hardest thermostat to get into!), I watched the temperature rise to 63 degrees.  No joke.  I was radiating heat like crazy, and the thermostat agreed!

Baby girl is definitely dropping.  My belly button is starting to point towards the ground and I have to pee every time I stand up.  Its also getting pretty uncomfortable to stand and walk so I'm hoping that means she will be here sooner rather than later!

At our doctor's appointment this week he said he thought she was about 7.5 to 7.75 pounds.  Not fully realizing what he meant, I responded "Oh that sounds about right.  So you think she'll weigh that much when she's born and she's only about 6lbs now?"  (Yeah, I totally wasn't listening to him).  He replied "No, that's what I think she weighs now".......Gah!  But we have at least 3 weeks to go and she's supposed to gain about a pound a week!  I had a brief-ish moment of panic.  Hopefully one of three things will happen. 1.  Her weight will stabilize and she'll remain where she is.  2.  She'll decide to come a week or so early. Or 3.  He's completely off on his estimate.  I'll be fine with any of these options.  If those don't work, I may be taking volunteers for someone to have her for me. :)

All that aside, I'm so so SO excited!  I can't believe she'll be here in just a few short weeks!  I can't wait to hold her, and to watch my husband hold her!!!  Eeeekkkk!

The Nursery!!!

After nine months of fun projects, we have finally finished the nursery.  I'm a little biased but I LOVE it!  It's the most calming room in our house and I can't wait to have our baby girl here to complete it.

"After" photos are courtesy of the talented Tiffany Afenegus.

BEFORE

BEFORE

BEFORE

AFTER

Baby Bound - Week 35 - Maternity Shoot!

Last weekend we caught a break in the rain and headed out with our good friend and photographer, Tiffany Afenegus.  I  was overly swollen that day so I had her take a lot of shots without my face (lol) but she's so good at what she does, even the puffy face pictures turned out amazing!  I debated the maternity shoot but I'm so glad we finally took the plunge.  We will be so happy to have these to look back on.

Baby Bound - Week 34 - Shower Pics!

How far along?  34 Weeks!  

How are you feeling?  I'm starting to feel the last month "loveliness" that all pregnant women talk about.  It's funny because at my last doctor's appointment two weeks ago he asked me how I was feeling and when I responded "Pretty great!" he proceeded to say "Well thats good.  Although.....I hate to be the one to tell you this, but you only have about another week of "feeling great".  In another week or two's time, you're going to feel pretty lousy!"  Wow.  I appreciate the honestly but he could have lied to me.  Overall, I still feel pretty good.  The swelling has set in which is pretty uncomfortable and, not to mention, gross!  Its the worst in my HANDS!  I literally wake up wearing Mickey Mouse gloves and my hands hurt so badly.  Luckily the swelling subsides within a few hours.  

Stretch marks?  I should just omit this question........

Best moment of the week?   We finished the nursery!!!  I will post pictures soon!   AND....We celebrated my husbands last birthday of his 20's.  I took him to a Blazer's game which is always a good time.  However.....It was definitely an eye opening experience.  I'm not used to being the hefty person squished into the middle seat.  Every time I moved ever so slightly, I'd whack the guy next to me, or whack the guy in front of me on his bald head.  It was so embarrassing.  I have so much more compassion for people who have a few extra pounds on their belt.  

Sleep?  Meh.  Apparently I'm a snorer now.  

Cravings?  I haven't had much of an appetite this week.  Very strange......Oh but get this!  My Special K cereal that I've eaten like a gazillion boxes of.......Yeah, it was recalled due to possible glass fragments.  I'm pretty sure I lucked out on eating any glass though.  Phew!  http://z6mag.com/featured/kelloggs-recalls-special-k-red-berries-cereal-due-to-possible-glass-fragments-1619089.html

AND.......I got take out for my husbands birthday on Wednesday from one of our favorite restaurants.  On Friday, the restaurant was shut down for an outbreak of the Norovirus that week.  What the?!?!  Glass fragments and Norovirus!?!?  Seriously???  I dodged both bullets so clearly someone is watching over us! http://www.kgw.com/news/Vanc-restaurant--192584051.html

Miss anything?  Eating without heartburn. 

Movement?  Slowing down.  She still kicks but I think she's pretty much out of room to do any acrobatics. 

Belly button in or out?  Its poking its way out! 

Wedding rings on or off?  Off.

Current mood?   Winded, but SO happy!

Here are some of the pictures from my wonderful baby shower last week.  Photos were courtesy of the fabulousTiffany Afenegus Photography

Our friendship was est. 2005

Our friend was unexpectedly having her baby that morning!