39 Weeks and Dr Appointment

Had my last weekly doctor's appointment before my actual due date.  I skipped getting checked because I don't want to aggravate anything and I just don't want to be told when they think I will go into labor.  I'm already really having anxious and overwhelming feelings about when, how, where, etc.  I worry about having to say bye to Joey or will I have not seen him all day and then go into labor?  It's just always on my mind.  The baby's heartbeat was 150's and since I am still measuring 34 weeks, the midwife asked if I had time to do an NST.  Basically I had to sit in a recliner with a monitor on my stomach which watched how often the baby moved (heartbeat will rise suddenly and then level out again) and if I was having any contractions.  The baby was very happy and I was on my way!  We will see if I make it to my next appointment or not.

How far along: 39 weeks

Weight gain/loss: No gain this week

Maternity clothes: Making it work with what I have, not too much longer!

Stretch marks: Using the cocoa butter and oil every day

Symptoms: No new symptoms.  Just feeling uncomfortable and ready to not be pregnant.  I have noticed more period like cramping but nothing that stops me in my tracks or anything.

Sleep: Good, with the exception of waking up a lot to pee and just try to get comfortable.

Best moment this week: Next week is Christmas and I am excited to see Joey open his gifts and just be around family.

Gender: We will know soon enough!

Belly button in or out: Still in 

Food cravings:  Fruit, oatmeal and yogurt is about it.  I just don't have much of an appetite and when I do, it doesn't take much to fill me up!

Movement: Baby had a quiet day on 12/22, maybe the day is approaching??

What I miss: Not having a basketball in front of me 24/7.


What I'm looking forward to: Christmas is next week!

38 Weeks and Dr Appointment

How far along: 38 weeks

Weight gain/loss: Still up about 19lbs

Maternity clothes: Not a thing.  I really miss shopping for cute clothes.

Stretch marks: Keeping up with the cocoa butter and oil.  If anything it helps with the itchy belly feeling!

Symptoms: My bladder pretty much can't go more than an hour or two before needing relief.  I'm also thirsty a lot!  Period like cramps here and there and Braxton Hicks contractions all the time.  When I go from sitting to standing I just feel sore and achy.  Definitely have slowed way down the last week or two.  I just can't hang anymore!

Sleep:  Not as good lately.  My mind is always thinking and it's hard to get comfortable or not feel pains when I try to switch sides.  

Best moment this week: We took Joey to see Santa on Sunday (12/16) and he did pretty well!  Steve and I had to sit with him in the picture but at least there were no tears or screams for us.  I can handle that!

Gender: Continues to be a mystery.  It's going to be very different this time in the delivery room.  Everyone said boy with Joey and I figured it had to be a boy so when he entered the world I wasn't the least bit surprised.  I mean I was but almost felt like if he had a been a girl I would have been more shocked.  This time around is more 50/50.  Although my pregnancies have been pretty much the same, so people assume boy.  

Belly button in or out: Still in 

Food cravings:  Fizzy drinks.  I like having a sip of Steve's pop when he has one and I really like Lime flavored sparkling water.  I haven't had as much because it makes me feel more bloated but I guess you could say I 'crave' it.

Movement: Much less this week.  I think baby is running out of room and sleeping more to gear up for the big arrival.

What I miss: Having my own body back.  It sounds silly but I just want to be able to bend over and not have a basketball tummy in my way.  Or hold Joey and not have to lift him so he sits up over my belly.  It's the little things.  

What I'm looking forward to: Christmas is next week and I can hardly believe it.  I would really like to get through Christmas before this baby arrives.  It's something I can't control but am hoping for.  Above all I want a healthy and happy baby but if I could ask for one more thing it would be an after Christmas baby.  

37 Weeks and Dr Appointment

I had my check up on Friday last week and growth ultrasound.  The baby was measuring 6lbs 9oz (44th percentile) and the heartbeat was 146.  Baby is head down and seemed happy and content which is good.  The midwife who I had the Monday before I delivered Joey on Thursday had guessed Joey to be 7.5lbs.  She said this one she is guessing 7lbs 3oz.  We shall see!  I'm measuring 34 weeks which is pretty much how I measured with Joey too.  They took a sample 'down there' to test for Group B strep and I'll have those results this week.  I have another appointment on Friday and every Friday until my due date.  If I make it to 40 weeks, they will do an ultrasound, NST and check for progress.  

How far along: 37 weeks

Weight gain/loss: No gain since last appointment, up 19lbs on my scale

Maternity clothes: Bought a couple more pairs of yoga pants at Old Navy for now and after baby.

Stretch marks: Cocoa butter and oil every morning and night!

Symptoms: Peeing around 4-5x a night which is not fun.  Braxton Hicks and some period like cramps on and off.  My breathing seems to be better since baby has dropped some.

Sleep:  It's okay just need more of it.  Kind of tough to change sides and get comfortable.  

Best moment this week: Saw baby on Friday for my growth ultrasound and got to hear the little heartbeat!

Gender: Haven't had any more dreams since last week.  I am looking forward to finding out though!

Belly button in or out: Still in 

Food cravings:  No cravings.....eating my usual.  Some days I really could go just eating breakfast.  Other days I seem way more hungry!

Movement: Baby has been quiet these last couple days.  Not nearly as many rolls and turns in my stomach!

What I miss: Being able to do more with Joey and not having to maneuver around this basketball in my tummy.

What I'm looking forward to: Maybe seeing Santa on Sunday and then celebrating the Lozen December birthdays at Kruse and Muer on Sunday night.

36 Weeks

How far along: 36 weeks

Weight gain/loss: Doctor's appointment on Friday

Maternity clothes: Still wearing what I can with what I already have.  It helps that I don't work full time so on my days off I'm in yoga pants and comfy tops.  Maternity pants are bothering me a lot more than I remember with Joey.  I don't like the feeling of the panel on my upper stomach.  So the yoga pants are perfect!

Stretch marks: Cocoa butter and oil every morning and night!

Symptoms: Continue to get Braxton Hicks contractions throughout the day, feel tired/fatigued pretty easily and that's about it so far.  I did notice some period like cramps the last couple days but drinking water helps.  And I am always thirsty it seems!

Sleep:  Steve has been snoring a lot or maybe I'm just not sleeping as soundly.  Either way I've been waking up at 3 or 4am and going to the other room to sleep.

Best moment this week: I can't think of anything exceptional that happened this week.  Although with all of the tantrums and whining I've been dealing with, Joey and I had an amazing day on Saturday.  He was happy, let me put him down for his nap and slept really well.  I LOVE those days!!  I've also been putting together some freezer meals so when this baby comes we won't be completely out of home cooked meals.  I feel like I have so much to do still!!

Gender: Had a dream on Saturday night it was a girl.  We shall see!

Belly button in or out: Weird looking but still in

Food cravings:  Fruit is about the only thing that I have to have every day.  I love applesauce.  The grapes aren't as appealing anymore.  And sparkling water is good.....for some reason the carbonation is appealing.

Movement: A little quieter the last couple days.  Or maybe I've just been busy and haven't noticed as much.

What I miss: We went out with a couple of Steve's high school friends on Saturday night and I would have liked to have a real drink.  But I didn't feel as strongly about it as I did with Joey.  I wanted alcohol so bad when I was pregnant with him.  Maybe because I drank more before then.  I haven't had a full drink in years, literally.  I obviously didn't drink when I was pregnant with Joey, hardly had many sips when I was nursing (13 months) and then, surprise, was pregnant again.  And hope to nurse again which means I won't really drink much after this baby is born.

What I'm looking forward to: Planning to take Joey to see Santa on Sunday.  I don't think he is going to be as good or content as he was last year.  He's way more aware of things now that he's almost 21 months.  

35 Weeks

How far along: 35 weeks

Weight gain/loss: Haven't checked and next appt is 12/7

Maternity clothes: No purchases and I'm just trying to make do with what I have

Stretch marks: Staying strong!

Symptoms: Braxton Hicks contractions, pressure like feeling down low, not easy to get up out of bed and just generally uncomfortable.  

Sleep:  Steve has been snoring like every night and I have to pee all the time so I've been getting up and sleeping in the other room.  I get so thirsty too at night so I get up to use the bathroom and drink a lot of water which just continues the cycle.

Best moment this week: Seeing my mom after her surgery.  She had it on Monday and my sister and I went to visit Tuesday after work.  It was hard to see her like that but she is doing very well.

Gender: It continues to be a mystery.  And I somewhat wish we had found out and either a)didn't announce the name or b)didn't tell anyone the gender.  It's tough!

Belly button in or out: Still in so far

Food cravings:  This pregnancy continues to be like my first in that I really don't have crazy or strong cravings.  I still love yogurt and frozen blueberries, homemade granola and really anything fruit.  But that's me pregnant or not.  My appetite is a little better than it was but I still am not very hungry overall and get full pretty easily.

Movement: I think this little one is going through a growth spurt because I can feel a jab on my left side near my ribs at the same time as another jab to my right hip.  It can be pretty uncomfortable at times.  

What I miss: Having more energy and ability to do more.  I struggle spending a full day with Joey because he's going through a phase where he just lets loose with only me.  He can be happy and easy going with everyone, except me.  Of course we have a lot of good times but the 'bad' times really are tougher for me now.  And maybe it's just the hormones and all that are making it seem worse but I hope he gets through this phase or whatever it is, quickly.

What I'm looking forward to: Seeing my mom this weekend.  She should be coming home either Friday or Saturday.  It's hard not being able to see or talk to her when we pretty much communicate in some way every day.

34 Weeks and Dr Appointment

How far along: 34 weeks

Weight gain/loss: Scale says up 18.5lbs, gained 1lb since last appointment which is perfect

Maternity clothes: Haven't bought anything and trying to wait until after baby now.  

Stretch marks: Hoping to avoid these again....time will tell!

Symptoms: Nothing unusually different.  I have more soreness/pressure down below especially when I stand up or start walking around.  I'm trying to do some stretching and ab exercises every day but it doesn't always happen.  I also think my stomach has dropped a little.  I still feel full a lot but not nearly as out of breath as I had been.

Sleep:  Not much has changed since last week.  Except turning over from side to side is getting a little more difficult.

Best moment this week: My parents took Joey out on Saturday morning so I had a couple hours to get some things done.  Steve and I also went to the mall to do some Christmas shopping on Sunday while Joey stayed at the Lozens and visited with Baba and Dedo from Ohio.  I missed being with Joey as much this weekend but it was nice to get some time to myself and with Steve.

Gender: Not as many people guessing this time around however since I'm carrying the same and there isn't a ton different this time around, most of the family say boy.  But not everyone has really weighed in.  I am getting super anxious to know now though.

Belly button in or out: Weird looking but still in

Food cravings:  Nothing really ever sounds good except yogurt with frozen blueberries.  I've also been eating bread with Baba's peppers and some feta cheese.  But really I never am very hungry or excited to really eat anything.

Movement: Baby has active and quiet moments.  Movements don't seem as intense as with Joey.  I remember him jabbing my ribs regularly and it would actually hurt.  I feel this little one more on my left side and occasionally my right hip.  Literally it feels like he or she is hitting or kicking my hip bone.  Little one also gets hiccups all the time and I always feel them on my lower left side.

What I miss: Being able to do more especially with Joey.  It takes a lot out of me after being with him all day.

What I'm looking forward to: I'm off until next Monday and we are spending Thanksgiving Day with my mom's side and then Friday with the Lozens.  

I saw the midwife today (Wednesday) and everything was good.  I forgot to ask her how I was measuring but I'm guessing I've grown since last appointment.  My ultrasound last week was fine which she told me and also my thyroid results were within range.  It was 1.64 which is great.  So I'm continuing to take that until my first postpartum visit.  Hopefully I'll be able to get off of them after that.  The baby was pretty quiet at the appointment but the heartbeat was 140bpm.  The midwife told me the baby was measuring in the 43rd percentile and if I went full term it would mean a 7lb baby which is good.  Joey was 7lb 7oz and I delivered him 6 days early which makes me think this little one might be a little smaller.  She said she wants to do another ultrasound at my next appointment on 12/7.  I'm going to call and ask if this is truly necessary because they aren't cheap and my insurance doesn't cover the total cost.  Obviously if she thinks it is a good idea, I will have one but if it's just to see, then I might forgo it.

33 Weeks

How far along: 33 weeks

Weight gain/loss: Gained 1lb, my scale says up 17-18lbs

Maternity clothes: No new purchases.  Haven't gone clothes shopping in ages!

Stretch marks: Continue to use the oil at night and cocoa butter cream during the day

Symptoms: I think I have more round ligament pain this time around.  But nothing really 'new' or different going on.  Of course I continue to have to pee a lot but that's not going to change anytime soon!

Sleep:  Pretty good.  I seem to fall asleep well but when I wake up to pee I have a harder time falling back to sleep.  I feel more awake at night too but I still make myself go to bed by 11pm at the latest.

Best moment this week: Seeing baby on the big screen last Friday.  Had a growth ultrasound since I hadn't grown since the last appointment (still measuring 28-29 weeks).  I measured small with Joey so it didn't surprise me.

Gender: I keep seeing the name Alexandria in odd places.  But it could very well be a little boy in there!

Belly button in or out: Weird looking but still in

Food cravings:  Red/black grapes, yogurt with frozen blueberries and homemade granola.  I found a recipe and have made a couple batches so far.  I've been struggling to eat most days.  I'm just not hungry and it doesn't take much to fill me up.  I seem to do okay with breakfast but after that I could go until dinner without really eating much.

Movement: I can definitely tell baby is getting bigger/running out of space.  I feel more kicks and jabs.

What I miss: Wearing cute clothes and not feeling so out of shape.  I just struggle doing as much.  I don't miss alcohol as much this pregnancy but wouldn't mind if I could have a sip here and there when everyone else is having something.  

What I'm looking forward to: Next week is Thanksgiving and it will be nice to celebrate and be around family.  Baba and Dedo are coming into town and we haven't seen them since July.