40 Weeks

How far along? 40w

Total weight gain: +30

Maternity clothes? Yes.

Stretch marks? Yes.

Sleep: Meh...it's not the best.

Best moment this week: Mark and I had a nice dinner date out on Monday night.  

  Miss Anything? Wine, all the wine.

Movement: Baby is almost out of room! Not as much movement lately, just really feeling hands and feet.

   Food cravings: Pineapple. Pasta salad. Corn on the cob. It's summer!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing really at this point!

Have you started to show yet? Yes, yes I think so. Haha.

Gender prediction: Boy
Symptoms: Practice labor... I'm ready for the real deal.
Labor signs? Nada.

Belly Button in or out?  It's out.

Wedding rings on or off? I wear just the engagement ring.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy and sad at the same time.  Happy it's almost time to meet our newest family member, but sad that these are the last few weeks of it being just the three of us.  Trying to enjoy every second I get to spend with Lilly.

 Looking forward to: Being able to sleep on my stomach.  Meeting our baby!  Hopefully we don't have to wait much longer!

39 Weeks

How far along? 39w,2d

Total weight gain: According to the midwife, I'm up +25

Maternity clothes? Yes.

Stretch marks? Yes.

Sleep: About as good as it can get - usually I'm up at least twice to pee, sometimes more.  I'm also waking up earlier and earlier each morning.  Not fun.

Best moment this week: Hmm... working an early shift Friday meant getting off work at 3:30, so I took advantage and went to get a mani/pedi.  It was amazing.  We also took Lilly to the pool Saturday, and just floating in the water, feeling weightless was amazing.  And we had a crab leg dinner last night that was pretty fantastic!

  Miss Anything? Wine, all the wine.

Movement: Baby is almost out of room! Minimal movement, unless I'm laying down, trying to relax, of course.

   Food cravings: Pineapple. Pasta salad. Corn on the cob. It's summer!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing really at this point!

Have you started to show yet? Yes, yes I think so. Haha.

Gender prediction: Boy
Symptoms: Still lots of prodromal labor.  Not very fun wondering if it's the real deal or not.
Labor signs? Still lots of contractions, the other night they were 5 mins apart for a few hours, but then just stopped.

Belly Button in or out?  It's out.

Wedding rings on or off? I wear just the engagement ring.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy and sad at the same time.  Happy it's almost time to meet our newest family member, but sad that these are the last few weeks of it being just the three of us.  Trying to enjoy every second I get to spend with Lilly.

 Looking forward to: Dinner tonight.  Being able to sleep on my stomach.  Meeting our baby!  Hopefully we don't have to wait much longer!

38 Weeks

How far along? 38w

Total weight gain: According to the midwife, I'm up +25

Maternity clothes? Yes.

Stretch marks? Yes.

Sleep: It really depends. Not great lately.

Best moment this week: It was a really, really rough week.  Not home/family wise, but work wise.  So I think the best moments this week were when I punched out and got to leave work behind.

  Miss Anything? Wine, all the wine.

Movement: Still frequent, but baby has definitely slowed down some.

   Food cravings: Fruit. Pasta salad. Corn on the cob. It's summer!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing really at this point!

Have you started to show yet? Yes, yes I think so. Haha.

Gender prediction: Boy
Symptoms: Lots of practice or prodromal labor, having to pee all the time, and that's really it!  I'm tired a lot too, but I also have a 2 year old to chase around, work a full time job, and have a house that still needs cleaning, so....
Labor signs? Not too much to report.  Had contractions for about 6 hours last night, nothing that got closer together though, so just practice labor.

Belly Button in or out?  It's out.

Wedding rings on or off? I wear just the engagement ring.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy and sad at the same time.  Happy it's almost time to meet our newest family member, but sad that these are the last few weeks of it being just the three of us.  Trying to enjoy every second I get to spend with Lilly.

 Looking forward to: Meeting this baby!  We are ready.  We're also taking Lilly to see the Minion movie tomorrow (she's obsessed with the Minions), and maybe to the zoo if the weather cooperates.  And Monday, Mark and Lilly are going to pick blueberries! I can't wait for all the fresh berries!

37 Weeks

How far along? 37w,1d

Total weight gain: According to the midwife, I'm up +25

Maternity clothes? Yes.

Stretch marks? Yes.

Sleep: It really depends. Not great lately.

Best moment this week: Seeing Lilly having so much fun at the fireworks.  She was adorable.  We also got her a little baby nursery set, and she is just the cutest, taking care of her baby doll.

  Miss Anything? Wine, all the wine.

Movement: Still frequent, but baby has definitely slowed down some.

   Food cravings: Sweets, fruits, Italian ice.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing really at this point!

Have you started to show yet? Yes, yes I think so. Haha.

Gender prediction: Boy
Symptoms: Nothing really, besides my very frequent Braxton Hicks!  My feet swell occasionally, but definitely not as much as I thought they would be.
Labor signs? I've been having inconsistent contractions, backaches, cramps, feeling nauseated, and generally off for the past three days.  Usually around the same time each night, and lasting about 4-5 hours.  Hopefully that means baby is on the way soon, but I know it's possible it could be another 3-5 weeks.

Belly Button in or out?  It's out.

Wedding rings on or off? I wear just the engagement ring.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy, nervous, excited, anxious, and DONE!  I'm ready to meet this little one already!

 Looking forward to: Finishing up our to-do list!  Almost done!

To Do List:

Hang art in Lilly's room

Clean:

Bedroom

Bathroom

Living/entry

Office

Dining room

Kitchen
Garage

Install infant car seat

Pack hospital bags

Pack Lilly's bag

Make and install nightstand

Set up pack and play and co-sleeper (waiting till the very end for this)

I know I'm going to miss this so much when it's over, but at this point, I just want this baby out.  I'm tired all the time, I waddle, and I should just set up camp in the bathroom because I pee so much.  I am ready to meet 2.0, and anxious to get things going!  We're seeing the midwife weekly now, and tomorrow morning we have our next appointment.  Tomorrow night, we're meeting with our doula one more time, and I'm just hoping baby decides to make an appearance shortly after both of those appointments!  

Dear Baby

Dear Baby,

Well, here we are: July, hopefully the month you will be born!  I can't believe it's already July... it seems like just yesterday I was telling Daddy about you!  I know the last few weeks are going to fly by and drag on at the same time, which seems impossible, but if you ever have kids, you'll know what I mean.  

We are SO excited to meet you!  We've been doing lots of things around the house to get ready for you, but I know that the only things you'll really need are diapers, wipes, a place to sleep, milk to drink, and mama and daddy's arms to hold you.  Don't forget big sister's hugs and kisses!  Your big sister Lilly is very excited too.  I'm not sure she really knows you're coming soon or if she understands that her life is about to change forever, but she knows there is a baby in mommy's belly, and she loves to give you kisses and rub my belly.  She knows that there are certain things that are only for the baby, and things that are only for her - she is going to be a great big sister, and we can't wait to introduce the two of you.

Right now, all I can think about is how I'm going to fit the two of you into our lives, and make sure you both know how much we love you.  I've heard that the minute we meet, I will realize there is more than enough room for both of you in my heart, but right now, I worry. 

And baby, you sure have given us a lot to worry about!  From the beginning, you have been trouble!  We've had a few extra ultrasounds because of your trouble making, a few unexpected doctor visits, and a few talks about if you're going to be as wild on the outside as you are on the inside!  You move, shake, kick, wiggle and dance like crazy in there.  I love every second of it, but it hurts a little bit more than your sister did.  You don't get the hiccups as often as she did, but you always know when mama is trying to rest, and think that's a great time to party.

What will you be like baby?  Wild and strong-willed, like your sister?  Or calm and laid-back, the opposite of what you're like now?  What will you be when you grow up?  We don't know if you're a boy or a girl, but we are excited either way!  Mama thinks you're a boy, daddy thinks you're a girl, and big sister doesn't have a clue!

We love you so much baby and we can't wait to meet you.  Take your time (but not too much time)... I love having you all to myself, but I know your daddy and sister are dying to meet you.

Love you to the moon and back already,

Mama