Week 37: Baby Update and Non-Baby Obsessions

Okay, first ... the update. So I definitely know the drill at the Doctor's office by now and the past three visits I've heard the same story-- No dilation, effacement or any evidence of pre-labor signs. Mama makes a good home : ) This time I kept thinking "All I want for my birthday is to be dilated to AT LEAST 1cm shoot, I would even take .5cm!" haha! But sure enough ... nothing. I'm sure he would stay in there until October if we let him but this week the doctor informed me that we'll be doing an ultrasound next Wednesday to check fluid levels and if they're not to her liking we'll set a date for induction. You might be just as confused by this information as I was at first--I was thinking: "Induction? It's August 10th and I'm not due until August 28th!" She must have noticed the perplexed look on my face because she said "do you have any dates in mind?" To which I replied: "Um, no, I really don't want to induce unless we absolutely have to! Now I'm not too sure I'll feel the same way if I'm still pregnant in September...." and she said: "September! Honey your due date is next weekend (Aug 21st) I will not allow you to go into September still pregnant." Okay 1. Am I already a bad Mom for mistaking MY OWN DUE DATE?!!! I mean, granted, it's changed a million and one times since conception but still! This whole time I was thinking I had two, three maybe even four weeks left! But she informed me that it is FOR SURE August 21st and she won't let me go a week past my due date. So that's that. I REALLY don't want to be induced so please send lots of labor vibes my way and lets hope that I start on my own!!!! Which is highly unlikely considering the only pre-labor symptom I've experienced so far is what I like to refer to as "lightning crotch." I'm sure that's not the Harvard Medical School term for it but that's the best way to describe it -- a sharp, piercing pain down there that the doctor says is "completely normal" (yeah right!) and is caused by a muscle spasm due to lots of stress on the Round Ligament (helps to hold the Uterus in place). It hurts so bad it literally takes my breath away and then goes away just as fast as it started. FUN!

Okay on to the next ... I've been trying to stay occupied with non-baby stuff to stay sane so here are some of my latest fixations:

In My Tummy: CRAVE Cupcakes -- Oh. My. Gosh. I don't care what kind of diet you're on, you must try one of these ASAP. It's in Uptown Park (Houston) and they are TO DIEEEEE FOR! And no, they will not be a part of my post-preggo diet :(

On My Nightstand: Spoken From the Heart by Laura Bush -- I have just always thought so highly of Mrs. Bush; she is so poised, beautiful and classy and I think women everywhere could learn a lot from her grace regardless of how you feel about politics. I also LOVE her West Texas roots, both sets of my grandparents are from Midland/Odessa and my Great Aunt Patricia knew Mrs. Bush personally.

In My Makeup Bag: Tarina Tarantino Dollface Powder -- Google it and check out the fabulous compact!!! Now everyone knows my obsession with all things sparkley so yes, I was initially attracted to the compact. BUT the powder is really great too :)

On My Radar: Major splurge = Post baby vacay to Napa Valley, but I'll settle for a romantic dinner to Nino's for my birthday :)

Week 36: Antsy Pants

I'm now going to the Doctor once a week and it is really starting to sink in how close D Day is. If there are any males reading this (which I highly doubt) you may want to stop here if you don't like hearing about "girl stuff."

The purpose of these frequent visits are to check for cervical progress such as dilation and effacement (opening and softening, respectively). At my last appointment (the first of my weekly visits) I almost asked not to be checked for two reasons: 1. If I was dilated at all I would just be even more antsy--if that's even possible--thinking that I could go any day now! And 2. If I wasn't dilated at all I would just be super bummed out thinking I was going to be pregnant forever. She went ahead and checked me and said: "you're closed up tighter than Ft. Knox but he's beautifully low." I think she could sense some disappointment in my demeanor so she quickly reminded me that it's only the very beginning of August and my due date is August 28th and no woman on record has stayed pregnant forever ... plenty of time for progress! So as for now Mama has made a good home for Rob and he is super comfy; no signs of wanting to vacate the uterus! She also checked my amniotic fluid level and said I have "tons of fluid" and when my water breaks I will definitely know it. That night, I had a dream my water broke at Juanito's haha! My blood pressure has also managed to stay pretty low ... usually in the third trimester it creeps up and is a major reason for early induction. All in all, I ended up being very happy that she checked me, it gave me a whole new dose of patience knowing that he will come when he's ready, not when I want him to. He can stay in there and cook for as long as he needs to (However, I may change my tune if I'm heading into September with no baby!). I've realized that no matter how early I may be to everything, he may not have inherited Mama's punctuality gene!

I know it may seem early to be getting antsy but let me tell you about the misery of weeks of 105 heat index when you're 8.5 months pregnant. Now, I am not a complainer at all and I've had a wonderful pregnancy but when people tell you the last month is the hardest, they are RIGHT! For one, I am so ready to hold my sweet baby in my arms and see his face. Two, I wish I could roll over in bed without a big production and internal pep talk. Three, I'm tired of peeing my pants every time I sneeze or cough (sorry if TMI)...and yes, I've done Kegels but they're no match for a 7 pound baby on my bladder. Four, I want to be able to shave my legs and tie my shoes both of which Carlysle has been graciously assisting me with and Five the swelling has started limiting me to flip flops and tennis shoes and I am NOT happy about losing my high heel privilege! Yes, I now have sausage feet/cankles and none of my rings fit. However, I keep telling myself to keep my eye on the prize and I'll get out his 3d/4d ultrasound pictures, smile and know that this prize is worth sacrificing anything, including my favorite heels : )

Week 35: Nesting...It's Not Just for the Birds

Oh. My. Gosh. My recently turbo-charged organization skills would make Martha jealous. Closets cleaned: check, pantry cleaned and organized (we're talking spices in alphabetical order): check, fridge cleaned out: check. I'm completely organized but I can't stop!! I've taken all of Rob's clothes out of his already perfectly organized drawers and re-folded and re-organized them according to size, brand, color/theme(can you say sick?). I'm a pretty organized person in general but this is ridiculous. I'm starting to think something is wrong with me but I'm going to go ahead and chalk this irrational behavior up to the "nesting instinct" that most moms get. Call it a pre-labor symptom if you will.

This past Saturday Carlysle and I attended a childbirth class at Methodist hospital (where I'll be delivering) from 9:30-4:30. He is really such a good sport about all these classes :) It made for a pretty long day but it was very informative; we learned about everything from breathing and relaxation techniques to what your body actually physically endures throughout the course of labor and of course there were the leave-nothing-to-the-imagination-videos! I'm not going to lie, the videos grossed me out (and I have a very strong stomach) but I think Carlysle is scarred for life!! Let's just say he'll definitely be standing at the head of my bed during the delivery :)All-in-all the classes were a big help and I would definitely recommend them to anyone who's pregnant. It's helped to greatly reduce my anxiety about labor and delivery and the instructors were very good about letting you know it's not all rainbows and unicorns after the baby arrives.

Weekly Womb Workings:
By now, Rob weighs about 5.5 pounds and is probably about 19 inches long--I'm really not sure how in the heck he can possibly get any bigger. Every time I feel a foot in my rib cage I'm reminded of how cramped he must be in there! He is working on his suckling reflexes in order to perfect the art of breastfeeding once he arrives (that must explain all the hiccups he's been having lately) and he's packing on the fat in order to help keep his body temperature regulated once he's outside the womb.

Week 34: Push Playlist

I've heard the most important thing to focus on in the delivery room is relaxation techniques(YEAH RIGHT!!!). One thing that's always helped me to relax before a big exam or important event is music so I've put together my "push playlist" to listen to while I'm having contractions. Granted, this idea might go right out the window once I'm paralyzed with pain but it will have to suffice until the anesthesiologist arrives with my most wanted epidural. These are my top picks so far, let me know if you have any suggestions!! And yes, I know my taste in music is completely random...

U2--Beautiful Day
Black Eyed Peas--Rock That Body
Goo Goo Dolls--Iris
Diana Ross--I'm Coming Out
Incubus--Stellar
Rolling Stones--Beast of Burden
Journey--Don't Stop Believin'
Salt-N-Peppa--Push it
Lynyrd Skynyrd--Simple Man
Fleetwood Mac--Landslide
And OF COURSE the list wouldn't be complete without some BRITNEY!!!
Stronger
Crazy
Brave New Girl
Gimme More
Piece of Me
Me Against the Music

I need some more so give me some suggestions!!

Weekly Womb Workings:

Basically this week my baby is getting fat and sleeping a lot :)

Week 33: Pre-Push Jitters

I've been going to the doctor every two weeks and I'm starting to get really excited!! Rob is head down and doing great, he's actually measuring a week ahead (I've known all along that my due date is actually the 21st, not the 28th) and at the next appointment she'll start checking for dilation and effacement progress! The countdown is on!!! This realization has brought on a flury of different emotions (surprise surprise, an emotional pregnant lady)! First, I obviously cannot be more excited to meet my baby boy and hold him and love him and bond with him but second I feel like I will never be able to protect him and keep him as safe as he Is right now (Don't worry, I'm not going to be an overprotective "HoverMom," I'm just happy he's so safe right now). I will also miss his little kicking temper tantrums he throws when my bladder gets full (he may be able to get away with that now but little does he know Mom plans on being a major disciplinarian!!) I will miss feeling him roll around in there as his way of responding to my voice. I hope I don't sound like a crazy person but there really are a lot of things I will miss about being pregnant. My mom always says, "don't wish your life away" and while I can't wait for him to be here, I'm still enjoying our special time together before I share him with everyone else :)

Funny story that has nothing to do with my hightened emotional state: Today I went to HEB for major grocery shopping; I haven't been in a while and I've planned dinners for the next two weeks so my cart was FULL. As I was leaving, I decided to push my cart down the sidewalk to my car to avoid all the parking traffic -- big mistake! As I reach my car I realize there is no down ramp to the parking lot (great planning HEB!) so I decide that I'm going to attempt to ease my cart down the curb. Let me just paint this picture for you ... I'm 8 months pregnant, dripping sweat from just walking to my car, my glasses are completely fogged up due to the lovely humidity and the person next to me parked so close a three year old couldn't fit between our cars, much less a huge pregnant lady. So as I begin to force my bulging cart down the curb my pallet of Ozarka water slides off the bottom, the plastic rips open and water bottles roll all over the parking lot; with the majority of them stopping to rest under the car that parked too close to me. As I'm trying to round up some of the waters, the top part of my cart continues to slide off the curb and TIPS OVER!!!!!!!!! Yes, groceries went flying everywhere. Yes, my eggs broke all over the parking lot and Yes I was a hot mess. Now at the time this wasn't too funny but now looking back it's pretty hilarious : ) The thing that wasn't so hilarious about my then-precarious situation is that NOT ONE person stopped to offer help. Not one. And four or five people probably walked by while all this was going on. Unbelievable. People, if you see a struggling, sweaty pregnant lady please help her!

Weekly Womb Workings:

As I mentioned before, Rob is head down and ready to go. He weighs about 5 pounds and is 19 inches long. Right now his major task is gaining weight -- the doctor says he could gain up to a half a pound a week from here on out! His brain is maturing and increasing in size and his fingernails have grown so long they're starting to curl over his fingers (Mani/Pedi for baby and Mom after delivery?). So basically on the agenda for the next few weeks are brain, lungs and fat! Sounds easy enough : )

Week 32: Shower Power!

So the last baby shower has come and gone and I'm just thinking to myself how grateful I am to have had them early because it's going to take me at least a month or so to sort through the duplicates, return stuff, open the parent-proof boxes and assemble everything with parent-proof directions. So now it's just a waiting game ... up until this point it seems like my pregnancy has flown by at warp speed and now I'm getting antsy! The nursery is completely finished, the bassinet is put together and ready to go and we've had run-through car seat installations. I haven't packed the hospital bag yet, I think I'll save that until week 37! I know I'm probably (definitely) over-doing all this ahead of time but I just hate to procrastinate when it comes to anything and I feel 100% less anxious when I get stuff done. It is also getting hotter and hotter outside and I'm getting bigger and bigger which is not the most fun combination! However, I have been enjoying my pregnancy-induced gastric bypass--Rob's getting so big I think my stomach is all squished up somewhere near my lungs so everytime I eat it seems like I get full after about three bites. I'm currently on a smoothie kick; I've been going to Froberg's farmers market once a week for fresh berries and having a protein smoothie every morning YUM! I will post some updated belly pics soon :)

Weekly Womb Workings

As of my last appointment, Rob is head down and ready to go! He's spending his days blinking, looking around, grabbing things, making faces, practicing his breathing, peeing and listening to everything around him—pretty much exactly what he'll be doing for the first three months of his life, sans the audience and the flashing camera. He weighs about four pounds will probably gain about a half a pound a week from here on out!

Week 31: The Top Ten Things I'm Looking Forward to Post Pregnancy

I almost feel bad writing about this topic because I've had such an easy and wonderful pregnancy; I've really loved every minute of it! With that being said, nothing as wonderful as creating a little life comes without a few sacrifices :) So here are a few things I'm looking forward to once our little one is here!

10. Wearing all of my "normal" clothes again -- although I've gotten my hands on some super cute maternity duds, there's just nothing like my favorite 'ol pair of khaki shorts (I realize I won't necessarily be wearing them home from the hospital but hopefully soon after!).

9. Ice cold corona with lime -- because it's delicious and I miss having one on occasion : )

8. A super huge CAFFINATED skinny vanilla latte from Starbucks -- mmmmmm

7. Eating a cold turkey sandwich -- pregnant people are suppossed to heat any lunch meat consumed due to increased risk of listeria infection. Microwaved turkey is pretty rubbery and unappetizing!

6. Having my bladder back -- it has been completely taken over!

5. Being able to walk normally -- I've got the third trimester pregnancy waddle down pretty good

4. Sleeping on my STOMACH -- I have been a stomach sleeper my entire life and just cannot get comfy on my side or back

3. Shaving my legs without my belly getting in the way -- and paint my toenails, tie my shoes, etc

2. Not having to hear the comment: "Oh my gosh your getting so big!" -- Umm yeah, that's kind of what happens when you're growing a child inside of you ...

1. Being able to hold my baby boy!!! This is self explanatory and I can't wait! I'm already getting antsy.

Weekly Womb Workings:

Rob's about 3 pounds and 16 inches long. This week there's major production going on in the red blood cell and brain department. From here on out the brain, lungs and baby's fat stores will be receiving the most attention. He also opens and closes his eyes regularly now and will soon be able to detect the difference between light and dark.