36 weeks

So this weekend we went back to Pontiac to suprise my dad for his birthday.  I think it was the first time in a very long time where all 5 of us kids were together.  It felt awesome and I'm hoping we can do that more often.  I always hate feeling so rushed when I'm at home but I guess that's what I get for having divorced parents and EVERYONE wanting to see me (okay, probably not see me but wanting to see the bump!).  After we had lunch with my Dad and family, Jason and I went and had our maternity pictures taken in Bloomington.  I can't wait to see what the pictures look like since J and I really don't have any pregnant pictures together.  We're in the home stretch now kids!!  Only 4 more weeks to go and this Sunday I will be considered full term...but we want him to cook just a little longer!!!  Here's a pic from yesterday of me, the baby and Parker :)  Parker's got his 1st birthday coming up on April 8th so I hope to get him something special :)

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 36 weeks 1 day

Total Weight Gain/Loss: as of last friday I am up 36ish pounds...yikes!

Is your nursery done? we need to put up the wall border but we're pretty much done :)

Are you getting nervous? Not really nervous, but I'm getting anxious because I want this little guy to get here so I can finally meet him!!

Have you dropped yet? Nope, don't think so because I still can't breath!

Lost your plug? Not to my knowledge

Any other signs that baby is on their way? Other than getting closer to my due date, nope

Are you still working/how long will you work? Working til the end!

How do you feel in general? well I feel great but my ankle is still bothering me, carpel tunnel has invaded my left hand so I can barely do anything with it and I can't breath out of my nose!

What are you getting the most excited about? Meeting this little guy and seeing what he looks like and just to spend every waking moment with him!

What is in your hospital bag? well I've thought about what I need in there but didn't get around to packing it last weekend.

Are you exercising? just walking the dog (which really isn't a lot considering the weather decided it wanted to be mid-December temps again)

How many more days until D-Day? 27 days!

35 weeks down, 35 days to go!!!

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 35w1d
Total Weight Gain/Loss: +30 pounds and really starting to feel it…went to the podiatrist and he put me in an air cast because my right ankle was starting to turn in and it swelled up like a balloon!  I can definitely tell that my cheeks have gotten a little more “full” too!
Is your nursery done? We finally got the glider!  Only thing left is to hang the wallborder which will hopefully get done this coming weekend
What is your favorite piece of baby gear that you've purchased? I think I’m most excited about the stroller just because we’re having our babies at such perfect times and we’ll be able to spend a lot of time outside!
Which stroller did you buy? The Chicco Cortina
How many inches around is that bump? I have no idea…all I know is that as of two weeks ago Jason and I had the exact same measurement around the waist!
Are you getting nervous? I’m just nervous about not having everything that we will need the first few days we’re home.  Other than that,  I’m just nervous about where I’m going to start laboring at whether it be at my client, in the car, on the train, at home, etc. 
Have you dropped yet? Not yet! 
Lost your plug? Nope! 
Any other signs that baby is on their way? No signs what-so-ever
Are you still working/how long will you work? I am working until I go into labor!  I have clients scheduled until the week of April 11^th…hopefully he waits until that week is over!
How do you feel in general? I feel pretty good.  I get a little tired once 8pm rolls around.  Like I said above, I was put in an aircast due to my ankle turning in, but that’s just because I’m a moose and gained 30 pounds (which have all been gained from like month 6 to now) so my body was not prepared for that amount of weight.
What are you getting the most excited about? I’m excited to see what he looks like!  It’s seriously killing me not knowing what he looks like!  I’m also excited to show him the world!!
Any big fears or concerns? My biggest fear is that I’m not always going to be able to protect LO or be there for him when he needs me the most.  I’m sure the worrying will never stop but I just hope I can somehow cope with this and be able to do the best that I can.
What is in your hospital bag? Wait…we need to pack a bag?!  haha…JK!  This is on my to-do list for this coming weekend
Are you exercising? I completely stopped while it was cold out but now I’m back to walking the dog (sorta).  I can’t really do a lot of exercise with the aircast on but I’m trying my best!
How many more days until D-Day? 34 days! 

Doctor Visits

We had our 35 week appointment today.  It was our last two week appointment so from here on out we're going every week!!  I can't believe we have 5 weeks or less until we meet our little man.  This pregnancy has seriously flown by so fast.  I feel like it was just yesterday I was trying to stick out my belly so people would think that I am pregnant and now I have every stranger coming up to me asking me "when is the baby due? do you know what you're having?  do you have a name picked out?"  At least strangers haven't been touching the belly though because that would be totally weird!  Sorry...back to the appt.  He's measuring right at 35 weeks so we're happy about that.  Just from feeling around my belly the doctor thinks he's in the 5 pound range.  (I went to Aldi after the appt and picked up a bag of sugar and can't believe the little guy in my belly weighs that much right now!!!)  The doctor we had today was the 4th doctor out of the 5 that are in the practice.  We'll meet the 5th one in two weeks.  So far I really like all of them and they're (all but one) supportive of my decision to have a natural med-free birth.  Now...we'll just see if I stick with the med-free birth once I start having contractions.  I'm not completely closed to not getting an epidural but I really want to have this experience in the most natural way possible.  I truely believe that I can do it with the support of my amazing husband!  He has been my rock this entire pregnancy and I am so happy that he's supporting me in the choices that I have made. 

So I also went to the podiatrist today for my foot because my chiropractor thought I might have a stress fracture.  She was definitely wrong but the inside of my right foot was significantly more swollen than my left foot and it hurt a lot.  So off to the doctor I went just to make sure.  Well he put me in an aircast and told me I have to wear it as often as possible.  Because of all the weight I've put on (yes, I've gained 30 pounds and my body is definitely feeling it!!!), my right ankle is starting to turn in.  He was concerned because my shin has some red markings that come with swelling and for the fact that my left foot had none, he was concerned there might be a blood clot in my leg.  Soooo...he sent me to the hospital urgent care so they could ultrasound my entire vein that runs in my right leg.  The u/s tech said she didn't see anything but she's obviously not the doctor.  So now I'm waiting to find out the results but she was pretty certain there was nothing wrong.  So now I just have to rest, put my feet up and hope the swelling doesn't get worse for the next 5 weeks!  Just when I thought this was going to be a flawless pregnancy...that's alright, I'd take having to wear this stupid brace over having all the m/s symptoms or something being wrong with the little man so I am very thankful this is the only "complication" I've had! 

Baby showers and such

So I know I'm a little behind on posting.  I get so wrapped up in work during the day and by the time I get home at night, the last thing I want to do is sit in front of the computer!

I had my friend shower on February 27th and it was awesome!  Katie and Karen really outdid themselves on putting together the shower for me.  Here's a picture of the cake and the diaper cake!!  AMAZING!

I've been feeling pretty good for being almost 34 weeks pregnant.  I think it's because I have been going to the chiropractor weekly, drinking PLENTY of fluids and I have a husband that generously rubs my feet and has picked up a lot of the house work!  I don't know what I would do without him.  The time is drawing near and I still can't believe that we are going to be parents...to a human being!  He's going to be our responsibility and no one else's!  I know we will do just fine, but it's still so crazy! 

We had our family (dad's side) shower this past weekend and it was very nice as well.  I don't have any pictures to share since Jason hasn't put them on the computer yet and I'm not about to try and figure it out because every time I do, I somehow manage to screw the computer up!  We received some really nice gifts and are so thankful we have such amazing family!  Jason's step-mom and sisters weren't able to make it to the shower so they came over on Saturday and we got to have a little "shower" of our own.  Again, we have an amazing family!  Sunday night Jason and I put together the carseat and stroller (well it was already put together by Jason and his dad on Saturday) and the pack-n-play.  They have been sitting in our living rooms so the animals can get used to them.  Suprisingly the cats have not tried to jump into the pack-n-play.  Parker did try and eat one of the animals off the mobile earlier this morning but hopefully it was a one time thing :)

The nursery is pretty much complete with the exception of the wall border and the glider.  I've still got to wash the bathroom stuff and a few more outfits, but most of his clothes are done and the bedding is washed.  There are still a few items we need to go get from BRU but that'll be done here in the next few weeks...hopefully we don't wait too long!

I start my weekly appointments next week which is so weird!  I can't believe the time is just flying by!  Baby Z is still measuring right on schedule so we're happy about that!  Here's a little update:

Highlights:

How Far Along: 33w5d
Size of Baby: supposedly 4 1/2 pounds and ~19 inches long
Total Weight Gain/Loss: at the doc's office last thursday I was up 29 pounds
Maternity Clothes: all...my maternity pants are starting to get a little snug on me but I'm hoping I can last another 7 weeks!
Movement: All day, every day...he has basically run out of room in there and constantly either has his knee bulging from my belly or his little feet are stuck up in my rib cage
Symptoms: nothing crazy...if I do too much then my sciatica acts up.  and that fun 1st tri going pee 5 times a night is now back with a vengeance
What I Miss: My abs
Girl, Boy, or Team Green: boy
Cravings: ice cold water
Is your nursery done? Glider is on back order, need to hang wall border and window cover and get blinds for the smaller windows, night stand and a lamp
What are you really looking forward to? Having my body back and getting to see what LO looks like
Can you still paint your toenails? didn't even try...i can barely put my shoes on so i'm thinking no.  i had a pedicure two weeks ago and it was amazing!
Are you getting nervous? Yes...I think I'm most nervous because this is something that I cannot control...I don't know WHEN I'm going to go into labor and I don't know HOW my body is going to react to labor.  I'm also nervous to think that DH and I are going to be responsible for this little guy forever!  It's an amazing feeling but at the same time so scary!

Happy Valentine's Day (30 weeks)

So this Valentine's Day was the first VDay that Jason and I spent apart since we've been together.  It was a little tough but he still managed to surprise me and send me flowers!!  He is so thoughtful and knows just how to make my day a little special, even if it means we don't get to see each other.  They are absolutely beautiful!  We did get to celebrate two days early when he took us to our usual VDay spot, the Melting Pot.  For the first time I was actually able to keep up with Jason with the amount of food I ate!  Not that proud of it, but I am usually walking out of that place almost in tears because I am so full...but not this time :)  I was a definitely full but I was not overly stuffed!

I'm spending this week out in San Diego for work and the weather couldn't be more perfect.  It was 65 yesterday and should be about the same today.  Unfortunately it's supposed to rain Wednesday and Thursday but I'll take rain over snow anyday!  I'm definitely looking forward to coming back to Chicago and there being just a little snow left.

I still can't believe that I am 30 weeks pregnant and have only 10 weeks to go!  Before we were counting up the weeks and now I feel like I'm counting down the weeks...so crazy!  We have our first child birth class this weekend.  It's a marathon class that is all day and I'm hoping we made the right decision on selecting this class instead of the "meet 4 times over 4 weeks" class.  Either way, I think the class will be very informative and just make this whole baby thing even more real.  To be honest, I'm not as stressed or worried as I was early on in the pregnancy about being a mother.  I have this overwhelming calm that has taken over me, like "I know what I'll need to do when he gets here" type of thing.  I'm sure that will all be washed away the second we bring him home, but for right now, I'm glad I'm not stressing.  NOW, when I think about all the preparation and things we still need to do and consider, that's where my stress level picks up a little bit.  I mean, we could really have a baby any day now (I hope he decides to bake for at the minimum 7 more weeks).  But really, if he were to be born tomorrow, with medical help, we could have a baby.

Anywho...here is the weekly update, enjoy :) (please disregard the creepy hotel room and the crappy iPhone 3GS picture...I'm hoping to upgrade once the baby gets here!)

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 30w2d (30w in picture)
Size of Baby: Between 3-4 pounds.
Total Weight Gain/Loss: +21. I still can't believe how the scale keeps going up.  I did read from my WTE application all the different items that make up a "30lb weight gain" and it made me feel better knowing the disbursements :)
Maternity Clothes: Everything.  I had to break down and buy a few more shirts last week from ON because everything I bought a few months ago are sweaters and I seriously feel like I'm going to have a heat stroke when I wear them bc my body temp has spiked!!!
Movement: He's rolling a lot more.  The kicks and jabs are getting a little more intense.  Just hope he stays away from the ribs!
Symptoms: none really. just hip joint and sciatica (sp)
What I Miss: Philly sushi rolls and a nice glass of reisling...I think that's because we hit up our usual Melting Pot V-Day celebration and I couldn't have a glass of wine!
Girl, Boy, or Team Green: Boy
Cravings: Still oranges.
Is your nursery done? Need to put up wall border, wash the bedding, and think of a name so we can get his name hung above the dresser
Favorite Change in Your Body? the fact that my belly keeps expanding.  it's so crazy how we, as women, can grow a human being inside of us!  now let's just hope my favorite change in 6 months is that my body is back to normal :)

Lease Favorite Change in Your Body? My thighs.  I have "swimmer thighs" so I have to work really hard at keeping them in shape and I haven't done a darn thing so they're starting to turn mushy and I am NOT happy about it :(  And I also miss my abs...but those will always come back :) 

Baby Shower Outfit? Down to two for one of my showers and I already have an outfit for the other :)

All snowed in!

So we got about 18 inches of snow last night and lost a part of our fence...how nice!  Jason and I are both working from home today, thank Heavens because all of Will County roads are closed.  He's outside using his new snow blower and cleaning off our driveway :) 

In baby related news, nothing has really changed.  Still tossing and turning at night but nothing I can't handle.  Still haven't started to feel uncomfortable yet so I'm still enjoying being pregnant.  This whole being snowed in thing really makes me want to drink a bottle of wine, but that ain't happening so I guess that's the only thing right this second that I'm not enjoying about my pregnancy...yeah yeah, I'll get over it :)

Hope everyone stays warm out there!!!

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 28w 1d…getting closer to the finish line!!
Size of Baby: somewhere between 2.5-3lbs and 16.5 inches long
Total Weight Gain/Loss:  as of Friday I was up 21lbs.  I’m sure that’s gone up…I’ve been gaining more than a pound a week since 20 weeks. 
Maternity Clothes: Everything…I think it’s time for me to suck it up and buy a new bra.
Movement: He’s still a kicker.  Not too hard yet.  he hasn’t reached my ribs yet so I’m thankful for that.  He’s squirming in there and it’s a little uncomfortable but I’ll manage.
Symptoms: Starting to get some major sciatica pain :(  
What I Miss: sleeping through the night and not waking up with back pain
Girl, Boy, or Team Green: boy
Belly button In or Out: so out.
Cravings: oranges, ice cream, cheeseburgers
Is your nursery done? decide on a name so we can buy wood letters to hang above the dresser, and put up the wall boarder. Jason and his Dad knocked off the painting for the dresser/changing table so we’re one step closer
Do you feel ready? I am but I’m not.  I’m ready to meet this little guy and see what he looks like and just hold him close to me.  I’m not ready only because I haven’t gotten to my uncomfortable stage yet but I’m sure that will be reached here in the next few weeks.
Overall, have you enjoyed pregnancy? Yes, I have very much enjoyed this pregnancy.  I didn’t have any m/s in the first tri and things have been pretty normal for me.  I do miss working out though so that’s the one downside of being pregnant.