36 Week Preggie Update

Can't believe that there are only 3 weeks and 2 days left!  Where has the time gone?  I'll try to keep this as brief as possible!  This 36th week has been interesting.  I have been probably in the most pain of my pregnancy due to this sciatica.  The pain runs from my back/butt and shoots to my foot and back up.  This, in turn, made it really difficult for me to walk and also made my husband up his awareness (dramatics) at work. He started wheeling me around in a wheelchair to get from class to class and recruiting my other co-workers as well.  Now everyone, even the students, are watching me.  I'm so used to being independent that this transition is really difficult for me.  But, I also have to look at it from the other side and think that these are some great people who are willing to help me :)  Thanks guys!

On Monday, it was A.J. and my 1st wedding anniversary.  This year went by so quickly.  I don't even feel like we've been married for a year.  We kept it really simple and went to J. Alexander's in Oak Brook.  Food was delish as always.  We have to save as many coins as we can for after Baby B's arrival so something big was not in the budget (just being honest)!!  I love my husband tremendously and so grateful to be going through this experience with him.  He has definitely been MY ROCK!  

I also started my weekly visits to the doctor.  This one was a surprise as I had my exam and am already....get ready...3cm dilated, thinned cervix and the head is down!  WTF?!  What does that mean?!  Pretty much, I could continue on my journey of trying to make it to my Oct 18 due date or I could practically go into labor at any time. This meant that I had to kick myself in gear to finish some things around her.  The car seat was installed in my car and the packing of my hospital bag is underway. I'm hoping this baby waits because my doctor is on vacation during my 37th week so I'll have to see her father.  I am definitely excited because our baby could come at any time, but nervous as well because I still have so much to complete at work before my leave (I know, this should be the last thing on my mind).  I can be a worry wart about certain things in my life.  I just need Baby B to stay in there as long as he/she can!

A positive this week is that my teams threw me an amazing baby shower.  Everything turned out so well and we are so appreciative of the lovely things that we received.  Another positive is that I finally chose a going home outfit for a boy and a girl (since we still don't know).  Baby B is going to look so cute!! A downside this week is the fact that I ordered my dress for my family shower and when they pulled it, it was damaged and that was the only one in my size...ONLY ME!

Question:  What did you pack in your hospital bag??  I've been looking through lists and it just seems like so much!  I'm trying to be a minimalist.

Start of 36 weeks :)

Baby Shower Photos

    

Bump Shots

         

What Fruit/Veggie are you?  Ripe Papaya (Ovia), Head of Romaine Lettuce (Baby Center), Spaghetti Squash (Photofy) & Large Cantaloupe (What to Expect)

Due date:  October 18, 2016 (but could be before)

How far along:  36 weeks, 5 days

Next appointment:  September 29

Gender:  Team Green and still wondering with this little baby is

Total weight gain/loss:  Still 20 pounds.  Haven't gained weight in 2 weeks.

Exercise: Walking at work and walking the dog

Stretch marks:  Nope

Swelling: My feet swell a little but it's usually gone by the next day

Maternity clothes:   That's really all that I can fit

Belly button:   Still hasn't popped but it sticks out...if that makes any sense

Wedding Rings On/Off: On

Happy or Moody: I said I was emotional last week but I think this week took the cake

Sleep: What's that??

Food cravings:  None

Symptoms:  Pain..and a lot of it.  I have a lot of sciatic nerve pain and it's made it really difficult for me to walk this week.  I've been rolled around in a wheelchair or rolling chair per my husband and co-workers to keep this baby in as long as possible.  I've also had back pain and pains on the side of my stomach. I guess this is what it's like when you're at the end!

Movement: A lot of movement but some days are more than others

Labor signs:  None

What I miss:  Nothing this week

Food/Smell Aversions: None

What I'm loving:   Just seeing my pregnancy progress as it should be

What I'm looking forward to: Seeing our baby.  With it getting this close to the end, I'm starting to get a little antsy with knowing what our baby will look like...not necessarily what it is, but does it have mine or A.J.'s nose or what hair color, etc.

Best moment this week: Knowing that I'm almost done and we picked up the car seat/stroller from my parents :)

  

Milestones: Making it to 36 weeks!

  XoXo, 

Crystal

35 Week Preggie Update

Oh the pain!  That's what has been the only thing that comes to mind this week.  I have been pretty uncomfortable this week. I also haven't felt too good this week either so I'm pretty sure that added to it.  There's not much to update this week due to the fact that all my symptoms are pretty much the same.  I do FEEL bigger and heavier.  I know people say I look small still to be 35 weeks, but to me, I definitely feel it.  I'm carrying 21 (or more) extra pounds on my small frame, please keep that in mind! To you, it may not seem like much, but TO ME...it's a lot!  Also, the baby is growing fine!  I've had this before but I never mentioned it but I hear a clicking sound every so often coming from my belly.  I have no clue what it is but it sounds like fingernails hitting together or knuckles cracking.  I looked it up and it is pretty common but no one really knows what it is.  Some theories are baby sucking it's thumb, bones cracking, uterus cracking....IDK what to believe!

We had 2 classes this week: Breastfeeding Basics and our last Childbirth class.  

The Breastfeeding class was very informative.  We walked in and A.J. was the only guy so he had this look on his face like "why the hell am I here?" then about 10 minutes later, another husband came to join him.  It said bring your partner in the description so I did!!  We learned different techniques for feeding, what to do if you have trouble with feeding, and making sure that you use your lactation consultant.  A lactation consultant is a specially trained nurse that helps you with all your breastfeeding needs while in the hospital or through consultation.  This includes how to get your baby to latch, breastfeeding resources and pumping.

Our last Childbirth class was fine too.  We learned to swaddle and baby and it was pretty much time for any questions that we had during the class that were not covered or that we wanted to review.  This class pretty much discussed the post-partum events that can occur such as baby blues and postpartum depression.  

Everyone keeps asking if I'm done and I tell them yes, not because I haven't enjoyed being pregnant because I really have.  This has been a life-changing experience and I'm so happy to be able to embark on this journey.  But with the end being near, it's taking a toll on my body.  I am soooo not used to hurting this way.  But, I need Baby B to stay put until my maternity leave starts, then I'm good to go after that :)

Now on to the bump shots!  See my lopsided belly??

                


I also did some DIY nursery art!  I would have done another DIY post but I didn't take pictures of all the steps!  I'll do better next time.

   

What Fruit/Veggie are you?  Bunch of carrots (Ovia), Honeydew Melon (Baby Center), Coconut (Photofy) & Canary Melon (What to Expect)

Due date:  October 18, 2016

How far along:  35 weeks, 5 days

Next appointment:  September 20 and after this appointment, I start going every week!  Closer to the finish line!!

Gender:  Team Green and still wondering with this little baby is

Total weight gain/loss:  I can't really weigh myself at home due to the fact of me having a Fitbit scale and youre not supposed to use it while pregnant (go figure), so I have to wait until I go to the doctor on September 20

Exercise: Walking at work and walking the dog

Stretch marks:  Nope

Swelling: My feet swell a little but it's usually gone by the next day

Maternity clothes:   That's really all that I can fit

Belly button:   My belly button is weird.  It looks flat until I put on a shirt and then it looks like a little lump is sticking out.  I still wouldn't say that it has officially "popped" yet

Wedding Rings On/Off: On

Happy or Moody: I've been pretty emotional this week.  I cried a couple days...pregnancy hormones getcha every time!

Sleep: Still tossing and turning.  Only had to sleep in the chair once this week!  It's getting more and more comfortable as I've devised a nice way to sit up in the chair.

Food cravings:  None

Symptoms:  Still have back pain and hip pain but now shoulder pain and arm pain have arrived and  I also still have the numbing pain going on in my thighs when I walk or when the baby moves.  

Movement: Baby B is moving right now as I type this :)

Labor signs:  None

What I miss:  Sushi, especially because our anniversary is coming up...and we love sushi for special occasions

Food/Smell Aversions: None

What I'm loving:   Just seeing my pregnancy progress as it should be

What I'm looking forward to: Seeing our baby.  With it getting this close to the end, I'm starting to get a little ancy with knowing what our baby will look like...not necessarily what it is, but does it have mine or A.J.'s nose or what hair color, etc.

Best moment this week: Really finishing up the nursery.  I only have one more part to do!!

  

Milestones: Making it to 35 weeks!

  XoXo, 

Crystal

34 Week Preggie Update

34 Weeks has arrived and I have officially made it to my "GO" zone.  According to my obstetrician, I have now made it to the point where they would not stop my pregnancy from progressing if I went into labor.  About 99% of babies born around this time can survive outside the womb :)  My OB checked my uterus, which was measuring right at 34 weeks, baby's heart was great and I also had an ultrasound and found out the baby's head is already down.  Baby B was really, really moving!  My OB laughed a lot during this appointment as the baby kept punching the u/s wand.  She took the growth measurements and Baby B was measuring 34 weeks, 2 days...and I was 34 weeks, 1 day at the time.  Baby B has always measured more than my due date.  I asked her about how big the baby was right now and she said about 5 pounds.  She predicted me to have about a 7-pound baby...but we'll see as you can't always trust the ultrasound!

We also had our second Preparing for Childbirth class this week.  Our instructor went more in depth about labor and what the options are.  I plan on doing a natural birth, but I am not opposed to getting an epidural AFTER other options are unsuccessful.  That is definitely my last resort.  The thing that scares me most is getting a Cesarean (C-section), but I will do whatever is necessary for our baby to be brought into this world safely!!

On a side note: Fantasy Football started this week and I'm still in 2 leagues!

According to my apps, Baby B is about 4.75 to 5 pounds and 18-22 inches long.  He/She is developing vernix caseosa, which will help him/her move through the birth canal.  Baby B is also peeing up to a pint a day and preparing for the first poop!  If Baby B is a boy, the testicles have probably reached his scrotum.  At this point, Baby B is pretty much developed, except the lungs, and is just working on gaining more fat.

Questions: What is your favorite registry pick or must have?  Current mommas: Was the 4moms MamaRoo worth it??  Did you choose a Fisher Price Cradle-n- Swing instead?

Please excuse my look...it's been a rough weekend!  I'm also not sure what happened to my pictures this week as to why one is so close and the others so far....

And for those that like to point out flaws, those aren't my ribs because I'm "so small", that's my stretching skin overlapping!

  

My bestie's wedding!  One of 2 pictures that I have of the night.  Dress is Collective Concepts Maternity from StitchFix

What Fruit/Veggie are you?  Savoy Cabbage (Ovia), Cantaloupe (Baby Center and Photofy) & Pineapple (What to Expect)

Due date:  October 18, 2016

How far along:  34 weeks, 5 days

Next appointment:  September 20 and after this appointment, I start going every week!  Closer to the finish line!!

Gender:  Team Green and still wondering with this little baby is

Total weight gain/loss:  21 pounds, I didn't gain any weight this week

Exercise: Walking at work and walking the dog

Stretch marks:  Nope

Swelling: Nope

Maternity clothes:   Didn't buy any...but I wear maternity jeans or something maternity almost every day as my shirts are too short or too tight and I can't fit any pre-pregnancy pants

Belly button:   My belly button is flush to my stomach...hasn't popped.  I had a deep innie before

Wedding Rings On/Off: On

Happy or Moody: Pretty moody this week...more days than usual.  It could be because of work stressing me out as well.

Sleep: Still tossing and turning.  I had to sleep in the chair twice this week

Food cravings:  Spinach

Symptoms:  Still have back and hip pain.  I'm also noticing a lot of discharge, which is common during this time. Also, whenever the baby pushes down, there is a numbing sensation in my inner thighs. OB said it was normal.  I also feel like my face is starting to chub up a little bit.   

Movement: Moving away!!  My stomach is pretty lopsided most days from all the movement.

Labor signs:  No Braxton Hicks this week!! :)

What I miss:  Still missing a little alcohol in my life.  That's ok, I'll be able to enjoy the nice fall beverages that will be out

Food/Smell Aversions: I was finally able to eat Balsamic Vinaigrette and fish this week!  Those were my only aversions.

What I'm loving:   Just seeing my pregnancy progress as it should be

What I'm looking forward to: Seeing the nursery come together. We have started putting the dressers together and getting things inside the room. I changed my mind with the curtains as I didn't like the original ones I chose.

Best moment this week: My best friend got married!  I was her coordinator and it was a tiring day...but it was SOOOO worth it to see a smile on her and her now husband's face

  

Milestones: Making it to 34 weeks and getting to see my baby one last time before birth!

  XoXo, 

Crystal