It was so cold this morning that I jumped out of bed and quickly put clothes on without realizing that my bra is inside out until I took these pictures- haha!
Oh and I was taking these shots when hubby brought me an ice-cream cone- I couldn’t let it melt while I took pictures 🙂
STATS:
Her size: Still cantaloupe, almost watermelon.
How far along:Â 36 WEEKS!!!! OH YEAH!!!!! 1 more week to full term.
Total weight gain: 169 lb.  (+1 lbs this week, total at 33 lbs). According to my OB, I haven’t gained anything this week, but weighing yourself in the middle of the day with clothes and shoes on isn’t as accurate, so I’m going by my morning weigh ins.
Sleep: Still good. I am pretty much used to getting up many times a night to pee which is a good sign for the upcoming middle of the night baby-thon. I also started waking up “concerned” with whether Alexis is moving or not. She doesn’t move at night, so I wake up to go pee, all worried that she’s not moving. As soon as I get back into bed, I put my hands around my belly and wait for her to stir. She does move almost immediately and I go back to sleep only to wake up a few hours later and repeat it all again.
Maternity Clothes: Just the same old stuff I’ve blogged about before
Food cravings:Â Cucumbers, cakes
Food aversions:Â none
Symptoms I HAVE: Occasional major pelvic pains. When Alexis is moving, sometimes her head presses on SOMETHING in my pelvic bone (nerve? bone?) and it really hurts- like a jolt of shock. Sometimes it lasts for hours of her squirming around. The other day I was helping hubby take this super difficult 3 hour test and she wouldn’t stop moving. I couldn’t even use my relaxation techniques, because I had to be concentrating on the questions. I guess it’s a good sign meaning she’s deeper in my pelvis and possibly settling even more down.
I had 2 leg cramps this week for the first time this pregnancy, so I probably need to up my calcium intake a bit more.
And finally, I am almost always tired, but feel really great otherwise!
Doctor’s Appointment:Â Yesterday. I got all negative on Strep B and cultures, which was good news. BP was excellent, no swelling, good heartbeat and measurements. Based on the external exam, Alexis appears to be at about 0 station (which is why I was feeling pain). So everything is fine, now we just have to wait till she decides to arrive. Next appointment is in a week and I am sure they’re going to want to check my cervix for progress, which I totally don’t see the medical need for, since it doesn’t predict how close you are to labor. I’ll go into labor when I do, so why check it.
Movement: She’s very active. I guess they’re supposed to slow down due to cramped space, but it seems like she’s only starting and I like it that way. The more movement, the more brain development happens in these last weeks, since synapses are created by experiences. So I don’t care if she has to punch me multiple times a day- You go girl! Oh and she’s insanely strong now and her feet are big 🙂 lol
Belly Button:Â Outie. That area of my belly is stretching the most and the skin looks almost translucent and reddish. If I am going to get stretchmarks, something tells me that’s where they will first appear.
Gender: GIRL!
Best moment of the week: WOW I can’t remember what I did yesterday, let alone this whole week. Oh, there was Christmas (lol), that was really nice. But mostly I am just buried under a load of last minute baby preparations and work.
What I’m looking forward to:
Being full term next week- that’s just soooo exciting! And then the week after that my mom arrives. Let’s just hope I don’t go into labor before then!
And I am almost giddy about my labor starting- seriously I can’t wait!
What I miss:
Not watching every little thing that goes into my mouth or on my body.
What else?
- The realization of Alexis being pretty much ready to go hit me hard. I still don’t have a lot of basic items like diaper pails and baby care items (I have a 49 point list on my Wunderlist). We still haven’t read the newborn books, since we’ve been trying to get through other attachment parenting books, as well as breastfeeding books and baby brain books. So most likely I am going to have to stop any work projects going on that aren’t urgent and get all that ordered and if she doesn’t show up early, attempt to get the work stuff accomplished before she arrives. So today I am knee deep in ordering baby essentials.
- It’s probably every pregnant woman’s feeling but I think she’ll come before 40 weeks ( which would be my preference, since I don’t want to drive myself crazy with “OMG are we gonna have to induce?”)
I found that “The Happiest Baby on the Block” was super helpful. I used all of the tips and it really helped. You look great! Hope she arrives after you get all your last-minute to-do’s done!
OH I LOVE the happiest baby on the block! One of my favorite books! Thanks Holly!
I got those “shocks” too that you are describing, and that’s exactly how it feels doesn’t it? I think it’s something with the baby pressing/kicking/on the cervix. Hurts like crazy!
Glad everything is so good. The weight will DROP off later. You may possibly have to work at the last 5-10 lbs, but that’s a maybe.
If you don’t want the cervix check, say no. There’s no reason for it. It MAY be an indication but more likely not. I have 3 kids, had midwives for all and NEVER had a cervix check.
Also, it may irritate the cervix and could throw you into labour. And you may be 3 cm dilated and then you’ll be thinking it will happen any minute and you’ll be waiting breathlessly for the next 4 weeks. It’s just silly. 🙂
I was 3cm dilated for 3 weeks…knowing I was dilated and nothing was happening was the most frusterating experience. It doesn’t mean anything. In fact I never moved past 4cm’s. Grrr.
That is exactly why I don’t want them. Doesn’t mean anything and will just drive me crazy!
O You can decline the cervical checks, no biggie.
I know but that’s always a hassle. They look at you like “what? Why would you not want that?” lol
How about the risk of introducing infection? That’s a good reason not to want to be checked. You look great Elena! So close!
LOL @ “Cravings: cucumber, cakes”. What a great combo! 🙂 At 38 weeks tomorrow I had my first cervical check today…and I’m at 1 cm. Like you said, I don’t make much of it since I could sit there for 2 more weeks or go into labor tomorrow. I thought about declining it, but the curiosity got the better of me. I’m just making sure to tell myself it really means nothing! 🙂 Hang in there, mama!
oooouuuucccccccchhhhiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeee!!!!!!! I remember those painful shocks with my son (never had it with my daughter) and they hurts so bad i fell to one knee a few times and thought i was going in labor or something !
I know you love to prepare but don’t go nuts reading 20 thousand books! One of the best pieces of advice the pedi ever gave me was at my 1st son’s 1 week appt. He said to get one parenting book(he suggested several) and just use that. He said if you read too many books, you’re going to drive yourself nuts with all the the conflicting advice and that you’ll figure out what is going to work best for you and baby. He said to just feed him when he’s hungry, just put him to sleep when he’s tired, just hold him when he’s upset, and just love him always.
I don’t even remember what book I wound up getting. I barely even read it and got it mainly so I knew what the expected monthly milestones were. I will admit I have been blessed both times with very easy babies who naturally fell into a eat, play, sleep routine on their own. I have just always followed their cues and we’ve all been very happy. Well, at least until the terrible two’s moved in 🙂
awww the sharp pains! I rememebr those! For me it was becuse my daughter was laying right on my siatic nerve…ouch!
For the cervix check just ask why exactly they are checking. I had a midwife with my daughter and she was wonderful about explaining what she was doing and exactly why. Sometimes it is needed (even if you don’t know why! lol) And like pp said you can just say no 🙂 Also the all night pee marathone…yeah…I had those! ahhh memories! of course my child came at 5 in the afternoon! lol Good luck with the planning and birth!
Have been following your blog as a silent stalker for a while now! Good luck with the last few weeks of your pregnancy x
:))) Thank you! Always nice to hear from readers!
I was sure my little guy would be early too, but he was 3 days late! Try to tell yourself she’s going to be late, otherwise those last few days will be soooooo long – enjoy your final days with an inside baby 🙂
I know I’ve been light on the commenting, but Abby and I have been keeping up and you’re looking absolutely wonderful – we can’t wait to “meet” Alexis – she’s going to be here before you know it! Yay!
PS…I thought Abby was going to be two weeks late (because I never felt super pregnant) but she arrived 5 days early and I couldn’t have been happier!
It’s funny you mention it, but my husband keeps saying that she’ll be late, because I am not miserable enough lol. Like, I don’t look or feel like I’m ready to pop 🙂 Good to know that it doesn’t matter how you feel!
It’s so true…she could come anyyyytime at this point!! 🙂
I AM SO EXCITED and I’m just a random friend – I can’t even begin to imagine how you two feel…
That hypno-baby stuff sounds incredibly amazing!! I’m stoked to know how it works for you.
I’ll be thinking of you constantly these next few weeks!!!!
xoxoxo
You look fabulous! Love following your pregnancy! I am having a giveaway on my blog for an owl onesie, I hope you can stop by and check it out! http://onceamissnowaqueen.blogspot.com/2012/01/happy-new-year-giveaway.html
Thanks!