36 Weeks Will Have to Wait

I'm exhausted.  I didn't sleep well last night and we had an outdoor field trip in the cold rain today.  I need to put my feet up, eat my pineapple dipped in honey (more on that tomorrow), relax, and get to bed by 8 if I want to function at our field trip tomorrow!

I go for a check up tomorrow afternoon as well so I will have more info to share then anyway.

Cross your fingers and hope I don't go into labor before tomorrow night since I am too lazy to put on my black and white outfit and take our 36 week photo.  It will just have to be 36 Weeks 1 Day.   Don't judge!

Showering Baby S with Love

On May 20, 2012 my mom, mother-in-law, sister, and best friend planned the most amazing baby shower for me and Baby Boy.  Everything but the date and time was a surprise, and they did everything exactly as I would have planned it.

The location was perfect: Riverview Restaurant in my hometown in CT.  It is a little Greek family owned restaurant that I worked at while in college.  No other restaurant compares to their food.  Kiel sometimes gets annoyed since I compare all restaurants to Riverview and nothing ever comes close!

When I arrived (blindfolded) I was completely overwhelmed by all the people and gifts that took up the "Fireside Room."  It was a lot to take in, but I think I handled it relatively well.  As I said some quick "hellos" the guests were put to work creating special keepsakes for Baby Boy.  Guests were asked to create "wishes" for him-this was something I had specifically asked for since I saw Wish Cards for babies on pinterest.  The other project was something I had never heard of....Lauren collected 35 cards (one for each guest) and each card had a number on it.  That number represented the birthday each guest was to write a birthday card for.  I cannot wait to share one card each year with Baby Boy.  I hope he is as excited to read these cards as I am!

We tried to break up the long, tedious, and somewhat boring opening of presents traditions by having lunch served, games to play (The Price is Right: Baby Edition and How Big is Amanda's Belly), and cake served.

Another wonderful idea they had was to have guests buy a book and write a message to Baby Boy instead of a card.  I love this, especially since I love books so much.  I can't wait for him to see and read the little messages all of Mommy's friends and family wrote to him before he was born!

All in all the event was better than I could have expected!  I am so grateful for all my friends and family did for us.

And now what everyone wants to see....Some pictures!

How perfect is this cake??  I have always loved elephants so my mom had the idea to go with an elephant and peanut theme for the shower. 

On the left is the wish card for Baby Boy.  Center is the menu. And on the right is a favor that says "Thank you for showering out little peanut" with circus peanuts.  

**Remember those were my Papou's favorite!**

Aunt Peggy won this.  

I also made some favors-Chocolate covered Oreos!

Decorations!

The proud Gradmas

Christina came!

Lauren did so much for this shower!!

My belly covers half of my sister!

With my mama, who worked her butt off to get this thing together!

35 Weeks

35 Weeks done and 35 Days left!   I cannot wait!  All I have to say is, thank god I don't have to be pregnant through the 2 hottest months of the year, I don't think this swollen body could handle any more heat!  This weekend we went to my cousins' annual Memorial Day picnic, and the temp was in the 80's, not too bad, but, man, when you are pregnant it is HOT!  I also have been needing our AC on a lot more this year than last year.  Thank goodness we invested in central air this year, that might be the best investment we have made in this house!

For the most part I'm surviving okay.  The worst symptom I have right now are my swollen feet/legs.  They don't even look like the belong to me.  Somedays they get so engorged they look purple.  If I get stretch marks I will most likely have them on my feet, not my belly!  They grew so fast!

We finished our final parenting class last week- Breastfeeding.  It was exactly what I needed to ease most of my worries about nursing Little Boy.  I was incredibly apprehensive about breastfeeding before the class, but now I feel a whole lot more confident!  Even if I do struggle, there are lots of resources out there and I will do all I can to make this work for me and Baby Boy!

-The Weekly List -

How far along? 35 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: +30.  I was added three pounds this week.  Honestly, I added those three pounds about 2 days after my last post and it has everything to do with the massive amount of water my body is retaining right now.  

Maternity clothes? Yep and my family commented on how I am even outgrowing them!  Ugh, I am not buying any more clothes!

Stretch marks? Still none, but I wouldn't be surprised to see them on my right side and not by left.  He is snuggling in on my right and my whole belly is lopsided and awkward looking.  

Sleep: I can sleep okay, I get hot more easily now.  I am also really so if I stay on one side for too long.  I also really like napping whenever I get the chance!

Best moment this week: Quality time on Saturday with my mom and sister.  Corey treated us to pedis. I painted my toes blue for baby boy and loved soaking my feet in the whirlpool tub.  When she rubbed my feet, I wanted to scream.  Swollen feet being squished does not feel good!   After the pedis they came up here to help me organize all the shower goodies!  Thank god they were here, we got so much accomplished.  Everything is put away and we washed all the clothes and blankets and organized all the clothes by size!   We are almost ready for Baby Boy!!

Miss Anything? As I stated before, just feeling comfortable, being able to walk, not having to pee 30 times a day.  

Movement: He still moves a lot, but he seems to have gotten into sleep patterns.  I haven't really noted when he is sleeping and awake, but it just seems like it is more scheduled than before.  When he does move it is starting to feel more and more uncomfortable.  

Food cravings: Chocolate and soda. 

Food aversions: Nothing!

Anything making you queasy or sick:  The heat makes me feel weak.    

Ailments: Major swelling in my feet, legs and hands.  My face is starting to look a little swollen now too.  My sides (especially my right) are feeling really sore from all of his weight.  

Have you started to show yet: So much so that people I don't even know keep saying I'm not making it until July!

Gender prediction: Beautiful baby boy. 

Labor Signs: More Braxton Hicks contractions but nothing over the top painful.  Sometimes I feel wicked pressure, but it usually only lasts several minutes.    

Belly Button in or out? Out and not very attractive!

Wedding rings on or off? Off and I doubt my fingers will ever be as small as they were again.   

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy, but really tired!

Looking forward to: Seeing this little boy!  Holding him in my arms!  Kissing his handsome face!  Starting a family with my husband.  (Can't we just get this show on the road!!!)

Rounding Third

To keep with the baseball metaphor, that is where I seem to be right now: Rounding third and making my way home.  Actually, I'm probably halfway down the third baseline though, ready to make my slide into home plate.

I am so ready.

It is hot. I am tired.  I am swollen.  I am achy and sore.  I am HUGE!!!

Next time up to bat, I may plan a winter arrival for my home run!

I Lied...

So I'm not ready to post about the shower this weekend.  I really was going to tonight, but then I realized I don't have a single picture from that day.  I know a few people were taking pictures so I will just have to get them to either email me or make a CD.  If nothing else I want to make sure the world sees a picture of the cake.  It was adorable!!

On another note.  I have Fred Flintstone feet.  The swelling keeps getting worse and worse.  When I get up from bed my feet and ankles look almost normal and, no lie, in less than a minute they are swollen!  I really don't understand what is going on.  They are becoming really sore too, but not on the top where the swelling is visible, but on the bottom.  I haven't done much walking lately, and when I do it is incredibly slow.  At school I try to keep my feet up as much as possible, but I do not have a desk job so it is nearly impossible. Although, I do force myself to sit more than I did before.

If I didn't have the last day of school to shoot for, I would probably be planning my last day of work for either next Friday or the Friday after that.  It is getting increasingly difficult to get up in the morning and I take a nap almost every night.  It also doesn't help that I don't have a parking spot at school, so some days I have to park about 3/4 of a mile away and drag my nerdy rolling suitcase to school in the morning and back to my car in the afternoon.  Somedays I luck out and someone offers me their spot but most days I have a long, slow walk to my car in the afternoon (the mornings don't bother me so much!).  This is the biggest gripe I have about working in the city!

I have hit the third trimester wall, and boy have I hit it hard!

34 Weeks (1 Day)

We are getting closer!  Less than 6 weeks to go now!   Considering all the weight I'm carrying and how huge my belly is, I think I am feeling pretty good for a preggo lady.  I seem to have the typical 3rd trimester ailments and nothing is unbearable at this point.  

Sunday I had my wonderful shower.  It was beyond what I could have ever expected.  I don't want to share too much yet, since I want to dedicate a whole post to the event, but WOW it was absolutely, incredibly perfect!

Last night we had our Newborn Care class and it was fabulous.  I knew about a lot of the stuff, but I didn't know how to do the things; like, how to take care of the umbilical cord, how to sponge bathe, or swaddle a baby.  It was really informative and I am happy to have this new knowledge.  It just makes me sad to think that some women do not have the luxury to go to classes like this and how do they get through the early days with their babies?   I can't imagine just being thrown into motherhood without any training!

Today we went for our 34 week check up.  I am still gaining weight a little too quickly now, but nothing that they are concerned about.  My urine tests came back normal.  I don't understand why earlier in my pregnancy I had both sugar and protein in my urine and now I am experiencing neither. My blood pressure is starting to creep up, but still not too high at 120/80.  My doctor confirmed that  the swelling and pressure I am feeling are perfectly normal for this point in my pregnancy.  When she checked my belly she confirmed what I had believed...baby boy is in position!  His head is down nice and low, with this back up my right side to my rib cage, butt near my left ribs and feet down by his face.  His heart rate is now 130, which is lower than it has been, but that tends to happen as the baby grows.  My fundal height is 35 cm, about a week larger than I should be, but that is pretty much how Little Boy and I have been growing this whole pregnancy.  Everything is looking great!  Let's hope he comes a week early!  

I go back in two weeks, then my appointments will be every week!  Crazy how fast the time is flying now!

-The Weekly List -

How far along? 34 Weeks, 1 Day

Total weight gain/loss: +27 according to the doctor's scale.  I honestly can't believe the number I see when I step on that thing!  I have never ever been even close to this heavy in my life!! 

Maternity clothes? Everyday except I am actually more comfortable in my workout clothes I wore before my pregnancy.  So when I get home I usually change into my running shorts or capris.  I am so happy I can still wear those, as long as I keep the waistband below my belly!

Stretch marks? None, but I have a feeling some will show up after delivery.  Kiel informed me one day last week..."You have the line!"  Yes, I do now have the Linea Negra below my belly button.  I am convinced it appeared once Baby Boy dropped a little lower in my belly.  

Sleep: Luckily, I am still able to sleep well at night.  I only usually get up once to go to the bathroom.  I should probably get up at least one more time, but I hold it!   I am feeling incredibly tired.  I came home after my doctor today and took a two hour nap and I can't wait to crawl back into bed!  

Best moment this week: My ridiculous shower.  I seriously can't believe all they did for me!  I can't wait to share the pictures and a little narrative about the event on here.  I promise I will get to it tomorrow or Thursday!

Miss Anything? Nothing in the food department.  Just the usual, being able to bend over, feel comfortable, roll over, get in and out of bed or my car, walk without a waddle.  

Movement: He moves so much!!  And the movement is so "baby-like" now.  Back at 17 weeks I remember telling people it felt like he was flailing his arms and legs.   Then it transitioned to more synchronized kicks and punches.  Now it seems like he is rolling, and stretching, and carefully moving his arms and legs.  I can almost visualize what he looks like as he makes these incredible movements.  Oh and I just want to note that this kid gets the hiccups like 2-3 times a day!  No lie!  I am afraid he will be plagued by these things his whole life!   And another interesting tidbit...I haven't had the hiccups once this pregnancy.  I have been paying attention since I always wondered how it would feel for the baby if I got them and I never did.  He stole my hiccups from me!

Food cravings: Chocolate and fruit. 

Food aversions: Nothing!

Anything making you queasy or sick:  When I got to bed at night I have been feeling a little nauseous again.  It is nothing serious, just a bit annoying.  

Ailments: Increasing bladder pressure!  I go to the bathroom pretty much every time I stand up now.  Major swelling of my feet and hands.  I also have noticed my left side is slightly more swollen than my right.  Not sure if that means anything...

Have you started to show yet: Yep I am pretty stinking huge!  

Gender prediction: Beautiful baby boy. 

Labor Signs: I have been noticing very random and scattered Braxton Hicks contractions.  Some days I have none, others maybe 3-4 at the most.  And they are nothing serious yet.  I also have lots of pressure and seem to be carrying rather low.  

Belly Button in or out? Out and not very attractive!

Wedding rings on or off? Off and not even close to going back on!  I hope I don't need them resized!  

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy and surprisingly, not very moody considering how tired I feel.  I am just so excited!!

Looking forward to: Seeing this little boy!  Holding him in my arms!  Kissing his handsome face!  Starting a family with my husband.  

An updated version of my 34 weeks post will be added tomorrow.   Until then just wanted to say I'm feeling good, but swollen.  I guess that can be expected.

I can't wait to compare pictures from last week to this week.  I swear this child has dropped over the past 7 days!  I can't say enough how happy I am that we have been taking weekly pictures to see the "progress" we have made throughout this pregnancy!