40 Week Pregnancy Update

Date:  November 10, 2018

How Far Along:  40 weeks

How Big is the Baby:  watermelon, lamb, or wedding cake 

How I’m Changing:  I’m getting bigger, and I think the baby has dropped even lower.  It’s harder for me to reach down and pick things up off the floor, and harder for me to tie my shoes.

How I’m Feeling:  I’ve still been feeling pretty good, but I’m ready to have this baby.  I’ve been having cramps and Braxton Hick’s contractions.

How I've Been Sleeping:  I’ve still been sleeping pretty well, but have been getting up more in the middle of the night to use the bathroom.  It is harder to roll over, and get out of bed.

What I’m Eating:  My appetite has increased, and I want to snack all day.  I’ve also been thirstier.

Food Cravings/Aversions:  donuts

Weight Gain/Loss:  40 pounds 

Movement:  I’m still feeling him move, but not as much.  I’m wondering if he is running out of space or has changed positions.  I feel him getting the hiccups at night.

Pregnancy Symptoms:  increased appetite, more tired, more moody/hormonal.

What I Miss:  being able to bend over and tie my shoes, pick things up off the floor, and get up and down without as much trouble

Stretch Marks:  I still don’t have any on my stomach, but have a few on my hips.

Belly Button:  It’s starting to pop out.

Wedding Rings:  still fit

Labor Signs:  I’m almost 3cm dilated.  I’ve been getting cramps and Braxton Hick’s contractions.  I think I may have lost my mucus plug.

Milestones:  making it to my due date!

Best Moment This Week:  getting our house cleaned and organized

Upcoming Appointments/Events:  I have a doctor’s appt. scheduled for Wednesday if he doesn’t come before then.

What I look forward to:  meeting our baby!

Weekly Wisdom:  Don’t have it set in your mind that you are going to have your baby on your due date, because most likely you will not have him/her on that day.  It’s more common for you to deliver late with your first baby.

Jack-O-Lantern Baby Belly

For Halloween, I wanted to paint my belly like a Jack-O-Lantern.  I ordered a pregnancy safe paint kit from amazon.  The kit didn't come with a pumpkin stencil, so Andrew painted his own design.  It turned out really well!  Here's the link to the kit for anyone who'd like to order it:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000H6NTD2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

What's in Baby's Hospital Bag

I’m going to be taking a separate bag to the hospital for the baby.  I’m going to take my diaper bag.  I have the “Skip Hop Messenger Diaper Bag” in soft slate.  I said this in my last post, I tend to over pack, so I probably won’t use a lot of these things while I’m in the hospital.

1 swaddle blanket with adjustable wrap (baby blue/white striped)

2 swaddle blankets (1 baby blue and 1 navy blue)

1 burp cloth (aqua/white striped)

4 baby hats (2 baby blue, 1 blue, and 1 blue/white striped)

2 pairs of mittens (1 gray and 1 aqua/white striped)

4 pairs of socks (2 white, 1 navy blue, and 1 baby blue)

1 pair of booties (baby blue)

1 sleeper (blue/white striped)

2 newborn onesies (1 navy blue and 1 blue/navy blue striped)

2 newborn pairs of pants (1 baby blue and 1 navy blue)

1 hoodie (navy blue)

1 three-month onesie (blue)

1 three-month pair of pants (gray)

baby nursery care bag (hairbrush, baby nail clippers, and a baby nail file)

chalkboard sign for pictures, chalkboard marker and a piece of chalk

baby wipes

size one diapers

disposable bags for diapers

antibacterial hand gel (“Hello Sweet Baby”)

What's in My Hospital Bag

I’m going to be taking a large black “Outdoor Products” duffle bag.  I tend to over pack so there’s a lot of stuff I’m bringing which I may not use while I’m in the hospital.  Here’s everything that I packed:

Slippers

navy blue robe

navy blue button up gown

navy blue nursing pajamas

3 comfortable shirts

black yoga pants

maternity jeans                                   

3 pairs of socks with grips

2 nursing camis

2 nursing bras

2 pairs of postpartum underwear

2 pairs of comfortable underwear

swimsuit (for the jacuzzi if I decide to use it)

bag of snacks (Ritz Cheese and Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches, Chocolate Brownie Clif Bars, mints, and gum)

toiletry bag (hair ties, lip balm, mouthwash, toothpaste, a toothbrush, a compact mirror, a contact case and solution, body wash, facial scrub, Palmer’s Cocoa Butter, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, and a loofa)

makeup bag (my everyday makeup, facial wipes, fingernail clippers, nail scissors, and tweezers)

brush

postpartum bag (pads, breast pads, Medela Soothing Gel Pads, Lanolin Cream)

folder (for paperwork we get in the hospital)

large Ziploc bag (for things we get in the hospital)

my birth plan

camera

List of things I plan to grab before we leave for the hospital:

pillow

boppy pillow

cellphone

cellphone charger

glasses

medication

hair straightener

purse

shoes

jacket
bluetooth speaker

38 Week Pregnancy Update

Date:  October 28, 2018

How Far Along:  38 weeks and 1 day

How Big is the Baby:  watermelon, lamb, or wedding cake 

How I’m Changing:  The baby has dropped

How I’m Feeling:  I feel so much better since he has dropped.  My back feels a lot better, and I can breath easier.  I don’t know if the baby’s position is what was causing the back pain, but am so happy that it is feeling much better.  I still have it, but it is not nearly as bad.

How I've Been Sleeping:  I’ve still been sleeping pretty well, but last night I didn’t sleep really well.  I woke up a few times and had to use the bathroom.

What I’m Eating:  I feel like I did pretty well this week.  We didn’t eat too many sweets. 

Food Cravings/Aversions:  chocolate milk

Weight Gain/Loss:  35 pounds 

Movement:  He’s still been kicking and stretching a lot.  There is usually one spot I can feel him moving around the most.  He probably doesn’t have a lot of space to move around anymore.  I also feel him getting the hiccups sometimes. 

Pregnancy Symptoms:  more tired earlier in the evening, and heartburn

What I Miss:  not being pregnant, but at the same time I know I’m going to miss being pregnant as well

Stretch Marks:  I still don’t have any on my stomach, but have a few on my hips.

Belly Button:  It has stretched out a lot. 

Wedding Rings:  still fit

Labor Signs:  This past week I have been getting Braxton Hicks contractions a lot at night, which are a little painful.  I’ve also been having some cramps.  At my doctor’s appt., I found out I am about 2 cm dilated, and he said if my body continues progressing like that, I am going to have an easy labor.

Milestones:  making it to 38 weeks!

Best Moment This Week:  going to a Halloween party

Upcoming Appointments/Events:  I have a doctor’s appt. on Tuesday.

What I look forward to:  meeting our baby, and getting to know him

Weekly Wisdom:  Try to relax and enjoy the last couple weeks of your pregnancy.

Bluegrass Baby Shower

I don't have any pictures from the baby shower the bluegrass group I'm in threw for me, but my mom took some, and I plan to post them once I get copies.

Rubber Ducky Baby Shower

Adorable and Delicious Rubber Ducky Cake Made by Andrew's Nanny!

Andrew and I with his Nanny

Andrew and I opening presents

Video of the Baby Shower