39 WEEKS!

{35 Weeks}

Oh goodness, I am such a bad blogger! It's been four weeks since I've done an actual blog update, but I am proud to say that I've been keeping up with my weekly belly updates pretty well. The two baby showers that followed the last blog update went very well and were incredibly beautiful. Gracie got so many things and has a lot of people that are looking forward to her arrival.

I also started seeing my midwife, Susan, every two weeks at the end of March and this Wednesday marks the beginning of our weekly appointments. The finish line is getting closer and I still can't believe it. Everything has been looking great at all of my appointments. I passed the three hour glucose test with flying colors (thank goodness). Other than some back and pelvic pain and being tired, I have been feeling pretty good. I get little spouts of energy and feel a desire to do dishes or laundry or just cleaning and organizing in general. At one of my previous appointments, Susan thought Gracie was measuring a little bigger than average, so I got to have a growth ultrasound scheduled for my next appointment. We found out that she was measuring perfectly at 5 pounds and we also finally got to see her face. She has the most beautiful big cheeks and her dad's big lips. Susan is guesstimating that Gracie will be about 8 pounds when she is born.

We've started packing the hospital bag and baby bag. I love all of the suggestions that I have received from friends and what I've researched on the internet. Mom got me a pretty little nightie to wear for while I'm in the hospital. My friend, Chelsi, strongly recommended Chapstick, so I grabbed three tubes at Target the other day. lol. I've still got a couple of things to get, like snacks for Josh so he doesn't pass out from malnutrition and some of the breastfeeding essentials, like nipple cream and pads. I've decided I'm going to give breastfeeding a try as long as my body cooperates with me and if Gracie cooperates, too. The only things we have left to pack are some extra clothes for Josh and I and the must have electronics, like my camera, chargers, laptop and such. Josh and I have been discussing a backup plan for when/if I go into labor and he's not here. We both have this eerie feeling that he will probably be in Miami or Grove for work. Thankfully, we've got a lot of people that have offered to come get me if I go into labor by myself. I've even heard from my mother in law that if need be, I can call my father in law, who used to be on the police force, and that he could probably get me an escort to the hospital. That would be a wild story to tell Gracie when she's older. :)

How far along? 35 weeks!
Total weight gain: 10 pounds, which I think is pretty good!
Maternity clothes? Of course. There's a lot more comfy clothes thrown in there, too. I love my pajama pants.
Sleep: I've had to resort to sleeping on my side and with a pillow between my knees to elevate my hips, but I get to sleep in, so that's a plus.
Best moment this week: Watching Josh put her bouncy looking toy together. He's gonna be such a sweet daddy.
Miss Anything? Sleeping on my stomach.
Movement: Everyday.
Food cravings: Hackett Hot Wings! :D
Gender: Girl!
Labor Signs: A few braxton hicks every now and then.
Symptoms: Heartburn, pelvic/back pain, swelling fingers and fatigue.
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? Officially off as of the last week or so. Swelling fingers are not happy fingers. lol.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy.
Looking forward to: The arrival of our little girl!

{31 Weeks}

We are in the single digits now! Nine weeks or less until Gracie makes her appearance into the the world. Everything is becoming more real lately. Like on Friday, I went and bought so many clothes for her. I see how little all these clothes are and am in total awe of the idea of how little Gracie will be, too. And today, we found a stroller/carrier/carseat combo. I told my mom it was a new feeling pushing a stroller around when I was pushing it to her car.

I am so excited that I was able to get together with Emily last Sunday and do some of my maternity pictures. The theme for part one of my maternity series was Alice in Wonderland. We had all the essentials, such as lace, books and pretty things. The timing and everything was perfect. Here is a collage of a few of my favorites.



And, a special guest appeared in my belly update this week. :)



How far along? 31 weeks!
Total weight gain: My next appointment is coming up on Tuesday, so I'm gonna guess that I've gained two more pounds?
Maternity clothes? A good mix of maternity and normal. Although, I tried on a normal shirt today and it was not going over the belly very easily. Gotta stay positive and remember that I will not be pregnant forever! lol.
Sleep: When I do sleep, it is good. It's when I have to wake up two or three times in the middle of the night to visit the potty that messes with my sleep! BOO! lol.
Best moment this week: The quiet moments at the end of the night when we're winding down and lying in bed and Josh is waiting to feel her kick.
Miss Anything? Just being able to drink pop or tea without feeling blah later.
Movement: Everyday.
Food cravings: Pizza bagels and fudge covered oreos. :D
Gender: Girl!
Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks, minimal ankle swelling and some finger swelling.
Symptoms: Heartburn, fatigue, endless hunger. The usual.
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On, but I'm not sure how much longer I'll be able to say that. lol.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy.
Looking forward to: Part two of my maternity pictures, which will include Josh this time, my baby shower(s) NEXT WEEKEND and the weekend after and finishing nesting and getting things ready for our sweet baby girl.

{30 Weeks}

I am a little late on updating the blog. We had an appointment this past Tuesday, which went very well. I only gained a pound and a half, which is a total of 2.5 pounds for the entire pregnancy, with weight gain and loss fluctuation, of course. My blood pressure was good and the only major topic of discussion was how I failed the first glucose test. Susan was very nice about it and said that 140 was passing and my blood sugar was at 145 that day, so I barely failed. She is confident that I will pass the dreaded three hour diabetes test, which I knocked out today. Between the new game, Angry Birds Space, a book, Mad Men on Netflix, texting and walking around Vintage Stock for a little bit, I managed to make the time pass. Thankfully, I didn't pass out or get sick from the test. I just left with a bruised left arm since she couldn't find a good vein in my right arm. Yay for getting stabbed four times in the arm. Not. lol.

I can hardly believe that it's almost the end of March. Things have been quiet around here for the most part and I feel like the weeks are just flying by so fast. I feel like that's something that I say a lot about losing time.

The other day, I went over to Jessica and Justin's to do newborn portraits with Maddox. I loved seeing them both in awe over him and how they have transitioned into being parents. It's a beautiful glimpse into a world that I am ready to embrace with Gracie.



How far along? 30 weeks!
Total weight gain: 2.5 pounds! Score!
Maternity clothes? Yup. My normal shirts just seem to be getting more and more stretched, too.
Sleep: Sleep is good, minus the weird, violent and vivid dreams.
Best moment this week: Hearing Gracie's heartbeat at our appointment
Miss Anything? Nothing in particular.
Movement: All the time. She kicked Josh's back the other night when we were falling asleep the other night.
Food cravings: Cheezies pizza and lucky charms cereal
Gender: Girl!
Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks, mostly. And I had a little swelling on my ankles the other day after an afternoon of pictures. Lol.
Symptoms: Heartburn, fatigue, endless hunger. The usual.
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy.
Looking forward to: Part one of my maternity pictures this weekend, the two baby showers and lots of people flying in to visit in the next couple of weeks. :)

{29 Weeks}

How far along? 29 weeks and it feels like time is just flying by!
Total weight gain: Since my next appointment is Tuesday, I'm going to guestimate that I've gained two pounds.
Maternity clothes? Yup. Except my belly band has not been cooperating with me very well. My hips must be getting bigger or something.
Sleep: With warmer days comes the turning on of the AC in the evening, so sleep has been heavenly!
Best moment this week: Seeing Gracie at the ultrasound and her cousin, Maddox, being born on Josh's birthday!
Miss Anything? Being able to walk around the mall for two hours instead of being worn out after half an hour.
Movement: Every day and I've been counting kicks when I remember.
Food cravings: Choco tacos and Subway.
Gender: Girl!
Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks, mostly.
Symptoms: Becoming tired more easily and some hurting feet.
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy.
Looking forward to: Our anniversary next week, doing our maternity pictures soon and taking more pictures of sweet little Maddox! :D

{28 Weeks}

I had my 28 week appointment with Susan on Wednesday. Everything looked really good and I only gained two pounds this time, which Susan was pleased about. Susan also informed me that because of the weight gain and loss fluctuation, I've only truly gained one pound during my pregnancy, so that made me feel like Mom of the Year! I found out that I have to do the gestational diabetes test AGAIN. She had me do it early the first time to check my thyroid levels. So, I have to knock that out by my next appointment, which is exciting because we have officially started doing appointments every two weeks. It makes me antsy and excited that Gracie's arrival is getting closer and closer. We discussed our birth plan and Susan was cracking Josh up about cutting the cord. She told him if he changes his mind and wants to cut the cord, he should refrain from doing it "Coneheads" style or she will probably pass out. That made him laugh a little.

The other day, Josh asked me if I was ready. When he said "ready," I thought he was talking about the birthing process, so I responded that I wasn't scared about birthing Gracie. He said he meant if I was ready for Gracie to be in our lives. I'm not usually at a loss for words, but I just couldn't form an answer. I can only imagine what it will be like when she is here and our whole lives change. I have so much confidence in Josh as a father and can't wait to see him in action. I sometimes have doubts in myself if I will be a good mother, but Josh makes all of those doubts disappear. He is so reassuring and supportive. All I know is that I'm glad that I get to share this little girl and love her with Josh.



How far along? 28 weeks! I'm in the third trimester!
Total weight gain: According to Susan, 1 pound, so all my rationalizing in the past blog was completely correct. :D
Maternity clothes? Indeed. I thank God everyday for mama jeans and mama leggings.
Stretch marks? Always.
Sleep: Sleep has been pretty good with the exception of going from hot to cold all night.
Best moment this week: Laughing with Josh after Gracie kicked so hard that she moved his arm and helping mom with baby shower invitations
Miss Anything? Being able to eat red meat without getting sickly.
Movement: All the time. And now her moves are getting higher, so I'm wondering if that means that she has made the great rotation.
Food cravings: Hot pockets and ice cream.
Gender: Little lady.
Labor Signs: Just a couple of Braxton Hicks, but nothing to be concerned about...yet.
Symptoms: Nothing too bad, except that I got sick on the evening that we made tacos. So, taco night is probably not going to be happening again until after Gracie gets here.
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy and anxious.
Looking forward to: My 3D4D appointment with my mom on my birthday, maternity pictures next weekend and the two baby showers.

{27 Weeks}

How far along? 27 weeks! (almost finished with the second trimester!)
Total weight gain: As far as I know, ten pounds. I'll find out next Wednesday if that has changed or not. ;)
Maternity clothes? Yup yup. Mom keeps reminding me that I'm not going to be pregnant forever and that I can start buying clothes for post pregnancy. lol.
Stretch marks? Always.
Sleep: Sleep has been good, except for last couple of nights. The night before, I had scary, zombie apocalypse dreams (thank you, Walking Dead and Josh). Last night, I was all wheezy and coughing and my jaw starting hurting in the middle of the night because I think I was clenching it for some reason?
Best moment this week: Being able to sit in Gracie's finished room and imagine what it'll be like when she is here.
Miss Anything? I've been missing living in the house on Pennsylvania since that was where we were living when we started talking about wanting to have a baby.
Movement: So much movement! I love it when she kicks multiple times in a row and I call it "double time!" :)
Food cravings: Chik fil a and french toast. Mmmmmmm.
Gender: Girly girl.
Labor Signs: I feel like I have had a couple of Braxton Hicks contractions, but I can't be too certain.
Symptoms: Some stomach pains, which I can't discern if they're growing pains or Braxton Hicks.
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy and getting excited about the next 13 weeks.
Looking forward to: My birthday, which is just 12 days away, Josh's birthday, our anniversary, maternity pictures and the baby showers. :)