38 Week Bumpdate!

Hi guys!

We had our 38th week checkup on Thursday! I was able to have my sister come with me this time. So it was a packed room (Brandon, Sky, the doctor, and myself) in the tiny room when Dr. Munro checked me. She said that I was 80% effaced and 2cm dilated. I screamed from excitement. I wish I was exaggerating, but nope. I couldn't control myself. I screamed and then I started crying.  Hormones.

It was a huge surprise because I haven't been having painful contractions. I have been having plenty of Braxton Hicks, but I didn't think they were actually doing anything. I thought it was just helping my body practice...

Anyways, the doctor said that it could be tomorrow or a few weeks from now. Although she did tell me that she was working on Sunday, if we wanted to aim for that day. :) 

The morning after, I experienced my "bloody show"  (I know, overshare) and Brandon had a minor heart attack -- I'm pretty sure from the excitement that he is almost a daddy! 

Updates: 

 Stretch Marks? I still just have the few on the side. They have gotten a bit bigger, but I don't have any on the front of my tummy. I also feel like weight gain should be a category. So I'm adding it here. I am a solid 179.2. I'm keeping it under 180 at this point. That is a solid 35-40 pound weight gain. Ugh. Jaxon, I love you, but please get out! 

Sleep? I'm not sure what that word means. Suh-leep? What? Huh?  No, but really, I have been sleeping (uncomfortably) for a few hours. I like to take long walks to the bathroom every hour. 

Sidetone: My bathroom is right next to my bed. But every time I attempt to get up from the bed, I feel like I have to wait until my spine aligns properly before taking the next steps...

Last night was the most fun. I had to wake Brandon up (poor guy) so he could help me up from the bed. I felt like my hips were broken, or maybe just had disappeared. I could not get up by myself. If you have read my previous posts, you will know that my bed holds us in like tacos, so I'm blaming the bed...and the relaxin. 

Tacos. Mmmmm. I probably need tacos. 

#breakforlunch 

#justkidding 

#secondbreakfast 

#secondlunch

 #firstdinner 

#tacoseveryday#179.2

Movement? He is still an extremely active baby and now that he has dropped quite a bit, there might be more room for his little limbs to flail around. He has been rolling and kicking and punching me like crazy. Just practicing his baby yoga, getting super strong. 

Cravings? In my last post I explained my weird cravings, Pica, ladies and gents, Pica. 

Yes, I still want to drink 409. 

No I will not do it. 

I haven't added anything crazy to my list of yummy cravings...

Yesterday, I went to lunch with Mawlma, B and Pops. We went to a brewery (of course) and I got to enjoy the walk to the bathroom about 4 times while we were there. It was glorious. They must have just cleaned the hallway/bathroom because the smell of bleach was overwhelming. I almost licked the floor. I didn't, don't worry, but my mouth was watering everytime. I probably would have enjoyed the floor more than my salad. Om nom nom. 

Belly Button In or Out? I think it's out as much as it will ever be! 

Symptoms: I have been having Braxton Hicks for a few days, nothing too crazy. But I am trying to help the process along. Mommy and Daddy are really excited to meet Jaxon. I would love to meet him sooner than later because he is gaining 1/2 pound per week.  Goodbye, vagina - It's been fun. 

Best moment of the week? The best moment of the week was when I asked B to install the car seat in the truck. Naturally, I followed him out to the car because #1 - I am a stage 5 clinger and #2 - because I wanted to be a part of the process. Brandon opened the door and set the car seat in and paused. He got a huge smile on his face. 

Me - "What's going on, B?"

B- With a look of disbelief --"This is happening."

Me - "How do you feel?"

B - Huge grin (dimples and all) --  "Like a daddy." 

Ahhhhhhh. My heart. 

Other notes: I had purchased the What to Expect: The First Year for Brandon's coworker and B never gave it to them. So, on one of our long drives, I started reading it. Guys! That book is phenomenal. It knows everything. I really need to read it. The whole thing before J comes. That gives me 8 hours (wishful thinking). 

What I am looking forward to: We are looking forward to meeting J. 

Things Mommy has done to try to meet J:

• Castor Oil
• Raspberry Tea
• Birthing Ball
• Curb Walking
• Hot Showers
• Pineapple
• Spicy Foods
• Overeating
• Running on the Beach

-1-4 more weeks to go! (Yes, that is a negative 1).

XO - Megs

36 Week Bumpdate!

Hi guys!


Guess what?! We will be considered "full term" on Wednesday! What?! Oh my gosh, I'm not old enough to have a baby. How did I get here?!?

Minor freak out aside, we had our 36 week appointment last Thursday and it was wonderful/awful.

Wonderful: I LOVE my new doctor! She is sassy and makes me feel super comfortable with all the questions that I ask -- a ton. #newmom

Awful: The doctor told me that I was gaining too much weight (40 lbs, I've gained 40 lbs. How? I don't know). Of course, out of embarrassment, I had a hot flash and Brandon got to see the beautiful shades of red that I could turn. Yay!

Also, she checked my progression, which essentially means she stuck her fingers up there to see if my body was preparing for birth. NOPE.  NOT AT ALL.

Updates: 

 Stretch Marks? Yay! I have a few that are creeping up the side. The are really just old stretch marks that have expanded, but it's finally happening. 

I'm not sure if this qualifies in this category, but I have a belly piercing. I took the jewelry out months ago, but I noticed that the skin in that area has been super tender and actually started bleeding the other day. I am worried that the skin might be stretching to the point of breaking. So what did I do? I googled it. DON'T GOOGLE IT. People's skin burst open. And yes there are pictures on Google. And yes, it will scare the crap out of you. 

Sleep? I found out that the couch is actually extremely comfortable. Our bed is almost 10 years old, so it was indents from where B and I lay on the side. It's like being cuddled into a giant taco. It didn't use to bother me, but now, with the amount of effort and energy it takes to roll over (or even get comfortable) it does. So I took a nap on the couch and it was amazing!!! The little separations between each couch cushion added more support for my belly. Win.

Movement? He is no longer jerking around, and I wonder if it's from lack of space. The movements are now very slow in nature. He is a very active baby. :)

Cravings? My best friend (who is not a doctor) diagnosed me with Pica. But it makes perfect sense. I have cravings for the weirdest things ever. Pica is an eating disorder that stems from anemia, which I have..but it has never been this crazy. Pica is essentially cravings for non-food items. 

My "Pica" Cravings:

• 409 Cleaner (I would never, don't be crazy.)
• Sawdust (Yes, I tried this. But, it was just a little bit, Brandon made me stop.)
• Ice

Belly Button In or Out? Still popping out, but not quite all the way. 

Symptoms: Obsessing over getting everything done and in place for the arrival of baby J. I believe they call this "nesting". With the little energy I have after coming home from work, I usually tackle a few projects on my own to-do list. Spring Break is just around the corner, so I'm pretty sure I will go crazy at that time with all of the cleaning and organizing that I want to do! 

Best moment of the week? There have been so many wonderful moments since that last update. Guys, we had 4 baby showers that my loved ones decided to throw us! Once I get my phone to work again, I will post photos of the showers.  They were all so wonderful and made me and B feel so blessed.

 Yep, I sure did ask for a donut cake.

 Nicole is 20 weeks! Yay for pregnant friends! Guess we will have to move back to Redding now....

 *Sidenote: Yes, those are bear slippers. Because, Momma Bear.

 This cake, right?!?!?!?!

I know that I have more photos on everyone else's phones....Please send me photos! 

Aside from the showers, another great moment is feeling like I am almost "prepared" for the birth. I use quotes, because who can ever really be ready or prepared?! 

I realize that I have done so much research about what I will need/need to do before baby comes and I have completely neglected the research on how to actually care for baby J. 

I mean, I have a car seat and stroller now, but how do I change a diaper!? 

EEEEEK. 

What I am looking forward to: We are looking forward to meeting our little. I am so curious to see what he actually looks like. I realize he will probably look like an ugly, squishy alien for a while, but the after! I hope he has dimples like daddy. My heart is so overwhelmed. 

1-5 more weeks to go! 

XO - Megs