Very Pregnant - 38 weeks

Ah, I am so pregnant! It is so hard to move around and carry on with my daily routine. I think that's one of the most challenging things for me about being pregnant...I am very self sufficient and independent. I do most things on my own and very seldom ask for help. But when I am this pregnant, this large, this uncomfortable, with a baby's head in between my hips at the lowest possible point, I struggle! I can barely bend over and pick up toys off the ground without stopping and waiting for the pain to dissipate or vacuum without tears in my eyes because my hips hurt from the motion. It becomes a bit of an emotional struggle for me because I can't simply carry on with my daily routine. I have to stop, take a break, ask for help. That being said, we are only 14 days away from the EDD and I am ready! :)

I am excited and anxious. This little child in my tummy has taken up as much room as my body will allow and I am ready to become a Mother for the 3rd time. I'm ready to go into labor, deliver this ever-moving creature, and hold him/her for the first time!

I have so many pictures to post! First, the nursery is finished! Take a peek...

This is the same crib and bedding that Nora Kate used. The canvases, giraffe, and bouncer are all new.

The bird lamp is new, but the armoire is the same one that Weston and NK both used in their nurseries.

The changing table and chair are the ones from NK's nursery. The side table has been mine for a while, but was hand painted black originally. Weston and I painted it this ecru color. The lamp was my grandfather's (PawPaw, my Mom's Dad) and I put a new lamp shade on it. As you can see, baby's diaper bag is packed and ready!

Crazy haired NK trying to climb in and take a peek

Sweet big brother Weston helping me paint :) 

I sat down a couple days ago and assembled the new stroller that Grandma J and Aunt Sarah got us. We are in love with it! The infant car seat attachment isn't attached, but baby's seat will fit on this stroller. Weston has graduated to walking once the baby comes.

The kid's shirts came in that I ordered for the hospital! I am very happy with how they turned out!!

Eric and I went to Babies R Us on Saturday and got the last few things we needed for the baby and then went to a verrrry nice supper at Hyde Park. We have Uncle Carson to thank for this nice evening out!! :) I had the filet and crab cakes and Eric had the filet and scallops. It was a-maz-ing. These pics were taken by the sitter before we went out :) Like I said....I. am. very. pregnant.

I went to my 38 week Dr appointment yesterday. I am measuring on track for my March 5th due date. Baby remains very low and head down. I am 1.5 cm dilated. Contractions are happening every day but they are apparently just "practice" contractions because they stop after a couple of hours and aren't really causing me to dilate much. The heart rate sounds great. It's a waiting game now!

37 weeks

37 week Doctor's appointment is under our belt. Dr Rao says I'm measuring on track this week and the baby's heartbeat is strong. I am almost 1 cm dilated, and the head is still down and low. He said unless my water breaks, I'll definitely see him back there next week. I told him I was hoping our next meeting would be in the labor and delivery room, hehe. He said he doubts it :)

37 weeks and really starting to swell this week...I can't wear my wedding band anymore!

On Sunday, my sister in law, Sarah, and my mother in law, Joyce, hosted a nice luncheon to celebrate number three. It was at a new restaurant here in Hudson, Ohio, called "Peachtree". It's a southern restaurant and is really good! I will say that it's more "southern gourmet", rather than classic southern, down home cooked food. But it is delicious and just seeing 'Shrimp and Grits' and 'Fried Chicken' on a menu was comforting. The weather was really bad that day so several weren't able to make it, but the Ohio family was there and I am so happy they were. It's nice to feel so loved! 

The nursery is 98% ready. All I have to do is paint the small side table that is sitting next to the rocking chair. I'll do it this week and post pics of the finished room!

Full Term!

We made it. 36 weeks...9 months...full term. Baby is fully developed and if he/she comes tomorrow, he/she won't be considered premature. What a relief and what a great feeling! Now, I don't necessarily want the baby to come too early...but I sure wouldn't be upset if it happened a little early! I'm sure he/she is staying cozy in there, and with the weather up here, I don't blame him/her! (I am READY to know the gender -- this he/she/him/her is getting old, haha)

Ya'll. It. Is. Cold. I have never been exposed to so much snow in my life! For example, we had about 5 inches left on the ground from last week's storm, and last night we got another 6 inches...and it is still coming down hard out there now! It's pretty, at least. These windows really let us see a wonderland every morning.

Weston and Nora Kate have been going a little stir crazy and the weather really makes for cozy days confined to the house. Nora Kate has started exploring her climbing abilities and Weston has jumped in the bounce house and played so much Mario that sometimes he just lays down and falls asleep. It can get a little nutty but I have to think that all this cancelled school and snow is allowing me to spend this time with the "bigs" before their baby brother or sister arrives. It's definitely bittersweet.

I went to see Dr. Rao on Monday for my 36 week appointment. He says I'm measuring on track and everything looks great. The head is down and I am a "fingertip dilated". Hey, it's progress! I've started taking my Evening Primrose Oil and am preparing for labor/delivery! It's time to really have everything together. The car seat is still in the box but at least we have it. The baby clothes are all washed and folded, not quite in their drawers, but they're clean. The baby swing, vibrating chair, etc., are all still in the basement, but we know where they are and I'll get them out closer to time. They will only be in the way before the baby comes. We are ready and excited!!

[ 36 weeks...we won't discuss my weight gain]