nine months (week 36)

We are nine months pregnant.  Are we there yet?

Weight: I am losing track, but I know I was up another 2 pounds from the last appointment.  It's just water weight, right?

Eat: I don't have that much of an appetite, but I feel weak like I need to eat.  I have been nauseous and having cramps, so it's distracting.

Sweat: I'm hot.  My hands and feet feel hot and sweaty and swelly.  I haven't exercised this week, but now that I am finished with work I plan to walk a little bit every day.

Sleep:  I've napped twice this week.  I am not a napper.

I have been nesting by washing clothes and sheets and blankets and hats and socks and anything else this baby girl might touch.  I really want this little tiny baby to get here so I can put her in all these little tiny clothes and wrap her in little tiny blankets. 

xoxo,

ricki

5 more weeks= week 35

This was an exciting week.  I was showered at work by my wonderful co-workers and showered at home by our friends and family.  We are so fortunate to be surrounded by amazing and supportive people.

We also had a doctor appointment this week, which included an ultrasound.  Here are the stats:

Jade weighs about 6 pounds and we are 80% effaced.  All good signs for an on-time early delivery!  I want her to be healthy and ready to come, but I won't be sad if she decides to exit the building around week 38.

Weight:
Good news is that I only gained 1 pound in between my appointments!

Eat:
Still there isn't much room for food.  Breakfast is the only meal I am actually hungry for.  The rest of the day is a toss up.  I'm trying to keep a balances diet, but sometimes eating 2 pounds of strawberries is the only thing that satisfies me. 

Sweat:
I am trying to stay active, but it hurts.  Walking hurts, sitting hurts, breathing hurts.  I think I'm just going to meditate and visualize from now on.  I do plan to walk around the block a few times next week during the full moon though.

Sleep:
I feel heavy, which makes rolling around in bed difficult.  Most people can toss and turn without actually waking up, but it is such a process to roll from one side to the other that I am wide awake before I complete the shift.  Also, I've been having cramping and back pain and tightness in my belly on and off the past few days.  Maybe braxton-hicks?

xoxo,

howell family

thirty four weeks

Another week came and went really fast.  In less than two months, we should be holding our baby girl.  Hopefully she won't have the hiccups that she can't seem to rid of lately. 

We had our hospital tour and our first birthing class this week.  February is going to be B.U.S.Y.  The hospital tour was wonderful.  Being in the labor and delivery room actually got me EXCITED about laboring and delivering.  I know I am easily sold as I almost always buy something from the shelf in line at the grocery store, but who know I'd be buying into wanting to labor and deliver.  Some days I am terrified, but mostly I am excited to see what giving birth feels like to me.  I can't wait to have this experience with Geoff and Jaden. 

Our birthing class was okay.  I didn't feel like I was learning anything new, but maybe that's a good thing, right?  Between my Mindful Birthing book and yoga, I feel prepared with pain management and expectations of what may happen.  Mostly, I understand that I cannot plan this or control this.  My body and Jade will work together to do what needs to be done.  Complications happen and sometimes events take place that are out of our control.  Geoff and I plan to be as informed, but as open-minded as possible to allow our birth to unfold naturally, whatever that ends up meaning to us.

Weight:  At my last doctor appointment I officially reached the 30lb. mark.  I have gained thirty pounds. 

Eat:  There is just no room for food and the baby.  Baby wins.

Sweat:  Yoga and walking are my favorite things to do.  Walking is becoming uncomfortable and sometimes I cut off my air supply by trying to touch my toes in yoga, but I think it's all going to pay off.   

Sleep:  I am so exhausted all the time.  In fact, today I am even cranky.  I can easily pass out at 7pm, but then my nights are restless and full of tossing, turning, peeing, burping, dreaming, baby kicking, and other fun night time activities. 

one stroller...two stroller...three stroller...four?  Okay so we have 3 strollers and only 1 baby.

xoxo,

r&g