38 Weeks

How Far Along: 38 Weeks. Today is the day our doulas are officially on call for us. Yikes!

Baby Size: Pumpkin or Watermelon

Symptoms: Braxton Hicks all the time, but especially after walking. Cramping especially after walking. Sore hips that get worse with the zinger pelvic pain. Get tired quickly. Lots of pelvic pressure, like a heavy feeling. Said this week: "I feel like my pelvis is being pushed apart"

Weight Gain: 21 lbs.

Sleep: Not getting up as often, or maybe I'm just used to it now. I have noticed that my hips and shoulders are getting sore and that's what wakes me up now so I have to switch sides. Definitely feeling warmer at night.

Best Moment of the Week: Gilles being more attentive. After walking with me for a couple days this long weekend and seeing how tired I get during the day, he's started to get me things rather than me getting up for them. Offering to help with hip pain, cross things off MY to-do list. It's been awesome. He's starting to look a little like "omg this baby is coming soon" which is so cute. I think it's starting to really hit home for him now.
Other best thing was the King Crab legs we had for dinner Friday. I ate an entire one to myself and if Gilles hadn't eaten his it would have been mine lol.

Worst Moment of the Week: The annoyance of "you haven't had your baby?" and "you must be so ready". I'm 38 weeks folks. And if you're on the list, you'll know when baby is here. Otherwise you can wait to find out with the rest of the world.

Any cravings or aversions: I'm a continuous eating machine. I want to eat everything. Gilles laughed all weekend because after every episode of TV we watched I got up and got something else to eat. Ate an epic turkey dinner for Easter. Kept eating whatever was around me until it was cleared.
Still loving my nightly fudgesicle. I ran out and had DQ one night. NOT the same. Went the next day and bought another box.

Wedding ring on or off: Finding it easier not to wear them unless I'm going out of the house.

Belly button In or Out: Out

What I'm looking forward to: Holding this baby in my arms.
I had a dream bébé was sleeping on my chest in an adorable orange striped onesie. Rather than wake baby up, I tied a Baby Hawk around him/her and was able to get up and walk around.

What I miss: Sleeping comfortably.

Emotions: Feeling like something has changed. My body feels different now and I feel emotionally like this is the "in-between" Not like labour is imminent, but like my body is now in that last stage of preparations. Love trusting my body knows what it's doing. I feel like I've reached the point of waiting and it's exactly what I should be doing now.

Nursery: The dimmer switch is in for the light.

Shopping:  Didn't shop this week at all for baby. My mom gave us a pair of Padraig slippers for bébé for Easter. They are adorable!
Ended up going to Costco and buying tons of meat. I made 8 freezer meals so far and have another 6 to make this weekend. We are going to be stocked up! 

To-do: One more assignment and one more test. Then I'm officially done my courses. I'm hoping to be done by Friday.

37 Weeks

How Far Along: 37 Weeks. According to the Canadian definitions, I'm considered "full term". The US has changed theirs to consider me "early term". Either way. I'm happy if bébé stays in there until at least 39 weeks. The more brain, lung and immune system development the better.
21 Days to go. Seems like such a short time left.

Baby Size: Winter Melon

Symptoms: Phases of nesting, high energy and being tired and in need of relaxation. I'm taking the high energy days to get stuff done and allowing my body to rest on the others. It's frustrating, but I figure there is a biological reason for the shifts.
Lots of pelvic pressure, braxton hicks (some that make me feel nauseous) and period-like cramping.

Weight Gain: 21 lbs.

Sleep: Woke up once this week at 4am STARVING. Got up, ate, went back to bed and slept. I hate waking up hungry.

Best Moment of the Week: Getting a sneak peek at our maternity photos. I can't wait to see the rest of them. We had them done by Amber Holt Photography. She is amazing and I'm so excited for her to do our newborn photos as well. The number of props and outfits she has is crazy!
Gilles is feeling my belly more since you can actually see limbs sticking out. Love it!

Worst Moment of the Week: Having a couple more of those days where I'm super low energy and can't function much. 

Any cravings or aversions: Subway

Wedding ring on or off: Finding it easier not to wear them unless I'm going out of the house.

Belly button In or Out: Out

What I'm looking forward to: 

What I miss: Walking at a good pace

Emotions: Feeling like I'm exactly where we should be. I had an overwhelming sense of "I love my life" this week. Very satisfying. I'm finally done piano lessons now so I feel like I can finally give my full attention to studying and feeling ready.

Nursery: Liner for my diaper pail came in. Bassinet mattress came in. Got another glider from my oldest sister for the basement.

Shopping: Bought arnica for after labour. Calendula oil to make some padsicles. Rockin' Green detergent for my cloth diapers. Diaper pail liner.

To-do: Almost finished my last test. Hoping to have it done by next week!

36 Weeks

How Far Along: 36 Weeks - I feel like I JUST wrote my 35 week post. Time is moving fast and slow at the same time.
4 Weeks until my due date.
1.5 weeks until I'm finished teaching (most of my students. I'm keeping a few of my adults going for another week)

Baby Size: Honey Dew

Symptoms: Heartburn acts up depending on what I eat. With all the movement bébé is doing I feel rolling waves of nausea somedays. Sharp shooting pain straight down my cervix area. Lots of Braxton Hicks. Tired more through the day than I have been. Still a huge lack of concentration.

Weight Gain: 19 lbs.

Sleep: Still getting up frequently. Some nights more than others. Hip pain here and there but mostly still sleeping as well as I can be.

Best Moment of the Week: Getting compliments from random people about how great I look.
At our prenatal class this week, we did a "labour rehearsal". Basically our teacher gave us a card of how our "labour" was going and called out Contraction! and we had to get into whatever position made sense for what we were doing at that point in time, be it walking, squatting, in the bathroom, relaxation, etc. It seems silly, but I think both Gilles and I found it really helpful to put what we've learned into a practice. Nothing can prepare you fully, but at least we both feel like we're more ready for it all.

Worst Moment of the Week: Having to leave church after 30 minutes because I was going to pass out. I felt SO sick from low blood pressure and sugar. I got up twice in the first half hour and then couldn't do it anymore. Drove myself home and laid on the couch for the rest of the morning. I've had a couple mornings like that. I'm hoping they don't increase in frequency

Any cravings or aversions: Anything dairy. Milk definitely. Fudgesicles are fantastic right now

Wedding ring on or off: Opting for my wedding band now. Still take it off to sleep.

Belly button In or Out: small outie now

What I'm looking forward to: Setting up more baby stuff around the house. Once Saturday comes and goes I'll be able to. Piano lessons and the recital are nearly over.

What I miss: Running and bike riding. Won't be able to do either of those until August.

Emotions: Feeling like I want to be done teaching but at the same time I know it's good for me to have the distraction and something to do. I'm irritated with my energy levels and not being able to clean my house more

Nursery: Picked up a diaper pail from my sister. Just need to put a new liner in it and buy a new charcoal filter. 

Shopping: Bought a bassinet mattress. We got a bassinet handed down to us, but it needed a new mattress. Should be here next week! 

To-do: Finish another assignment for my courses. You'd think writing a resume wouldn't take long but I haven't started yet.

Fun comparison shot from the week we found out to 36.

35 Weeks = 35 days left!

How Far Along: We've hit the milestone of 35/35. 35 Weeks Pregnant. 35 Days left.

Baby Size: Coconut

Symptoms: Hips and knees are sore. Low back is sore when I lay down to sleep. Starting get a 'zing' in my cervix area every once in a while. I had some period-like cramping but nothing to be concerned about.
Bébé is moving around a lot still but has firmly positioned himself/herself with head down in my pelvis.  My OB this week said baby's head is very low.
Love seeing his/her little bum move back and forth across my stomach. Starting to be able to see feet stick out my side which is very uncomfortable at some points. Alien!!
Definitely experiencing pregnancy brain. Having a hard time concentrating on anything for more than 15 minutes. Good thing is, I work for a bit on something and then switch to something else so I'm not bored.

Weight Gain: 18 lbs.

Sleep: Because my hips get sore when I lay on either side, I wake up from that, then have to pee. Past couple nights have been up 4 times. I've had a couple people say "Oh, that's like having a newborn". Yes and no. The number of times I'm up maybe, but blindly going to the bathroom and back to bed is not the same as getting up, feeding our bébé for however long it will take and then going back to sleep. The time I'm up will be drastically different.

Best Moment of the Week: My OB appointment. I asked about eating at the hospital during labour. She said absolutely, as long as there is no risk of a c-section at that point in time. So unless I'm induced, or there is some reason for a section, I'm able to eat/drink what I want. This is great news because of my low blood sugar.

Worst Moment of the Week: More and more heartburn is coming back. I've tried to watch what I'm eating to trigger it, but I'm starting to think it's just pregnancy at this point. Not bad considering I've done without heartburn for the majority of it.
I also had a few days with morning sickness again. Not fun, but it seems to have subsided

Any cravings or aversions: Still craving sugary foods. Trying to combat that with fruit rather than junk. Definitely able to eat more at a time which is great.

Wedding ring on or off: On during the day again. Swelling a little at night so I take it off before bed.

Belly button In or Out: Definitely flattened.

What I'm looking forward to: Post-pregnancy: Laying on my back.

What I miss: Spring. It snowed every day this past week. I'm so tired of it!

Emotions: Nesting instinct is in full swing. I'm starting to feel worried about post-partum and my emotions. There's not much I can do now but prepare as much as I can and get a support team in place.

Nursery: So close to being done. A couple more things left! Here is a sneak peek at the decal. I love the colours so much. Makes the room so much brighter.

Shopping: Amazingly enough, nothing! 

To-do: Try out meals from my "freezer meal" list.

34 Weeks

How Far Along: 34 Weeks

Baby Size: Watermelon or Butternut Squash

Symptoms: I had a horrible charlie horse last week that went away after relaxing, but the muscle was sore for the last week. Hungry. It's like first trimester again. I feel like I need to keep some snacks on my bedside for when I wake up in the morning.

Weight Gain: 17 lbs.

Sleep: Takes more and more effort to turn over and a little longer to get comfortable. Still sleeping fairly well once I am asleep.

Best Moment of the Week: Having my mom see the nursery almost complete.

Worst Moment of the Week: Heartburn making a comeback. I know it's food related so I need to keep on eye on what I'm eating better

Any cravings or aversions: Sugar. Definitely craving junk food

Wedding ring on or off: On except at night. I woke up with pinch marks so I may start wearing just one instead of both

Belly button In or Out: Hood. Not an outie completely.

What I'm looking forward to: Maternity photos this week!

What I miss: Not having to put boots and a parka on every time I go outside. I'm so sick of winter. That said, I don't really have any spring maternity clothes.

Emotions: Getting excited, anxious and nervous. Frustrated with myself and lack of mental concentration to finish my courses.

Nursery: Wall decal came in. Just need to put it up. Glider is almost finished being stained. 

Shopping: Zulily.com got me good this week. So did the crunchy mama store. I bought a Belly Bandit for post partum, a nursing bra and shirt. Bought some great cloth diaper laundry detergent, wool dryer balls, red raspberry leaf tea. I also bought another cloth diaper and 3 covers from TenderTushies.

To-do: Study. I need to be more diligent about it.

33 Weeks

How Far Along: 33 Weeks

Baby Size: Watermelon

Symptoms: Hip pain on my right. Achey low back. Nothing too bad, just uncomfortable. Shortness of breath and very thirsty all the time.

Weight Gain: 17 lbs.

Sleep: Crazy dreams that keep me awake after. Typically most dreams I have resolve themselves before I wake up, but these ones aren't and it's frustrating. They aren't terrible or nightmares, just annoying.

Best Moment of the Week: Seeing bébé again for an ultrasound. Found out he/she has LOTS of hair and long legs. Measuring perfectly. Finding out my blood test results for antibodies was clear.

Worst Moment of the Week: Unrelated baby stuff but it's all good now.

Any cravings or aversions: Starting to see things on TV that people are eating and think that would be tasty, but never enough to go and get it.

Wedding ring on or off: On but getting snug.

Belly button In or Out: Outie, but not by much.

What I'm looking forward to: getting back to yoga

What I miss: sleeping through the night. It will be a long time before that happens again

Emotions: irritable and impatient. Feeling like everything is very real. Booked all my prenatal appointments from now until 1 day past my due date. Didn't have to flip the calendar that far. yikes!

Nursery: Ordered a decal for the wall

Shopping: Bought one soother clip

To-do: Study some more. I'm so close!

32 Weeks

How Far Along: 32 Weeks

Baby Size: Squash

Symptoms: Tired. Some hip pain on my right side. Sore low back.

Weight Gain: 16 lbs. Didn't gain anything this week. Hoping for a growth spurt at my next appointment

Sleep: With the hip pain I'm tossing and turning more, but still feeling fairly rested in the mornings.

Best Moment of the Week: Meeting my OB and really liking her.

Worst Moment of the Week: Being told I'm measuring small by 4 weeks and low on the weight gain end.

Any cravings or aversions: Lots of things are sounding good this week. Pancakes were the biggest one

Wedding ring on or off: On.

Belly button In or Out: Getting a bit of a hood overtop but still not an outie

What I'm looking forward to: Having an ultrasound Monday to see how the baby is doing.

What I miss: Crab legs and shrimp and lobster

Emotions: Feeling like there are less important things in life as the due date gets closer

Nursery: Organized the things I bought this week

Shopping: Bought the rest of the newborn diapers, a wetbag for the nursery and one for my diaper bag. Bought some shampoo/baby wash and a few things for me post-partum

To-do: Study. Study. Study

31 Weeks

How Far Along: 31 Weeks - SINGLE DIGIT WEEKS LEFT!!!!

Baby Size: Pineapple

Symptoms: Tired. Knot in my back, pain in the front opposite it.

Weight Gain: 16 lbs. Lost two pounds this week. I wasn't feeling well and had a couple days of not eating much.

Sleep: Good week this week. Had a couple nights of only getting up once which was amazing.

Best Moment of the Week: 
Went shopping with my mom this weekend when I went to stay with my parents. She helped knock a few things off my list. The rest I can get next week from the crunchy mama store and I'm done shopping.

Worst Moment of the Week: Being tired like first tri again

Any cravings or aversions: Moved on to apples instead of oranges

Wedding ring on or off: On.

Belly button In or Out: Slightly poking out just a bit. Still not an outie!

What I'm looking forward to: FINALLY seeing my OB tomorrow. I get a 1 - 1.5 hr appointment with her. I'm excited. Also have a prenatal massage tomorrow at my chiropractors office. Can't wait.

What I miss: Not being light headed

Emotions: Ready to meet this bébé

Nursery: Gilles is still sanding and staining the glider. The bookshelf is done, which is awesome. Looks great!

Shopping: My cousin offered to sell me some newborn cloth diapers. Kissaluvs and two Bummies Super Brite covers. They are adorable!!
6 THX diapers coming from the diaper co-op. Going to the store next week to buy prefolds and then I'm done!

To-do: Study. Study. Study

30 Weeks

How Far Along: 30 Weeks

Baby Size: Cucumber

Symptoms: Having trouble sleeping. Sore back. Sore heels - I've started wearing moccasins to help. Out of breath more easily

Weight Gain: 18 lbs

Sleep: Had a couple rough nights of not being able to get comfortable. Frequent trips to the bathroom and general irritation doesn't help.

Best Moment of the Week: My dad feeling the baby move.

Worst Moment of the Week: Finding out my prenatal massage therapist isn't covered with Gilles insurance as of Jan 1. His insurance company changed their requirements and she doesn't meet them.

Any cravings or aversions: Fruit. Still all over fruit

Wedding ring on or off: On.

Belly button In or Out: In, but barely.

What I'm looking forward to: Meeting up with some mamas for lunch. Going to visit my parents this weekend to relax and hang out.

What I miss: Being able to buy cute spring clothes onsale right now. I have no idea what size I'll be this summer.

Emotions: Feeling like I'm ready to be done but still loving pregnancy.

Nursery: Nothing this week

Shopping: Bought some new clothes for me this week. Ordered a newborn cloth diaper off Zulily

To-do: Make a list of what else still needs to be done. STUDY! 

29 Weeks

How Far Along: 29 Weeks

Baby Size: Acorn Squash

Symptoms: Lack of concentration and motivation. I just can't seem to get myself going in the mornings. Part of that may be do to the cold weather last week. The beginning of the week was frigid. Sore back in one spot when I sit too long. I have a numb patch just below my sternum to the right. It's about the size of my palm. Apparently my sister had it and it never went away after her babies. It's the weirdest feeling and the edges are slightly painful, like never pain. I'll have to ask my OB when I finally get to see one.

Weight Gain: 16 lbs

Sleep: I had the pleasure of waking up to a party in my belly at 4am one morning and the way bébé was kicking my stomach I nearly got sick. Changed positions and he/she stopped kicking so hard.

Best Moment of the Week: Gilles agreeing to cloth diaper ourselves from the get go. We had thought about using a service but we did some more comparisons and it's cheaper for us to buy newborn cloth than to use a service. Now I'm on the hunt!

Worst Moment of the Week: My OB saga: In January my Dr referred me to a clinic that only delivers at Rockyview hospital which is not the one we wanted. I declined since that is not what I asked him for at EVERY appointment since 8 weeks. I went back to him and said do it again. He sent it out to only 1 out of 2 clinics that deliver at the new hospital, and they declined me as they are full. They had to resend my referral to all the other clinics in my area and now I finally have an OB appointment, but it's at the hospital we didn't want. I'm sad and disappointed. I'm also kicking myself because I could have been seeing an OB for the last 2 months if I was going to end up at Rockyview any way. My first OB appointment will be at 31 weeks. My last prenatal appointment at that point will have been 6 weeks before. 

Any cravings or aversions: Still loving oranges.

Wedding ring on or off: On.

Belly button In or Out: In, but getting flatter.

What I'm looking forward to: Chiro this week.

What I miss: Wine. (It's a continual thing.)

Emotions: Excited. Thinking about the birth process is fascinating.

Nursery: Nothing this week

Shopping: Not really shopping but I joined a cloth diaper co-op.

To-do: Research newborn cloth 

27/28 Weeks

I missed posting week information last week. It was a really busy week and I never got around to sitting down, making the time.

How Far Along: 28 Weeks

Baby Size: Eggplant

Symptoms: This week has been good. I've had very little back pain or hip pain. The previous week was much worse. I definitely had SI Joint pain and knee pain.

Weight Gain: Up 14 lbs since prepregnancy. I feel like I should be gaining more because of my low starting weight.

Sleep: Up 2-3 times a night to pee, but usually in a 4 hour, 3 hour and 3 hour set. Good training? I didn't have a lot of discomfort which was great.

Best Moment of the Week: A woman I met at a birthday party said I look beautiful. Gilles is able to see my belly move while we watch TV. I organized the nursery a little and feel much better about it.

Worst Moment of the Week: Not hearing from an OB. We're almost at the bi-weekly appointment weeks and I have yet to see one. My family Dr is alright, but I don't feel like I'm getting the care I should be at this point.

Any cravings or aversions: Clementine oranges. They are the perfect size and I've been eating 1-2 a day. Love the freshness!

Wedding ring on or off: On. The cold weather is actually making it loose. I also don't have much swelling anywhere at all, so that would also make a difference. My massage therapist commented on my lack of swelling when she was doing my feet and calves.

Belly button In or Out: In, but very flat.

What I'm looking forward to: Getting a phone call from the maternity clinic. I'm really hoping I get a call this week!!

What I miss: Shrimp. I've been wanting shrimp and rice, but avoiding the seafood.

Emotions: 27 weeks I was feeling a little bit nervous. Not about birth, but about having a baby. It's crazy to think I'll be a mom. This week, I'm excited! I held a 4 week old baby girl on the weekend and I can't make these next 11 weeks go fast enough.

Nursery: We bought stain for the glider, ottoman and shelf. Gilles wanted everything the same colour. The mattress came in for the crib so that is officially all set up. I repurposed some baskets I had been using for other things and now I don't need to buy any special ones. I washed all the clothes I have already and organized it in to size. The drawers are organized for the most part now.

Shopping: Stain for the glider. A couple onsies for newborn.

To-do: Blood tests Monday. Start reading up on breastfeeding and baby care