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!

Why the rush?

I'm in a group online and I'm starting to see a trend. Moms to be are so excited and uncomfortable they want to have their baby RIGHT NOW. Some of these ladies are less than what is considered Early Term (37 - 39 weeks) and definitely not Full Term. They are now considering 39 weeks to be Full Term, and 41 - 42 Late Term in case you thought 37 weeks was it.

I get that we're uncomfortable. I get that we're excited. I'm right there with you. Pregnancy is 40 weeks for a reason. The average is actually 41 weeks and 3 days. Our babies are still developing up until the time they start labour. Let me repeat that last part - THEY START LABOUR. Not you. Babies come when they are ready. Sometimes that fits our schedule, most of the time it doesn't. Sometimes it doesn't fit the medical schedule either and we're "overdue". When they are early for whatever reason - sometimes it's in our control, most times it's not - there are higher risks of problems arising (not saying it always happens but the risks are greater). Lungs aren't developed properly, the immune system isn't finished, breastfeeding can be more of a challenge and the list goes on. Why wish that for your baby just to ease your comfort? Suck it up.

There are definitely things like exercise, teas, massage, etc that can help labour, but they won't start anything unless your body (read: baby) is ready. This may be me being naive as a first time mom and not having reached 40 weeks yet. I am uncomfortable and I know it will get more uncomfortable as the weeks go by. My comfort will mean nothing and seem incredibly selfish if bébé is born and has problems somehow. It's not about you anymore.

I'm a firm believer that my body and baby know what their doing. I believe that when it's time, it's time. Am I going to book an acupressure appointment for 40 weeks and a few days? Absolutely. Am I going to book it at 37 weeks? No.
Will I ask to be induced medically or have a membrane sweep at 38 weeks? No. I don't think that intervening early is necessary. It opens you and baby up for complications, higher risks and infection and issues after birth. Could intervention be something I consider when I'm nearing 42 weeks? Possibly, but that's another conversation at a later date if it's needed.

Let your bébé bake. They will arrive when they are suppose to. And if you're late according to the medical system, there's a whole different conversation to have at that point.

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 

Week 26

How Far Along: 26 Weeks

Baby Size: Head of lettuce

Symptoms: Little bit of nausea creeping up here and there. Hip pain when I sleep some nights. Heartburn. Low back discomfort. Feeling squished into my diaphragm. According to my yoga teacher this is relatively normal for a first pregnancy.

Weight Gain: up 13 lbs since prepregnancy

Sleep: Good nights and bad nights. Some nights I wake up and can go back to sleep easily, others I toss and turn.

Best Moment of the Week: Having the crib set up

Worst Moment of the Week: Getting sick after having too much dairy

Any cravings or aversions: nothing.

Wedding ring on or off: On

Belly button In or Out: In

What I'm looking forward to: Nothing really baby related this week. Organizing a bit more of the nursery?

What I miss: Sleeping on my back without being out of breath

Emotions: Nervous. I get my Gestational Diabetes test results back today.

Nursery: The furniture is set up!

Shopping: Ordered the crib mattress. Should be delivered next week. We bought a change pad, a couple covers, some clothes for newborn, and a couple sheets for the crib and bassinet. I also bought a new sports bra finally.

To-do: Start reading on baby care and post-partum. 

Week 24

How Far Along: 24 Weeks

Baby Size: Canteloupe

Symptoms: Heartburn, depending on what I eat. Calf muscles are tight when I wake up. Low blood pressure still pops up every once in a while. Drinking water helps with that. 

Weight Gain: 11 lbs from prepregnancy weight. I'm right on schedule. I've started tracking my intake to make sure I'm eating enough. I've always struggled with weight gain so I'm keeping an eye out. Also trying to up my protein intake as much as I can.

Sleep: Still sleeping solidly. I love my body pillow. I'm waking up really stuffy every morning which makes it hard to go back to sleep after I wake at 4am or so. The first sleep is solid, the second is not so I find I'm more tired now.

Best Moment of the Week: Gilles painting the nursery. Almost done!

Worst Moment of the Week: Feeling light headed from low blood pressure

Any cravings or aversions: Bacon. I can't get enough of it!

Wedding ring on or off: On

Belly button In or Out: In

What I'm looking forward to: The nursery being done and setting things up

What I miss: Running. Lifting weights. I really miss working out hard lately.

Emotions: Happy. Slow stress building. I have a lot of things to do that aren't baby related before baby arrives.

Nursery: Paint! We went last weekend and got paint. Gilles started painting. The top colour and bottom colour are done. He just has to do a line between the two colours and it's completely painted.

Shopping: I bought some maternity yoga pants, another pair of tights and two shirts. I needed some workout wear for the prenatal yoga class I'm starting this week.

To-do: Schedule Gestational Diabetes blood test

Week 23

How Far Along: 23 Weeks

Baby Size: Grapefruit

Symptoms: Round Ligament Pain, back ache

Weight Gain: Didn't gain anything this week. Must be detoxing all the Christmas goodies

Sleep: Still catching up

Best Moment of the Week: Hearing the heart beat at 150.

Worst Moment of the Week: Going to urgent care because I thought I might have had a UTI. Turned out to be ligament pain and the fact that my uterus is now pushing on my kidneys. Lovely!

Any cravings or aversions: Veggies are more and more appealing

Wedding ring on or off: On

Belly button In or Out: In

What I'm looking forward to: The nursery getting painted!

What I miss: Shrimp. I've been wanting a quick shrimp dinner for a while.

Emotions: Slow panic arising. We have a lot of time but also not that much. Really need to get things organized

Nursery: Bought paint after deciding on colours! The baseboards and outlets have all been taped up and it's ready for Gilles to paint.

Shopping: Stopped at my sisters and picked up a bunch of things she saved for us. I'll have to inventory it and see what we still need. (which is a lot still)

To Do: Schedule my glucose test for a few weeks

Week 22

Week 20 and 21 went by so fast with the Christmas holidays that I completely forgot to blog. I feel like I completely missed 2 weeks of my pregnancy. The great thing is, we're that much closer to meeting our baby!

How Far Along: 22 Weeks

Baby Size: Papaya

Symptoms: Low blood pressure, fatigue, some back and hip aches

Weight Gain: 8 lbs total

Sleep: Starting to really need the body pillow. Everything feels more comfortable with it. Can't sleep on my back at all because I get short of breath

Best Moment of the Week: Having family want to feel kicks. Seeing the baby move my belly!

Worst Moment of the Week: Being so tired and not getting to sleep in.

Any cravings or aversions: Really digging guacamole right now.

Wedding ring on or off: On

Belly button In or Out: In

What I'm looking forward to: Sleeping! Christmas was so busy I'm looking forward to sleeping in.

What I miss: Putting my shoes on and off without having to sit. Putting my socks on without doing a tree yoga pose

Emotions: Excited and nervous. We are getting closer and closer

Nursery: Moved everything out that wasn't nursery related. It's ready for painting.

Shopping: Haven't done anything. 

To-do: Go to bed earlier

Week 19

How Far Along: 19 Weeks

Baby Size: Mango.

Symptoms: 
Low blood pressure. Feeling dizzy but this is getting less and less.
Frequent urination. Somedays it feels like all the time, other days not as much. I think it all depends where baby is sitting.
Fetal Movement. I can feel the baby move all the time. Love the little kicks or punches and rolling feeling

Weight Gain: Up 4.5lbs!

Sleep: I'm having trouble getting comfortable to fall asleep, but once I do I'm out until I wake up to pee. Sleeping solidly between those breaks.

Best Moment of the Week: Gilles feeling the baby kick! It was amazing to see his face. Hearing the heartbeat at 157. Realizing the baby responds to deep voices. Gilles has a deeper voice and I've noticed I get kicks more often when we're relaxing and talking.

Worst Moment of the Week: Feeling dizzy

Any cravings or aversions: Nothing strong

Wedding ring on or off: On. My hands are so cold my rings still feel big on me

Belly button In or Out: In

What I'm looking forward to: Our ultrasound on Saturday. Can't wait to see the baby and have Gilles there

What I miss:  Watching a movie without having to pause.

Emotions: Elated. We're reaching the halfway point. Most people can notice I'm pregnant now. My bump is much bigger and I'm still so excited. I love every change, every feeling and know that although this is temporary, I'm doing something amazing.

Nursery: Gilles set up our dresser. Took him a long time with all the pieces, but it's done! We also started researching ideas for the wall colours.

Shopping: Bought a video monitor on sale.

To-do: Relax and enjoy this week. 

Week 18

How Far Along: 18 Weeks

Baby Size: Sweet Potato or Papaya or Pickle. I have three different apps that tell me different food.

Symptoms: Low blood pressure, I think. I've been really faint the last few days and having to lie down a lot.

Weight Gain: Up 3 lbs since prepregnancy.

Sleep: Still sleeping soundly. Getting harder to flip over.

Best Moment of the Week: Feeling more kicks. Having someone notice my belly!

Worst Moment of the Week: Feeling faint a lot

Any cravings or aversions: Nothing this week

Wedding ring on or off: On

Belly Button In or Out: In

What I'm looking forward to: Feeling more movement

What I miss: Sleeping on my back as an option

Emotions: Happy. I love being pregnant and all the changes

Nursery: Our crib, dresser and stroller came in on Friday. Set up the stroller already and will check the boxes for the rest. Can't set up the nursery until after Christmas but nice to have most of what we need

Shopping: I bought 2 dresses on consignment. Wore one to a Christmas party

To-do: Prenatal appointment this week. I also need to start doing my workout more consistently

To Doula or not to Doula?

When we first got pregnant, the one thing I wanted to research right away, was a doula. I knew that I wanted one there for our first child and birth experience. My oldest sister had one with her last of 3 kids and had a natural birth. The research supporting the success of having a natural birth with a doula is enough to convince me it is worth every penny.

I had to convince Gilles that a doula is not a replacement for him. He is my main support, my rock and the one I want by my side through the birth. A doula is simply there to help him, me and remind us of the decisions we intended to make. They've been there, they have experience.

I went through the doula websites in our area of the city as a way to narrow down the search. I found one website that just felt like "the one". At around 8 weeks I emailed to get a meeting/interview with them. I fully intended to make more meetings with a few others, but after we ended up talking for so long with the duo and being kicked out of Starbucks because it was closing, we knew we'd found the right team.

The Serene Mama Doula team is great. We essentially get 2 doulas for the price of one. We meet with them both for all our meetings and on the day our baby comes, one of them will be there with us. They are each others back up and we get to know them both.

We get support through the moment we hire them to a few days after we get home with our new bundle. They will go through everything from nutrition, tips for exercise and relaxation, a lending library of books, videos and just a quick call to reassure me when I have questions. They help us picture our perfect birth, and help us achieve it. They also talk with us about realistic expectations. They don't shy away from the details or the things no one talks about.

For us and our birth plan, we are planning to be in a hospital. From experience with my sisters and reading books, I feel like having a resource there for the duration that knows what is going on and provide support is key. The OB or Dr comes in infrequently and really only when it's time to push or there is something wrong. Nurses can be great, but depending on how long your labour is, you may see a number of different ones. Having Gilles and a doula there as constant support is priceless.

Week 17

How Far Along: 17 Weeks

Baby Size: Onion, 5 Inches long

Symptoms: Stuffy nose. Hungrier a lot more, but having to eat smaller meals. My back has started to breakout a little which I haven't had since high school. Hopefully that stops soon. It could be due to dairy intake, so I'll play with that a little. I have about a two hour window before I have to pee. Back aches if I walk too much or sit too long.

Weight Gain: Up 2 lbs from prepregnancy weight

Sleep: Definitely side sleeping permanently now. I have to get up 1-2 times a night to pee now.

Best Moment of the Week: Feeling more movement from baby.

Worst Moment of the Week: Feeling irritated for no reason

Any cravings or aversions: Milk. I love just having a glass.

Wedding ring on or off: On

Belly Button In or Out: In

What I'm looking forward to: Gilles being able to feel the baby.

What I miss: Relaxing on my back

Emotions: Alternating between being super happy and content to irritated.

Nursery: Went through everything that we have for baby already and did inventory. I didn't think we had much left to register for, but we will have plenty. 

Shopping: I bought a two new shirts this week. One is sparkly for Gilles Christmas party this weekend, and the other was 50% off. Also picked up new undies!

To-do checks: Blood tests Tuesday. Prenatal appointment Friday

Week 16

How Far Along: 16 Weeks

Baby Size: Avocado

Symptoms: Back ache, Round Ligament Pain - had really researched this much but wow can it smart a little. I had some pain while sitting at dinner in a restaurant one night. I had one day of morning sickness that hit me hard. Thought I was rid of it, but apparently not.

Weight Gain: Nothing this week. Still up 1lb.

Sleep: I dug out the wedge to have under my belly when I sleep on my side. It's not always needed, but helps sometimes when I'm having trouble getting comfortable. Still sleeping like a rock.

Best Moment of the Week: Gilles telling me about a dream he had about our future baby. I'll leave the sweet details out, but it was the best thing to hear. Fitting into my first pair of maternity jeans!
Feeling flutters! Very soft, but definitely flutters.

Worst Moment of the Week: Morning sickness coming back for a day

Any cravings or aversions: not feeling chicken wings at all. Tim Horton's breakfast sandwich.

Wedding ring on or off: On

What I'm looking forward to: Feeling stronger movements

What I miss: Shrimp

Emotions: Excited still. I'm still loving being pregnant and enjoying all the changes

Nursery: We bought a crib, dresser, stroller/carseat and bedding this weekend! They will be delivered after Christmas - by choice - so we can get it, set it up and not have to store it while we host family over the holidays. At least I think it will. The confirmation email said next Friday, so we'll see when we actually get it.
We also got a Pack 'n' Play that we'll wrap up for Christmas. My mom is giving it to us as a gift, but I picked it up on sale now. 

Shopping: I bought new bras and underwear and a new pair of tights. 

To-do checks: Go for blood tests.