Week 37 and 38

37 WEEKS!
Photo By Jacee Beck Photography
www.jaceebeckphotography.com
Maternity Sash By Darling Delilah:
www.etsy.com/shop/darlingdelilah777

38 WEEKS!  Down on Grandpa Jim's Farm!

How far along? far enough, baby, come out and meet your mama and dada!! Just kidding, we will wait until you are ready!  If you are anything like your mama, you'll be late ;)  I'm 38 weeks and my belly is the size of a pumpkin!

Total weight gain/loss: up 29 total lbs!!!!!  Woah.  Yep, my arches, back, legs are all feeling it.  My midwife said alot of it is water weight, explained by the swelling in my feet and legs.  Swelling has gotten worse end of week 37 and stayed for a couple of days into week 38.  But, my ankles and legs are back to normal now (mid-38weeks).

Maternity clothes?   I have a pair of black maternity pants that a friend lent me, a pair of black sweatpants, and another pair of black stretchy pants that work for work attire. I have some maternity shirts that a friend let me borrow, some of my own, and other longer shirts that I rotate over and over again!  I wear Will's clothes at home, or a sundress but it's getting chilly out!  Fall is here, my favorite season! :)

Stretch marks?  Not yet!

Highlights:

Who gets TWO maternity photo sessions???  THIS GIRL!  I'm very very very lucky to have some talented family to capture my growing belly and my soon to be new addition to our family. Photos are priceless, lovely memories that you can show to the world!  LINK to view more photos at the bottom of the blog!  

Baby was blessed with two more showers in one weekend!  Baby, there are a lot of friends and family who can't wait to meet you and love you very much already!  Let's just say it: Baby, you are spoiled!  Mommy and Daddy are also spoiled with things to make our lives easier being first time parents.  <3  I wish I had time to show the world on this blog all of the special things we've recieved as shower gifts. 

WEEK 38: Baby is the size of a PUMPKIN! 
So fitting with first day of fall being this week!

Daddee has been working on finishing the last touches on the nursery!  It's been complete minus some awesome wood stained trim!  Daddee is meticulous when he does projects, they have to be done just the way he wants it which sometimes makes a project take just a little bit longer.  I admire that, but my impatient personality kind of gets in the way at times.

Still snoring!

Had my first weekly doctor appointment this week! I gained 3lbs in 1 week.  My blood pressure was pretty high during the begining of the visit...they took it again at the end of the visit and it was 20 points lower.  So, I guess walking to my appointment makes my blood pressure rise lol.   Everything else looked good. My cervix hasn't been checked at all since my first initial exam at 8 weeks.  My midwife mentioned she will check my cervix next week at my next appoinment 9/30.  That will be interesting, mabye I'll be dialated!?  It was interesting that my fundal height didn't change much, still at 37cm.

 
New baby items:  Tons of baby shower gifts!  I put some of our giftcards together and purchased a baby monitor and a bouncer/rocker (travel size too...perfect I think for we need it for, time will only tell). 

HOLY CLOTH DIAPERS!   Woo hoo!  Looks like we are ready to roll with a cute little bum!

Got these used and for a great deal from a friend and sorrority sister whom I haven't seen in ALONGTIME (since college). Best part is that she lives so close with her 3 beautiful girls and really didn't realize it this whole time.  We were going to try a cloth diaper service before investing, but, I guess now we have what we need!!! :)

 

Movement? lots of movement still, I love it.  I'm suprised actually how much movement there still is.  I guess i was expecting baby to move a little less because baby is bigger and more cramped in the woomb?   My belly just looks rediculous sometimes now, lumpy and bumpy!  lol  You can really make out where baby's butt, back, and feet and arms are.  Head is down and ready (fingers crossed).

Miss anything? sleep. mobility. fitting into clothes.

Food cravings?   chocolate. yogurt. berries, grapes, raw carrots, hot apple cider!

Gender: we'll find out sooooon!  a couple of people these past weeks said boy and a couple have said girl.  Any nurse I've ever seen tells me girl.  Most friends and family say boy.  

Belly button in or out?  Still slightly popped out

Wedding rings on or off?  off :(

Mood/How are you feeling?  Great concidering I'm 38 weeks pregnant!

CANKLES...lots of swelling during end of Week 37

Looking forward to: Possibly being able to go to the Capri Drive In this weekend and re-live our first date and the the proposal 9/28/11)  Either that or being in labor!

Fitness Report: stretching. walking with doggies (can't wait to walk and push baby in the stroller, hoping the weather stays nice enough to do that by the time baby is here and mama is ready to walk), squats (I've been told this helps open your cervix),  Tried to Jog last week.......NOPE ouch, not even an option right now!!  I should have known better, this is the exact reason I stopped jogging months ago, and my belly was half the size!

What I’ve learned: Learned a little about Immunizations and oponions on them...lots to think about.  Of course I'm going to research this.  I'm a new mom and want whats best for my child!  I see points both ways, I'm a little confused, but, I'm sure when that time comes for baby's first shot I'll be a little more confident in my decisions.  Any tips, oponions out there, please share! 

Daddy & Mommy as new babies!  Can't wait to see what physical traits baby B will inherit from mommy and daddy!

We can't wait to meet you baby!!! <3 mommeee and daddeee
37 Week Maternity Shoot by
Jacee Beck Photography  --->>> Click for more Photos!

Happy Fall from our precious little cousin, Adelie wearing a hat I made her! 
Happy 3 Months little girl, baby B can't wait to play!

Made With Love by Heather: www.facebook.com/madewithlovebyheather10

Photo by her mama, owner of Jacee Beck Photography
www.jaceebeckphotography.com
www.facebook.com/jaceebeckphotography
 

36 weeks!

How far along? tomorrow I am considered “full term” at 37 weeks! 
Total weight gain/loss:   up 23 total lbs. since my last dr. visit, but I have another one on Monday 9/16 and I'm sure the gain will be up.   I've experienced some crazy swelling all over my body...on the hottest part of the week, and finally got some cankles.

Maternity clothes?   Finally wearing sweat pants to work!  Never thought the day would come! My supervisors are cool with it though...they are both men and are pretty sensitive to my pregnancy ;)  Which has been really nice.  Sundresses on the weekend are my go to.
Stretch marks?  Nope! But, someone this week told me that stretch marks don't happen until after the baby is born...  had no idea but I guess that can make sense!

Highlights:
 My little sister maternity pictures in South Haven this week! It was a beautiful evening to watch the sunset!  She's pretty excited to become an Auntie, she even has a count down on her smartphone! You can check them out HERE, but will need to log into Facebook.

Excited to finally be FULL TERM tomorrow.  Next week I'm going to start jogging...I think... lol  Anything to help the gravity on my cervix!

We have TWO more showers to look forward to! One on 9/14 and one on 9/15!  Should be a very busy weekend but I am very excited to see friends and family and of course eat some great food and share some great memories! :)

The hospital bag is packed!  I may have more than I need...but that's always the case.   Actually, I may be missing a lot of things...I'm not exactly sure what I'll need for the baby.  Do I need a snowsuit?  Is it going to be cold or hot?  You never know with Michigan! 

We have had a pretty mild summer, which I'm thankful for, with a couple of humid days that caused us to kick on our AC.  We reached a record high of 93 one day this week and hit a low in the 60s!  Talk about weather change, mother nature just realized it should be a little nicer to me at 36 weeks pregnant I guess... It was super nice to wake up to a chilly morning...really got me excited for the fall, my favorite season!!!  And, this year we get to spend it with baby! 

I've been snoring, says Daddee.  I normally don't snore, but I guess this third trimester has me sleeping harder than usual.  Will says he's been waking up 2-3 times a night trying to get me to roll over or something.  My frequent bathroom visits at night (up to at least 3 each night) also wake him up.  So, he's just as sleep deprived and tired as I am right now.  We just know for a fact that this little baby will be an awesome night sleeper though!! ;)  I also woke up this week one night with a serious major leg cramp. I woke up screaming " ahhh,...help me!" to Will.  There was really nothing he could do.  My calf has been sore for days!

Started training my coverage during my maternity leave at work.  It's been a busy week!

 New baby items:   A couple of things have come in the mail this week!  And there will be more this weekend!  I'm excited to see after this weekend what we need to go shopping for.  Will and I really haven't shopped for any baby items yet, except for the recliner and other nursery décor and furniture.

Movement?  lots of movement still, I love it. I constantly stare at my belly and play with the baby by pushing back at the baby when there is a huge stretch. I think I felt fingers on baby's hand at one point.  Just can't wait to kiss all baby's fingers and toes and every inch of baby!!!!!!!!!!!!

Miss anything? sleep. mobility.

Food cravings?   chocolate.  fig newtons this week...weird, I never eat fig newtons. 

Gender: we'll find out sooooon!  

Belly button in or out?  a slight pop, nothing distinct.  you can notice my belly button outside of my clothes more clearly. 

Wedding rings on or off?  off...but put it on during my maternity session with my sister ;)   I bet now that it's getting cooler outside I can try to wear it more.  We'll see how this cool weather holds out.  I miss wearing my ring.

Mood/How are you feeling?  A bit tired but good!  I’m so anxious and excited for the end to come, simply to meet this little one. 

Looking forward to:  a couple more showers!  And, of course meeting baby Burns very very SOON!

Fitness Report:   stretching. have been lacking on walking, but going to really walk fast or even run next week  to put some weight on my cervix!

What I’ve learned: I have pregnant brain...I can't think of anything I learned this week! haha

 

Auntie Bea has a count down on her phone...so cute!

Daddee, Mommee and baby in the belly! <3

GREAT FIND! Best natural deodorant ever!
It actually works!!



But most of all, baby, we hope you are healthy!
Found this in my iPhone this week...obviously created it  a while ago, and didn't really finish it but shared it with Will :)

we picked tons of apples from a friend's apple tree! 
If you are wondering, no, I didn't get on the ladder just Daddee ;)


Week 31, 32, 33, 34 AND 35!!!!!

I can't help but notice my shadow on a sunny day! 
Daddee helped me capture it!

My view at week 32!



Yep, I wear the same dresses over and over and over and over...

We finally picked up our rocker/recliner for the nursery!  Purchased with help from
 donations from Will's Dad and My Mom :)



Week 32: Takin a break from boogying at Natalie & Devon's wedding!



35 weeks: making a mold of my belly at our Centering Program!

YAY!  my own walk in closet!!  How's a girl get so lucky!!!???  The closet walks in from my bathroom, inside of our bedroom upstairs.  It's definately a better use of space! WORK IN PROGRESS!



How far along? 35 weeks!  2 weeks till “full term”!!!!  But, could have wait to meet baby burns until 42 weeks…7 weeks from now.  Right now, that seems like a LONG time!

Total weight gain/loss:   According to my last check up, I’m up 23 total lbs.  My arches are hurting… my feet have finally started to swell.  My hands are swelling too.  My body swells the worst when the weather is hot and humid outside.  When it’s a nice cool day, I have an easy time!   Fundal height is measuring on track with my week, my last appointment on 9/3 I measured 36cm! 

Maternity clothes?   My friend Emily had her baby to an adorable baby boy, Hudson!  And she donated some of her maternity clothes.  Boy are they helpful in this last month!!!  My mom bought me some nursing clothes which are also super comfy!

Stretch marks?  Nope!

Highlights:
Everything is going well!  A lot of time has passed since my last post.  I’ve included some pictures that may highlight the highlights ;)  Turned a birth plan into my midwife...although I'm flexiable...whatever it takes to get the baby out healthy!  And, we chose a lady to help us with daycare when I go back to work. She lives not even a mile from us and is licensed by the State of MI.  She is also very affordable, is open to managing cloth diapers and any other unusual requests we might have ;)

Brittany and Tesia threw me a big family shower, in which Baby Burns became more spoiled!  Here is the link to all of the pictures on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/brriittaany?fref=ts&ref=br_tf#!/brriittaany/media_set?set=a.10201260331365295.1073741834.1082163982&type=3

We have TWO more showers to look forward to! One on 9/14 and one on 9/15! 

New baby items:   lots and lots!  Too many to list…  All of this will be documented in the NEW baby book we received from someone special! J

Movement?  Tons still!  I’m wondering if this means that baby still has room to grow, and won’t greet us until mid-October?

Miss anything? Mobility mainly.  Wanted to walk the Mackinaw Bridge over Labor Day but we decided not to due to lots of Braxton Hicks contractions, and a feeling that I just should stay home this year.   I also feared dehydration, which would be the only thing that might cause pre-term labor…  just didn’t want to take any chances.   I heard it wasn’t the best weather to walk the bridge this year, so maybe we lucked out not going.

Food cravings?   Chocolate is my only main true craving.  Ice cream (with some sort of chocolate in it of course) is also a preferred sweet!  Healthy foods have been what I’ll choose otherwise.  So, I guess it balances out a bit ;)

Gender:  I’m still pretty confused.  However, if I had to pick, I’d say that this baby is a boy.  I’m not exactly sure why… just a hunch.  I just know that I can’t really rule out that baby Burns is a girl.

Belly button in or out?  This week, 35 I’ve actually noticed my belly button pop out a bit! 

Wedding rings on or off?  I took my ring off at 35 weeks … in fear that I may need a C-Section and I can’t get my ring off because my hands are swollen.  I’ve had a couple of times where my ring was stuck on my finger due to swelling.  It normally goes away in the morning so I can easily slip my ring off.  But, didn’t want to take any chances here.  My ring will be in one piece this way!  I do miss wearing it.

Mood/How are you feeling?  A bit tired but good!  I’m so anxious and excited for the end to come, simply to meet this little one. 

Looking forward to:  a couple more showers!  And, of course meeting baby Burns very very SOON!

Fitness Report:   walking, stretching, squats

What I’ve learned:  I learn new things every day!  The funniest of which being if you “Shhhhhhhhhhh” really loud in a newborn baby’s ear they actually find that comforting!    I’ve been reading Baby 411 and the Business of Baby.  Lots of great and surprising info in the books!    I've learned that pregnant brain is REAL!  A couple instances in the same week happened where I ordered a beverage from Starbucks, drove up to the pay window and reached out for my beverage.  It didn't cross my mind that I had to actually PAY for the beverage first!  I also start something and forget what I was doing...A LOT.  I get some good laughs at myself lately! 


***You'll have to forgive this mama-to-be for the delayed post, and how sloppy, un detailed, and unorganized this post is!  It will probally get worse after the baby is born!***