36 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

 

 
 

How Far Along? 36 weeks

Total Weight Gain? 31 pounds—Funny story about this: Last week when I went to the doctor I had a new nurse who weighed me on the digital scale instead of the balance type scale.  I had apparently lost 7 lbs. in the last week!  So this week I was back on the balance scale and I’d really like to go back to the digital!  J

Maternity Clothes? Yes and even most of those are getting short over my belly.

Belly? Measuring 2 weeks small by my doctor’s measurements (I saw a different doctor this week while mine was on vacation and I measured right on for her).

Baby size? 19-22 inches (head to toe) and about 6.5 lbs.—about the size of a watermelon, which makes sense since that looks like what I’m growing!

Gender? It’s a surprise! (I think girl.  Danny thinks boy.)

Movement? I often wonder if people around me see the acrobatics going on.  The other morning Danny was feeling the baby and his comment was, “Well, I guess you got your kick counts in for the day, huh?”  Hiccups feel like Raspberry is jumping on a trampoline.

Sleep? I wake up once or twice a night to go to the bathroom and sometimes I can’t get comfortable back in bed so I end up on our huge comfy couch where I can lay on my back some.  I would still really like an afternoon nap, but Josiah is down to one nap a day so that doesn’t happen anymore.

Cravings? This week I really needed Frosted Mini Wheats (which I don’t usually like as I like plain Shredded Wheat better).  And onion bagels.  For some reason throughout the whole pregnancy they have sounded good and I’ve bought them sporadically, sometimes to have as an egg sandwich and sometimes just toasted with butter or cream cheese.  I really wish I craved healthy green things since I’m developing the baby’s taste buds and likes for life, but let’s just say this baby is going to love chocolate, ice cream and coffee!

Aversions? Getting up after I’ve sat down and bending over!

Symptoms? I run out of breath if I’m doing more than one thing at a time (you know, like walking across the room while also having a conversation).  I woke up hungry at like 4:00 this morning.  It looks like we’re back to middle of the night feedings—for me!

Preparing for birth? We took a refresher childbirth class with a great doula to be reminded of labor positions and help teach me how to relax.  I know practice relaxing each night before bed.  I realize this may sound silly, but that was the biggest problem my body had with Josiah was being able to progress through the labor stages because I apparently am not the relaxing kind.  :D  Josiah is in his new room, and it’s painted and even has some decorations up thanks to my mom and dad.  Raspberry’s crib is also up, gender neutral newborn clothes are in the drawers, her pack and play is assembled and by my bed, and her diapers are ready to go.  I’ve also finished packing us all for the hospital except for snacks and the last minute things we use all the time.

Labor signs? Contractions throughout the day.  The contraction app is downloaded and I’ve been playing with them (since there are bazillions out there) to find one I like, but I think ultimately I’ll go with the one Danny likes.  J  As far as I’m concerned, we can get this thing rolling anytime now.

What I miss? Carrying Josiah without having a contraction and him being able to sit on my lap (although on the floor he still can, but in chairs he slides off).  Bending over.  Doing the things that need done (like carrying boxes, etc.).

Best Moment this week? Making it to 36 weeks!  I’ve never been this pregnant before and now I know I can deliver in Redmond and with my doctor and the baby should be just fine.  Oh, and people exclaiming over how big my belly has gotten in the last week (thanks Mom!) and wondering when I’m due…yeah, not for another month, but I don’t think I’m going to make it.  I wanted to wait until April (which it now is) and not have the baby on the 1^st (which could be tomorrow then) since she would never outlive hearing about that from my dad.  And my wonderful date with my husband while Josiah practiced spending the night at Grandma's alone.