…

How far along: 40 weeks!

How big is baby: About the size of a watermelon, and not those cute mini ones, the full size heavy ones.

Gender: It’s a BOY

Movement: His movements have slowed down a little bit maybe? But he’s still pretty active. Mike can almost always feel his little feet sticking out and he responds to Mike’s voice. So sweet. He appears to be pretty content on the inside though.

Sleep: I no longer sleep well… I cramp more during the night and that will sometimes keep me awake. I also am having some hip pain. If I stretch out my legs during the night my hips will lock up and I have to get up and stretch or walk around to make the pain go away. Not fun.

Symptoms: Exhaustion. Occasional swelling. Heartburn, still, but not as often. Hip pain. Feeling huge.

Pelvic Pain: The pain comes and goes as expected. Some days are manageable and others are more difficult. So happy to be nearing the end and holding onto hope that quickly after delivery my ligaments will stabalize.

Labor signs: Still just lots of braxton hicks and some cramping. I am pretty sure I will be a 41+ weeks first time mom and that’s ok. We’re being patient and trying hard to just trust my body.

Cravings/Aversions: Not craving too much. My appetite has decreased this week. Mike did surprise me with a cinnamon crunch bagel from Panera this morning though and that made me real happy.

Maternity clothes: Umm yes. I wear Mike’s shirts everyday that I don’t need to be presentable and some days that I do… Whoops! I packed some of my “looser” shirts in my hospital bag though and I’m so excited to be able to wear those again after the baby is born.

Workouts: No workouts due to pain. We’ve been trying to go on a walk everyday but I am slow moving. Alfie loves it though.

Nursery: The nursery is about as ready as it will be for the babe to arrive! I still want curtains and a few more decor items, but I am not motivated to work on those things just yet. Hoping to share photos later this week unless this little guy decides to arrive – which I wouldn’t hate.

Mike: Mike is so ready for this baby to come! He’s been talking to the baby more this last week and my new momma heart melts every time. He unfortunately got a nasty stomach bug last week – but that kept him home with me for a couple days and I loved it so much even though he was very miserable.

Missing anything: Umm… sleep, being able to roll over in bed, using my abs, not being in pain, walking, working out… The list goes on and on. But the end is actually in sight now… less than 10 days!

Best part of the week: We ordered our stroller this week! We also got a new TV in the living room so the old living room TV came into our bedroom – it has been awesome for all this waiting around. We kept up our weekly Cracker Barrel tradition and had lots of time just the two of us as Mike recovered from some sort of virus (or maybe food poisoning?).

Looking forward to most: Baby’s arrival!

Worries/Concerns: No worries or concerns right now! My doctor is giving me until early next week to go into labor on my own and then we’re gonna talk induction. I really don’t want to be induced – unless my or baby’s health is at risk. Please pray for us as we continue to prepare for baby and for labor and pray that this little man decides to come on his own without an assist from the doc. So excited!

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36 weeks | 37 weeks | 38 weeks | 39 weeks

…

How far along: 39 weeks (WHAT?!)

How big is baby: About the size of a pumpkin!

Gender: It’s a BOY

Movement: Yes lots of movement. I can feel his head tucked into my pelvis now and can feel him turning side to side – pretty strange. I love feeling the frequent hiccups and even the jabs to the ribs. Every time he gets the hiccups now I wonder if it’s the last time I’ll feel them on the inside.. It’s tight quarters for everyone nowadays though so I would be happy to witness those hiccups on the outside ANYTIME.

Sleep: I no longer sleep well… I can be completely exhausted and lay awake for hours, tossing and turning, getting up to pee, rearranging pillows, overheating. I had 38 weeks of really good sleep (for pregnancy) though and 1-2 weeks of rough sleep before a newborn arrives and sleep doesn’t exist is fine by me.

Symptoms: Exhaustion. Occasional swelling but usually only when I’ve been on my feet for more than normal. I am nauseous in the mornings again and really have to watch how much food I eat. Heartburn gets bad at bedtime/when I lay down and I’m having lots of braxton hicks. These contractions are getting stronger as I get closer to my due date so my body is definitely trying to prepare.

Pelvic Pain: The pain comes and goes as expected. Some days are manageable and others are more difficult. I have noticed that if I stay up too late or get overly exhausted the pain is significantly worse the next day. I still see the chiropractor once a week for adjustments and they help so much. I am usually pretty sore the day of but then feel great for at least a couple days afterwards. My lower back is becoming more unstable as the baby drops, but that’s expected this far in the game. The pelvic pain is also increasing again with the added pressure of baby being low (I assume). BUT we’re almost to the end and it should get significantly better when this baby decides to arrive.

Labor signs: Still just lots of braxton hicks. They are getting stronger as we get closer to the due date but they still don’t hurt – just are pretty uncomfortable. If I’m laying down during one they usually take my breath away – not because of pain but because it does something to my lungs. I don’t like that at all. I’ve had a few painful contractions too but I think those were from dehydration.

Cravings/Aversions: Still loving (cold) fresh fruit and ice cold water but unfortunately both of these things make the heartburn worse. Still loving grilled cheese sandwiches/sandwiches in general. Craving carbs too.

Maternity clothes: Yep! Either maternity or Mike’s shirts. It’s usually Mike’s shirts and sweatpants though if I’m being honest. I’d rather be comfortable than cute.

Workouts: No workouts due to pain.

Nursery: I am hoping to take photos this afternoon of the “finished” nursery. I still want to add some sort of curtains to the window and will obviously make adjustments when the baby arrives. Mike and I both love how this space turned out and I love walking by the room and seeing everything all set up and ready. Now we just wait for baby!

Mike: His life is just BUSY. I feel like I’ve been saying that every week, but it’s our reality right now. We had a little time this weekend together for our weekly Cracker Barrel breakfast and some TV shopping. Time with just him is always so great and I find myself just craving it before the baby comes. His schedule doesn’t allow it, but we are definitely soaking up the moments we do have.

Missing anything: Umm… sleep, being able to roll over in bed, using my abs, not being in pain, walking, working out… The list goes on and on.

Best part of the week: Friday morning with Mike was so so great. We had breakfast at Cracker Barrel and then drove all around trying to find the best deal on a TV for our living room. It was so fun just being with him and constantly laughing with him.

Looking forward to most: Baby’s arrival.

Worries/Concerns: No worries or concerns right now! Please pray for us as we continue to prepare for baby and for labor.

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24 & 25 weeks | 26 weeks | 27 weeks | 28 weeks | 29 weeks

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36 weeks | 37 weeks | 38 weeks

…

How far along: 38 weeks

I seriously never thought 38 weeks would come. Time goes by so slow at the end, but here we are!

How big is baby: About the size of a pumpkin!

Gender: It’s a BOY

Movement: Yes lots of movement. I can feel his head tucked into my pelvis now and can feel him turning side to side – pretty strange. I love feeling the frequent hiccups and even the jabs to the ribs.

Sleep: Still sleeping pretty good! It hasn’t been as wonderful this week, but I still feel like I can’t complain. Occasionally I wake up with insomnia at around 4:30 and I’ve had a harder time falling back asleep. I think it’s mostly because I have so much on my mind with labor approaching. I also have been getting really hot in the middle of the night – even with the air conditioner on! Before baby I was always always cold so this is really weird. The baby is cooking me!

Symptoms: Exhaustion. Occasional swelling, not as bad this week though. I am nauseous in the mornings again and really have to watch how much food I eat. Heartburn gets bad at bedtime and I’m having lots of braxton hicks.

Pelvic Pain: The pain comes and goes as expected. Some days are manageable and others are more difficult. I have noticed that if I stay up too late or get overly exhausted the pain is significantly worse the next day. I still see the chiropractor once a week for adjustments and they help so much. I am usually pretty sore the day of but then feel great for at least a couple days afterwards. My lower back is becoming more unstable as the baby drops, but that’s expected this far in the game.

Labor signs: Lots of braxton hicks this week. They never hurt, but it does get uncomfortable after awhile. The baby dropped this weekend! I woke up on Sunday feeling “smaller” and realized that my belly button had moved lower and doctor confirmed yesterday that baby is definitely down low.

Cravings/Aversions: Still loving (cold) fresh fruit and ice cold water but unfortunately both of these things make the heartburn worse. Still loving grilled cheese sandwiches/sandwiches in general. Craving carbs too.

Maternity clothes: Yep! Either maternity or Mike’s shirts. It’s usually Mike’s shirts and sweatpants though if I’m being honest. I’d rather be comfortable than cute.

Workouts: No workouts due to pain.

Nursery: We are making so much progress! I really thought this wouldn’t be done before the baby because we had put it off for so long, but I think it’s almost complete! Mike bought a chair last weekend when in KC and all the gifts and baby necessities are finding their homes. Now that we have a chair in there it’s fun to just sit and look around or read my blog feed for the day. We were also gifted a homemade bookshelf this weekend at a shower so I think we are good on furniture. Can’t wait to finish and take some photos to share. We love it.

Mike: He is busy busy busy – last week especially! Between work, seminary, meetings, and tennis practice I don’t think he was home by 9 once last week. I’m hoping for some earlier evenings this week. He is still doing weekly physical therapy for his knee recovery but he gets around so well that I am frequently forgetting that he shouldn’t be pushing it too hard. We are both so excited about how the nursery turned out and he loves it just as much as I do. He’s going to be such a good dad. I cannot wait to see his relationship with this baby grow even more.

Missing anything: Umm… yes. I have been pretty self conscious of my preggo body this week. Clothes don’t fit well and almost everything feels too tight. Obviously I am ready to meet this baby, but I am also ready to feel more comfortable in my body/clothes.

Best part of the week: Some sweet friends from church threw us a shower this weekend and it was so sweet and fun. This baby is already so so loved by our community. It has also been so fun putting the nursery together and washing sweet baby clothes and blankets.

Baby Shower ready!

Looking forward to most: This little ones arrival of course, but also continuing to work on the nursery and prepare for baby. I wouldn’t say the nesting has kicked in like crazy, but it is fun to mentally prepare for this little man.

Worries/Concerns: No worries or concerns right now! Please pray for us as we continue to prepare for baby and for labor.

Announcement | 15 weeks  | 16 weeks | 17 weeks

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36 weeks | 37 weeks