Well we have finally made it to the downward slope toward parenthood. I am about 35 1/2 weeks today, which means a little over a month left until Atticus makes her grand debut. Although, it may be earlier than that if you as our new doctor. We transferred over to Shawnee Mission Medical because Truman was just horrific, and our new OB is Julie Martin- younger, blonde who talks really fast but always has a smile on her face and doesn't waste any time. I adore her. As of the last check up, Atti is about 5 pounds and measuring right on time (although I am still measuring about 4 weeks behind in fundal height)- she is happy and healthy, and a little on the smaller side but nothing abnormal. And she may be coming early! We went to our check up yesterday and I had my first pelvic exam: I am 1cm dilated and almost completely effaced. I have to keep an eye on the BH contractions because Dr. Martin thinks that they may potentially be real ones and if that's the case, we need to put me on some medication to stop them. It's just a bit too early to let her come out just yet, I won't be technically full term for another week and a half.
As crazy and wonderful as it is to think that we get to meet our baby girl soon, I am completely terrified now. I can't believe we only have four weeks until the due date.. and that it could possibly happen before then. Any piece of me that felt ready has flown out the window and I feel like I am completely bewildered about how to care for a baby, but I am still really happy. I've gotten most of her nursery finished, and we got so much from our family and friends so I don't have anything to worry about there- every time I step foot in there, all I can think about is how amazing it's going to be to have her in my arms. I just need to put on a few finishing touches!
As crazy and wonderful as it is to think that we get to meet our baby girl soon, I am completely terrified now. I can't believe we only have four weeks until the due date.. and that it could possibly happen before then. Any piece of me that felt ready has flown out the window and I feel like I am completely bewildered about how to care for a baby, but I am still really happy. I've gotten most of her nursery finished, and we got so much from our family and friends so I don't have anything to worry about there- every time I step foot in there, all I can think about is how amazing it's going to be to have her in my arms. I just need to put on a few finishing touches!
^ The curtains are navy blue, as is the accent pillow, and I will have the big gold mirror hanging above the changing table. I just added the same curtains to the nook (need to hem them) and a throw for the rocker.
We have weekly appointments now, so the next one I will be exactly 9 months along and it will be the day before Thanksgiving. I love this time of year, it's only fitting that I have my first child around this time <3 We plan on spending Turkey Day with the Ward family in Olathe and then Blade has to go to work at Harry's. I will probably try to make it over there to spend time with him, but I have been the opposite of a social butterfly the past month or so.
The shower we threw at the house went wonderfully! I spent 90% of the time in the kitchen, but everything came out great thanks to the help from the boys. We had quite a few people show up; it was really nice to have everyone around- I miss seeing a lot of people since I've become such a homebody. Once I finally got away from the work, I got to spend a couple hours socializing (I even had a couple glasses of wine!) but it wiped me out. Blade and I spent the hour after they left cleaning up a bit and then pretty much passed out on the couch. We got so much stuff, we really are blessed to have so many good friends and family around.
^^Aren't they adorable?
I will get to the good stuff- I haven't posted an update in forever so here it goes!
Pregnancy Update!!!!
How far along: Almost 9 months
Weight gain: 21 pounds, give or take. I was about 155 on my last weigh in
Yay!: We are getting so close to the finish line, we have just about everything we need for the new arrival, and mom and baby are healthy.
Nay!: Just about everything else! I hate to sound so dramatic, but I've never been so miserable in my life. I'm constantly achy- if I work too long, my legs hurt and then my pelvis aches all night and the next day. The Braxton Hicks (or potentially not fake) contractions cause a bit of pain now, momentarily, and are a lot more frequent. My ankles and feet swell throughout the day making wearing boots a hassle, but the weather has dropped so I don't have much of a choice. All of my bottoms are too tight, including my maternity jeans, so either going pantless or wearing a maxi dress are the only real options and that's obviously not plausible all the time. Thanks to my esophagus sitting in my stomach, I was getting bad indigestion and reflux, but the baby has dropped in the past week so I can finally breathe again. [[Side note- Blade has been referring to me as Wheezy... the fat, waddling penguin toy with a broken squeaker from Toy Story]] Speaking of waddling, if I don't full out sway like a duck, the joints in my groin feel like they are coming apart... which apparently they can actually do. Oh and to top it all off, my boobs are leaking. Whoever says that they love being pregnant is either straight faced lying, or they forgot about this trimester, because this is not fun at all.
Food: My appetite is enormous!!! I can eat just about all day every day, with no particular craving for anything. I just like to eat and eat. I have had a couple little urges: I made Tiffany go to Steak n Shake with me so I could get some cheese fries, and I have wanted sweets way more than usual. But overall, my cravings have really still just been the breakfast food thing. I didn't even realize that it was a craving until I noticed that I was buying 6 different breakfast foods every time I went to the store. I need to calm down or I will never get back into pre baby shape!
Sleep: I have been getting bouts of insomnia every night around 3-4am. I have to get up about every hour to use the bathroom and falling back asleep is getting harder. I wake up whenever Atti does since her movements are really pronounced now, she moves my belly around so hard that it really does look like an alien. I can actually feel where her butt is and have to push her little feet and elbows back in when she lodges them in my hips or sides. Waking up to that isn't the best thing, but it's comforting just to feel her wiggling around.
Things to do still: I have to do the online breastfeeding and birthing classes (Lindsey recommended them now that she's dealing with a newborn), pick out a pediatrician, and finish the nursery. Other than that, I think I've gotten most of the stuff checked off the to-do list! I love Blade more than life itself, but he hasn't been much help with the little things- especially with my eccentric nesting lately- so I need to get another boost of motivation to finish the last little things. I'm so excited.
Belly button: Mostly popped out. Occasionally it flattens back out if she moves into a different spot, but for the most part it's popped out on the right side (yes, just the right side. I have realized that my belly button is crooked).
Missing: All I want is to be able to lay on my belly again... but I obviously can't... only a couple more weeks!!
^^Oh so round! I just want my body back. I will never complain about feeling fat ever again, I PROMISE!
I know that the time will fly, Atticus Roux will be here in the blink of an eye. I can't wait to hold our sweet girl! I already have such an incredible family, fur babies included.. she is the perfect addition.
[Week 35.5]
