37 Weeks!

Whew. Home stretch people and I am feeling it. Yikes. I finished up work last week, two weeks earlier than I planned,  after an eventful prenatal appointment. I went in for my regular checkup, feeling just as I do now, totally fine. My blood pressure has been really low and steady for my whole pregnancy, but for some reason it just went through the roof (for me), last week. My Doc was concerned, as he should be, and after making me lie on my left side and measuring it a couple more times, he sent me to a non-stress test, which BTW is the most inaccurately named test ever. So stressful! They hook up two monitors to your stomach, one measures baby's heart rate and prints it out, the other measures any contractions you may be having. They give you a little button to push each time baby kicks.

So I laid there and tried to relax for about a half an hour, then the nurse came back and said, "Well this isn't going to get you out of here!" Henryk's heart rate was lower than average, around 135 b/pm. She gave me a juice box to sip on to see if the acidity and sugar would ramp it up at all. It didn't. So Dr. Clark comes back in and I'm off to a blood draw, to check for kidney or liver problems, and an ultrasound, to measure the amniotic fluid and make sure he is looking good in there.

Long story short, all came back just fine, thank goodness. All those tests and concerns after such an easy pregnancy did nothing to make me less stressed or lower my blood pressure at all I'm sure. It was really cool to see our babe again though, he is huge and active, and passed all the tests in less than 10 minutes, the time allotment is 30. My Doctor asked me to come back a couple days later to re-check my blood pressure, which was still up. He suggested I go on light duty, aka no work. Since I work on my feet in a restaurant, and this just happens to be the busiest time of year, he decided it would be too stressful and didn't want to risk a blood pressure spike which could put Henryk at risk. Luckily, I work for an amazing company that offers disability, which is actually separate from the disability I will get for the first six weeks of maternity leave. So hubs and I aren't totally screwed when it comes to income lol.

And with that... on to bumpdate!!

This is one of my longest friends, Becca, who will be welcoming a little girl to her family at the end of February! Its so cool to be pregnant at the same time as a close friend. We compare lots of notes lol.

How far along: 37  weeks + 4 days. So close. Any time now little man.

Total weight gain/loss: I have started doing that weird thing at the end of pregnancy where you lose weight. I was down a whole lb at my last appt, so that puts me at 27 lbs gained total. So weird. I did make a batch of my fave cookies, Snickerdoodles, using this BOMB recipe from the Cake Boss. So I will probably be back up on Thursday.

Maternity clothes: Now that I'm not working, its pretty much leggings and yoga pants and my hubbys hoodies on the regular. I'm trying not to leave the house for many errands, because that equals spending money, which we are a little tighter on now that I'm not working. Some of my maternity clothes still fit, but on shorter shirts I am getting that 'cute' (not) gap between a low waist and my shirt. Yikes.

Stretch Marks: No new ones, since the 4 tinys appeared below my belly. I must have had one good growth spurt, and that was it for now.

Sleep: Since we bought the tempurpedic bed topper, it has been a lot better! I still wake up several times a night to use the bathroom and let the dog out, but when I finally wake up for the day, my hips aren't achingly sore! Woot! So if any other prego mommies are suffering out there, go to Costco and buy a mattress topper for $150. Two words, WORTH IT.

Best moment this week: Well it was actually last week, but seeing the baby again on the ultrasound was so awesome. Also being reassured that he is healthy, seeing those four heart chambers and fingers and toes. Very good. We also could see his HAIR waving around in the amniotic fluid, which was so awesome. I was born with a ton of hair and James had a pretty good mop too, so I've been hoping for a hairy babe. 

Miss anything: A good nights sleep, wine, beer, etc etc... Minor things in the grand scheme of pregnancy. As strange as it sounds, I also miss work. I find lots of things to fill my days, but I love my work family and I miss seeing them daily. Love you guys!

Movement: Oh yeah. Now its so strong that it takes my breath away when he kicks a lung, or wakes me from a dead sleep when he decides to roll to the other side of my belly. Crazy boy. But lots of movement = healthy babe, so no complaints!

Food cravings: Nope. Just food, and all the time. The hunger that couldn't be satisfied has left, but now I feel hungry all the time, but nothing sounds good. My poor belly doesn't know what to think!

Anything making you queasy or sick?: Not too bad, but random things make me feel nauseous, which I hear is kind of common in late pregnancy?

Have you started to show yet?: Good joke. I might be visible from space at this point.

Gender: Henryk, our baby BOY!

Labor signs: Still a few good Braxton Hicks here and there, and I feel like I can definitely tell what a 'contraction' feels like. I was slightly effaced at the last appointment, so lets hope progress continues!

Belly button in or out: Innie, but it is going through some major changes, and I am starting to think it might just pop out!

Wedding ring on or off: On, but only the band. My engagement ring is a little too tight. Boo.

Mood: Overall... pretty dang good! Just tired tired tired. I had to take a nap today around 2pm, which lasted until 5pm when I forced myself to get up. I easily could have slept for the rest of the night. The warm, snuggly pitty pup in my arms didn't make it much easier to motivate.

Looking forward to: Meeting this baby! So soon! Hopefully he decides to make his appearance a little early, preferably before the new year. We shall see. And Christmas is just around the corner, my hubs is such a great Santa, I can't wait to open our gifts! And funny as it sounds, there are just as many presents for Henryk under our tree as for James or I. Spoiled baby. His grandparents are too good to him.

Whew! Long post, forgive me. So, any crazy pregnancy stories or scares for me? I feel like this is my payback for having such an easy pregnancy so far. Share in the comments!

Get in Henryk's Stocking! (version 1.0)

As promised, (me, following through on a blog promise?! Crazy!) here is Henryk's list of desired gifts for the upcoming holiday. Since he has yet to make an appearance, I have taken the liberty of assembling this list for him. So basically, its things James and I want for baby boy. I think he'll be okay with that.
This list has been assembled from our Amazon Baby Registry, which if you are a soon-to-be momma I highly recommend using, and my Pinterest.

We will start with the big, expensive gifts, just to get the shock factor out of the way. This Osprey backpack. Our friends Garrett and Carly and their son Kellen have it and use it ALL of the time! Since James and I love to get outside and play, this will be an easy way to pack the boy and all his gear! Plus, you can just set it down and it stays propped up, so he can chill in it on the floor while mom and papa have a post adventure beer. Priorities.

Next up, some prettiness from Aden & Anais of course! We received some bamboo swaddle blankets fron this company for our shower (thanks Alex!), and they are to die for soft! Henryk would love the Muslin changing pad cover in the Liam the Brave Dog pattern. He already loves his pups, so we have to represent them in the nursery. I imagine its a good idea to have more than one changing pad cover too... Just a thought?

Sticking with the dog theme, Henryk would love this Jonny Justice Gund plush toy. For those who may be new around here, James and I are huge supporters of rescue dogs, specifically the pitbull type breed. Jonny Justice is a rehabilitated pitbull, best known for being rescued from Michael Vick's dog fighting ring. He is now a therapy dog, and is changing the populations view on pitbulls daily! He has done such a great job with his work, he was named most beautiful dog in the country by Gund and has since been immortalized in a stuffed toy! So obviously, we need a fluffy Jonny around here.

Next up, how about some precious baby pants for our little man? These Bear leggings from Salt City Emporium appear to be sold out, boo, but these arrow ones are precious too! Love it!

I also LOVE these name leggings by Jennifer Ann. How precious would they be on my little man?! I die.

And finally, we will finish up with come cozy in the form of a beautiful blanket, from Fine Little Day. I think its sold out, and also made in the UK so super expensive and costly to ship,  but boy is it beautiful!! The whole site is full of beautiful gear, so anything from it would be graciously accepted and well loved.

Henryk would also really like a baby book, as he doesn't have one yet... appalling I know. I had an interesting Doctors appointment yesterday and may end up on bed rest for these last 4 weeks of my pregnancy, so that will be a project I attack with fervor.
What are your kiddos asking for this year? I can't wait to share Christmas with our son over the years... the joys of parenting. Share in the comments!

36 Week Bumpdate!!!

I'm baaaacccckkkk!!!! Hahaha, bear with me people, I am so bad at keeping up on these things! In fact, our big chalkboard door in our kitchen STILL says 30 weeks... yep that was from back in October. Ooops. We just get so busy with life sometimes, taking photos in front of a door falls to the side. That being said, I have some new belly shots and lots of info for your reading pleasure! Onward!

 

It appears I really am growing a human in there! And he is getting huge! 

 How far along: 36 weeks! We've hit the 'pre-term' mark! Woot for small victories!

Total weight gain/loss: So far, so good I think. I've gained around 28lbs, with 4 of them coming during the Thanksgiving holiday. Sorry I'm not sorry, but if people could stop bringing us homemade toffee and if my errands could stop being near the most amazing chocolate shop in the world, it would be a LOT easier to gain at a normal rate.

Maternity clothes: Ah Maternity clothes... I never knew you could actually outgrow them?! Yep, some of my pants just aren't comfy anymore, I have three pairs that work wonderfully still, and three others that are on their way to the next prego lady.

Stretch Marks: Yesterday, we entered uncharted waters with 4 tiny stretch marks appearing below my belly button and on the sides of my stomach. At first I thought they were just indentions from wearing too tight pants... then I remembered I live in yoga pants. Definitely not the case. But can't fight nature I guess! I recently switched from using Palmers Cocoa butter to Bella B Tummy Honey Butter, and I'm not sure if that's the culprit or if Henryk is just getting huge. (I prefer to blame him, as I'm feeling the hugeness in other areas)

Sleep: Meh. That's all I can really say. If I exercise (i.e. yoga or a long walk), I sleep much better. We are buying a temperpedic bed topper today, so I think that might help with my pressure points.

Best moment this week: We celebrated my company's annual Holiday party yesterday at the beautiful Sunriver Resort, and even though I couldn't get tipsy and act a fool on the dance floor like years past, it was still a wonderful time! Besides the below zero temps outside... yikes!

Miss anything: A good nights sleep, wine, beer, etc etc... Minor things in the grand scheme of pregnancy.

Movement: Non-stop, but it has changed into sharp nudges and long, slow continuous pressure on the ribcage. OUCH. Pretty sure baby boy has super long, strong legs like his papa.

Food cravings: Nope. Just food, and all the time. The hunger that couldn't be satisfied has left, but now I feel hungry all the time, but nothing sounds good. My poor belly doesn't know what to think!

Anything making you queasy or sick?: Not too bad, but random things make me feel nauseous, which I hear is kind of common in late pregnancy?

Have you started to show yet?: The new game is... how big can she get? Strangers love to talk about my belly... Its actually pretty annoying. Luckily, the waddle hasn't kicked in quite yet, so I feel blessed there.

Gender: Henryk, our baby BOY!

Labor signs: Braxton Hicks are increasing, and I definitely feel some changes happening. He hasn't 'dropped' yet, but I have my first cervix check on Tuesday, so that will answer some questions.

Belly button in or out: Innie, but it is going through some major changes, and I am starting to think it might just pop out!

Wedding ring on or off: On, but only the band. My engagement ring is a little too tight. Boo.

Mood: Overall... pretty dang good! Its a little shocking. I do get really tired at night, and head to bed around 9:30 if I can.  

Looking forward to: Meeting this baby! So soon! Hopefully he decides to make his appearance a little early, preferably before the new year. We shall see. I'm also looking forward to finishing up with work, my last day is the 29th, only 12 shifts to go!!!