For you, Caroline

IN 24 DAYS I'M HAVING A BABY! That's less than a month! Give or take a few.  And I am scared sh*tless... I've spent months waiting for this nug to pop out and now, realistically, at any given moment he could be here.  The doctor says because I've been so "normal" throughout the entire pregnancy that I have a good chance of carrying up to my due date.  I have mixed feelings about that.  Part of me wants it to happen sooner because I am so anxious and excited.  Part of me want him to stay in as long as possible because I am absolutely terrified of labor.  Have you ever watched "A Baby Story" ???? Not a single woman is peaceful or not screaming...

I just have so many questions.  Am I going to cry? Am I going to pass out? Who is going to visit me?  Will I get an epidural? Will I have a c-section?  Will I ever have a 6 pack? Is my belly button ring going to look weird after?  Am I going to poop? (66% of people do in labor, ugh!) How many pairs of underwear should I pack?  How on earth am I going to let anyone know that I'm going into labor? When will my water break? Will I be home alone? WILL I SURVIVE?!?!?!

Right now I am exactly 36 weeks and 4 days along.  The light is at the end of the tunnel and my little baby is pretty much ready to come out.  I'm measuring right on track, so he can be up to 19 inches and 6 pounds.  So basically he's the size of a honeydew.  Finally, they give me a fruit I know!  I NEVER sleep anymore.  I toss and turn all night, catching sleep here and there.  I have so much discomfort, especially in my hips.  No swelling though!  The baby's kidneys, liver, circulatory and immune systems are ready to go.  He still just needs to get a little fatter!

And finally... I went out with my friends and was "that awkward pregnant person" at the bar.  It was awesome.  It felt so good to go out again and be involved in all of the drunken drama.  I slurped down my shirley temples as they chugged their beers.  I've missed it all too much.  The only problem is that I LOVE TO DANCE.   I don't know what others think, but I think I'm good.  But I just felt so weird having an enormous belly and getting out on the dance floor.  It was so out of character for me to just stand around. But needles to say, the people watching was enough entertainment.  I should have taken some "Creeper Cam" pictures.

Without any further adieu, here is my Saturday night baby belly! 36 weeks, and my son is already going out to bars... smh

Anxiety Sets In

In approximately 35 days (give or take) I will be delivering a baby.  Of course I've known that this day must come, and I've been looking forward to it since February.  However, knowing you have to do it and actually doing it are two very different things.  Now that the time is rapidly nearing I don't want to do it.  Yep, I'll admit it, I'm scared.  It's going to hurt like a biotch.  There's not a single woman on the planet who will say "oh it was painless and they just flew out, easiest thing I've ever done."  If you find one, let me know, I will worship her.  I'm going to complain, cry, scream, grunt, sweat, hurt, cramp, tear, bleed... I mean lets face it, the miracle of life is disgusting. I'm also paranoid about being stupid and not really knowing if I'm going into labor or not.  Or when and where my water is going to break.  Or what if I'm one of those girls on TV who all of a sudden a baby is hanging out of them and they're like oh my god, I'm having a baby! Beyond that, now I realize that I'm responsible for a life and responsible for who this child is going to become.  No big deal... (BIG DEAL)

Other than total anxiety setting in, I've come to realize that I really can't complain about this pregnancy.  I've had no sickness, no medical issues, no setbacks or concerns.  The baby has been healthy and squirming around all hours of the night.  Of course I've lost sleep, gained weight and discovered my first stretch mark (it's about a centimeter long, but it still counts!) but that's all expected. I'm also happy that I haven't had strangers rub my stomach yet.  I've heard that happens to people.  I get a lot of people staring at my stomach, probably thinking is she pregnant or fat?  I've had wonderful friends and family along the way to help me through, especially with the emotions and raging hormones. They've allowed me to vent about fears, anxiety and emotions. They've helped me validate and accept my craziness.  I've also been really lucky to have reconnected with old friends and it's always nice to feel the love and support while going through trying times.  It's really humbling to realize just how many people really care for me.  I am truly grateful to you all :]

So as an update, as of today I am officially 35 weeks along! It's possible that he's up to 18 inches and 6 pounds. I have to pee ALL THE TIME! His head is pressing on my bladder making things more urgent if ya catch my drift.   His hearing is fully developed, his liver and kidneys are developed and starting to produce his first poop.  How exciting ?!?!

33 Weeks

How far along? 33 weeks 2 days. only 47 days left, eeeek!
This Week the baby is a size of a: Durian... I don't know why they pick such strange foods. Another website says he weighs as much as a pineapple.  He could be anywhere 4-6 pounds and up to 18 inches long!
Total weight gain/loss: I only gained 1 pound since my last appointment, which is a huge feat considering I went away on vacation.

Maternity clothes? Duh.  I'm beyond repair now.
Belly button in or out? Both? The top part is sticking out but the bottom isn't.

Sleep: I've been losing a lot of sleep this past week but I think it's more anxiety related

Best moment this week: Seeing my family and friends! We went to Maryland to visit my Dad's side of the family but it was a super bonus getting to see my college roommates :]

Movement: Yes, kicking the ribs and all.
Symptoms: A NEW THING IS HAPPENING! I thought the baby was literally using me as a punching bag because it felt like small parts of my stomach were vibrating.  Then my Mom freaked me out because she said maybe it was seizures.  So as any good mother would do, I googled it.  Turns out it's not even the baby.  My uterus is having muscle spasms. I've also discovered my first stretch mark (waaaaah).  It's about 1 cm long and right above my bellybutton.
Symptoms I DON'T have: No waddling, swelling or leg cramping.
Food cravings: I'm so boring, no cravings.
Gender: boy
What I miss: strangely enough, being able to have really intense workouts 
What I am looking forward to: Getting the little nug here! I seriously can't wait.

Weekly Wisdom: Rest whenever you can, because I'm sure you won't get much rest once the baby comes... it's ok to be selfish
Milestones: At this point, he's gaining about 1/2 a pound per week.  He's just putting the finishing touches on his perfect little self.

To Do List: The big thing to do this week is contact WIC ( yay for cheap groceries) and fill out some subsidized government forms (yay for possible cheap daycare). 

32 Weeks

How far along? 32 weeks
This Week the baby is a size of a: Jicama.  I'll elaborate, 16 inches long and can weigh up to 4.5 pounds.
Total weight gain/loss: TOO MUCH.  Mom says I'm a little "hippy."  And we all know hips don't lie.

Maternity clothes? Duh.  I'm beyond repair now.
Belly button in or out? Both?

Sleep: There was one night this past week that I feel asleep before midnight.  It was magical.

Best moment this week: I felt him kick my ribs for the first time! It's weird.  It doesn't hurt but it's definitely uncomfortable. I've also been able to organize the baby room and it's really starting to come together.  Of course it's an absolute disaster now...Also, on a social note, I went to a wedding (the cutest couple.  they were voted class couple and have been together 7 years) and I got to see a few old high school friends and reconnect.

Movement: Yes, kicking the ribs and all.
Symptoms: Just joint pain.  Nothing new or exciting.
Symptoms I DON'T have: No waddling... yet.
Food cravings: Nothing really.  I just eat whatever people put in front of me.
Gender: boy
What I miss: e n e r g y  and sleep ZzZzZz
What I am looking forward to: Going to Maryland.  I get to see my two college roommates and my Dads side of the family.  None of them have seen me throughout my pregnancy so I'm really excited to show off the baby bump.

Weekly Wisdom: Keep excersising, unless you want to be a sumo wrestler. 
Milestones: His wrinkles are disappearing, his skin is getting thicker and his hair should start to be growing rapidly... I just love that every week now the big development is that he's getting fat.

To Do List: Oh, I don't know.  Someone keep track of things for me!

Adventures Galore

Although most of my days are jam-packed with eating and watching TV... occasionally I can make time to do other things.  Last weekend I went to the RWU Golf Tournament, obviously to support my basketball family.  And here is where I include a very special shout out to PAIGE CONGDON.  My red headed best friend who is jealous that my cousin gets all of the shout outs. We frolocked the streets of Newport hand in hand and had a jolly ol' time.  Monday morning we had to leave our lovely king sized bed and head to the golf banquet.  While there I bought four wing-spans worth of raffle tickets, which I figured out to be just under 200 tickets.  I know what you're thinking, I bought so many tickets because all of my money is supporting the basketball team.  Wrong.  I selfishly was determined to win as much as I possibly could.  Well, the plan worked.  I won an autographed baseball from Red Sox player Andrew Miller.  And an autographed football helmet from Patriot's player Jerod Mayo.  I have no clue who either of these people are, but I figured they would look nice on display in the baby's room.  (Which is coming along nicely by the way).




Just a few days ago I had the biggest surprise of my life.  A BABY SHOWER.  I've secretly been waiting but had no idea if I was actually going to get one or not.  My Aunt hosted while my number one fan, Caroline, planned.  I was told it was a going away party for Caroline, which made sense seeing as she's leaving for college this week.  So we get there and I was clearly oblivious to everything that was going on.  When I walked in everyone had their camera's in my face, everyone was staring at me with a creepy smile, and some of my good high school friends were there.  In my mind, I thought the camera's were because I love telling people to take pictures and tag me.  I thought the creepy smiles were just, well, creepy.  And my high school friends all know Caroline.  So I didn't really think twice.  I didn't notice all of the presents in a crib, the baby shower banner or all of the baby themed foods... It wasn't until my Aunt yelled, "Well, Surprise!" that it clicked.  A surprise indeed.  The shower was wonderful.  I got everything I could ever need.  Play pens, bouncers, stroller, car seat, bottles, diapers, clothes, toys, blankets, bath supplies... I really do feel grateful for the friends and family I have.  I was just so excited because this meant that I actually had things to put in the nursery! My next adventure is organizing and putting the finishing touches on the nursery!

31 Weeks

How far along? 31 weeks
This Week the baby is a size of a: Squash/Pineapple... He's 15-16 inches long and 2.5-4 pounds.
Total weight gain/loss: 20 pounds... and feeling super unmotivated to go to the gym.

Maternity clothes? I had to buy more shirts, my gym shirts are starting to be too small now.  They awkwardly show the bottom of my belly.
Belly button in or out? Oh. Em. Gee.  The top part is officially sticking out now.  Not drastically, but you can feel that it's poking out a bit.

Sleep: I don't know what that word means anymore :[  I toss and turn all night because I can't stay comfortable for more than 20 minutes.

Best moment this week: Finishing the nursery! It's painted, the wood floors are in and now it's just time to decorate!  I also got to see all of my old RWU teammates, their fabulous parents and the infamous Coach Thompson.  It was so nice to be able to see everyone again, and of course I loved talking about the baby
Movement: Yes, sometimes so huge it will wake me up
Symptoms: I guess the most exciting, and the only new symptom, would be braxton hicks contractions.  Or at least that's what I think they are.  I can feel different parts of my stomach tighten.  
Symptoms I DON'T have: I haven't lost my breath yet. Since I'm tall the baby isn't pressing on my lungs or diaphragm yet. 
Food cravings: Salt.  I don't want it because it will make me swell up. Actually, I DO want it, I just don't have it.  
Gender: boy
What I miss: e n e r g y  and sleep ZzZzZz
What I am looking forward to: Getting closer to my due date! It seems like it's still a long ways away (2 months) but at the same time I feel like he'll be here in no time!

Weekly Wisdom: Lots of stretching and water and relax when you can
Milestones: All 5 senses are developed, his irises react to light and he's still just busy getting fat

To Do List: I've lost track of everything now!

30 Weeks

How far along? 30 weeks
This Week the baby is a size of a: As long as a "long cucumber." What classifies a long cucumber from a big cucumber?... I have no idea.  The vegetable analogies are getting less and less realistic in my mind.  Another website says it's the size of   a squash. I just don't know what to believe anymore!
Total weight gain/loss: Let's just say bikini's aren't my thing anymore.  Well they never were to begin with anyway...

Maternity clothes? Yes.  They make me look so pregnant and cute! However, for the most part I still wear gym shorts and a t-shirt.  
Belly button in or out? In, but I'm getting nervous the skin between my bellybutton ring holes is going to split! It's getting really thing and redish-purpley.  Mom says I should have thought about that when I was 18 and got it pierced. Psh, yeah, ok.
Sleep: Seeing how I'm posting this at 12:30 am, Most of my sleep occurs between the hours of 2 am and 10 am... followed by an afternoon power nap.
Best moment this week: Starting work on the nursery!  We've ripped up the carpet and floors, stripped the wall boarder, patched up sheet rock.  Tomorrow we're painting and in a few days we're getting new wood floors!  The picture is my little helper, Ryan, throwing the carpet padding out of the window. Time to say goodbye to my old high school room. 
Movement: Yes, but I wish I knew what it was that I'm feeling. A head? Butt? Knee? Fist?
Symptoms: Lack of sleep and... (those easily squeemish stop reading)... constipation.  I've read that it happens to pregnant women but jeeesh, gimme a break!  Also lots of back pain and some minor leg tenderness.
Symptoms I DON'T have: Haven't been having weird dreams, and no heart burn!
Food cravings: Eh, nothing really, so I'll just type in the cliche to fill up space: ice cream, peanut butter and pickles.
Gender: boy
What I miss: e n e r g y 
What I am looking forward to: Finishing the nursery and starting birthing classes.  My first one is today and I'm very excited, but also nervous.  I'm afraid they're going to open my eyes to the terror of labor/delivery and I'll start having super anxiety

Weekly Wisdom: Lots of stretching and water
Milestones: The babe's still busy getting fat.  Brains still growing too  

To Do List: Starting to scratch things off my list... my big goal this week is to get things rolling with daycare.