37 weeks and progressing

I am updating now on Tuesdays because those are the days I will have news about my progress. I am now on to weekly appointments! Woot! Today Dr. Hardas was all in my business and said that the she felt the head, my cervix is soft and I was finger tip dilated. I could be this way for several more weeks, but I see it as progress because I am optimistic like that. I feel great, but moving is challenging. My hips and pelvic area have some serious issues, but nothing I can't handle.




Here is how Charlie is growing...

Your doctor may check for labor signs, while your baby prepares for birth by sucking, turning, and breathing in the womb. Congratulations! You've got what is officially considered a full term baby, even with three weeks to go. That doesn't mean he's finished growing — in fact, he's still packing on about a half pound a week (at this age, the average fetus weighs about 6.5 pounds). Right now, your little superstar is busy rehearsing for his big debut, inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid (to get the lungs ready for that first breath), sucking his thumb (to prepare for that first suckle of milk), blinking, and turning from side to side. Meanwhile, your body is going through its own preparations as your practitioner starts looking for signs of labor. On the checklist: the baby's position in relation to your pelvis (engagement) and whether effacement (thinning of the cervix) and dilation (opening of the cervix) have begun. Your practitioner may also determine whether your cervix has begun to soften and move to the front of the vagina, another indication that labor is getting closer. Keep in mind that these processes can occur gradually, over a period of weeks or even a month or more in some women — and overnight in others. So while they're clues that you're indeed progressing, they're far from sure bets when it comes to pinpointing the actual start of labor.

Step away from the fucking nursery...

Please...

FOR THE LOVE OF MY SANITY...

Step away from the fucking nursery husband of mine...

I knew Lamaze breathing would come in handy, but I never expected for this situation...

After I have worked so hard to get the nursery perfect (no easy task for an awkward preggo) my husband decided to pull the closet shelves out to dry out the fucking shower access...

How about just fixing the fucking shower and leaving the fucking nursery alone?

M-KAY

Thanks

The obsessive compulsive side of me is about to explode and I will most definitely lose sleep over this.

He, however, is just singing away like this is no big deal...

Rationally, I know this is not as big of a deal as it seems to me, but this shit is driving me batty.

Grrrrr....

Pregnant...

Here is a list of pregnancy symptoms I have had just in the few short hours of being awake today. In no way am I complaining, but I found it humorous that I have so many at this point.

So here is the list:

Frequent urination
Leg cramps
Constipation
Unending hunger
Fatigue
Dizziness
Heartburn
Cravings
Tender Breast
Sore pelvic area
Emotional - Tony says grouchy

Even though these can be unpleasant, I am so happy that it means in a few short weeks I will have Charlie in my life.

Week 36

Blessed...

I never thought I'd be this pregnant.

I am getting antsy to meet this little one, but he needs to grow so I will wait.

This week I need to do laundry... A shit load of laundry... And on that note... I hate the little plastic T-tags on clothes... I have cut no less than one million of these these things off of Charlie's stuff. They are all over and I really hate them.

I also need to install the car seat and pack my bag for the hospital in case I go early.

Next week my focus will turn to cleaning and cooking and then the next week, I will focus on finishing up school projects.

We still need to get life insurance and do a will. Also, I need to finalize my shopping for Charlie's arrival.

Lots to do in only 4 more weeks. Keep growing Charlie!

Your baby is likely between 17 ½ to 19 inches long and weighs 5 ¾ to 6 ¾ pounds.

The fine downy hair, lanugo, that has covered you baby’s skin is beginning to disappear, along with the vernix caseosa. Vernix caseosa is the thick, creamy substance that has protected your baby’s skin while he/she has been submerged in amniotic fluid. Both of these are swallowed by your baby, along with additional amniotic fluid, which combine together to form meconium, or your baby’s first bowel movement.

Your baby should be in the head down position, but do not panic if he/she has yet to attain this position. If by next week he/she is still not head down, then your health care provider may suggest trying external cephalic version.

My birth plan...

Get the baby out as healthy and painlessly as possible.

I would like to deliver vaginally, but please deliver the baby in what ever way results in a healthy baby.

I will be laboring with only Tony and necessary medical staff. I will notify staff and family of any exceptions being made.

I want an epidural.

I would like to breastfeed as soon as possible after delivering. If I deliver vaginally, please show my husband and I the baby, clean him, then let Tony hold him. After Tony is finished, I will attempt to nurse. If I have a Cesarean delivery, please allow me to nurse as soon as possible. I would prefer that no bottles be given to my baby while I am in recovery.

If my baby needs to be in the NICU, Tony and I will be the first to see him. Only AFTER both Tony and I have done so, family will be welcome.

After I give birth, please allow me time to recover. I would like to be able to nurse, get cleaned up and bond with my baby before I accept visitors. I will hurry this along as I know people will be excited to visit, but please respect this time.

Also, during recovery, please do not photograph me. My baby is the star. When I am feeling better, I will be happy to partake in any family photos.

During my hospital stay, please allow me to nurse in private as I will be new to nursing and may need time to perfect this.

I may need to poop after delivery... Please leave during this time... I am a private pooper.

35/35

35 weeks pregnant... 35 more days to go!

Holy shit...

In a month I am going to be a mom...

I am not ready...

I have been very unproductive this summer...

I need to change that ASAP!

Anyways, tonight we started the plethora of classes offered at the hospital we'll be delivering at.
Breastfeeding class brought out the more immature side of me. I also realized that Tony and I are two very different students. I sit and the back and crack jokes... He is a front dwelling, note taking type... I must have drove him crazy. Tomorrow is baby care class and Thursday we do Lamaze class. These classes will continue for the next three weeks.

Hmmm... Not much else to write about tonight because there is so much on my mind I can't process it all.

So on to the current development...

Your baby is continuing to grow and most likely measures between 17 to 18 inches long and weighs 5 ½ to 6 pounds. The vast majority of your baby's growth is complete by 35 weeks. His/her kidneys are completely developed, and the liver is beginning to process waste. Because your baby has grown so much, you will notice that he/she will no longer be performing an aerobic workout. There just is not enough room for somersaults. However, this does not mean you will not feel your baby move. His/her kickboxing routine should stay the same.

Nesting at 34 weeks...

No, no, no... Not me... Tony is nesting! He has had last week and this week off and has been working like crazy around the house on handyman projects. Man he is a great husband. As for me... Meh not so much nesting is happening... I was sick last week and so I was worthless. I did finish my shower thank you notes finally and I am on to assembling baby stuff... Next will be baby laundry and more thank you notes after my July 18th shower given by my awesome MIL and SIL. I am also working on the hospital bag and birth plan. I will post both when they are getting to the complete point. I still have the regular to do list stuff going on, but I have 6 more weeks so no hurry... :) The thing I MUST do is get working on my thesis... I am suck a slacker...

In baby news... I finally felt hiccups and Tony got kicked real hard! Both are newer exciting developments for us. I am measuring a little ahead on the fundal measurements, but I am convinced this is because I have been to too many family parties and cookouts lately.

Anyway here is the 34 week growth progress:

Your baby acts completely like a newborn, with her eyes opened when awake and closed when sleeping. You may also find her settling into more of a routine for sleeping & awake times.
She has learned to blink. She can also see more clearly when there is a bright light on your stomach and probably has the outline of all your organs memorized!
Antibodies from your blood are being transferred to him. These immunities continue to build until birth. Then breast milk will add even more protection against disease.
Your baby may have already turned to a head-down position in preparation for birth. If he is your first baby, he may be settling into the pelvis with his head pressing against your cervix.
Fingernails have reached the end of the fingertips now. She may scratch her face even before she is born!
Your little one's length is 17.7 inches (45cm) and weight is 4.7 pounds (2146 g).

*The fingernail thing creeps me out...*