Hope Still Flies

That nesting eating... no longer working. I haven't put on any more weight and doc lady isn't so happy. I even had Munchers yesterday. And I feel a lot bigger so that should count, right?

I know I said I would put up nursery pictures before this post... and I've taken the pictures... I just can't put them up until a certain parental unit comes and sees the nursery. So. Sorrrry. (Anyone around is always welcome to stop by and see though!)

Yet another sonogram today. She had a hard time measuring his head because he is still so low (yay!). Then she had a hard time measuring anything else because, as she put it, "it's like trying to scan a basketball!" whoops. Her educated guess was that he's bigger than 5 pounds and smaller than 15. I'll take it. (Realistically she said roughly 7). So he's a little small if that's true, but not outrageously so. Apparently I also had a contraction while she was scanning (she told me) and I didn't feel it. So guess who's now having super unrealistic pregnancy fears? ("WHAT IF I DON'T REALIZE I'M IN LABOR AND HE'S BORN IN THE BATHTUB. OR IN MY CUBICLE.")

I also saw my doctor circle "Posterior" on the ultrasound notes, so it seems he's spine-to-spine with me, which would explain my back pain. And why I can feel all of his little alien movements and bony little appendages. But no one's mentioned it. Doctor still isn't doing cervical checks which is fine by me. They don't schedule inductions until the 41st week, but basically that means at longest I've only got 3 weeks left. Hopefully a lot less though.

Nothing fits anymore and I'm ready to be done. I have nightly pep talks with T. Maybe one of these days they'll work, or he'll just come out so he doesn't have to listen to them anymore. Either way.

I think all the weight I've gained has gone to baby and my legs. 

How Far Along? 38 weeks

Does nesting also work with food? Because I suddenly am eating a lot more chocolate. And donuts. And ice cream.

I'd like to think I've been nesting as far as cleaning too, but that's not true. We have finished his room (minus the crib mattress), including the latch hook rug! I started that rug soon after I found out I was pregnant. It's been a lot of hours of cutting and latch-hooking but it's now finished... Didn't have enough fabric to make the full 3'x5' rug... it's closer to 2'x5' and I love it. I'll take pictures of the nursery and do a little post on it soon. Before he gets here.

Weekly appointments are starting with the doc. She didn't check to see if I was dilated at all - she said she doesn't do it yet unless the patient wants to and I figure even if I was dilated it might not mean a thing. So I'll go with just waiting for my back pain to turn into contractions. Also when she went to get his heartrate he threw a slight fit and pushed out and made his hr go up. She laughed and said he doesn't like his space being invaded. Noted.

Also, this kid is super bony. He now enjoys pushing out his feet and elbows on my left side. It's just mildly painful. There's also this new thing where he moves near my ribs and there's a popping noise? Slightly unsettling but kinda awesome. Sitting for 8 hours at work is also mildly painful for my back. But as of next week we're (at the old definition of) full term! I'm ready whenever he is. As long as there's not a blizzard happening.

Oh! I also packed hospital bags for me and T. Michael gets to deal with his own. Which means it probably won't get packed until we're about to head to the hospital. That's okay. I love him anyway.

How Far Along? 36 weeks

How Far Along? 34 weeks

Has it really been 2 weeks already? We're under 2 months away from a tiny person invading our lives. (Invading in a good way) and I'm still in denial. I keep going to pack hospital bags and just... nope. Can't do it. Hospital bags... need to get the car seat installed... need to get his room organized...

But I got Netflix and Hulu Plus and Apple TV for Christmas sooooo...

(no one tell my dad I'm watching Police Women of Dallas right now instead of doing anything productive)

Thankfully, these past two weeks have been quieter around here. Michael and I spent Christmas day at home - we had my little sister and her fiance over for a ham lunch and playing Super Mario Bros for the Wii. Good times all around. Then we headed to Wichita and spent a couple of days seeing all of Michael's family. Saturday we had Christmas with my family. I love this time of year - I could do without the cold and snow, but getting to just hang out with family and laugh and have good times... it makes me excited to bring a new person around for it next year. He'll fit right in, I'm sure.

It's back to work and reality now. The guessing game of when T will make his appearance. Not for awhile, but every new symptom makes me go "Is this normal oooor is he planning on just falling out of me oooor..." it's just crazy. I haven't had a rough pregnancy by any means. I'm not overly hormonal, haven't had many health problems, my arthritis is in remission... but I am ready for him to be here (not to soon) so I can stop worrying about every little thing with me. 

And be able to pop my back again.

Baby shower this Saturday! I'm not a baby shower fan. Silly games and whatnot. But I'm all good for hanging out with my friends and family, and I'm trusting my sisters with this.

I didn't take a picture of myself this weekend, but we took a few maternity pictures last Saturday with the help of my sisters. Michael was less than pleased and his ownry-ness came out. But he's still adorable, so it works out. We just got some funny faces out of the deal. So here's my 32 week picture.

How Far Along? 32 weeks

How Far Along? 30 weeks

I know. Still small. 

How Far Along? 28 weeks

How is it November??? Pretty sure August was yesterday. Right? 

No?

Somehow it's November and Thanksgiving is in a few weeks, then Christmas and New Years and then baby. (Who, by the way, has a name. Michael has forced me into silence. Take it up with him.)

Honestly, I'm glad time is flying. I have an occasional day of being uncomfortable, but for the most part I'm feeling pretty good. I'm having trouble falling back asleep on night's when I wake up, but that could be because Michael's sick and sounds like a motorcycle. I'm definitely growing, and little guy is definitely getting bigger and moving all sorts. I've started to notice his sleep cycles, though it seems like he's more awake than asleep.

We'll be starting our childbirth class this month, and then the baby care class and hospital tour next month. Just want to get that stuff out of the way before the holidays. His nursery is kind of slowly coming together. I'm worried about finishing his rug on time, but it'll get done. I'm not quite in panic mode yet about not having much for his nursery... still have plenty of time. But we're down under 4 months now and that's just nuts. Anyway, on to the usual...

(whoops didn't focus the camera right. how long have I been taking pictures?)

How Far Along? 24 weeks

Sweetest little profile.

I couldn't be more happy that everything looks great, and that my weight loss hasn't effected his growth (he was about 13 ounces [lucky number!] which is a few ounces more than all my baby books/websites/apps said he would be at this point). Michael and I are... seriously ecstatic. Only partially because we get to go play with the registry gun at Target this weekend.

Here's the 20 week update! (gotta stop wearing black in these pictures)

How Far Along? 20 weeks, 3 days

So I came across a list of wives tales that could predict the sex of the baby... and since my ultrasound is Monday and (baby cooperating) we'll know what it is... I thought I'd fill these out, just for the fun of it.

Wives Tale #1: Heart Rate

If the baby's heart rate is above 140 bpm, it is said the baby will be a girl. Under 140 bpm - boy.

Thing 1: Heart rate has been in the 140s or above... so girl.

Wives Tale #2: Shape of Belly

If you are carrying high with a big, round belly, the baby's a girl. If you are carrying low with a smaller belly that sticks straight out, it's a boy.

Thing 1: It's hard to tell because I'm still pretty tiny, but when I feel movement, it's definitely low. So... boy

Wives Tale #3: Acne

If you have acne while pregnant, it's a girl. Thought to be caused by extra hormones.

Thing 1: My skin hasn't changed all that much. A breakout here or there, but definitely not bad. So we'll go with boy.

Wives Tale #4: Cravings

Craving salty food? Boy. Craving sweets, fruit, orange juice - girl.

Thing 1: So I've always craved salty foods. But I guess I have been put off by sweet foods so boy.

Wives Tale #5: Skin under left eye

(this is a new one for me) If there is a "V" or "branches" appear when you pull down the skin under you're left eye, it's said to be a girl.

Thing 1: Doesn't everyone have these? Girl.

Wives Tale #6: Legs

If your legs get really big, you're having a boy. If your legs stay in shape and lean, it's a girl.

Thing 1: I lost weight which has contributed to this but... girl.

Wives Tale #7: Moodines

If you are really moody, you are having a girl (again, extra hormones). 

Thing 1: Not to my knowledge... boy

Wives Tale #8: Chinese Gender Chart

The Chinese Gender Chart claims to have an accuracy rate of over 90%. It is based on how old the mother is at conception and the month that she conceived.

Thing 1: Boy

Wives Tale #9: Mom's Beauty

If you have having a girl your beauty disappears during pregnancy because the girl "steals" the mother's beauty. 

Thing 1: I'm not sure about this one. I feel pretty much the same. So. inconclusive.

Wives Tale #10: Dream of Sex of Baby

If you have dreams that you are having a boy, you will have a girl. Dream of girl? Having a boy.

Thing 1: Definitely had dreams about a boy, so girl.

Wives Tale #11: Clumsy vs. Graceful

If the pregnant woman is graceful throughout her pregnancy, she's having a girl. If she becomes clumsy, she's having a boy.

Thing 1: Hahaha have you met me?! I've always been clumsy. Though I've fallen down less so we'll go with girl.

Wives Tale #12: Side You Most Rest On

If a pregnant woman prefers to lay on her left side, she's having a boy. If she prefers resting on her right side - girl.

Thing 1: I'm honestly good with either. I've fallen asleep both sides this week. I feel better on my right, so girl.

Wives Tale #13: Dad's Weight Gain

If the dad-to-be gains weight while you are pregnant, it's a girl. If he doesn't gain weight, you're having a boy.

Thing 1: Well Michael's been running, so boy.

Wives Tale #14: What Do You Think?

71% of the time, the mom-to-be knows what she is having.

Thing 1: I have flip-flopped about 5 times. Boy.

Wives Tale #15: Morning Sickness

If you had a smooth pregnancy with no morning sickness, it's a boy. If you were sick or felt really nauseous during your pregnancy, it's a girl.

Thing 1: I only threw up once, and I haven't felt sick in the slightest since then. Boy.

Wives Tale #16: Protein

When a pregnant woman craves meat and cheese, count on a boy.

Thing 1: Not usually. Girl.

Wives Tale #17: Feet

Are your feet colder now that you are pregnant? If so, you might be having a boy. If your feet have stayed the same temperature wise, you're having a girl.

Thing 1: My feet have always been cold. Girl

Wives Tale #18: Headaches

If you are having headaches, you might be carrying a boy.

Thing 1: They've gotten better, but boy.

Wives Tale #19: Baby Names

It is said that when you can only think of specific names for a boy or a girl, you will have that particular baby.

Thing 1: We've narrowed the list down for both, and I really like names on both sides. Inconclusive.

Wives Tale #20: Urine

Bright yellow pee - boy. Dull yellow - girl.

Thing 1: It varies! But girl. 

Okay... final tally. 

Boy:  9

Girl: 9

Well. Fat lot of help that was! Haha oh goodness. Only time will tell then! I'll do my 20 week update after the appointment next Monday!

How has it been four weeks since I updated? The days go by so slow, but the weeks are flying. Here's the update:

(Proof that I was just partially bloated at the last picture... I pretty much look the same. But there's definitely more baby/less bloat now)