BabyBoyDubs Bump Update: 39/40 weeks

How far along/EDD: 39w6d | 11/18/12 (according to our first dating u/s) 11/16/12 according to my O day.

Total Weight Gain: 38-39 lbs! I was up to 40 lbs at 176, but in the last couple of weeks, I hover right around 174-175.

Stretch Marks: No stretch marks, but I do have really thin, dark veins that I hope won’t pop in the next few weeks. Belly button is still in (except after big meals, it flattens a bit!), no e-ring/wedding band. Wearing fake rings, so I don’t feel naked.

Names Picked: In less than a week, I’ll tell you

Milestones: Every day is a new milestone of my patience! Haha.

Struggles: Pregnancy insomnia. Unfortunately, it was not a fluke and this last week I’ve been getting up at all hours of the night, wide awake and unable to fall back asleep. Inundated with (phantom) pre-labor signs, I’ve been able to read my way back to short naps, but regardless, it’s been a shitty sleep schedule. (Practice for newborn care?). Elsewise, I’m okay — it’s hard to breathe because baby boy is taking up so much space; and keeping dinner down? Don’t ask. But, I’m okay, otherwise!

What are you most fearful/concerned about: So I managed to avoid the membrane sweep, but after an invasive cervical check at my last appt, I lost my mucus plug a day after. (Got my hopes up!) Alas, we’re still waiting. Monday is my next appt past 40 weeks and we will be discussing an induction for Monday night or Tuesday – (due to the holiday). So now I’m all worried about induction, but thanks to mama friends – feel assured that if this happens to be our labor path, I will be okay.

What are you most excited about: MEETING OUR BABY BOY. In less than a week, in just a mere few days!

 

Bump pic: 39w6d – last bump pic! :*)

BabyBoyDubs Bump Update: Week 38 (/39?)

How far along/EDD: 38w5d | 11/18/12 (according to our first dating u/s) 11/16/12 according to my O day.

Total Weight Gain: 38-39 lbs!

Stretch Marks: No stretch marks, but I do have really thin, dark veins that I hope won’t pop in the next few weeks. Belly button is still in (except after big meals, it flattens a bit!), no e-ring/wedding band. Wearing fake rings, so I don’t feel naked.

Names Picked: WANT TO ANNOUNCE SO BADLY!

Milestones: Every day is a new milestone of my patience! Haha.

Struggles: Heartburn has been back with a vengeance this week. I also can’t keep food down, even though I’m starving all day long. Luckily, I’m sleeping fairly well for this late in the game. Mr.Dubs says I snore when I end up on my back, so I’ve been trying to really be conscious of sleeping on my sides. I feel bad ‘cuz he usually ends up on the couch He’s being a trooper! <3 This morning, I woke up at 5am and couldn’t fall back asleep until 730am. I hope it was just a fluke and not the start of pregnancy insomnia.

What are you most fearful/concerned about: Induction, C-section possibility, Breastfeeding… Monday is my 39 week appt and I’m technically supposed to have my membranes swept. After talking to Colleen, I think I’m going to request not to have this done and just wait it out. The chances of a membrane stripping bringing on labor is slim and could potentially lead to c-section, so I’m going to try and avoid that path. (Unless I’ve progressed a LOT since last Tuesday and Dr. says it will work.)

What are you most excited about: MEETING OUR BABY BOY. (Don’t expect a change in this answer in the next month!)

Putting up Christmas decorations! We usually don’t do it until the weekend after Thanksgiving, but with baby on the way– I have a feeling it won’t get done unless I do it in this last week or so before labor. It’s supposed to be a bit warmer out (60 degrees instead of 30!) so Mr.Dubs is going to get the outdoor lights up later this weekend.

My lil’ brother flew in safely from NYC yesterday and he’s here for three weeks! I hope to maximize our time with him while he’s in town.

Bump pic: 38w5d (mama got her hairrrr did today )

BabyBoyDubs Update: Week 37

How far along/EDD: 37w5d | 11/18/12

Total Weight Gain: 37-38 lbs! So when I weighed in this past Tues, nurse/doc confirmed that last week’s weigh in must have been a fluke, I’m still right around 173-174 depending on the time of day.

Stretch Marks: No stretch marks, but I do have really thin, dark veins that I hope won’t pop in the next few weeks. Belly button is still in (except after big meals, it flattens a bit!), no e-ring/wedding band

Names Picked: Yep! We’ve told my brother, BFFs, and our parents. Mr.Dubs told our mortgage loan officer/co-worker yesterday when we were filing papers to close on our refinance! :O So I told one of my work friends via messenger this morning to even it out! Keeping the official announcement a surprise until he’s here!

Milestones: We officially hit full-term status last weekend. BabyBoyDubs can come any time now! Though, Ideally I’d like to stay another week at least (right in between 38-39 weeks).

Struggles: I’m starting to mentally hit that point of no return. I’m ready for this baby to be out! And to be able to move my body around like pre-pregnancy days! It’s really frustrating for me to lie down and relax because I’ve always been prone to thrive more in the busy, to-do, errand setting. I’m having to tell myself to relax and not overdo it a lot. Especially in these last few weeks of life without a newborn. Other than that, I’ve been having a lot of Braxton Hicks contractions. My stomach gets rock hard all over and it’s really uncomfortable, but I haven’t had any pain yet. I think baby boy is also starting to straighten out a bit. His butt is usually right underneath my rib cage, above my belly button. And boy is it uncomfortable for most of the day!

What are you most fearful/concerned about: Going past my due date and being induced. I’ll deal with it regardless, but it’s something I’d like to avoid.

What are you most excited about: MEETING OUR BABY BOY. (Don’t expect a change in this answer in the next month!)

Mr.Dubs and I had a great night of Halloween festivities Ate Korean/Chinese fusion take-out, laid by the fire, and watched ‘scary’ movies! (Mr.Dubs also passed out a ton of candy!) I’m looking forward to another weekend of QT with hubby! I’m really trying to soak up “us” time in these last few weeks. So I have at least a vague reminder of how much I love my dear husband in the wee hours of newborn feedings and exhaustion that is about to ensue!

Bump pic: 37w4d

BabyBoyDubs Bump Update: 36 weeks!

How far along/EDD: 36w5d | 11/18/12

Total Weight Gain: 37 lbs! :O My doc actually said something to me for the first time about my weight gain, he said I’d gained 5 lbs since LAST WEEK, which would’ve put me at 40 lbs. this past Tuesday. There was just NO WAY. I couldn’t believe it. I chalked it up to bloat and swelling and weighed myself at home the next morning and I was at 173 lbs, not 176 lbs, *Sigh of Relief!*

I weighed 136 lbs. at 6 weeks pregnant. So to date (I just re-weighed myself this AM), I am up 37 lbs. just shy of 37 weeks this wknd. I’m not thrilled about it, but I’m also not going to worry about it ’til after L&D and when I get the all clear to work out. While it’s going to be a bitch, it’s on me to get my body back to where I feel good and healthy about myself. At this point in the pregnancy, baby and I are both healthy and I can’t stress about it with just three weeks to go.

Stretch Marks: No stretch marks, belly button is still in (except after big meals, it flattens a bit!), no e-ring/wedding band

Names Picked: Yep and I can hardly wait to share it with you all once he arrives!

Milestones: Today is my last day in the office. I’ve been working remotely 2-3x a week for the past month or so. Starting Monday, I’ll be working from home until I go into labor!

Struggles: I’m having normal symptoms for this late stage of pregnancy. It’s hard to breathe and I can’t get up without straining my back or Mr.Dubs’ help. Most days I’m mentally starving, but physically unable to eat a lot. Doc told me this wk that baby boy is approximately around 6.5 lbs. I will likely carry to term, so I need to come to grips with the fact that I’ll have a 7-8 lbs. baby if not bigger! He moves around on a pretty set schedule, but the types of movements have definitely changed to the big, wave-like movements that create these bladder sensations that are so uncomfortable! UGH. PREGNANCY JOYS!

What are you most fearful/concerned about: I think the fears about L&D have subsided for this week. I’m just anxious for him to get here! I have and will always be concerned about my (lack of) ability to breastfeed, but elsewise I think it’s just first time mom concerns about adjusting to life with a newborn (and husband who’s never changed a diaper in his life!)

What are you most excited about: MEETING OUR BABY BOY. (Don’t expect a change in this answer in the next month!)

DH and I’ve been spending as much quality time together as we can! We went up to Frankenmuth last weekend to the world’s largest Christmas store to buy some ornaments for baby boy and walked around downtown and shopped a bit at the outlet mall. Picked up a couple pairs of crocs for baby boy!

Bump pic: 36w5d

BabyBoyDubs Bump Update: Week 35

How far along/EDD: 35w2d | 11/18/12

Total Weight Gain: just got back from doctor’s this am– 33 lbs!

Stretch Marks: No stretch marks, belly button is still in (except after big meals, it flattens a bit!), no e-ring/wedding band

Names Picked: Yep and I can hardly wait to share it with you all once he arrives!

Milestones: 35 days? AHHHHHHHHHH. 35 days!

Struggles: The nausea has slowly been getting better. I’m not sure if it’s my better eating habits or if it’s baby boy moving down. I’ve carried low throughout this entire pregnancy so it’s hard for me to gauge if baby boy has “dropped.” Elsewise, it’s the usual aches and pains of disproportionate heavy top half. I’ve been getting prenatal massages pretty regularly which seem to help!

What are you most fearful/concerned about: at this point, I just need L&D to be over with. The anticipation of it in my head is driving me bonkers. I’m trying not to think about it!

What are you most excited about: MEETING OUR BABY BOY. (Don’t expect a change in this answer in the next month!) Just found out fro my OB that baby boy is engaged and cervix is thinned out ahead of my schedule. I’m not going to get my hopes up because I want baby boy to bake at least two more weeks ’til full-term. And also- it’s not a definitive sign of pre-term or early labor and I could very well carry past my due date. But, regardless both of us are anxiously excited, because for real guys– THIS SHIT IS GETTING REAL.

Bump pic: 35w2d