34 & 35 Weeks

Thursday, January 4 - 34 weeks
You're keeping me on my toes, little one! Last night I was having several contractions - but I don't think these were quite the real deal as they were more up high and not down low or super painful. I probably had about 8-10 over the course of two or three hours. I made sure to sit, take it easy and try to drink more. I didn't notice any overnight while I was sleeping, but I've had a few again this morning. It's been hard to tell, this morning, if it's your positioning or if they're Braxton Hicks, so I'm going to try to stay hydrated today.

Today was supposed to be our first day back with students after winter break, but we're off for a "cold day" because the wind chills are expected to get around -20 degrees today. Anna and I are enjoying another day off together and will be heading to my MFM appointment this afternoon. I'll be sure to tell them about the contractions (or whatever they are) I've been having over the last 12ish hours. I don't think it means you're coming just yet, but it sure is getting me excited for that day! It's exciting to finally be at the point in my pregnancy where delivery (although still considered premature) would result in a tiny, but healthy little baby.

Daddy has been amazing and working on your room a lot lately! All that's left is hanging your new blinds, painting the baseboards, finishing your rocking chair and assembling the crib! Then I can organize, wash and put things away!!! Your room is so cute! I love walking past it because it is finally starting to look like a little boy's room. I love the colors so far and I can't wait until everything is finally together.

Update after appointment: Our appointment went well today. You are head down and booty up, and look completely squished. You were moving well, practicing your breathing and still have a good amount of fluid.

Your big toe is in your eye! About a minute before this, your big toe was in the other eye. 

I asked the tech if I could speak to the doctor before I left because I wanted to talk about the contractions from last night. She didn't seem too concerned and said it's to be expected at this point in pregnancy, especially because it's my second pregnancy. She said I'm likely going to feel them more and as long as I don't have them regularly for an hour, I should be good to go. She offered to check my cervix and told me that it's still closed, it's starting to thin out and it's still intact, so nothing to worry about there. As always, if things change, she told me not to hesitate to come in, but there was no cause for concern today.

Sunday, January 7 - 34w, 3d
We had a nice visit with Chris and Sammi this weekend before all of the school and Masters craziness sets in next week. After they left, Daddy assembled your crib and I did two loads of your laundry!! I have been dying to get things out of your closet and organized, and today I was able to make a dent in that - it was so nice! Anna and I also assembled your pack n play, so that's in the living room ready to go. All of your newborn clothes are washed and put away (although I'm sure I'll rearrange them a million times before you're here). Your crib has a nice new, clean sheet, your cranky blankie and two little sock monkey stuffed animals in it. Daddy still needs to put one more coat of sealer (maybe?) on your dresser, so that's not 100% ready yet, but it looks really good! Your rocking chair needs a cushion and we have some things to hang on the wall. Your room finally looks like a baby room and I'm so excited.  We also need to install your car seat in the car and I'd like to pack our hospital bags soon - hopefully this week.
It's still extremely surreal that you'll be here so soon. It's exciting to think about, to see your stuff out and to organize all of your clothes, but I still don't think the reality of it has hit me completely. It's like it's too good to be true that you'll be a part of our family within the next month.

Saturday, January 13 - 35w, 2d
We're just about a month away from your due date and things are finally starting to get ready around the house! Daddy finished the last coat of sealer on your dresser today. We bought some 3M things to hang up the map in your room. I packed your diaper bag for the hospital and started packing my own bag. I'm hoping I can convince Daddy to install your car seat in my car tomorrow. I also purchased a second base for Daddy's car today, should be here by Tuesday. Now if only we can settle on a name for you!!

Monday, January 15 - 35w, 4d
ONE MONTH away from your due date!
I was supposed to have a non-stress test on the labor & delivery floor this afternoon, but decided to cancel it due to the snow, wind and cold temperatures. I really didn't want to drive in that, especially having to bring Anna along. I figured since Brother's moving really well and I haven't had any issues, skipping one NST wouldn't be a big deal. The lady on the phone from the hospital was really nice about it and understanding. While I was on the phone, I decided I better pre-register at the hospital for birth. This should cut down on the paperwork and information I have to give whenever we do finally go to the hospital when I'm in labor.
Daddy also hung a couple things in your room today and finished your dresser. Now I can put your clothes where I want them and start pulling more stuff out of your closet. Your hospital bag is packed and mine is in progress. All that's really left is installing the car seat. :)

34 Weeks

Monday, July 7 - 34w, 3d
What a weekend! Daddy and I went up to Linda & Roger's Thursday evening and went out to dinner at Daddy & I's missed restaurant, China House. Friday morning (4th of July) I woke up with a lovely fever and felt like crap. I have no idea where it came from, but it wasn't fun. I felt bad laying around all morning especially because Elise, Kyle and the boys showed up, but I was between sweating and the chills and just exhausted. I knew from first trimester that it was okay to take Tylenol, so I took a couple doses throughout the day and once it kicked in, I felt slightly better. I felt good enough to go to see fireworks, because who misses out on fireworks on the 4th?! Liam loved them and Cole was so exhausted from playing all day that he fell asleep during them, but really enjoyed the ones he saw.

Saturday, I woke up feeling a bit better. My fever was gone, but I still has a slight headache and was pretty tired. I sucked it up, took one more dose of Tylenol and had some fun with the family at Wild West Town.

Cole & Tim on the roller coaster...their arms didn't stay like this for too long.
Cole had fun until he hit his head against the back of the seat because the ride was so jerky.
Their faces were priceless as they went around!

I'm glad I was feeling a little bit better because it was so cute watching the boys play the games and do the cute activities. After Wild West Town, we all went back home and took a nap before going out to dinner together. Unfortunately, the night I slept terribly. I was experiencing shortness of breath and a sore & tight chest while breathing, I assumed from you getting so big and taking up so much room. But what was worse was that it was all night and into the morning, it felt like it came out of nowhere, and I couldn't produce any mucus while coughing, so I felt like I couldn't do anything to make it better. Thankfully, as Daddy drove home, I got in a little bit more sleep and started to feel a little better. My chest wasn't as sore anymore, but I still felt like I couldn't take as deep of breaths as I could even a couple days earlier. I distracted myself by doing a little project with Daddy that I've wanted to do since I found out I was pregnant - dye onsies for you (and Daddy tie-dyed a few). We used size 3m short sleeve, 3m long sleeve and 6m long sleeve white onsies and they turned out super cute. :)

Today I slept for just over twelve hours and didn't get out of bed until almost 9:45, which felt fantastic. I also woke up without any chest pains, breathing a little deeper, and producing lots of mucus - finally! I don't know if it's because of your size (I'm assuming so) or because I caught something this weekend, but I'm sure glad to be slowly getting back to 'normal'. You're definitely getting heavier and harder to carry around for longer periods of time without needing a break, but I know it'll all be worth it in the end....which is getting so close!
My next doctor appointment is on Thursday, so I'll explain everything to them and see what they think. I never called them over the weekend because not only were we several hours away, but it was also a holiday weekend. I was going to call them today of it continued, but I'm feeling 10x better than I was Saturday and you haven't stopped your crazy acrobatics, so I'm not concerned about you. Oh, I'm also finishing up Tobi this week (which I felt was not helpful this time around) and will be starting Cayston as soon as I'm done with Tobi. Let's hope the Cayston helps my lungs during this home stretch!

Thursday, July 10 - 34w, 6d
I had your weekly doctor appointment today and everything went very well. I'm 129.8lbs (I seem to be stuck right around 130 now) and my blood pressure was fine. I met with the third OB in the office, I've only seen her once before she went on maternity leave when I was around 16 or 18 weeks. She was very nice and sat and talked with me for a while about labor and delivery, pain meds, reasons for a c-section (which we're all trying to avoid if possible), etc. It was nice to be able to talk to her about all of that, so now all three doctors and I should be on board with my "birth plan", I guess you could call it.
After chatting with the doctor for a little while, I had a growth scan for you. They measured your head, belly, leg bone, and your arm bone and estimated from those measurements that you're now about five pounds! I'm so proud of you! Even though I haven't been gaining much any weight, I'm very glad to know that you're still growing just like you should. They say you'll probably gain around another pound or so before delivery, so you'll probably be a tiny little peanut, which is okay with me...then hopefully Mommy won't have any problems pushing you out.
Today you were still head down, but this time your head was way down there - even a little hard for us to see (so no pictures, again!), but, I'm glad you're in the correct position still & let's hope you stay that way. The doctor said she wants you to stay in there at least two more weeks (37 weeks) because then you'll be full-term and then you can come whenever you want. Plus then Mommy & Daddy can go to Tony & Brittany's wedding (the weekend I hit the 37 week mark) and then you can come any time after. :)

This week I also installed both car seat bases in the our vehicles and found you a pediatrician. Tomorrow I'm going to do one final load of laundry, then all of your clothes should be good to go. There's not much left to do aside from packing my hospital bag, which I'll probably start next week. One month to go, little lady!! :-)