40 weeks

Well, this last week my due date came and went.  I never expected the baby to come near my due date, so I wasn't too surprised.  But, you know, as you grow up you sure do get lied to or at least deceived about pregnancy.  There's many things they don't tell you, such as it really being at least ten months-not nine, and that your due date means nothing.  I thankfully already knew these things before getting pregnant, but gee golly, these last few weeks have been crawling!  I've at least still been working so these days go by faster than if I were at home.  I am thankful to have had shorter work days this last week to be able to come home and do some last minute things, rest, and walk with the fluffy baby. 

In the last week or two, I have noticed that people just don't think when they say things to you as you're about to give birth.  Such as:

1. There's definitely a 9.5 lb baby in there; I think the baby gained a half a pound overnight!  
2. Oh my gosh, you're huge!
3. Whatever is in there is huge! And you're going to do that naturally....yeah right!  
4. Are you having twins? (this was a serious question) I laughed at this because the woman asked if I minded telling her my due date (of course not).  But then had no problem quickly asking if there were two in there!  
5. Is the baby ever going to come out?  

What encouraging words for a post due date mama, wouldn't you say?  Good thing most of the time I can let these types of things go and if not, Jon gives me a good reality check and gets me back in line!  

 40 weeks

Jon and I decided that if the baby wasn't born by this Sunday, we would go tot he Chicago Botanic Gardens.  We love going there throughout the whole year and enjoying what each season has to offer.  Since it has been getting warmer here, things are starting to bloom, but most of the magnolias and tulips were still waiting to pop out.  If the baby doesn't happen to be here next week, guess where we're going back to?  Last year Jon and I got to enjoy the tulips around my birthday because it was warmer so much earlier compared to this year.   We had a great Sunday together; it has been our special day to enjoy since it's our only day where neither of us work.  After the gardens, we used his Starbucks discount and got some fancy clover press coffee.  Then, we grabbed some dinner and I got some spicy shrimp.  But, the only thing spicy food does for me is regret eating it as the baby kicks and jabs me even harder than normal!  Forget it! 

We at least saw some magnolias blooming; what a sweet fragrance!  

Jon got a flash for the camera and was excited to test it out on the bambino/a and I.  

Now I am 40 weeks 4 days.  Tomorrow I will go to my midwife and they will do a non-stress test, ultrasound to check fluids, and then check me again.  Hopefully this week there will actually be some progress, compared to last week.  But to be honest, I really don't mind having the baby inside-I'm not going crazy-the only thing is that it's so hard to move around.  Being in bed fine, until you have to roll over because your hips are falling asleep.  Getting in and out of the car usually is accompanied with a rather large grunt and heave-ho of myself, followed by a few seconds of panting and steadying myself.  The baby will come when it's ready, I will work on being patient until then. 

39 week + comparisons

First off, let's start with a cute picture of Jonathon and the fluffy baby.  Aren't they cute?

Molly has been getting lots of long walks lately and she loves it.  She thinks it's all about her and giving her time to sniff all the new spring smells, but it's really about moving the baby southward!  After the walks, we both tend to pass out, but I never complain about extra cuddle time.  

Last post, I shared pictures my dad had taken of us and that was my 37th week.  Here is our regular side profile picture, not quite as exciting as the outdoor pictures. :)  But, I look back and I think I look small....oh dear. 

 37 weeks

     38 weeks                                                                      39 weeks     

I thought it might be a good time to have a comparison photo as people have been asking what I look like and if I have dropped yet or not.  Although I am not super low, you can tell that the baby is sitting lower a bit and boy do I feel it!  The baby still likes to remind me that it's in there by jabbing me and hitting some painful nerves with their big noggin!  The picture on the left is actually on my birthday, last Sunday!  Wouldn't it have been nice if the baby decided to gift me with its birth?  But, it didn't.  I remember when Jon and I found out the due date last fall, he said, "Ohhhh, your birthday is going to be rough.  You'll be big and tired and crabby."  Nice.  It didn't really bother me because I thought, well, that's probably true.  I may be big and tired, but I wasn't crabby on my birthday.  If anything, I used my birthday combined with being quite pregnant to be doted on even more, haha.  Who can resist an almost 10 month pregnant woman with a pouty lip on her birthday?  Well, not Jonathon.  I didn't want any gifts, but just time with Jonathon since our schedules have been pretty opposite, I just needed a day with him.  So, we spent the whole day together relaxing and eating and enjoying time together.  I was spoiled.  He even wrote me a nice letter and made the pregnant woman cry.  To finish off the night, we got some yummy Coldstone ice cream! Thanks for a great birthday!

My kids at school have been pretty funny throughout the pregnancy and realized I am really going to miss all these things and their extra love after the baby is out.  They're always feeling my tummy, listening to the baby, and asking it how it's feeling and what is it doing in there.  While swinging with one girl, she said, "Ms. Anika, what is that baby doing in there?!"  I replied, "Well, it was awake during your nap time a bit ago, but now it's asleep.  I think it's just relaxing."  She responded very seriously, "Oh.  Well, I think that baby must be some type of wild nocturnal animal!  It is always awake in the night and asleep in the day!  Yes, it is a wild, nocturnal animal."  I laughed so hard, what a smart thought.  Another boy looked at me (as if I haven't been around at all), realizing how big my belly was and exclaimed, "Oh, Ms. Anika, I think you are really going to pop!  It just looks like your belly might just blow and pop!  Oh my!"  He said this while having his hands out in front of him as if to shield him from the blow and then ended with them on his cheeks because of his amazement.  These are the types of things that I will miss, but now they will always be asking about the baby and how the doctor got it out, I'm sure.  

Anyways, soon, hopefully soon, we will meet this Wild and Wooly bambino/a!  

37 week catch up

I seem to be getting behind as the weeks wane on.  But, there is a reason as to why I'm a little late and that's because Jon's beloved grandpa passed away on Easter.  His grandpa was a very special man and really welcomed me into the family and made me feel extra loved.  We will really be missing him.  Jonathon was gone for the weekend during that time to be with him and family and since he has come back it's been a whirlwind.  I was very glad that we felt comfortable to be separated during a time when it was important for Jonathon to see his grandpa and family and also glad that the bambino/a did not decide to come out early.  

But, now that we're nearing the end of our 38th week, we're ready for the baby to just come already!  I have been getting quite tuckered out, especially still working full time and I am just dead in the evenings.  And yet, I don't sleep well during the night.  For one thing rolling over is horribly uncomfortable and difficult and if I don't roll over, my hips go numb and hurt like none other in the morning.  Another thing that hinders my sleep is Jon not being there three nights a week and then coming home early in the morning.   The Pocket Baby is a good cuddler, but not quite the tall size that I'm used to.  In fact, here is a picture of her taking over Papa's pillow. 

But when Jon is home, this is how Molly likes to sleep: still taking over Jon's pillow.  I often find her like this in the mornings.  Jon, though, never realizes that she's wrapped around his head...

We had our final ultrasound this last week and baby was still in a good position, but was measuring big for my technical week.  They said I'm more like a week ahead schedule, so maybe we'll be seeing the baby a bit sooner!  In the ultrasound, we got to see the baby move their tongue in and out of their mouth, their healthy heartbeat, as well as some hair on their head!  But what color will the hair be, it could be anything based on Jon and my hair history!  While meeting with my midwife, she checked my belly and then grabbed it and talked to the baby and said, "Okay, you're done cooking, you can come out now!"  We'll see if the bambino/a listens to her and all the other people encouraging it to come out.  We are very excited to meet this little one and see who they are and give them lots of love!  

 I do not have our typical side view picture for our 37th week, but these are even better!  My dad helped take some pictures as I realized we didn't really have any of us together during this pregnancy (how sad).  Thanks dad! 

Hide and Seek-If I can't see you, you can't see me...

Such a sweet man!

Still can't find me?

 Thanks for visiting after your fun baseball game!