Weeks 36 & 37

36 & 37 weeks

 

 

These last two weeks have been insane. My Doctor told me at my 36w appointment that he would be out of town from my 36 1/2w- 37 1/2w mark. No big deal. It totally stressed me out. Especially because in the same conversation he told me "history will likely repeat itself" as in, have a baby a couple weeks early {as I did with Ryder}. He also told me I was measuring 3 weeks past my due date when I've been measuring a week early almost the whole time. Which probably means baby has already dropped. I already assumed that by the amount of pressure I've been having but he scheduled me for an ultrasound just to make sure everything was good.

 

The same day we finalized our flooring for our house and had maternity pictures. Ryder hadn't napped and he fell asleep in the car 5 minutes before we got to the park where we were taking the pictures. I thought for sure the pictures would be awful, Ryder would be crying or sleeping in all of them and I wasn't going to have them to look back on. I was so wrong. Ryder was awesome. He loved the little creek that ran through, the ducks and turtles and was pretty compliant with everything we asked him to do. We've seen the preview pictures and LOVE them. I'm getting the CD tonight and I'll hopefully have time to be able to post a few of my favorites before little O arrives.

 

I had my baby shower that following Saturday. My mom, Julie and Dominique did such a good job with all of the planning and cute ideas, and my awesome friend, Courtney offered her adorable home! The theme was "ready to POP". We had a whole table of 'things that pop' including, a variety of pop corn, tootsie pops, cake pops and a tray of fruit to 'pop something healthy'. It was seriously adorable. 

 

We literally got everything we needed for baby, plus some. LOTS of diapers, adorable handmade quilts and blankets, clothes.. you name it! There were a few things we still needed and we were able to cover all of those with the gift cards and cash we received! We feel so fortunate to have such amazing friends and family who are just as excited for this little dude as we are! Thank you!

 

 

 

How far along: 36 & 37weeks
Maternity clothes: Absolutely. I bought some new jeans and a shirt for maternity pictures, even though I said I wasn't buying any more. But really now, I'm done. I'm suffering through the cold weather we've had, wearing over-sized hoodies and hoping it gets a little warmer for the remainder just so I don't have to break down and buy anything I'm only going to wear for a week or two.
Morning sickness: No
Cravings: I've eaten and craved {almost every day} Crispix cereal. I had never had it until last week. My dad went grocery shopping and remembered he used to like it and bought a box. I've since had to buy 2 more boxes.. delish! Also, my mother in law made a homemade angel food cake with cool whip and strawberries for my SIL's birthday. I ate two pieces that night.. and didn't even feel bad. And have since wanted it every single day.
Food aversions: Nothing really that I can think of. I went grocery shopping today while I was hungry and I gagged a few times. Once, walking buy the chicken wing stand they have, and a couple other times when I'd smell the meat counter from an aisle.
Labor signs: Well... remember how I said my Dr is out of town? I saw the nurse practitioner {who I love and wish delivered babies} and she did an exam. I was {as of Wednesday} 3cm dilated and 80% effaced. She told me I may not make it until Monday when Torres gets back. Since, I've been doing all I can to avoid going into labor. Seems crazy, since by this time, last time I was doing everything in my power to bring it on. But I can still tell it's coming. A few new symptoms every day, today my back is especially KILLING me. I really hope I can hold off until Monday, but it's getting painful enough that I may not mind if it came down to it.
Belly button in or out: Out. Just to give you a little visual.. Ryder pointed to it the other day and said "MOM! Boobie." cute.

What I miss: I thought I'd turn this into "What I'm going to miss:" because honestly at this point, I don't remember what it's like to not be pregnant.

I think mostly I'm going to miss all of the 1 on 1 time with Ryder. Every day I lay him down in my bed with me for nap. We sing and cuddle and nap for a few hours, I'm really going to miss that. I'm going to miss being able to play whenever he wants, hold him whenever he puts his arms up and tells me "mommy, i'na hold you". {melts.my.heart} He's been my whole world for two years and I'm just worried he'll resent me for this.

 

Before I make myself cry, here's another: I'm gonna miss my belly table. Sometimes it's REALLY convenient. Like, for eating my crispix while watching Criminal Minds. ;)

Milestones this week: Hitting full term. It's such a relief to know that when I have this little nugget, he should be healthy and able to come home with us. It's such a feeling of relief, I can't wait to meet him.

 

We've really been focusing on getting our time in with Ryder these last few weeks and doing things he'll enjoy. Tyler set up the new stroller and Ryder absolutely loves it! Yesterday he insisted we use it at Target, instead of a cart and he was pretty dang good! We've also been using it to go on nightly walks, even though my instincts tell me to put those off until Monday.

 

We went the pumpkin patch this week, too, followed by Nielson's Frozen Custard. We'll likely go again if Oakley arrives before Halloween to take the boy's pictures, actually purchase pumpkins and because Ryder had so much fun for so little money! I feel like there's so much that has happened and so many memories that habe been made recently that I'll never ever forget. I love my boys.

 

 

 

 

Week 35

This week was exceptionally better than the last. I finally kicked most of the sickness and I'm feeling much better. Our house is progressing so fast and I'm getting so anxious about it! We have complete framing done and it finally looks like a house, this week we're expecting to see duct work, electrical and plumbing throughout.. I seriously can't wait.

I swear Ryder gets more funny every day. He's a parrot, which is sometimes hilarious, and other times.. still hilarious, but not as good. I said dammit out of frustration the other day, and he proceeded to yell it at everything the rest of the day... Bad mom award. I think he's becoming more aware of my pregnant status. I don't know if it's because my belly is so big or because we talk about it so much but as soon as he sees my bare stomach, he jumps at the opportunity to kiss it/blow raspberries and say "hi baby". He's also become aware of what's his and what's "Oakey's". Everything baby{even things at the store} he sees, he points and says "mom! that's Oakey's". Melts my heart.

I'm having the hardest time knowing I have to leave him when I have the baby. So hard, that the thought of having a home birth has crossed my mind more than once. {logical to change your birth plan 5 weeks before baby..} not to mention, I don't even have a home. HA. He's never been left over night, not even with Tyler. Last night I went with my mom to a party and Tyler called me because Ryder was hysterically crying for me and he came and got me. It killed me knowing that he couldn't handle even being with his daddy for a few hours. Let alone, having someone other than me getting him to sleep for the first time in his two years of life. I don't know what I'm going to do, I want to be pregnant forever just to avoid the situation completely. ::sigh::


How far along: 35 weeks
Maternity clothes: Yes, and a lot of Tyler's shirts. Unless I'm going somewhere, I'm not dressed. It's so hard to justify sitting in jeans all day.
Morning sickness: Not at all
Cravings: In n Out. Tyler and I ALWAYS go on one of his days off but this week he had to work one of his days off and the day he did have, we did lunch with his mom. I swear it messed up my body's routine and it's all I can think about. Tuesday can't be here soon enough! I've also needed a Slurpee every night. Mountain Dew & Cherry. Keeps me sane.
Food aversions: Ground Beef. I haven't been cooking much lately but when I made something with beef the other night I could hardly stand it. I can eat it, but cooking it made me gag.
Labor signs: Boy oh boy. I'm realizing how good I had it with Ryder with NO contractions till the day I had him. I'm having 1-3 Braxton Hicks contractions every day now and they're reminding me how painful the real things are.
Belly button in or out: Out. It's finally even on all sides and doesn't look AS weird.
What I miss: Not hurting. I feel like an 80 year old woman.
Milestones this week: I'm finally starting to feel prepared. We ordered our car seat and stroller, nesting has set in a little bit and clothes are getting washed in Dreft. I about cried when as I was pulling all of the little newborn clothes out of the dryer last night. Why are they 10 times cuter after they're washed? This week we also went shopping for all of my hospital bag supplies. There's a couple things I still need that I'll get this week, but I feel much better knowing that if something did happen early, we're prepared and ready to go. Ah, I can't wait.

Week 34

Before I started this post, I read some of my friend's blogs and it occurred to me, hey, other people have time to blog more than once every couple weeks, and about more than just pregnancy... Sorry, friends, I'm not one of you. I'm a little jealous, though. I really wish I could record more of my everyday life but I'm really having a hard time getting my weekly Oakley updates done. The funnier Ryder gets, and the more he talks and does, I really want to start Vlogging. I'll never regret the little videos I take of him and all the crazy stuff he does. Maybe once little O's here, and our house is done, and we're settled in somewhere for good and, I don't feel like I may possibly die from my sore throat, stuffy&runny nose, lougie hacking (yeah, gross)... Maybe.

How far along: 34 weeks
Maternity clothes: uh huh. I thought I needed to buy more pants but it seems as though my weight has shifted and they magically fit again. I'm fine with it. I did buy 5 new shirts this week from Target though. They were all on sale, and I think it's the last maternity purchase I'll be making.
Sleep: Has been completely awful. being huge, pregnant and sick is complete fail in the sleep department,
Morning sickness: Not the throw up kind, but sick, yes.
Cravings: I don't know if I'm craving these things because I really want them or just because I need them to survive. Carmel Apple Spice w/ extra whipped cream, Big Sticks, and Mountain Dew/Cherry slurpees.
Food aversions: Anything (so pretty much everything) that gives me heart burn. Sore throats intensify x10 when acid reflux hits. I've had to avoid quite a bit of my normal diet. 
Gender prediction: Little man.
Labor signs: I'm pretty sure I've had a couple braxton hicks. I'm measuring about a week ahead but he's still pretty high and comfortable in there.
Belly button in or out: Out and looking silly as ever. One side sticks out further and it's totally weird and ugly.
What I miss: being a fun mom. We haven't been to the park in ages because of the heat. My idea of fun is a trip to target where Ryder gets popcorn and occasionally a new toy or going to McDonald's. 'park' and lunch in the same place... win. But really, I feel bad, hopefully he doesn't remember any of this and I can make it up to him soon.
Milestones this week: I had a Doctor appointment on Wednesday. I was thrilled to learn I had only gained 1lb in two weeks. The end of pregnancy is hard for me, or was last time when I gained all this weight right at the end and I'm so glad I didn't have to have that lingering over me this time. Plus, if I stay on this Popsicle, apple cider, soup diet, I shouldn't gain much more this week either.


Oh, and just a little update on our house, we have framing downstairs and floors got put in upstairs. It's starting to take shape and we're so excited. One of the workers said it should be completely framed in within a week. I'm still hoping they finish earlier than they're supposed to. Fingers crossed!

Week 33.

I feel like there's more and more space between my posts. I hate it, I was so determined to blog every week of this pregnancy but.. life happens. Since I last posted, we lived with Tyler's parent's for two weeks until they moved. We are now living with my parents and 7, yep seven of my siblings, oh, and my niece. Lots-o-people under one roof. It's an adventure. It's also kind of weird to live back in the house I grew up in but... we're making it work. Our house progress is coming along. We drive by every few days. Enough to see progress, but not too much to where we're going crazy that something wasn't done that day. I'm still hoping they finish early, or that Oakley bakes a couple extra weeks. I just feel like there's nowhere to put him quite yet. {talk to me in a few weeks, I'm sure I'll be over that}.

How far along: 33 weeks
Maternity clothes: Nothing but. I'm at the stage where I need more, or could really be more comfortable in something bigger but I'm trying to avoid buying any more.
Stretch marks: Belly is still mark-free and really, that's my only expectation. The rest of my body already has um.
Sleep: It's alright. I haven't needed naps lately, but it's probably because Ryder's been sleeping until about 10 everyday. It's nice, but I'm so not on the same schedule as the rest of the world.
Morning sickness: Not at all. I can even go until about noon without eating before I start to feel like I'm getting sick.
Cravings: I haven't craved anything that I 'had to have right now' lately. But we did get about 60lbs of peaches and I've been trying to get creative with using those before they go bad. Every morning I've had Eggo waffles with peeled/sliced/sugared peaches and whipped cream. I look forward to it everyday. Other than that, I've just wanted the normal things I've craved in the past.
Food aversions: Not really an aversion, but I haven't wanted pizza at all. The thought doesn't make me sick, but I guess knowing it's not going to fulfill my protein needs, I don't even bother.
Gender prediction: Definitely boy.
Labor signs: No
Belly button in or out: Out.
What I miss: Having my own space. It's hard jumping from place to place and not feeling like you have a 'home". I'm grateful we can stay with family and we're not homeless but sometimes it'd feel so great to be able to walk around naked if I wanted to. This baby weight's getting to me ;)
Milestones this week: I'm down to two-weeks between appointments. This Wed I'll schedule my last two week and then it goes down to one. AH! Oh and, the rib kicks. Not a milestone I love, but it means he's growing. I can now feel the different body parts sticking out and sometimes have to put pressure on them to get him to switch positions because it's so uncomfortable. I feel like he moves so much more than Ryder did... and I'm glad. It reminds me he's in there. With everything going on, I really do forget sometimes.

Weeks 29-33 in pictrures.

Week 28.

This week will go down as my least favorite week of pregnancy. Seriously, all of the yuck crammed into one week. I had to go for my glucose test, where I found they recently switched it from 1 to 2 hours. I ended up throwing up after a half hour and had to have my blood drawn 3 times. The next day was my Doctor appointment where I had to get a Rogam shot{given only to people with my blood type..lucky} in the rear-end. Too many needles in one week. Anyway, im not diabetic, but I did gain like 5 lbs in two weeks, which is why I've officially taken the "weight gain/loss" question off of my survey completely. :)

While we were sitting in the waiting room of the Dr. we recieved some sad, but ecpected news. Tyler's Aunt Patty, who has been fighting cancer had passed away peacefully early that morning. Tyler and I spent the time reading the sweet facebook posts of her husband and kids and talking about her. I can say without a doubt, she was the most spiritual, kind-hearted, sweet woman I've ever met in my life.

We had an ultrasound that really ended up making all of the bad and hard things even out. It was incredible to see how much has changed since our gender check at 15 weeks. His head was measuring a week larger, just like Ryder did. He's still a boy, and looks identical to his super adorable, big bro. Every time she went over the lips and nose in 3D, we couldn't believe how much they look alike already.

Oak. 28 weeks.

How far along: 28weeks
Maternity clothes: Yes. There's a couple shirts I have my eye on at Target. I know they'll mark them down soon and I'll feel much better not paying full-price on a shirt I'll only be wearing for a couple months.
Stretch marks: I don't think so. My belly is still clear, which I'm trilled about. My legs and sides are already shot but if I can keep them off of my stomach, I'll be happy.
Sleep: Better than last week... but that's really not saying much.
Morning sickness: Only the day I had to fast 8 hours, wake up at 6:30 and drink a pound of sugar. I'm not sure if that counts as morning sickness though.
Cravings: Santa Rosa, Dr. Pepper, In n Out. Um, I'm starting to see where this 5lbs. came from.
Food aversions: Anything orange. It really sucks, last week was the first time since I did the glucose test with Ryder that I was able to drink and enjoy and orange gatorade again.
Gender prediction: Definitely a boy. He had no problem showing his stuff during the ultrasound.
Labor signs: No
Belly button in or out: Out.
What I miss: Being skinny. Wearing cute shoes.
Milestones this week: This question gets me every time. I pretty much cover everything in the other questions. But I guess the biggest one for me was hearing my Dr. say my sugar levels were great and I didn't have to do that test again. I told him I'd rather go on a diabetic diet than drink that crap again. Phew.

Week 27

Hey! I only missed a week this time, not to shabby. My only blogging time is when Ryder is napping, but that usually means that I'm napping, too. Rough life we have. This week was a biggin' for us. We... bought/are buying a house. We picked our lot, options and all that fun stuff and now the waiting period begins. Their building time is running about 4 months, so we probably won't be in before Oakley is born, but he'll have a brand new house when he's a few weeks old. I think this case is the only one that I'm wishing to go a couple weeks over my due date, seriously crossing my fingers they'll get done early. {sometime my optimism disappoints}.

Anyway. I finally went to the Dr. I hadn't been since I was 18 weeks in Texas, then it took me a while to settle down and get in here. Everything is right on track, hearing his heartbeat is still the best sound in the world and I'm looking forward to my ultrasound next week. Not so much the glucose test that I'll likely put off until the day before my appointment. Ugh.

How far along: 27 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: I really don't want to even admit this anymore. This question will likely be deleted by the next post. BUT, I'm still averaging a pound per week. You do the math.
Maternity clothes: Yes. This week has been a rough one in this department. I needed maternity clothes sooner with this pregnancy, which means some of the ones I bought in smaller sizes at the beginning are getting snug. It's sad enough when your regular clothes stop fitting..
Tyler's shirts are also now belly shirts. Guess my dad's closet will be raided soon.
Stretch marks: I don't have a clue.
Sleep: Is impossible. I wake up a few days a week anywhere from 2-4 hours in the middle of the night. I usually eat a bowl of cereal and dream away on Pinterest.
Morning sickness: No sir-ee
Cravings: Still carne asada burritos, oreos, brownies, lots and lots of fruit, Dr. Pepper and Friendly donuts
Food aversions: Nothing really that stands out. There's stuff that won't sound good, but nothing that makes me gag to think about or smell.
Gender prediction: Boy. I really need that ultrasound. I keep having this dream that the rude, ultrasound tech I had at my gender-check, was wrong and said the cord was a wiener. So stupid, but the upcoming ultrasound will ease my mind.
Showing yet: Yep {I could probably delete this one, too}
Labor signs: I'm not sure if it's too early for Braxton Hicks, but every once in a while I'll feel some tightening that totally remind me of what I remember as contractions and it REALLY reminds me how crappy those bad boys are.
Belly button in or out: Out. Oh my gosh, it has to be the ugliest belly button ever. She'll remain clothed at all times.
What I miss: Sleep on my California king.
Milestones this week: Realizing how good of a big brother Ryder is going to be. I feel bad with these blogs, I hadly mention him it seems. He's such a huge part of this pregnancy. He does the cutest and sweetest things that make me want 10 more just like him. Recently he's been waking up, cuddling and rubbing my belly. He always asks to kiss his brother first thing and EVERY time he's playing with cars or trucks he has to drive them across my belly for "brubers" to see.

{Seriously melts my heart.}

26 & 27 week pictures.

Week 25

Over a month since an update. I'm seriously slacking. So much has happend, I don't know where to start. I've literally had no time. I've got my OJ and Freindly donut and I'm ready to tackle this:

Tyler and I made the move back home to Henderson. It was one of the most spur of the moment decisions we've ever made. He casually asked his Uncle if they were hiring, he was offered a job and after he worked through his two week notice, we were off. Tyler is loving his new job, learning a lot and looks forward to going everyday. It feels so good to me home. Even Tyler, who never thought he would miss this place, did and his happy to be back. I guess it's true.. There's no place like home.

We're living with Tyler's best friend Cody {who lived with us in TX} while we try to figure out which route we want to take in the housing/rental market. It's so much different than Texas, and so much harder to find a decent place at a decent price or one we won't have to wait for months to get into. We're prety optimisitc and not too stressed about it.

As for my pregnancy, I honestly forget I'm pregnant most days. I'm feeling probably as good as I can be. Chasing around Ryder really helps me to stay busy and not dwell on how huge and tired I am. Or how it feels like a portion of my back is just.. completely missing.

How far along: 25 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: I have a Doctor appointment next week. I guess we'll find out then. I haven't been weighed since my last Dr. appt in TX at 18 weeks.
Maternity clothes: The only thing that isn't maternity now days is Tyler's basketball shorts and t-shirts. {which I live in unless I have to leave the house}
Stretch marks: None that are new
Sleep: Is so terrible at night. We're sleeping on a full-size bed, when we're used to a king and it's just bad. Tyler sleeps sideways, and snores, and wants to cuddle when its a billion degrees. My best sleep usually happens from 5-8 when I migrate to the couch, and when I nap on the couch.
Morning sickness: None at all. I don't even get sick when I don't eat right away anymore. It's great!
Cravings: I'm pretty sure I've eaten Santa Rosa and Fausto's 15 times since we've been back. I really look forward to a bowl or two of multigrain cheerios everyday, Mountain Dew/Cherry slurpees and sourdough toast.
Food aversions: Meat. I can eat it, but cooking ground beef is enough to make me not want to eat the end result.
Gender prediction: Boy
Showing yet: Yes. I've been feeling so big lately. I guess, since there's absolutely no hiding that it's a baby bump now, but the last few days I've been told "you barely look pregnan" or "you look so good" and comments like that really help me feel better :)
Labor signs: No
Belly button in or out: I think it's officially more out than it is in. I have the weirdest looking belly-button ever, so it's just not cute.
What I miss: Texas BBQ. It's hard to crave a good sandwhich and mac&cheese when nothing compares to it here.
Milestones this week: Ryder is now referring to my belly as "bruber". It's the cutest, sweetest thing ever. He rubs, loves and sings to my belly every night. I'm such a lucky mama.

Below: Weeks 20-25 in pictures.