37 weeks!

How far along: 37 Weeks

Size of Baby: a Swiss chard

Weight gain: no idea, no concern. My belly has gotten in the way though. Of everything. 

Symptoms: I've reached the point of "done". My feet hurt after being on them too long. I've started waddling. And it's hard to do anything with this belly. I'm uncomfortable. All. The. Time. 

Clothes: still all maternity. There's no going back now! 

Cravings/Aversions: nada. But I've started eating smaller and smaller meals. 

Movement: Lots of wiggling and shaking! I feel like she's stretching too - there are times when I feel pressure from both her feet and hands. 

Worries: Very few. I'm trying to tie up a bunch of loose ends, like figuring out newborn photos and child care. But we've got everything, and we precooked a TON of food this week! 

Milestones: baby is full term! (Ok, these standards changed in October, but whatevs). She's blinking and sucking and all that good stuff. 

Best moment of the Week: seeing my family! My parents came out for Christmas (as I can't leave the city), and Sean's parents are coming out next weekend. I've also had 4 glorious days off (which included getting my nails done!) 

When You Can't Go Home for Christmas

My family has always been something I've taken for granted at Christmastime. They're just...always there. Everyone. Aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins - we all get together, no matter what. I'm the girl with 6 Christmases (and sometimes more). We do my dad's side, my mom's side, my immediate family, Sean's immediate family, Sean's dad's side, and Sean's mom's side. Sometimes we visit my great aunt Mary Nell. Sometimes we go out to Illinois to see my dad's great aunts. We go to midnight mass with Sean's family, and noon on Christmas day with mine. We celebrate. A lot.

Even though we run from place to place, we love it. Even though we have to travel 3 hours to get to these places and stay there for a few days, it's perfect. It's our crazy mess, and while I've said countless times that it would be nice to slow down, I know that's not for us.

But this year, it is us.

I'm 37 1/2 weeks pregnant.

That means no travel more than an hour from home. Doctor's orders. So my 3 hour trip home to see our families? Not happening. My parents and siblings came out last weekend, and Sean's parents and sister are coming out this coming weekend. But it still means no one on Christmas. And no cousins or aunts or uncles. It means I can't mean my new cousin in law, Alma. It means I can't congratulate Sean's cousin Jen on her pregnancy (Alma's pregnant too - so there's two I'm missing!). It means I can't see pictures of Andrea's new apartment. It means I can't discuss Dr. Who with Alex and Rachel. Or shoot nerf guns at Adam. It means that while everyone is posting pictures of opening gifts and families, it's just Sean and I here by ourselves...

It sucks.

I know that I'm doing this for our family. It's for the health of our unborn daughter. I know that it's what needs to be done. And I know that I'm not the only one alone. I know that some great friends of mine have to work this holiday (and most others too), and can't go home to see their loved ones either.

I just hate it. It sucks. Friday needs to get here, so more family can be here and I can just forget about it.

But for now, I'm baking (it's my 3rd stage of grief) and going to see a movie.

36 Weeks!

How far along: 36 Weeks

Size of Baby: a crenshaw melon

Weight gain: no idea, no concern. Though, I can tell I'm starting to swell ever so slightly. Boo!

Symptoms: Definitely still pain with the head on my pelvic bone. It helps when I get on my hands and knees for a bit, but not for long. My feet are starting to swell at the end of the day, even with compression socks. I'm definitely reaching tired mama point again too.

Clothes: I officially crossed over into the "all maternity" category. No complaints though. 

Cravings/Aversions: Nothing unusal, but I've lost any ability to combine my flavors. Like, nothing sounds wrong to me about eggnog and chips and salsa. Because both foods sound good individually. 

Movement: Lots of wiggling in there! I can tell she's squirming (though, I'm not always sure if it's a contraction or a baby roll). I also can identify things like feet and the butt - it's SO weird. 

Worries: Very few. Other than my water breaking at work!! 

Milestones: baby's "filling out" - next week I'm technically full term

Best moment of the week: This COULD be my last full week of work! I'm off until Friday next week, and then I'm off New Years Day the week after. Just depends on when litte miss decides to make an appearance!

35 Weeks.

How far along: 35 Weeks

Size of Baby: a honeydew melon

Weight gain: no idea, no concern :D

Symptoms: Lately I've been having high blood pressure, but I started taking my vitamins again (I've slacked since Thanksgiving) and it was back to normal this week! Phew. I've gotten a couple of charlie horses at night when I don't get enough water too. I'm sure her little head has settled on top of my pubic bone - it hurts at the end of the day. :\

Clothes: 95% maternity. Seriously.

Cravings/Aversions: Nothing unusal. Well, I lie...I totally ate cheezit zings and dark chocolate chips this week...together. 

Movement: Same! Lots of kicking and moving my belly around. It amazes me that no one's noticed it yet!

Worries: packing the hospital bag. We're doing the traditional hospital birth since it's my first and we don't know what to expect, and I know I'm going to be there a day or two. I want to buy shampoo and things to take with me...I know I'll use them in the future, so it doesn't bother me to buy a new full bottle, ya know? 

Milestones: kidneys and liver are functioning now!

Best moment of the week: Honestly, it's been a pretty slow week. We've been painting here and there, and working on the room here and there, but I think a bulk of it will get done this weekend. 

34 Weeks.

I apparently never hit publish on this one...oops!

How far along: 34 Weeks

Size of Baby: a cantelope

Weight gain: I only gained ONE pound over Thanksgiving. I'm gonna place that on shopping the rest off though ;)

Symptoms: Totally have a case of the shrinking belly button. It's SO shallow. And I've starting waddling if I get really tired - I feel like my hips are just tired.

Clothes: All belly still. I've ditched my wedding ring though - it only gets tight if I've been super busy that day, but I don't want to chance it. 

Cravings/Aversions: The cookie dough craving is back. Oh, and I've totally been craving Mexican food!

Movement: Natalie has an attitude! This week she's started kicking and wiggling if I lean against things with my belly - which is frustrating considering I have a standing desk at work! And that doesn't even count when I attempt to put my laptop on my belly...

Worries: literally every worry I had went out the door this week - it's been amazing!

Milestones: lanugo is pretty much gone, and baby girl is still practicing breathing!

Best moment of the week: There are SO many great moments. Sean got a job (a real full time one!) which will nearly double our income. I bought most of our remaining baby stuff (like car seat, baby book, knobs for the dresser) with a 20% off coupon. We started decorating for Christmas - including buying a nativity set. I'm hoping to finish up the baby's room this weekend (just need to hang curtains, attach knobs, and clean out the trash/paint that's in there!) and we will be READY.