39 weeks

I  am: 39 weeks, it's the final countdown...I hope!!

Baby is the size of a(n): watermelon, and I feel it too!

I've gained: 26 pounds total according to the doctor's scale, which means I've actually lost 2 pounds.

Maternity Clothes: Yep!

 

My mood: Antsy. I'm so ready for my baby girl!

Gender: baby GIRL, Avery Laiken Gibbs!

Cravings: Not much. I'm actually not really hungry and am having to force myself to eat. I guess I'm running out of room.

 

What I'm missing: my hands... they're still numb!

 

Highlights/ Exciting moments: I had my 39 week appointment this morning. There wasn't any change from last week, I'm still 80% effaced and 2 cm dilated. The doctor did strip my membranes, which may or may not help things along. So far, not much is going on.  I've been having a few contractions here and there over the past week, but nothing consistent.

 

Here I am today at 39 weeks. I wonder if we'll make it to 40?!

38 weeks

I  am: 38 weeks, two more weeks!!

Baby is the size of a(n): pumpkin, and I feel it too!

I've gained: 28 pounds according to the doctor's scale. I don't even care anymore. I'll be around the recommended 30 pound mark so I'm fine with whatever.

Maternity Clothes: Yep!

 

My mood: Exhausted, ready, emotional. I'm so ready for my baby girl to be home with me but I'm very intimated and overwhelmed by the idea of a newborn that is MINE!

Gender: baby GIRL, Avery Laiken Gibbs!

Cravings: cereal, water

 

What I'm missing: a good night's sleep and my hands not being numb all day long!

 

Highlights/ Exciting moments: I had my 38 week appointment today. I'm 80% effaced and 2 cm dilated, so still making progress! The doctor said my was cervix was "favorable" for labor and could be any day now. It could also be 2-3 weeks from now so I'm not holding my breath because I don't want to be disappointed. My blood pressure was way up again.  They made me stay after my appointment to check it again and it had gone down some and he let me go without further instructions. 

 

We also had an ultrasound today to check on Avery's growth. And let me just say before I get into that, after all of those 3D ultrasounds from the specialist, those regular ol' ones are not impressive. Ok, now to little miss. She's perfect, duh! She was estimated to weigh 7lb, 6 oz and is in the 7oth percentile. No growth issues here.

 

I had my first experience with contractions Sunday night. I mean,  I've had what I've considered braxton hicks, but these were the first that were timeable and consistent.  They got to be 10 minutes apart for an hour, but stopped when I got up to shower and get some things in order, just incase.  Nothing else since then.  What a tease! but at least I know my body is practicing and is getting ready.

 

Here I am today at 38 weeks.

And this this the ultrasound picture we got. It's really hard to tell what you're looking at.. I know. It's her face (on the right), like she's laying down on her side looking at the camera. You can kinda see her eyes, nose, and mouth...kinda.

(Full?) term!!

I  am: 37 weeks, we made it to (full) term! Some people say full term is now, some people say you're just term and full term isn't until 40 weeks. Who cares?! If she were born today, she'd be ready! 

Baby is the size of a(n): wintermelon. What's that?

I've gained: 26 pounds according to the doctor's scale. My home scale is a little kinder.

Maternity Clothes: Yep!

 

My mood: I'm back and forth. I'm not in a bad mood, I'm just very tired from lack of sleep and still get grouchy when I'm uncomfortable. I definitely have a full on waddle these days which is annoying.

Gender: baby GIRL, Avery Laiken Gibbs!

Cravings: I've really been wanting OJ, but it gives me such bad heartburn. 

 

What I'm missing: good sleep and doing every day things with ease. 

 

Highlights/ Exciting moments: I had my 37 week appointment today. He said I've made progress and that I'm 70% effaced, 1 cm dilated and that she has dropped even more. I was slightly confused because other than her dropping, that doesn't seem like much progress because I was 70% and 1cm last week. He said last week I was more "fingertip" which isn't quite 1cm.  Today I'm a "good solid 1cm" and am close to a 2, but not quite there yet.  As he was walking out of the door, he said "see ya next week, if I don't see you in labor and delivery before then". UM, what?!? Way to screw with me dr!! Oh and my BP was down so no worries there!

 

I'm measuring right on track, but he wants to do another ultrasound next week to check her growth because of the marginal cord insertion.  I was instantly excited to see her again, but throughout the day I've gotten more and more nervous. If it looks like her growth has slowed or stopped, I'm scared they'll want to take her immediately. I know she'd be fine and it would be the best for her, but I keep having mixed emotions about her actually being here. Not because I don't want her here, but because it feels so surreal.  I feel like I've been waiting forever and now the time is here.

 

Here I am today at 37 weeks. She has definitely dropped!

36

I  am: 36 weeks, we're in the final four weeks!

Baby is the size of a(n): honeydew

I've gained: 24 pounds according to the dr. scale, 22 according to mine, so I'll average and say 23 :)

Maternity Clothes: Yep!

 

My mood: I'm in a much better mood this week. I am so excited and so ready to meet my baby girl! I was a ball of nerves last week, but this week I'm just ready to have her here with me.

 

I do get pretty uncomfortable and grouchy most days. My hands are getting tingly, I have to pee every 5 minutes (and not a whole pee, just a few trickles, then the same thing all day long) and it's like an act of congress to get myself up.

Gender: baby GIRL, Avery Laiken Gibbs!

Cravings: Sweets, specifically ice cream and Nutella.
 

What I'm missing: sleeping in the bed with my husband. He's been sick and has had a fever so we figured it would be better for us to sleep separate and I'm over it! Hopefully one more night and it'll be ok. Although, having the whole bad isn't awful.

 

Highlights/ Exciting moments: I had my 36 week appointment this week. I'm 70% effaced and 1 cm dilated.. which is exciting but not at the same time because I could stay 1cm for weeks.  My blood pressure was also high. Not too high, but since mine is usually borderline low, it was signficantly high for me.  The dr. said we won't worry about it for now, but keep an eye on it. Ugh. I'm also still mildly anemic, despite a daily iron supplement. Ugh again. 

The hospital bag is (almost) packed. Once I fold the rest of the laundry, it will be completely packed! Avery's stuff (2 blankets and 2 outfit choices for coming home) is in there at least.  I got the car seat installed and inspected and I went to a pediatrician open house tonight so that's two more things off the list. "The list" is slowly dwindling away!!

Here I am this morning at 36 weeks, front and side view! She has dropped!! PS: why is this picture so grainy?

Here is another black dress comparison..28, 32, and 36 weeks. We'll see if we make it to 40, but I wouldn't hate it if we didn't.