37 Weeks!

How Far Along: 37 weeks

Baby Size: a Beach Ball for the rest of the pregnancy! Tell me about it!

Current Symptoms:  Contractions! The real deal! All the time! Only problem is that they seem to come and go...I have them pretty much every night but they never stick around. Sunday I had them on and off all day long. This was somewhat exciting as I was 3 centimeters dilated at my 37 week checkup last Friday! I know that some women have walked around for weeks at 3 cm…but the fact that I went from 1 to 3 cm in one week was a fast pace! Regardless, as of today I have two weeks or less before we meet Crosby, as I am penciled in on the hospital calendar for an induction on February 11^th, whooo hooo! I think my mom is chomping at the bit! She was ready to fly in last week when I called to tell her that I was 3 cm. I think she is leaning towards arriving sooner rather than later, since Crosby appears to want to arrive sooner rather than later as well.

What's Different: Sometimes I forget that for the last 4 weeks of my pregnancy with Carson I was on bed rest. Although bed rest seemed boring at the time, it sounds pretty awesome right now! I am utterly exhausted by the end of the day, and feel as though I am providing mediocre clinical insight to my clients at this point. I am not sure how some women work all the way up until they go into labor, its exhausting just to think about! I have two days of work left before I terminate with my last client, and then I will have a little self-imposed bed rest (or running around like a crazy person taking care of last minute things!) before Crosby decides to arrive. I will say that it is nice to be able to wrap things up at work, unlike last time. I wasn’t able to terminate with any clients when pregnant with Carson since my bed rest was so sudden. Tying up loose ends and saying goodbye to many kiddos that I have worked with for the last few months/year has provided me with some nice closure!

Carson Comments: This past week, Carson’s perspective on this pregnancy has turned from pure excitement to exhausted anticipation. We have been talking about his baby brother coming for what must seem like his lifetime at this point, and he is beyond ready for him to arrive. He has gone from saying that Crosby will come in “three more days!” to “five more minutes?” I think he is over me being pregnant just about as much as I am. I am borderline worthless to him at this point. I can’t pick him up. I can’t play on the floor, I am tired all the time, I am often grumpy and short with him, and he is so ready for the old Mommy to be back in action. The other night when I was tucking him in to bed he asked “Mama, when that baby comin’ outta your belly?” followed by a big sigh. Poor buddy! Can’t wait to scoop Carson up and spin him around again. Soon!

Daddy Updates:  Ryan has consistently been attentive and focused on Carson’s needs throughout this pregnancy, especially when it comes to what will happen with Carson (and Chomper!) when I go into labor. Best case scenario, Grammy will be here and all will be well. In the last week especially, Ryan says that he has been overwhelmed and grateful for the number of people (both good friends as well as new acquaintances) that have volunteered to be “on call” for Carson and Chomper in the event of a 2 am water breakage, to cook a meal after the baby is born, or to host Carson for a playdate after we are home from the hospital. The outpouring of generosity from our NH supports has been amazing! Thank you to all who have reached out to us. Since we have limited family supports close by, it means more than you know!  

Baby Prep: I think the baby prep was complete when we finally dragged out the diaper genies! Carson has been potty trained for about 6 months, so they have been “airing out” in the garage for quite some time. There are always little things I think of each day that need to be done, such as some tweaks to the nursery, getting ready for my mom to arrive, etc. but I think we are in a good place in terms of the “must have accomplished before baby arrives” type of items. And my hospital bag is officially packed! Its sitting down by the basement door, ready to grab in a moment's notice!

Looking Forward To: I am looking forward to seeing how all of this plays out. You can only plan so much before just letting go! I definitely have anxiety around a handful of things. I don’t want Carson to see me in pain. He tends to be very sensitive when I am upset or hurt and often starts crying himself. I am hopeful that he is either sleeping or at school when I go into labor!  I am dying to know if Crosby will come early or on time, and if my labor will be long or short. I can’t wait to meet this baby! I can’t wait to see how big (or small) he is compared to his brother. I can’t wait for him to meet his amazing brother! Will Crosby look like a Moffitt like Carson, or more like a Curtis? I can’t wait to see Ryan snuggling with him as we all get to know each other at the hospital. So much to look forward to!

36 Weeks!

 

How Far Along: 36 weeks

Baby Size: a Ukulele

Current Symptoms:  Heavy Breathing! I don’t remember this being a noticeable issue with Carson, but Ryan has been commenting on how loud my breathing has become.  He notices the most when we have gone to bed, right before falling asleep. I knew it was really bad when both Ryan and my friend Stephanie noted that I sounded like Darth Vader while watching the Patriots/Broncos game this past weekend. I don’t even notice it happening, but I guess I do need to exert more effort these days to get a good breath in! Stephanie joked that she hoped I didn’t have to sneak up on anyone anytime soon! I wonder if my clients notice during sessions…

Overall, I am just feeling huge and sluggish. Doctor confirmed that I have indeed dropped, and that Crosby was essentially ramming his head into my tailbone, causing me a great deal of lower back pain. When I went to pool based PT last week, I begged the guy to just let me float on a noodle for a half an hour, giving me some much needed relief…until I got out of the pool! Today with my land based PT, she attempted to pop my pelvis back into its correct position, however Crosby literally started to battle with her. With one swift movement that she could observe herself from the outside of my stomach, Crosby would pop it right back out of place! She tried this three times before admitting defeat!

Other things I learned at my 36 week appointment last Friday…I am 1 cm dilated, and tested negative for Strep B. This is good news as it means I don’t need a round of antibiotics during delivery. My doctor and I came up with a sort of timeline/game plan for delivery. Our game plan takes into consideration the hope for my mom to make it to NH in time for delivery as well as not wanting me to have to endure this extreme pelvic discomfort any longer than necessary, while also wanting Crosby to be as healthy as possible. My mom flies in the evening of Wednesday, February 5^th. I will be 39 weeks as of Friday, February 7^th and have a checkup with my doc that morning. The doc plans on stripping my membranes at that time in hopes of moving things along naturally. She said that labor will start in 24-48 hour after a stripping for 50% of women. Basically, if my body is ready, it will work. She wants me back in her office on Monday morning, February 10^th if I do not deliver over the weekend to check my status. If Crosby still is not budging, then I officially have an induction scheduled for Tuesday, February 11^th, which is the date closest to my due date (2/14) that my doctor is On Call.  Realistically, Crosby could come any day now, no matter how much planning I try to do! J But I will say its nice to have a light at the end of the tunnel.

What's Different: Over the last week, I have experienced something with Crosby that I never noticed with Carson and its AWESOME! Normally, feeling the baby move has been cool…but also, annoying, awkward…and sometimes painful.  I never went gaga over it like some other women do. The other night I had my cell phone resting on my stomach and out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the phone ever so slightly moving up and down in a rhythmic motion. There was no way the baby was kicking in such precise increments. It was too slow to be a heartbeat (such as my own) and too fast to be hickups. I couldn’t really feel it, just see it. I held my breath to see if it was my own breathing, nope! 

After doing some googling, I determined that I was witnessing the baby “practice breathing!” SO COOL! Apparently if the baby’s back is pressed tightly up against your stomach, you can actually see its rib cage moving in and out taking practice breaths of amniotic fluid. The articles I read said that it is not a common thing to see, and can usually only be seen in thin women (whooo hooo??). I notice it a few times a day at this point. Apparently it is a sign of a very healthy baby if you can actually see them practice breathing from the outside! Usually you can only see it via an ultrasound.  It honestly was the first time I have felt super connected to this kiddo in a gushing, warm all over feeling kind of way! Only took 36 weeks! J

Carson Comments: Carson has become increasingly aware of the physical detriments of being pregnant, particularly if I grab my lower back in pain, or need to sit down because I am dizzy, etc. Lately he has been taking note of when I have a contraction, which seems to happen a few times an evening these days. He asks all sorts of questions such as “why you makin’ that face?” “You want a blanket for your belly, make it feel better?” And his most recent addition is to go up to Daddy and do a full on impression of what I look like during a contraction including the facial grimace, grabbing of the belly, and moaning! He cracks me up because he is so spot on!

We talk a lot about the day that Crosby decides to come, and refer to it as Crosby’s birthday. This past weekend, Carson became a bit anxious about the fact that he did not have a birthday present for Crosby. Makes so much sense! So we took him to Babies r Us and let him pick out an item to bring to the hospital for his little brother. He chose a very nice ducky rattle, which I am sure Crosby will love! He is so proud of his choice!   

Daddy Updates:  This week, Ryan is focused on some major future planning for both of our kiddos. He is currently as I type at a town meeting regarding the future of the high school in our town. The current high school is literally falling apart. There is a proposal for plans for a new high school being discussed this evening, which the town will vote on in March. We are all for a new school for two reasons. First, we are not sure we will live in this town forever, and feel that a newly built high school would be a good selling factor if we were to ever put our house on the market. Second, if we do end up staying in this town, we want our children to have the best education and resources at their school possible! I am grateful that Ryan has been involved and interested in our town deliberations during this process!

Baby Prep: I spent a decent amount of time rearranging Carson and Crosby’s massive walk in closet this week, as now it houses two kids worth of clothes! I also sold some unneeded baby items on eBay…made $53, not too shabby! Last night I googled a bunch of different websites and made an ultimate hospital bag packing list for both Ryan and I. We didn’t bring any snacks to the hospital when we had Carson….what were we thinking?? We will definitely be stocking up on snacks this time around. I sanitized a bunch of bottles and new nipples. Put a new breathable crib bumper on the crib. Lots of little loose ends being tied up during the last few weeks!

Crosby Clothes!

Breathable Crib Bumper

Looking Forward To: Physically, I am honestly looking forward to not being pregnant! I know all women feel miserable in the last few weeks or pregnancy, but I feel like I can play the “I have a pelvic issue that most pregnant women don’t experience that causes pain above and beyond the norm” card. I miss picking up Carson, or playing with him on the floor, or chasing after him. I miss pain free sleeping. I miss being able to snuggle with my husband, among other things! I miss not feeling like a beached whale. So for the reasons mentioned above, I am looking forward to having three weeks to go (or less!) from today!  

Just for fun, here is a comparison of Carson at 36 weeks and Crosby at 36 weeks...talk about a difference in size! I am going to put my guess in now that Carson may have been 6 lbs at birth...but Crosby will be closer to 8.5!

 Carson at 36 weeks

Crosby at 36 weeks

35 Weeks!

How Far Along: 35 weeks

Baby Size: a Ukulele

Current Symptoms:  I am SWOLLEN! I feel like the Pillsbury Dough Mama. By the end of the day, my hands and feet are definitely puffy. Once or twice a week I am super puffy, like can’t fit my already large feet in shoes, puffy. Thank goodness for moccasins! You’ll probably note from my bump pic that even my face is looking a little puffy these days. My wedding rings came off months ago, but I have been wearing a nice ring since then that I gifted myself when I was pregnant with Carson. My ring size is normally a 5.5, but this preggo ring is a 7.5. Well guess what, even that doesn’t fit anymore! I am trying to drink as much as possible to help with the swelling but sometimes it just doesn’t work. Fortunately, I have not developed any other symptoms that might be red flags for pre-eclampsia. Thank goodness it is winter, I can’t imagine how puffy I might be if it was summertime!

Another possible pregnancy development is that I have had a total of 4 people (one being my physical therapist) comment that it looks like I have dropped! I can’t really tell by looking at myself, but when I am sitting in a chair or driving my car, it feels like my stomach is now resting on my lap, something I did not feel last week. I get a similar feeling when walking up the stairs, my thighs seem to be marching into my stomach, which perhaps is laying lower! I am curious to see if my doctor notices anything at my 36 week appointment this Friday.

What's Different: Size continues to be different. I hope I don’t sound like a broken record! It is becoming an issue this time around because pretty much none of my maternity pants that are work appropriate fit anymore. Today I wore yoga pants to work, I don’t think the kids cared! I have also been rocking my maternity leggings as frequently as possible – a fashion trend that I feel I can only pull off while pregnant!

Carson Comments: Carson had an absolute blast this past weekend attending our hospital’s Sibling Class. We mentioned the class to him early in the week, and he misunderstood believing that we were going to go “pick out” Crosby at the hospital on Saturday. We had to tell him over and over that it was just for practice! At the class he learned how to hold a baby, how to swaddle a baby, and how to change a baby’s diaper. He also was shown examples of the hospital bracelets that Crosby will wear, the clip that goes on baby’s bellybutton, the knit hats, hospital bassinettes, and many more items! His absolute favorite part of the class was the tour they gave of the Family Center. He got to see what a hospital room looks like, where the nursery is, got to meet a few nurses, see the waiting room, and most importantly the snack room! The class was totally worth taking, and I think Carson was the perfect age to grasp what they were teaching. Perhaps the funniest moment is when we exited the parking lot, Carson stopped and asked “Why isn’t Grammy here to pick me up?” He is so down with our birthing game plan, and ready for his baby brother to arrive!

Daddy Updates:  Ryan says that he is trying to get in as much “Carson Time” as possible these next few weeks, and running Mama ragged in the process! Last week we started up our music class again, as well as took Carson ice skating for the first time. This weekend, Ryan wants to take Carson to an open gymnastics group for toddlers, get him a haircut, go to church, as well as take him swimming.  I am crossing my fingers that I will have enough energy to make it through this weekend’s worth of activities! Ryan appears to greatly empathize with Carson’ last moments as an only child!

Baby Prep: Many of the final touches of baby items that I ordered last week have been delivered this week. Its been fun sorting through the new items, as much of Crosby’s baby gear is a hand me down from Carson. We installed the car seat and base in Ryan’s car, so that is good to go. I have started to assemble my diaper bag for the hospital little by little. I am winding down with my clients in the next week or two, which feels surreal! We have somewhat entered into “waiting mode”. If this baby came tomorrow, I think we would be pretty much prepared!

Looking Forward To: My 36 week checkup this Friday.  I am curious to see if my obgyn agrees that I have dropped. I think she will be doing my Step B test to see if I need antibiotics during delivery, which means while she is “down there” she may be checking to see if I am at all dilated or effaced. Any little hint that suggests that this baby is on its way in the near future would be very exciting! Today is January 14^th, so I am officially one month away from my February 14^th due date….but here is hoping that he decides to arrive sooner! J

34 Weeks!

How Far Along: 34 weeks

Baby Size: a Ukulele

Current Symptoms:  Reflux, nausea, or morning sickness! Or all of the above! I feel like I am back in my first trimester! I think this resurgence of stomach based symptoms could be due to a number of different factors:  1. I am 34 weeks pregnant and massive…meaning my stomach is squished to the max! 2. Like many other people in the country, I am frustrated by my current health insurance situation. I was able to acquire coverage through the health exchange, however my actual insurance card has yet to arrive…therefore I am due for a refill on my reflux medication. It should be coming any day now! 3. The hormone known as progesterone loves to aggravate heart burn symptoms. The more pregnant you are, the more progesterone you have flowing through your body, hence an increase in reflux in your third trimester.  Very curious to see if Crosby has as much hair as his brother did when he is born! More reflux usually means more hair!

What's Different: Not having a gallbladder! This week marks the gestational anniversary of my gallbladder attack during Carson’s pregnancy that sent me into preterm labor.  I was hospitalized from week 34 to 35, and then was on bed rest from week 35 to week 38, when I was induced. Therefore week 34 has often stuck in my mind as “the beginning of the end” which is not the case for this pregnancy! As of 34 weeks, I had an induction date scheduled for October 26^th, so I knew for a long time when we were going to meet Carson. Definitely not the case with Crosby! He could really come any time in the next month or so! I have it set in my mind that I will not make it to my due date for a number of reasons. 1. I have what my doctor calls an “easily irritated uterus” which means little things such as standing up, sitting down, etc. cause me to have a contraction. Now these are mostly Braxton Hicks contractions, but my version of those tend to be fairly intense, which often can aid in dilation! I can pretty much make myself start having fairly regular contractions if I push myself too far physically, which of course I am avoiding at this point! 2. Crosby is a big boy! He is still measuring around 2 weeks ahead of schedule. This doesn’t necessarily mean he will arrive early, as many people have had large babies well past their due dates. But here’s hoping! 3. My pelvis hurts. A lot. My doctor has been super supportive about this, and has made it clear that she doesn’t want me to physically suffer any longer than I have to in this pregnancy. Basically any time after 39 weeks, if I just can’t stand the pain anymore, she is willing to induce me. I had a super easy induction with Carson so I am open to this concept, however I don’t necessarily want to force my body to do something that it is not ready to do either. I plan to take things one day at a time but something tells me that I will not choose to hang in there until February 14th!

Carson Comments: Carson is a really big fan of the #3. Probably because he is three years old. He wants to play for three more minutes before his bath. He advocates for just three more bites of dinner before he gets a special treat for dessert. He wants to read three books, not two. The list goes on…If you ask Carson when his baby brother will be born he says “THREE MORE DAYS!” Last week it was going to be in three more days, and I am sure the same increment will be cited next week and the week after! I will laugh when he says three more days, and Crosby actually arrives in 72 hours!

Daddy Updates:  I can tell Ryan is getting amped up for this baby’s arrival! He is starting to think if minute details regarding logistics. He wants to get copies of our house key made to give to both my mother, and our friends who may be caring for Carson depending on when I go into labor, that way they can access the house if necessary. His Google calendar is filled with all sorts of potential dates of various events and scenarios. He has begun shrink wrapping our windows to prevent the house from getting to cold during this polar vortex, knowing that they heat will be kept at a much higher temp once the baby is home! One thing I wish he would get more amped about is keeping his cell phone around! He is notorious for not keeping track of it or keeping it on silent, so much so that I had to drive myself to the hospital last time around during a gallbladder attack! I am grateful that he is intensely aware of this need of change in his habits thanks to a little guilt, so I am hopeful in the coming days and weeks, his phone is easily accessible and audible at all times! Wink wink, honey ;)

Baby Prep: I had an absolutely wonderful Baby Sprinkle this past weekend. For those of you unfamiliar with the term “sprinkle”, it essentially means a lower key baby shower often for someone who is having their second or third child, with the belief that there is not a need for a large event with dozens of guests and lots of gifts. My close friends whisked me away to brunch at the Wentworth by the Sea, a fabulous ocean resort with amazing food and a definite classy atmosphere! I had so much fun with 6 of my closest friends - sharing birth stories, gabbing about our crazy toddlers, and just over all feeling really happy! We were there for almost 3 hours of fabulous girl talk!  I received some much appreciated practical gifts, with diapers and wipes being a popular item! You can never have too many of those! Following brunch, I was gifted a prenatal massage, the first for this pregnancy. (I had 4 or 5 with Carson, what happened this time around??) It was so relaxing and perhaps the best massage I have ever had. I was on cloud nine all day long, it was truly an amazing day! I can’t say thank you enough to Stephanie, Jess, Angela, Nicole, Allison and Kate!  I was able to use a few gift cards from the Sprinkle to purchase the remaining items on my “need to get for second baby” list such as a new set of baby monitors (we lost ours?), a double stroller, and some breathable crib bumpers. I am happy to say that by 34 weeks, I think we have pretty much everything we need for Crosby…and then some!

Looking Forward To: Hitting 35 weeks, perhaps the final milestone before officially being full term! The hospital where I plan to deliver has a Level 1 NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) meaning they are capable of caring for infants in distress that are born between 35 and 40+ weeks. I learned this when I went into labor with Carson at 34 weeks, and was ambulanced to a hospital a half an hour away with a higher level NICU. I don’t anticipate going into labor in the next week or two, but anything can happen! As of this Friday, if I go into labor, I can head straight to Exeter Hospital with the support of my local OBGYN team, a comforting feeling! 

33 Weeks! - Sorry for the delay in posting!

How Far Along: 33 weeks

Baby Size: a Ukulele, aka mini guitar (that seems big!)

Current Symptoms:  Cold symptoms are what I have been dealing with this week! I think having a cold while pregnant is the equivalent of having a “man cold”. I have been off work for the last week and a half over the holidays, as Carson’s daycare has been closed. At least this has allowed me to lay low and take it easy! I have been intensely jealous of Ryan, who while having the same cold has been popping back a Sudafed daily, a luxury that I cannot enjoy as a preggo. Nausea also seems to be creeping back into the scene. Not sure if its linked to a reappearance of heartburn as well, but I am not happy about it!

What's Different: The weather! We are currently being pummeled with yet another snow storm! It has definitely affected not only my ability to see as many clients as possible these last few weeks of work, but also has affected my ability to get to all of my many physical therapy and obgyn appointments due to unsafe travel conditions. A week or two ago while I was alone for the weekend with Carson, I started having fairly intense contractions above and beyond my normal bouts of Braxton Hicks. They never got closer together than 20 minutes apart so I eventually just went to sleep knowing that they would wake me up if they got worse. I failed to mention that there was 12 inches of snow falling at the time. Sure enough I woke up the next morning feeling fine with no further contractions. My OB laid into me about not giving her a call, but what would I have actually done? I was home alone with my sleeping 3 year old, and sure as heck wasn’t going to try to drive myself to the hospital in a snow storm! I have started having dreams about going into labor and having to call an ambulance to get to the hospital during a Nor’Easter…cross your fingers for some snow free weather whenever Crosby decides to make an appearance!

Carson Comments: Possibly my favorite Carson/Crosby occurrence to date during this pregnancy has emerged over the last week or two.  Crosby is quite active these days and because he is so huge, you can easily see him moving around, which Carson thinks is hilarious. Carson has started to demonstrate for Ryan and me Crosby’s “moves” that he is doing inside my belly. Carson starts gyrating around the room with some pretty funny looking jerky elbow and leg kick movements…I must catch it on video at some point! Watching him do an impression of Crosby moving in my belly makes us laugh non-stop! Crosby would be so lucky to have dance moves like his brother and daddy!

Daddy Updates:  Ryan seemed to relish his time off with Carson over the holidays, often remarking that this is the last time we will celebrate Christmas with Carson being an only child. Carson of course ate up all of the daddy time over the last week as well. My parents were in town for Christmas which was awesome. We felt so relaxed celebrating in our own home, especially during such a chaotic time in our lives. We took advantage of Grammy being around to hash out some labor logistics. Ryan says he feels much more confident about how things may go down knowing specific dates of when Grammy may fly in, when my OB may perform labor enticing procedures such as membrane stripping, how long Grammy is open to staying (he wants her here longer than I initially considered!), when he may return to work, when his mom and sister are coming, etc.  And if you know Ryan, I don’t have to mention that all of these tentative events have already been marked on his Google calendar!

Baby Prep: Major headway in the baby prep department over the last 48 hours! Christmas tree is down, furniture rearranged, pack n play, swings, bouncy seats and other baby gear have found a designated location, and I just finished a huge load of laundry consisting of bibs, burp clothes, receiving blankets and baby socks! My goal tomorrow during the snow day is to take inventory of my baby bottle situation to see where we stand. We also realized over this past week that half of our car seat gear is expired! So we pooled some of our Christmas gift cards together, and bought Crosby a brand new car seat with two bases.  Not something we anticipated having to do! I know it may seem like a pain to have all of this baby gear sitting out for a month or more, but I am finding that Carson is a bit thrown by some of it invading “his space” and I would rather him get used to it being around before he has to get used to Crosby being around! And realistically, Crosby could come anytime in the next 5 or so weeks, and I am a planner!

Looking Forward To: My NH sprinkle this weekend! A few of my close friends are whisking me away to the Wentworth by the Sea this weekend for brunch to mark the pending arrival of my baby boy! Less about presents (as I already have more boy items than I need!) and more about celebrating the long journey that it has taken me to get to this point! This kiddo is a pretty big deal, and I am excited to honor him as such with some of my biggest supports!