40+6

40 weeks + 6 days overdue

Size of Baby: Approximately 20 inches from head to toe, or about the size of a small pumpkin. She weighs in the 7-7.5lb range. (I keep forgetting to ask my OB her guesstimate.) 

Total Weight Gain: I'm up a pound again. That brings my total pregnancy weight gain to 28lbs. 

Continuing Symptoms: Nasal congestion, swollen hands and feet, and just plain hot all the time. Some days are more "comfortable" than others. 

New Symptoms: Welcome back, acid reflux! It comes during the middle of the night and, at times, almost feels like I wake up choking. Tums and a little ice water have been doing the trick. I've also begun to leak colostrum. I have in the past but it's becoming more consistent. 

Labor Symptoms: On Wednesday I was having real (gasp!) contractions! They were lasting 2, 4, 8, and 10 minutes long but the time in between was heading in the wrong direction- increasingly further apart instead of shorter. It's definitely true that you WILL know the difference between a Braxton-Hicks and a real contraction when it happens! At my weekly OB appointment yesterday I had a non-stress test. I was hooked up to a fetal monitor for about 20 minutes to monitor Birdie's heart rate and such. This shows how well the placenta is performing since I'm overdue. I had to chase Birdie-bird with the monitor as I had just eaten a lunch that she was particularly jazzed about. Turns out I was having contractions every 7 minutes, none of which phased little girl. (Whew!) I've also progressed to 2 cm dilated and, coincidently, lost my bloody show. Woo-hoo! My OB seems to think I won't make it past Saturday. Last night I was having lots o' pressure and contractions. I tied up loose ends just in case but nothing exciting happened. This morning I'm having more spotting and a little back pressure. Hopefully things will start to rev up as the day progresses. 

Maternity Clothes: Because of all the excitement last night I made a bee-line to Target to pick up a couple nursing bras to have on hand. They're technically "nighttime" nursing bras. I plan on purchasing a couple nursing camis and maybe one actual nursing bra but after my milk comes in and has settled a little. 

Sleep: Sleep is total hit or miss now. I stopped napping/ resting in the afternoons since I seem to have a little more energy. (Or maybe just trying to stay busy..?) This week I've had a couple nights of really good, hard sleep. The remaining nights have held lots of waking up, lots of short dozes, having trouble maintaining a comfortable position and hearing D's 3am text messages. (6am his time- his good morning/ check-in text.) 

What I'm Eating: My parents and I have been eating out a LOT lately. I'm eating to stay full and haven't really had any aversions to much. I just discovered Greek salads and it's probably one of my favorite things right now. 

Cravings: Chips Ahoy, zucchini, milk, turkey sandwiches, Kashi shredded wheat cereal, and Fiber One bars. 

Special Pregnancy Moments: 

1. Purchasing the LAST items on my baby to-do list. 

2. Spending the other day just enjoying things I wanted to do: haircut, shopping, lunch. 

3. Packing MY overnight bag for the hospital. 

4. D's phone calls starting with, "What's the latest?" 

5. Seeing my bloody show. Ok, ok not the prettiest but still amazing in its own way. 

39 Weeks

39 weeks!!! 

Size of Baby: Birdie-girl is approximately 20 inches from head to toe, and weighs in the 7 lb range. She's approximately the size of a mini watermelon.
Total Weight Gain: Up 1 lb makes my total 27 lbs.
Continuing Symptoms: Gosh darn nasal congestion that seems to only become worse as the air is much dryer here in the valley. (D was right- I am snoring a lot more as my parents have also become witnesses.) My hands and feet are still swollen.
New Symptoms: Small bouts of nausea at times. I've also been having some foot issues. I don't want to say it's pain but it's definitely more than just "uncomfortable." It's worse in my left foot. I'm pretty sure it's caused by the increased pressure in my whole body and the fact that I'm walking around barefoot a LOT more. (I'm technically flat footed.) I finally had some small stretch marks take their place on my growing belly. They're mostly located around what was my belly button.
Labor Symtoms: Still experiencing Braxton-Hicks contractions. Some days I'll have more menstrual-like cramps and strong lower back pain. Last night I was having some decent contractions to the point that I started timing them. They were too inconsistent and eventually stopped after I showered and went to bed. As of today I'm still 1 cm dilated and still 50% effaced. My mucous plug is practically all gone. Birdie has definitely dropped lower as my OB was able to feel her little head.
Maternity Clothes: With only a couple weeks left- at the most- I'm still functioning on what I currently have. The heat in the valley is a force to be reckoned with, especially when I'm used to being pale in 55*, misty weather. (I have worked up quite the tan in the last two weeks!)  I'm mostly living in workout shorts and tanks as I get easily overheated in anything heavier. I did buy a new pair of capri leggings but mostly because my other pair is two years old and on their way out. The planner in me is anxious for Birdie to arrive so she can cross "buy nursing stuff" off her long to-do list.
Sleep: Some days I get up, get dressed, and feel like I need to go back to bed. I've been taking 1-2 hour naps every afternoon. About every other night I pass out on the couch very suddenly and drag myself to bed once I wake up around midnight. I finally figured out the best pillow arrangement for my body and it's been helping me sleep more soundly. I have to have a pillow under my belly for support anytime I sleep or sit, just because it now weighs so much! Dog-dogs and I have a new, great morning schedule that helps all of us catch up on a little more sleep.
What I'm Eating: Anything my mom has been making. Literally. I'm so lucky that she loves to cook.
Cravings: In-N-Out, Chips Ahoy cookies, yogurt, cereal, granola bars, broccoli, and meat in general.
Special Pregnancy Moments:
1. Finally getting to nest. (Post on that to follow)
2. Meeting my new OB and hearing that she supports and agrees with my birth plan. (whew!)
3. Watching my mom pack her "grandma bag" for when we head to the hospital.
4. Learning how to install our carseat and seeing it actually set up in the car.
5. Finished prepping and pre-stuffing our newborn cloth diapers.
6. The way my niece can.not.stop.touching.me. She's constantly loving on my tummy and just me in general. Love that girl.
7. Getting multiple daily phone calls from D. It's truly the highlight(s) of my day. I love hearing him remind me, each time, how I can get in touch with him when "it's time."

The One Before D Leaves

Preface: Well, we survived made the 14 hour drive down to California after spending the prior week packing and moving our stuff into storage. Because I started passing parts of my mucous plug we were able to obtain permission to leave a day early- just in case. It's nice to be back near family and friends and be surround by a good support system while D is away for the remainder of the year. My parents have been super-troopers by setting things up so that being a single mama will be a little easier. Our dogs have been enjoying the perks of a backyard and weather that allows more walks.

38 weeks!

Size of Baby: Birdie is approximately 19.75 inches long and weighs around 6.5-7lbs. Things are getting pretty tight in there as I feel nothing but elbows, knees, toes, and such being tossed around all day.
Total Weight Gain: As of last Monday I was still holding a 26lb total weight gain. Today I was weighed and lost 5 pounds. This is common in pregnancy as you get closer to delivery.
Continuing Symptoms: Nasal congestion has become a little worse now that we're in a different climate. I'm still uncomfortable most of the time but you just learn to deal with it. My hands and feet have become more swollen during the days, but I think it's been worse lately because of our climate change.
New Symptoms: Slight increase in mood swings and nausea.
Labor Symptoms: Braxton-Hicks contractions are still happening like crazy. Some are more noticeable while others I can only feel my stomach tighten. Birdie has dropped more and I feel a lot more pressure on my pubic bone than ever before. Some mornings, when I wake up, I feel like I have to physically carry my stomach. As of last Monday I am 1 cm dilated, 50% effaced and Birdie is at a -3 station. I also started losing parts of my mucous plug. I'm hoping there's been more progress since then. Birdie is still head down and facing my spine- exactly where she's supposed to be.
Maternity Clothes: I haven't purchased anything new. Now that I only have a couple weeks to go I'm feeling confident that I can finish this pregnancy with what I currently have. I'm mostly preferring workout-type clothes. Because Birdie has dropped so much the band in my maternity jeans constantly falls.
Sleep: Lately, I've been taking more cat naps during the day, lasting anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour long. Nights are still interrupted by potty breaks and position changes. Some nights involve some form of insomnia. Those nights are the most frustrating but I try to use it as practice for just relaxing.
What I'm Eating: Anything, really. Anything that makes me full. We've been eating a lot of mexican food and steak lately.
Cravings: Popsicles, cereal, and yogurt.
Special Pregnancy Moments: 
1. It doesn't FEEL too special but it was exciting to have my first internal exam last week. D and I were excited to hear that things started to progress.
2. Realizing that I started losing my mucous plug- not so pretty but still pretty exciting.
3. We toured the hospital where I'll be delivering. I feel more at-ease now that I'm clear on their policies. D and I are both happy that- since he'll most likely miss her birth- they will allow us to Skype during the whole stay.
4. Tomorrow I FINALLY get to nest! Can. Not. Wait. My parents are currently installing new hardwood floors in the bedrooms so once they're complete I can FINALLY unpack, FINALLY organize and FINALLY set up Birdie's stuff.

Moving: It's What We Do

Literally.

I feel like it's ALL we do. Especially lately. Granted that last move was one of those thing life throws at you.

And here we are, two months post- last move, in the middle of packing up our house to place in storage for the remainder of the year. (For the record I just unpacked the last box from the last move about a week ago... *she says through gritted teeth*) Military orders are not something you can argue with so away we go into a whirlwind of boxes, closing up loose ends and figuring out logistics. 

With this move we have more control... which I thought I would enjoy more, but alas, it made things SO much harder. D's command, aware of my impending due date, presented us with a few options for D to go back to school: 

1. Report in early August
2. Report in October
3. Report in January

Option number 3 was automatically out for us. I would never want D and Birdie to bond and then rip them apart for months and months when she doesn't understand. Long story short- we decided to go with option number 1. For our family, it's better for us to move asap, get me (and pups) down to family in California, and have D take off and come back while Birdie is still little. D will most likely miss her birth as he reports a week before my official due date. (I don't know why is surprises me that he selflessly sacrificed missing her birth to make sure that she and I were well taken care of... but it does in a way. And makes me fall even more in love with him.)

While this whole situation is not fun for both of us we keep reminding ourselves that both of our families are getting an opportunity to be around Birdie in her very first moments, days, weeks, etc., that they previously would not have had. We're also reminding ourselves that there are many, many other military families that have dealt with this before, and most for longer periods of time.

Our next task is to figure out how to condense our stuff, dog stuff and baby stuff into our subie for the 12 hour drive. Did I mention I'll be pushing 38 weeks, too? True story. We will be saying adieu to Oregon and hello to sunny California by the end of this week!

The One Before I'm Considered Full-Term

Size of Baby: Birdie is approximately 18.75 in long from head to toe, and weighs about 5.75 lbs. (Give or take)
Total Weight Gain: Apparently I had a 9 lb growth spurt since my last OB appointment. That brings my total weight gain to 26 lbs.
Continuing Symptoms: Nasal congestion and just being over all uncomfortable.
New Symptoms: Swollen hands and feet at random times during the day.
Labor Symptoms: Braxton-Hicks contractions have increased like crazy. Over the weekend I started having cramping and sharp lower back pains- accompanying Braxton-Hicks contractions-that have since increased in volume as the days go by. While uncomfortable and noticeable, they're not strong or painful enough to stop what I'm doing for the most part. (I've had maybe 2 that really caught my attention.) A couple days ago I noticed that Birdie has dropped a little. I feel a slight increase in lower pressure, noticed her kicks don't hit underneath my ribs as much (thank g.o.o.d.n.e.s.s), and others have noticed I'm carrying a little lower.
Maternity Clothes: I purchased a new layering tank to wear underneath my shirts. It's been so warm around here that sometimes I just wear it as a shirt around the house. I grew out of another regular shirt but I still have enough left to, hopefully, finish out this pregnancy.
Sleep: Sleep hasn't changed too much. I've been falling asleep on the couch and moseying to bed around 1:30am. Hip pain causes lots of side switching. I'm pretty sure I've also mastered the art of sleeping nearly straight up.
What I'm Eating: I've noticed my eating habits have slightly changed. I go through spurts of being content with just snacking here and there. Then there are days, or times, that I'm STARVING and craving a big meal. D's coworkers eat dinner at our house regularly and love to bbq. That means this lady gets to kick back and enjoy what they make.
Cravings: Guacamole and chips, grilled cheese sandwiches, waffles, bananas, and Mexican food in general. Most random craving? Mr. Pibb soda.
Special Pregnancy Moments: 
1. Receiving a couple handmade baby blankets from D's family.
2. My LAST order of cloth diapers arrived yesterday- we're officially prepared for her arrival in the booty-care department.
3. D has been showering me with extra sweet words, foot rubs, back scratches, and hugs. I so need and appreciate every one of them.
4. Bogey has been my shadow lately, and rarely leaves my side. Makes me wonder what he's sensing...?
5. Making it to 37 weeks without complications. I'm so grateful that this pregnancy has been very, very easy.
6. I've been having more dreams about labor/ delivery and breastfeeding.
7. I keep forgetting to say that it's been about a month since I grew out of wearing my wedding ring. My grandmother, who passed away awhile ago, left me a very special diamond ring. Prior to pregnancy the ring was really big and I kept putting off sizing it. Thanks to pregnancy it now fits! I love wearing it as it makes me feel like she's apart of Birdie's pregnancy. I know my grandmother would have been the strongest and most out spoken supporter of D and I during our infertility trials. My mom and I often wonder what crazy things she would have possibly done to "fix" everything for us.

This is my last pregnancy update before a BIG exciting/ stressful/ scary/ ambitious/ fast change happens around our neck of the woods. Once it's official (any day now) then we'll fill everyone in on what's happening.

4th of July

Our holiday was packed with friends, fireworks, food, bonfires, people watching, surfing, ice cream, reassuring scared dogs and the like. We spent a quiet weekend recovering from all of the festivities with a few nice walks and naps. Now that Monday is here it's time to get back to our regular routine- one that includes a plan to attack all of the things around the house that need to be accomplished. Side note: one of the few great things about Oregon is the ability to set off fireworks that are very illegal in California. 

Sweetness

1. can't get enough cake batter fro-yo.

2. freshly washed & organized changing table. 

3. turned on laptop to find this page open. love. him. 

4. homemade sopapillas. 

5. nap time. 

6. discovered a secret message from my favorite person. 

7. buttermilk blueberry breakfast cake. 

8. hubs' latest reading project.