37 weeks

How Far Along:
37 weeks (yep missed updating for 36 weeks)

How Big is Baby and what Baby is up to (baby center copy and paste):

Your baby is now considered "full term," even though your due date is three weeks away. If you go into labor now, his lungs will likely be mature enough to fully adjust to life outside the womb. (Some babies need a bit more time, though. So if you're planning to have a repeat c-section, for example, your practitioner will schedule it for no earlier than 39 weeks unless there's a medical reason to intervene earlier.)
Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard). Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.

Weight Gain:

Around 20 lbs still. Gaining slightly but not bad at all.

Best Moment of the Week:
Actually last night I painted my toe nails. Kind of proud of that. It was difficult, but now sporting a fun blue for the non shoe weather we are having!

Movement:

Stretching, punching, etc. Yep this kid is more active than I remember Evie being. Movement has slowed and not as active as before - meaning get more stretches than I do dancing.

Belly Button:

Still an innie, but getting nice and flat on the top

What I miss:

not carrying a bowling ball on my pelvis. Every time I stand up I have to pee. Just leaning to get something is difficult. 

How I am feeling:

See "What I miss". I have energy here and there. But get tired out so easily now. No matter how much water I drink I am still thirsty. 

Cravings/Aversions:

Not sure. Ice Cream. And grilling lots of stuff this week since it is so nice out!

What I am looking forward to:
Having this kid. Really any time now. you are more than welcome to come out little dude. We have diapers, clean clothing. Bassinet is together. Swing is together. Just waiting on you. come out come out wherever you are!

37 weeks with this dude:

37 weeks with Evie:

Wow how the bump is very different now. Much lower and not out as much. Interesting. Very Interesting.

Nesting

OK yes nesting has really kicked in.

Saturday - cleaned 2 bathrooms + 1 toilet. did a ton of laundry and put them all away.

Sunday - cleaned the car (vacuumed, dusted, cleaned doors, windows). Washed Evie's and baby's car seat. Washed bassinet and its linens. Brought up swing and bouncy seat, washed their covers. Set up new wine rack to organize wine in basement. Cleaned/Organized linen closet. Shaved my legs. Dusted our room. Put clothing away in baby's room. Got stuff out of there for it to be ready. Setup changing pad.

This morning - took covers off couch to wash and covered the cushions so the dogs don't destroy it.

So kid - so ready for you!

Blah

Today has been a blah day. Don't know what it is but just don't feel 'normal'.

Started the day. Woke up, started to get ready for the day. I had a 1/2 glass of water on my night stand and decided to drink it, you know because I was asleep and thirsty. Normal thought and morning routine right?

Then felt something in my throat and yep the water came up. So odd. Have not had that happen at all this pregnancy. Coughing causing puking - yes. Gagging while brushing my teeth and puking - yes. But not just start to throw up. I do have to say, of all things coming up, water is not that bad. It hydrates, does not sting, and doesn't taste like anything (gag - bile).

Started to feel better, or just forced myself to finish getting ready. Dropped Evie off at daycare and was at work before 7:30. Had a 1/2 muffin and didn't want anything else. Then started to feel more and more nauseous. Lovely. Made a tea and forced myself to drink water. Got myself a ginger ale, that I slowly nursed. Around 12:30 decided, ok I am done, still feel icky, I am going home since I feel like I could puke at any second.

Got home, laid down. Got a bit of a nesting energy and swept and did some dishes. Forced myself to eat some pasta for lunch around 1:45. Drank more tea. Took a shower. Now I am sitting in the kitchen writing this while making stuff to finish the breakfast burritos I started yesterday to freeze for Evie and Nick (I hate hate eggs).

Still feel nauseous. Kinda crampy and going to the bathroom 3x today. And just feeling off and not myself.

I think it is just a bug. I am only 35.5 weeks (hey at this point I can start counting half weeks). So maybe this is something or just a bug. My money is on a bug since I am so doubtful of going into labor before my due date. Kinda expecting to be induced since that is what happened last time. Oh and look another braxton hick contraction.

Blah. Blah Blah Blah.

35 weeks

How Far Along:
35 weeks

How Big is Baby and what Baby is up to (baby center copy and paste):
Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds. Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

Weight Gain:

I'll stick with last weeks 20 lbs. Will find out at my 36 week appointment on monday :)

Best Moment of the Week:
I do enjoy the movement. And realizing what I was feeling was a foot. Was not able to decipher body parts when pregnant with Evie but now I actually know what is what!

Movement:

All the time. Loves to stretch out, kick, squirm, etc. 

Belly Button:

Innie still :)

What I miss:

Bending over. Having energy. 

How I am feeling:

Tired. Just feelling blah. Nauseous on and off. My cold is going away. Starting to waddle. Lately get a braxton hick whenever I stand. just lovely.

Cravings/Aversions:

Nothing really. Been nicer out and have been enjoying salads.

What I am looking forward to:
Having this kid.

And 35 weeks with Evie:

Wow yes this kid is lower. Loved that I used the same shirt!

34 weeks!

How Far Along:
34 weeks

How Big is Baby and what Baby is up to (baby center copy and paste):
Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.

Weight Gain:
20 pounds. Ehh. But doctor says it is looking good.

Best Moment of the Week:
hmm. Not pregnancy related, but Easter with Evie!

Movement:
So So So much! Really constantly pushing against things. Dancing. Punching my cervix and bladder. But this kid is low so not much going on in my ribs yet. I'll take that.

Belly Button:
Innie still :)

What I miss:
Sleeping all night (yep I remember this won't happen for a good year). Not being sick. Talked to my doctor today and she said, yep colds last forever in pregnancy and you continue to catch a different one constantly. lovely. Bending over easily, have not been able to do this for a few weeks.

How I am feeling:
Yep I get to complain.
1. I hate how long colds are lasting and how easily I am catching things. I have always gotten colds easily, and feel like I have something all winter, but this year just sucks. At least *knock on wood* we have not had the stomach bug go through the house.
2. This has to do with #1, and is very embarrassing. Incontinence when coughing sucks. yes I do a lot of kegles (should do more), just not what it was like down there.
3. Night Sweats. They have started. Not every night, but hate waking up in the middle of the night drenched. Lovely. 
4. Waking up in the middle of the night to pee 3-6 times a night. Wonderful, especially when combined with night sweats. Means I get so much uninterrupted sleep. Thank you Evie for sleeping well lately.
5. Back pain. Yep have woken up a few times at night and my lower back is killing me. Doesn't help that a few nights ago while rolling from my left side to my right side  that I pulled a muscle in my top mid left side. Hurt so bad this weekend while out at Target that I had to cut the trip short and came home and had to lay on the couch with a pillow under it to put pressure on it. 
6. Heartburn SUCKS. I take 2 Zantac 75 a day (one in morning one at night). And now at night, I wake up with heartburn. ugh. So much worse than it was with Evie, at least I have not threw up due to heartburn
7. Gag reflex. Yep it is lovely. Have thrown up due to brushing my teeth/tongue. Have thrown up due to coughing too hard. It is great. At least I didn't have morning sickness and this does not happen too often.

Cravings/Aversions:
Pizza. But satisfied that so not much right now. 

What I am looking forward to:
Just wondering when this kid will makes its appearance. I know that it is still early, but I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Doctor's Appointment Update:
Had my 34 week appointment today. Went well. Blood pressure was a little high, but is attributed to me waking up with a head cold and full stuffyness. I have my Group B Strep test in 2 weeks, so wondering if I am dialated at all, since the doctor will be in there so might as well check :) Kid is head down, but I have know that for a few weeks since I felt hands low and kicks high. She says that this one should not have to be induced, but I'm not putting my money on it. (I think it is better to prepare for the worst but expect the best). I made all my appointments for the rest of this pregnancy. Wow. 

And pictures!

34 weeks with this dude:

34 weeks with Evie:

Questioning Gender

So last night I had a dream. They told me the baby is a boy, then in the delivery room, gave birth to a girl.

But yes that sums up what this post is about. At our 20 week ultrasound, we found out the gender. They said it is a boy, but I didn't see it. The dude was not cooperating much and napping during the ultrasound so the tech did not get a great shot. He was laying sideways, curled up, so yeah... I know they are good, they know what they are looking for, but still I question it. The ultrasound tech did not give me a shot of what she saw so I cannot share it to get opinions.

I believe I would feel this way if they said girl too. Just one of those things, unless it is 100% clear, I will question it.

I have bought boy clothing. I am excited for a baby boy. I am very happy in our decision not to find out Evie's gender since everything is gender neutral.

I guess I will have this thought in my head until this baby is born. So a good 3-8 weeks (thinking 37 - 42 weeks of pregnancy). Wow that is really not much time!

Ah, would have been better to not find out, then I would not be questioning anything and would be relying on mommy gut (which I got right with Evie).

Also they say boys and girls carry differently. Well I am similar as I carried Evie. Still all out front, only thing that looks pregnant is my belly, just it is lower.

Breastfeeding the second kid thoughts

Just thinking and typing so sorry if this is rambling and go from topic to topic. I know I am not a good writer, hey I am an engineer and did not take an english or writing class since High School.

So yes I am very excited to nurse this baby. I loved loved loved nursing Evie. She was breastfed exclusively (except the first week where we supplemented) for a good 5.5 months until we introduced solids. Then pumped at work and nursed her many times a day until 1 year. Then I dropped pumping at work and nursed her morning and night until 22 months. She started dropping the morning nursing session around 19 months(?). And 22 months she was done with the evening session. Shows that yes your body does adjust to what the baby/child needs. Was wonderful. Was a great cuddle session. She would look up at me with that milk grin. The look in her eyes of full love. Amazing.

She still remembers nursing. When I don't have a shirt on, she will point to my boobs and say milk, and we talk about how she used to drink milk from there. Love that she remembers! Lately I am telling her that yes she used to get milk from there, but the new baby will be getting milk from there now on. I think she understands. But love the fact that she will really understand what the baby is doing when he nurses.

Then I started thinking:

Will my milk will come in faster this time around? I hope so, since I know what foods to eat this time to help production and what foods hinder production. I plan on making lactation cookies and start drinking mom's milk tea from the beginning (why don't they offer this in the hospital? I know I will bring some!). Also wondering if the 2 month break from not nursing Evie to getting pregnant will help me. When this kid is born, it will have been 11 months since I last nursed, so maybe my body will quickly remember? Actually maybe less time since I was still producing milk for a bit until I got pregnant.

Will the first week be as much hell as it was with Evie (nurse, give bottle (mom milk or formula), pump, wash things)? I hope not! I know so much more starting this time around than the last. I know what the "I'm Hungry" cues look like. I know what is normal for a latch, and know how often they will be nursing.

Will I need a nipple shield again? I needed it since Evie could not latch, but yes my nipples have changed with nursing her 22 months so I hope not. I'll just say this, they are much more obvious now then when I started nursing Evie.

Will Evie be ok with me nursing the new baby? I hope so. Just worry about her wanting my full attention then... Very happy that Nick now does Evie's bed time so I can be nursing or tending to the new one and her bedtime schedule will stay the same.

Will Evie want to nurse again when she sees the new baby nursing? I really wonder about this since yes she does remember. It will only be 11 months since she last nursed. Will she ask to nurse? Will she just try to nurse? Will she say that is her milk? Do I let her nurse and tandem nurse? Do I tell her that no the milk is now for the baby? This is really where I don't have any idea of answers.

How long will I last with a toddler to take care of also? I hope I can last as long. Hope I don't get sick of pumping. But I did enjoy the break from work, and the ability to read a lot of books. I found a pumping bra and reading to get my mind off everything really helped. But with work as busy as it is, and me wanting to work out and really run more, will I have time to pump AND work out / run?

 So many questions and thoughts about how this will all work out. Only time will tell, and I am so much more prepared to nurse this baby than I was with Evie!