How Far Along: 39 Weeks*
Size of Baby: A Mini Watermelon
Weight Gain: 30 pounds

Movement: All kinds of it, though I am definitely feeling it in new places. She is still most active in the evenings, she usually starts rocking out around 8:30 pm and goes non-stop for about 2 hours. Last night I felt her lower than I have ever felt her before, which leads me to believe she she may be on her way fairly soon… which makes sense as my due date is, you know, tomorrow.

Still lots of hiccups, and now you can actually feel her little hands and feet bumping out as she stretches inside me. The Hubster loves being able to feel her feet as she pushes them out against my belly!

Cravings: Still noodles. I’ve wanted something noodle-y all week long.

Food Aversions: Nothing this week.

Symptoms: My cold is finally subsiding, and I think the Hubster is just as grateful as I am. I woke up early one morning to find his side of the bed empty, and I crept out and found him sprawled out in the spare room. Apparently my stuffy nose was causing me to snore sporadically… poor Hubs.

My feet and ankles are still quite swollen, though it goes down drastically if I just slow down and put my feet up. I find I get tired very easily these days, and I have to take breaks between most tasks I try and complete.

I haven’t had any back or leg pain, though my hips were a bit sore last night and this morning.

Lastly, I have made it to the end without any stretch marks on my belly! However, my thighs were not so fortunate…

Belly Button Watch: Still an inny, though the edges of my belly button have raised up a bit.

Baby Prep: We’re just wrapping up the last details to make sure we’re prepared for the day of her arrival. My hospital bag is packed, and my birth binder is ready to go. The wee-bean’s diaper bag is packed and sitting by the door, and the Hubster is putting his things together today.

I feel like we are just about as ready as we can be for her arrival. Today my “baby prep” tasks are focused primarily on cleaning the house and getting groceries so that I won’t be stressed about the state of my home when people drop by after she’s born.

Contraction Watch: A few here and there, but nothing consistent. I can definitely feel that she has dropped, so I expect to feel more of these in the near future…

Things I’m Thinking About: Today is actually the last day of my 39th week, which means that my due date is tomorrow.

(Holy crap!)

I’m finally done work… though it still doesn’t feel like it. Right now it feels more like it did while I was on Christmas holidays–like I had a nice short break but that there was still more marking and prepping looming ahead of it. It definitely hasn’t sunk in that I won’t be teaching again until next October / November!

The Hubster also worked his last day on Friday… and he’ll be off with me for the next 14 weeks. I am so looking forward to this time together. :)

I think it’s rather funny that anytime I call or text someone, the first thing out of their mouths is, “ARE YOU IN LABOUR??”. I feel like everyone around me is more anxious over this than I am–I still feel quite relaxed and calm about what’s coming.

(You know, the whole pain bit.)

The secret little deal I made with the wee-bean expires tomorrow, which means that she can come anytime. Not that she couldn’t before, but in one of our quiet moments she and I had a heart-to-heart about how I needed to finish my work contract and have a few days to unwind before she arrived in order for me to be properly prepared to greet her with all the energy and enthusiasm she deserves. She has been a most obedient and wonderful wee-bean to date, and I’d actually find it funny if she arrived tomorrow, as that was the earliest we discussed.

(We actually talked about waiting until Tuesday to give me a full week off between work and wee-bean. So she may be honoring that date instead.)

So, any day could be “the day” now… I’ll keep you posted!

Oh, heeeey.

Remember that time when I used to post more than once a week about things other than my pregnancy updates? That time before work completely took over my life?

Well, at long last… I’M BACK.

I made it!!!

It was a long, crazy 8 weeks, but I survived my LTO and submitted my report card marks with 5 minutes to spare on Tuesday. It still feels a little surreal–I have this terrible nagging feeling that I’ve forgotten something, but I think it’s just my mind readjusting to the idea that I have absolutely nothing to mark.

*swoon*

It feels… magical. It’s only my second day but I’m already having a love affair with my mat leave. I’ve caught up on my shows, visited with friends, been thrift shopping, and here I am writing… and not even feeling guilty about it. My house is still a disaster, but I’ll think about that tomorrow. :)

I honestly cannot believe that my due date is on SUNDAY. I’m fairly positive that she’ll be late (thank you, sweet wee-bean) but still. Holy moly. Most people I know told me that they were SO ready to be done with their pregnancy by this point, but when I think about it, it really feels like I’ve only been pregnant for about 3 weeks. It has gone by SO fast.

However, that being said, there are a few things that I am excited for… beyond, you know, meeting my daughter. ha.

I’ve really had a very easy pregnancy, but once the wee-bean arrives I am SO excited for:

*No heartburn.
*Being able to sleep on my stomach.
*Wearing my wedding rings.
*Eating hot dogs.
*Being able to bend over.
*Being able to put my own socks on.
*Walking. (Not waddling.)
*Entering a room at the same time as my belly, not after.
*The return of my appetite
*Wearing my pretty shoes.
*Having more than 5 shirts that fit me.

…and lastly,

*Ankles.

The end.

How Far Along: 38 Weeks*
Size of Baby: A Leek
Weight Gain: 28 pounds

Movement: I was told that it’s normal for babies to slow down their movements at this stage as they have less room to dance at this size.

Um, no.

The wee-bean is still rockin’ out in my belly pretty much all the time. She’s still very obedient and stays quiet while I’m at work or while I’m asleep, but if I’m sitting quietly, then it’s time to dance! The other night I was curled up in bed marking essays, and I could barely even concentrate because she was moving so much. We had to have a little heart-to-heart about dancing while I’m marking. She listened. :)

Still lots of hiccups, though they seem to be abating somewhat. Instead of having them 3 times a day, she’s cut back to only once or twice if she has them at all.

Cravings: Noodles. I have been dying for something with noodles ALL day.

Food Aversions: Nothing in particular, I’m just still not cooking very often. (Sorry Hubs… haha)

Symptoms: My feet and legs are still quite swollen, and pairs of shoes that I can still fit on my feet are quickly diminishing. I’m pretty sure that at this point it’s just swelling as it’s not nearly as bad in the morning. In fact, I tried on a pair of new heels I just got this morning and they fit then… just not now. haha

I’ve had a few more BH contractions, and I’m definitely feeling pressure on my pelvis. There have been a few “Oh my!” moments as I feel her working her way down and I’ve had to stop and brace myself until the pressure subsides.

Lastly, I’ve caught a cold. I have been so healthy for the last six months that I was sure that I was going to survive to the end without feeling sick. Sadly I think that the crazy schedule I’ve been running these past few weeks has finally caught up with me. I’m trying to take it pretty easy this weekend as I cannot afford to be sick when she arrives!

Belly Button Watch: Definitely still an inny! I’m pretty sure that I won’t pop at this point–it’s still way in there!

Baby Prep: Car seat is finally in. :) It barely fits in our little compact car, but it’s in and ready to go for when she arrives!

We also spent this morning blitzing our main floor. We’ve been using our living room as storage while we work in the basement, but now that it’s framed and insulated it was time to get the last of the boxes and items back to the basement and garage. I’m trying to get the house in order before she arrives so that I won’t feel stressed when people come over to meet the wee-bean.

I finally found curtains for our main floor. For the past 9 months we’ve been living with sheers, but I wanted a second set to provide a little more privacy so I can breastfeed downstairs without feeling like our neighbours can peep in on me. I found the colour I wanted, they are just a touch too short so we’re going to have to adjust the curtain rod and move it down a little. But we have time for that.

Today we also set up our baby swing! I bought it from a friend months ago, and it’s been sitting in pieces ever since. It’s now cleaned and ready for the wee-bean to hang out in!

Lastly we’re in list mode. Phone call lists, email lists, meal plan lists, what we still need lists, etc. We’re trying to get all our ducks in a row so that we’re not scrambling on the big day!

Contraction Watch: Just a few more, but nothing to indicate that she’s on her way… yet.

Things I’m Thinking About: I know this is my post for 38 weeks, but again–I’m late. Tomorrow I’ll technically be 39 weeks, which means that my due date is next Sunday. HOLY CRAP. haha

I’m not nervous about labour… yet. I fully expected to be terrified and stressed about the impending… unpleasantness… but, I actually feel really calm about the whole thing. I know it’s coming, and that it will likely be the most painful thing I’ve ever experience, but I also know that it’s temporary. I actually feel very peaceful about everything.

I’m also not at a point where I am dying to not be pregnant anymore. I’ve really had a very easy pregnancy, and I don’t feel so large or uncomfortable that life has been altered greatly. Aside from the heartburn, swelling and feeling tired at the end of the work day, I haven’t had any back pain, I haven’t really been sick or in any great discomfort. Sure, it’s awkward trying to move around, but I’m still sleeping and eating well, and I’m happy to let her hang out in there until she’s ready to meet us.

I finish work on Tuesday at 1pm. Sometimes I can’t believe that it’s finally here… then other times I can’t believe that I won’t be teaching again until next October(ish). The Hubster and I have decided to split up our maternity / paternity leave so that he can be home with me when the baby first arrives. So, it means that I will be returning to work mid-October, but also that he’ll be here at home with me for 3 months or so when the baby is born. I am thrilled that he’ll be able to be here with me–the last year has been so insane that I am beyond excited to have some time together to focus on our new family. :)

As soon as work is done, I am SO EXCITED to have more time to write (provided that the wee-bean doesn’t arrive immediately. ha). Get ready.

How Far Along: 37 Weeks*
Size of Baby: Swiss Chard
Weight Gain: 27 pounds

Movement: Still loads of hiccups–she is actually hiccuping away as I type right now and this is her third round today. She is still very active, though she is still definitely most active in the mornings and evenings; she seems to sense when I’m at work and tries not to interrupt. :)

Cravings: Brownies. And cupcakes.

Food Aversions: Same as last week–basically anything I prepare myself is less than appetizing.

Symptoms: My feet are not just swollen, they are huge. Well, today at least. For a few days this week they went back down to almost their normal size, then yesterday they ballooned back out again. This morning I went to slip on those boots that I’m wearing in the picture up there, and I couldn’t even get them on my feet! It’s a sad, sad day.

I definitely started feeling some pre-labor symptoms this week. On Thursday my legs were aching from the moment I woke up and I wrestled with cramps (like menstrual cramps) all day long. I ended up taking a half day off work and came home and slept which really helped, and I haven’t felt anything like it since.

Belly Button Watch: Still an inny. :)

Baby Prep: We’re still playing and cleaning in the office / nursery, but all the essentials are now set up. We have been trying to go out each Saturday to pick a few things on our “still-need” list, though the baby showers our family and friends have thrown for us have gone a long way to help us out in that department. We have been extremely blessed to have received so much from everyone around us, and words cannot express how grateful we are. It’s been incredibly stressful trying to balance full-time work and preparing for the wee-bean, but everyone we know has gone the extra mile to help us out. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

The car seat is prepped and now just needs to go into the car–hopefully we’ll get to that tomorrow afternoon!

Contraction Watch: I’ve had a few more BH (Braxton Hicks) contractions this week, though they’ve been very sporadic and they aren’t painful. Thursdays contractions + cramping was the first time I really felt like something was happening, especially as I sometimes feel like the baby has dropped so low that she’s right… there. You know.

Things I’m Thinking About: Two weeks. Holy crap.

I think I’m the only one of my pregnant friends who is praying that their baby doesn’t come early. At all. As excited as I am to meet our little wee-bean, I would love a day or two to breathe between work and her arrival. I know I don’t get much say here, but I’m praying that she waits and arrives on time or even a day or two late! I would love a few days to be absolutely lazy, sleep in and watch movies in bed all day.

And not have a pile of marking staring at me while I do it. :)

I need curtains. Right now we just have sheer curtains in our living room, and I desperately want to get a heavier curtain to cover up after dark, especially in case I want to feed the baby downstairs. I’ve tried IKEA and Walmart with no success–where does one go to buy reasonably inexpensive curtains? I’m looking for long (80″), Mustard curtains. Help?

My wardrobe is shrinking every day. I am down to a small pile of shirts that still stretch over my belly… thank goodness I’m almost done work!

On that note, I only have seven work days left. SEVEN. And only two of them are actual teaching days; the rest are all exam supervision and marking.

Holy moly.

Late, late, late… I cannot even handle how insane this week has been or how quickly it passed. I’ve been meaning to do this all week, and now suddenly it’s Saturday night and I’ll be 37 weeks tomorrow. (holy crap!)

How Far Along: 36 Weeks*
Size of Baby: A Crenshaw Melon
Weight Gain: 26 pounds

Movement: Hiccups, hiccups, hiccups. She gets them at least once a day, and this afternoon I felt them so strongly that it actually woke me up from a nap. It’s still pretty cute, they are just definitely getting stronger as she gets bigger!

I can also see my whole belly rolls as she turns and moves now. I’m trying to capture it on video for you… it’s absolutely wild to see. It’s like there’s a cute little alien in there. haha!

Cravings: Milkshakes. I heart them.

Food Aversions: I am so over cooking these days. Basically anything I make for myself is completely unappealing. It’s sad.

Symptoms: My feet are swollen. I was a bit worried about it as it seemed to happen completely overnight, but my midwife assures me that the amount of swelling I have is completely normal. It’s always worse after I get home from work, but I find that if I put my feet up for a while it seems to help.

Heartburn. Lots of heartburn. I’m still okay if I take Tums right before I sleep, but I find that it’s triggered by more foods now. Last night we went out for Indian food and it was sooo good… until the heartburn was sooo bad at 1am that I was basically up all night. Le sigh.

I can definitely feel the baby “dropping”. It feels like there is sudden pressure on my pelvis and bladder for a few seconds, then it disappears. It basically means that she’s moving lower to prepare for birth!

Belly Button Watch: INNY! I’m hoping I’ll make it all the way.

Baby Prep: We’ve been busy little bees this week. My hospital bag is packed, we finally bought (and packed) a diaper bag, and we’ve been busy washing all the blankets and clothes we’ve received. We also transformed our office into an office / nursery, complete with a crib and change station! It actually looks quite cute, and the Hubster doesn’t mind sharing his workspace with the wee-bean until his new downstairs office is ready.

This week we’ve been busy picking up miscellaneous items we still needed for the baby–we bought our crib bedding, a change pad, a robe for me to wear in the hospital, etc. I definitely feel a little more prepared (especially now that we have diapers and wipes) but it still feels like we have a billion things to do.

Contraction Watch: I’m pretty sure that I had my first Braxton Hicks contraction tonight! It didn’t hurt at all, it just felt like my abdominal tightened and I could feel pressure on my pelvis. When I touched my belly it felt rock hard… then it released after about a minute. It definitely makes things feel real!!

Things I’m Thinking About: Three weeks. Holy crap.

Which side of the car should the car seat go on?

My house is a complete disaster. I spent so long organizing today and it still looks like a bomb blew up here. haha! Work was a little crazy this week and I just haven’t been able to keep up on the home front.

The Hubster’s foot is slowly healing. He ended up taking another few days off work, and he’s moving around much better than he was a week ago. We’re both just hoping he’s back to full strength by the time the wee-bean makes her grand arrival.

Only 7 more teaching days and exams… then it’s maternity leave for me!

(Holy crap.)