The Shower

Today, after church, was my baby shower and we all had a fabulous time. The girls stylishly pose with their newly acquired sunglasses.
Tea and I just after enjoying a wonderful lunch.


I got so many wonderful gifts it was unbelievable.

I loved this handmade blanket, cap, and booties.

We played several great games including, who's that baby?

Everyone who attended signed this piggy bank. What a great idea!

My Mom and I.

The beautiful floral arrangement my Aunt sent.

The cake was both gorgeous and delicious!

Growing

I might as well "keep it real" so this is me now:

Packing

In the past, when it comes to pregnancy, I have always made the mistake of procrastinating. This time instead of just looking at my actual due date I'm trying to just prepare no matter what. So, on that note, when I left my appointment yesterday I went to the store and picked up some things I'll need for my hospital stay. I got myself a new pair of comfy pj's, some shower samples, slippers, camera batteries, etc. I also got the King a few things as well. Now this weekend we can pack our bag and I'll feel better knowing we're ready.

I don't know why, but when it comes to this impending birth I have A LOT of anxiety. I have tried just about everything to relax but not much works. I don't know exactly what I am afraid of, just that I am. I have not experienced this in the past which is part of what makes it so weird. I feel the worst at night and I find myself actually praying that I will not go into labor anytime soon. I'm just not mentally ready. Of course right now that makes sense because I have a few weeks until the due date, but that isn't the real reason anyway. I'm not afraid of having him here at all, it's the actual birth that has me all freaked out. I must add, I have no reason to believe everything won't go smoothly. I've had epidurals successfully in the past as well, so no high expectations either. Who knows, I'm sure it's normal, but it is bothering me. Hopefully I will read this in a few weeks and laugh about how smoothly it really went and how I had nothing to worry about. I hope.

Quick Appointment

Today I had my 36/37 week appointment and it was quick and to the point. I had my group b strep test, but not sure of the results yet. His heart rate was 152 again for like the 4 or 5th time in a row. I think all of my kids have had that heart rate it's crazy. I haven't gained any more weight, I don't think I will at this point. I'm measuring right on too, so that's always good. I've been thinking about the baby almost constantly lately. It's not that I'm uncomfortable being pregnant just eager to meet him I suppose. I'm getting my hair done tomorrow, so I'll post another belly shot.

Racing the Clock

Just checking in to say I am on track to have EVERYTHING done by Sunday! It has taken every little and I do mean little, bit of strength I have, but we're really getting there. We have done soooo much de-cluttering over the last couple of weeks and I feel like I can breathe again. I hate clutter, but with 6 people living here it happens, often. I can't wait to just sit back and feel ready. I'll probably run around like crazy just to go over due.

36 Weeks

1 week until I am considered term. So close really. Every time I think about what is about to happen I get major butterflies in my stomach. Knowing what to anticipate can go both ways. On one hand I have labored and delivered successfully 4 times. Don't get me wrong it hurt, bad, but in the end all was well. I know that and that helps. On the other hand I have no desire to labor again. Ugh. Hopefully it will be quick, but Boo wasn't so I know there's no guarantees just because this is my 5th baby.

I am very excited to meet him. I don't think I have any real expectations. The girls have all looked pretty different at birth so I haven't any idea what to expect there either. This is my busy week. By Sunday I'm hoping to be completely baby ready. Yay!

Hiccup

That about sums things up these days. I think all this little guy does is hiccup. My whole belly shakes when he does and if it's at night then it has the power to wake me up. If my bladder is full it's even worse and I have to run to the nearest restroom. I'm not complaining it's just a little different. All of my kids have hiccuped in utero just not quite this often. All of the girls have felt it from the outside and will even ask if they see my belly move, "does he have more hiccups?"


My baby shower, being given by church friends, is a week from today. I'm excited to get together with other women and celebrate. The day after I will be 37 weeks and officially term. Not that I expect to have him right away. It still feels good to know I'm that close to the safe zone. The weather is driving me crazy in trying to plan. I have no idea what to pack for the girls at my moms. One day it's warm and the next it's snowing. I'm thinking we'll just go with pants and long sleeve shirts. Next weekend I'm going to pack my bag as well. Just in case. Because you know, eventually he's gonna have to come out.

35 Weeks

I can't even believe I just typed that. Even though I am sooo very ready to have him here, it still seems unreal to be so close. I still have to say that I think this has been my easiest pregnancy. I haven't had a lot to complain about. Now though, that's changing just a bit. At night I have horrible restless legs. This drives me insane. Literally it makes me feel crazy. I've tried eating bananas and all of that with very little relief. I had this with Midge and it went away after delivery so I hope for the same this time.

I'm also experiencing many of the negative consequences of just being huge. My legs and feet hurt every night. Getting up and down is hard so I try to stay up as much as possible when the kids are up. I can't just sit down and hop I like I could before. I definitely waddle after extended periods of walking. I feel like he is very low. I have bh contractions almost every night, but I completely ignore them. I refuse to let them make me crazy too. With my first couple of pregnancies I timed any and all contractions, oh the things we learn. When the girls let me I still sleep just fine at night once I fall asleep. I wake up tired, but I did that before so not a real change.

I don't have another appointment until a week from tomorrow. My doctor is out of the office and I really didn't feel the need to schedule with someone else. I will going once a week from here on out. Nothing ever really happens but it does give me dates to look forward to. I promise I will post a belly picture and room pic's very soon!

Getting Ready

I am starting to have some of those last minute "bursts of energy." They don't last long, but I'm really trying to take advantage of them. Today I took apart and washed all of the bassinet bedding. This is the same bassinet all 4 girls have used and I got it from my Mom who used it with both of my little sisters. It actually happens to be blue so it works great. It is also in great condition. I have to admit they were actually in it very little as most of the time I was cuddling them.

I also washed the cover to the bathtub, which I am very excited about using. This little tub has a shower nozzle on it so for the first time I won't have to pour water from a cup. The swing is up and ready and so is the pack 'n' play. His room looks adorable and The King shampooed the carpets in there last week. I'm waning fast though. My belly is huge and mostly I just want to lay around. I can't believe how fast this has gone.

Another Ultrasound

At my OB appointment this week I mentioned to my doctor that I had still been experiencing some bleeding here and there. It's not all the time, but sometimes it's enough to freak me out a little. He scheduled me for another ultrasound today just to make sure things are progressing as they should. Let me say it was AWESOME to see the baby at this point. I've never had an ultrasound passed 20 weeks. I loved it.

The tech was awesome and really took her time showing me everything. Since my 1st ultrasound was so early, 18w3d, they did another complete anatomy scan. At one point he was holding on to his feet and it was very cute. Fortunately everything again looks great with no real cause for the bleeding. My placenta is a different location than "normal" but still okay. The baby's head is resting right on top of it, so that could be it.

It was nice to get a second confirmation on the fact that he is indeed ALL boy. Now that the room is done, I have to admit I was sweating there for a minute. The tech reassured me right away that without a doubt we are having a boy. For some reason just seeing him made me that much more excited!

34 Weeks, Almost

The paint was finally dry enough tonight that we were able to hang the new quilt. The whole room looks so nice. I love the colors. I also got his clothes folded and into his dresser. I unpacked the diapers we have so far and stacked them in his cupboard. It's a good feeling. Especially with all of the contractions I've been having. I worry so much about having him early. For the first time I actually want to go as close to my due date as possible. I know that would give me the right amount of time to get the things I want done done. It also puts us at spring break which means Chiggie would be out of school.

He still moves around like crazy. I have another appointment on Wednesday and the doctor said he will be checking his postiioning again. I have no reason to believe he's not still head down, but I guess you never know. My swelling has actually decreased. I've really tried to drink more and keep my legs propped up when I can. I also found a really simple cure for my hip pain. Sleeping with two pillows between my legs does the trick. I sleep great still, it's unreal actually. I think I'm just too tired to care really. Here's to 34 weeks!

In Progress

I know, I know, I 've been talking for weeks about the baby room and all that I need to get done. Today I am pleased to announce that we had the room completely emptied and vacuumed last night and it is officially being painted, thanks to my Step-Dad, as we speak. I am so excited. Progress finally. I have really been chasing my tail lately. Last night I had a bit of an emotional break down. It really has been hard to balance everything. I've never been pregnant and had a school ager before. Our days are so busy, sometimes it's hard to find time to do anything extra at all. In fact it takes a borderline miracle just to keep up with the laundry, cleaning, feeding, etc. Today is boosting my confidence though. We'll be ready!

Changes

I don't know if it's a 5th pregnancy thing or what, but I definitely feel like things are happening sooner with this little guy. I have bh contractions a lot. I also feel like he is very low in my pelvis. I asked my doctor if history is a likely indicator of when a baby will come and he said, not really. According to him the other thing that is predictable is pre-term labor. Other than that each pregnancy is different. The girls were born:

Chiggie: 38 weeks
Tea: 37 weeks (water broke at 36 weeks 6 days, labor augmented w/ pitocin)
Midge: 39 weeks 4 days
Boo: 38 weeks

So, what do you think? When will this guy come? And when he does how big will he be?

Chiggie: 6#4ozs
Tea: 6#6ozs
Midge: 6#7ozs
Boo: 7#1oz

All labors began on there own, no inductions. With Midge and Boo I took castor oil and it worked both times. I will not be repeating that though, for some reason I can't stomach the thought this go around.

33 Weeks

Again, not much new to report. I'm feeling almost identical to how I felt last week. Oddly I don't even really feel bigger. No appointment this week so nothing to report there either. The room gets painted this weekend. His clothes are organized and ready to hang and put into his dresser as well. His car seat is ready to install and I'm starting to feel more "ready." I'm actually glad I still have a few more weeks to go so I can really be prepared!