37 weeks pregnant - THE FINAL COUNTDOWN

It feels surreal, but we are finally at the crescendo of big baby bumpness : FULL TERM! Having hit 37 weeks, I still feel pretty much the same as 36 weeks and prior....I've been really lucky to feel so good this whole pregnancy. One thing is for sure, I am definitely getting bigger - although I don't feel like baby has "dropped" into my pelvis yet. 

People on the interwebs (Instagram and Facebook, namely) have said that he has dropped, but really I just feel as ginormo as ever!

I have been able to keep up with working out, doing some Jillian and taking long walks (4 miles, a new record this week!) and doing some pilates. I did a quick scan of my workout productivity tracker since I had my heart rate monitor (since 23 weeks) and I have had 41 decent workouts in 12 weeks. I feel pretty proud of how far I've made it, and how much I can kick ass at Jillian 9 months + pregnant. It's sad that I think I am better at Shedding and Shredding this year versus last year...how is that even possible? The pregnant body is an amazing thing.

This past week was pretty special, my daddy came to visit from NY! After a bit of a tussle getting down here (he has no phone, and made a wrong exit in Breezewood and had no mechanism to get in touch *insert annoyance here*) it was great to see him and show off this bump -- I'm his only daughter and it meant something to me to have him see me all huge and preggo before he meets his first grandbaby!

We had the family come over for some barbeque and to see the baby's room as it nears final completion (JUST NEED THE CURTAINS UP BUT THEY ARE BEING WORKED ON!!!!) :D

Meredith and I made sure to take a quick picture , as this is likely the last time we will be pregnant at the same time! Cheers for 2012, it is going to be blessed with beautiful babies!

Grandma Niter filled out some sweetness in the babybook whilst chilling surrounded by her craftiness! Stay tuned for our Etsy shop in a few months. (Seriously)


We also knocked some of the last items remaining on our baby-to-do list. I got my replacement kit for my breast pump in the mail (YAY), made some plans for baby's take home outfit (it's adorable) and met with the pediatrician!

Since I haven't done an SIWWP in a bit -- I thought I would wear my Wrangler self-made lesbian biker vest to the doctor's office. Big hit. 


The pediatrician is about 2 miles away from us, and was suggested to us by a friend (Thanks, Carrie!) I really liked the doctor we met, who is also a lactation consultant, which will help tremendously should we need assistance in the boobs department. 


On Monday I went back to the Doctor -- this is my last appointment while still working. I haven't bitched much about it here (surprisingly enough, with as much as I like to complain sometimes) but my visits have been a real pain in the ass as of late. Emphasis on late. Because I have seen the same Dr., who has late appointments on Mondays, and because my job only allows me to really take late appointments without being penalized with some arbitrary "make up time" I have been stuck having to take the latest appointments possible.  This appointment was at 3:15 and I didn't get seen til 5:00PM. For a 3:15 appointment I have to leave at 2:30 at the very latest to get there on time. 


I understand that there are emergencies, and Mondays are busy, and whatnot...but having to wait upwards of 2 hours to be seen for LITERALLY 10 minutes tops is quite frustrating and mentally draining. This week was jam-packed with bull shittery and prep work for client transitions, conference calls, on top of 7 events and trainings....I AIN'T GOT TIME TO WASTE, DOC! Anyway, vent over. 

pictured : shit to do

I didn't get to have a sincere heart to heart in that 10 minutes I was seen, so I don't really have a solid game plan as to where we are with this ginormo baby, and what my odds really are. 


The only real things known this week are:


1. He's still ginormous
2. At 36 weeks, 4 days I measured 38 weeks, still
3. My pelvis is "adequate" aka not too narrow to allow for a "normal" childbirth...
4. My current "normal" isn't ideal with tailbone, sunnyside, etc
5. I am still 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced, so no change there
6. Another growth ultrasound is scheduled for 38 weeks, and more discussions will be made


I broached some csection talk (in minutes 8:30 of 10 spent with the Doc) and determined the following:


1. I can go into labor naturally and they won't suggest induction unless something crazy develops at the next ultrasound
2. If I get to the hospital and baby is in distress/gets stuck/tailbone feels too wonky I can elect for a csection at any time
3. The surgery should be quick and I should supposedly be able to nurse and hold him immediately afterward (this I am not so convinced about)


So, there we have it kids! I'm just in a holding pattern and living life like we're golden. 


I managed to get a super sweet action video of Baby Boy moving and grooving in my belly. (Full disclosure, we had been listening to Weezy)


Since it is connected to Facebook, you'd need to be logged in but can see him in all his glory here:


Baby Lovelace dance party

A number of people have been making guesses on when he will grace us with his ginormous presence so we made "JFF/justforfun" shits & gigs baby pool which can be found here:


How big is Baby Boy Lovelace?

So go get your guessing on, dear readers! I am getting a kick out your suggestions...especially the names! First one to say 10 lbs. gets a side-eye though.

serious face is very serious

How far along? 37 Weeks, hubba hubba!

Total weight gain: A solid and sturdy (Good German Stock) 33.3 lbs
Maternity clothes? NO. I declared this week #teamdress #nopants week. The emancipation/epantsimation week where we veto all things covering our legs. WHY? Just because. I don't think it will become a trending topic on the twitter anytime soon but I did buy 4 dresses from my favorite consignment store and have rocked them all week. Sorry for dumb faces. I look especially miserable in the morning. 

Sweet baby blue sundress for my work shower, where baby got spoiled!

this darling red number, again with favorite stripes, for a sweet $6

let's try to be mellow-yellow...and my favorite blue wedges

and more sweet stripes and 90's "Limited" dresses

Stretch marks? Still have some guys chilling down here...light and purpley. Still hoping they don't decide to multiply/bring a gang of their red friends
Sleep: Is random. Some nights I get about 3 hours it seems..others I can pass out at 9PM, and wake up at 5 and then get another 45 minutes or so before waking up for work. My legs still get heavy/feel like bricks/cramp from being in one position for too long, but I have been getting up frequently to pee so that helps the situation. Excited for next week, being off and not having to wake up a certain time!
Best moment this week: spending time with my lovely family, and counting down the final days of work....especially thankful for a supportive team and some awesome friends I have made at the World of Webinars who made this transition more comfortable and put up with my hormones for these past 90 bajillion months. 
Miss Anything? My pelvic bones not hurting...and my lower back not being as tender...and all these little hurts and pangs of pressure that have suddenly made themselves known. But these are all good signs so I'm happy!
Movement: Per the above sweet video, kid is still kickin up a storm. This is another reason I don't feel like he is "dropped" enough or ready to make his appearance soon! My belly is so large though that my legs splay out when sitting down, and it's like the kid is fully on my lap. It's weird to feel him kick as high as my boobs yet feel his arms (or something) moving down below patting my lap. 

Food cravings: Smoothies, fruit, pineapple, strawberries. MMMMMM.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Some nights, especially on days I have worked out I have noticed I feel a bit period-crampy....nothing too crucial but some pings and pangs that seem semi familiar in that variety.
Gender: Boy
Labor Signs: Alas, none that I can tell. Blood pressure and protein levels are all still fabulous as well. 
Symptoms: Overall pretty fantastic....hips/lowerback soreness here and there. Kendra says I sound like an old man when I get up...it does take me longer to get up but I think that's because I am having some pelvic pain again...She also made fun of my underwear the other day (because they showed through my dress). I have officially given up on caring about pantylines...is that a symptom? Seriously, the size of these huge granny panties..... I can't wait to pack those suckers away. Hanes, not so much my way. Or Hanes, get out of my way. 

Belly Button in or out? flat and weird, flat and weird. My boobs are also still flat, in case anyone is keeping track at home.
Wedding rings on or off? On! Every week I keep waiting to swell. Still doing pretty okay in that frnt. 
Happy or Moody most of the time: Very happy! This is the last week of work and I'm full term, so what is there NOT to be happy about??
Looking forward to: Rest and Relaxationville....where I will continue team #nopants.....because I will likely be laid up in the house in my granny panties, straight lounging watching Dr. Phil and balancing red raspberry leaf tea on this bump for the duration...until Mr. Ginormo child makes his debut!


Cheers to (potentially) 3 more weeks of golden pregnancy bliss. Keep sending us those good vibes!

36 BIG weeks pregnant

Oh boy....oh, big big  beautiful baby boy. What a week we've had! Week 36 has brought us into our 9th month, and officially 4 weeks until go time. With that, we had our first weekly appointment!. I have felt that I have been growing out of control these past few weeks (well, since week 34) so I was really amped to see the Doctor I prefer and get some feedback on how he thought I was doing. 

As soon as he walked in he said he could tell I was bigger. Just how much bigger?

If you guessed that I was measuring 2 weeks ahead again, then you win a magical prize, dear reader. 36 weeks and measuring in at a solid 38!!!! I'm taking this as us being "full term" a week early. 

Yessir, Mr. Ginormo man is still packing on the pounds and growing like a champ. I am VERY thankful for his health, but am of course fearful given his large size. 

The Doctor said I looked "stunning" otherwise and that he was really anxious to get the results of the growth ultrasound. I shared with him my broken tailbone woes and the fact he is sunny side up and he made the ick face ... it looks a little something like this:

He said he doesn't know how women do it...that he has heard their tailbones pop during labor.....COOL STORY BRO. He was very jovial in telling me that I could expect it to happen again (GREAT) and that I would be clutching a donut pillow again for another 12 weeks or so. 

Fun backstory: I broke my tailbone slipping on ice in the great state of New York (Western NY that is, land of snow and snow and more snow, and also chicken wings). I was walking to school in 8th grade and turned sharply on black ice and my feet literally went over my head and I landed directly on my tailbone, brought down by the weight of ALL of my textbooks in my backpack. (Why did we carry all of our heavy textbooks home?!) It hurt so bad that at first I was stunned and couldn't get up...the school buses conveniently were driving by and I later learned people thought I got hit by a car. I hobbled to school and tried to "walk it off" but soon realized in 1st period Spanish class that I could not.sit.down. At all. It was excruciatingly painful and I had to call my mom to come get me...I lay horizontally in the backseat of the car while she drove me to the doctor, who incidentally was a (male) family friend. I had to bare my teen-aged ass while he pressed on it and I jumped away from his touch like a stuck pig. Indeed it was broken.  I ended up carrying around a donut, affectionately called "buddy" short for "butt buddy" for a solid 4 months before I felt well enough to sit on a hard surface like a normal human being. It did numbers for my popularity and I'm pretty sure that's why I went on to become homecoming queen. 

Me and my Lou at homecoming! (not pictured but implied : broken ass)

Long story short, the recovery was ugly, and long, and it made day to day things like sitting comfortably, having a bowel movement or using a tampon super painful. 

So let's fast forward 10+ years and a pregnancy with a large baby who is sunny side up. Everyone I know who has had a child in this position had long, painful labors (some of which lead to c-sections). That coupled with this broken tailbone noise and I am shook!

The day after the Dr's appointment was our growth ultrasound. Having done some research from friends who had big babies with epidurals I knew that it could be done...but I really needed some numbers, stats, and empirical data to rationalize this all in my head. 

Excited for some news!

We went to get our scan at exactly 36 weeks per the Doctor's orders...and whaddyaknow....there's a biggun in there! We had a great tech who was very thorough (thank God) who answered every question we threw her way. She verified his largeness, and noted that I do NOT have extra amniotic fluid (which I was sorta hoping for, giving the size issues of late). She measured his femur bones, head (length and width) and his belly.

At 36 weeks gestational age our "little" guy is right around 38 weeks size-wise and a comfy 7 pounds. 

(insert freakout here)

At 36 weeks babies should on average be around 5.8 pounds. She was kind enough to remind me they gain up to a pound a week which would put him in the 9-11 pound range at 40 weeks. 

Bless this child's heart...and his large head...he is giving Mama an anxiety attack!

He's mighty pudgey in there! Get a load of those cheekers. All the better to smooch you with, my dear. 

So now that we know he is big, I was hoping I would feel better ... because we have some decisions to make. I am going to have to get really real here. Shit is about to happen and he could come at any time. (The Ultrasound tech said while my due date is May 24th, she would guess him to come around May 15th) While hypnobabies has been really great in terms of reducing anxiety for me, I no longer think I can self administer some anesthesia by way of my big brainparts. (Large heads run in this family apparently). 

The only things I do know I want are to fall into labor naturally as good, sweet Mother Nature intended. From there, I want to labor at home for as long as possible. When we do make it to the hospital I want to have all of our options outlined....an epidural is looking more and more likely. 

This is all in my head for right now...I am antsy to talk to my doctor on Monday when I will be 36 weeks 4 days. He definitely said at the last appointment that a c-section was a viable option that I could "elect" at any time, although they would want me to go into labor naturally. SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO THERE'S THAT. 

I know, I know...you'd think it was twins

My darling BFF and favorite baby mama, Erin,  passed along some links in relation to people in similar circumstances. This one was especially helpful. 

I know the pain of a broken tailbone. It is not something I'd wish upon my least favorite clients. Yes, even the ones who berate me on the phone and overuse the capslocks key. I cannot imagine not being able to sit again for 4 months + (on top of potentially tearing/epipisiotomy?) and trying to breastfeed a baby. I don't want to not be able to sit in the glider and nurse him comfortably. I don't want to "try" for a vaginal labor and blow through my tailbone, get cut, have him potentially get stuck and have to go for a c-section on TOP of that either. Can you imagine a labor worse than tearing, having an incision and not being able to sit down after it's all said and done? I will be home by myself for a good bit...Grandma Niter has graciously offered her assistance...and I know no matter what the outcome I will need support. I don't want to fault myself for "failing" at delivering as naturally as possible. I also don't want to be in constant pain the first few months of his life either. I wouldn't be doing my best duties as a mother if I am in chronic pain and can't concentrate on his needs. And until you've broken your tailbone and can only get by sitting on a donut, you can't imagine the pain. 

Part of me feels that as much as I've worked out, tried to stay emotionally healthy, meditated, hypnobirthed, Ina-Mae'd and just tried to be as positive as possible that I am DESTINED on a one way ticket to c-sectiontown. 

drop, droppin like he's hot. 

The Doctor also said that at 36 weeks I am ALREADY 1 centimeter dialated and 50% effaced. Things are happening. Women can walk around dialated for weeks with no change, so I am not taking this as him coming tomorrow, but it's nice to know that after these long months of cervical drama that she is doing her job so far! Good job, champ. 

Alot is happening fast. I am now on my 2nd to last week of work. I have been tasked to transition a ton of clients to my team, and am still on events and trainings....needless to say it has been stressful and I feel like a huge burden to my colleagues. I have had one or several crying jags just trying to wrap my brain around the enormity of what all needs done before I leave on May 4th. My lists are seemingly endless and I have stayed late a few nights (much to the chagrin of my mom and husband who don't like the idea of their 9 months pregnant daughter/wife working until 8PM) but I really have no way of getting EVERYTHING done that I need to. 

hi-lighting things in pink makes them easier to accomplish. maybe. 

My house is in tip top shape, bags are packed and everything is set up for baby to come, but I cannot get caught up on transitioning/creating client documentation (an hour for each client x 10-20 clients) and still handle the day to day affairs of client support, billing, events and training. I've begged Jesus to take the wheel approximately 38 times a day, and have pondered whether or not a glass or bottle of wine would hurt ginormo baby at this time. (KIDDING). I am only human, and I may be a hormonal beast at that, but it will somehow all get done. 

I also quit the fancy gym this week, so I won't be inundating Instragram with awkward mirror pictures anymore. 

follow me @Leahlovelace...if you're into that type of shit. 

I will really really really miss the rich folks gym and all the amenities it provided...but for a SAHM living on one income, it is just not feasible. So long, tan 40 year old soccer moms and weird Asian ladies who dry their pubic muffs with the public hair dryers! 

I did enjoy some long walks (around the cul de sac) and did some Jillian and pilates this week...and if it weren't for having to stay late so much I think I could've worked out every day! Hope to keep this type of activity up for the long haul. 

How far along? Officially 36 weeks at the time of this post 

Total weight gain: Right around 32 big bad, ell bees
Maternity clothes? The shirt I wore today my stomach was falling out of on the bottom and you guessed it, it was maternity. Da hell?
Stretch marks? Sadly yes. I have shown them to a few people and the consensus is from those who have seen them in person that they look like veins?! Those who I have sent pictures of (yes I have stretch mark support from all the way to Buffalo and Las Vegas) seem to think they're legit. They're still pale purple, and low and JESUS CHRIST I AM MEASURING HUGE SO CUT ME SOME SLACK HERE
Sleep: I have been passing out on the couch anywhere from 9PM to Midnight, and waking up usually around 2AM to get the cramps out of my legs, hydrate, pee and try to sleep again...this is a cycle until 3 or 5AM when I make it up to the bed. I have to have such a fortress of pillows right now that it isn't feasible for me to try to squench into our not-even-queen-size bed with Glenn in it. I toss and turn and am up and down all night and it's disruptive to Glenn. At least one of us should get some adequate sleep, no?
Best moment this week: Glad to finally have these weekly appointments and know where we are at...size, dilation and effacement wise! There is safety in knowledge...once I figure out how to apply it. Also, my brother and sister and law announced they are having a baby girl, so I will have a NIECE in a few months!! 2012 is crazy for babies and my gender prediction talent is still SPOT ON! EXCITED!!
Miss Anything? my stretch mark free belly? Vanity aside, I am pre-mourning the loss of my social life....won't be able to spring for lunch with the ladies and gay lads at the drop of a hat anymore. But it's going to be worth it, this baby boy will be keeping me plenty busy and hopefully people don't forget Glenn and I exist and come visit us! 
Movement: Goodness lord, yes. The day of my Dr's appointment he was turbo active...I wondered if maybe the exam caused contractions that pissed him off in there? I am feeling weird tingles and pressure and just alot of general "girth" in there. 
Food cravings: PINEAPPLE. And carrots and chocolate but that's nothing new.
Anything making you queasy or sick: I can't go too long without eating/drinking something. I thought I was going to kirk out/pass out at Panera today when the line took approximately 18 minutes to get through. Must. stay. hydrated.
Gender: Ginormo boy
Labor Signs: None officially....I don't have a "feeling" I will get them any time soon...and I am perfectly okay with that! 
Symptoms: My belly button area is itchy and that can be annoying...still leg cramps at night..and the pain in ye old pelvic bones is somewhat back, but much much more tolerable than in months past.
Belly Button in or out? Awkward and flat
Wedding rings on or off? Still on, son!
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy most of the time! Glad to have got some knowledge dropped on our proverbial asses this week...I think the last week of work will help my mental stability tremendously! 
Looking forward to: Wrapping things up at the World of Webinars next week, and seeing my Daddy this weekend! Grandpa Roy is coming to town! 

Hopefully we will still be pregnant for a few more weeks so  YALL COME BACK NOW HEAR!?

33 weeks: adventures in anterior (placenta) -- big babies, hypnobirthing and Ina May

So if you know me personally or have followed a bit of this blog you can probably surmise the following:

1. I'm excited about this baby, bigtime
2. I love 3D ultrasounds
3. I'm neurotic to a fault

That being said, of COURSE we got another 3D ultrasound done at exactly 32 weeks. Every time we've gone to the technician we have had someone new, this time it was the actual owner. She was very conversational and seemed to love what she was doing. She asked me how much I thought the baby weighed at 32 weeks...I gave the babycenter approved range of  around 3.75 lbs as my best guess.

babycenter view at 32 weeks..aka what I looked like at 17 weeks

She said, guess again...so I guessed 4? She kept pointing up towards the ceiling. 4 and a quarter? Nope. 4 and a half? 

just how big are you in there?!

TRY *****FIVE***** (worthy of 5 asterisks) POUNDS

I of course was happy he was growing like a champ, but having known 36 weeks babies who were born at that size I was a tad alarmed. I know the ovulation date and date we conceived so his due date/my gestational timeline should be right on track. She then used a tool to measure his head and it read at 35 weeks 1 days, and she said he was in the 89% percentile. (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

That's my big headed baby! But oh, was he beautiful! Look at that sweet face and dare I say luscious lips? Unsure where he got those beauties from but I cannot wait to smooch them!


If babies grow a half pound each week in their important final trimester, that would put this kiddo at a comfy 8.5 to 9 lbs based on the tech's opinion. WHAT. That sound you hear is my pelvis creaking. 


She also was able to verify he was head down but face up (sunnyside/posterior) which is a recipe for some awful back labor per Dr. Google. 

But again, those lips! I die....

I've read that babies tend to snuggle up to their placentas, but homeboy is in there straight SMOOCHING that thing. I have a feeling he is quite comfy. All of this wouldn't bother me so much had I not been recently revolutionized by the idea of natural birth. If I just planned on having an epidural and being pumped full of pain medicines I could probably take it in stride. The problem is I have been struck by the holistic, "pain is mental, contractions are natural" guidance of "The Business of Being Born" (Damn you, Ricki) and started reading Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. 


Both really delve into the notion that our bodies are made for this (duh) and that society has ingrained us to believe that labor has to mean intense pain. Alot of it you can approach positively, (each contraction gets you that much closer to your baby) ... it's called labor for a reason because it is WORK, but it doesn't have to be laden with fear. 

Reading natural birthing stories has been very motivating for me, and because I have conditioned my body so much during this pregnancy I think physically I could handle the actual physical "labor process". My fear lies in the fact that I tend to be high-anxiety (I can get panic attacks having a dental exam), I've broken my tailbone in the past,  he is sunnyside up/back labor/potential to get stuck pushing for hours, AAAAAAAAND the idea that he may be a big boy strikes the notion from my head I could possibly do this medication free. 


I really don't want any pitocin because of it's relation to stalling natural labor, causing more interventions, causing potential likelihood of a c-section, either. 

Oh, but that face. He will be so worth whatever happens. I plan to discuss with my doctors what their thought process is in terms of his size/likelihood to flip....and then we will take it from there. I have also downloaded Hypnobabies, which is either going to totally calm me down, or will frustrate me because of my lack of patience. The thing is I am so neurotic and prepared that literally EVERYTHING is set up for this child to come....perhaps studying hypnosis anesthesia and guided meditation will give me a healthy reprieve from packing and re-packing our bags and re-folding cloth diapers. 


In any event, I've been trying to stay really positive and learn more about the process and what I can do to best reach my goals. I know right now that part of me would be disappointed if I can't make my "idealized" view of birth happen...but nothing goes to plan with labor. I can't beat myself up for trying, even if I do end up with an epidural. One day at a time, ginormo baby!

So in other news, we've been growing steady! At my last visit I told the Dr. I had been noticing some leg cramping at night, and she suggested "slowing down", which unfortunately isn't really in my life plan right now. I have doubled up on my potassium intake and upped my calcium as well, but I do have to admit that she could be somewhat right. On days I really work myself hard (aka the elliptical machine) I have noticed increased pain at night. Earlier this week I rode that thing for 45 minutes...and end up waking in 3 hour tangents to release the pressure in my calves, butt, and hips...and to of course pee. 


No amount of post-workout stretching seems to make a difference. The only thing that cures the pain is standing up. A friend who is also preggers attributes this to all the weight we are just chilling in the middle causing the rest of our muscles to not have as much blood flow/more pressure. All I know is that it took me until 4PM the next DAY to feel reduced pain. Up next: more walking, less elliptical. WOMP WOMP. 

How far along? 33 big bouncing baby boy weeks!

Total weight gain: Up 28 lbs still...unsure if that's related to the fact that out of nowhere like the bitch that she is, nausea showed up earlier this week. I had 6 straight days where I would get hit with the overwhelming urge to throw up all over my desk at work, or need to go lay my head down. After having zero nausea at any point during this pregnancy I was really surprised it happened at all. The only thing I can attribute it to is him growing so much and getting so big that he is taking the oomph right out of me. I still managed to workout a few times and I think that ended up being my salvation. Knock on wood I've had 2 days with no vomitis so hopefully it was a fluke thing. I also keep gatorade and honey nut cheerios by the bed in case little dude is just needing a snack. 

Maternity clothes? I wore a maternity dress (hand me down) this week and got a lot of compliments on it! So yeah, I can embrace them here and there. 


Stretch marks?  Still holding strong!


Sleep: Kinda not the best, but getting it in where I can. I just told Glenn as I was typing this that being on my side already is hurting and he reminded me that in a few weeks/month we will have a good reason to be up off our feet to have him to tend to ... I'll be missing sleep pacing the floors with a baby, not to rid myself of leg pain. Love that man!


Best moment this week: Hanging out with Alexis in Frederick, scoring some more cloth diapers, and starting and getting 80% of my cloth diaper stash washed and put away (would be 100% but 8 more diapers came in the mail today). 

Miss Anything? That 2nd trimester powerful feeling of working out and the idea that I could "OWN" this labor process and  get him out like a champ. I just need to realign my goals and keep staying positive!

Movement: I can now feel his little hands burrowed deep into my pelvis, above the bone. It's the weirdest sensation of him tapping around in there, and sometimes he puts pressure on my pelvis. Still feeling his feet up high!

these big feet like his Daddy!

Food cravings: Since nausea reared her ugly head, I've been downing cheerios and bananas. Nothing too exciting unfortunately. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Sometimes the smell of meat. The other day at work the water coming from the faucet smelled weird to me....so maybe my pregnancy nose is back, or never left and is heightened?

Gender: 3d confirmed he's got quite the sack on him


Labor Signs: Nope, unless the nausea and leg pain are compounding issues...still feeling pretty dandy other than that!


Symptoms: Forgot to add pelvic girdle pain....that is unfortunately a nightly affair as well

Belly Button in or out? awkward halfski

Wedding rings on or off? On! Still no major swelling (knock on wood)



Happy or Moody most of the time: I had an awkward crying jag at Trader Joe's this week with a coworker, being anxious about things out of my control yet again, ie; my work replacement, projects ongoing, people not RSVPing for shower number 2, etc....it does feel good to be emotional at times and just RELEASE. Guaranteed the next day I usually feel happy as a lark. Hooray, hormones. 


Looking forward to: Seeing family this weekend for Easter, and next week being Baby Lovelace's Big Baltimore Shower! After that we have a few classes to take and are basically in the clear and counting down days until we meet this sweet baby boy!

32 weeks - PA Showers bring May Flowers

Already time for another post? Time is flying by for sure! 31 weeks marked our first shower in Pennsylvania. We were really excited to take half a day off from work on Friday and venture the 4ish hours to the great state of P-A to see friends, family and some darling babies!

But before we made it all the way to the Keystone State, we had to drop our pal Jerome off with his Grandma! Thank goodness she lives so close and is always willing to take the little bugger in. 

Look how excited hims is! 

After that quick pitstop we were gung-ho to make it on time for dinner with my best girls and their significant others. Erin organized a dinner the night before the shower so we all could have a chance to stuff our faces with delicious Italian food and (they) could drink some wine and we could catch up like old times. 

We surprisingly enough made it there a bit early despite ridiculous PA traffic because it's "construction season" and took some time to snap a few pix. Note to self : buying dresses size large in F21 does not make them look like a cute tunic. I fell in love with the color of this dress but am realizing now in photos it may not be the most flattering. 

It was great to take some time before the shower to relax! 

Each of these fab ladies did such a great job organizing the food, decor, invites, favors and dessert -- we definitely are very blessed to have them in our life! Although we live hours apart and don't get to see each other often, we always pick up right where we left off. Between new houses, new babies, career ventures, and other exciting changes in their lives, I am so glad to stay in touch and still crack up about our Clarion days!

After a week of beautiful weather, Saturday started off with some rain...but what is a baby shower without rain? I do love me some Springtime weather! Our friends John and Lindsey graciously allowed us to crash at their place for about the 378th time, and Linds offered to drive to the shower so Glenn could come later to say his hellos, open gifts and carry the loot!

After much debating with myself over comfort, fashion, and "does this actually look decentism" I decided to rock this $20.00 Marshalls (non -maternity) number over another blue dress. Blue for boy, and Glenn said he liked it most. Badabing, badabump. 

Sweet baby Emilia rode along with us to the shower and enjoyed herself socializing (and catching some Z's). 

Lil E brought baby Claire who also stole the show! It hurts my heart to get to see these little loves but a few time a year, sometimes I wish we could pick up and move to PA (or NY for that matter) and have our babes grow up together! I am going to need to make more MD friends who are mommies of little babies come May! 

Maria made some delicious food, (2 soups, 2 salads, and a bonus pasta from Valerie) and Erin went all out with having a cake prepared. Seriously, how adorable. 

Glenn arrived just in time to cut the cake and open some awesome gifts! The girls got us a bassinet filled with goodies, and we also got our Boppy and Swing, and a number of great books and much-needed baby essentials!

Including some toys that make noise, yay!

I think Glenn has a new girlfriend

After a few hours of food, friends, family and fun (yay, alliteration) it was time to go back to the Simon abode to catch a quick catnap before I took Lindsey for a night on the town (her first in over 15 months!) She is a SAHM to Emi, and I give her all the props in the world. Sister needed a martini or 2! Doesn't she look great?

All in all it was a great, albeit tiring weekend. Really hoping to make a trip back out to PA once our little guy has arrived...hopefully this summer for Claire's 1st birthday! 

Now without further ado - some weekly updates! We finally busted out the DSLR and I thought it would be a prime time to take the new with the old, and take some throwback pix in the kitchen. (Okay the blue sports bra has been resurrected and that was half my impetus)

And because I love a good comp .... here we are 7 weeksish and 31 weeks 6 days (damn near 32 weeks. Apparently 25 weeks ago I was tanner and sweated more. Glenn says I look more "buff" in the latter pix but I think he is just being kind. (Bless his heart!)

How far along? THE BIG 3-2! For some reason it was this number that has stuck out in my head as having "made it" far into pregnancy. 32 weeks is a nice, sturdy, even number. This means 5-8 more weeks until we meet baby boy -- so crazy to feel like you've been pregnant for what seems like forever, and are finally hitting that finish line. 

Total weight gain: up to a grand 27-28 lbs...that's right folks, 178 and counting! Things have *knock on wood* seemed to slow a bit, and for that I am thankful. My coworker's best friend is pregnant and sent me pictures of her at 31 weeks. Homegirl looks like me at 14 weeks, shit you not. I was like, "where is she hiding the baby?" But we all carry different, I seem to carry front and prominent. Glenn's sister who is an ultrasound tech felt my belly at the shower and said I have alot of amniotic fluid so maybe that has something to do with my gargantuanness? 
Maternity clothes? Not for my shower! POW! I had vowed to not wear something hideous and matronly and managed to succeed in that. Death to all ugly frocks!
Stretch marks? Still holding strong, although each week I can feel my body changing...he still favors my right side all the time, and my ribs still seem to be stretching quite a bit...I am sure he's gonna keep on keepin on, so we may not be out of the woods yet. 

Sleep: On days I work out (4 times week 31) I sleep pretty well...unfortunately I have been waking up at night as of late with leg cramps. Not like full on charley horses, but achey legs that feel like someone has beat them with a bat. The pain doesn't go away no matter how many times I flex and stretch in bed, I usually have to get up and walk around. A few times Glenn has had some nice, early wake ups (cough, cough 4:30AM) because they hurt so bad I need him to rub them. What a trooper that guy is. I also have unfortunately noticed alot more pelvic pressure similar to our pain escapade of weeks 20ish-22 when turning over. I wince each time and it is getting annoying, but the snoogle pillow has helped matters greatly. At my latest doctors appointment I told the nurse practitioner about the leg pain and she asked if I worked out. Pshhh do I work out? YES. She said I was probably "doing too much"  and should slow down. My thing is, I really don't want to until my body tells me to (much like my pelvic bone pain). A few leg cramps here and there aren't going to stop me from sweating. She said that blood flow to extremities changes when pregnant and it's harder on the legs. That and I'm carrying around damn near 30 POUNDS OF BABY, may have something to do with it. I got some calcium chews and eat bananas like its my job on top of the gallon plus jug of water I take in each day...so....we'll continue to do our best.
Best moment this week: Seeing so many people we love, and smooching the beautiful babes! That and we have done alot of work in getting everything squared away in the nursery. All newborn and 0-3 month clothes are washed and Glenn has put up a new (AWESOME) light fixture. Next up, cloth diaper wash! We also are going to build a cornice for the curtains Easter weekend, and then after that really need to get on taking some "finished" pictures of the nursery!

this kids room outcools the other 89% of our house

Miss Anything? The joy of long shirts...even my longest of long shirts are getting a little tough to make work, and at least one pair of my maternity pants seem to be screaming at the belly panel like ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. 
Movement: Still loving feeling him! He still rocks my belly all night long but spends a good bit of time making his presence known during the day. He was jamming out on the way home in the car with the top down listening to some R&B 1990's classics, and still stays huddled on my right side. Still head down, and feet toward my (sore) ribs
Food cravings: Fruit, hummus, vegetables. Boring right? On the way to PA I made Glenn stop off at a grocery store so I could buy Naked juice, hummus and carrots because my body craved eating something clean after being stuck in the car for hours. Daily meals are usually made up of the following - fiber one bar for early breakfast (to take prenatals), 1/2 a fiber bran muffin at work (Moral Fiber), then either a banana, apple or greek yogurt for a snack. Lunch is an arugula and romaine mixed salad with fresh berries, onions, tomatoes and cranberry trail mix. Snack is either a string cheese or my beloved edamame hummus with sugar snap peas and carrots. I've been drinking alot of mama tea also. Dinner is usually a toss up depending on if I have dinner plans because I am TURBO POPULAR, but usually is a protein Glenn grills for me and some steamed veggies. Also chocolate happens EVERYDAY. Kid knows what he likes. 

I can't get over how much he is growing OUT

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not so much sick, but let's just say pregnancy gas is a riot. It comes out of nowhere and is uncontrollable and surprisingly usually doesn't emit an odor but does cause some loud noises. Glenn is just the luckiest guy ever.
Gender: Team Blue all the way!
Labor Signs: Nothing specific I can point to -- but I think I have started Braxton Hicks. When I work out I've felt my uterus get hard for months now, but I think per my Nurse Practitioner that Braxton Hicks are when your "FUNDUS" up high gets hard. It's like one big muscle clenching. Red Raspberry Leaf Tea is still being imbibed so I hope my pal of a uterus will hold us strong until the very end! 
Symptoms: I have noticed, this week especially that things are slowing down....well, I am slowing down. Mentally at work my capacity is about blown. It's hard for me to plan events in April and May when all I can think about is how in April I will be having a baby in a month...a baby in MAY! Makes webinars that much more dull. I also am slower walking around, more inclined to be out of breath, and can't stay up with my favorite lesbian gurus Jackie and Jillian as much as I used to. I' m still trying my darndest! I wore my heartrate monitor to work today for 9 hours just to see how many sedentary calories were burned, = 1646....then Glenn and I walked 2.5 miles and I did a Jackie workout= 546 calories. I wish I could better understand  how all this math equates in preggo ville but I guess I could say I am doing pretty damn good over here.
Belly Button in or out? Half in half out? It looks creepy as all getout in this pic below:

Wedding rings on or off? on! My NP seemed surprised (?) I was not swelling yet. Hrmmm. 
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy Happy Happy with a side of needing to cry every once in again -- so much to look forward to, so little time left remaining til we meet our babe!
Looking forward to: Shower number 2, aka co-ed party extravaganza! Grandma Niter has been crafting away and we are thrilled to see what Tanner's got up her sleeve!