39 weeks pregnant - Last of the weekly updates!

Welp, we've made it folks -- thanks for sticking around for the long haul, of what seemed to be the longest, biggest pregnancy ever! We have 3 days until we meet our little big guy and I.cannot.wait. 

Since making our decision, we've had a lot of great support -- we are so appreciative of the love, comments, emails and texts we have received. It shouldn't REALLY matter how a baby is born into the world, because we are his parents regardless, but it is comforting to know that those who care about us are in our corner!


The days have been dragging -- it takes alot to find something to wear and get out of the house these days, but I am sick of being cooped in too. I do find that if I go out and "do too much" I will pay for it later, namely in the form of insomnia, bad back aches, cramping, night sweats and hip/leg pain. 


A girl can only sit on the couch so long though, so I went out by myself yesterday to get a smoothie and run some grocery errands. It felt nice to be part of civilization and not sitting on the couch watching 90210 reruns. (Right now they are airing "Graduation Year: 1997" episodes and they are a riot). 

We took these pix at exactly 39 weeks (yesterday) and holy cats was I exhausted. I am getting sleep in 2 hour increments, and sporadic at best. I know this is baby "training" me to be ready for late night feedings and the like, but I'll be damned if shit isn't uncomfortable. I had tried unsuccessfully to take a 2 hour nap with the lights off and AC pumping before Glenn got home - to no avail. Hence the puffy face and tired expressions. 


All I seem to do anymore is read the babyboards, info about c-sections and breastfeeding, c-sections and exercise, c-sections and complications. It is becoming a bit nauseating even to me. It's been a relief to talk to friends about their lives and everyday things like NORMAL people not in a housebound baby bubble are experiencing. Thanks for checking in, ya'll. 

Poor Glenn has been working his buns off at the school...this is their "busy season" so it's alot of all hands on deck late nights. The week we deliver and will be in the hospital is a SUPER busy week for him, so I know it is stressful. He is taking that week off through Memorial Day and then Grandma Niter will be back in town helping out while we all recover and look to achieve some essence of a routine!


It'll all work out how it is supposed to work out, eh?



How far along? 39 weeks, 1 day! 3. more. days, dude. 

Baby Size: Supposedly the size of a "small watermelon" but let's be REAL. 

Total weight gain/loss: Holding steady at 36 right now, which I think is a pound over the "recommended" healthy weight. But you know what? You can bite my giant pregnant ass if you think I really care. I am DYING to be able to work out and would've loved to continue to take walks and lift...but after our last visit to the Doctor I didn't want to put myself into labor before our planned date as I've read that if your water breaks there is no real cushion left on your back = ouch and potentially a broken tailbone. I do hope I can have a speedy recovery and take the baby for walks soon after we are home and settled. I've read horror stories about people who do too much too soon and then end up ripping their incisions and throwing themselves into MONTHS of recovery so I don't want that either. I am just antsy in general...and know that c-sections tend to make you puffier and full of fluids for longer so I should give myself a solid 2-3 weeks before I step on scales and expect to see any real numbers drop. I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous about it though. I NEED TO STOP READING THINGS ON THE INTERNET. 

Maternity clothes? Shmaternity clothes. On days I leave the house it's a maxi dress or leggings...on days I am stuck housebound it's sports bras and shorts or underwear. SUPER ATTRACTIVE and lovely for Glenn to come home to

Stretch marks? Same old guys are still there, and I think getting redder. they are all under my belly button so that is a some sort of kindness, because if they got any higher where I had to not strain to see them I think I'd be a bit sadder about them. I have to be real with myself and say hey, you're carrying a ginormo baby/look ginormous...what did you think was going to happen? I still slather all the dumb creams on them....I think they would look nice accentuated with my csection scar anyway...it's going to be a good look for 2012. 

Sleep: I think we've covered this. It blows. But I can handle 3 more days of bad sleep, and then expect to have worse sleep in the hospital for 4 more days! All that matters is that fattykins getting here. 

Best moment this week: Our doctor's appointment Monday and subsequent rationalizations therefrom. It felt good to finally just make a decision and jump headfirst into what we can expect from there. 

Miss Anything?  Being able to move around better without feeling so crampy/bach achey and worrying I am going to throw myself into labor if I exert myself too much. That and sleep. 

Movement: Yes - most days a good bit of it! I think he is getting annoyed with his squashed living quarters and just wants OUT these days. I don't blame him. Since he hasn't descended he feels like one big huge ball sitting on my lap. He has a routine usually from 1AM until 3AM where he tries to kick! and stretch! and wiggle! Sometimes he kicks so high/so hard that I gasp. Already taking mama's breath away...

Food cravings: Milk has been big as of late, which I have been eating with Oreos (healthy!). I think it's a I need calcium thing, doubled with a comfort food thing. I also have been crushing fruit like it's going out of style. 

Anything making you queasy or sick:  Glenn made some soup last night that smelled terrible to me....but other than that it is mostly just the queasiness from the cramping that has been annoying. 

Have you started to show yet: What is this I don't even....I think we all know the answer here. .

Trying very hard to fit both of us in the frame, here

Gender: He has a little winkin, blinkin and nod down there

Labor Signs: I've had back pain and cramps and nausea for a good week plus now with Braxton Hicks here and there but none that are really timeable or trackable. Hopefully things stay as is until Monday - because I really have a neurotic plan in my head and going into actual labor sorta throws that off a bit. 

Belly Button in or out? Officially flat. 


Wedding rings on or off? still on! My feet/hands haven't really "preggo swollen" I think my hands are getting a bit more swollen (they always do when it gets hot outside)

Jesus God am I huge. 

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy! Elated to know when he will be coming, and excited to have him with us! 

Looking forward to: Calming down and just letting him arrive. Everything else will fall into place after that!

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!

SIWWP: preggo ginormo edition

Let's face it -- we are approaching the final countdown. Shit is getting big. We are getting uncomfortable. I can only fit into so much, I've never looked so longingly at spring sales and lovely colors...we're almost there though, baby! Trying to rock this out for the duration. 
 Helpful guidance: 

When "borrowing" photos from this blog, please link back to this blog. Thanks! 

We shall wear maxi dresses

and paint our toes springtime colors while we can still reach them

 

and we won't give up on our scarves

and we will still try to  get away with tying jeans off with a rubber band

the topknot never went away

But we did add some hot pink lipstick

spring green and sandal time (before we swell all to hell)

and bust out some wedges (illegal for preggos)

  

if all else fails throw some bangles on

a lady still wants to feel like a lady *clutches pearls*

make sure to wear your most uncomfy non maternity shirt on days you have Dr. visits....

...so you'll be extra annoyed when you wait 2 hours for a 7 minute appointment

Dig your favorite denim vest out of the closet to complete a sweet "joutfit" look

again with sparkles because they make everything better. Or make you look less like a hipster.

Somedays just say eff the world and throw your hair up in some ridiculous headband/bow contraption and put on a scarf

And don't forget your best friends: belts. They've missed you

and maybe add some boat shoes and stripes because you know...that's nautical

be influenced by favorite colors and sunshine

Lest we forget, stripes are always a good look

...so that means stripes + maxis = extra great. (bonus cat tail)

take advantage of your friend's maternity hand-me-downs on days your face looks miserable like this. 

and pray that an infusion of pretty colors makes nausea go away (it doesn't)

find yourself drawn to all things blue for baby boy

and be amazed at the stretch possibilities of all things lycra

EMBRACE YOUR LARGESS (generous bestowal of gifts.)

- MAKE ROOM FOR THE BIG GIRL YALL - 7 MORE WEEKS TO GO

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!