36 Weeks

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How Far Along: 36 weeks. Theo and I were remembering when I was 6 weeks pregnant. Wow. It seems like so long ago that that I peed on a stick and saw two pink lines. And yet it seems like I would never get this far into the pregnancy (not because of risks, just because 30 weeks is a looong time!)

Baby is now fully developed. This means that her heart, lungs, brain, fingers and toes are all ready for life outside the womb, and for the next 4-6 weeks that she gestates, she is just going to be gaining fat! =)

Also, for non-pregnancy terms…I’m officially 9 months pregnant! Just need to finish off this month, and we will have a babe on our hands!

Size of Baby: A honeydew melon? I don’t understand how the baby didn’t grow in a week. Maybe just a larger honeydew melon? Baby probably weighs over 5 pounds and is around 18 inches long. And baby is most certainly running out of womb! Her kicks and punches are getting a little bit more painful, and her movements will keep me up at night.

Total Weight Gain: 30+. Honestly, I’ve stopped getting on the scale. Not because I care how much I’ve gained..but because it takes too much energy to haul it out, step on it, weigh myself, then calculate how much I’ve gained. Ain’t nobody got time for that!

Stretch Marks: Breasts, thighs and I found a teeny, tiny white one on my side the other day. It doesn’t surprise me…my belly has stretched miraculously huge in these past 9 months! The ones on my thighs and belly are white, though…so you can’t see them unless you are looking for em!

Wedding Rings: Yep, still on! Don’t even feel tight yet. Again, I’ve been really blessed to not have a lot of swelling. Even without AC and with a pretty hot summer, it hasn’t been too bad!

Maternity Clothes: That’s about all that fits anymore. That, and my husbands t-shirt drawer. I love summer clothes, though, and how I can get away with skirts and dresses and shorts and t-shirts.

Gender: Our precious little GIRL!

Movement: So much poking and prodding and kicking and punching and hiccuping, but I can really tell that she doesn’t have a lot of room to move around. Her movements are now less random and more calculated…stretching, hiccuping, and moving her legs around.

Sleep: You know what? Sleep has been great! I can’t lie on my back, or my hips really hurt…and rolling from side to side is very challenging, but otherwise I can’t complain. I wake up at least once in the night to use the bathroom, but I’ve had no insomnia, or late-night cravings, or horrible pains that keep me up. I’m truly grateful for that.

I’ve also enforced a mandatory rest hour after lunch. I make myself lie down, and either read a book or take a nap. No electronics. If Theo is home, he also has to lay down. It really helps me consciously rest, instead of trying to get more things down and wear myself out earlier in the day.

What I miss: Having energy and mobility. Not feeling huge.

Food Cravings: So far, this pregnancy has been pretty much craving-free. I love cereal in the mornings and at night, but I survive if I don’t get them. I also love the fresh fruit still!

Food Aversions: Anything strong smelling. It takes me a minute or two to adjust to the smell of restaurants, and then to find something that sounds good with all the random smells going on. But once I get used to it, I’m fine.

Symptoms: Oh, you know…I’m just 36 weeks pregnant. I’m as big as a barn, I’m tired, I’m struggling to fit into my clothes. I have Braxton Hicks almost every night, and heartburn almost every day. I can hardly see my toes…and forget clipping my nails or painting them.

However…I really have NOTHING to complain about. I’m healthy, I still have energy, the baby is doing great, and there are currently no concerns on the radar. That is truly a blessing!

Best Moment This Week: The shower that my church ladies threw for me was absolutely wonderful. I was so blessed not only in the gift area, but also in the fact that these ladies are so ready to support me, help me…be good examples to me and laugh and cry with me as I go through parenthood. Really, I couldn’t ask for a better body to be a part of!

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Also this week, I went to WIC and had a very painless interview and immediately qualified to receive some help in the groceries department. It’s not much, but it’s something…!

Also…I have not seen a live flea in two days…and that makes me beyond delighted!!!!!

Worst Moment This Week: Theo’s work hours. We agreed that during July he would pick up a couple of extra shifts in order to make sure there is enough money in the bank for the extra expenses and times off that Theo will take in August. He has already worked about 60 hours of overtime since we got back from our vacation a week and a half ago. Ugh. BUT, I am so thankful for his work ethic and all the hard work that he puts into providing for our little family!

Exercise This Week: Walking every day! It’s not far…but it’s something. I go out for about 30 minutes, and it’s been wonderful.

What I’m Looking Forward To: Getting myself and my house organized, meeting this baby girl, seeing my parents!!

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And of course, our new puppy, King Cyrus, has to make his debut on the blog! Isn’t he adorable???!!??

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2 comments

  1. Tam says:

    Lookin’ good, Suz! So happy to hear you haven’t seen any flees and that baby girl is doing so wonderfully!!! It is so crazy to think she is fully formed in there… oooweee! Can’t wait to meet her!

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