38 Weeks

My Belly is the Size of a Pumpkin!

37/38 Week Appointment

Well I'm officially 9 months pregnant and according to the "traditional" standards, baby is full term.

Blood pressure is still low, no extreme swelling of hands, feet or ankles- she said feet might swell more after birth but then will go back to "normal". My hips, knees and (previously sprained) ankle have been bothering me but supposedly that is all due to the relaxin hormones loosening and preparing my joints for delivery.

Baby Girl's Nursery Photos

Our baby's nursery has been in the making for a few months now, but we feel pretty good now about it being done and ready for baby to come- here's your nursery tour!

 

 

 

 We are ready for you.

9 Months, in Photos

The past 9 months have been wonderful overall (don't let my complaining posts get you thinking otherwise). I have had a great pregnancy and a wonderful, helpful, sweet husband supporting me throughout. I have been posting like crazy and catching up on other stuff because now that I am 37 weeks I am paranoid that I will go into labor any day (or minute). Plus now the date is close enough that I am starting to 1) get really reflective of the past 9 months of having baby girl living with me, and 2) get really excited about baby girl's arrival.

So here's the last 9 months, in photos:

21 more days!

37 Weeks

Baby is the Size of a Watermelon

She is probably 6.5 lbs and 20 inches long. We have two more weeks until she is safe to come (at 39 weeks), and three weeks until her due date. She will be evicted at 41 weeks.

Just Wait...

I was feeling pretty down last week thinking about all of the terrible things people have told me how hard life becomes once baby arrives. Everything I read says, enjoy your last miserable month of pregnancy because at least it’s better than the first month of taking care of baby at home. 

I even tried googling "good things about having a newborn" and found very few happy articles dotted in between the hundreds, if not thousands of “SH!T no-one tells you about how hard having a baby is” articles. I went to Mike and said I’m just not feeling happy and excited about this baby coming, I feel like I need to worry MORE, prepare MORE, and just keeping setting my expectations LOWER and LOWER for total unhappiness, depression and exhaustion. Mike said “I think you’ve worried enough”.

In Defense of Pregnant Women Everywhere

AKA "Pregnancy Etiquette" 

It seems that society feels it is their responsibility to judge pregnant women for every aspect of their lives, here are some things that I either didn't know about, or didn't realize how much they BOTHER pregnant women thinking about or hearing... I'm not trying to be grumpy, I get that people are either just excited for you or feel awkward, but try to think about how pregnant lady is going to feel when you make comment/ask question. We are very sensitive right now!

Source

This is my PSA:

• If you see a pregnant woman without a wedding ring, most likely her hands are super swollen and she can't wear her ring anymore. If you see a woman wearing an engagement ring, maybe that is the only ring that fits!
• If you see a pregnant woman in Starbucks, she is probably getting something decaf, or a smoothie, or a breakfast sandwich. And even if she is getting caffeinated coffee, it is OK in moderation.
• If you see a pregnant woman carrying something heavy, please help her.
• If you see a pregnant woman get on the Metro, offer her your seat!
• If you see a pregnant woman who you do NOT know, she will feel nice inside just by you smiling at her. There is no need to ask her 10 personal questions about her pregnancy (when are you due? is it a boy or a girl? is it your first? is your nursery ready? are you SURE you aren't due sooner? what is the baby's name?) geez people!
• Also not necessary is "oh Just WAIT until she gets here, you'll never sleep again" or "enjoy being out now, you'll never do anything ever again once you have kids!". thanks for the inspiration.
• If you see a pregnant women taking an over-the-counter medication, do not ask her "should you be taking that?" There are MANY OTC medicines that are safe and surely she has already gotten approval from her doctor to take said medicine (I personally take a few and I've discussed them each at lengths with my doctors before taking them, thank you very much!).

Things We'd Rather not Hear:

• "You are starting to waddle"
• "You look REALLY pregnant"
• "What is the baby's name?"
• "Enjoy ___(Fill in the blank)___ now because once you have kids, you can kiss it goodbye!"
• "Should you be eating/drinking that?"

Nice things to say:

• "You are a very fashionably dressed pregnant woman"
• "You look great"
• "You are only showing in your belly"
• "It looks like you have been eating really healthy throughout your pregnancy"
• "You are going to be a great mom"
• "Being a mom is great"

Additional GREAT articles on Pregnancy Ettiquette:

1. http://www.webmd.com/baby/features/pregnancy-violations-dont-be-a-victim
2. http://www.babble.com/pregnancy/etiquette-rules-pregnancy-jokes-humor-rude-comments/etiquette-rules-pregnancy-jokes-humor-rude-comments-1/
3. http://www.emyselfandi.com/2011/04/things-you-should-say-pregnancy.html
4. http://www.vogue.com/culture/article/modern-manners-pregnancy-etiquette-what-to-say-when-shes-expecting/#1
5. http://www.emyselfandi.com/2011/04/watch-your-mouth-pregnancy-etiquette.html

25 Signs You May Be About to Go Into Labor (or Maybe...)

I found this article highly amusing!!!

http://wizzley.com/25-signs-you-may-be-about-to-go-into-labor/

It's so confusing! There is just no way of really knowing until it happens!

Here's an example:

Dilation & Effacement

 This will need to be checked by a doctor or health care worker, but as labor nears, the cervix both thins (effaces) and dilates (opens up).

OR MAYBE... you're just one of those women who dilates weeks before labor begins (some women can dilate up to ten weeks before birth.)

36/37 Week Appointment

Today was my 36/37 week appointment... Doctor checked me out and I am still 1cm dilated and 50% effaced, but they said my cervix is "ripe" so that is good.

We went over my Birth Plan and the doctor said she loved it! It was good to talk through everything with her and nothin I'm asking for is out of the norm, I just wanted to write it all down in case I forget!

Then we had our last ultrasound, they checked the size of the baby, weight and amount of amniotic fluid. Baby is almost exactly average size at 6lbs 2oz, they guess she will continue to gain about half pound a week, so she will be anywhere from 7.5 to 8.0 lbs at birth.

Here's two pictures of her adorable little face!

I've got my next 3 weekly appointments set up and then hopefully that is it!

Shenandoah National Park

So for months now I have been saying that I really want go to Shenandoah National Park in the fall before we have the baby. I was so disappointed with the shutdown that we wouldn't be able to make it in time. Well as well all know everything re-opened and I was thrilled to go on our annual trip to Skyline Drive today!

There's lots of pictures on facebook, but I didn't want to bombard the general public with bump photos, so here are some more shots of the 36.5 week baby bump up in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains!

I thought this was funny because my purse is so big you can't even tell I'm pregnant!

My little lion cub dog

LOVE

Baby Bump on top of the world

36 Weeks

Baby is the Size of a Honeydew Melon

Baby is now 6 pounds and 20 inches. Most of her systems (from circulatory to muscoskeletal) are ready for prime time, though her digestion system - which has only done practice runs so far - will kick into gear as she has her first meal. Although she will be considered full term in one week (at 37 weeks), we want her to stay put until 39 weeks. Then she's welcome to come anytime!

Here is my 36 week baby bump- good thing maternity dresses stretch so much!

Healthy Babies are Worth the Wait

I have been trying to not get too excited or impatient and this campaign really hammered that idea home for me: http://www.marchofdimes.com/pregnancy/why-at-least-39-weeks-is-best-for-your-baby.aspx

One Month

Today marks the one month countdown. So this is actually happening...

Today I got my first "have you had that baby yet?"... Any guess on how many more times I'm going to hear that over the next 30 days?

I promise you all will know (shortly after) I've had the baby, don't worry!

35/36 Week Appointment

Had my 35/36 (Im 35.5 weeks) week appointment today... I saw a new doctor in my attempt to meet with all of the doctors who could possibly deliver the baby. She was very nice and explained all about how to identify labor and what to expect to be feeling the next couple of weeks.

The sign to call (for my doctors office) is contractions every 5 minutes for 2 hours. I've been getting more Braxton hicks and they are getting stronger and more uncomfortable but they are not quite painful yet.

So she measured my belly (fundus) and its right on track at 36cm, baby's kicking me like crazy and her little heartbeat is right around 155 bpm. My weight stayed the same from my last appointment two weeks ago.

The doctor performed my first cervical check and I am 1cm dilated and 50% effaced. She said that this is a good start, and she could actually feel baby's head! What?!?

Mr. Mom - Part 2 (Cooking / Food Safety)

Here's the real important parts. Our house can be a mess and that isn't going to make anyone get sick, but raw chicken juice or old milk can cause food poisoning in a hot second.

FRIDGE MAINTENANCE

I have a strict expiration date policy, if it’s past the date- it’s in the trash. No questions. When I open something that will be used beyond today, I check the expiration date, and the back for the “USE WITHIN 5-7 DAYS OF OPENING”. Just because the milk says good until 11/15/2013, doesn’t mean that it is good that long! I have been getting my Sharpie out and writing the ACTUAL open package date on things like cheese, juice, hummus, etc…

Most of the items are only good for 7 days past the open date-

Salsa, Juice, Cream Cheese, Shredded cheese, Milk, Pasta Sauce.

COOKING

Oh boy, here's the tough part. This is going to have to be hands-on lesson. I think Mike knows how to cook, he just prefers not to. I may try to still prepare some meals, but he is good at making pasta and pizza, and he is excellent and getting take out!

OVERALL FOOD SAFETY & KITCHEN CLEANING

(from http://www.foodsafety.gov/)

Clean - Wash hands and surfaces often

Why it matters

Illness-causing bacteria can survive in many places around your kitchen, including your hands, utensils, and cutting boards.

Unless you wash your hands, utensils, and surfaces the right way, you could spread bacteria to your food, and your family.

Follow these top tips to keep your family safe

• Wash hands the right way—for 20 seconds with soap and running water.
• Wash surfaces and utensils after each use.
• Wash fruits and veggies—but not meat, poultry, or eggs!

Separate - Don’t cross-contaminate

• Use separate cutting boards and plates for produce and for meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs.
• Keep meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs separate from all other foods at the grocery.
• Keep meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs separate from all other foods in the fridge.

Cook - Cook to the right temperature

• Use a food thermometer.
• Keep food hot after cooking (at 140 ˚F or above).
• Microwave food thoroughly (to 165 ˚F).

Chill - Refrigerate promptly

• Refrigerate perishable foods within two hours. Cold temperatures slow the growth of illness causing bacteria. So it’s important to chill food promptly and properly.
• Never thaw or marinate foods on the counter. Many people are surprised at this tip. But since bacteria can multiply rapidly at room temperature, thawing or marinating foods on the counter is one of the riskiest things you can do when preparing food for your family.
• Know when to throw food out. You can’t tell just by looking or smelling whether harmful bacteria has started growing in your leftovers or refrigerated foods.

How to Prevent Salmonella

·       Keep raw meat, poultry, and seafood separate from other foods in your grocery shopping cart.

·       Use plastic or other nonporous (not wood) cutting boards, and wash them in the dishwasher or in hot soapy water after each use. Use a different cutting board for raw meat products than you use for other foods.

·       If you use cloth towels, don't use them for another purpose until they've been washed in the hot cycle of your washing machine. Sponges can hold bacteria, so clean them well in hot soapy water and change them often.

·       Never place cooked food on a plate that previously held raw meat, poultry, or seafood.

·       Wipe up meat juices with a paper towel, spray the counter with an anti-bacterial cleaner, and wipe clean with another paper towel.  Don’t use a dish cloth for this job, it’s not worth risking someone washing the dishes or the table with this contaminated cloth.

·       Use two cutting boards when cutting up meat and veggies.  One for the meat, a different one for the veggies.  Washing cutting boards carefully with hot soapy water between uses.  Never cut raw vegetables on the meat cutting board.

·       Avoid cleaning up raw meat juices with a sponge since germs get trapped in the sponge creating a breeding ground for bacteria.  And if you do get raw meat juices in your sponge, rinse in hot soapy water, then microwave the sponge for 1 minute.  Be careful when removing, let it cool to the touch first.

·       And after handling raw meat be sure and wash your hands vigorously with warm soapy water for at least one minutes.  And be careful to clean up under those long acrylic fingernails as they can be completely missed during hand washing.

·       Wash all utensils that touch raw meat, like platters or plates, with hot soapy water before placing the cooked meat back on.

·       Store raw meat on the lower shelf of the fridge, and raw vegetables on the higher shelves, to protect against mean drips or spills contaminating those raw veggies. 

Food Safety Myths Exposed

We all do our best to serve our families food that’s safe and healthy, but some common myths about food safety might surprise you.

Common myths about food safety at home

Myth #1: Food poisoning isn’t that big of a deal. I just have to tough it out for a day or two and then it’s over.

Fact: Many people don’t know it, but some foodborne illnesses can actually lead to long-term health conditions, and 3,000 Americans a year die from foodborne illness. Get the facts on long-term effects of food poisoning.

Myth #2: It’s OK to thaw meat on the counter. Since it starts out frozen, bacteria isn’t really a problem.

Fact: Actually, bacteria grow surprisingly rapidly at room temperatures, so the counter is never a place you should thaw foods. Instead, thaw foods the right way.

Myth #3: When cleaning my kitchen, the more bleach I use, the better. More bleach kills more bacteria, so it’s safer for my family.

Fact: There is actually no advantage to using more bleach than needed. To clean kitchen surfaces effectively, use just one teaspoon of liquid, unscented bleach to one quart of water. 

Myth #4: I don’t need to wash fruits or vegetables if I’m going to peel them.

Fact: Because it’s easy to transfer bacteria from the peel or rind you’re cutting to the inside of your fruits and veggies, it’simportant to wash all produce, even if you plan to peel it.

Myth #5: To get rid of any bacteria on my meat, poultry, or seafood, I should rinse off the juices with water first.

Fact: Actually, rinsing meat, poultry, or seafood with water can increase your chance of food poisoning by splashing juices (and any bacteria they might contain) onto your sink and counters. The best way to cook meat, poultry, or seafood safely is to make sure you cook it to the right temperature.

Myth #6: The only reason to let food sit after it’s been microwaved is to make sure you don’t burn yourself on food that’s too hot.

Fact: In fact, letting microwaved food sit for a few minutes (“standing time”) helps your food cook more completely by allowing colder areas of food time to absorb heat from hotter areas of food. 

Myth #7: Leftovers are safe to eat until they smell bad.

Fact: The kinds of bacteria that cause food poisoning do not affect the look, smell, or taste of food. To be safe, use our Safe Storage Times chart to make sure you know the right time to throw food out.

Myth #8: Once food has been cooked, all the bacteria have been killed, so I don’t need to worry once it’s “done.”

Fact: Actually, the possibility of bacterial growth actually increases after cooking, because the drop in temperature allows bacteria to thrive. This is why keeping cooked food warmed to the right temperature is critical for food safety.

Myth #9: Marinades are acidic, which kills bacteria—so it’s OK to marinate foods on the counter.

Fact: Even in the presence of acidic marinade, bacteria can grow very rapidly at room temperatures. To marinate foods safely, it’s important to marinate them in the refrigerator.

Myth #10: If I really want my produce to be safe, I should wash fruits and veggies with soap or detergent before I use them.

Fact: In fact, it’s best not to use soaps or detergents on produce, since these products can linger on foods and are not safe for consumption. Using clean running water is actually the best way to remove bacteria and wash produce safely.

Mr. Mom - Part 1 (Shopping / General Cleaning)

I have a very hard time relinquishing control, but am already aware that I will not be able to continue to do my share of the housework while taking care of (and breastfeeding) baby. So as Mike sometimes likes to call himself "Mr Mom" while he is doing laundry, he will become even more so as he adds shopping, cooking and cleaning to his repertoire of household responsibilities!

This is all information I plan to provide to hubby, but thought everyone else might like to get a little glimpse into my household obsessions (somethings I am crazy about keeping clean, but others I don't care as much about- like putting away my laundry). While messes do drive me crazy, having a "clean" house will be more important when we have a vulnerable little munchkin living with us. 

SHOPPING

Luckily we have Amazon Prime, so I will still be in charge of ordering non-perishable/non-food items, like tissues, toilet paper, paper towels, energy drink mixes (for Mike), oatmeal, soap, etc...

Grocery shopping will be all on Mr Mom's shoulders now, so here's what he needs to get (probably once a week):

-String Cheese

-Shredded cheese
-Skim milk

-Vanilla Greek yogurt

-Apples

-Grapes (green or red)

-Naked Smoothies
-Orange or Grapefruit juice

-Sparkling water

-Orzo

-Quinoa

-Tortellini
-Cereal 

-Pasta sauce (Small jars)

-frozen pizza

-frozen mixed fruit

-frozen green beans with almonds

-Lean Cuisines (Mac n Cheese)

-Smart Ones Breakfast sandwiches (no ham!)

GENERAL CLEANING

We are VERY LUCKY to have a cleaning service come every other week, but on the off week and in between things need a little touching up:

-Wipe ALL counters and kitchen table with Disinfectant wipes

-Empty trash (INCLUDING the trash in the bedrooms and bathrooms)

-Vacuum the carpets. 

-Change the towels in the bathrooms and kitchen. 

-PLEASE water my plants if they look thirsty!

Working While Pregnant, Part 2

Whistle while you work...

I made it to work! Getting here is a challenge as I don't want to wake up in the morning, and once I do - I am very slow moving. Plus I check my email constantly while I am getting ready, instead of just hurrying up and getting to my actual office so I can check it there, oh well- that's my habit.

Well I pulled it together and was out the door around 9am! (Not bad for me)

Lets go to the Mall!

Today was a great day full of fun girly stuff! I have been in desperate need of mani/pedi, but I needed some motivation... Luckily Libby invited me to go and that was all the motivation I needed!

Here's my pedicure:

And manicure:

(Sporting my South Beach ring since My fingers are just slightly swollen)

We went to The mall and looked at lots of purses and jewelry and makeup, just what this mom-to-be needed!

(My better late than never birthday gift from Sephora)

And I found this at Macy's - the definition of cuddly fall sweater weather:

Then I went home and watched Say Yes to the Dress, yes a whole day of girly stuff. Thanks Libby ;-)

34 Weeks

Baby is the size of a Melon

Baby is over 5 pounds and up to 19 inches long. 

Baby’s body has begun to fill out with the formation of fat under his/her skin. This is an important part of development because these fat stores will help the baby to regulate his/her body temperature once the baby is born.

35 Weeks

Baby is the size of a Large Cantaloupe

She could be 5.5 to 6 pounds and anywhere from 19 to 21 inches long.

Only 5 weeks (35) more days til my due date! She can arrive anytime after 37 weeks (only 2 weeks from now), or up to 42 weeks (7 weeks from today)- aka the day after Thanksgiving.

Braxton hicks are in full force and they are sort of uncomfortable as they squeeze my bladder. Baby is getting big and we watch her crazy kicking and stretching every night. It seems that she has actually flipped since yesterday! She has been facing my right side for weeks now and today she seems to be facing to  the left (all the kicks have moved from the right side to the left side).

I am feeling pretty good (compared to other 35 week pregnant women, I'm guessing based on all their complaints on the message boards I follow), but still have less energy than a non-pregnant person. I'm trying to store up my sleep! 

We are pretty ready (as we can be) for baby to come, we just have to hang a few things up in baby's room and this week we are getting the cosleeper ready so we can get used to it (me not tripping over it and Waldo having another bed in his space) and we are installing the car seat.

5 more weeks... 5 more weeks...