38 Weeks

38 weeks
2 weeks to go
14 days!!!!

Happy 1st day of Fall!! I love fall. Just the season is so pretty with the changing leaves, all of the pumpkin and fall flavors, and of course we will have a fall baby! So much excitement for this time of year. 

I don't know how much bigger this girl is going to get, but my insides literally feel like there's no room left. And I really hope she comes soon. But I do know that being a first time mom that it's very common to go past the due date. And she will come on her own time. 


Monday night was my last night teaching dance until she's here. I love teaching, but when you are off balance and have a bowling ball infant of you. It just isn't fun. Plus I can't move like I normally would and well, you get the idea. I can't wait to go back to the studio though! And bring her with me of course. 

Lately I've been feeling pretty heavy and huge. So at dance I decided to take a picture and compare. 

The picture on the left was just 3 weeks ago. And the one on the right was Monday. There's a difference but not what I expected! I feel like I LOOK smaller and my belly is just pointing out more. It's so crazy how much your body changes during pregnancy.

How far along? 38 Weeks

Total weight gain: 27+

Maternity clothes? Defiantly! I don't think I could survive without them! 

Stretch marks? Not yet! They say you can get them in the last few weeks...so I'm hoping I don't. I'm constantly putting Vitamin E oil on my stomach. But my stomach has felt super sore so I'm not sure if they'll show up these last few weeks. 

Sleep: I don't even know that word means anymore. 

Best moment of this week: Caleb and I spent the day together in Gettysburg. Just shopping and wondering around. Since it's going to be a long time before we will just have us time. I know we will make time for us, but it'll just be different. We won't be able to wake up one morning and be like spur of the moment we are taking a day trip. 

Miss anything? SLEEP! Seriously...I can't even sleep for two straight hours. And don't even dare to tell me to get used to it at this point because I probably will just look at you like you're crazy. 

Movement: Yes! And I've noticed that she moves more when her daddy is around. During the day if he's working, she's pretty calm. But as soon as he gets home she has a party. It's honestly so adorable. 

Food cravings: None. I honestly don't even care for food. But I do find myself extremely thirsty and craving drinks. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: As long as I avoid meat I'm okay. 

Gender: A sweet baby girl! 

Labor signs: Braxton hicks contractions. I have been feeling some minor cramping. But I don't really think they're signs. I'm sure this girl is going to come when we least expect it. 

Symptoms:  Achy back...I even have gone to the chiropractor but it only helps a little bit. Super stuffy and runny nose. I sound like I'm sick all the time. And I have to pee ALL the time now. 

Belly button in or out? It seems to be out/flat

Wedding rings on or off? Off...I have a different ring that I'll wear out. But I'm so scared that my fingers will randomly swell and I won't be able to get my wedding & engagement ring off...

Happy or moody most of the time: I'm seriously a basket full of emotions lately. Anything makes me teary eyed! 

Looking forward to: To meeting this little girl! Seriously little lady, you can come like now ^_^ 

<3  

Third Trimester Must Haves

As I'm almost done being pregnant(wow that felt weird to type) I decided to make a list of third trimester must haves. Just like this one I did for the second trimester. The third trimester can be the ultimate challenge out of all the trimesters. With the aches and pains, lack of sleep, huge belly, and the urge to pee ALL THE TIME. But you have to remember, you're in the final home stretch and soon it will all be a distant memory when you're holding your sweet little baby. 

If you got through the first trimester, you can get through the third! 


These are things that I have found helpful for me in these last few months.   



Third Trimester Must Haves

1. Vitamin E Oil- I have noticed that my belly is the most itchy thing ever in the last trimester, which obviously makes sense because that's when it stretches the most. Along with it being itchy, it'll feel super sore, almost bruised and putting lotion on just makes it worse. The oil is nice because it just glides on. I use this morning and night. And sometimes throughout the day if it's bothering me. Currently I don't have any stretch marks! Hopefully that continues. 

2. Yoga Pants and Comfy Shirts- When I'm at home, I live in comfortable pants and shirts. You have a growing belly that is uncomfortable most of the time, so it's a good idea to invest in comfortable but cute clothes. Plus you will want them after the baby is here.

3. Flip Flops- If you're lucky like me, and get to be pregnant during the summer, shoes will become pretty hot and uncomfortable. Also since swelling happens during these last months you will want shoes that don't squeeze your feet. Also, have you ever tried to tie shoes while being 8-9 months pregnant? It's almost impossible and it's better to just go with shoes that slip on. 

4. Raspberry Leaf Tea- There is a lot of information about the benefits of drinking this tea in  your third trimester. First of all, NO it does NOT bring on labor...it seriously bothers me so much when people say it does. It tones and prepares your uterus for delivery and can help shorten labor. Now for some it doesn't work, which is fine. Of course I haven't found out if it works for me or not. If it does, great, if it doesn't, great. At least I tried! 

5. Tums- Horrible heartburn...need I say more? 

6. Cheese Sticks- Or any healthy snack. Because when you have a growing baby taking up all of the room, there's not much space for your stomach. And eating big meals just doesn't sound as appealing. It's best to stock up and healthy snacks! My favorite is cheese sticks because they have calcium and protein. 

7. Kleenex- I carry tissues with me everywhere because my nose is constantly running. Between allergies and pregnancy related symptoms I don't have much of a break. Most pregnant woman complain of stuffy & runny noses in their third trimester. So it's best to have these handy. 

8. Cute Water Bottle- I have such an unquenchable thirst, I feel like I can't drink enough. Apparently it's normal this late in pregnancy. So I got a cute water bottle since I would be using it 24/7. Plus it's super important to stay hydrated. 

9. A Treat- You've dealt with morning sickness, fatigued, embarrassing symptoms, and etc. You deserve to treat yourself. My treat of choice would be Starbucks. I crave their iced coffees ALL the time. I tried making them at home, but it's just not the same. My little girl is addicted to Starbucks...and she isn't even born yet! I don't have one everyday, but probably once a week. 

37 Weeks

I really can't believe that I'm going to type this but...

I'm FULL TERM!! 
Once you reach 37 weeks you're considered full term. Oh my goodness. I'm incredibly anxious, excited, nervous, happy, ecstatic, and etc. I'm so full of emotions that one minute I'm more than ready for her to be here and then the next I freak out and not ready at all. But I really can't wait for her to finally be here. Time has flown by, but yet it seems like forever. 

I have no clue when she will come. Most likely I'll go over 40 weeks because typically first time moms do. I would love for her to be here sooner. But it's defiantly not up to me! I feel like these next few weeks are kind of bittersweet. Being 9 months pregnant is hard. There are days where I feel like I can be pregnant and not complain. But then I have super hard days where everything hurts, I feel so sick, and everything makes me want to cry. Not to mention a belly that is big and makes doing simple things a chore lately. But I know in just a few weeks, she'll be here and all the discomforts will be a distant memory. 

How far along? 37 Weeks

Total weight gain: 27+

Maternity clothes? Defiantly! I don't think I could survive without them! 

Stretch marks? Not yet! They say you can get them in the last few weeks...so I'm hoping I don't. I'm constantly putting Vitamin E oil on my stomach.

Sleep: HA! I wish. It's been getting worse. Between waking up to pee. And now being completely uncomfortable. It's impossible. 

Best moment of this week: We had our hospital tour, and it just made everything seem even more real. I even got emotional while we were there and had to fight back tears. The reality that we will be meeting our daughter very soon is just an overwhelming and unreal feeling. We also learned that our hospital has a brand new maternity wing that's opening October 1st. So most likely we will be in a new part!

Miss anything? Being comfortable, and I'd love to just not have to pee so much. Seriously. 

Movement: Yes! She is such a mover. All day long I feel her squirming around. Even when they're painful I still don't mind. I'm realizing that I defiantly am going to miss feeling her in my belly. 

Food cravings: Nope. I have not had an appetite at all...Even when I get hungry I just don't care for anything. And when I'm eating something I'll feel pretty nauseous. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: It seems like having no appetite and being queasy are here to stay. I have lost my appetite so much that I have turned down my beloved breakfast foods, pizza, and pasta...I just can't eat much. I will feel hungry, but just not in the mood to eat. I didn't know that was a third trimester thing. 

Gender: A sweet baby girl! 

Labor signs: Braxton hicks contractions that have started to become a little more frequent and kind of painful. I have been having lower back pain, that comes and goes. And feeling a lot more pressure. Not sure if those are signs or not! But its defiantly things I haven't felt before. 

Symptoms:  Achy back, hips and ribs, pressure down there when walking, runny nose..like constantly. Horrible heartburn...as in acid comes up my throat. Disgusting.  

Belly button in or out? It seems to be out.... 

Wedding rings on or off? Off...I have a different ring that I'll wear out. But I'm so scared that my fingers will randomly swell and I won't be able to get my wedding & engagement ring off...

Happy or moody most of the time: I defiantly have mood swings...But it really depends on the day and how I'm feeling. 

Looking forward to: Uhhhh this little girl will be here NEXT month!!!!!!!!!!! I'm SO anxious to meet her that I just want her here now! 

<3