baby journal: week 37

Well, apparently, 37 weeks is considered:

 officially full term.

What???  Holy cow friends, that means we're in the danger zone.  Baby boy could come any day between now and November 14th and it would really be go time.  Crazy times.

A plus about being pregnant in October?  You get to figure out a bumpin' Halloween costume.  Dave and I have been brainstorming for a while: bun in the oven & the baker, pregnant Kate Middleton & Prince William, Wilson the volleyball and a shipwrecked Tom Cruise from Cast Away, but we couldn't decided.  Then David, the creative genius, came up with this whole ticking time bomb routine and I couldn't resist.  I was a bit hesitant about strapping some fake TNT to my baby belly (suicide bomber much...?), but the joke was too good to pass up.  So Dave donned a Bomb Squad tshirt and we called it a night.  Thank goodness people at our ward Halloween party thought it was funny ;)

 

Aside from swollen fingers and slightly puffy ankles, I don't have a ton to complain about.  Well, if you don't count the back aches and the fact that my hips are trying to crack themselves apart, but, you know, I digress.

Things are really starting to feel real around here.  I did my first load of laundry full of tiny baby clothes and bed sheets and it killed me.  They're so small!  The nursery is slowly getting organized, we've got the swing all set up, and the car seat is ready to install.  Crazy times I tell you, crazy times.

I was pretty sure I'd start feeling claustrophobic around this point in my pregnancy and I totally have...just not for me, for baby boy!  I was sitting in bed the other night thinking about how he is just continuing to get bigger in such a small space, and how dark it is in there - not to mention the tiny opening he'd going to have worm himself through soon!  It made me get all sweaty and clammy just thinking about it for him!  Haha, I wasn't expecting that.

Lastly, and at the risk of being a little too TMI, Dave and I saw the doc this week and...I'm almost dilated to 1cm!!  I just feel kind of accomplished over here.  But don't worry, pretty sure baby boy is staying put for a few more weeks.  Or, at least, that's what I'm telling myself...the lady checking me out at Ross the other day assured me I was going to come sooner...um, thanks?

baby journal: week 36

Well, nesting is for sure a real thing and it has been doing the rounds in our little apartment lately.  Honestly, the only reason we will be really settled into this place before the one year mark (how long it's taken me in past apartments...) is because the nesting bug has had me up one side and down the other rearranging, organizing, IKEA running, cleaning, and re-rearranging (sorry Dave) - it's been chaos, but, you know, with better results.

We're getting to the final countdown over here, and, while I'm really excited, the more I read about childbirth the more I think, "um, yeah, you can just stay in there forever little guy..."

But really. 

On an educational note, I actually learned what an epidural is this week.  I've been counting on one since the beginning, but I guess I always just assumed an epidural was this big shot.  I mean, the only thing people ever say about it is that it's this huge needle (see above paragraph), but upon further research it now has become clear that it's this tube they stick in your spine with a huge needle and drip the meds through...how come no one ever mentions that little fact?  Still pretty sure I want one, but I'm super glad I figured out the deets beforehand.  Being surprised with a huge needle and tubing apparatus in the midst of active labor?  Not quite in my birth plan.

Speaking of birth plans, mine's still open for interpretation.  So far it's: call doctor, get to the hospital, get epidural, do what they tell me, come home with baby.  I like to keep things simple.

One of the funniest things now days is telling people I'm due in 4 weeks and seeing their eyes pop.  I may not look it, but there is for sure a little honeydew of a babe wriggling around in there, and he has an affinity for crowding my lungs - don't mind me while I pant after walking up one flight of stairs.  Seriously, one part of me is just excited for this babe to drop so I can breath easier.  Literally.

In an effort to actually be a responsible parent I've finally spent some time looking for pediatricians.  Seriously, it's been on my to-do list for, well, too long, and I've been avoiding it like the plague.  It's just that I hate finding new doctors!  I just want someone to tell me so-and-so is great, go to them.  (sigh) I've made the rounds at church and I didn't talk to a single momma who likes her pediatrician very much, or they have Kaiser for their insurance which is pretty much locked up tight if you're not in the loop.  So, last week, I begged my OB for recommendations and, honestly, the man was a saint.  He sat me down and gave me a solid three doctors to go look into, what he likes about them, their contact info, and a host of other things.  I could have kissed him.  Now I've done what I've been dreading and set up consultations, which we all know is to basically scope out the office, staff, and doctor's bedside manner.  We'll see how they go...

baby journal: week 35

Mind boggling fact of the week:

BABY BOY'S DUE DATE IS LESS THAN ONE MONTH AWAY

Yikes!

I pretty much had a mini freak out that made me run out to Target to buy a case of diapers and wipes, you know, just in case.  Part of me was pretty sure this whole being pregnant thing would never come to an end, so being able to see the end of the tunnel??  Crazy times.

Also, funny prego side effect?  Sweaty hands, and feet, but mostly hands.  Dave went to hold my hand the other night and exclaimed, "Ewww!  What the heck?!"  Good thing my easily offendable pregnant hormones weren't flaring, because that could have easily made me start bawling.  As it was, we keeled over laughing.  Hopefully that goes away after baby - both the hormones and the wet, clammy hands.

Strangely, I can totally feel my hips starting to loosen up.  And my knees.  And my ankles.  And my knuckles.   If the belly was no indication of baby boy soon making his grand debut, my wobbling prego waddle and clumsy feet should be.

Also, sadly, the swelling has gotten to me.  I was really hoping I'd be able to get through 9 months with my wedding ring intact, but, alas, it's become a bit snug.  It may have to be swapped out for a bit these days...

it's a baby shower!

There is something so wonderful about a party revolving around babies, good food, and lovely ladies.  It would be an understatement to say baby boy and I were spoiled.

Also we were the silliest and didn't take a picture when the whole gang was there!  I'm the worst at taking pictures at parties so these are just of the few of the sweet friends that came out to celebrate.

A theme like Ready to Pop! just begs for delicious foods to be eaten: popcorn, cake pops, fizzy poppy drinks.  And those caramel and chocolate covered pretzels stacked sky high?  Holy cow, I might have eaten 6 of them single handedly.  Three for me, 3 for baby, right??

All these lovely Moffat ladies drove from far and wide (LA & San Diego & Temecula) to come celebrate with us.  Family is the best.  And they give the very best gifts.  My Aunt Beth made baby boy a beautiful quilt that matches his nursery perfectly.  And my cousins and Aunt Barbra showered baby boy with Disney themed goodness that just tugs at your heartstrings.  A little Pinocchio onesie??  I die.

Many thanks to this wonderful mama of mine who was the master planner and hostess extraordinaire.  Living (reasonably) close by is the best thing right now and I cannot wait for baby boy to meet his grandma. 

This awesome college freshman made the trek down just to be there for baby boy's shower.  So fun to have her there to celebrate! By the time she comes back down for Thanksgiving break they'll be a new addition to the family!  Ah!!  Crazy times.


 

Honestly, one of the best parts of the night?  Guess who showed up on our doorstep?  The Nemrows!  They had a funeral to attend close by earlier in the day and then they decided to just pop by and say hello!  I couldn't have been more surprised!  Unfortunately it was just a down and back kind of trip, 24-hours only, but it was such a treat to chat and share some of that baby shower fun with them.

Annnnd now that the shower has come and gone, things are starting to feel really real.  Time to install the car seat and pack some hospital bags - the countdown has begun!

baby journal: week 34

Alright, lets talk about how heartburn is a real thing.  I've played with it on and off since I've been pregnant, but it's definitely ramping up here in the final weeks.  Please pass the Tums.

While Dave and I lounged in bed on Sunday morning, (hurray for Conference and staying in our PJ's till noon!) I promptly feel back asleep for another hour.  Apparently baby boy gave his daddy a good show: kicking and punching him in the side for at least 45 minutes.  If that doesn't make you smile, I don't know what will.

Also it's pretty hilarious when Dave catches baby boy doing a big kick - the ones where my stomach wobbles violently to one side.  His eyes turn into quarters and then he starts talking really fast about how much he can't wait to meet this kid.  Me too pal, me too.

highlights #106

Happy October all!  All I'm wanting now days is to gear up in layers, sweaters, and boots and drink hot chocolate wrapped up in a blanket and slippers.  Well, I can dream can't I?  In reality it's been in the high 80's/ low 90's all week and there doesn't appear to be an end in sight.  (sigh)  My solution has been to crank the A/C at night and drink a cup of hot cocoa anyway just to spite this ridiculous fall heatwave.  So take that Southern California!

While I go pull out some (light) sweaters - hey, this girl is still pregnant, don't wanna overheat around here - here are some fun finds from the web:

how I feel from September to November

the evolution of the iPhone - still trying to get my hands on a 6!

kinda how I feel about The Great Gatsby...maybe I just don't get it

we've been hanging curtains lately

isn't this the sweetest print??

rare pics of Hollywood's hot shots

a fun social experiment

the world's cutest argument

how to make a regular scarf into an infinity scarf - genius!  How have I never thought of this??

8 ways to live a really, really long time - #2 is my favorite

and I'm pretty sure a slice of this would go great with my evening cocoa - chocolate is a food group, right?

xo

hungry?

The last few weeks, as told by food pictures on my phone.  Now excuse me while I go eat another pumpkin cookie.

Saturday's cinnamon rolls - before & after.  This was the first time I made cinnamon rolls from scratch so I was feeling pretty accomplished about the whole thing.  And they turned out pretty darn delicious (but how can you mess us cinnamon sugar & icing, really?).  Also I'm sorta embarrassed to say that these were demolished by this morning...by only me and Dave.  Four cinnamon rolls a day is a totally viable food source, right?

David brought home a mangosteen from  work on Friday that his coworker gave him.  They're called the "queen of fruits" and, while it tasted like candy, the texture was a bit slimy...

Also we are making weekly batches of pumpkin cookies around this household because, well, do I really need a reason? 

This picture of a Dodger dog is seriously making be hungry and it's not even 10 in the morning yet.  Who cares, those things are the best.

Also David made the most delicious banana cream pie a week or so back.  Seriously.  We had plans to call friends and share it, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it.  Instead we ate a piece of pie for dessert every night that week.  Best.  Week.  Ever.  He may have dirtied just about every bowl in our kitchen to whip this guy up, but I just am not complaining over here.

baby journal: week 33

Well, it was kind of ridiculously crazy when the cutest dapper, bow tie clad, black gentleman at the market this week asked me when I was due and I said, oh you know, next month!  And then he proceeded to give me parenting advice, which was kind of equally as fantastic, but holy cow.  This little dude is making his debut in a month and a half (ish)!  Where does the time go?  Also I should probably get a move on de-storage-rooming that nursery of his...

Weekly highlights: we've hit the point where I can stub my pinky toe, but I have absolutely no capacity for bending down to inspect the damage.  Also this is seriously how I feel trying to roll off the mattress every morning.

Baby is about the size of a durian fruit, which, I have to say, is the most random fruit comparison thus far.  Also durian fruits are supposed to reek to high heavens, so thanks for telling me my baby is as big as a stinky tropical fruit bump.com.  Anywho, baby boy is probably closing in on the 5 lb range which my back is starting to tell me is a rather substantial amount of weight.  Hello pillows, heat pads, and back supports.

On the plus side, having an ample bump can make for meeting some seriously sweet people.  Like the darling lady who bagged my groceries this week and, upon noticing baby boy, grabbed me 5 extra bags so that none of them would be too heavy for me to carry.  This is LA people, we have to pay for paper bags, and she didn't charge me a thing.  What a doll. 

PS - my wedding ring is starting to get a little snug...darn.

baby boy bumpin'

Now, let's be honest, I've had David take about a kagillion bump pictures to document this growing babe...on my iPhone.  Thankfully my sister-in-law was the sweetest and snapped a few more polished pictures for me on, you know, an actual camera while we were in Michigan this August.  Didn't she do such a lovely job??

P.S. I wore this dress half because I liked how it showed off baby boy and...half because it hid my swollen, lobster red cankles.  Delightful, I know.  Glad those went away eventually.

Can't believe we get to meet this little lad next month.  Crazy, crazy times.