Bump Update: 40 Weeks

Today is my due date. On Tuesday at my appointment I learned that I hadn't progressed at all since last week. I was SO mad. 

I'm still kind of mad. LETS GET THIS SHOW ON THE ROAD!

I'm hopeful that Russell will make his way out in the next couple days though.

I am feeling EXHAUSTED and I could eat EVERYTHING. I mean that.

Is a cupcake for every meal too much to ask?

What Fruit/Veggie are you? A giant something!

Due date: TODAY

How far along: 40 weeks.

Next appointment: Monday @ 3:30

Gender:  Cute little boy

Total weight gain/loss: 25-30lbs. It fluctuates a lot. 

Exercise: Not this week.

Stretch marks: Can't wait until they lighten up.
Swelling: I can't tell if I'm swollen or just fat...

Maternity clothes: Can't wait until I'm out of them. 

Belly button: Outer than out. 

Sleep: I try...

Food cravings: Nothing. 

Symptoms: Can't sleep, pelvic pain. I'm SO tired.  

Movement: A ton.

Labor signs: I get a lot of pressure and cramping at times but it never progresses into something worse.

What I miss: Mostly just running and feeling sexy.

What I'm loving:  TODAY IS MY DUE DATE.

What I'm looking forward to: Snuggles from mah baybay.
Best moment this week: Hearing his heartbeat once again!

Bump Update: 39 Weeks

It's amazing that my pregnancy is finally coming to an end. I feel happy, exhausted, love, excitement, fear and so many other things. I have stretch marks in the most unusual places and my stomach has expanded more than I thought physically possible. My body is just... well, yeah, I'm pregnant. 

Needless to say, delivery is going to leave a mark. 

Pregnancy is one of the most difficult things I've ever experienced but it is by far the most precious thing that has ever happened to me. 

I have done a lot of complaining. There have been many moments when I, for a split second, wished I hadn't gotten pregnant because I hated how unattractive I felt. 

The throwing up, food aversions, the stabbing pains in my lady parts, my goodness...

But now that I'm about to meet my little boy,  I remember why I wanted this in the first place. The beauty of pregnancy outweighs all of the difficult stuff. 

As a woman, I am thankful for the incredible gift of bringing life into this world.  I get to feel my baby's precious little nudges and kicks inside of my belly. And oh my goodness, the hiccups just melt my heart.

So now that I've got my sappy writings out of the way...

On Tuesday I had my appointment and I was slightly over 1 centimeter dilated and 70% effaced. Last week I was not even a full centimeter dilated and only 50% effaced, so I'm pretty happy this week. I went to my appointment without such high expectations this time.

I could essentially go into labor at any point now. My doctor is going to be out of town all next week, but if I'm at least dilated to about 3 next Tuesday, he said I can go ahead and make an appointment to be induced the following week.

With my luck and considering this is my first pregnancy, the chances are high that I sit around 1 or 2 centimeters for possibly weeks. 

It would be nice to have Russell tomorrow though, or even the next day is fine.  I'm so eager to hold him. 

But on the other hand I'd like to be induced soon because I'm impatient! I will try my hardest to wait it out though and let him come on his own. 

Either way, CORDE RUSSELL will be arriving very, very soon.  

What Fruit/Veggie are you? He's a watermelon.

Due date:  December 26, 2014.

How far along: 39 weeks.

Next appointment: Tuesday at 10:30am

Gender:  Boyyy.

Total weight gain/loss: It fluctuates a lot between 25 and 30lbs. 

Exercise: I've been working out almost every day... but I've also been eating a lot of holiday sweets. 

Stretch marks: They have lightened up a lot. 
Swelling: Mostly just my fingers. 

Maternity clothes: I just want to wear my normal clothes again. 

Belly button: Out. It's kind of sensitive too. 

Sleep: Sleeping is really difficult.  

Food cravings: Sugar! Chocolate!! Cookies!

Symptoms: I have been so emotional. If I'm not depressed or crying, I'm probably super happy and cleaning my house like a crazy person. Also, I'm SO HUNGRY ALL THE TIME. My back hurts and I pee every 5 minutes.

Movement: He can't move too much because he's getting too big!

Labor signs: Lots of period-like cramping and back pain. 

What I miss: Mostly just running. I'm dying to run and feel fit. 

What I'm loving:  I'm almost there!

What I'm looking forward to: Getting this child OUT OF ME!
Best moment this week: Getting checked for dilation! I love seeing how much I've progressed. 

Bump Update: 38 Weeks

My belly has basically looked the same for the past month. I sometimes feel like my baby has dropped and my stomach takes on a different shape, but then the next day it looks round again. 

This week I was so disappointed when I went to my doctors appointment and was told that I hadn't dilated at all since last week. I was expecting at least a full centimeter, maybe even two centimeters. 

My doctor told me he is pretty positive I have at least another two weeks. That also made me sad. 
I've accepted it now though. I will be patient. 

On the bright side, I'm FINALLY feeling what I think are braxton hicks contractions. I get really excited when I start to feel them because I can actually feel my PROGRESS. It's a nice reminder that I don't have to wait much longer. 


What Fruit/Veggie are you? My little pumpkin is the size of a PUMPKIN!

Due date:  December 26, 2014.

How far along: 38 weeks.

Next appointment: Tuesday at 10:30am

Gender:  Boyyy.

Total weight gain/loss: Total of about 25-30lbs. It fluctuates a lot. 

Exercise: I've been working out almost every day. 

Stretch marks: fhjfka
Swelling: Mostly just my fingers. 

Maternity clothes: I just want to wear my normal clothes again. 

Belly button: Outer than out. 

Sleep: I sleep in two hour increments. I can't sleep more than two hours no matter how hard I try or how tired I am. It is the worst thing ever. 

Food cravings: Sugar! But I'm withholding. 

Symptoms: Can't sleep, pelvic pain. 

Movement: A ton.

Labor signs: Baby has lowered a bit. My aches and pains have increased too. 

What I miss: Mostly just running.

What I'm loving:  I'm almost there!

What I'm looking forward to: Snuggles from mah baybay.
Best moment this week: Hearing his heartbeat once again!

Same outfit at 24 weeks

Bump Update: 37 Weeks

I am full term! I'm ready to get this baby out of me. I also can't wait to wear normal sized clothes again and go running. 

But most of all I can't wait to see my baby boy's perfect little face. 

This week at my appointment I was barely dilated a finger tip. But I say a finger tip is better than nothing!

As much as I want to say that I feel like Rusty will be coming before 40 weeks, I can't. 
Firstly because I'm not psychic and I don't get to decide. (duh) But mostly because I feel like my body could definitely carry him for another month. I do have a lot of discomfort at certain points, but overall I think I'm feeling pretty good. 

I am not in a wheel chair like I had predicted earlier in my pregnancy. (hehe)

My husband is convinced that Rusty will be born on the 18th. It's funny how sure of it he is. 

Today was my last day of work for a few months. I am so happy!

Now I can actually get my son's room ready and clean my house. There is SO MUCH I want and need to do before he arrives. 

What Fruit/Veggie are you? Little Corde Russell is about the size of a WINTER MELON. 

Due date:  December 26, 2014.

How far along: 37 weeks.

Next appointment: Tuesday, December 9th ... MY BIRTHDAY. Can you believe I'm going to be 22? I sure can't. I still feel 18. 

Gender:  Male. ;)

Total weight gain/loss: I've gained about 27 pounds. 

Exercise: I'm working on it.

Stretch marks: Yeah.. What about them?
Swelling: I still have fat person fingers. My face feels sort of puffy too. 

Maternity clothes: I don't want to wear maternity clothes anymore. :/

Belly button: Outer than out. 

Sleep: Sleeping is difficult. There are so many little aches and pains.

Food cravings: All I want is crap. Cake and ice cream. Pie... nom nom.

Symptoms:  Everything. Mostly pelvic pain and fatigue though. 
Movement: Lots! 

Labor signs: Not quite yet. 

What I miss: Situps. I never thought I'd say that..

What I'm loving:  This is my last week of work!!

What I'm looking forward to: Not working anymore! My baby is almost here!
Best moment this week: I'm starting to dilate! Wahoo!

Bump Update: Week 36

My pictures just keep getting worse and worse. I don't even care what I look like anymore. 

This week was exciting for me because I was checked for the first time to see if I've dilated or progressed. I wasn't dilated, but my cervix was nice and soft. (All that raspberry leaf tea - wink wink) My baby is in the head-down position which is another good thing. 

The best part of my appointment was getting weighed and finding out that I've dropped 5lbs! 

So tonight I helped myself to a pint of cinnamon bun ice-cream. I wish I was kidding... 

Another exciting part of this week was that Tuesday marked exactly one month until my due date. This is an exciting time for me.

What Fruit/Veggie are you? Coconut. I love coconut. 

Due date:  December 26, 2014.

How far along: 36 weeks.

Next appointment: Tuesday at 1:45pm. Let's all cross our fingers that I've dilated at least 1cm. 

Gender:  Boyyy.

Total weight gain/loss: I've gained 25lbs so far... But then there was Thanksgiving...and then there was that pint of ice-cream. 

Exercise: I've been going to the gym here and there. Went on a walk the other day and my knees HURT, so that was pretty depressing for me. 

Stretch marks: mehh. 
Swelling: I still have fat person fingers. 

Maternity clothes: I feel like they're getting too small.

Belly button: Outer than out. 

Sleep: I'm having a hard time sleeping. I have a cold and my nose is stuffed. 

Food cravings: None really. 

Symptoms:  Everything. Random aches and pains, shortness of breathe.

Movement: I love movement. I love his sweet little hiccups. 

Labor signs: Not yet. Almost!

What I miss: RUNNING. I miss running so much. 

What I'm loving:  My life. 

What I'm looking forward to: No more work in a week.
Best moment this week: finding out I lost 5lbs 

I'm going to go take a nap now. 

Fall To-Do List: The End

I guess that technically it's still fall, but it snowed about a week ago and in my opinion, that means fall is over. Hello winter!

....hello...bitter cold.  (Sad face)

A couple months ago I made a list of things that I wanted to accomplish before winter struck. (click) I didn't do all of the things that I had planned, but I did some. And by some I mean 40%. That's an F. 

I'm going to get better at this. In the meantime, here's the to-do list:

o n e. Make caramel apples [NOMNOM]
t w o. Finish Rusty's bedroom
t h r e e. Downsize my wardrobe CHECK
f o u r. Jazz up my wall space CHECK (click)
f i v e. Carve a pumpkin CHECK
s i x. Blog at least twice a week
s e v e n. Work out at least four times a week
e i g h t. Give blog a makeover CHECK
n i n e. Get maternity pics taken
t e n. Find the best chili recipe ever 

1.
I'm very disappointed that I didn't get around to make caramel apples this season. I'd like to say that I can make them any time of the year, but they just aren't the same unless they're eaten in the fall. 

2.
I really thought that I'd be fully prepared for the birth of my child at this point. Is it bad that his room isn't organized and I'm a week away from being full-term? Luckily, next week is my last week of work, so i'll have a ton more extra time to prepare. 

3.
It's unfortunate that as soon as I downsize my wardrobe... I manage to upsize it as well. 

4.
I had a fun pumpkin carving adventure with my husband and our friends Taylor and Kate. We carved pumpkins, ate a giant cookie with ice-cream and watched a movie. It was a great time. 

5.
I can't think of things to blog about twice a week. How do people think of such creative and interesting things to blog about. I need to educate myself in politics or post my opinion about some controversial issue. 

6.
Expecting myself to find the energy to workout 4 times a week and also work 30 hours a week was a very bad and unattainable expectation... for me at least. I am a laid back person and I can't function without my down time. 

7.
So I gave my blog a makeover and I'm still not satisfied. 

8.
I have yet to get maternity pictures taken and honestly don't see myself getting any. Maybe with my next baby. I've got my selfies as documentation. 

9.
I wanted to start my own tradition of eating chili every year for halloween. (I know, everyone does that) I found this fancy recipe. It was elaborate and took a lot of time. PLUS, it contained beer, so I actually had to go to the store and PURCHASE beer. It felt very weird. I specifically told the lady at the check-out that I was buying it strictly for a recipe. I didn't want her to think I was a pregnant lady who drank alcohol, or that I was a person who drank... pregnant or not. It was one of those funny experiences where you just had to be there to appreciate it. 

Bump Update: 35 Weeks

Are you guys as sick of these weekly posts as I am? Does anyone out there even know about this blog? If so, please make yourself known. But if you don't make yourself known, then, well, I'm going to keep blogging anyways. I've made it this far with my weekly posts, I can do 5 more. 

This week I am especially thankful that raspberry leaf tea tastes so good because frankly, if it tasted like dirt, I'd drink it anyways. But it doesn't taste like dirt. In fact, it sort of tastes like chamomile which makes forcing myself to drink it every day that much more enjoyable. nom nom. Hopefully what I've read about it helping with labor is true otherwise I'll be MAD.

What Fruit/Veggie are you? Honeydew!!

Due date:  December 26, 2014.

How far along: 35 weeks.

Next appointment: November 25th at 2:30pm.

Gender:  Boyyy.

Total weight gain/loss: I've gained a total of 30 pounds.. probably more. 

Exercise: I've gone to the gym twice this week. I'm back at it!

Stretch marks: mehh.
Swelling: Fingers. I have fat person fingers. 

Maternity clothes: I rather just not wear any clothes.

Belly button: Outer than out. 

Sleep: I love sleep. 

Food cravings: None.

Symptoms:  Everything. 

Movement: A ton.

Labor signs: Nope

What I miss: Energy and running. 

What I'm loving:  One more month! ish. 

What I'm looking forward to: Snuggles from mah baybay.
Best moment this week: It being over. 

And here's a picture of me with the most amazing man ever:

Bump Update: 34 Weeks

34 WEEKS and I am officially the laziest person in the world

^^^ Feeling very large and frumpy. It's almost over.

Holy Moly! I've only got 6 weeks until my due date and less than a month until I'm done with work... *FIST PUMP* I'm going to have a baby in 6 weeks! SIX WEEKS. I'm trying not to freak out, but I'm sort of freaking out. 

I recently started eating dates because supposedly they help soften your cervix, which makes for an easier labor. I'm so incredibly nervous for labor. I'm sure that's normal.

Soon I'll be filling up on tropical fruits and spicy food, and any other supposedly "Labor inducing food".  I figure they're worth a shot. Earlier this week I started drinking raspberry tea which is said to help prepare your lady parts for birth and it supposedly can help labor along. 

This week I had another appointment to check up on my pregnancy. My doctor said that my Rusty is slightly over 5 lbs right now, which is a bit over the average weight. He said at this rate Rusty will be around 9 lbs at birth, and possibly more.

Sad face.

I was a 10lb baby, so I've been afraid of having too big of a baby. MY LADY PARTS!!! How will they survive? I might convince my doctor to let me have a C-section if baby Corde is over 10lbs. Is that even something I'm allowed to do?

HOLY CRAP. I'm 34 weeks pregnant.

41 days left. (until my due date that is)

My next appointment, which is in two weeks, is a vaginal exam. My doctor is going to check to see if I've started dilating yet. Then, I have to start scheduling appointments every single week. That's probably going to be annoying, but that means I'm about to have a baby!

I'm feeling pretty large now. My weight is increasing a lot. I've gained 10 pounds in the last month, putting me at a total gain of 30 lbs. Hopefully cutting out sugar from my diet will help my weight to increase slower.

And last but not least, I'm the most useless person ever. I come home from work and spend the rest of my day on the couch. I only get up to go pee or grab food. Laundry and dishes aren't getting done.

What Fruit/Veggie are you? My baby is about the size of a cantaloupe. A 5 pound cantaloupe.

Due date:  December 26, 2014.

How far along: 34 weeks.

Next appointment: November 25th at 2:30pm. Vag exam.. woot woot.

Gender:  Boyyy.

Total weight gain/loss: I've gained a total of 30 pounds. AhhhHHH!H!H!hfdjdskfle

Exercise: Uhmm... As soon as I get some energy. 

Stretch marks: Make them go awayyy!!!
Swelling: I feel puffy sometimes. 

Maternity clothes: Are beginning to fit tighter. 

Belly button: Outer than out. 

Sleep: I'm like a zombie. I'm practically always asleep.

Food cravings: Sugar! But I'm withholding. 

Symptoms:  Everything. 

Movement: A ton.

Labor signs: Nope

What I miss: Energy and running. 

What I'm loving:  Time is moving FAST.

What I'm looking forward to: Snuggles from mah baybay.
Best moment this week: Corde's family through us a little dinner party/ baby shower Last night (Which is why this post is one day late) It was a lot of fun. We got some adorable clothes for Rusty, a stroller and a carseat. Plus a few other little necessary items. I'm so thankful for the help that Corde and I have gotten!

So I couldn't help but share these photos of my beautiful niece, Kobie Lynn. She was born at 32 weeks and has been in the NICU for the last couple months (For more on that, click HERE) Any day now she'll be leaving the hospital and I'm so excited that she has made it to this point. I haven't been able to meet her in person yet because I'm hundreds of miles away but gosh, I just love her so much! I could literally stare at these photos all day long.