week 38

Prior to the arrival of our perfect little bee, I had made some notes about things I wanted to write for week 38...this is as far as I got. The info in parenthesis is my recent elaboration.

last day of work
(it was pretty anti-climatic. worked a half day, the scooted out to a doc appointment. adios mr. schulz. see you in a long while)
pumpkin patch with belle (cannot wait to visit the pumpkin patch with my niece and our baby!)
santa pics (see above- cannot wait for cousin holiday trips)
inlaws (Evan's parents came into town for my 2nd baby shower. So great to see them and share the experience with Deb)
doc appt (Baby was slowing down on growth and measuring almost on schedule- ha! At the very latest, we would induce on the 26th- ha again)
Shower (I had the most wonderful shower on the 8th, hosted by Connie and my Aunt Linda. It was full of family and family friends and such a wonderful day! We are so blessed to have the incredibly loving and thoughtful people in our life)
bff bday (not much to say here, as little miss Sydney hijacked Dana's day)

week 37

Best Moment: This post is a bit belated, but better late than never, right? Ironically, I may be saying those exact same about little Sodi's arrival. Week 37 included Labor Day weekend, which was a very interesting weekend for us. Or should I say lack thereof. Typically we head out of town camping or crossing the Cascades to Winthrop, but at this stage in the game, we opted to keep it close to home. Thankfully, Sara and Dru are in the same boat, which meant lots of QT with them. Saturday night we grabbed dinner on the water, which was glorious! it's been a long time since we've done the touristy thing and actually hit up the piers, but the weather was perfect and we had nothing else going on. The timing our pregnancies has been a little blessing in itself. To have such a good friend experiencing the same things at the same time I am and to be able to share it with someone is really cool. I know our fellas appreciate it as well. Is your wife as crazy as mine right now? Definitely.

this is how we roll. how did you spend your labor day?

Cravings: I dare you to tell me what is a better combination than gouda cheese and pink lady apples. I mean, of course aside from peanut butter and chocolate or mint and chocolate, or wine and cheese or, or, or.... Seriously though? It's all i want. All the time. Well that and ice cream. Breaking news that is not.
Symptoms: As I said last week, it seems like I'm just a walking cliche of symptoms, but tis the truth. I've recently found myself muttering 'ok' every time I successfully climb into the car or reach the top of the stairs or actually get out of bed without much hassle. It's an exasperated 'ok' and makes me wonder, can I be any more dramatic? But really folks, how often are you carrying around a few pumpkins in your belly? Let's talk mobility then. Right? Mama's just feeling a little heavy these days. Ooh, you'll probably also be really excited to learn that my feet have started to swell at the end of the day. Riveting reading, yes?
What I miss: Lots, quite honestly. Mostly the ability to move with ease. Though I've been told (and most likely lied to) that I don't have the waddle, I sure feel like I've joined the legions of pregnant women before me. Waddle, waddle, waddle...
What I'm looking forward to:  From here on our, I'll have the same answer, BABY! Really looking forward to meeting our love child. Definitely didn't mean to say love child, but I find it too funny to delete.
Milestones: Baby's now the size of a wintermelon (see below- I had no idea what that was either...)

Your (really? the Bump doesn't know the difference between Your and You're? Ugh...annoying) full-term (yay!) baby is gaining about 1/2 ounce a day and getting his first sticky poop (called meconium) ready. He's also brushing up on skills for the outside world: blinking, sucking, inhaling, exhaling, and gripping (it's getting strong!).

week 36

Best Moment: Tuesday! Evan was offered a great job at Amazon!! WOOHOOO!! Such amazing news for Evan and our family. I'm so proud of him, as he's worked so hard to get into Amazon and finally, his talents speak for themselves. It's about time they see what an asset he will be. It's insane timing but we're thrilled and feel an enormous sense of relief. So, so very proud of my wonderful, talented, darling husband. Oh and we also just so happened to celebrate our THIRD anniversary that night as well. Perfection.
Aside from Tuesday, Friday is a nice second. It started with our ultrasound which was...interesting. Because the quarters are so cramped, we couldn't make out much of baby, just a nice round head and clear spine. Both good things. Otherwise, we didn't see much else. The tech made us turn our heads a few times so we couldn't get a sneak peak at baby's "parts" but Evan was sure tempted! We've got 4 weeks left man, just hold tight. Aside from getting one last glimpse of baby before his/her big debut, we also learned that our little bee isn't so little. In fact, we're talking 96th percentile here. Apparently this means nothing more than baby is healthy and...big. Of course, mother guilt kicked in immediately and I automatically assumed that it was my "fault." Was it the milkshakes? The fact that I haven't been consistently walking the past few weeks? Shit! But alas, none of the above turned out to have anything to do with baby's size. In fact, at this stage in the game, the measurement is based solely on length and bone/muscle weight. Okay, whew!  So we have a big, healthy baby. Love it. It also doesn't mean that baby is going to come early, which I am fine with. Mama needs just a tad bit more time to get "there" emotionally.
We were also able to check a couple Ballard spots off our must-do list. Hot Cakes= best milkshake ever. Kickin' Boot= wonderful deck with apps and bevies and fabulous husband.
Cravings/Aversions: I'm bringing this one back because I've noticed a few cravings popping up. Aside from sweets, anything citrus is taking over my brain. YUM. Main aversions are anything that will cause more heartburn, which ironically includes citrus...Ah sweet irony. And sweet Zantac.
Symptoms: This could be laundry list time as at this stage in the game, I just might have all the 36 weeks pregnant symptoms. But that's to be expected, right? Good news, I'm just chuggin' and waddling my way through the next few weeks.
What I miss: The ability to anticipate what lies ahead. As we grow closer to baby's bday, I'm growing more and more anxious and, well, scared. The unknown is anxiety-inducing and for someone like me, who's anxiety meter is always a little higher than most, it's an interesting time. There is so much we don't know about what to expect when bringing baby home and how much our lives will change, that I can't help but feel nervous about it. And it doesn't help that people only feel the need to share the challenges of having a newborn. Sorry, did I give the impression that I thought it would be a walk in the clouds? Yes, we understand we won't sleep, we get that it's going to be hard, we hear that we can't prepare for it. Got it, noted. Now remind me of the GOOD!
What I'm looking forward to: is it a boy or a girl? In just a few short weeks, we'll know!!
Milestones: Your baby has added another one-half pound and now weighs nearly 6 pounds, measures almost 19 inches in length (or more if you're lil Sodi), and is almost ready to check out of "Hotel Mom." Your baby has moved downward into your pelvic cavity; hopefully headfirst (confirmed0.

deep thoughts on pregnancy

• really, i have to pee again? this is absurd
• really, i'm hungry again? this is absurd
• baby, what exactly are you doing in there?
• that placement? directly on my pelvis? is just not working for me
• thanks stretch marks, you really know how to make a gal feel special
• can i please just take a nap?
• husband + 3 pillows + expanding belly + queen size bed = completely illogical
• does "big baby" mean that all the newborn onesies are null and void?
• cannot stop thinking about baby
• so excited
• so effing scared
• we've officially entered the "waiting" zone...tick tock
• boy or girl...BOY OR GIRL!??!?!

week 35

for the record, i don't really look like this (my face at least)

Best Moment: Progress has been made! Saturday night we put the crib together and got the dresser in baby's room. Hallelujah almighty. Auntie Sneaks also got to join in the fun and helped us build the little crib masterpiece! It was only fitting that she got to experience the "monumental" moment in our lives or right of passage, whatever you would call building your first child's crib. The room is coming along so well now and it's really starting to feel like we have a place for the little bee. Evan and I even did a trip to Target to stock up diapers and some wipes, just to be sure we are set for the first few days. I believe this is officially the nesting period! While I'm not ready for baby to move on out, I do find myself feeling more and more prepared. whew.

Symptoms: I hesitate describing my symptoms sometimes because I don't want it to sound like I'm complaining, but a symptom is a symptom right? Doesn't mean I have to hate it but it's certainly no lovefest either. My back is feeling the effects as of late. Of course, to be expected, but dang Gina, can't a girl just sit for a little while without getting all uncomfortable and antsy? And really, the same goes for standing. I guess I need to just keep doing my cat/cows (yoga poses for those not hip to the yoga lingo) and hang on for another few weeks.
What I miss: Standing and sitting like a normal person. Ooh and getting out of bed. It's officially roll time and one of my least favorite things (along with having to bend down and pick something up). It's not that it's painful or anything, but just super awkward and inconvenient. Gone are the days of me springing out of bed - ha, like that ever really happened. But if they did, those days are gone and now I do a nice slow roll to a standing position.

What I'm looking forward to: What am I not looking forward to? We have 4 weeks (technically) until little Sodi joins the party and there is so much to look forward to. Friday we have an ultrasound to be sure that the babe is still head down, moving towards the light- although I can confirm that without an ultrasound. The hiccups on my pelvic bone are a clear indicator of baby's position, but hell, we'll take one last glimpse of little bee in utero before h/h big debut! I'm anxious to see how little space the poor thing has. Lord knows we're both feeling the cramped quarters, but it will be such a different scene from our last ultrasound when h/s had a nice little apartment to move about in.
Milestones: Baby's now the size of a coconut! From now on, baby's growth is mostly in the plumping up department- though he won't get much longer, he'll put on a pound or more of baby fat before birth. His hearing is totally developed!

we're going to need another fan

Act 1
Setting:  Outside temp- 94 degrees. Inside office temp- air conditioned
Scene: In a meeting where I'm standing and suddenly feel something dripping down my leg. Panic. Did my water just break? OMG, is this it?!! Wait...I'm hot, real hot. And sweating. Really sweating. That's not my water breaking but instead my thighs breaking a sweat. Great day to wear white linen pants.

Act 2
Setting: Outside temp- 94 degrees. Inside office temp- air conditioned. Different day, same blazing story
Scene: Sitting in conference room with about 17 other people including VP of Creative (who is also flamboyantly gay), door is closed. Feeling sweat building on my brow. Start fanning myself as if my life depends on it (which it does, as does baby's). Fast forward 3 hours. Back in same room with VP. Immediately he asks "How are you doing? I was worried about you earlier. At one point I looked over at you and thought there she goes, she's going down. I thought we were going to have to call a medic."

bzzz

As promised, here are some snapshots from my fabulous shower. Again, an enormous THANK YOU to Lora, Dana and Tiff!! It was a dream shower!!