37 Weeks

Some Stats for ya!

I've officially gained 15 lbs!!! Woot Woot! They did an ultrasound at 36 weeks and Sweet Caroline weighed in at 6lbs 1 oz! She's a big girl considering how compact I'm carrying her!

Yesterday her heartbeat was 131bpm....it's gone between 130 and 135 for like the last 4 months!

I'm 50% effaced (thinned out) as of 36 weeks (they didn't check at my 37 week appt) So whenever she's ready to come out I'm ready for her.

She moves constantly still! Some say that their baby's slow down in movement a bit near the end, due to running out of room...but mine has remained extremely active...it's getting quite painful, but I still enjoy feeling her kick and roll!

My doc said she is head down and sitting really low, I can totally tell she has "dropped"...and I feel like I have to pee every 4 minutes!

I've been having Braxton Hicks like crazy!! Along with some dull crampy back aches, this means labor is well on its way!

Thankfully I have had zero swelling! I can't imagine how miserable that would be added to all the other uncomfortable symptoms! All my shoes still fit and my ankles are in tact! I drink a TON of water every day so maybe that helps!

Here's a fun video of me enjoying our beautiful Kentucky weather!!! Maybe the loud noise will startle the baby out!!! hehe

36 weeks and UK hoops!

GO CATS!!!!

35 Weeks! Whoop Whoop!

WOW LOOK AT THAT BIG BELLY!!!

Sweet Caroline should weigh around 5.5 lbs and measure about 19 inches in length this week!

Total Weight Gain: 12 lbs!

Maternity Clothes? Not really. I do use my belly band when I wear pants. But I'm just wearing loose fitting shirts and dresses. I have a couple pairs of maternity jeans that are SOOOOO cute actually!

Stretch marks? Not a one :) My mom didn't get them either. I feel like I might be home free at this point...(fingers crossed) I've gone through two bottles of stretch mark prevention cream and almost an entire tin of belly balm, so I'm pretty overzealous about NOT getting them!

Sleep? I'm sleeping like a rock. By the end of the day (PS: I'm calling 7:30pm the end of the day) I feel like I've run a marathon! I wake up a few times during the night but it's not horrible.

Movement? Constantly. I thought she would have slowed down by now since she's running out of room...but it's like there's an alien living inside me...always moving, rolling, and kicking my ribs!! Very painful!

Miss anything?? Working out. My doctor told me to lay off the exercise. And I can't WAIT to do crunches again.

Food Cravings? Pineapple, ice water, anything extremely spicy, nothing really strange

Food adversions? Tomato based foods give me really bad heartburn.

Gender? Girl

Symptoms: This sounds "complainy" but: Sore ribs; the upper part of my belly is numb; still anemic so I'm EXTREMELY tired all the time; charlie horses in my feet ; It hurts to pick things up off the floor; some heart burn, inability to eat normal sized meals; it feels like my skin is about to snap in half.

Belly Button in or out? Both....does that make sense? No? It depends on how I'm sitting or standing!

Rings on or off? On...and actually at around 7 months I had to get all my rings sized down! They wouldn't stay on my fingers. I've not had any swelling at all and my appendages are all getting thinner! Strange stuff!

Happy or Moody most of the time: I am pretty happy! I've not had any of the crazy hormonal swings I hear people talk about. I'm just feeling blessed that God has chosen me to have this sweet little girl!

Looking forward to: Feeling like myself, looking like myself, and holding Sweet Caroline!

34 Week Check Up!

I had my 34 Week checkup today!

Caroline is head down and her heart beat was very strong.

I look so forward to going to my checkups even when they don't do anything special :)

At the next appointment (36 weeks) I will receive another ultra-sound. I have not gained any weight in the past month and they just want to make sure the baby's growth is on track. I have been eating pretty well (3 meals a day plus snacks) and keeping everything down. So hopefully the baby is getting what she needs. My husband comments constantly that my arms and legs look thinner...so my unmedical theory is that she is stealing what she needs from me! So while she is getting bigger and stronger....I'm NOT! Which I will try to fix by eating a little more! It's just difficult because as my belly grows my stomach is so compressed I have less appetite...But

I'm going to get as many good calories in as I can for Miss Caroline. But the silver lining in that not so great news is that I do get another ultra sound!!! Which usually you don't get this far along, so I get to see my baby before she arrives...AGAIN :)

I feel good still. Not too big and uncomfortable, although by the end of the day I'm so achy from being out and about. My iron levels are still low and I'm still anemic so that adds to me being extra tired...but other than that I'm feeling okay!

Here are a couple of cute outfits she's received as shower gifts!

A "future Miss America" sleep sack from my sister!

An adorable swim suit from my cousins!

And here is my husband teaching me how to "swaddle" a baby...using my cat :) hehe....

Don't worry, the cat was purring once he was all snug in that blanket!

33.5 weeks belly shot

33 Weeks! I'm feeling great!

Not sick at all and not too uncomfortable yet size wise. My ribs, however, are killing me from Caroline's strong kicks, and I'm still very anemic which makes me tired at the end of the day (and in the middle too)...But other than that, I'm enjoying this time!

My sister-in-law had a baby this past week! Her first, and the family's 1st grandbaby on that side! She had a little girl who is BEAUTIFUL, and it made me want to meet mine all the more :) They will be cute little cousins only about a month apart! How fun!!