Exciting week

Week 36 turned out to be a busy week.  I am officially on maternity leave, but I found plenty of things to keep me busy.

Monday I took the pug to the vet for his checkup and vaccinations.  He's all ready for doggie day care this summer when we head to Montana for Weston's wedding.  I spent the day napping and sewing. :)

Tuesday I met Cheryle & baby Christopher for lunch.  Okay, so Christopher slept the whole time, but Cheryle and I had a nice time just chatting and walking around Santana Row.  It turned into more than a couple of hours and then I went home for a quick nap. The day goes by quickly when I am so tired all the time!

Wednesday was marathon shopping with Chiara.  I didn't buy much other than a breast pump, which I was told I should have right away.  I used a coupon and saved myself $50!  Plus, I used a gift card with $40, so overall I saved almost $100 out of my own pocket.  I love saving money. Chiara bought clothes and lots of other great baby stuff for her little one.  I've been buying for months, so I didn't need any more clothes or much stuff and that's why I didn't spend money.
After shopping, I met Matt at Dr. Wong's office for my weekly check-up and to get my cerclage removed!  It was the longest appointment of the pregancy!  We waited and waited to be called back.  Then, we waited and waited and waited for Dr. Wong to come in.  My appointment was at 4:30 and it was almost 5:30 before she arrived.  She had a little trouble getting the cerclage out because she didn't realize that there were two loops she needed to snip.  She was pulling on the stitch while it was still attached!  It was not pleasant.  Once she got the second snip, it was over quick.  I had no discomfort after and very little spotting.  I was just excited to have the darn thing out!
We barely had enough time to make it to our final baby class--infant care.  We had to make a quick pitstop for some food at In-and-Out so Matt wouldn't be too cranky.  Luckily, people seem to arrive a little late for most of these classes.  We were just on time.  The class turned out to be a little disappointing to me.  I'm not sure that I really know how to care for an infant very well.  How often do I need to bath him?  I'm not sure--she just said not every day.  How long is the bath?  Not sure...just not long.  Oh, well...I'll just read about it in a book.  I'm sure I have one.

Thursday I went to work for a program picnic.  I was almost too tired to go, but went because I promised Dolores I would go.  I'm glad that I did.  I got to say hi to a few people and chat a little.  It is nice to talk to people and not just be alone all day.  I did go home and sleep afterwards.  I love being pregnant partly because it allows me to nap without guilt. :)

By Friday I was exhausted.  I had a prenatal massage planned to help me relax and get ready for delivery.  I'm so glad that I did it!  The Mommy Spa (aka Lindsay) was awesome.  She chatted through the whole massage, but she gave lots of good tips on how to relax my muscles and how Matt can help during labor.  She is very pro-natural labor, so it made me feel really good.  If this little one isn't out by 38 weeks, I'm going back for another massage.  I think I will go back after he is born, too...I'll need some pampering then, too.
I also had my final counselor appointment before the baby.  She has watched me grow throughout the pregnancy, so it was nice to see her one last time.  She was actually one of the first people I told.  I even told her that I was pretty sure I was pregnant before I knew.  I plan on going back after the baby is born--then she can meet him, too.

So, Memorial Day weekend is upon us and I'm ready!  Anytime now...come on, baby!

Maternity Photos

Matt took a few pictures of me in the backyard with Squiggle.  Squiggle doesn't quite understand what "baby" means, but he does get that my belly is BIG.

Last Week of Work!

I'm 35 weeks this week and it is my final week of work!  I am so excited.  It may not show because I can't seem to muster up enough energy to be excited, but I really am.  I am so ready to just stay home and rest more often.  I want to sleep in and not worry about walking to my desk which seems a really long distance from the front door of the building.  I want to cuddle with the dog and make sure he doesn't pee all over the house.  I want to do a little more sewing for baby before he arrives.  Heck, I just want to be able to take a nap whenever I need one!

Baby is still a mover.  I can sit and watch my belly move back and forth.  I look lopsided most of the time because he likes to sit on one side or the other and than switch.  It is pretty cute.  I just can't wait to meet him in person rather than through my stomach.

I keep wondering what he looks like--does he have hair?  What color is it?  What color are his eyes?  Does he have chubby legs like me or skinny like his daddy? 

Then I wonder what his personality is like--will he sleep well?  Is he going to be a crier?  Will he like to be held?  Will he be more independent like I was?  Will he want to be swaddled?  Or will he like being free? 

There are just so many things to think about.  I can't wait to get to know him and learn all about my little man.  Maybe I will finally start calling him by his name when he is here instead of constantly referring to him as "baby." 

I'm hoping he will come early, but I've been having a few more contractions lately and I am starting to worry that he is going to come this week!  I sure hope he holds off until I at least get to go out on maternity leave.  In fact, I scheduled a massage for next Friday, so I would really like to wait until I have a full week off of work before he makes an appearance.  Selfish, I know, but I really need some pampering because I know I won't get any once he arrives.

So, the countdown to my last day of work is nearing the end...then all I need to worry about is the countdown to when the little man arrives!

SBIRS Launch

Baby Boy's initials will launch into space on the rocket carrying the SBIRS GEO-1 vehicle.  Daddy (Matt) wanted to do something special for the baby.

Almost 34 weeks...

Yesterday was my 33.5 week appointment.  Dr. Wong had only given me 1 pound to gain in 2 weeks, but I gained 1.5 and she rounded up to 2.  I wasn't too happy with that, but I can live.  She didn't yell at me or even tell me not to gain any before my next appointment.  She does want me to try and exercise more, which really is just walking as much as I can.  I do, but wow do my feet hurt.  It looks like I have little balloons (toes) connected to one big balloon (foot) that is attached to my gigantic ankle.  Ugh...it is miserable.  This is one part of pregnancy I really don't like.  I actually soak my feet in cold water at night to try and bring down some of the swelling.  It works, but then my feet dry out and hurt more.  I really think I need to go get a pedicure at least once a week.

All in all, everything is going well.  Baby is a mover and makes my belly roll back and forth all the time.  yesterday I was at my desk and Shelley was there.  He tends to stop moving when Shelley is around so I whispered to him that she was gone and not looking.  He almost immediately gave me a good hard kick like he was stretching out his whole leg.  It shocked me a bit.  He did something similar at the doctor's office.  When Dr. Wong was checking his heart rate, he pushed out his leg and then a moment later his butt.  She laughed and said he was showing off where his body parts are.

Today the SBIRS vehicle will be launched into space.  On the rocket giving it a ride is a sticker with Matt's signature and baby's initials.  So it seems we have decided on a name.  We have be batting it around for a while, but Matt's using the initials seems to have cemented it for us.  I'm excited, but not ready to start using his name too much just yet.  I still call him Baby and don't plan on telling anyone the name we have picked until he is born. I will say that his initials are CJB.

We are going ot have a baby!

33w4d

33 weeks!

While I took my weekly belly shot, I couldn't help myself and wanted to take one of me looking down at baby.  He was doing a little moving while I took the picture just for good measure.  I love my baby bump! (and the baby in there, of course!)