Less than a month to go!

I’ll be 36 weeks tomorrow, but I had my check up yesterday. I was surprised to find out I’m already a centimeter dilated! That was a bit alarming, as I won’t even be full term until a week from tomorrow! Some women dilate early and it doesn’t mean labor is near, but I’m nervous now! We have a lot going on, and Cindy and Rick are in Greece on a cruise, so we really need this baby to stay put until at least November!

Amy and Heather threw me a great baby shower two weekends ago. It was really sweet of them, they did a cowboy theme and went all out! Amy made cute decorations and Heather made pulled pork, coleslaw, cornbread, and other good stuff. They got me a great cake from a bakery that probably cost a ton of money! We ate, played games, had cake and opened presents. I’m so lucky to have found such a great group of friends here. Not only do the playdates keep me and Virginia busy, but I really like these women! It’s nice to have friends! Amy has made it very clear, if I go into labor before Cindy gets here, she will go pick up Joe if he is at work, and she will keep Virginia when we go to the hospital.

I’ve been going over lists in my head, trying to get everything ready before baby boy arrives. I’ve got food stocked up, household items stocked, I booked a cleaning service to come give the condo a good deep clean, I’ve cleaned and put away all the baby clothes, even cleaned out and packed the old diaper bag that I will have to use once I have two kids in diapers to take out! I’m making sure we have plenty of gas in the car, and I need to put the infant seat base in there. I’ve got our bags packed, and I’m going to make a bag in case Virginia has to go to Amy’s.

My parents bought plane tickets to come stay with us the first week of December. I was worried they wouldn’t be able to, because the tickets cost a bunch and mom has work and Lillian to take care of. They worked it all out and I’m so excited they’ll be coming up here! Hopefully the weather isn’t too yucky and we’ll be able to do some sightseeing while they are here!

I booked the nanny service for someone to come watch Virginia for a few hours this Friday, I plan on getting out by myself to try and do some early Christmas shopping. Hopefully Virginia doesn’t have a meltdown when I try and leave, she’s a bit clingy these days! She knows baby brother is coming soon, and she is very excited, but she obviously doesn’t really know what is going on. We have a birthday party on Saturday, Tuesday night Joe and I are going to see Florence and the Machine in Seattle, and Friday I am taking Virginia trick or treating at a retirement home with the moms club, and that afternoon we’ll go to Bungie’s Halloween party (for families). Cindy and Rick are on a Greek island cruise and won’t even be back in the states until Oct. 29th or so. Baby boy really needs to stay put until closer to his due date!

This pregnancy has really flown by, I’ve been exhausted and I’m getting to the point were I am sore all the time, but it is so worth it! Joe and I are so excited to see our little boy! I’m nervous he is going to be big, I’ve gained 30 pounds as of yesterday! This time around I’m not so worried about getting through labor, no matter what happens I’ll be okay! I’m just praying that baby boy doesn’t have the same breathing issues when he is born that Virginia did. It will break my heart if he has to go to the NICU like Virginia. That is all I have for now! Hopefully I’ll get in another entry or two before he makes his entrance!

Final countdown!

Our little boy will be here in a little over a month (hopefully!) and time is speeding up! Cindy is flying in on November 14th, so he has to stay put until then, but I am worn out from being pregnant! As soon as she is on the plane, I’m going to start all the tricks I know to start labor! But we still have a few busy weeks before that, and we are staying occupied!

I was very lucky and got to spend last weekend on a little overnight trip with 8 other friends from the mom’s club to San Juan island. Lindsay’s family owns a cabin in Roche Harbor, this super beautiful resort area. We left early Saturday morning and came home Sunday evening. Amy drove me and 4 other ladies and the rest of the women were in another car. We drove up to Anacortes and took a ferry to Friday Harbor. I was slightly worried I would go into labor on the ferry, but the chances were slim and the ferry was smooth sailing! We drove around the island, tried to spot whales, hung out at the cabin. It was very relaxing! We all chipped in and made a huge dinner, then played Cards Against Humanity. Sunday we took our time in the morning being lazy, and went to a cafe in town for brunch. Amy and 4 of us left from brunch to do some shopping and then caught the early ferry back. I made it home just before six. It was a great little trip, I got to know the other women better, and it was nice to have some time to myself! But I really missed Joe and Virginia! It helped to know that they were having a great time, Joe took Virginia out a bunch to keep her entertained. I knew he’d be a great dad even back when we were dating!

Baby boy has been super active lately, Virginia likes to touch my stomach when he is moving! She is really excited about being a big sister. I don’t know how much she understands, but she touches my stomach and says “baby!” She can sort of say his name, I’m sure by the time he is born she will say it even better!

How far along? 34 weeks!

Total weight gain: 26 lbs…I still have at least 4 weeks to go, so I’m getting a little worried about gaining too much.  I had hoped to keep it around 30 lbs total, we’ll see where I end up!

Maternity clothes? Always! Except for pj’s, which are getting uncomfortable! I was lucky that it was summer when I was big with Virginia, and I could sleep in Joe’s boxers. It’s getting chilly and I want to wear pj pants, but they are too tight!

Stretch marks? No new ones!
Sleep: I’m getting up pretty frequently, which is annoying! I either have to pee or I am just uncomfortable.
Best moment this week: Just watching Virginia get more independent, I know she is going to be a great big sister! She always wants to help me, and she is so sweet.

Miss Anything? Having energy! I’m also really ready for a hard cider! It has definitely turned into fall, and I am craving one!
Movement: Constantly! He beats me up all night!
Food cravings: Same as usual, junk food! Anything pumpkin as well.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not lately!
Gender: Hopefully still a boy!

Labor Signs: Not yet.
Symptoms: Exhausted, sore, hungry.
Belly Button in or out? In! But it looks like a crater.
Wedding rings on or off? On! No swelling yet.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Super happy!
Looking forward to: Amy and Heather are throwing me a shower this Sunday! It should be a lot of fun. They told me the theme is cowboy, because I am from Nashville. As long as it isn’t camo, I’m cool. Ha. Joe and I are also having a date night tomorrow, we want to get as many as possible before baby boy arrives!