Unpacking the Heart

I officially have one week until delivery, which seems unimaginable to me!  I am definitely getting more emotional about it, I had to really control myself in church this morning when a sweet lady asked me about things.  It is so bittersweet. These braxton hicks are so painful, my tailbone/sciatic nerve make it hard to walk, and my glucose has made this last week rough, but at the same time, I know that these are the last few days I have of ever being pregnant...the last kicks, rolls, and stretches from baby.  This is definitely a hard turning point in life. Up until now, everything has been a new exciting season of firsts, or happy things, this is the first season change where I have truly felt sadness and pain.  I say all of this, which is all true, and comes from the depths of my soul, but at the same time I know how  blessed I have been and cannot express how thankful I am for this passing season.  This weekend I spoke with three beautiful women, two ...

I am not even sure where to begin today.  I missed posting last week because of life/traveling/excuses, but I want to make sure I am documenting the end of this pregnancy.  Every time I remind myself that it is the end of the pregnancy I get all hormonal and weepy.  Knowing this is our last baby is killing me, even though I know it is for the best.  Maybe one day we can foster or adopt, which is a dream of mine, but knowing I will never feel these little (big) kicks and squirms is hard to let go of.  Even though I am getting to the difficult days I still don't want to tell myself that I am ready for this to be over, because in many ways, I'm not.  I feel like I hardly remember last week as it seems so long ago.  I do remember that I went to the doctor twice, and that baby boy is still doing just fine.  Last week was also dance recital week and Elliott was such a beautiful ballerina!  She really is a natural at dance and is super graceful on...

We have hit 35 weeks...I think?  I feel like I have lost track.  haha.   We will have another ultrasound to measure his growth in a couple of weeks, but basically he is in there just gaining a little chub before his appearance.  He has passed all of his BPPs with flying colors.  This last week his hands, feet, umbilical cord and my placenta were in front of his face, so we didn't get to see much of that cute profile, but he was thrilled to show off his boy parts.  Typical.  I have finally made a blanket for him, the hat with his name is done, pack and play is up, clothes are ready and we have ordered one or two things for the house that we need.  We are in our final prep stages for him and for the rest of our lives that has to be taken care of before his arrival.  My OCD is in full swing and I need all the things clean and organized, but my large pregnant self can only work for a little bit before needing a break.  It is very anno...

According to the "What to Expect" app baby boy should be 17-18 inches long and about 15 pounds.  I am not sure on his length but baby boy measured in at 4 pounds 14 ounces on Monday.  That places him in the 46th percentile.  Perfect!  This week baby boy did much better with his BPPs and was able to pass them quickly.  He still loves to keep his hands and feet in front of his face.  He rolls and pushes away from the ultrasound every time.  haha.  He is doing really great with his practice breathing and today I saw him trying to suck and doing some practice swallowing.  Tuesday I began having some Braxton Hicks contractions, which were more painful than I remember.  Of course, baby boy hated those because they were invading his space, so he literally fought them every single time.  Needless to say, I am very sore.  I had more contractions last night and I spoke with Dr. Buck about it this morning and at this point she isn't too...

At 33 weeks baby is roughly the size of a butternut squash, weighing somewhere around 4.5 pounds and near 17 inches long.  Baby is opening and closing his eyes and is working on developing his own immune system.  The "What to Expect" app says that since there is now more baby than fluid in there the uterine walls are becoming thinner and he should be able to tell night from day....but I don't believe one second of that!  haha! This week started my 2 a week appointments, which consist of biophysical profiles (or BPP).  During the BPP baby boy has 30 minutes to practice breathing, kick, and move around some.  They also measure my fluid to make sure all is well.  Baby is actually giving me flashbacks to when I was pregnant with Elliott.  Monday I traveled to Louisville earlier in the day and I gave him quite the concert in the car, which he did NOT seem to appreciate so I thought by the time we got to the ultrasound that he was just worn out and sleepin...

This week makes 32 weeks.  According to the "What to expect" app baby boy is as big as a cantaloupe, 3.5-4 pounds and about 16-17 inches long.  Ummm...what?  That seems so big already!  Baby's major organs have developed, with the exception of the lungs, but at this point we have reached viability outside the womb!  He is also practicing his breathing, sucking and swallowing, getting him ready for life on the outside.  This week I have been working to finish getting things I want done for baby done.  I have made his carseat cover, a pacifier pouch and two pillows.  (The pillows are for the boy's room, not necessarily for baby.)  Clothes are washed and I have packed some clothes for him in the diaper bag.  I washed and sanitized bottles this week as well.  I feel like I am getting ahead of myself, but I also know I need to do these tasks while I can and have energy.  haha!  I have officially outgrown all of my shorts....

We are at 31 weeks!  So hard to believe and I am pretty sure these last few weeks are going to fly by!  According to the "What to Expect" app baby is as big as a coconut this week.  Weighing around 3.2 pounds.  Last week at our ultrasound he weighed 3 pounds 2 ounces.  This week he is getting stronger, growing more brain cells and working to develop those senses.  Last week we also saw him taking a few practice breaths, which he will continue to do to help develop those lungs and muscles.  We are officially scheduled for delivery, July 1st, at 12pm.  I am a little disappointed that it is so late in the day, I am more of a get it done early person, and a diabetic at that, so I would prefer earlier, but you know, you take what you can get.  So, if either of our parents are reading....you are going to be on food duty.  Seriously.  haha.  This week I have worked to start getting things ready for little man.  I washed the n...