Bumps and Babies: Weeks 35-37

 It's game time, baby...

Almost.

Where do I even being? I mean, I'm getting ready to close the biggest chapter of my life at this point...and open a brand new book. A BABY BOOK.

I've talked about this a lot before, but now that I can actually safely deliver at any point, it makes it even more real - I'm going to miss being pregnant. I have to be honest - the later weeks are a little more exhausting. The little bump days are sweet and cute. When you go from that "is she pregnant or gaining weight?" phase to the "how cute! She's pregnant!" 

But after 36 weeks, the ride gets a little more rough. The belly is B I G and the body is A C H Y.

Walking hurts. Sleeping through the night is impossible - your constantly up (mentally and physically) trying to readjust your body. Small tasks are hard work. And everything is pretty much exhausting.

You hit a point of - okay...my body is ready to have this baby.

But when I think about that too much, and what that actually means, I get genuinely sad. And confused. Am I really ready?

Feeling the flutters, rubbing the little feet the kick out, patting the baby butt that pokes through my belly...am I ready to say goodbye to this journey?

But then again...I've waited 9 months to meet the perfection I've created.

My best friends, who I've ranted and raved about throughout these blogs, both had their beautiful babies. Like champs, might I add. Seeing them go directly into mom mode makes me emotional. I remember each moment we found out about each others pregnancies. The shock and tears, along with the...how did we manage to do this at the same time? This crazy roller coaster we've been on together since day one is changing courses right before my eyes. And although I'm excited, I'm also like...wait! Already?! We are done?!

This may sound extremely cliche - but soak up EVERYTHING. Because it honestly blows my mind that I'm here, at the end. When you're in it, it's like time can't go fast enough. It feels like you're going to be pregnant forever. And when you're getting ready to pack your bags for the hospital, it's like where did the time go?

Do all of the things: post about it as often as you want, record the movements form the outside, keep a journal about what you're experiencing, PICTURES ALL OF THE TIME. Hire a photographer. Sign up for the boudoir shoot. Snap the selfies in the mirror. 

I reluctantly agreed to do a boudoir shoot. I was timid with the idea, because the last thing I felt was sexy. I felt swollen. And large. Because I am. But. After seeing myself in the setting, it was such a beautiful reminder of how incredible my body is. How much I've grown (lol literally) to love it. Greyson kicked and rolled throughout the entire shoot, and it made the experience even sweeter.

When you're looking at yourself daily, it's hard to notice the body changes and belly growth. So capture all that you can. Appreciate the journey. That growing belly is home to growing perfection.

Take a birthing class. Find one online, even one with a community of other mommas so you can ask and answer relatable questions. The biggest mindset change I've had within the past few weeks is - the less you know, the less prepared you are --> Educate yourself on what to expect. I know labor is different for everyone, and though I've never pushed a baby out, I can say my confidence for this journey is definitely higher. I have an idea of what will happen and I've learned how to trust my body. I was originally planning on going into labor thinking "I'm going to just let my body do what it does and the hospital staff will do what they want / need to." And though both of these are true - you still have a say in what happens and how things progress. It became important for me to understand - for the sake of my body, and most importantly, Peanut. 

I started drinking red raspberry leaf tea a few weeks. I recently upped my daily amount from one cup to 2 a day. With this, I started taking evening primrose oil. Now with this pill, I recommend talking to your provider about it. It made Austin a little uneasy at first, so we agreed to stick to the lowest dosing and that I'd take it orally and not stick it up my hoohaa - which some providers give their okay. These are two methods that can help the cervix prep for labor - and you know...I'm all about easing any kind of ouchies during push time.

 We had our final ultrasound the other day to make sure Peanut was in the right position. My midwife had a peak at my belly before hand and said "Why is your belly so wide? It looks like he's transverse again..." And I about hopped off that table and ran away in dramatic tears. But then, she listened to his heart, found his head...and discovered he was still head down...just very much sprawled out. So, to be sure, she wanted us to check him before I got closer to my due date.

Ultrasound showed that he is in the right position, but likes to stretch his legs, making my stomach look wide horizontally, instead of long vertically. *Shrug* As long as he is happy and healthy, he is free to move however he wants.

We learned that Peanut has a big head... yaaaaaay.......... BUT he is healthy as can be.

While we were looking at all of his measurements, I noticed his femur bones are measuring smaller than his weeks age. Austin immediately chimed in saying "Shit. Those are my genes. We have shorter legs and long torsos. But hes going to play soccer and be speedy, just like me." And to that I laughed and laughed. I have a tiny head and long legs, so the fact that my son is already taking after his perfect dad is fine by me.

Austin is just as excited and nervous as I am. His bag is packed and he's planning on taking a full month off to learn newborn life with me. I tend to call him while he's at work to ask what he wants for dinner or ask where something is - and his eagerness when he answers the phone tells me he is waiting for the words, "I'm having contractions..." or "My water broke." A part of me wants to be mean and joke about it - but I know that's not nice *insert nervous laughing emoji* So I won't cry wolf.

My due date is technically Feb 11th...but seeing as I'm 38 weeks at the time of writing this - he can decide to come whenever he wants. EEEEEEP - that's a wild thought.

So send your happy labor thoughts this way. And let's see when this little guy decides to grace us with his presence, earth side.