Random Thoughts at 35 Weeks

I know I've said this a lot, but I can't believe I'm already this far along. It seems like yesterday I was stuffing baby Harley Davidson socks and my pee-test in a box as a present for Trent. And now I'm at 35 weeks??? Wow. Here is a new photo of my progression, from 18-34 weeks. I can't believe I thought I looked so huge at 18w - I look like a house now! I can't even believe the difference from 32 and 34 weeks.

So.... I have to - HAVE TO - get my hospital bag(s) together this weekend so they're ready. We have the car seat, and I want to install that in Trent's car this weekend too - and practice getting it in and out.

Our Birth & Babies classes are going well. We go every Wednesday for 10 weeks and learn everything from pre-natal to post-natal they can shove into 2 hours per week. We've met a lot of great couples, I can't wait to hang out with the other new moms over the next year.

I am done work as of November 17th, so that meas as of today I have 10 work days left. That is totally mind-blowing for me. I'm excited to begin this next chapter of our lives (hell, a whole new novel!), but I'm sad at the same time. I LOVE working at the Zoo. I love seeing the people every day who are as eager and caring and compassionate as I am. I love my new team in Conservation Research, and I would love to return to CR if there is a spot for me in December 2009.

I think the biggest thing I am worried about isn't what kind of mom I'm going to be or doing everything right. It's Trent and my relationship evolving - and the battles that will inevitably ensue over sharing 16 hours of babycare time, cleaning the house, etc. I am scared Trent will think, as most men, that I have nap time all day and watch a lot of TV, so I can clean up after everybody, and he doesn't have to do anything. That's so not going to work with us, I just don't know how to get that point across. It's very important that he pulls his share of the weight - with the house and with baby. Anyway... yes, that's my greatest fear.

Now, my greatest fear with labour? I have no idea. They'll get him out however which way they have to. Bean is still breech (I told the doctor he's like his mom - I can't stand having my feet above my head either!), and if he's still breech by my November 7th, 36 week appointment, we'll get into more discussion about what I can do to try to turn him, or have a c-section. I will be okay with a c-section. Actually, I'm more okay with the idea of a c-section than I am with epidurals in my spine and episiotomies..... *shudder*

I am starting to look into hiring a Doula, or a Doula in Training. We were going to go another route, but I think the Doula would offer a more professional, matter-of-fact kind of attitude that we both need. So we'll see how hiring that person goes, I'll keep you up to date.

Some of my favourite clothes

...from grandma, uncle Matt, my friend Sheila, Gymboree in Vegas, Sears, and various thrift stores.



Bean's coming home outfit.





Matthew (brother) found "Bean" in a store in Banff. Since that's the poor little dude's nickname, Matt couldn't resist. Sheila (friend) bought the Porcupine "Wanna Hug" in Vegas. Can't wait to see them on :)


Trent hasn't seen this one yet, but I'm sure he'll call it the "indoctrination onesie". I couldn't resist.


I couldn't resist this either. It has puppy dogs on it and teddy bear ears. I swear they make these things so soft just so sappy pregnant women can't say no.


Sleepy duckie. *sighs*

I wonder....

...what kind of person my Bean already is.
...what colour eyes he'll have.
...if he'll look like a chubby little Ukrainian baby like all the others born in our family
...if he'll sleep through the night at a week old like I apparently did (puh-leeeeeeaze say it's genetic....)
...what he'll be interested in.
...what he'll grow up to be.
...what he'll grow up to believe in.

*sighs* I can't believe I *made* someone.......................

It's Thanksgiving long weekend in Canada this weekend. Next Thanksgiving, I'll be a mom. My Bean will be tasting Turkey for the first time. Weird.

32 weeks!

I'm officially 32 weeks, or 8 months pregnant! That's the confusing part... if you say "8 months", people think I only have 4 weeks left. But we're actually pregnant for 10 months (40 weeks), not 9 months. So, I'll try not to confuse the matter and just tell you in weeks. 32!!

I had an appointment today, and everything is fine. My blood pressure is a little elevated so that's something to watch. Bean is still stretched out sideways, he hasn't decided to go head down yet. Though as mom pointed out, would you want to hang upside down for 8 weeks? Guess not. The Doctor says they usually move around 36 weeks. I hope so, b/c I really don't want to have a c-section.

I gained 2 more pounds, which they were fine with. Yeesh - I'm not going to tell you the total amount I've gained so far because it's nasty. I know, I'm pregnant, I'm supposed to gain weight - but when I was really hoping to stay on the 15 lbs gain, it's quite shocking to be much more than that. I just don't know how it's possible. I don't eat junk, I'm not "eating for two". It's all going to my back and thighs, though, wherever it's coming from.

I'm trying to find a car seat. How horribily difficult would you think that would be? Not difficult? I would have thought so too. We found one we liked and I was going to order it, but thought I'd double check with the manufacturer of the stroller we bought (Valco Baby) to make sure. Sure enough, the carseat we want wouldn't fit. Dammit, I give up! I'm going to Bo Bebe after work today and getting the one they have there, at least I know it will work. I was trying to save some money, but ended up wasting too much time researching seats we can't even use anyway. Oh well. We'll get one eventually and Bean will be all cuddled up in it in no time :)

31 weeks... wow....

It seems like just yesterday, I was crossing everything crossable, hoping I would get to 8 weeks. Then 12. Then 20, then 30, now the magic number is 34. It's been a long road! A miscarriage never forgotten, over a year of temping and charting and scheduling and it seeming like everyone in the world was getting pregnant except me. And now it's my turn. I can't believe I'm already at 31 weeks. Almost 32!

Bean woke me up last night he kicked so hard - I was about to get mad at Trent for shaking the bed and realized it was Bean who made ME shake the bed! Oops. He's getting so big I don't feel massive kicks that often anymore, but I still feel him move all the time. He's really active during the day and sleeps at night - I realllllllly really really really really REALLY hope he keeps that schedule when he's actually here. I did put in a special request for a baby that would sleep through the night like I apparently did, so we'll see. :)

We picked up our stroller on Thursday night - I can't wait to put it together!! I went to Sears to hopefully find a carseat yesterday (red tag sale!), but no luck. I have to get one of 3 brands, so it can fit into the stroller properly (we didn't get one of those "all in one" stroller+carseats). What I did find are some of the cutest clothes (I know, I know)... I justified it saying they're on sale, and Bean doesn't yet have warm clothes for December-February. He'll need them, because I'm planning on being outside a lot! I found the cutest coming home outfit - so much for "all he needs is a onesie and a blanket!"

My doctor has me doing kick counts now - or movement counts. I have to pick a 2 hour period in the day and count how many movements I feel from Bean - and hopefully it adds up to 10 or more. If it doesn't, I'm supposed to go directly to labour & delivery. Personally? I think it's just one more thing they've thought of to make new moms go crazy. I'm very in tune with my body, and very in tune with Bean. If he doesn't make any movements when I know he should be up, then I would be concerned and get it checked out. But to actually track and chart it? Grumble.

Anyway, here is my updated progression photo. It sure seems like I got big early on, but haven't made that much of a change:

Guess I had better get to work!