I did a pregnancy survey at 15 weeks and decided to do one more seeing as I’m in the final stretch!
My age: 32
How far along: 36 weeks
How big is baby: According to my “I’m Expecting” app, my baby is approximately the size of a coconut, about 18.7 inches from head to heel and weighs just under 6lbs.
What have you been up to: Exercising, nesting and resting when I need it. I’m taking care of last minute things like cleaning the rest of her clothes, figuring out which adorable outfit to pack to take her home in, packing my hospital bag and just making sure my house stays clean and that everything is done so that I’m not scrambling or behind when she finally arrives. Today I ran to Babies R Us to exchange a few items that I had several of and picked up a few things I wanted and needed.
Exercise/Activity Level: I am still exercising about four to five days a week. I feel incredibly lucky, but proud that I’ve made it this far and still feel strong and great during all my workouts. I’ve continued to take barre classes, ride my bike, go for walks and hikes which include snow hikes now that it’s winter and I also go to the gym where I do the elliptical and/or treadmill plus some light weight training. This morning I took a barre class and before I arrived I felt tired and unmotivated. After class I felt great and had much more energy. I’m confident that exercising throughout my entire pregnancy and maintaining a very healthy diet has been my best medicine and helped me greatly. I’m also still cleaning our house as normal, vacuuming, scrubbing the bathrooms, doing laundry etc. I basically move all day!
Maternity clothes: Most of my clothes are maternity, but oddly enough I still wear all my regular sweatpants and pajama pants along with a bunch of sweatshirts. My favorite maternity clothing to wear is a pair of leggings with a tunic and boots. I literally stocked up on leggings in the beginning. They’re comfortable and to be honest, I feel like I look better physically in clothes that are fitted because they don’t add any extra bulk to my bigger body.
Stretch marks: Thus far I do not have any stretch marks!
Belly Button: Practically non-existent at this point. It’s not an outtie yet, but it’s getting smaller by the week. I also had a scar from a belly button ring from my mid-20s that was never noticeable, but now with my belly so stretched it appears much higher than my belly button. Looks funny!
Sleep: Prior to pregnancy I was not a good sleeper. I would have weeks of just laying in bed wide awake. I’ve actually slept better pregnant; however, I am definitely having more nights of insomnia simply due to the amount of times I’m running to the bathroom to pee!
Newest baby milestones this week: According to my “I’m Expecting” app, the bones in my baby’s skill can move and overlap each other, allowing the baby to pass through the birth canal more easily. By 37 weeks she will be considered full-term; although, I’ve recently read a few different articles they are changing full-term from 37 weeks to more like 38 or 39.
Best Moment of the Week: I’ve had several moments over the last few weeks and month. Saturday my husband and I did our third and final progression maternity photoshoot with our wedding photographer. He asked us to do this project and we were psyched and honored to do so. Saturday just so happened to be exactly five years from the day we “officially” met and we did our photoshoot at the venue where we got married. It snowed all day and it couldn’t have been anymore perfect.
Other great moments are seeing how excited my husband is. Every night he comes home from work and puts his hand on my belly and starts talking to the baby, saying he loves her, asking if she’s awake, asking if she’s ready to see the world. He has also told me how great I look, told me that I’m doing a great job and will pat my belly and say, “Looking what you made!” His support is endless and helps me get through the tough times.
Along with that, I think I’ve officially become amazed with my own body and have a true appreciation for pregnancy. I’m well aware women have been having babies since the beginning of time, but you cannot imagine the miracle in it all and just what your body is capable of until it’s actually happening to you. Already I feel honored to be this little girls mother.
Worst Moment of the Week: Two nights ago I literally must have woken up about every hour to half hour to pee. I swear I went at least 15 times…in one night! Then last night I was woken up by my bladder and some of the worst indigestion I’ve ever experienced in my life. Luckily I was only awake for a half hour and fell back to sleep solidly for the rest of the night, but I felt absolutely horrible for that half hour I was awake!
Food cravings: Lately I’ve been craving chocolate which is funny because my first trimester the mere thought of chocolate turned my stomach. I’m very into making healthy smoothies so to curb my craving I make smoothies using unsweetened cocoa powder. One tablespoon only has 25 calories and everything else in the smoothie is healthy such as a banana, almond milk, spinach, almonds, fresh mint leaves etc. I also crave eggs and eat them several times a week!
Food aversions: I had horrible food aversions during my first trimester, but I haven’t had anything major in my second or third.
Symptoms: Oh boy, I’ve had symptoms that have come and gone throughout my pregnancy. I think so far the worst is bad indigestion which seems to be at its worst if I don’t eat enough or if I wait too long to eat. I also wake up with it once in a while which is never fun.
Movement: Some days the baby literally doesn’t stop moving and other days she is fairly quiet. This past Friday and Saturday her kicks were so intense they hurt. I had an ultrasound which determined the baby is in position and that her little feet are up by my ribs, so when she kicks, my ribs take a beating! She’s been moving on and off since my barre class today. She also gets hiccups fairly frequently.
Gender: Thank heaven for little GIRLs! 🙂
What I’m looking forward to: There is a huge part of me that is really excited and curious about labor and delivery. I’m honestly excited to just experience giving birth to this baby that I’ve been creating for months. But most of all, I’m looking forward to finally seeing what she looks like, holding her against me and just getting to know her.
What I’m nervous about/praying for: Along with being excited for labor and deliver, I’m also petrified of it too! The unknown is scary. I just want her to be born perfectly healthy and for us both to do well in the process of her getting here.
What I miss: I miss sushi, seeing body parts that are below my belly button, bending over and putting shoes on with ease, and in general my pre-pregnant body.
Next appointment: Wednesday! I go weekly now until she is here!