Week 37

We have made it to WATERMELON people - that is not an encouraging fruit as labour approaches. But Sprout is now considered FULL TERM. We did it, we grew a person! Now I just have to get her out of me.


She's still pretty quiet in there, not moving quite as much. But she is about 7 lbs and 20 inches long - there can't be much wiggle space left. She gets the hiccups about once a day now, which still makes me smile every time. We're just waiting for the big entrance to come.

My nesting has been pretty strong. I have been cooking up a storm and freezing many meals. My urge to clean the house is growing - every where I look there is something else that I want to scrub/move/throw out. There are still about 5 dishes I want to make and freeze (on the agenda for tomorrow), the car seat to put in (today) and a whole shwack of cleaning to do (today, tomorrow, the next day etc).

By the end of the day I ache. My feet, hips, ribs, back... everything. In fact, it's often so painful that falling asleep is a challenge. Sometimes I wonder if this is just how hard late stage pregnancy is, or if I am just feeling the effects of my age. I think it's likely a little bit of both. But the simplest things are harder - like walking. I can't get over how slow I am! I just can't seem to swing my legs any faster. The other day, out doing errands in the cold with Neil, I was trying to "turbo power" my walk to the car. I was moving as fast as I could on the icy parking lot when I realized that not only am I waddling, but I am bobbing my head like a CHICKEN in hopes it would speed up my waddle. A comment on this has lead to Neil randomly humming the "Chicken Dance" song as I waddle around. And while I am not able to retaliate yet, just wait until the baby comes, my love!!

More catch-up

Monday was yet another doctor appointment. I am (of course) measuring large still - at 38cm in week 36. But everything else is still wonderfully normal. Weight is still ok, blood pressure steady for the last few months, baby's heartbeat normal. Next week, they check to see if I have started to dilate. Ugh.

Neil is still convinced she's coming soon. As in Jan 16th soon! This has me in a bit of a panic, since I have about 50 meals to prepare and freeze and also the entire house to clean, a few projects to finish, a few more things to pick up, people I want to see and lunch/dinner with... Too much for 10 days. So? She'll just have to wait until her due date to come out! Or later... Feb 4th works for me. And, yes, I know it's her call but a mom can wish.

Since Tuesday Sprout has been much quieter. I still feel her moving around, but she's much calmer, more flutters versus huge swinging kicks. Which is sometimes a sign of impending delivery. Except not this time. Because I'm not ready. Hear that, my little one?

Last night was Ukrainian Christmas Eve dinner - and it was FABULOUS as always. The food was glorious, my mom can definitely cook! We ate until we were bursting, which wasn't that much for me. Then we sat around and laughed and talked. And laughed. And laughed a lot more. There is a core of the "regulars" - John & Ruth, Paul & Iris, Debbie, Graeme, Erika & Frasier. And one guest couple - this year Ken & Lois. The regulars? They are like family to me. Every year, on the Christmas that is the fun and stress-free one, they are there to laugh with and visit with. And have been there for close to 20 years now. Next year? There will be a new regular, our little girl, who will get to enjoy the food and the company and the house full of love that magically happens every Jan 6th.

Week 36

Week 36... one week away from full term. She really could come at any time! Neil is still convinced we're about 2 weeks away from the big show. I am not as certain. I feel no rush to get the car seat in, to finish packing the hospital bag or to nest. I just don't think it's going to happen that soon. Although I really should get the hospital bag packed, just to be safe. There is yet another doctor's appointment on Monday, and then I can find out more about what my body is doing.

And I am now on maternity leave. Well, technically I am on vacation for the next 2 weeks and then I start my maternity leave on the 18th. There are so many forms to fill out, to get my benefits etc. And then so many more when Sprout comes, to make sure that everyone knows she's alive. I have a little list typed up, because I am pretty sure I won't remember otherwise. And I have everything in the daytimer on the counter. Memory (or my lack of one) is still such an issue!

I think the fact I am done working is what makes it the baby coming feel real and imminent. There is no turning back. I am going to be someone's mother. Days like yesterday, where I stay in my pjs and watch TV and chat with Neil and surf the net while snuggling with the dogs... they won't happen anymore. There will be a person who needs to be fed and dressed and washed and entertained. I'll be responsible for someone!

And that someone is almost fully baked. Her lungs are the last thing to develop and they will be ready to breathe any day (week) now. Depends on which book you reference, but one said she's as much as 5.5lbs and 20 inches long! No wonder I feel so distended *grin*.

The last few days have been easier, after she's given me lung room back. Although this is still hard. I am heavier than I have ever been, moving all this weight takes real effort, my joints hurt, my fingers and feet are so swollen, I am tried all the time, sleeping solidly is a distant memory, Sprout is running out of room and she lets me know. But in a few days/weeks we are going to get to meet the person that we created...

Look ma! I swallowed a beach ball!

My belly is just one big round ball full o' baby! There is the unwritten rule, that unless you are seeing the head emerge, you never assume a woman is pregnant. However, people glance at me, glance at the belly and with confidence ask when I am due. I can understand why.

Only 2 days of work left. It's a little disconcerting. I have been working since I was 16 (I took one semester off, first year of University, but spent my year's worth of savings in less than 4 months and got a job). There are projects I want to do around the house but it'll still be strange, to not have a schedule to follow, times to be somewhere. Until Sprout comes, then I am a slave again to schedules... her's this time.

I can BREATHE!

Sprout must have dropped this weekend. I can BREATHE! I can take large, easy breaths of air now. And my ribs don't ache the same way when I sleep. It's really a glorious feeling! Although, it also means I pee all the time. I'll feel like I have the world's fullest bladder and rush to the bathroom. And what comes out? A few drops. Annoying, yes, but I'll trade that for the breathing any time. Plus, my appetite has returned with a vengance - I have more room in my stomach and wow do I want to FILL IT UP!

Since the last big shoppign trip we picked up a few more things for the nursery. And bought the cutest doggy sleepers, for when she's older. The dimmer switch is installed. We have a laundry basket of sorts. More and more, it's all coming together!

35 weeks

Well, another week down! 5 weeks to go, roughly, until we meet our Sprout. Neil is convinced she's coming in 3 weeks though. I am measuring large, but I think it's more wishful thinking. I am reaching the stage where it's getting harder and harder. Harder to sleep, eat, sit, walk, stand... my hips and back hurt. My memory has deteriorated more. And it's hard for him to see me so uncomfortable.

But today we got another step closer to being done. We finished the baby shopping! Except for the fact I picked up the wrong bottles (oops) we are all spent. We have enough clothes, diapers, odds n' ends to survive the first few weeks, at least. We have to put in the car seat still. And there are little things we want to do to the room. I hate the lighting (we have to change the bulbs at least) and install the dimmer switch. And plane the door a bit since it's squeaking. We need an extension cord for the lamp and monitor. There is a sticker on the crib I want to remove. And decals to put on the walls. There are a few toys that have to be brought up from the basement and sorted out. So perfectly ready? No. But close enough? Hells to the yah!!

The maternity bag is now half packed. A few more things need to go in. And then a LARGE note with reminders of the things (like glasses) that can't be packed until we're ready to go. Starting in January mom and I will start cooking meals to freeze. I am starting on the birth announcement list and want to have labels printed, so when she comes we fill int he details, take a picture and order the announcements. Then... then she comes! In late February/March my mom is having a women only baby shower, for family and friends, to meet Sprout. And around the same time Jocelyn, the amazing friend she is, volunteered to host the "our friends" shower. It will be co-ed, no games, just people coming over to meet Sprout and visit. Hopefully the little muffin cooperates... Joc will host it at our place, so we don't have to worry about moving Sprout. And my mom will help prepare foods. My only goal is to stay awake for it. I am aiming low.

Our Christmas as parents to be

This is a our sixth Christmas together. But our first as a married couple. And our last with just the two of us.

Next year, there will be the three of us. There will be new traditions to start. Maybe reading "Twas the Night before Christmas", putting out cookies and milk, singing carols together by the tree. Anything is possible right now. We will be watching the joy of a little one open gifts. Sprout won't understand Christmas, but she will be with us celebrating.

This year was wonderful, filled with so much food, family, love. And next year there will be more family and more love, as we get to celebrate with our daughter. Merry Christmas, little one! We are so looking forward to meeting you!