My exposed belly!

• How far along:  35 weeks. 5 days.
• Total weight gain:  Think it’s still about 1lb a week.
  
• Sleep:  The biggest issue continues to be sleeping comfortably. My back hurts. It’s hard to turn from right side to left side. And frequent trips to the toilet continue to interrupt my sleep.
  
• Best moment this week:  Meeting up with a couple of friends to break up the daily routine.
  
• Movement:  Yes! Although I don’t notice any consistent patterns. He is active at random times, it seems.
  
• Symptoms:  Biggest symptom is the upper back pain, shortness of breath and waddling.
  
• Food cravings:  Very thirsty these days, so I’d say water.
  
• Food aversions:  Besides the usual poultry, I’m finding it harder to enjoy a homemade salad — basically have to force myself to eat it.
  
• Labor Signs:  Brief Braxton Hicks contractions and movement in lower abs.
  
• Belly Button in or out?  Practically non-existent, but I’d say more of an innie!
• What I miss:  Being able to jump up out of my seat or get things done quickly. The slow-pace takes some getting used to.
  
• What I am looking forward to:  Finishing up the nursery!!! It just has to happen soon!
  
• Weekly Wisdom:  The only journey is the journey within.
  
• Major Milestones:  Baby’s kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. He’ll spend the last few weeks putting on weight!
  

With the final stretch before my due date approaching, reality is beginning to hit me.  In just two short weeks, I will be full-term and know that now, baby can actually come at any moment.

What worries me most, is that there is still so much left to be done before then.  The nursery needs a few finishing touches in place, including curtains, a rug, fresh crib sheets and a final clean-up.  All new clothes and blankets that baby will be using in first few weeks need to be washed and stored away.  And, I still need to make some final baby registry returns/purchases.

But the one thing that I need to tackle ASAP (before it’s too late) is packing a bag for the big stay at the hospital.  For some reason, I’ve delayed this seemingly simple task. A part of me feels that I still have plenty of time, but I’m beginning to realize it’s best to be prepared!

So where do I start?  Pregnancy books and resources suggest a variety of items to bring during the stay, but it’s best to simply contact your hospital to check what they actually provide.  I was ready to pack everything until I learned my particular hospital provides baby with a change of clothes and diapers, for instance.

Knowing this makes my task less daunting — so I’ve prepared a checklist of the items I plan to bring with me to make for a comfortable stay:

• Id, insurance card and pre-registration paperwork
• Birth plan (a.k.a. epidural request)
• Eyeglasses
• Toiletres
• Sonogram picture as focal point
• Book or magazine
• Change of clothing for me
• Take-me-home outfit and receiving blanket for baby
• Camera
• Phone and charger
• My Brest Friend (pillow for breastfeeding support)
• Nursing bra
• Robe, slippers
• And car seat!

Not too bad when I put it in writing, I see !

Over the past week, I’ve definitely noticed a drastic change in my energy level, as I grow closer and closer to the full-term mark of my pregnancy.  The watermelon in my stomach (or cantaloupe according to BabyCenter.com) is really beginning to take it’s toll on my body.  Forget the walking, all I can do is waddle around and make sure I have a glass of water nearby to quench my thirst!

Getting through all the housework I expected to do has become nearly impossible as well, as my body cannot take too much bending or maneuvering.  I need to take a break every 20 minutes or so, lest I feel faint. According to the doctor, this is all normal as I progress through the last 3-6 weeks of my pregnancy. And even though I feel like I’ve been gaining too much weight, they say it’s normal and baby is measuring fine at 34 weeks today.

• How far along:  34 weeks. 5 days.
• Total weight gain:  A lot. About 45 lbs!
  
• Sleep: It’s nice to sleep in these days, since I’m waking up several times throughout the night for a bathroom break.
  
• Best moment this week: Spending quality time with family at baby shower #2!
  
• Movement: Yes! Particularly in the evenings.
• Symptoms: Upper back pain. Lower back pain. Dry/itchy skin. Out of breath. Heavy tummy. Pressure on my bladder.
  
• Food cravings:  Ice pops and lots of water!
  
• Food aversions:  The one food aversion I’ve had since the beginning: smell of poultry.
  
• Labor Signs: Lot’s of movement…not sure if it’s Braxton Hicks contractions or just baby moving.
  
• Belly Button in or out?  In-be-tween. Still.
• What I miss:  Being able to work out, believe it or not!  Just too heavy to do anything these days.
  
• What I am looking forward to:  Eating hot dogs this summer!
• Weekly Wisdom:  Do not be afraid. Embrace life and all of it’s chapters with open arms.
  
• Major Milestones: If you’ve been nervous about preterm labor, you’ll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems, generally do fine.

Cute lollipops as shower favors!

What a great weekend! Not only did it feel like early summer weather-wise, but I was lucky enough to have a second baby shower, courtesy of my mother and sisters, for the other half of my family unable to make the first shower.  I was thrilled to finally spend some quality time with everyone and unwind with a day full of games, food and gifts.

Everyone got a chance to guess how big my belly was by simply measuring out how much tape it would take to wrap around my bump.  Of course the majority of guests over-estimated, but it was fun to see everyone take a stab at it.  Although I feel like I’m over 200 lbs, I’m glad that isn’t actually the case!

One of the other activities that my sisters had prepared was getting all the guests to use fabric markers to decorate onesies; Some of my friends and family really let their creative juices shine.

Check out the winning onesie below:

Winner!

I was blown away by all the gifts we received as well — everything from crib sheets, bassinet, booster seat, monitor, play pen, diapers, bottles…the list goes on and on!  I lost count on the number of gift baskets full of baby clothes, lotions, blankets and goodies! The time and effort put into creating them really touched me.  I feel so blessed to have received so much for my little Chili pepper !  So much to be grateful for…can’t wait until our precious boy is finally here.

Very late in the week for my 33 week update, but better late than never .  Happy Friday (Yes, it’s Friday the 13th, but it can also be a good luck day!) Enjoy.

• How far along:  33 weeks. 6 days.
• Total weight gain:  If I’ve actually been calculating accurately, it’s about 44 lbs!
  
• Sleep: Exhausted, and waking up throughout the night to relieve my bladder.
  
• Best moment this week:  Sleeping in past 7:30am!
  
• Movement: Yes, he is still an active Chili pepper.  Now I can even see his little body parts protruding around my belly!
• Symptoms:  Exhaustion, excessive back pain and additional heaviness in my tummy.
  
• Food cravings:  Crackers and cheese and even the occasional veggie craving.
  
• Food aversions:  Smell of bland chicken cooking. Never stops.
  
• Labor Signs: Baby is moving tons at times, which makes me think he is trying to come out soon!
  
• Belly Button in or out?  In-be-tween.
• What I miss:  Summer. But that will be here before we know it, thank God!
  
• What I am looking forward to:  My second baby shower with family on Long Island!
• Weekly Wisdom:  Enjoy this time and freedom as much as you can.
  
• Major Milestones:  Baby has passed that 17 inch mark and is looking much less like a wrinkled alien.