"How Are You Feeling?"

I hate that question.  It's a really good thing that I am going to have limited contact with the public in the next 2 weeks because I may end up going off on someone when they ask how I am feeling.  How do they think I am feeling?  I am 38+ weeks pg, gigantic, and it is 100 degrees out.  I normally answer "fine, just ready".  I should just pass out the following list with everything that ails me these days.......half of which didn't show up until the past 2 weeks.    I am going to be tortured to the bitter end!

Nose bleeds
Can't breathe
Stomach aches
Indigestion/heartburn
Cramping
Contractions
Diarrhea
Exhaustion
Mood swings (anger/sadness)
Headaches
Backaches
Shooting pains
Leg aches/cramps
Lack of motivation
Nausea

I can live with these physical symptoms as I have done it for the past 33+ weeks.  What really upsets me is that I lost 9 months with my family.  I have never in my life been so disconnected to Mike.  I feel like I haven't been engaged/present with Gwen in months.  I feel like I missed so much and it breaks my heart.  I can honestly say that lately, the only time I feel pure happiness/joy is at the thought of this pregnancy being over and never having to be pregnant again.  How terrible is that?  I should be overjoyed with the thought of meeting my child but instead I just want my life back.................whatever that new life with 2 kids, will look like.  All that I know is that it will be way better than what I am experiencing now.

The Gender Neutral Nursery

BP's nursery is as finished as it will get before he/she is an outside baby (I need to find something for above the changing table).  It was my big attempt at a gender neutral nursery and hopefully I pulled it off.................not that the baby will actually care.

 

Wordless Wednesday - Dad's Pick

BP Prep

For about 99% of this pregnancy we have been prepping Gwen for her new role as big sister.  We've taken her to a sibling prep class, we've pointed out all of her friends that are big sisters, and we have constantly kept her involved in everything baby (even down to giving her a choice on names and picking the girls one......she doesn't like our boys choice). 

Over the past few weeks we have finally worked on prepping our house, and ourselves for BP.  Of course Gwen had to be a part of it.  She uses all of BP's stuff for her baby.  Her baby goes in the swing, in the bouncer, gets changed at the changing table (she's been using the NB diapers and I needed to put a stop to that as it would get really expensive), gets swaddled in the crib......etc.  She plays little mommy and it is so sweet to watch.  I know it will be a big change for her, but I feel confident that she will be an amazing big sister................just as long as she doesn't swing BP in the swing like she does the doll :-)

Doctor's Appointment

I had a doctor's appointment today (37 weeks). No real updates.  My blood pressure was perfect, I am 1.5 cm dilated, 50% effaced, and up a total of 30 lbs.  They are estimating that the baby is going to be in the 8 lb range and is already bigger than Gwen was when she was born.  I could have told them that based on how gigantic I am!!

Here is the latest picture of me.  Hopefully I won't have too many more left with an inside baby because I am ready to meet BP.

Wordless Wednesday

BP Update

I had a doctor's appointment yesterday (hopefully only a few more left!!).  I am up 1 lb so my total weight gain is 28 lbs.  I put on 29 with Gwen so I am right on track with where I wanted to be.  I started out 5 lbs heavier than I would like, so I may have a bit of a challenge to drop the weight this time. 

I am 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced.  The head is down but moves when poked (I would move when poked too).  I am measuring 38 weeks and the doctor felt my stomach and said "wow, that's a good sized baby in there".................awesome.

She estimates that with a 6 hour labor the first time, this one should be around 4ish and that most 2nd babies are born around the same time as the first, so a smidge early.  I'll be ready (my hospital bag is packed and everything is ready to go at the house, so I guess I am prepared).  I just hope he/she comes when my parents are here.  That was the biggest thing missing with Gwen's birth.  I would have loved to have my parents there. 

More to come..............hopefully a baby to come!!

PS.  Gwen has told me that she wants the baby to come out of my belly.  I am right there with her.