Bumpdate: 37 weeks!

Weight Gain/Loss: 19 lbs

Baby Size: A Winter Melon (18.9-20.9 in, 6.2-9.2 lbs) *Gaining about 1/2 ounce per day!

She's practicing some skills: inhaling, exhaling, sucking, gripping and blinking. She's getting her first sticky poop (called meconium) ready for her first diaper.

Symptoms: Swelling has been really bad this week. My left foot looks like a big blob. My midwife was out of town this week and I had to see someone else. She was worried about preeclampsia even though my blood pressure was normal and I had no other symptoms. I did do a urine test to make sure, and all is good. My back and hips have been achy. They hurt really bad when I lay on my side for too long. I'm pretty sure the baby has dropped because I have been feeling a lot of pressure down below and I have been able to breath easier. I've been having more contractions (about every day), both Braxton hick's and some real ones.

Movement: Her movements have become very uncomfortable, especially when it seems she is turning her head down in my pelvis. The big stretches also hurt quite a bit too.

 Gender: A girl!

Maternity Clothes: Glad we are at the end because my shirts are getting shorter and shorter, especially now that she has dropped.

Cravings: Really cold water is still top on the list. I've been drinking about 128 ounces a day, sometimes more! I have also been craving sushi! We tried to go to one of our favorites, Saii the other day (I would have gotten all cooked sushi), but they were closed : (

Sleep: Sleep has been a little rough. I get up a lot during the night to use the bathroom and getting comfortable is almost impossible. I'm taking some naps during the day when I can and I am thankful for my 4 year old and dear husband who will let me!

Best Moment This Week: Baby is still doing great! Still measuring a week ahead. This week I washed all the diapers and I'm going to pack the diaper bag and hospital bag this weekend. Things are starting to come together and we are just awaiting her arrival!

Taelyn: Tae and I have been talking a lot about the changes that are coming. We've talked about how much the baby will sleep and how to be gentle. We've also talked about the delivery and staying in the hospital. She seems to be pretty excited about meeting her baby sister. The other day she knocked on my belly and yelled into my belly button "Hensley, wake up in there!"

Lately....

We're less than a month away from meeting Hensley, so we have been trying to take it easy and spend a lot of quality time together.

 Taelyn loves her sweet kitty Kona! He adores her and allows her to be pretty rough with him sometimes.

We've spent a lot of time playing! Taelyn is pretty creative and loves to use her imagination to think of games and other things to do.

We had a sweet visit with my sister-in-law and little niece. She made this cute cloth diaper and also made tutus for Tae and Hensley.

I've been taking in my view a lot lately. I know in just a few short weeks this will be gone and I will be holding a sweet little baby girl!

We love babywearing in this family and Tae has been practicing!

I finally got all of Hensley's diapers washed and ready to go. This was the last big thing on my to-do list. Now to pack the diaper bag and hospital bag, we will be ready to go!

Bumpdate: 36 weeks!

Weight Gain/Loss: 17 lbs

Baby Size: A Honeydew (17.2-18.7 in, 4.2-5.8 lbs)

She's getting closer and closer to being able to breathe on her own. Her skin is getting smooth and soft and her gums are rigid. Her liver and kidneys are in working order. Circulation and immune systems are basically good to go, too.

Symptoms: Is uncomfortable a symptom? That's how I've been feeling lately....very uncomfortable. I've been having a lot of pelvic pain and pressure. It now hurts when I walk, try and get up, roll over, or sit in certain ways. Baby is still high, so breathing is still hard. I have swelling in my left foot and ankle about twice a week. My back has been aching and so have my hips.


Movement: She has slowed down her movements (she's running out of room in there!). There is still about 2 hours during the day that she is pretty active, other than that she is pretty still.

 Gender: A girl!

Maternity Clothes: Still doing good with what I have. I feel as though comfort is key these days!

Cravings: I've been craving really, really cold icy water. I will put water in the fridge until it gets slushy and then drink it. Oh my, it's so good!

Sleep: Sleep has been pretty hard lately. I have pretty bad pelvic pain when I try and turn over or get up to go to the bathroom. I've been getting up about 4 times a night.

Best Moment This Week: We had a midwife appointment this week. Baby is doing great! My blood pressure is really good and baby's heartbeat was at 136. I did the strep B test this week so we will find out if I have to have antibiotics during delivery or not (hopefully not, because I don't want an IV or IV fluids at all). I also feel a little more accomplished this week because I washed all of Hensley's clothes! I still need to wash all the diapers, but we are getting somewhere!

Taelyn: We took Tae to a sibling class this past weekend that was being offered at the hospital where I will be delivering. She had so much fun! She got to draw on a onesie for the baby, diaper, swaddle, and learn how to hold a baby, and also have a little birthday party. She did tell me we couldn't call it a class because it was fun, haha!

On a separate note:

 

Oklahoma was hit by several devastating tornadoes this week. So many lives were affected by this tradegy. If you are able, please donate to the Red Cross

 

Bumpdate: 35 weeks!

Weight Gain/Loss: 17 lbs

Baby Size: A Coconut (17.2-18.7 in, 4.2-5.8 lbs)

Now, her hearing is fully developed, and she responds best to high-pitched noises.

Symptoms: Swelling is still an issue about twice a week as is restless leg syndrome. I've been having more contractions these days, some more painful than others. I'm short of breath on occasion, but it feels like she is still fairly high in my ribs.

Movement: I can tell she is getting big because her movements are definitely more noticeable....even just looking at my belly you can see her moving in there!

 Gender: A girl!

Maternity Clothes: Still doing good with what I have. I feel as though comfort is key these days!

Cravings: Salt is still a favorite! Anything with cheese.....I've also been craving a lot of protein!

Sleep: Sleep has been about the same. Still sleeping pretty good, but not waking up as rested as in the past. Turning over in bed is becoming difficult, especially with the pelvic pain.

Best Moment This Week: We had a meeting with our Doula this week. She came to talk to us about things to do during labor to help with the pain and what to do at home before the hospital (we are going to try and stay at home for as long as possible). I really like our Doula and she helps relieve some of my worries.

Taelyn: She wanted to try on one of Hensley's cloth diapers the other day and it was so funny! She didn't want to leave it on very long once it was on though. She has also told us that she is going to teach Hensley how to swim this summer and will even let her borrow her flotation ring.

Bumpdate: 34 weeks!

Weight Gain/Loss: 16 lbs

Baby Size: A Butternut Squash (17.2-18.7 in, 4.2-5.8 lbs)

She's recognizing and reacting to simple songs, if you're singing them. (If you're not, start! She may find them soothing after birth.) She's also urinating about a pint a day.

Symptoms: Swelling is still an issue. It seems to be the worst on Thursday's for some reason and it also tends to only be going on in my left foot. My joints have been a little sore, especially my hips (when laying on my side) and my back.

Movement: She gets the hiccups a lot! She also really enjoys moving around in there....I can tell she is running out of room though!

Gender: A girl!

Maternity Clothes: Nothing new this week. Some shirts are getting way too short though!

Cravings: Nothing much....not feeling all that hungry lately.

Sleep: I've been sleeping pretty good. I have a great system of switching sides every time I get up to go to the bathroom. I think that this has helped with not feeling so stiff in the mornings.

Best Moment This Week: I said we have everything we need for Hensley last week and if you check out the picture below, you can see that we have a lot to do! It feels a little overwhelming, especially since I haven't washed ANYTHING yet! It feels awesome to have everything, but a little stressful knowing we still have lots to do.

We had a midwife appointment this week and sweet Hensley has moved out of the posterior position for now! Everything seemed to be going great and we went ahead and scheduled out the rest of our appointments!

Taelyn: She spends a lot of time talking with the midwife and telling her all about her baby sister and even tries to teach the midwife some things : )

Bumpdate: 33 weeks!

Weight Gain/Loss: 15 lbs

Baby Size: A Durian (17.2-18.7 in, 4.2-5.8 lbs)

She's keeping her eyes open while awake. She's also starting to coordinate breathing with sucking and swallowing. Her bones are hardening.  And she's going through (more) major brain development -- that's one smart baby!

 Symptoms: The feet and ankle swelling has really kicked in this week. I have sausages for toes and my feet look almost round. It's pretty annoying because it makes me feel like I have restless leg syndrome and I can't stop moving my feet. We had a few days of 80 degree weather and I was so hot and uncomfortable! I know it will just get worse since it is only May. I have also come to the point that anytime I stand up after being sitting for awhile, I feel as though I might pee my pants! It is constant going to the bathroom, multiple times a day!

Movement: The other day I had my hand up near my ribs and I swear I felt her little foot push on my hand! I could feel a heel and a tiny foot!

 Gender: A girl!

Maternity Clothes: I will be walking in my commencement ceremony (I received my BS in December) this weekend and I was happy to find a nice Liz Lange maternity dress for $10 at the consignment sale!

Cravings: Salt! Which probably isn't great considering my swelling issues!

Sleep: Still been sleeping pretty good. My sweet husband is still waking me up any time he sees me on my back (love him!). I've now been getting up about 4 times a night to use the bathroom. I guess this is just preparing me for all the nighttime feedings that are yet to come!

Best Moment This Week: It seems we have got everything we need for Hensley's arrival! Right now, everything is in her crib (and piled high), but at least we have it all! I was hoping to score a Petunia Pickle Bottom diaper back at the consignment sale, but the ones they had were too small. The very next day, Baby Steals (a deal website) had PPB diaper bags for 50% off....I was so excited and ended up getting a great one!

Taelyn: She likes to come up and give my belly kisses and hugs. She also seems super excited about becoming a sister. She has big plans for little Hensley!