37 Weeks...Full Term

The vast majority of this week has been spent trying to get a little extra rest and relaxation to get rid of this cold.  I think it is finally working!  Being pregnant and sick is one thing, but I don't particularly want to be in labor with a cold if I can help it.  My fingers are crossed that this is about the end of it.  I am only working a couple days a week now which has been great.  I haven't decided yet when my official last day will be or if I will keeping picking up days until my due date.  I enjoy going to work to keep busy and to have a little normalcy.  Work days are becoming very tiring now (I can only imagine what I would be feeling like at this point with the work load in Asheville).  Fortunately I am surrounded by coworkers who are always willing to help out or give me a break.  I am extremely thankful for the job opportunities available to me in Columbus.  The flexibility to work per diem (without call) at a couple hospitals has been such a blessing.  I am very excited for the extra time it will allow me to have at home raising Baby L going forward.  Joe has definitely taken on more of the role of the provider during this move, which has been a weird adjustment for me.  But working for a larger group has cut down on the amount of on call time drastically.  So even though he has to punch a clock, I hope having less holiday/weekend call and only working 4 days a week gives us more free time (without a pager) to spend together as a family.  It is hard to believe we have been back in Columbus almost a year now.  It was a very hard decision, but I think we made the right one for our growing family.

Saturday we watched our last football game of the season with the Mayhills.  OSU beat ND to win the Fiesta Bowl.  The game was on New Years Day so Joe made crockpot brats and sauerkraut to bring us blessings, wealth, and good luck in 2016.  We weren't in town for Lily's first birthday party, so we brought her a couple belated birthday gifts.  Lily fell asleep during the game and was still sleeping when it was time to head home.  You never wake a sleeping baby, not even to open gifts!  Callie sent us a video later that night of Lily dancing to her musical books.  They might be a little noisy though...so Joe and I better watch out when it comes to future gifts for Baby L.

Delicious!  Baby L was really loving the sauerkraut.

We spent the rest of the weekend taking down Christmas decorations, cleaning the house, and giving my car a final good vacuuming (much needed after all the traveling we have been doing with the fur babies).  Then we decided it was probably time to go ahead and install the car seat.  It was much easier than we anticipated because the latch system is so simple.  I only left the base in the car for now.  I feel a little weird driving around with an empty car seat.  I also got the adapters on the stroller so we can attach our car seat.  I think we are officially as baby ready as we can be.  All that is left on our to do list is to pack the hospital bags. 

Daddy is having pregnancy cravings, what can I say when a guy is working on crown molding (this time in the guest bedroom) you don't deny him ice cream!   I asked him what kind he wanted and his response was "oh you know". For Joe it is always chocolate, so I picked him up a gallon of "Death by Chocolate".  Now he wants to know if I am trying to kill him, hah!

I had my 37 week check up and I am so excited to be full term!  (Although we want Baby L to keep baking!).  I am not dilated or effaced yet, but my cervix has started to soften.  Slow progress and that is okay.  My OB and I talked a lot about my labor plan, or lack thereof.  We both agree the right plan for me is no plan.  I want a happy healthy baby (and mama) and I will do what is necessary to make sure we get there, whatever that may be. We are still both hopeful I will go into labor naturally.  We also talked a lot about epidurals.  Her advice was to listen to my body as to when/if I want to start the epidural, and that above all it is important that no matter what I need to have the strength and energy to push Baby L out.  She also said to expect the first hour minimum post delivery to be for just the three of us.  It will be our time to bond with Baby L before we let family in to visit.  My OB really puts me at ease and I am so happy we are on the same page with everything.  We are getting more and more excited to meet Baby L!  But I am cherishing these days.  I have loved being pregnant and am going to miss all of the kicks, hiccups, and listening to heart beats.

Baby is the Size of a Winter Melon

New for baby this week? About 6.5 lbs now

Total weight gain/loss? 33 lbs, have I topped off?!
Stretch marks?  Nope!
Sleep? Pretty good considering I can't breathe and always have to pee.  I actually slept about 12 hours the other night, and even took a nap.  Sometimes I wake up because my hips are sore.
Best moment this week? Hitting full term
Miss Anything? Reaching my toes with ease.  I wear tall (comfy) boots everyday because they are easiest to take on and off.
Movement? The movements are different than a few weeks ago.  I can tell Baby L is getting more crowded.  But still moving like crazy.  Baby L still gets the hiccups everyday.
Food cravings? Chocolate milk (my standard every night)
Wedding rings on or off? On and loose?! Odd change.
How is mama feeling? Much better than earlier in the week thanks to lots of rest, OJ, and hot tea.  I still am comfortable and loving being pregnant.
Looking forward to? Plans with friends.