36 Weeks!

How far along? 36 weeks and 4 days

Total weight gain: 24 lbs

Maternity Clothes? yes of course! Bringing out all the elastic waistbands for Christmas! 

Stretch Marks? Nope! I'm praying I can make it through the next three weeks without getting any!!

Sleep? Still awful. I don't think it's ever going to get better for the next 10 years. 

Best moment this week: I anticipate Christmas will be, but for now it's been finding out our friends in Germany had their baby boy!!!

Wedding rings on or off? On 

Miss anything? sleep of course, other than that I would have to say I will miss having a drink on Christmas! 

Movement? like crazy! It's not hurting too often anymore which is nice also. 

Food cravings? digestive cookies and chips... weird. 

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nothing! 

Have you started to show yet? Haha this week people started asking me when I'm due even with my huge maternity winter jacket on. 
Gender: Girl!

Symptoms: Exhaustion, back pain to the max, nesting like crazy! So far I have over 6 dozen muffins and 12 freezer meals ready and frozen. Don't ask me where I got the energy to do all that, I have no clue. Oh yeah, I also enjoyed my first cankle experience after a full day of cooking and being on my feet. They're still a bit swollen, but not too bad. I'm thankful it's winter so I can hide them under jeans and boots. 

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy, but getting quite impatient. 

Labour Signs: just a few contractions this week, they're feeling more like Braxton hicks now which is much nicer. Hopefully she hangs out in there until the new year!

Belly Button in or out? Out!

Looking forward to: Christmas, spending time with our family, getting all my 'to do' list done and of course- meeting our baby girl!!!!

Coming soon- Nursery tour!!! 

35 Weeks!

How far along? 35 Weeks and 5 days!

Total weight gain: 23 lbs!

Maternity Clothes? Of course

Stretch Marks? Nope!

Sleep? AWFUL.

Best moment this week: seeing baby girl on ultrasound! She's so low now I wasn't able to see her face, but I was able to see from about her nose down and guess what- baby girl already has a little double chin! so cute! 

Wedding rings on or off? On 

Miss anything? my sleep, being able to put my shoes on, being able to walk up the stairs without my legs feeling like I just ran a marathon... the list goes on and on :P  

Movement? Like crazy this week. It's getting very painful which makes me sad!

Food cravings? Nothing crazy this week!

Anything making you queasy or sick? Contractions!! More on that in a minute. 

Have you started to show yet? haha, funny one! People have started to say that I've dropped though!
Gender: Girl!

Symptoms: exhaustion, contractions, lower uterine pain. yuck!

Happy or moody most of the time? this week has been a mixed bag of emotions for me.

Labour Signs: YES! I really didn't think I would be answering yes to that question so soon. 

Belly Button in or out? Out

Looking forward to: Getting all the last minute preparations done before Stella arrives (hopefully!!!!)!

Now for the labour story:

This weekend Paul and I went back to my parents house as we had a few things we needed to do back home. Lily needed to go to the vet, I won a photo shoot a couple months ago so we had that booked for this weekend in hopes of getting a few 'big belly' shots, we had Paul's family Christmas party as well! Quite a busy weekend. 

A preview from our shoot this weekend!

Anyways we never ended up going to the Christmas party as the weather was awful and I hadn't been feeling well since Friday. I had a bad headache (which I never get) and just felt 'off'. We ended up leaving my parents house early on Sunday since I really wasn't feeling great. About 45 minutes into our trip the contractions started. There are no words to describe that feeling. I was so terrified! I instantly started crying and saying that it was too early. Paul was really great through it all, considering he was driving on the highway just after a snow storm! In the next hour it took us to arrive home I had 8 contractions. We dropped the dog off and went strait to the hospital. 

I was hooked up right away to monitors for baby and my contractions. It was nice to see that baby's heartbeat was doing well. I had always wondered if babies can move around in labour. I now know the answer- YES! She was kicking and punching and moving all over. It was SO uncomfortable. About an hour after getting to the hospital I threw up. It was awful. The nurse came rushing in just as it started which was just about the last thing I wanted, it's awful enough when you're on your own, let alone with two other people in the room! Anyways, once that was done with the Dr came in to check my cervix- 1 cm dilated but still long! Good news. I had to wait two hours and she would check me again. 

In the mean time they wanted to give me morphine and gravol, but I asked for Tylenol instead of morphine since I go crazy on morphine. The contractions started to slow and get a little less painful thankfully. When the Dr came back in two hours she said that things were looking like they would be fine and did I want to go home or stay. I wanted to go to the comfort of my home and we did shortly after. They thought I was getting sick and that's what brought this labour on. The next day I didn't feel sick but was still having contractions off and on (and I still am)! 
I went to see my OB the next day and he checked me again, still 1 cm but my cervix is soft. He said I can still make it to 40 weeks but this may be a sign she will be making her grand entrance a bit sooner than that. He said I will likely have contractions now until I go into real labour and to come back when they're 10-15 mins apart (if I'm still preterm). He checked my fluid with an ultrasound and said I have a good amount and that baby is quite long! Her head is way down and bum is right up at the top of my uterus! Taking after daddy I guess :P
I am feeling well now, still uncomfortable and not able to do nearly as much as I used to. I'm so overwhelmed with all of the things I have left to do. My hospital bags aren't even packed. This whole scare really made us realize how soon she is coming and that really it could be any day! 
I plan on using the rest of this week to fill my freezer with food and pack my hospital bags! 

The start of our food stock pile!

Our stroller came! Just in time :) Thanks mom and dad!!!

Spaz approves

My parents! 

34 Weeks!

How far along? 34 Weeks and 5 days 

Total weight gain: 23 lbs

Maternity Clothes? all my maternity clothes are starting to be too short. :(

Stretch Marks? Nope but I am so nervous they are just going to pop up one day soon!

Sleep? Still awful, I'm totally ready for life with a newborn.  

Best moment this week: There was lots this week! We had a wonderful visit with my in laws this weekend, then Paul installed the car seat and I started washing all of her little clothes! It is feeling so real now. Oh and one more great thing, she's awake for about an hour at a time now! It's great! 

Wedding rings on or off? On 

Miss anything? Still my sleep. I don't even remember what it's like to sleep right through the night.   

Movement? Lots! She must be getting long since she wedges herself up in my ribs often making it so hard for me to breath!

Food cravings? Chicken wings! lol Paul took me out last night for them :) 

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nothing! 

Have you started to show yet? hahaha.
Gender: Girl!

Symptoms: fatigue, sore back and my boobs are starting to get sore again. ugh!

Happy or moody most of the time? happy this week!

Labour Signs: No, but my braxton hicks are often and getting a bit painful! They often wake me up at night. 

Belly Button in or out? Out, but it sometimes becomes a slight innie now (more like a crater lo)! Weird!!!
Looking forward to: Christmas and then meeting our baby girl!!!!! Also, we have another maternity photo shoot this weekend that I won! Hopefully we will have some snow for that!

33 Weeks!

How far along? 33 Weeks and 6 days

Total weight gain: 22 lbs

Maternity Clothes? Yes, everyday it seems like another maternity shirt gets too short. Yikes!

Stretch Marks? Still none thankfully!

Sleep? still awful, not so thankful for that.

Best moment this week: Getting our glider! As soon as I sat down in it, baby girl started jumping!  

Wedding rings on or off? On 

Miss anything? Not being completely exhausted. I HAVE to nap daily now, which is quite difficult and makes me feel lazy! Paul is always sure to remind me that I am growing a baby after all. 

Movement? lots this week, baby girl seems to be getting into more of a routine now. She will sleep for a few hours and then kick and jump and twist all around for about 25 mins. It's great. I'm trying to enjoy every movement, even those kicks to the ribs, since I know my weeks are starting to be numbered now. 

Food cravings? Nothing crazy this week, although I do have to eat every few hours or I get shaky. 

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nothing! :)

Have you started to show yet? I don't know how much more my skin can stretch. :|
Gender: Girl!

Symptoms: So sleepy! 

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy this week! :)

Labour Signs: No!

Belly Button in or out? way out!
Looking forward to: Christmas!!!!

32 Weeks!

Spazzy loves the baby... for now!

How far along? 32 weeks and 6 days!

Total weight gain: 22 lbs

Maternity Clothes? yes of course!  

Stretch Marks? Nope!

Sleep? awful still! Luckily I am able to nap most days.

Best moment this week: Finding out all is well with my heart! No concerns for delivery, just some medications and a follow up visit after Stella gets here. 

Wedding rings on or off? On 

Miss anything? A good night sleep, getting used to this though.  

Movement? Lots this week! On sunday I had a bath and she was jumping all over. I love it! 

Food cravings? clementines and pomegranate. Delish! 

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nothing this week, I do have a bit of a runny nose though! Yuck! 

Have you started to show yet? Yupp! 
Gender: Girl!

Symptoms: Lots of Braxton Hicks, tired all the time but I don't seem to be getting as many head rushes anymore, thankfully!

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy this week! Less that a month until Christmas! I love this time of year!

Labour Signs: No!

Belly Button in or out? Out, way out.
Looking forward to: Meeting our baby girl and seeing what she looks like! (and Paul starting his cardiology rotation and being home a little more!!)

31 Weeks!

How far along? 31 weeks and 6 days (Sorry for the last post- again!!)

Total weight gain: didn't check this week!

Maternity Clothes? of course! Some are even starting to get small. I noticed my waistband on my jeans is quite tight now. Booo! 

Stretch Marks? Nope!

Sleep? Still awful. I doubt it's going to ever get better now!

Best moment this week: Finding out my cervix is thick and long? Sounds kinda gross, but it is a great thing! Also my grandparents ordered our glider and found out my parents got us our stroller! So thankful!!

Wedding rings on or off? On 

Miss anything? waking up without major back pain!

Movement? Still less than a few weeks ago but I do feel her often!

Food cravings? Still sugar! 

Anything making you queasy or sick? nothing this week thankfully!

Have you started to show yet? Yes!
Gender: Girl!

Symptoms: fatigue, severe lower back pain, legs going numb if sitting or standing too long! 

Happy or moody most of the time? so moody this week. 

Labour Signs: No!

Belly Button in or out? way out!
Looking forward to: not having to go to the doctor ALL THE TIME. 

Severe back pain led to me having another cervical length ultrasound this week. It seems if it isn't one thing, it's another. We are thankful that we have access to such great healthcare though and it is reassuring to know that everything is looking good. 

My grandparents came to visit this week!

30 Weeks! Woohooo!

How far along? 30 weeks and 6 days (I'm over 31 now since I'm a little late uploading the picture- opps!)

Total weight gain: 20 pounds, baby is getting big in there and I am apparently making up for lost time. 

Maternity Clothes?  Yes, very thankful for my maternity coat since we got our first big snowfall last night!

Stretch Marks? Nope but if I wear a belly band for too long my belly is so red and gross looking. :(

Sleep? awful, I'm not sure it will ever get better now for the next two, possibly more years. :P 

Best moment this week: Getting our nursery SO close to being done! Can't wait to share it with you all.

Wedding rings on or off? On and still quite loose!

Miss anything? sleep. |You would think I would be used to this! 

Movement? A little bit more this week! :)!

Food cravings? SUGAR.  

Anything making you queasy or sick? nothing! I feel like everyone else is sick right now, hope I stay healthy!  

Have you started to show yet? Beginning to feel more like a whale these days. 
Gender: Girl!

Symptoms: my back is in SO much pain these days.:( 

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy, happy, happy! 

Labour Signs: No!

Belly Button in or out? out! 
Looking forward to: Christmas!!! I've always thought of Christmas being the first sign that Stella will be making her arrival any time! I will be full term on boxing day!

29 Weeks!!

How far along? 29 weeks and 6 days- my last day in the twenties!!

Total weight gain: 17 lbs. 

Maternity Clothes? of course!

Stretch Marks? Nope!

Sleep? awful, rolling around at night is like a circus show with all these pillows around me and I do it every hour or so. 

Best moment this week: seeing baby girl again! We had an ultrasound due to decreased movement this week. She's getting huge! Turns out she's likely running out of room in there already and that could be why I am feeling less. We watched her 'practice breath'- so cool!

Wedding rings on or off? On 

Miss anything? My crazy active baby! I now have to fill out a baby movement chart two times a day. It makes me so anxious! 

Movement? Decreased :(

Food cravings?  CHOCOLATE. Hence the two pound weight gain this week. 

Anything making you queasy or sick? nope!

Have you started to show yet? Yupp, I was complaining about how hard it is to walk up stairs these days to Paul and he made the mistake of saying "well obviously, you're carrying 20 extra pounds around these days." He quickly learnt it's always best to UNDER estimate the weight gain then over. Those 3 extra pounds are golden. 
Gender: Girl!

Symptoms: fatigue- every day, all day. Also I am still a chocoholic. 

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy!

Labour Signs: Braxton Hicks daily. boooo

Belly Button in or out? Out.
Looking forward to: 30 Weeks tomorrow!!!!!! 

28 Weeks!

How far along? 28 weeks and 6 days!

Total weight gain: 15 lbs

Maternity Clothes? Of course. I'm loving my maternity tank tops paired with my maternity sweater. Great for around the house!

Stretch Marks? Nope!

Sleep? Not great, my husband has started getting cold in the night with the cooler weather. I, however, am always comfortable. We had to put the duvet back on the bed this week for him and I feel like a furnace. 

Best moment this week: HUGE visible movements! I was even able to catch a few on video. Paul said it looks like something that could be on a horror movie or some sort of alien movie. :P

Wedding rings on or off? On, and still loose actually!

Miss anything? Not feeling awful about eating 25 Halloween chocolate bars in one day. haha

Movement? tons and tons, I'm so thankful for it each and every day! It still makes me smile every time I feel her. 

Food cravings? Chocolate. I normally am not a huge chocolate fan but this week, look out Halloween candy. Sorry trick-or-treaters, I finished our 120 box of candy a week ago.   

Anything making you queasy or sick? my prenatal vitamin again. yuck. I had a major internal battle with myself this week just so I wouldn't throw up after taking it. 

Have you started to show yet? I had my first, 'oh you must be due any day now' comment this week. I think that accurately answers the question. :p 

Gender: Girl!

Symptoms: still getting faint all the time, more tired this week, also became a chocoholic this week.

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy, but getting to the point where I can cry at any moment, even when I just see a small baby. weird. 

Labour Signs: No!

Belly Button in or out? oooooout 
Looking forward to: That 30 week milestone! Hard to believe it is so soon! 

27 Weeks!

Now announcing our baby girl's full name!

This picture is also a little nursery preview!

How far along? 27 weeks and 6 days! Bring on the third trimester!

Total weight gain: 14 lbs!

Maternity Clothes? Yupp, almost cold enough now to break out the maternity winter jacket! 

Stretch Marks? Nope but getting very nervous that they might be on their way.

Sleep? booooo. That's all I have to say.  

Best moment this week: Finally Deciding on our little girl's middle name! It was even Daddy's pick :) 

Wedding rings on or off? On 

Miss anything? Not having to go to the doctor 3 times in one week- yuck!

Movement? Lots! Movements are getting so strong these days! 

Food cravings? Nothing weird! 

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope  

Have you started to show yet? hahaha.
Gender: Girl!

Symptoms: back pain and sooo tired!

Happy or moody most of the time? This week I've been quite moody. Poor Paul.

Labour Signs: No!

Belly Button in or out? Out. I felt Paul's belly button at some point this week and was amazed at how 'deep' it was. I forget what mine used to be like.  

Looking forward to: Getting answers to my health concerns!

This week was the first time I didn't have Paul with me at my prenatal appointment. Of course it would be one where a major health concern arises. I have always had weird pains in my chest as if my heart is skipping beats but it would come and go and only happen on occasion. Well, in the past couple of weeks it has happened on a daily basis. I have a very strong family history of heart problems. This concerned the doctor leading to me having to get a Holter monitor (a heart monitor that I had to wear for 24 hours strait)and a referral to a cardiologist that follows pregnant women and a bunch of blood work to be done. 

It is all quite nerve raking. We hope to get some answers about what is going on soon! I also received my Rhogam shot (ouch!) and did my glucose test this week. I didn't mind that orange drink at all. It was nice and cold and I didn't have to feel bad about drinking something so sugary- it was great! 

Here's my little cutie keeping me company on the couch this week!

26 Weeks!

With my husband gone all the time these pictures are getting harder! Sorry for the awful phone pics!

How far along? 26 weeks and 6 days! 3 Months today until Stella's expected arrival!  

Total weight gain: 13 lbs

Maternity Clothes? Yes! I even bought a maternity jacket this week. Have to keep the bump warm!  

Stretch Marks? Nope!

Sleep? better this week! I've been so busy this week, it's been wonderful for my sleep! 

Best moment this week: Our maternity photo shoot. So hard to believe we are already at this point in our pregnancy. We really wanted to capture the fall colours and with Paul's crazy schedule Tuesday was the ONLY day that worked until November. Our photographer was so great, she's also expecting! I can't wait to see the photos!

Wedding rings on or off? On 

Miss anything? Not having constant back pain. booooo.  

Movement? like crazy! One time this week it felt like she was literally trying to claw her way out of the side of me using all 4 limbs. What a weird feeling!

Food cravings? Sugar, sugar and more sugar. You'd think I would be more excited about my diabetes test next week!

Anything making you queasy or sick? Over eating!  

Have you started to show yet? of course! 
Gender: Girl!

Symptoms: This week we noticed a bump developing on my back. It seems to be my spine being pushed out. This would likely explain some of my back pain. We will be seeing the doctor soon and asking about it.

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy! Getting so excited to meet baby S!

Labour Signs: No! No more Braxton Hicks this week either. Thank goodness!

Belly Button in or out? Out and unable to be hidden by the belly band. sexy.
Looking forward to: Seeing all our photos from our maternity shoot!

Hard to believe this cloth diap will fit here in exactly 3 months!

I love my view.

Our chunky kitty. I feel like this sometimes these days!

Working away on Stella's room, here is a couple of my latest projects for it!