36w5d

Tonight is the very last night I have to panic-reinforcement arrives tomorrow evening! I can't wait-I've been so stressed this week that my body just wouldn't hold out. Tomorrow's it though, and then I've made it to full term... so I'll absolutely be able to relax a bit. The only thing I'll have to worry about is getting ahold of Patrick (nearly impossible sometimes) if he's at work when the time comes or if my water breaks and the contractions come on as strong-or stronger-than they did last time.

We've been trying SO hard to get everything in order, and my hospital bag is now mostly packed and *GASP* we have a name we like. As of last night. Nothing like last minute timing. Still, it's a "we'll see" thing depending on how we feel when baby is actually born!

36w1d

First doctor appointment in I think 5 weeks today! (Finally!)

Had the lovely GBS test, hopefully this time I'll actually get the confirmation that its negative before I go into labor and we have to do antibiotics anyway.

Weight gain is still at a measly 12lbs. They are happy with it and baby is thriving (measuring between 36-37w, so right on) so I guess it's ok. Heartbeat was in the 150's.

We talked about some of my concerns, such as my fear of laboring too fast... sadly I can't sign any of my consent paperwork beforehand, but I now have l&d's number in my phone in case we are rushing and it looks like its getting close. I declined a check this week so that I will hopefully not stir things up... Lets hope my body takes the hint!

I now have my hair cut and nails done... So even though the house isn't totally ready yet and we don't have a name I can feel human during and after. Priorities :)

35w5d

OH MY GOODNESS. This baby is causing so much pain tonight... To the point where I was grabbing onto Patrick's knee making noises that I'm pretty sure I haven't made since the doctor was fishing little P's breech self out. Ow, ow, ow.

35w4d

Today I'm a week away from when I had Ava & Patrick and three weeks away from when I had Maya. Coincidentally, nesting went into full effect today too! Our kitchen and living room are the cleanest they've been in a very long time... and I'm hoping it stays that way for awhile.

Yesterday we made some big progress as well. We got out the swing and bath seat and washed and assembled those and the bouncer-Maya was completely thrilled when she woke up this morning and saw them because we are finally preparing for baby's arrival. She helped me clean quite a bit too so I think she's nesting right along with me!

35w

Wow, 35w! Still enjoying my super active baby and getting a little sad that this really could be our last one. We always said four for sure but after that we'd kind of just see, and that's exactly where we still are. I learned not to take advantage of this though so even though I'm tired and my belly is heavy (not as heavy as last time thankfully, but this time my ligaments are failing me) I'm soaking up every second because soon it'll be done-before I know it, I'm sure! At this point with Maya I thought it would never end, at this point with Ava & Patrick I was thankful for one more day pregnant, and at this point this time I just want time to slow down a little bit.

34w5d

This baby is going to make sure the end doesn't come easy!

This morning I woke up feeling horrible. What's worse is that when I got up to blow my nose, I couldn't because of the incredible pain on the left side of my face (which ended up spreading to my whole face throughout the day) ...I've never had a sinus infection before but I'm pretty sure this is it. It's hard to function like this-feeling miserable, chasing around three young ones, and being this pregnant-but I had to take it easy today because I knew if I didn't there would be just plain no getting better. Patrick scored me a neti pot for $3.50 (which I couldn't figure out how to use-though the saline in there a bit had to help some as now the clogged nostril is open and the other is closed. Whatever-as long as I have one good one) I'm going to have to look up a video tomorrow because apparently I just can't read or something.

Also today, with jeans on and in public, I stepped in a horrifically busy fire ant hill. Of course I didn't realize it until I could feel them biting me-after doing a ridiculous dance panicking trying to figure out what to do I hopped in the van and took my pants off so Patrick could attempt to get all of the ants off that had climbed UP my pantleg (it took a bit but thankfully he got them all) and then we still got more out of my shoes. My ankle is swollen and hurts. Oh southern insects!

34w3d

I'm either nesting or in panic mode or a little bit of both. Thankfully we got a LOT done today-beginning with selling a few big furniture items (including our old table!) and a trip to the dump. Now I feel we can chip at it here and there this week with a lot less stress-which is good since everything on our to-do list has to be finished by the end of next weekend. Patrick has duties and late late late work nights when I'm 36w (wooooo.... hooooooo....) so this is it. Freaks me out. I'm enjoying this baby being in my belly! I've made my list and started packing my bag though so at least I'm not in denial anymore.

This weekend was great between productivity and sweet family visiting-but I definitely think I'll be paying for it for a couple of days between all the walking around and moving around and my allergies going nuts!

Kind of got a picture yesterday too-it's not a great belly shot but more of a "belly in action" (and with the rest of the family) shot.

33w5d

Things have been getting a little more challenging as of late. Contractions the past few days were so crazy that I found a contraction app for my phone-I'm still in disbelief to be at this point.

This past weekend was a huge disappointment in productivity. Patrick ended up having to work most of Sunday, including during my sweet baby shower at church-it was a mess and so was I between Maya's attitude and how I felt. I spent a lot of that night exhausted and in pain, and yesterday followed suit-though I drank a few big gatorades and then took Tylenol before bed and slept with a Therma Care patch on-so I woke up feeling tons better and have only had a few contractions today, sooo much more manageable. I detest feeling like I'm getting nothing done, but I know that at this point it's what my body needs. I'll gladly oblige if it means delivering a healthy term baby!

As far as progress with stuff goes: I got the A&A blankets washed and ready! I accidentally ordered the bamboo ones but they are heaven. So that's I think four things down on the pre-baby checklist? Woohoo!

This baby is active. So so active. More so (by far) than any of the other kids. I'm loving it, even when the kicks and punches hurt!

33w

Well, I think I've finally hit my wall over the past week! I was doing really well with being productive, but now the fatigue and constant discomfort in my belly (dear nice strong ligaments, I miss you) has sort of taken over. I've had to snooze the past few afternoons, especially today after I was woke up at 5:45 (ahem, Patrick) ad could barely make it through the morning.

I can't wait to get the couple last minute organizing things absolutely finished so that I can just keep up with normal daily stuff-mostly just mentally, as all of this is pretty much going to fall on Patrick at this point (I warned him about procrastinating and here we are!) ...at this point in time with contractions and feeling like the baby's head is very much down and ready I have no choice but to sit back and relax and accept that I can't put in the work like I've been doing for the past 8 months. I did well-but now it's time to rest.

Baby still has no name, but I think we are getting closer to at least having options. Poor kiddo!