39 Weeks

Almost done!

With Oliver, I barely had Braxton Hicks contractions. I mean I did, but they weren't really uncomfortable, just tight. Maybe they weren't even contractions at all.

Because what this little guy is doing to me? Completely different. Ouch.

OUCH I mean.

These contractions are so severe, I've actually timed them. On multiple occasions. Because I thought there was a definite chance I was in very real labour. I've been in labour before - I have 24 hours of clocked experience with it actually - so I know what it feels like. And these contractions? They feel exactly the same.

So I'm not quite 39 weeks yet, I will be tomorrow, but I wanted to get a jump on the blog post since I'm trying to knock as many things as I can off the to-do list. Which is a mile long. And gives me anxiety every time I look at it.

In the last couple of days I've been having a LOT of trouble sleeping properly due to a new symptom, and that's excruciating pain in my ribs. Basically I lie on my side for about 4 minutes and suddenly it feels like my ribs are breaking, so I flip over like an overcooked pancake. And then 4 minutes later the same thing happens on the other side. Repeat. This basically describes every night I've had this week. All night long. Not to mention the stress I have over things not yet done, which keeps my mind awake when my body is cooperating. It's definitely been a struggle, functioning on so little sleep. And planning a 2-year-old's birthday party at the same time.

And I'm a party perfectionist. So, I tend to go a little... over the top? I guess I just wanted Oliver's last big celebration as our only one to be absolutely perfect. I wanted it to be just the greatest most fun amazing day ever for him. Is that such a crime...?

There'll be a blog post coming your way soon recapping the whole event, and you can be the judge of whether or not I went too far. Especially since he's only 2 (officially on Thursday) and probably won't remember anything about this party aside from the photos.

Back to pregnancy, this baby boy kicks like there's no tomorrow, and often it hurts tremendously. Especially the kicks to the ribs or the "heart" as I've been calling it, because it really does feel like he's getting me right in the heart. I know he isn't, but seriously ouch.

All of my doctors appointments have been flawless so far. Baby's heart rate is perfect, my blood pressure is perfect, all blood tests come back amazingly, and my total weight gain so far? 14 pounds and holding. Feels good, I've gotta say. My butt? It's completely fallen off. Like, I'm worried I may stumble over it while cleaning the house because it is no longer where I left it. I've been telling people that baby has eaten it. Seriously, I don't know what's happened. I guess because so much weight is being prioritized to my abdomen, it had to come from somewhere. And that place, my friends, is my derriere. I'm not complaining. My husband is, however...

I've discovered a GIGANTIC stretch mark just below my c-section scar. And when I say giant, I mean like 2 centimeters wide. I didn't even know they could be that wide. It's the strangest thing, it looks super weird. I don't really care, I never ever see that part of myself. Ever. And the only way anybody ever would is if they were seriously violating my privacy. So I'm not too worried about it. Still, a strange little occurrence. Especially since I haven't discovered any other new stretch marks (that I recognize, anyway.)

We've installed the newborn car seat in the car, and it looks ridiculous in the back seat, especially with Oliver's big-boy car seat sitting there. There's no way we will ever fit anything else in the back seat again. Plus it also means we have to have both of our front seats pushed almost all the way forward just to fit them in. We drive a Neon (or a Dodge SX 2.0, I believe that's what they're called now) and it is, to put it kindly, petite. Great on gas, but not the best when it comes to interior space. So, it's a little snuggly in there right now. Maybe it'll bring my family closer together?

Otherwise I have nothing to report! Now that the birthday party has been accomplished it's time to just finalize a few things, and try to relax until baby arrives! Which is going to be extremely soon, I should add. And I'm not nervous in the least.

People keep asking me if I'm nervous. They give me that scrunched up nose face, and say "Ya scared?" with a little nod. And I honestly tell them every time that I'm not even remotely. Should I be? Would a normal person be? I guess I'm just excited about baby arriving, and I've put so much faith in God on this matter that I'm not worried in the least! I have this overwhelming feeling of calm that the entire experience is going to be nothing short of amazing, and I'm trying to keep that attitude going, despite some of the negativity or fear I see in others.

I'm going to meet my little boy! What could be better than that?

Oh, and because I promised it, here's a little compilation of almost all of my maternity photos thus far.

And no. Baby still hasn't dropped. My babies don't "drop." Go figure.