WW: Evolution of the Bump v2.0

WW: Maternity Pictures

Photo Credit: Katie's Contemplations

The Part of Pregnancy That I Like To Refer to As "The Ticking Time Bomb Phase"

That's how I described it when I was at this point in my pregnancy with Braden too. 37 weeks. Fully cooked. Full term. At this point with Braden I would give birth to him exactly 25 days later...but a pregnant mama just never knows when it's going to happen, hence the "ticking time bomb" terminology. You pray with all your might that you'll make it to the magical 37th week that is deemed full term, though many many many babies are delivered healthy before that mark, of course...but as soon as you, or me anyway, hit 37 weeks...it feels like GO TIME! It feels like the light went from red to green and that I've got the proverbial thumbs up to go on ahead anytime and have this baby.

The tennis ball for labor - last time it felt good to have pressure on my lower back...or I can throw it in frustration? Diaper bag & Boppy packed!

In all honesty? I'm not ready. I really want these next few weeks to enjoy our last moments being a family of 3, Braden being our one and only, organizing, cleaning, packing, and re-packing. Now that our downstairs bedroom is done - WOOHOO! - I can finalize what little I had to do in the nursery. The cradle is finished, the gender neutral owl blanket I bought even before Squishy was conceived is waiting to be snuggled in. A handful of Braden & Abby's newborn clothes are washed and ready to be worn. An owl hat and a bear hat are ready to be worn if Squishy is a girl or a boy respectively. The diaper bag & cloth diaper bags are packed. The extra small, newborn cloth diapers are all washed and put away. My hospital bag, minus last minute toiletries is packed....but I'm not ready.


I know most girls at this time in their pregnancies, some earlier, some later too...are DONE. Me? I'm not. It's such a blessing to be pregnant and I don't want to take even 1 day for granted. I've always felt this way, but seeing friends have preemies and NICU babies...I'd happily go overdue any time vs. being too early. Last time I didn't want to be overdue because I had an intense fear of having to be induced. This time? I know my body can do it on it's own, and I'm just going to put my trust in God that it will know again. Plus? This might be the last time I'm ever pregnant...and that kinda makes me sad. We just don't know for sure if one day we'll have 3, so I'm truly trying to cherish every thing about being pregnant.

The little kicks, flips, and rolls that I feel from Squishy on the inside.
The way that my bump looks.
The positive attention and excitement that I get from people around me.
Truly not feeling guilty ANYMORE about eating anything and everything.

BUT, there is a reason why we're pregnant for "only" 9 months. It can't last, nor do I want it to, forever. I'm very excited to meet Squishy and FINALLY know if he is a he or she is a she. I'm excited to see Braden transition into the role of Big Brother and us transform into a family of four. I can't wait to see Abby's reaction to a tiny, newborn baby, and to light up my Grandma's eyes when she meets Squishy for the first time.

My weekly appointments are on Wednesdays, so my almost 37 week appointment went like this:

• BP 109/70
• HR 68
• Total weight gain 37 lbs
• FHR 136
• Measuring 35 cm
• Baby head down

Baby had a BIG growth spurt since my last appointment 2 weeks ago! Praise God for growth and calming my nerves. If you remember from my 35 week pregnancy update, I was a tad on edge because baby was measuring 4 cm behind - 31 cm at almost 35 weeks. Well, in 2 weeks baby grew "4 cm"! I only gained 1 lb in the last 2 weeks and I wouldn't be surprised if most of it went to baby!

Top: 34 weeks, 37 weeks
Bottom: 35 weeks, 37 weeks

I feel like Squishy is dropping now, definitely more pressure and just looks and feels lower. My belly really "popped" in the last couple of days...more so literally yesterday! I just cannot believe I'm full term. The first 2 trimesters went by at a nice pace...but this third has just ZOOMED by. Explain that to me!

The little mister has been extra snuggly, especially on nap days. I'm not complaining...not one bit!

36 Weeks Pregnant

Okay. It's like REALLY sinking in just how close this all is getting. Just 3 days ago we began the official "month to go"countdown and now we're in the "less than a month" category. 4 weeks as of today! You know? I've been getting a lot of "oh I bet you're ready to be done, aren't you?" comments lately. Probably now more than ever. And you know what? I'm not really itching for this pregnancy to be done. I'm very happy with the pace of the pregnancy, which is good...because I can't make it slow down or go faster anyway! I'm not ridiculously uncomfortable and aching to get this baby out, I'm just really trying to savor all the pregnant moments because this might be my last. Which makes me sad, but I'm being realistic because we both just don't know. There's no way for us to know until we're "there", we've decided.

Here's some more pregnancy updates and happenings lately:

• Still not feeling big, but baby is growing so it's all good
• Weekly appointments start this Wednesday and I have the rest booked!
• The girls are growing again...getting ready I suppose
• No swelling, but I didn't swell last time at all
• Hips/pelvis very achy by the end of the day. Actually, when I settle into bed at night it REALLY hurts at first but then things adjust and it's okay.
• Sometimes I sleep through the night, which is a miracle in itself, but I'm usually up once at about 3 to pee - benefit of a long torso and smaller baby I guess!
• No linea nigra, which really surprises me! Did you get one in your pregnancy(ies)? I'd had a light one for weeks by this time with Braden (link below!)
• My belly is CRAZY itchy. I can hardly stand to have any material touching it, at night I let it "air out"...lucky Jay! Baby must be growing and skin stretching
• I'm getting really excited for Braden to be a big brother. All the guilt and worries of the past...are a thing of the past!
• Haven't felt anymore pressure down there....yet. Baby hasn't dropped yet, or I sure haven't felt it
• I get a day out to myself today with my friend Lisa and then it's a date night with friends for me and Jay - yay!
• It's Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada and I totally forgot until last week when my mother-in-law asked us what our plans were. But I'm very glad I get to see my family one more time before baby.

And because I know I'll regret it if I don't do it...some bare belly pics again this week! Also if you would like to see what I looked like with Braden at 36 weeks, go on and take a look! I think I was more "out there" with my belly and that I look heavier this time...because I am...with a smaller belly!

Until then, I'm enjoying all the kicks, rolls, and body parts jabbing out of my belly. But there is one thing that I just don't enjoy anymore, allow me to present you with another edition of Pregnant Problems, especially now that Melissa isn't pregnant anymore!

Giveaway: Séraphine Maternity $100 Gift Card! CLOSED

Remember when I did my review for that gorgeous dress I won from Séraphine Maternity? Well, now it's my turn to give back to you. The lovely people at Séraphine sent me this amazing nursing shawl in grey...and they want to offer one of my readers a $100 gift card to their store! Here is some information on the shawl from the website:

Swathe yourself in sumptuous style with Séraphine's genius scarf meets breastfeeding wrap. A maternity must-have, the super soft bamboo viscose blend, drapes beautifully over the shoulders when poppered closed and worn as a breastfeeding shawl. Feed in stylish discretion with the generously cut shawl enabling you and baby to be fully covered in the most luxurious knit. This multi-functioning style can be wrapped around and worn as a super cosy scarf for post-breastfeeding chic or used to swaddle your baby in luxury. The endless possibilities makes this investment one which your wardrobe and lifestyle wont want to be without.

35 weeks pregnant in my nursing shawl!

Super soft bamboo? SOLD! It is ridiculously soft and luxurious and I love this for my pregnancy in late fall and for my early winter baby! I will say though, it was quite warm so I'd either wear a lighter or short sleeve shirt underneath, or save it for the chillier days. It can also be worn, as you can see, when you're pregnant as a shawl or a scarf. Seraphine has lots of options for other nursing clothes and I have always coveted this nursing sweater! I loved how this shawl fell over my body's new curves naturally, I did not feel frumpy at all...and it was a bit breezy so I felt like I was wearing a Super Mom cape!

Win! Now is your chance to win something fabulous from Séraphine Maternity! They are offering a $100 gift card to their online store and the best part? It's open worldwide!

Buy! Treat yourself or your favorite pregnant lady to something from the shop! (Plus, you get 25 extra entries!)

How to Enter! The first two entries are mandatory - please visit Séraphine Maternity and leave a comment telling me what you'd spend your winnings on & like their page on Facebook! This is a Rafflecopter giveaway so once you have done those first two entries, you unlock the rest and are eligible for a lot more entries, even daily! If you do not see the widget below, please click the "Read More" link to enter!

I can't officially give you extra entries, but would love if you could also vote for us while you're here!

Pregnancy...She Ain't So Glamorous + 35 Weeks

Since the movie What To Expect When You're Expecting came out on DVD a couple of weeks ago, I've already watched it twice. The first time I watched it, I'm glad I watched it alone because there were a few scenes that rendered me bawling like a pregnant, hormonal mess...while other scenes had me laughing so hard I almost peed myself....like a pregnant, hormonal mess!

One of the scenes, which I desperately tried to find the full movie quote and/or video clip to no avail, that is the best ever was Elizabeth Banks' character Wendy's speech on pregnancy.

[source]

"I just wanted the glow. The one that they promise you on the cover of those magazines. Well, I'm calling it - pregnancy sucks. Making a human being is really hard. I have no control over my body or my emotions. Gar-bear, I'm sorry, all I want to do is punch you in the face..." -- Wendy

I really wish I could find the rest of the speech for you because [I apologize in advance to the men & my grandma who reads this!] there is a part about so much pressure "down there" that it feels like I got kicked in the vag - it's the only way I can describe it! I can attest. TMI? Probably, but it's pregnancy and it's true.

In all honesty, I love being pregnant. I really, really do. I had an amazing, fairly uneventful pregnancy with Braden, worked (not a lot), but worked until 10 days before my due date, felt truly great for the most part. This time? It's different. I haven't felt like I had "the glow" either. I think this is why, in the beginning, I was absolutely convinced that this is a girl. They say baby girls suck all the beauty out of their mothers...and that's exactly what I felt like. My skin was (and still does occasionally) breaking out, I feel like I puffed out in the face a bit faster, my hair was not thick and luscious, and I just felt BLAH.

The character Wendy in the movie battled to get pregnant for 2 years, so she wanted to enjoy the glow of pregnancy and cherish the precious miracle...but soon realizes that "pregnancy sucks". This time, I gotta side a bit more with her! My hips and pelvis are achy and feel so unstable and they have for weeks. I get the pressure, I've got some varicose veins, sciatic nerve pain rendering me near helpless - so glamorous! BUT, after a few attempts at asking my sweet husband if he would carry the baby for the last 5 weeks...he responded the other night with "thank you for carrying our baby." Best.line.ever!

But in the end...it's oh so worth it and that's the part that I'm truly looking forward to!

So, in other news...I'm 35 weeks today! That really cool milestone of 35 weeks down and 35 days to go!

I had an appointment on Wednesday and....

• FHR 140
• BP 116/66
• HR 68
• Measuring 31 cm, so 4 cm small
• Total weight gain 35 lbs
• Baby head down still!

For the first time really ever in this pregnancy, before my chiropractor appointment I really started to get anxious about what my belly would measure. With Braden I measured small, always. 1-2 cm smaller. With this one I've been 2 to now 4 cm smaller. Why was I a bit anxious? Well baby has a 2 vessel cord and while my extra ultrasound at 23 weeks was great...one of the "side effects" of a 2 vessel cord can be slow growth.

My logical brain knows.... There is nothing we can do to make baby grow more, no sense worrying, put it in His hands.
My mommy brain thinks... Why am I measuring so small? WHY!?

I'm honestly not worried that something is wrong with my baby. For some reason, if you can understand, it just bothers me. Also, a couple of months ago I truly came to a peaceful place about my pregnancy weight gain and decided not to focus on the scale and worry about every pound I gained or everything that went into my mouth. I have enjoyed some lots of chocolates and ice cream and have not felt guilty about it. And then I gained over 5lbs in between my last appointments...which were 16 days apart. Sigh. Here we go again? Worry and obsessing over the scale? NO. I refuse. Don't do it, Sarah...who cares?


So what if it feels like all the weight I'm gaining is going to my ass and not to my baby!? Haha, sorry to be harsh, but it's truly how I feel. People have been commenting lately on how "tiny" I am...I can only assume that they are talking about my bump, and that's fine..I think it is. I don't think I look 35 lbs heavier, but trust me...I feel it in my bum! That's where all my pregnancy weight goes, and that's okay. I hope that Squishy can suck it all off like Braden did and I'll be back in my skinny jeans in no time. (But who am I kidding, I will continue to live in my Momiform of yoga pants!)

Also here is my 35 week post from last time...I find it utterly ridiculous that it begins with a "Pregnant and Loving It" icon! HA!

Fear of the Known

Did you belly ever go lopsided like this!?

Don't worry, you read that right. It's not fear of the "unknown", it's fear of the known. Well, a lot of it is known from my first and only experience, but of course most of it still is unknown. What am I talking about? Labor and delivery. I know I have 7 or so weeks to go, but believe me, it's been in the forefront of my brain pretty much ever since I gave birth to Braden. Yup. My labor with him (read below) was pretty fast so I've always thought...what will happen with my subsequent children!? Not to brag, but I think this body was made to have babies. I don't know if it's my height (6'1"), my body structure, my pelvic cavity, just the way I'm built...but whatever it is I think I'm built for growing babies and birthing them! I think back in "the day" I could easily pop out multiple children like they all did. Or, in modern day, I'd make a darn good, albeit tall, Hutterite!

Let me just give you the shortened version of Braden's birth story and why I am a little concerned for what this labor and delivery might be like:

• 3 days overdue
• 2PM pregnancy massage
• 5PM Chinese food supper
• 5:30PM irregular contractions begin  7-12 minutes apart
• 6PM start losing mucous plug
• contractions get a bit closer as the evening goes on, but nothing painful yet
• 11PM try to go to bed
• 11:30 PM call hospital with regular contractions 5 minutes apart lasting about 30 seconds, they say wait until they're 4 minutes apart and come
• 12AM decide to have a shower and head to hospital
• 2AM arrive at hospital admitted and I'm 3 cm & 50% effaced - I mark this as the start of my official labor as contractions were regular at 4 mins and getting uncomfortable/painful
• 5:30AM labor continues, nurse checks me and I'm 8 cm
• 6AM doctor comes in to break my water and says I'll have the baby within 2 hours
• 20 minutes of pushing....
• 7:59AM Braden is born
• no tears, no problems! (Note: that's as in delivery "down there" tears...not tears from your eyes...there were plenty of happy tears!)

So if you can do simple math, that's just a minute shy of a 6 hour active labor...for my first! If what "they" say is true and your subsequent children are born faster, I fear of making it to the hospital on time! We live 45 minutes away, so this time I think I'll be heading to the hospital as soon as I know I'm having regular contractions and am in labor. I never had false labor with Braden, once the irregular contractions started, they never fizzled out and just became regular and turned into labor!

I think my body is already telling me this might be fast. My hips/pelvis started to spread weeks ago, and I can't imagine what it's going to feel like when this baby actually drops! Braden was a nice 7 lbs 11 oz and I didn't tear at all (by the grace of God, clearly...I don't know how that's physically possible!) and I'm thinking this baby will be about the same size, maybe a tad smaller even? Plus, my body has done this already. It knows, it remembers.

Mind you, I have read many a birth story that the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc. labor and delivery was the longest lasting over 18 hours, etc! So only God knows. I do trust Him that he will take care of us and ensure our health & safety...it's all I can do. This gives me peace...at least to some degree! Plus, then there's remembering the pain of it all. I did it natural and med-free, so that's obviously my goal again. It wasn't easy, but it was doable.

And then I realized this today:

I'm not panicking about the arrival of the baby, moreso that NOTHING is ready and it's NOT my fault. Type A. Mild OCD...that's me! The nursery would be done. The itty bitty newborn clothes would be washed, as well as the itty bitty cloth diapers...but I have nowhere to put it. You can read why here. BUT my carpenter did come yesterday and is supposed to actually start the WORK tomorrow. Pray for us!

And here's a little update on the bebe, we hadn't had an appointment for 5 weeks, I got pushed back...oh well! We had the appointment on Monday:

• My BP 96/64 - normal for me and so thankful it's not high!
• My heartrate 68, totally forgot to ask what Squishy's was...but it was there, that's all that matters
• Measuring 29 cm, so about 3 weeks behind. Was always 1-2 weeks behind with Braden too.
• Squishy is HEAD DOWN! Heck yes! So happy about this, I was almost certain s/he was transverse!

I also saw the chiropractor and I REALLY needed it, 5 weeks was way too long in between appointments. Discussed with him about bringing Squishy in upon discharge from the hospital, if born during the week, and he was happy to be able to squeeze us in if it works out that way. We took Braden at 2 weeks and 6 weeks and it did WONDERS for him.

Appointments go to every 2 weeks now! Also, how adorable is Braden? We love our Dr. Maseka - he is so wonderful with kids, Braden wanted to have his tummy checked too and said "fank you, Dr. 'seka!" when he was all done! ::heart melted::

I'm 33 weeks tomorrow! The odd weeks never seem as celebratory as the even weeks...just me!? Anyways, we're off to a wedding for a couple of nights so unless I get a post scheduled for the weekend, it'll be a bit quiet around these parts. Have a wonderful weekend!

32 Weeks

Ok, it's starting to feel real. Like it's all really happening. We're 1 week+ into the single digit week countdown. As I've said to my SIL's Laura & Jess many times this pregnancy, it's almost like people don't take you "seriously" until you're 30+ weeks. "How pregnant are you?" "I'm 24 weeks!" "Oooooh. So a long ways to go then, hey?" I used to get that a lot, maybe it's just me. But when I've found when you say 30+ weeks...they get more excited as there's ~10 weeks until baby comes, and you're "really" pregnant. I also have a feeling that if I was still working, I miiiiight start getting some sympathy from my colleagues and patients, but just maybe! ;)

When I go get my maternity pictures done, I will also be picking up my car seat from Ben and Jess. How is Abigail almost 5 months old? She was just born yesterday, I swear! This will be my last trip up to see my family before the baby is born, unless Jay wants to/is able to come with me sometime in October, depending on harvest. I would be too scared to travel by myself in case anything should happen!

Generally, I'm actually starting to feel better. I'm so tired at night...I fall asleep right away. 10:30-11PM until 5AM I'm out, get up for a pee break and then I go back to sleep until Braden gets up around 7:30ish. It's working really good and I feel rested in the mornings.

I want everything ready to go for 35 weeks. If for some reason this baby comes early (which I'm praying does not happen) then a 35 weeker or more has a very good chance of being discharged from the hospital home. I emailed my carpenter again, and he says he'll be here dropping things off this afternoon...so hopefully he gets started soon. He assures me once he does get started, he will be fast...please pray for us! Type A Mommy wants to ORGANIZE! I did politely remind him that the countdown is now 8 weeks. Yup, you heard it here first...8 weeks!

Decided to whip out the belly. I'm very surprised on one hand that I didn't get stretch marks (?yet?), though I didn't last time. When I was 18 weeks I swear I could see the beginnings of them, but so far so good. Man, I actually got quite tanned for me this summer, my belly is WHITE! I think I'm about the same size, maybe even smaller than last time. No linea nigra yet...I think mine came around 34 weeks last time. Also, it took everything in me I forgot to PhotoShop out my back fat/rolls from the side picture. There. I said it and I pointed it out! ;) I hate those back fat/flank rolls! But, it's real, it's life....it's making life!

32 Weeks, Braden

Also? All these pics were taken with my new Canon T3i that I bought at the beginning of this week! Plus I used my tripod and my remote - I'm so excited to learn more. Lighting in this room really sucks...but it is what it is! I'm very excited next week, I have lots of appointments: prenatal, chiropractic, massage (mobile massage - she's coming to my HOUSE!!!), and a hair cut/color before a friend's wedding on the weekend!

Worries of a Mommy-To-Be of Two

I have seen a similar themed post on pretty much every blogger pregnant with baby #2's blog, which makes me feel like what I'm about to write about is totally normal.

I have always known that I wanted more than one child. I just prayed that God would bless us with more children, and praise Him because here we are - almost 30 weeks pregnant with Baby #2. I've never wanted Braden to be a single child, but as we thought about when would be the "perfect" time to expand our family...there is no perfect time.We're at a point with Braden right now where there's no more diapers, he's more independent, he sleeps wonderfully and so do we, and life is pretty darn easy and a whole lotta fun. He's so so so much fun and we're loving this age...but in a couple of months we'll be starting all over again with a brand new baby. Don't get me wrong! We know what we signed up for and we're very happy about it...but it's just like with any major milestone in life, it never seems like there's a perfect time to take that leap of faith and change your life forever.

So what are some of my worries?

• Guilt. Mega, mega guilt. What will Braden think when my attention almost fully goes to his brand new baby sister/brother? It's not all about him anymore.
• Love. I know I will love Squishy. I already do, just how I loved Braden when I was pregnant with him. But how much love can my heart hold? The love I have for Braden as his mother...I can't even describe it - but I know you mommies out there know exactly what I'm talking about. How do you possibly love another baby as much as you love your first!? I know it's possible! I see it all the time with my family & friends, but before it actually happens to me...I just can't picture it all.
• Time. How will I manage? I want to still do stuff with just Braden...but breastfeeding a new baby - how? I know that one day I'll be able to pump and Jay or whomever can give bottles...but certainly not in the beginning. We have this family of 3 thing NAILED! It's just so easy, so I know it will take time to adjust to being a family of 4.
• Work. How will I go back to work? I know Jay will learn to be a father of two just as I learn to be a mother of two...but just taking care of one is so easy...how about two!? It will come, this I know...but it just seems so complicated to me right now.
• Comparisons. Baby Squishy has some big "shoes" to fill. I will love this babe no matter if s/he is the most colicky baby on the face of the earth (PLEASE don't be!! haha)...but Baby Braden was phenomenal. He had his sleep regression, like most babies, but other than that he was and still is to this day such an amazing baby/toddler. How can I not compare my two babies?!...but at the same time I don't want to set "expectations" on a newborn...because really it's just silly and there's nothing you can do about it! But even still I can't help but wonder that because Braden was such a good baby...does that mean I'll "pay" for it this time?

I know these feelings are normal, and I'm actually, truly excited to be having another child and to make Braden a big brother. I know he'll love his baby sister/brother - I just know it. It's the kind of person that he is. But I'm just so in my comfort zone right now and change can be so scary. I'm not having anxiety attacks about this...it's not something that has me in a constant state of worry...but it's just things that have popped up in my brain from time to time.

My new friend & sponsor Myndee at Fresh GraNOLA blog wrote this post on how she felt before she had her 2nd baby...and it has made me feel so much better. What are your experiences with having subsequent children?

In other news, I am 30 weeks pregnant today! 70 or so days to go. If you want to read back, here is my 30 week post from last time. Here's a mini-update for you:

• DONE WORK! In my last 30 week post I still had 8.5 weeks of work to go. I cannot imagine this time! CANNOT! Call me a princess, call me whatever you want, but I am blessed to not have to work anymore than past 30 weeks and I'm taking it. I don't know how my colleagues work full-time 12 hour day/night lines in the 3rd trimester with other children at home, you're heroines!
• Sleep is juuuuuuust starting to get uncomfortable, definitely feels better to sleep with a pillow between my legs now to help with hip pain...and it feels like I have to "heave ho" to turn over with the belly now!
• I can blame approximately 3 lbs of my pregnancy weight on the baby now!
• Actually still feeling really good - I can still bend over Braden to put on his shoes! (Jay can't even do this without a 30 week belly! haha!)
• My next appointment is the beginning of September and then I go to every 2 week appointments already! Unless it's raining I think Braden will have to come with me to my appointments, but that's okay.
• Varicose veins. Gross. How unsightly. Sigh. I only got a few spider veins on my lateral left knee last time...this time I have one big varicose vein, but luckily it's well hidden...and plenty more spider veins to add to the collection.
• I still get nauseous if I don't eat
• I have had no desire to exercise...at all. Probably a lot due to the extreme heat we've had this summer, but in all honesty - who cares? Really... I'm just trying to enjoy this and relax if I can. My daily housework is a workout in itself anyway!

And I leave you with another funny!