36 Weeks

How far along? 36 weeks. Baby is packing on weight, at the rate of about an ounce a day. He's also shedding the waxy substance that covers his body, getting ready for all those first newborn snuggles. Can't. Wait. 

Total weight gain: 22 lbs.

Maternity Clothes:Feeling large and in charge and most comfortable at home in some leggings and sweatshirts. 

Stretch Marks: Nope.

Sleep: Not super tired, but I can sleep if I make myself stop nesting projects and go to bed. A lot of bathroom trips, and if I wake up, it's sometimes hard to go back to sleep. I've been catching up on lots of I Love Lucy reruns (4-7 a.m.) or Golden Girls if it's earlier in the morning. 

Best Moment this Week:  Dinner with Matt's parents to discuss plans for baby's arrival. Things are starting to get real, but at the same time, my mind cannot comprehend we will be loading the car and heading to the hospital in a matter of weeks.We also had Matt's work shower and were so excited to receive such sweet and thoughtful gifts. We are loaded and ready (as best one can be) for baby boy's arrival! 

Miss anything? Beer. It doesn't help MS has made some sort of campaign to try every craft beer in Birmingham. Sigh. 

Movement: Yes. I've been instructed to keep a closer eye on it, and some days he makes me a little nervous, but for the most part, he's pretty consistent and graceful, I might add. 

Food Cravings:  Hello, conversation hearts. Glad you've made your way to the point of purchase section of my local grocer. I heart you. 

Anything making you queasy or sick:  Too much ice cream at night makes me queasy. I battle through. It's a serious problem, but one can't dial back the Blue Bell Cookies n' Cream. I'll argue with anyone they make the best.

Exercise: Still doing what I can. Losing a little motivation, but I'm oh so close.

Gender: Boy!!

Labor signs: None whatsoever. Keep cooking.

Symptoms: Stomach has gotten really heavy, so I've had to slow way down. This is hard for someone with a new vacuum cleaner to play with and a dog that sheds constantly. 

Most looking forward to: His birthday!

35 Weeks

A little sneak peak of the nursery!

How far along? 35 weeks. Measuring length this week, and he's as long as a head of romaine. I don't think I realize how large I am until I see these pictures...

Total weight gain: 22 lbs.

Maternity Clothes: Is it even necessary to answer this anymore? But I have reached the stage where I've started to think about what I will wear post-baby. It feels like a whole new world!

Stretch Marks: Still winning the battle.

Sleep: Sleeping pretty well. Trying to follow everyone's advice of getting sleep now while I can. I've become best friends with the Snoogle. 

Best Moment this Week: Baby shower! I have such sweet friends that made his shower so pretty and special. Post to come. He is set up with everything he needs and we are just about as ready as one can be when your world is about to get turned upside down. 

Miss anything? Nope. 

Movement: He likes to roll and get those feet up in my ribs.

Food Cravings:  Eaten a lot of cookies and cream ice cream this week. Blue Bell is the taste winner, in case you were wondering. 

Anything making you queasy or sick:  Eating too much. 

Exercise:  I've about reached the point where running is getting uncomfortable. I think I'm going to experiment with adding in some more walking, since I'm so close to the finish line. 

Gender: Boy!

Labor signs: Had my first check this week. No reason to think he'll come early. Good thing. Mama needs her roots done first.  

Symptoms: A little more achy some days, but still feeling good! 

Most looking forward to: The nursery is done, the freezer is almost stocked. Just a few more things to check off my list and we'll just be tapping our fingers. 

34 Weeks

An unflattering picture is better than no picture at all. That's my motto. New Year's Eve 2013.

How far along? 34 weeks. Baby is the size of a cantaloupe!I believe it. He's a heavy little thing. 

Total weight gain: 19 lbs.

Maternity Clothes: When I'm not rocking Matt's oversize sweatshirts and t-shirts, as seen above.

Stretch Marks: Still winning the battle.

Sleep: Sleeping really well still. If this keeps up, I'll consider myself lucky. For a few more weeks.

Best Moment this Week: Spending NYE in with pizza and some good friends. 

Miss anything? Vacuuming without needing to sit down and catch my breath afterwards. 

Movement: Lots of rolls.Lots of body parts. It freaked me out a lot at first, but now it's kind of fun.

Food Cravings:  I really hoped this area would be more exciting, but I just like food. It's going to be hard to get back in line after February - I've been much more lax with my calories and sweet intake. All for a good cause.

Anything making you queasy or sick:  Eating too much. Prenatal vitamins. Haven't quit either.

Exercise:  Still going strong. Really trying to stay motivated, and it's hard.

Gender: Boy!

Labor signs: Nothing yet.

Symptoms: Just getting tired/achy easier than usual. But overall, I cannot complain one bit.

Most looking forward to: Baby shower! This Type A is ready to get everything organized.

33 Weeks

Shamefully no picture again. Sad trombone. 

How far along? 33 weeks. Baby is losing his wrinkly appearance and gaining fat. From here on out, he's just putting on the pounds. What a job.

Total weight gain: 19 lbs.

Maternity Clothes: It's how I roll.

Stretch Marks: Still winning the battle.

Sleep: Vacation has meant staying up later (read: past 9 p.m.) and sleeping later (7 a.m.) 

Best Moment this Week: Having all day to do as I please. I finished the letters for his wall this week and even got a freezer meal made. 

Miss anything? Vacuuming without needing to sit down and catch my breath afterwards. 

Movement: Lots of rolls. I think he's graceful.

Food Cravings:  I really hoped this area would be more exciting, but I just like food. 

Anything making you queasy or sick:  Eating too much. Hasn't slowed me down.

Exercise:  Still at it. Even had some warm days this week where I got to wog in shorts and a t-shirt. Got to love the Alabama winters. 

Gender: Boy!

Labor signs: Nothing yet.

Symptoms: Just getting tired/achy easier than usual. But overall, I cannot complain one bit.

Most looking forward to: Finishing the nursery and our baby shower. 

Over Christmas Hiatus

I had very good intentions of blogging over Christmas vacation. You know what they say about good intentions.

Hanging out with this guy won over. He has relaxing down to a science, and I was happy to be his student. Only a few pouts when USPS/FedEx/UPS over promised and under delivered on his Christmas presents. You know what they say about promising and delivering.

Ironically, (most) of my presents came on time. One of my favorite: a next best thing to gel nail polish. More to come on that. The nail polish is good, but no one promised I can paint nails better than a 5 year old. Maybe a skill I will work on in the new year. With all my free time.

A sweet friend sent these, and Oh. My. Gosh. If I wasn't jealous of everyone that lived close to a Trader Joe's, I am now. They were a huge hit at our house.

We didn't let the season go by without our annual Christmas Eve Eve Chinese food and Christmas Vacation tradition. Up to bat this year: Sesame Chicken with stir fry veggies and brown rice. Topped off with eggnog and chocolate chocolate chip cookies (more on those later as well).

I had a nice view from the couch.

Just the next night we managed to find the Griswolds in our town. My camera couldn't even capture it all. I should have employed the panoramic feature, but I was too in awe, and curious as to their power bill.

Christmas morning brought gifts for everyone. Except Namath. It really was so sad. Thankfully, the grandparents came to the rescue with his very own deer antler. Yes, we live in Alabama.

I bought some more nail polish.

Namath got a closer look at the Pioneer Woman's dogs. He was not a fan. Clearly he hasn't had her cinnamon rolls.

We joined Prime and haven't looked back. I made good use of my one month free and shipped as much stuff as I could. Anything you order off Prime I'm not thinking about?

32 Weeks

How far along? 32 weeks. Baby boy is the size of a jicama. What, you don't know what that is? Me either. He has fingernails, toenails and some peach fuzz for hair. I can't wait to see what color that fuzz is:) I was jet black when I was born and MS was blonde. 

Total weight gain: Around 17 lbs. 

Maternity Clothes: Yep. Leggings are the best, with a long sweater and a scarf. I have a feeling this will continue past February. 

Stretch Marks: Not yet.

Sleep: Sleeping well and looking forward to some time off where I can enjoy sleeping in, afternoon naps and staying up later than 9 if my little heart desires. 

Best Moment this Week: Getting dressed up for Christmas parties with my baby Daddy. 

Miss anything? I was a little sad to miss out on the holiday cocktails. Although I did have to have just a little sip of Martha Stewart's eggnog. 

Movement: Rolls and the alien movements - I can feel distinct body parts. I think MS got freaked out when he could feel the head straight on. 

Food Cravings:  I like it all. The Publix Premium White Christmas ice cream has won a special place in my heart though. Coffee flavored ice cream with espresso chocolate chips? Yes, please. 

Anything making you queasy or sick:  Food is hit or miss these days, but nothing too bad.

Exercise:  Still at it. I'm really hoping the consistency pays off during and after delivery. It's getting harder and harder to get out in the cold, but it really does make me feel better and sleep better.

Gender: Boy!

Labor signs: Nothing yet. Have a few weeks before we'll even start checking at weekly appointments. I'ts amazing how the time has flown.

Symptoms: Things like cleaning and vacuuming wear me out pretty fast. The belly and lower back get really tight. Does this mean I can hire a maid? Please advise.

Most looking forward to: Christmas!

31 Weeks

I'm so ashamed. I don't have a picture. 

How far along? 31 weeks. Baby is a little over 3 pounds and starting to plump up. Yay! The eggnog will help.

Total weight gain: Between 16-17 pounds, depending on the day. 

Maternity Clothes: All maternity, all the time.

Stretch Marks: Not yet.

Sleep: Sleeping well and loving an afternoon nap (on the weekends, of course)

Best Moment this Week: Enjoying kicking off our last Christmas season as a family of 2. 

Miss anything? Nothing new worth noting.

Movement: Most active at night and early in the mornings. Fun times ahead! He is very graceful - lots of smooth rolls rather than kicks. 

Food Cravings:  Nothing crazy. Enjoying this last little bit of indulging myself without too much guilt.

Anything making you queasy or sick:  Food is hit or miss these days, but nothing too bad.

Exercise:  About half and half between kickboxing/weight lifting and running/walking. 

Gender: Boy! We even committed to a name. It's getting real.

Labor signs: Just now learning what they are, for when we get a little bit closer. 

Symptoms: A little more tired than usual, but nothing my 9 p.m. bedtime can't cure.

Most looking forward to: Finishing the nursery.I'm not sure the crib will ever arrive.