Early Labor

We had a very eventful yet uneventful weekend all at the same time! 

It all started Friday. I woke up feeling fine and normal and unswollen. I went to school, was fine, and about 8:30ish I noticed my rings were incredibly tight all of the sudden. My hands had swollen up out of no where and next thing I knew I was extremely light headed and could not focus. I headed straight to the nurse's office to have her check my blood pressure. She said it was in a good range but she was not sure how it was compared to where it normally is for me (when I later called the dr they said it was higher than I normally run but still fine). I continued to feel light headed and luckily the principal was wonderful and came to my room and told me to go home for a free day. My long term sub was already at the school so they pulled him to my room and wanted me to go rest without docking me a day. 

Things from there were a bit of a blur, but Mrs. Chambers got my mom to drive me home while Mrs. Herrera got me peanut butter, a coke, and candy because by this point everyone had decided my sugar or iron had dropped. Teachers are wonderful support during times like this but can be a bit much. :) I appreciated all of the concern but at one point had 10 people in my room all checking on me and making suggestions while I was alternating between trying not to pass out and trying not to throw up and in a pretty confused/overwhelmed state. 

Mom and I headed out and surpassed my house to head toward the hospital until we heard back from my doctor. By this point, I was having on and off back pain that my mom assumed was back labor, as she had it strongly with me. The nurse finally called and said for me to go home and rest on my left side and call if anything else happened and went back over the reasons to come in. So home we went. Mom cleaned the kitchen while I laid down. We assumed at this point my labor was starting. Brian got home shortly and by that point I was feeling much better, but still having the back pain. 

That night, we went for a short drive to catch the score of the Booneville game (we beat Dollarway-YAY!) and I started having contractions. My first one was at 7:38 and we timed them but they never got consistent. We had our bags packed and by the door, but finally went to bed that night to try and get some rest...assuming still we would end up in the hospital before the night was over. Much to our surprise and disappointment, we woke up Saturday to nothing. 

Saturday was filled with random contractions as well. We got Macy groomed, Brian stocked the house with groceries, we made some meals to freeze, and we even tried to go for a walk but it was so cold we didn't make it far. Finally that night we were going stir crazy so we went out for hot chocolate and a drive to look at Christmas lights. When we got home, my contractions got a little more intense and longer but still inconsistent. I, again, went to bed thinking we would wake up at some point in the night and head to the hospital. And AGAIN we did not.

Today I felt better so we went out on a day date to Red Lobster for my birthday since I did not feel up for it last night. At this point, not much is happening and I am feeling discouraged. It is still 5 days until my due date, but these contractions keep getting my hopes up then nothing comes of them. That is beyond frustrating to me. At this point, we are just trying to kill some time and keep our minds occupied because all I can think about is having this baby! I wake up every morning thinking it will be TODAY and go to bed every night thinking it will be TONIGHT! Only for 2 nights now but that is more than enough to truly believe it is happening only to have nothing happen. I know he will come eventually and I have been patient thus far, but once you think it is starting to happen it is hard to think about anything else. So here's to the waiting game! 
COME OUT CADE!!

38 Weeks

1st snow of the year...we had about 4 inches when we measured earlier

How Far Along: 38 Weeks 

Size of Baby: 6.8 pounds or a leek

Weight Gain: +32

Maternity Clothes: Mostly maternity except dresses and a few long shirts...Nothing in this picture is maternity

Gender: Boy...Cade Alan

Movement: Yes, I am finally noticing him slowing down a little. That has me wondering if he has finally dropped. Fingers crossed for news at my appointment Tuesday. 

Sleep: Not happening. We are down to 13 nights of being able to sleep so I'm really trying, but I just don't sleep for some reason. And I can't nap either. I'll sleep again some day I guess...or learn to live without it. 

What I Miss: Nothing currently. Trying to enjoy these last 2 weeks of eating for 2 :)

Cravings: Nothing new. 

Best Moment This Week: Getting 2 snow days off with Brian! I love snow days. I have a lot to do at school and didn't really want to miss but I always love these days. We have sat in front of the fire, drank hot chocolate, watched too much tv, and just enjoyed being lazy together. Oh and ate a lot of course. :) And we were lucky enough to not lose our electricity though it has flickered a little. He's trying to talk me into cleaning today so I guess that's our agenda for the day. My nesting MIGHT not be in full swing. Cleaning sounds no fun at all. 

37 Weeks

How Far Along: 37 Weeks, 4 Days

Size of Baby: 6.3 pounds or a swiss chard?? (again no idea what that is)

Weight Gain: +30 

Maternity Clothes: Mostly maternity except dresses and a few long shirts...the shirt in this picture is obviously not maternity, but I wore it under a dress today that I stripped off as soon as I got home

Gender: Boy...Cade Alan

Movement: Yes, lots of flips, rolls, and hiccups. I am supposed to count him 5 times within an hour after each meal at this point and we always get there within 10 minutes. He's quite the little mover.

Sleep: Still totally random. I slept good over break, but now am back to being up most of the night.

What I Miss: Between the holidays and rival week in football, I'm ready for a drink.

And to feel like a person again! Right now everything I eat, breathe, think is BABY. I'm ready to eat, drink, think for myself again. I know he will forever consume my thoughts, but last night I just wasn't hungry. I was tired, slightly sick, and not feeling supper yet I had to eat because he had to eat. I'm ready to just be me again. That being said, I will miss feeling him and have really enjoyed being pregnant for the most part. I am just 9 months pregnant now, not progressing at all, not sleeping at all so I may be getting a bit crabby. At least I can admit it.

Cravings: Ahh mint chocolate chip ice cream! I bought a whole gallon Saturday and it is almost gone...and Brian hasn't even had a bite. I cannot stop thinking about it. 

And on a healthier note, orange juice. I've pretty much craved that the whole time too but have not mentioned it much.

Best Moment This Week: Hmm let's see, the doctor told me he thinks Cade is waiting until it gets warm outside to make his appearance, we went back to school from Thanksgiving break, and nothing is going on around here. There's my crabbiness again. I'm just gonna skip this part today.
But I will add, I am still very thankful for this whole pregnancy and it has been much easier up to this point than I could ever have imagined. I've truly been blessed with an easy pregnancy and I will forever be thankful for that. I am just getting a little impatient and hearing that I am not progressing...and the fact that 2 people I know are being induced and having their babies tomorrow...is not helping things. I am just so ready to meet him. 

17 days and counting!

36 Weeks

Thanksgiving Day

How Far Along: 36 Weeks, 6 Days

Size of Baby: 5.75 pounds or a crenshaw melon (no idea what that is)

Weight Gain: +27 

Maternity Clothes: Mostly maternity except dresses and a few long shirts

Gender: Boy...Cade Alan

Movement: Yes, lots of flips and rolls. Dr. Bell said I can expect the movements to slow down at this point but lately he has been a little wild man! Maybe just because he is getting so big. And I feel the hiccups at least twice a day...usually 3 times. In fact, he has them right now as I am typing. Bless his heart, he probably hates them!

Sleep: Random. Some nights are great, others are terrible.

What I Miss: Nothing! I am just ready for him to be here!

Cravings: Ice cold water and as always ice cream

Best Moment This Week: Thanksgiving of course and NESTING!

As far as Thanksgiving goes, I am thinking I will keep some maternity pants on hand for every Thanksgiving from here on out :)

As for the nesting, I got 10 weeks worth of Math ready at school in 2 days, made 4 weeks worth of folders labeled Monday-Friday to start sorting work, and have completed the majority of my lesson plans through February. I was planning on going up there every Friday and getting things ready for the next week, but my new plan is to get as much done as possible now so I will not have to spend much time there once Cade is here. I will still have to go on Fridays to get my grades in the computer and just check on my sub and my kiddos, but if everything is already in the folders my time there will consist of switching out folders and grabbing my gradebook! Much better than running a week's worth of papers every Friday. Nesting has been helpful!

Oh and I had decided the nesting might stick to school for me, but I finally started nesting at home as well. I was off for break yesterday and managed to get everything BABY out of our extra room, wash any of Cade's remaining laundry (blankets, hand-me down clothes, bath stuff, car seat covers, etc) and put them all away! His room is officially done! With the exception of finding some things to hang on the wall. The hospital bag is packed with what we can do without until then and the car seat is ready to be installed! I almost want to undo some things to feel less prepared so time won't seem to move so slowly! 22 days and counting!!

All we could seem to talk about today is that this will be our last holiday without a baby! We cannot wait for him to be here and know that everything including holidays will be so much better when we have a little one to share them with! We talked about on our drive to Booneville this morning that when we drive there for Christmas there will be a car seat in the back. We talked about him being here as we get ready for Christmas this year and all holidays from now on. We just cannot wait to have him here with us! I really want to make it to close to my due date because the later I go in, the less time I have to leave him with a babysitter before summer, but I would love to fast forward 3 weeks. 

35 Weeks

How Far Along: 35 Weeks, 6 Days

Size of Baby: 5.25 pounds or a honeydew melon

Weight Gain: My scale says +30 but the scale at my doctor's appointment Tuesday said +27 so we will go with that! 

Maternity Clothes: Still mixing, mostly maternity except dresses and a few long shirts

Gender: Boy...Cade Alan

Movement: Yes, mostly just flips and rolls and random body parts sticking through my ribs. 

Sleep: Random. I either sleep 2 hours a night or 10. There is no inbetween.

What I Miss: Nothing really. Trying to enjoy these last 4 weeks of being pregnant...and feeling him move...as well as these last 4 weeks of just me and Brian. The other night we were talking about the fact that we won't live alone together again for over 18 years and that kinda freaked me out a little, but we are so ready for Cade to be here. He is already all we can seem to talk about!

Cravings: Ice cold water and anything chocolate or sweet

Best Moment This Week: Getting his room together! It isn't completely done, but we are making some definite progress. Also painting his dresser together and washing some of his clothes. Never thought I would enjoy laundry, but washing and putting away his clothes was fun for some reason. I guess it made it that much more real that he will be here SOON!

In other news, I only have 18 days of school left before my maternity leave!! That is if I make it until my due date. I had been kinda sad because I will miss my kids, but after today I am beyond READY! They were wild, I'm tired, things are getting more and more difficult, and my patience is running thin. Bless their hearts! I am in need of a break! I am hoping the short Thanksgiving break will give me a 2nd wind so we can enjoy our last 3 weeks together before I am gone for 8. And so I can start organizing for a sub!! I have started typing up some plans and trying to find ways to organize all the papers he will need while I am gone, but still have so much to do before I am ready to hand my classroom over. Hopefully I can get some energy/motivation and get it all done soon!

And also, just because I want to remember....my doctor starts checking me at my appointment this coming Monday! I am so ready to see if I am dilated. I know it doesn't matter either way because some women aren't dilated at all then progress super fast and others stay as far as a 3 for weeks, but I am needing some news...any news. And this weekly doctor's appointment thing needs something to spice it up a bit. 

4 weeks, 1 day!

34 Weeks

How Far Along: 34 Weeks, 5 Days

Size of Baby: 4.75 pounds or a cantaloupe

Weight Gain: +26

Maternity Clothes: Still mixing, mostly maternity

Nothing in this picture is maternity 

Gender: Boy...Cade Alan

Movement: Yes, mostly just flips and rolls and random body parts sticking through my ribs. 

Sleep: Not great. I get up to pee about 3 times a night now and usually have trouble falling back asleep after each time.  

What I Miss: Feeling normal. My back has really been hurting lately and I am constantly starving but feel like I have no room once I eat.

Cravings: Ice cold water, oranges, blue coconut cream slushes (YUM!), and cheese fries

Best Moment This Week: Baby shower! We got so much for him! Sorting through it when I got home was fun but also a tad bit overwhelming. I am most excited over the car seat! I absolutely love the one we picked, and we got it at the shower! I can't wait to put him in it and bring him home from the hospital!! 38 days and counting!

And while I'm on countdowns I must add....16 days until THANKSGIVING!! Mmmmmm. I cannot wait for that! I might have to keep a pair of maternity pants around for every Thanksgiving from now on! :)

33 Weeks

I added a filter to this because I looked super pale.
On my phone it didn't look as odd as on the computer.
But  you can see the bump. That's all that matters.

How Far Along: 33 Weeks, 4 Days

Size of Baby: 4.25 pounds or a pineapple

Weight Gain: +25

Maternity Clothes: Still mixing, mostly maternity

Nothing in this picture is maternity, but this dress was much tighter than the last time I wore it.  

Gender: Boy...Cade Alan

Movement: Yes mostly just flips and rolls at this point. My doctor said I am feeling less jabs and kicks because he is getting more coordinated and has better control of his legs and arms. 

Sleep: Random. Either I sleep amazingly or terribly. There is no in between.  

What I Miss: Nothing. I am ready to meet him though! 

Cravings: Nothing new, anything sweet or fruity

Best Moment This Week: Going to the doctor. His heart beat was faster this time than usual. I'm not sure why. 

And Brian put the crib together yesterday!

Plus we have been getting gifts at school since my shower is coming up.

And on an unrelated note speaking of school, we made it through our visit from the state department yesterday! Everything went well, and they did not come in my room!! :) They went to the room across from me and right beside me but somehow missed me! *Sigh of Relief*

And I randomly do the looking forward to so I will do it this week because I am looking forward to the shower! I still don't have a clue what I am going to wear to it, BUT I am excited to fill our home with more baby things and just celebrate this little boy! Our house is already being overtaken by baby stuff and I love it. It is all just a constant reminder that he will be here soon. :)

32 Weeks

Brian took this picture from as far away as possible.
Maybe because I'm looking rough,
but anyways there's the belly.

How Far Along: 32 Weeks, 7 days

Size of Baby: 3.75 pounds or a large jicama

Weight Gain: +24..The pounds are packing on both Cade and myself at this point.

Maternity Clothes: Still mixing, mostly maternity  

Gender: Boy...Cade Alan

Movement: Yes, he had been calmer. He's back to his wild self. His constant rolling is wearing me out a little. I don't know why but the days he is really active I am much more exhausted than the days he is calmer. I guess he steals my energy. 

Sleep: My internal alarm seems to think 1:30AM is our new wake up time. NOT FUN. 

What I Miss: Nothing really. My back has been aching really bad lately and I am getting short of breath over really anything so I am kinda missing feeling normal I guess. And being able to wash my hands, dishes, etc without having to bend to reach the sink over my belly.

Cravings: Nothing new, anything sweet or fruity

Best Moment This Week: TASTE OF FORT SMITH, need I say more?? Hello pregnant woman's dream. Over 60 restaurants there to sample food from for $12. I was most drawn to the dessert booths of course. And we talked about going next year and having Cade there. I love thinking of things he will be here for. It still seems a little unreal to talk about him being here sometimes. 

On that note, Halloween last night had us talking about him being here next Halloween and dressing him up and all that good stuff. I can't wait for that. 7 weeks and counting!! :)  

31 Weeks

How Far Along: 31 Weeks, 5 days

Size of Baby: My app says 4 Navel Oranges or 3.3 pounds

At our ultrasound, he was 3.4 pounds

Weight Gain: +21

Maternity Clothes: Still mixing, mostly maternity 

I wore these red pants today rubberbanded, and they no longer zip at all. 

Gender: Boy...Cade Alan

Movement: Yes, he has actually been calmer lately. I don't know if he is as tired as I am or just running out of room to move around too much, but he is noticeably calmer lately. 

Sleep: Still random. I am exhausted all the time though. 

What I Miss: Nothing 

Cravings: Still just about anything sweet

Best Moment This Week: Seeing him in 4d! We had our ultrasound Monday, and he didn't want to cooperate. He always tries to hide his face from us, but we finally poked and rolled me around until he moved his foot...for a second. It was also fun because my mom went with us! This was the 1st appointment she has gone to so she got to meet my doctor and see Cade moving in real time, not just the DVD.

Here is his 4d picture:

Chubby Cheeks

He looks identical to me as a baby. Brian likes to think he looks like him, but we found pictures that proved that theory wrong.

Also this weekend we went to Catherine's to pick up some things that she had of Luke's to give us. Since it took us 3 tries to fit it in my car, I am thinking we are pretty set on what we need:

And after I started going through it, I sent my mom this picture to show her what all was in there...

Then discovered 2 more bags of stuff. Haha. Our sweet boy will never go naked! 

And that is just the clothes. We also got a Rock-n-Play, Pack-n-Play, Swing, and changing table among other small things. On top of what we have already been given. We have definitely been blessed with lots of hand-me-downs due to lots of babies in our families! AND blessed with tons of gifts from family already!

8 weeks and 2 days to go! I'm so ready to squeeze those chubby cheeks!!