35 Weeks

Yesterday we reached 35 weeks! I feel like the end is in sight, yet, at the same time, I feel like 5 weeks is still a long.long.long time to be pregnant. I'm starting to understand why women get to the end of their pregnancies and want it to be over. A lot was accomplished this past week and so I feel like I am just about ready to welcome this child. My SIL and I stocked the freezer with meals. I had my second baby shower. Thanks to my mom, the nursery is pretty well done and organized. I bought my cloth diapers and have started washing and putting them away. I found out the baby is head down and good to go. I had my home visit with my midwife to discuss our plans and my mom got to meet her. The birth supplies are gathered. Bags are packed. I really feel like we're gearing up to welcome baby.

I know that he or she needs to stay put and cook for a bit longer but things are really starting to feel like they are in place. We just need to get the swing, playpen and car seat set up/installed and then we'll be all set.

Last week, my brother took a few photos for us. He forgot his camera, so he just had to use my point and shoot, but I still love them. They are really 34.5 week photos, but you get the point!

"The View From Here"

(Yes I know you can't see my belly in the last photo but I just had to share it because I know you're all dying to see our pet duck, Mr. Quacklewayne)

Sleep has been very hit or miss over the past week. I've had some of the best sleeps I've had in a while, and some of the worst. I guess I just have to take it one night at a time. I've been starting to feel much more noticeable Braxton Hicks contractions, especially throughout the night. And I've also been waking up with some mad heartburn. Propping my head up on a few extra pillows seems to help it out a bit but I don't find it very comfortable. Oh well, you do what you gotta do. The other night I woke up and realized I must have been having some extreme difficulty rolling me over because the Dude was sitting up and literally helping me pull my body over so I could switch sides. Good times.

My tum tum is starting to drop. The Dude has affectionately nicknamed me "Droopy Bags" this week. My midwife said that I will start to lose cms when she measures me from here on in as the baby gets lower and lower and gets him/herself ready for the world.

I've also been experiencing some mad swelling in my hands and feet which hasn't been the most awesome part of this, but it's no big deal. My blood pressure is still a-okay so there's no need to be concerned. I find that I wake in the night to very sore hands. Has anyone else every experienced this? Some nights I find I can hardly open and close my fingers. It's likely just a circulation issue but it can make things uncomfy.

It's so hard to believe we're nearing the last month! I'm praying for time to go by quickly but also hoping that I will relax, enjoy, and cherish the last few weeks that the Dude and I have as a tw0-some before we welcome our third.