Ahhh!  I can't believe I will be 37 weeks tomorrow (Friday) and have only 3 weeks left.  Am I nervous? Nope.  Am I excited??  Ummm, yeah! Duh!

Baby Ryan's car seat is installed and his diaper bag and my bag are packed and ready to go.  Russell has finished traveling until after he is born so our little family is ready when Ryan is :) 

I went to the doc on Tuesday (at 36 1/2 weeks) and I am 50% effaced, 1cm dilated, and she can feel his head.  Since the check, I have really been feeling more irregular contractions and had a little bit of a "bloody show" (sorry if that is TMI) and my swelling is like Whoa!

The doc says that because I am so short and he is so low, he is pushing and putting a lot of pressure on my lower extremities and it caused me to gain almost 6lbs of fluid in 1 week.  So THIS MOMMA now has to prop my feet up at work and home.  Ryan will NOT hurt my feelings at all if he wants to come before his due date becuase this momma is uncomfortable.  The only thing that feels good is wearing Russell's shirts and sweats and my house slippers.  I have no ankles and am proudly representing the cankle society at this point.

There are bets at work that I will have this baby in the next 2 weeks which would only put him 1 week before his due date and make him a possible New Year baby...so we shall see. 

This weekened Russell and I will be RELAXING since it hurts to walk anymore so I really don't want to have to do any more errands than need be.  I will have to clean the house a little as my in-laws will be coming in for XMAS and be here all next week so I do need to have my house a little ready for guests. 

With that said, I go back to the doc on Monday for another check and I am anxious to see if there is anymore progression :)

Have a great weekend everybody!  And let the countdown begin!

XOXO, Sherri

Survey says...

Written Thursday, December 19

How far along?: 36 weeks and 6 days

Total weight gain/loss: I have officially decided to stop weighing myself.  I went to the doc on Tuesday and the baby is so low and with be being so short, he is pressing down on me and causing me to retain a lot of fluid at this point.  I gained 6lbs of fluid in 1 week and now I am having to wear compression stockings to help with my ankles and feet.  I look like a puffer fish.  I am having to keep my legs propped up when I sleep and when I am at work to ease the swelling.  It is really starting to hurt when I walk.  Fingers crossed this baby comes soon…

Maternity clothes?: I am so swollen that even my work maternity clothes feel constricting.  Ugh.

Sleep: Russell has officially stopped traveling until after the baby is born.  That in itself has really released a LOT of anxiety I had going on.  Having help around the house and knowing he will be here has helped me sleep just a little more.

Best moment of the week:  Finding out I am 50% effaced and 1 cm dilated at 36 weeks.  He is also head down and low, the doc could feel his little head.  I also had a little bit of a “bloody show” (sorry for the TMI) so I am glad to know I am progressing right along.  Doc didn’t think, since I am already dilated, that I would be “late.”  But who knows…

Movement: Not as much.  It seems he is settling a bit and gearing up.

Food Cravings: Still MILK.  I woke up 1 morning this week and drank 6 glasses of milk like it was nothing.  I am a little obsessed.  But hey at least I am getting my calcium and vitamin D in. 

Gender:  Boy!

Belly Button: Extremely flat and a tiny little protrude.

Stretchmarks?:  No new ones.  Just a small few on the milk maids.

What I miss:  Hard workouts, cute normal clothes, and wine.

What I am looking forward to: Meeting Ryan!  I am ready.

Weekly Wisdom: Ryan is the size of a honeydew melon!  His circulation and immune system is basically good to go now and his skin is smoothing out ready to make his grand debut.  Eeeek!

Milestones: My progression!  Read the above “best moment of the week.”

Workouts: Not pushing myself anymore, especially since it hurts to walk.  I am going to still try and walk a little to see if that makes my swelling feel better but I am so exhausted now that I don’t know if that will really happen.  I am going to stop posting my workouts now since they are hit and miss due to swelling and the discomfort.

Survey says: 35 weeks preggers

Bye Bye 35, hellooooo 36 weeks!  This girl is getting pretty freaking excited!  I am officially "ready" to have this baby!  Sure, I would love him to bake until his due date but lets be real....my body is telling me "get him out!"

A few people at work this week have noticed a little drop in my belly but what have I noticed??  Oh just the official insomnia, extreme bladder pressure, and menstrual like cramps that have been on and off for days.  I can tell he is lower, especially when I am walking around as it feels like he is about to pop out!  I go back to the doc for my weekly visits now, starting Tuesday, and I can't wait to see if I have dilated at all or effaced.  Based on the cramping, I hope so.

This weekend kicks off the work/friends XMAS parties and a little XMAS shopping.  We have done ZERO shopping for family so this is the only weekend to do it because lets be real, there is only 1 more weekend after this for XMAS shopping and I don't want to fight those crowds.  Russ and I aren't doing any exchanges as we gifted ourselves with a nice "mom" camera for XMAS and a push present.  So at least we don't have to pick up a lot of items.  Just some for the parental units.

Have a great weekend everyone! 

XOXOX, Sherri

Cutest pic ever.  Our little Buddy checking
out the neighborhood :)

Survey says...

Written Thursday, December 12

How far along?: 35 weeks and 6 days

Total weight gain/loss: So relieved to see only a 1 lb gain.  It’s about time.

Maternity clothes?: All the time.  Maternity leggings are heaven.

Sleep: What is sleep?  Haven’t heard of it….  Yep, I have officially hit the “I am uncomfortable 120% of the time” and can’t get quality sleep to save my life.  Gone are the days of good ole sleep.  I guess I won’t rekindle that relationship like EVER again.

Best moment of the week: A few people noticing I have dropped some!  Yay!  Progression is a good sign. 

This was taken last weekend.  I have
dropped a little since then.



Movement: TONS.  He is absolutely crazy in there. 

Food Cravings: Still Milk.  Can’t stop. Won’t stop.

Gender:  Boy!

Belly Button: Half flat/half out. 

Stretchmarks?:  On my chest…. Getting prepared for the feedings.

What I miss:  Sleep.

What I am looking forward to: Having him!  As much as I have, overall, had an easy pregnancy, I am starting to get signs that things are progressing towards delivery.  With him dropping some and lots of menstrual like cramps on and off every day for a week now, I can’t wait to see if I have dilated on my next appt on the 17^th. 

Weekly Wisdom: Ryan is now the size of a coconut and he is fattening up to make his grand debut.

Milestones:  Now in the 4 week countdown and Russell has officially stopped traveling until Ryan arrives.  Yay for having my hubby around as we hunker down and wait.

Workouts:  No longer have the stamina to make it past 30 minutes on the treadmill before cramps start kicking in.  Sign my body needs more rest to prepare for meeting my little man.

             Friday- Rest

Saturday-30min walk-hill intervals

Sunday- Rest

Monday- 30min walk-hill intervals

Tuesday- Rest

Wednesday- 30min walk-hill intervals

Thursday- 30min walk-hill intervals

Survey Says: 34 weeks preggers

I hope everyone had a superb week!  Crazy that another week has flown by and I will be 35 weeks tomorrow....INSANE!

This week has been quite interesting for me.  While work has been slow (which is nice), I have officially encountered the swollen weeks of my pregnancy....at least I know the end is near.  I no longer have ankles and am really trying to embrace the new cankles I have.  My feet barely fit in my shoes and I have considered sneaking in my bedroom slippers to work.   My wedding ring also does not fit anymore.  With 5 weeks left to go, I am praying the swelling does not get worse or I feel I may look like a circus freak.  I might just start charging people $0.50 to look at me.

Also, when and if you get to talk to my husband soon, will you tell him its REALLY rude to look at your wife and tell her she looks like a defensive lineman!  This seriously happened as soon as he got home last night from traveling for a few days for work and I quickly asked him if he could pack his bags and get back on the road.

We have a bad ice storm heading our way tomorrow lasting several days so our baby class may be cancelled and this lil momma, or shall I say defensive lineman, will be hibernating like the bear I am on the couch surrounded by our Christmas decorations, a nice fire, cozy blanket, and mean husband :)

....wish me luck on that.

Have a fantabulous weekend!

XOXOX, Sherri
____________________________________________

Survey says...

Written Thursday, December 5
How far along?: 34 weeks and 6 days

Total weight gain/loss: Ugh!  I really retained a lot of fluid on my trip home and the scale showed it. In 2 weeks I gained 5.4lbs.  I partially blame my Thanksgiving dinners and delicious baby shower cake for that.  Total is 33.9lbs.  I am also holding A LOT of water and the swelling is starting to take over.  My shoes barely fit and my wedding ring is a no go.  I know I will lose a lot of the weight gained after birth due to water retention so I am not really worried and trust that I will get back into shape as soon as my body allows.  But with 5 weeks left, I am curious how the weight gain goes from here on out.

Maternity clothes?: All the time.             

Sleep: 50/50.  I wish it was great but Ryan is really pressing on the bladder now.  Russell was AMAZED Monday night when I got up to pee 4 times in 1 hour.  No. Joke. 

THIS IS WHAT UTTER EXHAUSTION LOOKS LIKE!

Best moment of the week:  Getting through the week.  On Monday my grandmother (mom’s mom) was diagnosed with lung cancer and then we were told 30 minutes later that Russell’s uncle has very bad heart failure and there are really no options for him but to make him comfortable as long as possible.  There were lots of tears, questions, and little sleep.  Please keep our families in your thoughts and prayers as we sure need them.

Movement: Jabs, jabs, and more jabs at his momma.  Some can get pretty intense.

Food Cravings: Nothing strong. 

Gender:  Boy!

Belly Button: Starting to pucker out.  I am sad.

Stretchmarks?:  On the boobs.

What I miss:  Easy mobility.

What I am looking forward to: Our baby class at the hospital this weekend.  I am so excited to see how Russell is during the class.

Weekly Wisdom: Ryan is the size of a butternut squash and he is making SHARP jabs at his momma all the time now.

Milestones: Babe is one step closer to his due date.  5 more weeks!

Workouts:

              Friday- Rest

Saturday-Travel back to TN Day

Sunday- Rest

Monday- Rest

Tuesday- 1 hr treadmill cardio.  Hill intervals.

Wednesday- 30 min treadmill   

Thursday-  Pure Barre DVD

Survey Says: 33 weeks preggers

Sorry for the late post folks!  Being on vacation all last week left me MIA and I needed some rest this weekend.  The post this week will be short and sweet...here goes nothin!

XOXO, Sherri

Survey says...

Written Thursday, Nov. 28

How far along?: 33 weeks and 6 days

Total weight gain/loss: Since I was gone this week and stuffing my face in Thanksgiving and baby shower treats, I decided not to weigh myself.  Check back with me next week as I cringe at the numbers.

Maternity clothes?: Always and forever (well, maybe not forever…more like 6 more weeks)

Sleep: Not so good since we were on the road traveling.  I missed my bed, space, and preggo pillow.

Best moment of the week:  Our sweet baby shower and seeing family and friends for the first time in 11 months since our move!  We are so thankful for so many wonderful people in our lives and baby Ryan is so loved and blessed already!  The next time everyone will see us, Ryan will be with us….and that is exciting in itself!

I really miss my friends!

Movement: TONS.  He is absolutely crazy in there. 

Food Cravings: Nothing specific.

Gender:  Boy!

Belly Button: Flattie

Stretchmarks?:  On my chest…. Getting prepared for the feedings.

What I miss:  Breathing easy.  I feel out of breath all the time.

What I am looking forward to: We have our baby class at the hospital all day Saturday (12/7).  I am looking forward to seeing how Russell handles all of the delivery information …hahahaha

Weekly Wisdom: Baby is the size of a durian fruit (whatever that is!)  He is keeping his eyes open while he is awake and starting to coordinate breathing while sucking and swallowing.  I CAN’T WAIT TO MEET HIM!

Milestones: 6 more weeks…EEEEEEEK!

Workouts: None!  I took the week off and just focused on seeing family and friends and having a TRUE vacation of lounging and relaxing.  I felt I deserved it.