Pregnancy Weight: No change at 39 weeks pregnant!  Again I just want to reiterate how freakin’ awesome the end of the third trimester is.  In not one word of a lie, I have been eating dessert daily and the scale has not moved.

Who wouldn’t love this?!

And mark my word, I will continue on this path until this child is out of my ute.  Because we all know, after he comes out I will be saying no to dessert and anything else that will halt weight loss… until then, bring on the dessert!  Might as well enjoy it!

Blood Pressure: 97/66

Baby’s Heartbeat: He was in the 130′s and my OB made a comment that he doesn’t like me on my back.  I moved around a little and then his heart rate went up to the 140′s and 150′s.

Baby’s Position: No change here:  Head down.  Good little boy!

Weeks my belly is measuring at: 39 weeks pregnant.  My OB made a comment that he doesn’t seem as low as the week before.  Blah.

Internal: Checking the usual stuff did not hurt.  However, she stripped my membranes and I said “Ouch, ouch, ouch” out loud.  Not really painful, but very uncomfortable.  Good thing is that it only last 10-15 seconds at the most.  Anyone can handle that!

Internal stats: 80% effaced still.  Cervix OPEN.  Dilated 1.5 cm.  Went back to a -2 station.  Doesn’t he know that he needs to be dropping down instead of going the other way?  Oy.

Baby’s Momma: Most excellent!  I feel like I’m such a trooper being pregnant and still doing the same stuff as before.  I can’t tell you how many people were shocked that I was at the Aerosmith concert last night.  Not gonna lie, it felt good when people asked me when I was due and I simply replied, “Thursday”.

I heard so many comments like, “You’re such a trooper!”, “I’m glad that you aren’t letting pregnancy stop you from doing things!’, etc.  Even Tarzan told me how awesome I was for being such a good sport.  Sure I have a little slower walk in my step and I have to go to the bathroom more, but overall, I feel good and I’m not going to let something like being pregnant keep me at home.

And it must be said, even though it could sound very b!tchy of me and I don’t know her story at all, but there was another pregnant girl in front of us at the concert.  She wasn’t as far along as I am, maybe 26 weeks at the most (and that’s purely based on the fact that I’m basically a pregnancy expert now.  Only kidding.)

She was sitting down so much of the time and it didn’t look like she was having fun at all.  Obviously it’s not a competition, but I found myself glancing over at her while I was up dancing and singing along and she was sitting down and I wanted to pat myself on the back.  Again, I don’t know her story at all or how her pregnancy is going, but on a purely superficial level (yes, I completely admit that), I felt like I was a badass for being so close to my due date and dancing the night away.

And now to redeem myself, I friended a lady in a motorized scooter while in line waiting for ice.  Technically she could walk, but since it was such a long walk and since she has really bad arthritis in her back, she opted for the scooter option.  Anyways, she was really sweet to me and we chit-chatted while waiting in the ridiculously long line.

There are these weird things when it is your turn in line and I didn’t know if her scooter would fit through there, so I offered to buy her margarita for her.  She was so thankful and it made me feel so good.  People should help people more often.  Where has all the niceness gone in the world?

Stretch Marks: NONE.  Pregnancy week 39 is being very kind to me

Swollen pregnancy feet or hands: Nope.  (Thank you!)

Belly Button: In.  I’m glad that it is still in, but I am just a very teeny tiny bit disappointed.  Not that I want a gross protruding belly button (no offense), but I just thought that having one was part of being pregnant.  You know, like a turkey when it’s done.  I thought it would be popping out by now being 39 weeks pregnant.  Hmmm, guess not.  Maybe pregnancy week 40?

Next appointment: July 21st.  I hope there is some progress because I have a feeling that we will be talking about other options if there isn’t.  My due date is Thursday, July 23rd, and my OB will only let me go to 41 weeks pregnant, which means if an induction was to be done it would happen very close to being 41 weeks pregnant.  I do not want to go this route at all, but I also know that I would be in excellent hands if I had to.  You can bet your butt that I’ll be walking a ton, having sex, and doing whatever else can be done to get this baby out on his own.

Anything you want to share that helped you?

Funny story during appointment: If you were on twitter yesterday, you know that we had to wait a long time for the OB to actually see me.  Tarzan and I are really good at keeping ourselves entertained, which is a good thing.  We were taking pictures of the random stuff in the exam room (all the pictures you see on this post) and giggling.

While I was sitting on the exam table, with my dress hiked up, panties off, and using a paper-thin cover to protect my goods, I started to tap my fingers on the sides of the bed.  T. looked up at me and was like, “Do you hear that?”  This is about the time that my giggles turned to extreme laughter.  Like from the belly laughter.

As if laughing really loudly at the OB’s office wasn’t enough (the walls are so thin there), I was shaking the bed from laughing so hard.  I guess the bed is not in the newest condition because it was making a very loud noise upon each shake that I made.  So loud that it sounded like T. and I were messing around on the bed.  No joke.  To make matters worse, T. kept on saying, “Stop Jane!”  and that made me laugh and shake even harder, which increased the noise tremendously.

Naturally all of this laughing made me have to go to the bathroom, so I composed myself and hopped of the bed.  As soon as I opened the door, I saw two nurses standing outside of our door.  It was awkward and I have a feeling that they thought something was going on in our room too.  LOL.

Sure, sex helps move along labor they say, especially being 39 weeks pregnant.  But having sex in the doctor’s office would not be the best idea!  I still wonder if the nurses think we had sex!

Big milestones this week:  Aerosmith concert and feeling like I’m just in a really good place right now.  I’m more in love with my husband than ever (and vice versa) and I can’t wait to bring our little baby boy in this world.  We had a great dinner, complete with a non-alcoholic beer for me.

We reminisced about certain parts of dating from the past 6 years and how happy we both are.  I know it sounds cheesy, but it was really sweet.  It’s nice to have been together for so long, dating and marriage, and to still enjoy each other’s company.  I’ve also wanted to be the couple who is 80 years old and still in love.  There’s just something so sweet about it.

Anyways, T. told me that while he was driving a few days ago, he just felt really proud of his family: me, our dog, and our unborn baby.  It just made him feel really happy and proud.  Isn’t that sweet?

We are starting another beginning with one another and, while it was scary when I first got pregnant, it’s so fabulous now.  We are both so excited and can’t wait to have an addition to our family.  It’s a cool feeling to be so in love and to be on this journey together.

(Mushiness over.)

Tip for all you pregnant ladies: One word: Ice.  Instead of drinking tons of water while you are at a concert, movies (if you don’t chew loudly), or anywhere else where you don’t want to constantly go to the bathroom, chew/suck on ice instead.  I learned this from the above mentioned pregnant girl and it was brilliant.  I had a ton of ice and I didn’t have to leave the concert to pee all of the time.  Brilliant!

So here we are.  Pregnancy week 39.  The clock is ticking.  LOUDLY!

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With Jane at the tail end of the third trimester and a few days into pregnancy week 38, she’s as calm as can be with each passing day somehow.  She’s laying on the couch doing kick counts, and I’m just trying to concentrate on work… or anything for that matter.

Concentrating on anything is becoming quite a task.  I swear, I’m beginning to lose my mind here!  I mean…

Pregnancy Week 38 = The End Is Near!

Seriously.  I can’t belive Jane is 38 weeks pregnant already.  Wow.  Just a note for new moms and dads-to-be, believe it or not, your pregnancy really goes go by FAST!  Try to enjoy all the little moments you can – in between those battles with pregnancy hormones of course!

Although time flew by during Pregnant Jane’s 9 months of pregnancy, but time is REALLY starting to slow down for me now.

The anticipation is driving me through the roof!  I’m all over the place.  I’ve replied to the same email twice – on two separate occasions today.  I forgot about an appointment I had this AM and was running around like my head was cut off trying to get ready.  I missed a couple of calls.  Instead of putting the milk back into the fridge, I put it in the pantry, but thankfully caught myself.  Concentrating on work is becoming more and more difficult with each passing day.  And I just can’t sit still.

Waiting for Baby Tarzan to arrive is an exciting time.  I had NO idea in the world I’d feel and be like this.  I’m excited.  I’m nervous.  I’m anxious.  I’m ready to go to the hospital now and get this party started!  But I have to keep reminding myself that Baby Tarzan can come any time during pregnancy week 38, pregnancy week 39, pregnancy week 40, or even pregnancy week 41 – a week after his due date!

Jane’s doctor told her that she won’t let her go more than a week past our due date.  I just can’t imagine waiting that long.  I’m ready to meet my son.  I’m ready to dive into our new life – a life in the wonderful world of parenthood and all the wonders and joys that come along with it.

So yeah, I’m ready.  I’m ready to become a father.  Sure, I’m nervous as hell about it.  I’ve never changed a diaper in my life.  When I swaddled a toy baby for the first time at the birthing class we went to awhile back, I had the blanket tied all around the babies head for goodness sake!  (As a side note, I know not to do that in real life and wouldn’t do that to a real baby of course!)

I’m ready to become a father.  Huh.  It’s a whole new me saying that.  Maybe it’s the class we went to and some videos we’ve watched.  Maybe it’s books we’ve read.  Maybe it’s blogging about the pregnancy journey.  Maybe it’s reading all of the comments people like you make on our posts.  Maybe it’s everything combined.  Maybe it’s watching Jane through her 9 months of pregnancy.  Whatever it is that has prepared me, I feel like I’m ready now.

Although I really don’t know what were in for, I’m ready to begin that journey.  I’m ready to begin the next chapter in Pregnant Jane’s and my life.  I’m ready to meet my son.   I’m ready to be a daddy.

So come on down Baby Tarzan – we’re ready for you whenever you’re ready to meet us!  Just don’t run late like your mom and dad always do.  Waiting until a week after your mom is due will not be fun for us – especially for your mom with this heat!  It’s over 100 degrees each and every single day!

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I had a great appointment today at 38 weeks pregnant.  I can’t believe I’m so close!

At my appointment last week, at 37 weeks pregnant, my OB said that she would rather him come anytime after 38 weeks.  I asked her why since I thought that 37 weeks was full-term.  (Of course my preference would be for him to stay put until closer to 40 weeks.)

She said that while it is full-term, in her experience, little white babies born at 37 weeks are usually wimpy (ex, they don’t breastfeed well, they have trouble breathing at times, etc).

Of course I asked her what babies do the best and she said that African American boys do the best, then African American girls.  Clearly she’s just talking about her own experience delivering babies, but I thought that it was interesting.

Now that I’m 38 weeks pregnant the chances of our son being “wimpy” have gone down.  Yay!

Pregnancy Weight: 38 weeks of pregnancy is being kind to me!  I stayed the same weight as last week.  This actually amazes me considering how much dessert I’ve had lately.  It’s been at least daily, sometimes twice a day.  I told Tarzan that it would be so nice to be able to be skinny and have dessert daily without worrying about weight.  Too bad that I’m not that kind of girl though.

Blood Pressure: 95/58

Baby’s Heartbeat: Started off in the 130′s and then was in between the 140′s and 150′s.

Baby’s Position: Head down.  He’s not going anywhere!  Right where he needs to be at pregnancy week 38.

Weeks my belly is measuring at: 37.5 weeks.  She said that he has clearly dropped and that’s the reason for this measurement.

Internal: Just a teeny tiny bit more pressure than the last two times, but nothing to write about.  There was a little bitty spot of blood on the glove when she removed her hand, so she said not to worry if there is a little spotting in my panties.

Internal stats: 80% effaced still.  Cervix OPEN.  -1 station.  Dilated 1 cm.  (Now I know that these stats do not mean that I’m going into labor any time soon, but I still think it’s cool that my cervix is finally open.  I bet it was due to sex that we had.  I wanted to have sex and then see if my cervix would be open by the time of my appointment.  Hmm.)

Baby’s Momma: I’m doing wonderful and enjoying being 38 weeks pregnant!  I have so much energy and am still sleeping well at night.  My anxiety is dropping for the most part (thank you Benadryl) and I’m so excited to get closer and closer to my due date.  I’ve been out with friends a lot this week and have had fun, knowing that hanging out like that might not be the easiest thing to swing in the next few weeks/months.

Stretch Marks: Not a one.

Belly Button: In, but you can see the inside when you look in the hole.  Also, my belly button hole has stretched beyond belief.  It looks really funny.  Could not have imagined if I would have ever gotten a tattoo on my lower hip.  It would be HUGE by now.

Next appointment: July 17th.

Big milestones this week: Having the final dressed up date night with my husband before we are parents to a living human, which is really crazy to think about.

38 weeks pregnant and yes, the emotions still running high.  In the car last night, as we were driving to the restaurant, I was just thinking about how much life will change when our baby is here and I got tears in my eyes.  Not sad ones, but happy and excited ones.  I’ve really come a long way from when I initially found out that I was pregnant.  I’m a whole new girl now, and while I can’t wait to meet our little guy, it’s also crazy to think about our life changing so much so soon.  Nine months really isn’t a long time at all – It goes by so quickly.  I am so glad that Tarzan and I got to have a nice date last night.

We went to a great place for dinner and then saw the Phantom of the Opera.  We had a wonderful dinner, complete with a great dessert, and then sat back in our seats to watch the Opera.

Oh, and an extra plus was that people were totally smiling at me while looking at my bump.  It made me feel really good.  One lady even gushed over me and told me that I was so gorgeous over and over.  I told her to “keep on going”.  No joke.  LOL.  I did feel really pretty and it was a great compliment to get from a stranger.

(I even got 2 compliments in the waiting room at my OB’s office today.  Maybe you just have to hit the 38 weeks pregnant mark to get continuous compliments… or maybe they just felt sorry for me being so pregnant.  I’m going to go with the first option!)

My labor pregnancy dream: So last night I had a dream…  about labor.  It was my first ever dream about labor and I’m thinking that I need to pack that damn hospital bag now, just like I promised my husband.  It wasn’t a bad dream at all, perhaps just a sign letting me know that I need to get my ass in gear about the bag.

Tarzan and I were at home and my water broke.  While waiting for my OB to call us back, we packed our hospital bags and then took off to the hospital.

Then I woke up.  The bed was dry.

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37 weeks pregnant and reminiscing… Prior to actually being pregnant, there were a few things that I associated with those particular 9 months.  I thought of the pregnancy glow, pregnancy hair, morning sickness, desserts, getting some special attention (not gonna lie), Mexican food (seriously yum), gaining pregnancy weight, pregnancy fatigue, swollen pregnancy feet and hands, stretch marks, big boobs, pregnancy sex, and nesting.

I never got the lovely pregnancy glow that I’ve heard about.  And while a few people have said, “You are just glowing” I know that they are full of crap.  The pregnancy glow is just not there and now that I’m nearing the end of my pregnancy at 37 weeks, I am simply okay with this.  (But I do have my fingers crossed that I am graced by the pregnancy glow the next time around!)

I did get the pregnancy hair, but it’s not exactly what I was thinking it would be.  I’ve always had thick hair.  I will admit, it’s nice hair that I have.  Long, shiny, thick, and all the other adjectives that go along with what you think of when you hear pregnancy hair.  Since my hair has always been thick, being pregnant has made it even more thick, which translates to a lot of hotness in the summer time, which means many, many ponytails.

It’s quite sad really, I went from styling my hair to putting it up in a ponytail all of the time.  In my mind that tells me that I need a haircut.  No one should wear their hair in a pony daily; it’s just not good.

My husband, on the other hand, is not onboard with me.  Not in the sense that he’s one of those weirdo ones that controls what the wife does, but he just asked me if I would wait until after having the baby… you know, to make sure that it’s not my hormones talking right now.

Perhaps he’s just a smart man and realizes that every single time I’ve ever cut my hair drastically I’ve hated it.  And this is over 6 years worth of haircuts.  I have agreed to listen and wait… but it does not mean that I’m enjoying it one bit.

Morning sickness.  I had it and I hated it.  Sure, it could have been worse, but no matter what level of morning sickness you have when pregnant – it just really sucks.  Throwing up and feeling nauseous are two things that I could have done without.  And I do not buy that line that people tell you to make you feel better:  Morning sickness just means that your baby is really healthy.  Yeah, right.  In my mind, that’s a crock of shit.

Desserts.  I will say (proudly, even) that I have really come to love desserts while being pregnant.  Desserts have never been a regular part in my diet prior to being knocked up so I have really enjoyed partaking when I feel like it lately.  Now that I’m at the end of my pregnancy, I have really been taking full advantage because once this baby is out, it’ll be bye-bye to the dessert world for a while.

Getting special attention, no matter how big or little, has also been nice.  While there have been people who have completely overstepped their boundaries, those stories were too far and few to focus on.  I like the extra smiles from people, the not so annoying questions or conversation starters, the door openers, and everything else that is pregnant when you see someone that is clearly pregnant.  It’s nice to know that there are still nice, caring, and decent people still in the world, despite all of the bad we hear so often.

Mexican food is delightful.  Being from Texas, it’s like a rule to like/love Tex-Mex.  Being pregnant has just completely magnified my love for Mexican food though.  It sounds good to me day and night.  Too bad that my husband isn’t as big of a fan of it, but he’s a good sport most of the time.

I’ve always known and been okay with the fact that people gain weight when pregnant.  It’s just what happens and it’s not a big deal at all.  Back in the second trimester there was a 4-week period that I gained 9 pounds.  Even though I’m okay with gaining weight, that was a lot to swallow for some reason.

Once I got over myself and realized that it was fine (and that it was the only 9 pound month I’ve had), I haven’t worried about the scale at all.  There is not one good, valid reason that I can think of as far as why I should care.  My OB isn’t worried about my weight and I’m not either.  It’s just the losing part after pregnancy that I am dreading.

Pregnancy fatigue is an interesting one.  In the beginning I don’t remember ever feeling like “Oh my gosh I need to sleep now”.  I do think that part of this is because I don’t have a job to go to daily.  If I don’t sleep well at night, I can always take a nap during the day.  But I really expected to get hit with the pregnancy fatigue bug in the third trimester.  It seems like I’ve heard from everyone just how tired and sleepy I should be.  But I’m not.  At all.  In fact, I feel like I am the same that I’ve been previously (minus being a whole lot slower).  I tend to lean towards the side of insomniac, if anything.

I always, always, always associated being swollen on some body part towards the end of the third trimester with pregnancy.  Again, not so true.  (Or maybe I’ve just been lucky thus far.)  My hands and feet are bigger, but not necessarily swollen.  My ankles are the same way too.  I feel like everything just grew a size (or two) larger, but nothing is swollen and fat.  I don’t have cankles and I’m hoping it stays that way.

Stretch marks fit into the same category as swollen limbs.  I was always afraid of having a big pregnant belly because I thought it automatically meant stretch marks would be present.  I was wrong.  I don’t know if it’s genetics, the cream I use, or the fact that I’m just one of the lucky ones, but I don’t have any to report.  (And to all of you that have left me comments saying that you got them after delivering, no offense, but I hope that I don’t join you in that.  I will continue to do the same thing I’m doing and hope that it works.  LOL.)

At the end of my first trimester (I think) I posted a blog post about having porn-star boobs.  It was like they grew overnight back then.  Since that first trimester’s growth, I have had nothing to report.  They stopped growing.  I went up one size (so far) and they’ve been at a standstill ever since.  Of course, they might have changed some, but do to my ever-growing belly, maybe I just have not noticed.

Pregnancy sex is something that hasn’t happened all of the time like I thought it would.  I’ll spare you the details because we’ve blogged enough about it, but I want to focus on sex in the third trimester.  Now I don’t know about you, but sex in the third trimester should just be put to rest until after the baby comes.  I mean, really.  I can’t speak for all pregnant ladies, but it’s just not enjoyable for me this late in the game.  It’s awkward trying to find a good position, not to mention how unflattering some of the positions can be.

I will admit that I completely ruin some of the moments during sex because I have to pee so badly.  I’ll ask Tarzan, “Uh, are you close?”  If he says that he is, then I will be a good sport and hold it for a little bit.  If he isn’t, then we must pull apart and I waddle off to the bathroom.  There was one time in particular when he, um, finished, and then I was like “help me up NOW because I have to pee”.  He helped me up, I went to the bathroom, and it was almost orgasmic to just pee.  And I’m not kidding.

And finally, the last term that I associated so often with being pregnant is the infamous nesting that you hear about.  Like the lack of the pregnancy glow, nesting has not been a part of my pregnant life.  Haven’t you read my post on the dirty dishes?!  I really got excited about the whole nesting experience, if for nothing else than to just give my house a good cleaning.  It’s weird to say, but I was excited about getting the urge to clean the ceilings at 2 am.  I have heard from some that nesting might kick in as labor approaches, so maybe there is still some hope for me after all!

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And so the fun begins at 37 weeks pregnant.

I’ve heard how annoying it can be to field calls from family and friends who are constantly asking the same questions, “Are you ok? Any signs of labor yet?”

When people complained about those questions previously, I remember thinking to myself, “At least people care enough about that person to ask and wonder”.

Why would someone complain about others caring about them, right?

Wrong!

Now that I’m on that side of the playing field and I got my first official question this morning, I’m not looking forward to it.

In fact, I just might not call or text anyone back if it gets too annoying.  I do know and realize fully that it is only because people care about me, but honestly mom, do you not think that you would know when the time comes?  (Yes, the specific text was from my mom earlier today.)

So when I’m on my computer, I’m usually signed into yahoo instant messenger.  I’m not really a phone person (at all), so instant messenger or texting is right up my alley.  When I had my PC I would stay signed into i.m. all of the time, even if my computer went on standby.  With my Mac it is different.  When my laptop is asleep it automatically signs me out of i.m.

No big deal, right?

Usually it’s not a big deal, but when I am 37 weeks pregnant, it’s a bigger deal than I would have guessed.

Tarzan and I were upstairs looking at something in the nursery and I left my phone downstairs.  I heard it go off a few times, but again, I’m never one to run around with my phone in my hand constantly, so I figured I’d see who the text and call were from when I got around to it.

After we came back downstairs, I saw that not only had I missed a call from my mom, but I also missed a text from her.  ”Ugh” is what initially ran through my mind.  I already knew what the voicemail and the text were going to say even before I listened to/read the text.

You see, my mom is always signed into i.m. as well.  Since she’s quite the talker, this method works out best for me.  I can ask her questions without having to deal with the “how are you” and “what are you doing” BS that I hate so much on the phone.

Keep in mind that my mom clearly knows that my Mac signs me out of i.m. because I’ve told her a million times before.  But I suppose when your daughter is 37 weeks pregnant, all previous knowledge goes right out the window.  Lucky for said daughter.  Not.

Of course I didn’t listen to her voicemail because I just don’t bother listening to them on most occasions.  (Just to clarify, it’s not only my mom’s voicemails that I don’t listen to, it’s anyone’s.)

I did read her text, obviously though.

“Are you ok?  I noticed you signed out of i.m.”

I responded with, “I’m fine.  You know that my laptop signs me out.”

She said, “Just checking.”

C’mon mom, you know how my laptop works and you are well aware that it signs me out.  You also know that someone will call you when it’s time.

Please, please, please do not call me asking me the same things over and over and this includes the “how are you feeling” question.  I have hated hearing this question since the first trimester and now that I’m at the end of the third trimester, nothing has changed.  I still hate it and it is still ever so annoying.

In fact, that particular question is probably more annoying than any of them.  I am feeling the same way that I felt this past weekend when I saw you.  There has been no change.  Remember I have a human growing in my stomach.  In July.  In Houston.  You think you are hot?  Ha!

And about the labor calls – Not only will you be disappointed in the fact that there is no labor progress, but I will be highly irritated and possibly not call you when it’s time.  (Only kidding on not calling.)

Now, if only I could tell my mom these things without her getting her feelings hurt.

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Ahhh, I made it!!  Not only has my third trimester flown by (most of the time), but I’m officially considered “full term” in my pregnancy.  This is a huge deal to me.

There’s something really comforting about knowing that my baby could be born tomorrow and chances are that he would be more than A-OK.

It’s a relief that I’ve done my best to keep him healthy and safe in my ute for 9 months already.  9 months.  Wow.

I can’t wait to meet the little guy!

I notice that I’ve become more mushy lately because it’s all I think about (most of the time).  I have turned into THAT pregnant person that I was so terrified of turning into at the beginning of the first trimester.  But it’s different.

It’s a result of being so damn excited.  And you know what?  Why shouldn’t I be?

Tarzan and I are about to embark on a whole new journey that is unlike any other we’ve ever been on.  We are about to join a new club, The Parent’s Club.  We are about to find out what everyone means when they say that it is unlike anything we have known thus far.

I can’t wait to hold my baby boy and look into his eyes and tell him that I love him.  I just cannot wait!

So I’m celebrating and patting myself on the back for making it this far.  Full-term, woo hoo!

And now onto my 37 week OB pregnancy appointment…

Pregnancy Weight: Lost 1 pound.  First time ever in my pregnancy that I lost weight.  LOL.

Blood Pressure: 93/60

Baby’s Heartbeat: In the 150s.

Baby’s Position: Head down still.  Making his momma happy!

Weeks my belly is measuring at: 38 weeks.

Internal: Again, piece of cake!  No pain, very little pressure, and over in about 5 seconds.  Easy!

Internal stats: 80% effaced.  -2 station.  Cervix closed.  No dilation.

Baby’s Momma: I hate this weather.  It’s so ridiculously hot.  I am blaming everything on the weather.  I’m slower, not because I’m 9 months pregnant, but because the weather is suffocating and causes me to take tiny steps.  I’m hotter, which is most definitely a result of the humidity.

Other than being hot, I’m doing great.  Sleeping great, but I must admit that I cannot wait to sleep on my back again.  Ahh, soon enough!

Oh and that glass of wine, beer, bloody mary, champagne, and dirty martini is getting closer and closer!

Stretch Marks: Zero.  (Note to body:  You are making me very happy.  We are almost at the end, please keep up the good job you are doing and do not present me with any stretch marks as a congratulatory gift for pushing out baby Tarzan.  I promise that I will get you back in shape if you keep up your end of the bargain.  Thanks, Jane.)

Belly Button: Still in, but getting more and more shallow.

Next appointment: July 10th.

Big milestones this week: Everything for the baby is done.  He even has socks now.  Besides packing the hospital bag (doing today) and installing the car seat (today as well), we have completed everything on my “to do” list.

We also ordered an infant CPR and childbirth DVD.  Figured it might be a good idea… Just hope they come in soon so we can actually watch them!

Just to mark it (for my pregnancy blog purpose), Michael Jackson died.  Now, I know this could be a controversial issue, but I choose to believe that he was a great entertainer and singer and died too young.  It seemed like he was on the verge of a great comeback in London and a comeback financially-speaking as well.  Just for the record, I don’t believe he was a child molester (where the controversy is)… just trapped in a kid’s mentality.  I think he had a good heart overall.  Regardless of what people think about him as a person, I think that the situation is very sad and I hope he’s in peace now.  The end.

My questions:

1.  I feel like I’m leaking a lot more lately.  I change my panties a couple times a day because they feel so damp. Sometimes it’s white, sometimes more clear, and (tmi) sometimes I feel like there is a smell attached to it.  Could I be leaking amniotic fluid?

My OB said that it’s ridiculously hot outside and I’m very pregnant, which is not a good combination.  She said that I’m not leaking amniotic fluid because she didn’t feel any “wetness” during my internal.  Chances are it’s just discharge from being pregnant and then sweat from the 100+ degree weather we have.  Nothing to worry about!

2.  How long after I eat should I feel the babe moving around?

She said about 30 minutes.

3.  I told her that I hadn’t felt like he moved around as much as he usually does after eating breakfast.  She said that she would monitor him for a little bit.  (I had no idea what this meant, by the way.)

The nurse told me to lay on my left side and she strapped two belts around my belly.  The belts had transmitters on them that monitored his heart rate for a period of times.  There are 3 “levels” that were measured:  green, yellow, and red.  Green and yellow are healthy, but you don’t want to see red on the printout.  Most of mine were in the green, no red.

I guess my OB usually monitors the heart rate for about 10 minutes and she looks for 2-3 good movements in that time.  When there is a movement, the heart rate spikes up.  She came in to check me after 3 minutes and there were already 3 good movements, so she said that he looks fine and there is nothing to be worried about!

I am such a worrywart!  The crazy thing about those movements were that I did not feel them at all, but I’m just glad that he is good and healthy!

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Last week, at 35 weeks pregnant, I posted a checklist of all the things that I needed to get done before baby T makes his arrival.  Since then I have been busy putting the final touches on his nursery, putting away all the shower gifts, and most importantly, checking things off of my list left and right.

I’ve been quite productive, I must admit.

There are just a few things to get done now before he comes.  At 36 weeks pregnant, I need to buy him socks, put the car seat in the car (or have someone do that for us, thanks for that great suggestion!), cut my hair, and pack the hospital bags still.

The sock part is funny to me.  He doesn’t have any socks.  I must say that since the weather has been killer in Houston lately, I don’t quite understand why he needs socks, but I know he does.  (Right?)

Tarzan has become quite anxious about packing the hospital bags.  Every single day (sometimes a few times a day) he’ll say, “We really need to pack our bags.”  I know that we need to get it done, but nothing is packed yet.  While I’m actually ready to meet our son and ready to get on with not being pregnant anymore, there’s just something about packing the bags (and installing the car seat) that makes it so final and incredibly surreal to me.

I cannot imagine driving around these next few days/weeks having a car seat in the car.  It’s not that I’m not ready, but it’s just one of those things that is so strange to me.  Alas, I know it needs to get done though.

Same with our hospital bags.

T. even wants to start driving around with the bags in the car each time we leave the house.  No joke.  The other day we were driving around and he said, “This is the last time we are leaving the house without our bags being packed.”  Um, ok.

Yesterday we were running some errands and I told him, “We left the house and we don’t have bags with us” to which he said, “Can we please pack when we get home so that this is the last time?”  Poor guy.

He is already prepared with garbage bags in the car in case my water leaks.  (My OB told him that it might be a good idea to have garbage bags on hand.)  He doesn’t want there to be a mess.  LOL.  I did inform him that there’s only like 11% of women whose water actually breaks on its own, but still, he wants to be prepared.

Can’t blame him for that, but it’s really funny to me for some reason.  Not like I’m making fun of him, but he just seems overly anxious and I know that it stresses him out that he cannot plan this out.  I will admit, it would be a lot easier, that’s for sure!

But the reality of having a baby is that you just never know when it’s time.

Each time I go to the bathroom I look at the toilet paper to see if any of the mucus plug has come out.  There’s never anything on the toilet paper, but I do check.

How strange it is that the tables have turned.

In the beginning of pregnancy you never want to see any red on toilet paper, panties, in the bathroom, etc.  Then around 36 weeks pregnant, when you are well in your third trimester, it all changes.  It’s like I just want to see a sign that I’m progressing and that labor could happen in a few weeks.

It probably doesn’t mean anything, but it might prepare me a little more to stop making fun of my loving and worried husband and actually pack a bag so that that part is at least done.

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For some time now people have been asking me if I’ve reached the uncomfortable stage of pregnancy yet.  I’ve laughed it off each time because, quite frankly, I wasn’t sure I’d ever reach that point in the third trimester.

Well, for the record, being 35 weeks pregnant should also be known as the beginning of the “uncomfortable stage of pregnancy”.

All of the things that I used to do easily are not so easy anymore.  Sure, shaving has proven to be more difficult each time I attempt to have hair-free legs, but I’ve come to realize that I just took so many other things for granted.  Really.

Like getting up off of the floor.  Shoot, forget getting off the floor, what about trying to get up off of the couch when the urge to pee is suddenly so strong that you have. to. move. now.

What about trying to get in and out of the car?  Bending over to pick up the dog bowl so that your dog can actually eat?  Trying to put on or take off shorts or pants?

My personal favorite lately is trying to wipe myself after I go to the bathroom.  (I’m taking about after peeing, just so there’s no confusion.)  It’s like my bump has gotten so big that reaching over and trying to wipe myself is a challenge.

Thankfully (and I do mean thankfully) my husband is awesome.  He’s really stepped it up so many levels (he’s always been wonderful though) and he is at my side at the snap of a finger (without having me do that, of course).  I’ll mention that I have to go to the bathroom and BOOM, he’s right there to help me up.

I can’t tell him enough how much I appreciate him, especially lately.  Not to get all mushy, but every girl should have a great guy like him in her life.  I’m so happy that I married him!

Now that I’m done gushing about my husband, I’ll get back to the point of this post…

The next time someone asks if I have hit the uncomfortable stage of pregnancy, I don’t know if I’ll say “yes” or if I will go into detail about just how uncomfortable I really am.

Like right now, I’m just sitting on the couch, watching Chelsea Lately, and I keep on shifting because I cannot get comfortable.  It just won’t happen.

I try to lay down, no good.  I sit indian-style, no better.  I sit indian-style with a pillow behind my back, it’s ok but I’m fully aware that when I have to go to the bathroom (in 5.2 seconds) and come back to the couch, I will fidget around once again trying to find that spot that is just a little more comfortable than not.

Tis the life of a pregnant woman, I suppose.

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Today has been a BORING day.  

I have read that once you get close to the end of pregnancy it seems to go by so slow.  Each time I heard that I always thought “not me”.  

My pregnancy has sped by thus far, so I was convinced that I would be different from everyone else.  That the rest of my pregnancy would continue to speed by.  That the day I went into labor I would think ”wow, this day came up quick”.  

Not sure why I thought I was special from my pregnancy dragging on, but I thought I was.

Until today, that is.

I’m not sure what clicked in me today, but this day has been super boring.  Really, one can only check email, social networks, and twitter so much.  I even told Tarzan that I needed a project to work on.  

I was so desperate that I even searched “crafts” on the Michael’s website, and you should know that I am not a crafty person.  I don’t even particularly like doing crafts.  Actually the closest I’ve come to being “crafty” is making a scrapbook.

Just one scrapbook and since I waited a few days before I wanted to give it to someone, I completed said scrapbook in 2 days.  And it’s a pretty extreme and elaborate scrapbook I must say.

So the thought of scrapbooking entered my mind, but then I quickly dismissed it because I’m really behind on ordering pictures…  since our wedding… which was over 1 year ago.  

Plus I’d rather just sort the pictures and put them in albums instead of trying to scrapbook them all.  

Then I thought that I could make something for baby T’s room, but that only lasted for a few minutes because I don’t actually know what I could make for the room.  Besides the fact that there is almost no room left in the room, I would definitely not consider myself creative nor talented enough to take on a project like that.  

You know, to put on display in my son’s room.  No thank you.

I knew that Gap and Gymboree were both having supposedly amazing sales for baby clothes, but I feel like we already have enough clothes and I haven’t even had my shower yet.  Surprisingly I’m not into buying baby boy clothes just yet.  Ask me again after my baby shower and that answer might change.

I thought about running errands, but I wasn’t really in the mood to do that.  Plus I’d just be wasting time doing things that I don’t really need to do.  And in the hot, humid Houston weather, I might add.  I’ll take a raincheck on that one.

Tarzan asked if there was anything I could do baby-wise, but there isn’t.  All of his clothes are washed.  The bedding is washed.  The musical mobile is put together and is hanging on the crib.  Everything is done for right now.

So how did I spend my day?

I did our laundry.  I looked at People.  I did the dishes.  I played brickbreaker on my phone.  I cleaned up the island in the kitchen. 

I thought about writing Tarzan a cheesy dad-to-be poem for Father’s Day, but then remembered that I’m not a poet either.  

I took a shower.  I folded clothes.  I read Lamaze magazine.  Tarzan and I talked about middle names and still haven’t agreed on one.  I drank lots of water.  I complained.  I played around with a baby site that showed that our kid was going to look like a grumpy old man, complete with no hair.  I got excited for dinner.  We ate dinner.  We took our dog for a walk.  

And now I’m blogging.

How did I go from being so fun and busy pre-pregnancy to not having a damn thing to do now?  I mean, really, when did I get so boring? 

I guess I’m at that pregnancy stage now.  The one that I never thought I would be at.  The one that, quite frankly, I hoped I’d miss because I didn’t want to become that pregnant girl.

But I am and I guess I’ll just suck it up (and try to keep busy) so that I don’t drive myself crazy.  Plus, even though I’m eager to meet my little boy, I still want him to stay put until my due date preferably.

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Pregnancy Weight:  Um, I need to start paying attention to this better.  Not sure what the number was.  Maybe up 1 or 2 pounds?  I’ll keep a better lookout at my next appointment.

Blood Pressure:  98/56  

The nurse said that my blood pressure was “great”.  I don’t know much about blood pressure, but I do know that the “normal” is 120/80.  I also know that my blood pressure is not high, clearly, but it seems like the bottom number is extremely low.  I need to make a note to look this up so that I don’t work myself up over something stupid that has no real meaning.

Baby’s Heartbeat: In the 150s.  He was bouncing all around today!

Baby’s Position:  OB thinks that the baby is still head down (yay!).  I feel him more on my right side, so he is probably pivots back and forth from the left side to the right.  His butt (we think) is right under my right boob and his feet are angled downward.  I think he’ll be really tall, especially since Tarzan is.  The baby also kicked the OB’s hand and I got a giggle out of that.  

Problem with baby’s position:  Not a one.

Baby’s Momma:  I’m starting to feel like I’m in slow motion a lot, especially when I have to go to the bathroom.  Tarzan and I were out running errands after my appointment today and he even commented that I’ve gotten a lot slower.  Tis normal, I suppose.  

My pregnancy anxiety is still there, but I’ve been doing my best to deal with it.  Benadryl helps me sleep at night, which really takes the edge off.

I’m also getting really excited to meet my little boy.  I hope that I don’t meet him too soon, but the excitement is building up a lot and I’m starting to believe the whole slow third trimester thing.

Stretch Marks:  None to report and hopefully it stays that way.  (Keeping my fingers crossed!)

Next appointment:  June 26th.  Not looking forward to this appointment.  It will be my first internal and I’ve heard that it’s not the most comfortable thing.  I even asked my OB about it today and she said that there is a lot of pressure, but it only lasts 3-4 seconds.  Surely I can handle 3-4 seconds, right?!  

I also think that an ultrasound might be done to verify the baby’s position.  Not sure on that though.

Big milestones this week:  The nursery is thisclose to being finished.  Just waiting on a few other items that I am pretty sure I’ll get at my baby shower this weekend.  (Yes, while I’m usually quite fond of surprises, I did check my registry a few days ago and found out that a couple of big items were purchased for us.  Of course I’m thrilled and realize that I’m completely lame for “cheating”.)

 My questions:

1.  Can you have an epidural when you have a lower back tattoo?

This does not apply to me, but I was talking to one of my friends (who has never had a child or been pregnant) and she insisted that a person could not have an epidural if they have a lower back tattoo.  I told her she was ridiculous and she told me she was right.  I told her that I would check with my OB at my next appointment and tada… I’m the winner.

2.  Can I keep my contacts on during labor?

I’ve been reading that it is recommended that you wear your glasses instead of wearing contacts, so I was worried about this.  I do not want to have to wear my glasses, especially for pictures.  (I know, I know.)  Anyways, my OB said that I could definitely wear my glasses, but to bring drops in case they get dry.  She said that if a c-section is involved, they will probably make me take them out, even though she wore hers during all her c-sections. 

3.  It’s normal that he isn’t kicking like he was before, right?  It’s more like he is rolling around in there and trying to push through my stomach instead.

Completely normal.

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