Oh and also...

Every pre-labour sign I was having? Completely stopped. No more Braxton Hicks contractions, no more anything to signal that labour will start anytime soon. Let's hope I have this baby tomorrow and make this post ironic.

Things are slowing down...

My belly has gotten to a point where it cannot get any bigger. People don't even believe me when I say I'm a week away from my due date because I'm really not that big. But to my body, I am past the point where my body is willing to stretch. I'm now covered in big, red, shiny stretch marks that did not choose to appear until about 35/36 weeks. I was doing great up until then. And then you know what my body said? It said "I will not stretch willingly any more. You're on your own, honey." And from that moment on I have been plagued with a growing road map across my belly that comes with numbness and ceaseless itchiness. I hate it.

Today at my 39 week doctor's appointment it was once again confirmed that my body is giving up on this pregnancy. Sugars were found in my urine and the doc says my body is beginning to no longer be able to handle the strain of being pregnant. If they find sugars in my urine again this week then I get sent for a blood test to check to see if I'm developing gestational diabetes. Also? My blood pressure is the highest it's been (which is still totally in the normal range, it's just that I'm usually really on the low side, so for me, average is high) and my fundal height has not changed in 3 weeks.

I think baby is done in there. I'm not gaining any more weight, my belly isn't getting any bigger, and the rest of my body is just getting really fed up.

I really hope baby feels ready to come into the world sooner rather than later. I don't know how much more my body can handle.

And the countdown begins!

Monday was my first day of mat leave, so I've spent this whole week hanging out at home with the hubby. It's spring break up in the oil field so he's actually been around which has been really nice. But, weird at the same time. I am definitely not used to spending this much non-stop, 24hrs a day time with him. We are usually lucky if we can do that on a weekend and now we're on day 9 of this together all the time thing. Luckily, it's been going well and I don't think we're sick of each other yet. I am choosing to take that as a good sign in the marriage department.

I am 38 weeks and 2 days along now. Baby could come at any time. I haven't packed my suitcase for the hospital, but I know what I'm putting in it. And I just finished packing the bag for the baby so at least he will have diapers and his own clothes and blankets. I finally started washing absolutely everything we have for him and then I got completely overwhelmed with where to put it all. At first it really seemed as though there was no possible space for everything but after putting basket of laundry away it looks like it's all going to be nicely organized with room to spare. I will most likely never need another receiving blanket or baby washcloth as long as I live. I received DOZENS of the suckers as gifts. I don't have a lot of newborn clothes like at all, but since he will most likely grow out of them super quickly, that's probably not a bad thing.

I've gained a lot of weight. More than I had hoped to, but according to everyone around me it's all belly because you still can't tell I'm pregnant from behind. However, I am now officially 5 pounds heavier than my husband which makes me feel totally awkward and huge. I was also going strong with just a few stretch marks just above each hip until a few weeks ago... now I look like a frickin road map! And on top of that, where all these brand new stretch marks have arrived, I have also lost all feeling. As in a big circle of my tummy all around my belly button is totally numb. It feels awful. The doctor said all the nerves on the surface have been destroyed and feeling may or may not return after delivery. Great.

We've had 3 prenatal education classes now, and the husband has been able to make it to every one of them. He's been so great! He always wants to discuss things that we learned with me after class and he has learned and retained a lot of information. I used to think he was going to be kind of useless during the labour but I really think he's going to be an awesome help. He's so supportive and he will do anything in his power to help me. I'm looking forward to having him as my support during labour.

Also, Birth and Babies class is totally awesome! The instructor is a certified childbirth educator, professional doula, and a mother of four. And... she's fricken HILARIOUS. Class goes by really fast and she makes it entertaining and fun. I actually look forward to going. Plus the information is just invaluable. I was kinda worried about how things would go when I was in labour before, but she's given us so much information and tools for how to cope, I'm really not scared at all. I think she has prepared us for every and any situation. We have class once a week all the way until the middle-ish of June, so it goes right through childbirth and into how to care for newborns the first few weeks. The last class is a class party and a guest speaker comes in to teach us infant massage. I can't wait to see all the babies! There were a few couples that missed last class, so we don't know if they were having their babies or just didn't come because of the crazy snow and the playoff hockey game on tv hahaha.

My doctors appointments are getting pretty tedious. I used to always look forward to them, but now that it's the same thing every week, they're not really that fun anymore. But it is good to hear the baby's heartbeat and know he's still doing ok in there.

Back to folding baby laundry.

How I know life's not fair

The hubby and I did a lot of shopping over the Easter long weekend.

I bought a chair for the baby's room and some nursing bras.

My husband bought a dirt bike.

*sigh*




Actually, in all honesty, I'm totally cool with the dirt bike. He asked me about a million times what I thought and if it was a good idea and blah blah blah and not once did it even pop into my head that it wasn't a good idea. It will be a great toy for him and I hope he enjoys it! :)

Baby Shower 2 of 3

My "female family members only" shower that my mom hosted at my house on Saturday went wonderfully. The house was spotless (thanks to my mom!), all the right people came, there was a great spread of food and I got some awesome gifts and lots of stuff I needed.

What was also great? My mom getting a taste of what my mother-in-law is really like and why I complain about her so much. My mother-in-law did one of her hissy, authoritative comments towards my mom and my mom was totally taken aback. This is great! Someone else knows what I'm talking about now. My mom also told me to ignore my mother-in-law's copious advice about how to bathe your baby in the kitchen sink. My mom is a nurse and was appalled at the unsanitary-ness of this. The day after the shower when I took my mom and aunt to brunch my mom said, "DON'T listen to her about that. Talk about fecal contamination!" It was hilarious. I was all like, yeah, I know. I don't listen to my mother-in-law about most things. I find her to be ignorant and dogmatic. I can't believe she's decided to quit work to take care of my child and that my husband is ok with this. I don't want our kid anywhere near my in-laws without direct supervision from myself. It frightens me to even think about it. I don't know how I'm going to deal with her. *Sigh*