HOLY CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So Neal posted this picture and the title last night. I just do not see myself as being huge. Well, I decided to go back to my last bare belly shot. I will remind you, it was at 29 weeks.



I thought I looked big then. Man was I wrong. I am huge!

I have started to slow down this week. I think my body is finally tired. I am actually sleeping ok, minus the pee break every hour. It must be exhaustion. Somedays the babies kick like crazy, other days they are quiet. Our poor boys head is so jammed in my pubic bone, his head has to be hurting. I can barely sit at a 90 degree angle without feeling like I am hurting him. Our girl makes me crazy worried since her placenta blocks most of her activity. Usually by the end of the day she pokes her head up so I know she is ok or she kicks my back enough to remind me she is still in there. I am down to only a handful of shirts that I can wear in public. Kinda late to buy new clothes. I am now working from home 2 days a week. It helps with the swelling to have my feet up. Thankfully my boss is kind enough to let me do this.

Unfortunately we are missing our friends wedding this weekend. It was in Chicago and that was too far to travel this close to my due date. It really sucks. I highly doubt I would have fit into a bridesmaid dress at this point. I would have had to wear a sheet and I doubt the bride would have like that. Not to mention I would have to wear my pink Adidas sandals because my feet are so swollen. Yes, these are the same sandals I wore in high school. At least Matt and Jen will have my wedding gift with them at the wedding....a lifesize cut out of yours truely.

Let the countdown begin

46 inches around and 40 pounds gained. I am guessing a good 5 pounds of it is water and is located in my right foot and ankle. 25 days and counting......

Yesterday Neal and I had our 14 year anniversary. We celebrated by not really doing anything and sleeping in separate rooms. How romantic! Almost half of my life has been with him! We have been through a lot together and we are ready for the next step. I know he is going to be a great dad.

Pediatrician

We met with a pediatrician earlier this week. I am 99% sure we are going to go with her. She seemed to be in agreement with a lot of the things that were important to us. I also liked the support she provided regarding breastfeeding. I do not want pressure about doing it. I am very interested in doing it, but also want to sleep at some point in the next year. The doc mentioned the days in the hospital are most important for both mom and baby to learn and to use the lactation consultants. For this reason, you may see a note on our hospital door saying breast feeding almost around the clock. I need all of the free help I can get.

It is funny how you come to terms this last month of the pregnancy. I always thought I would be scared to death of birth. Don't get me wrong, I am sure I will still freak out, but I am much more calm. I remember my girlfriend telling me this about 3 months ago and I thought she was nuts, but now I get it. I am getting to the point where I am just ready to meet the little ones and go to the next stage of life with them. I would like to put a disclaimer in that at any point in the future I can wish them back in! About 30 days and counting until Neal and I are parents. Scary, I know!

I did not get an invitation, but there is a party going on in my belly. It has been crazy all day!

34 weeks

Things continue to go good. I had an appointment today. My cervix is still closed. As of now, I will be scheduled for a c-section on July 6th. My next growth ultrasound is on the 19th. My ankles and feet are still swollen, but that is expected.

Looking ahead

Neal and I have been hitting up garage sales to get the kids toys mainly. My kids are not even here yet, but I am already dreaming big for them. I am already thinking about their first smile, laugh, and step. I cannot wait to squeeze the two of them into a swing at the park. I already envision them shooting hoops. I cannot wait until our first swim lesson. I see our son or daughter walking behind Neal cutting the grass with the little lawn mower we bought. Neal of course already sees them actually pushing the real lawn mower and pitching in on the yard work. We have already discussed what college savings plan we will use and how much we plan to save. We have not even met our children, but already have dreams of what their lives can be. How exciting and scary at the same time. Two human beings will be looking to us to help shape and guide their lives. Now we are looking ahead, I am sure the day will come soon where we will be looking back, wishing we could go back in time.

After 33 weeks

My appetite has resurfaced. Man have I missed her! It is great to actually enjoy eating again. I have not dove into red meat yet, but I think I safely could. I redefined Olive Garden's unlimited salad and bread sticks last night. I think Neal actually got sick watching me. Perhaps the babies have dropped...although it sure does not feel like it. When we first got seated, I was a little nervous. They put us at a booth and I was not sure I would fit. I did, with about a half inch to spare. By the time I was done, that half inch turned in to nothing. I actually ate myself a half inch rounder! The babies kicked around like crazy at the start of the meal, but by the middle nothing. Oh no, did I eat my babies to death? About an hour after getting home they were moving around like crazy. Neal and I just sat on the couch and stared at my belly. It appears as though our little girl likes to hit her head on things, similar to the little kid in Parenthood. I have gained just over 30 pounds and have a feeling I will be gaining quite a bit more if my appetite continues. I figure now is the time in my life to just go for it and enjoy it!

I am already starting to miss being pregnant. Ok, it is not all fun, but I am really going to miss feeling the babies kick. Neal was feeling them the other day and even said that it must be the most amazing feeling and he was right, it is. I feel bad that he cannot experience that part of pregnancy. Our boy continues to have hiccups on a daily basis. I packed my hospital bag last night, so I am officially ready to go. Next appointment is on Monday, it should be a boring and uneventful one.