Baby Update: 38 weeks

I am trying to decide how honest to be. I guess I don't have much to lose and so far nothing but kindness has come from you all. So thank you. And sorry...and if you have something nasty to say, can you please wait a few more weeks? Thanks.

But let's talk about the kid first, I mean he is the reason behind all this madness. 

Baby news: 

Age: 38 weeks

Size: A freaking pumpkin is all. 18-20 inches, 6-9 lbs 

Cool life events: Could [hopefully] have hair! Dropped and is "ready to go," causing abrupt bathroom runs. He has a room that is nearly finished! I have a few more details to put together and then I will show you, don't even worry. 

Jocelyn news: 

Some of those nasty pregnancy things happened to me. This week. My feet are killing me, I feel like a whale, my tail bone hurts all the time and I have 'lightning crotch.' He dropped. Fast [I felt the clink in my pelvis]. He shredded my tummy and now my once perfect, beautiful belly is rank with ugly stretch marks, despite my devoted efforts to prevent such an event. I am just not letting myself think about getting into a swimsuit right now. 

Oh yeah...right now I have a deep and true hatred for any female that has a waist. I cry at nothing and everything and am always hungry. It takes all my courage to out in public. I fake smile when people run up to me bouncing up and down asking if I am "SO excited?!?!?" No. I am grumpy. The comforting words of 'you can't imagine how PAINFUL childbirth is' echo in the back of my mind as I stop and breathe though contractions. I hate not being ready for things and "you can't prepare yourself for such pain" is always there to comfort me. I tell myself that other girls [who I think are much wimpier then I] did it. I try to kick into my competitive mode...but that seems to have left. I don't even remember how it feels to be competitive...until I see a 4 walking down the street, giving me a pity look. Then I want to pound her face in. And rip out her hair too. Or eat a taco.

My poor, sweet husband. Luckily he is taking it all in good humor and will burst out laughing at me when I am overly insane. He gives me permission to cry and even say's it's 'good' to be hormonal [haha]. I am hard to live with these days and feel bad. But then. THEN I remember that he is the one who got me into this in the first place and I don't feel bad. At all. 

So...

Am I ready? 

I don't know. 

Am I excited?

Yes. I keep his little socks and diapers in view. It helps to think about his little bum.  

Some good news? 

I can still wear all my shoes and wedding ring...I guess that is impressive, at least that is what people say.

Nervous? 

Yeah. Mostly because I don't know what is going to happen. In general pain does not freak me out. Not being ready does. 

Do you think you will have him this week? 

Maybe. 

Will you have a birth photographer? 

No. That is weird to me. My sister will come take some photos soon after he is born. 

Who will be in the room when he comes out? 

Rowan and my mom. 

Are you dilated? 

I am refusing checks. I don't want to know. This is a mental trip and not knowing gives me more chance of living as well and normally as I can. He will come and I want it to be when he and my body are ready. I am preparing myself for 2 weeks late. Despite the bed rest scare.

Please post GOOD birth stories or 'it was not as bad as I thought it would be' comments! I would love them and I know of a few expecting mum readers who would find them encouraging too! 

Love you guys, 

jocelyn 

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Still preggers. I have been told often that you need to 'feel done' in order to go into labor. I don't think I am completely there but getting close. I am ready to hold my baby. I am ready to see him and love him and smooch his checks.

This week has been full and fun. iPhone likes from my phone...and Rowan's too. 

 

  

Also: 

Finally broke down and got this. I am LOVING the results. My skin is looking awesome. I highly recommend it. Money well spent.

The rain room in NY city? Yes yes yes! If you live there please go do a photos shoot!

Finished this book. If you are expecting I recommend it. However if you are planning to deliver in a hospital skip the all the 'hospitals might kill you' parts. 

Happy Friday loves, I hope you have a great weekend! 

jocelyn 

Baby Update: 37 weeks

Common question: Are you in labor? 

Answer: I have no idea. 

Then comes: Do you think he will come early? 

Answer: I have a feeling he is going to be 2 weeks late. Just because I hope he is like that-his own person. It takes guts to make your mum go on bed rest, cause contractions for months and THEN come late. Ha. Gutsy kid, very gutsy!

Here is what he is up to:

Babe News: 

Age: 37 weeks.

Size: A winter melon. Between 18-20 inches and 6-9 lbs. {Wha?}

Cool like events: Practice breathing, blinking, and gripping. Pooping [serious]

Jocelyn News: 

Doing well. Having contractions that are getting stronger, but not too painful. I am not really uncomfortable, at least not enough to say 'get this kid out of me!' Something that I think must come before I am ready to go into labor? I don't really know. All I can say is, this could be a mental T R I P.

I refused a 'check' at the midwife's office because frankly, I don't want to know. I don't want to know if I am 'getting close' and I don't want to know if I am not. Right now I want to enjoy the baby prep with my husband, going to dinner, cuddling on the couch and dreaming about what our son will be. And of course, talking about what we are going to name this child. We took one name off the list and then added 2. I just hope he doesn't look like a raisin when he comes out but rather like a person that we can name...but I have never seen a newborn that didn't look like a raisin so chances are slim to none eh? 

That's the story, see you later!

jocelyn 

p.s. House progress is going awesome! I can't wait to show you pics of the nursery. I HOPE to be done this week! Still not nesting...just feeling the pressure to get 'everything' done. 

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Hello! 

We have been working hard over here to get ready for our baby cakes. Life is full and good right now. And a tad stressful I will admit. Perhaps why I have not had as much time to drool over things...like shoes. Which means I am not gushing to you about them. But here are some links if you like.  

Want to feel like a loser? Check this hot mama out. {P.S. How did I miss this?}

My favorite shoes...I want them in this color.

Found my bridesmaid dress for my best friends wedding in Aug. I got it a few sizes too big. Because I feel like a whale right now. I hope I will need to get it altered down...

If you feel like a good cry. Here is one for you. 

And for some life catch up...

"This manual is bigger then my camera's!" Car seats are more complicated then you would guess....


And he will have chevrons in his room! Lucky kid, eh?


Cuddles when I freak out about having a baby.


Sibs. I love them and their faces! They are loud.


Enjoying, being married, sunshine and parks these days.

This weekend is more painting and my little brothers birthday. {I am excited to give him the Ketchup potato chips I found. My mom will be SO happy...just kidding. I am going to tell him he can eat the whole bag if he wants to. It's his birthday for goodness sake.} I think we may go out for breakfast too! I LOVE going out for breakfast. Waking up without an alarm, slowly getting out of bed and saying, 'darling, where should we go for brunch?' Truly one of the best feelings in the world.

I hope you have a lovely day my dears and a weekend full of delightful foods. 

jocelyn 

Baby Update: 36 weeks

It's 12.34 am Monday night. I forgot that I posted once a week. Well actually, these weeks are going so fast I can hardly keep up. Even with bed rest in the mix. 

Speaking of, I am pleased to say that bed rest is officially over! I got the OK to be up and about as much as I wanted. I have been playing catch up around the house between snacks and contractions. I am starting to get that panic feeling. The one you get when a big deal is headed your way and you want to make sure you have enough toilet paper in the house for a at least a week and the freezer cleaned out so your mother-in-law does not see the weird things you thought would freeze ok. [Yeah...I did that today and now that I write it, I feel like a crazy person. huh.] 

Babe news: 

Age: 36 weeks 

Size: About18 inches and 6 lbs 

Cool life events: Could be BORN! Liver and kidney are working and ready to go. Gums are rigid. 

Responds to music and voices like crazy...then ALWAYS gets the hiccups. 

Jocelyn news: 

Feeling pretty good [for being huge] and ALWAYS hungry. Sometimes I am so hungry I freak myself out. I am more hungry now then I ever have been. I got bangs. Perhaps not the most practical choice but I wanted to do it anyway. I can't really get away with wearing my non-maternity tops anymore. I don't really want to get new ones because we are so close...but showing off my belly could be considered disturbing. Still no stretch marks [thanks for the long torso mom!] The weight gain is going to be close. I have gained 27 and the midwife said I needed 35. But seriously I am eating house and home right now. All I think about is tacos. I am not in pain at all, I am enjoying feeling baby cakes roll around and as excited as I am about meeting the little guy I am hoping for a few more weeks of this stage. [The contractions feel intense but I would not describe them as painful.] 

Totally getting nervous about delivery, reading only positive birth stories...which all end with the women pushing a baby out...soooo to me they still end freaky. Seriously don't know how this is going to work. I just keep looking at people and think 'you where born!' And preparing myself for the worst. 

The nursery is nearly ready to set up. I am looking forward to making his bed and putting his little clothes away. I hope to have this complete by next weekend. 

loves, 

jocelyn 

Maternity session with hope

I hope that he loves.

I hope that he dreams.

That he protects.

And sings.

I hope that he dances.

I hope that his smile is quick.

That he says 'thank you' often.

And has adventure in his heart.

I hope that he runs.

I hope that he explores.

That he delights in small things.

And tries without fear.

I hope that he laughs at himself.

I hope that he sees the small things.

That he does not take life too seriously.

And cries without shame.

I hope that he notices souls that others look over. 

I hope he is tender.

That he loves with a reckless heart.

And that he is strong.

I love you, my baby boy.
-mumm

Thanks to my sister for the photos.

Baby Update: 35 weeks

Rowan made it home safe and sound and we are in full baby mode. It's wonderful to have him back and not get stressed every time I get a contraction that takes my breath away. We have been getting the nursery ready, talking over birth plans and even [is this really happening to me?] packing our hospital bag! Then remembering that oh yeah...we need a diaper bag. Ew. I hate all of them. I am just going to get a cool normal person bag. No diaper in the title. 

Babe News: 

Weeks old: 34 weeks 

Size: The size of a coconut, about 18 inches and 5.5 lbs.

Cool life events: Ready to see the wold. All his manhood is ready to go. Getting excited over music, Rowan's voice, or even a crowed room. This seems to causes hiccups, which then causes a nap, giving me a moment to breathe. 

Jocelyn News: 

So glad my husband is back. The contractions are ever present and I am supposed to be on modified bed rest until Thurs which is my next check up. I am hoping that I will be allowed to go back to normal life. I am looking forward to putting his little room together [which still needs paint and carpet.]  I don't feel like I am about to go into labor. I think it will be at least 2-4 more weeks. I am really falling in love with this little person and am eager to meet him. But to be completely honest with you: I don't want to have a baby come out of me. I don't mind being preggers. It's a tough spot because I want to meet him but don't want to push him out. Good thing I don't have a choice in the matter I suppose. 

Got this picture text on Friday. Not too brag but seriously I have the best husband ever.

Peace my friends, 

jocelyn