38 Weeks and still pregnant

I thought I was going to have this baby the day after Christmas, the nurses seemed convinced that I would be back to the hospital within hours, after a few hours of rest. Apparently, my little man had other plans ;) I'm going on day four of 3 minute apart contractions now, and just waiting for them to get strong enough to push me into active labor. I've finally resigned myself to the fact that it is unlikely to just happen at ANY MOMENT, and that I'm probably going to be waiting a while. so I might as well get some stuff done and act normally till things change. On my second visit to the hospital, they told me I have a stubborn cervix, and that what I was experiencing would have put many women into active labor already, I just need something stronger. At least I have more time to prepare. And, having it seem like it could be any day has really helped me try and appreciate the time with him inside even more. Also, don't tell Anyone outside of immediate family that you think you are gonna have the baby soon unless you are absolutely SURE. Pretty sure is not good enough. Maybe you should just wait till the baby arrives to tell anyone. Just trust me.

How I felt when they told me I hadn't dilated. at all.

How I have been spending a lot of my time. Playing Mariokart.

Christmas was so great though!!!

Christmas eve, all dressed up

Just taking bump selfies while I can! 

BABY IS THE SIZE OF: A small Pumpkin! He is still getting bigger every day! I cannot even believe I have made it this far. But he is so active and healthy in there that I don't want to rush the time I have left (well, most of the time, sometimes the 3-minute apart contractions are flat out exhausting and I want the baby to come out already)

SLEEP: Sleeping whenever I can/feel like it. I slept a ton over the weekend just recovering from my lack of sleep right before Christmas

MOVEMENT:  My little boy is so active! And it's always amusing to me to see how lopsided my tummy is, cause he likes to move from one side to the other.

BEST MOMENT OF THE WEEK: Christmas was truly wonderful <3 I loved all the time with family. 

FOOD CRAVINGS: Mini chocolate chip bundt cakes from Nothing Bundt Cakes (SO addicted right now, and the sugar rush consoles me that I'm not in active labor lol), salad (I eat salad almost every day), almond butter and honey sandwiches, and I still can't get enough of banana pancakes! Oh, and eggs, preferably the fresh ones at my in-laws since they have chickens, those are way more delicious right now. and last but not least chick-fil-a grilled nuggets with chick-fil-a sauce. 

ANYTHING MAKE YOU QUEASY: Um, well that sausage I ate last night was delicious, but I was feeling pretty iffy after lol but it was so yummy when I ate it! 

WEIGHT GAIN: I'm up about 20 pounds from where I started :) I know I don't really look it, but I've gained quite a good amount this pregnancy.

HAPPY OR MOODY: I go VERY back and forth. Sometimes (like right now) I am just content and happy. Other times, my husband puts the lid on the butter I was about to use and I give him terrifying glares while asking him why he is doing that. haha he is handling my mood swings really well though and helping me feel better when I have the harder times

SYMPTOMS: 

• back pain out the wazoo
• Acid reflux / random morning sickness
• Early labor, basically imagine the worst period cramps, then times that by several times an hour . Thank goodness for a very high pain tolerance. I will know it's going to active labor when it hits at almost the whole time instead of just part of the time.
• Mood swings 
• SO HUNGRY, all these contractions use a lot of calories! I am pretty much eating all the time I can. 
• I also get antsy if I'm at home and anything is not clean and organized.  

LOOKING FORWARD TO: This baby's arrival, I really am so excited to meet my little man!!! I'm also looking forward to the time I get to spend with just my husband till we become a family of three :) and I'm looking forward to the fact that next semester doesn't start for another week! 

37 Weeks!!! This baby will be here soon!

I am so happy to be done with fall semester! It was SO hard, but I am grateful to have done it! Almost graduated :) 3 more classes and Peru and I will have a degree! I know that I was blessed immensely to be able to do everything I needed to, and more. I have so much gratitude in my heart for all the help that was given to me from kind people, and all the love I could feel from my Heavenly Father. 
So, as of my appointment last Friday I was 1 cm dilated and 80% effaced (basically, my body is getting prepped for this birth) and then  since then, things have been progressing even more! Guys, my contractions are getting strong! Last night I was just lying in bed and one totally took my breath away and lasted for over a minute, and those are happening fairly frequently the whole past day or two. There's other signs too that are pointing to imminent labor, but most of them are gross so I won't go into detail. :) Let's just say I may be getting my new years baby, or sooner! Though, I could still be waiting till full term, you can never be quite sure of these things, and I've never done this before so I'm not sure what's normal for me. 

Oh hey 36 week baby bump!

celebrating finishing finals at the Hobbit!

My own plate holder, and a really terrible picture of me haha

Ward Christmas party! 

William has his own stocking!! 

Best Buy is my new favorite store just for having this parking! Why is this not everywhere??? 

BABY IS THE SIZE OF: A huge squash! This kid is likely in the 6-7 pound range, and his full height that he will be at birth (my guess is 21 inches) 

SLEEP: Sleeping as much as I can while I can! I don't have much sleeping time left. 

MOVEMENT:  it's amazing how much he can move while being all squished up in there! He dropped though which gave him a bit more room (and me a bit more breathing space, ahh) 

BEST MOMENT OF THE WEEK: I have officially passed all my classes! and not Just passed, I did Well in all of them! It is basically a miracle.

FOOD CRAVINGS: Toast, avocados, salads, and chicken nuggets, yum!

ANYTHING MAKE YOU QUEASY: Let's just say I am always grateful for Zofran and Tums. 

WEIGHT GAIN: Another 3 pounds in the past couple weeks :) love it!.

HAPPY OR MOODY: Mostly happy! And Nervous, and excited :) 

SYMPTOMS: 

• back aches
• Acid reflux / random morning sickness
• peeing so much!
• bloody show (gross but true, and means labor is coming soon!) 
• Braxton hicks  getting strong and more consistent :) 
• So much Nesting!!! Must clean all the things before baby gets here! 

LOOKING FORWARD TO: Christmas in 2 days!!! and this baby getting here :) possibly sooner than I expected him

34 Weeks! 6 to go!

This week was amazing! I love having a break from school, even if it's short and I spend two of the days catching up on homework and getting a head start on my many final projects. Also got all baby essentials now (i think). Been starting to organize all the baby stuff and get things ready slowly. It's starting to feel close now <3 so excited to meet my little man! Also, Bradley and I took our Christmas card picture yesterday! They turned out pretty fantastic if you ask me ;) 

Cuddles with my favorite cat

He thinks laying on my tummy and chest is comfy (cue sneezing)

Feeling more of an understanding of what Mary went through, and the love and sacrifice that she gave to help give the world the greatest gift

Loved all the beautiful lights at Temple square!

We got married here, always great to go back and see this gorgeous place!

Cousin time! 

Love this man!!! 

Thanksgiving day!

Guys, my belly gets lopsided like this all the time! And then he moves around like crazy. It looks like Alien, but way cuter haha p.s. that is totally his head sticking up.

BABY IS THE SIZE OF: A Cantalope! This kid is coming up on five pounds and over 18 inches. He is basically crammed in there pretty tight these days! Which is probably why he is so high up in my ribs!

SLEEP: Most of the time I sleep great, which is good cause I cry a lot when I don't sleep enough.

MOVEMENT: He is crazy in there! When does he sleep?? I'm starting to get used to the whole kicked in the ribs feeling, however it's rough when he gets a direct hit to my stomach.

BEST/WORST MOMENT OF THE WEEK: Thanksgiving!!! I had a really good day filled with family, fun, and food. 

FOOD CRAVINGS: Gluten free chicken nuggets dipped in applesauce. Tuna, and salad! My husband is basically grossed out by everything I want these days

ANYTHING MAKE YOU QUEASY: anything that gives me heartburn. which is most things. 

WEIGHT GAIN: Steadily gaining half to a whole pound each week!

SHOWING: I feel like my tummy area is huge now! But it's all baby so I'm still smaller than a lot of people are at this point. 

HAPPY OR MOODY: So back and forth, but more happy than not 

SYMPTOMS: 

• back aches
• Acid reflux / random morning sickness
• breathless (high baby!)
• hormonal 
• Braxton hicks  
• Tiredness is coming back in full force

LOOKING FORWARD TO: Being done with this semester in a few short weeks! Can't wait!