Stick a fork in me...I'm done.

I'm 35 weeks today with only 35 days to go. I feel a little more at ease since I'm done with all of the preparing. I packed our hospital bags last night and put the car seat in the trunk. I doubt I'll actually strap in the car seat until we're at the hospital. I just don't want to look like a weirdo riding around with an empty car seat for possibly 5 more weeks! I went to the doctor today and everything is still going great and as planned. I got my Group B Strep test today and will find out if I'm a carrier at my visit next Monday. I only gained 2.5 pounds in 2 weeks this time, so I'm kinda proud of myself. Ha ha. They expect a gain of a pound a week at this stage so I'm pleased with 1.25 lbs a week. I can always lose the weight after Barrett's here anyways.
Sleep is still non-existent and I'm up odd hours at night. So in other words, if you see me on Facebook or something at 4 am, no, I'm not on drugs...ha ha. I would be able to sleep if it weren't for the pain in my hips and back. I always end up on the couch with ice packs and Tylenol for a few hours and then I try to go back to bed. But the problem with that is, I get hungry while I'm up which leads to heartburn when I lay down. Oh the joys!

So, Halloween is coming up and I've decided I'll just dress up as a pregnant woman. I had considered a real costume but at this point, dressing up isn't so much of a priority. We're still celebrating the occasion though since Ty's still allowed to drink! Oh well, I'll have me a good glass of wine after Barrett's here! I can't wait either... For now, I'm trying to get some stuff wrapped up at work, since I doubt anyone will find the time to do it after I take leave. I kind of do everyone else's crap-work. I also deal with getting proper documentation for Medicare approvals which is a pain but someone's got to do it. I have to strongly force myself to come into work now. I REALLY want to take maternity leave but I don't want to get bored. With all of the baby stuff going on, I totally forgot that my birthday is coming up in 2 weeks. I'm thankful to have had another year on this earth and to have had all these blessings come my way in that time frame. As a side note, my mom did great with her back surgery. We're all very pleased at how well she's done this time around and are very thankful.

Blah...

I'm 34 weeks 1 day with only 41 days to go. I woke up yesterday and have felt totally different than previously. It honestly feels like Barrett's just going to fall out which leads me to walking like a weirdo sometimes. Not to mention, the pain in my hips and back has gotten really intense since yesterday. Sleep is completely lacking and the nausea has set in really good again. I know that these extra 32 pounds aren't helping! On the positive side, Barrett's movements make me happy and knowing that his birth is just a few weeks away makes me feel much better!

I had my last baby shower this past Sunday and I can finally say that Barrett has everything he needs and pretty much all is ready for his arrival. Special thanks to all of my 13 hostesses (between 3 showers) and fab friends and family that came or sent gifts! I can't believe how sweet and caring some people can be! I'm just really glad that I've done all this stuff early. So many people suggest that there's no point in doing everything early but I can't imagine working on his room right now. I need to pack our hospital bags at some point in the next few weeks but I've just been too tired to even mess with it. I had my last prenatal massage last week and have my last chiropractor appointment this afternoon. As far as the chiropractor goes, he prefers not to work on pregnant women this close to labor, so we aren't going to keep scheduled appointments anymore. However, he said if I was having intense problems, he'd work on me. To be honest though, it's getting uncomfortable for me to get on the table and get treatments anyways.

While I was putting up all of the gifts from the shower Sunday, I just kept thinking about how shocked I was that I'm going to have a baby in a few weeks. Women have babies at this stage all the time so it's getting more real by the day. For now, I'm trying to finish up Christmas shopping. If I'm having a hard time going to the grocery now, I know I won't be doing any Christmas shopping in a couple of weeks. My goal to be done is November 1st! Anyways, I hope everyone has a great rest of the day!

Chubby cheeks!

I had my ultrasound today and all was great! Barrett's so big, it was hard to get a good picture of him but you can see above, he's got some chubby cheeks already! I'm 33 weeks exactly today and Barrett measured exactly 35 weeks, so he's 2 weeks ahead. They estimated him weighing 5 pounds 10 ounces, which hopefully is a little on the high end, since they supposedly gain about half a pound a week from here on out. That would mean he'd be about 9.5 pounds by 40 weeks. All of his measurements put him in the 69th percentile, which is great news! I had to get the flu shot again today. I got the H1N1 vaccine back in April but it didn't include the basic flu shot. Well now, they have them together so I got the H1N1 and the flu shot today. I remember last time, I felt like crap after getting the vaccine, so I plan on doing absolutely nothing tonight.

I had my second baby shower yesterday, which was hostessed by my stepdad's sisters and sister-in-laws and Ty's aunt. Everything turned out great and was so cute! I got a ton of gifts which of course, I had to have organized and put up by the time I went to bed last night ;). I have my third and last shower this coming Sunday and can't wait! Ty's mom's friends are hostessing this one so I'm sure it'll be cute. I'm just so lucky and grateful to have so many people willing to have these showers for me. I noticed last night, that Lilly (our dog) is finally realizing that something is going on. She had been in Barrett's room with me, watching intensely, as I put up all of his stuff. I couldn't find her and finally heard her under his crib. I don't know how she even fit under it because it's about half as tall as she is. She also thinks that all of the stuffed animals are for her. She gets this sad look on her face when I put them away and don't let her have them. I need to go out and get her a couple of new toys to make her feel better ;).

For now, I'm just feeling like poo. My hips, back, and feet hurt so bad. I don't sleep but about 2-3 hours a night. The heartburn and headaches are so annoying. I'm just overwhelmed and excited at the same time. I know this is all for Barrett though, so it's alright and I'll cope. I just can't wait to meet and hold him! I would love to go ahead and take maternity leave but I know time will just creep by so I'm still working for now.

My mom's having back surgery on Wednesday, so we're praying everything goes smoothly with it! She'll have about a 4 week recovery so it'll be just in time for Barrett's arrival. I hope everyone has a great week!

And the anxiety kicks in...

I'm 32 weeks today so only about 8 weeks to go! To the right is a picture of my giant-self today. I can't wait for my ultrasound next Monday and see how this boy is measuring. Not to mention, I get to see his sweet face again! I have my 2nd baby shower this coming Sunday and another one the next Sunday. I can't wait! We have an Infant Class Wednesday night. I think it just teaches the basics like how to take care of the umbilical cord and all of that fun stuff. I'm hoping they cover some of the really basic stuff like changing diapers and feeding, since Ty has never changed a diaper nor fed a baby. Luckily, between my 3 nephews, I've had quite a bit of experience with that stuff but it won't hurt to go over it again.

At this point, I'm just excited to meet Barrett but along with the excitement comes alot of anxiety. I mean, it's not just having a baby, it's a life that I'm responsible for for a very long time to come. I've had panic attacks for the past 3 years and it's hard for me to deal with them without my medicine. I've done pretty well since getting pregnant but now they're back with a vengeance and get worse, the closer I get to my due date. I have such a huge respect for people that have ever had mental disorders/problems. I don't think anyone will understand until they've suffered from one themselves. I've had people tell me for so long to think this way or tell myself this and unfortunately, mental problems don't work that way. I thank God for medications that have been invented to help with these problems. However, they can't be taken while pregnant. I guess I'll just have to learn to deal with everything or suffer until I give birth.

I have been obsessive about cleaning my house lately. Me and Ty cleaned the windows yesterday. Of course Ty didn't think they needed cleaning but after seeing the rags I used, he agreed that they needed it! I thought I was done after that but then noticed the garage needed cleaned. So, I organized our storage area where we put cleaners and all kinds of junk. Of course, this led to noticing the garage floor needed scrubbed and cleaned. At that point, Ty determined I was crazy and that it's a garage and supposed to be dirty. In other words, he talked me out of it and it's probably a good thing he did or I'd have lots of back pain today. I think I've just ran out of stuff to clean but I feel like everything has to be perfect before Barrett's arrival. I'm even scared to let someone else clean my house because I'm worried they won't do it like I like it! However, next time the house needs cleaned, I'm going to HAVE to get someone else to do it.