Sunday, May 19, 2013

Week 38




How far along:  38 weeks  

Sleep: 
If the contractions aren't painful enough to keep me from sleep, I can actually sleep decently.  I wake up a few times for potty breaks but beyond that its okay.  I've also been having very vivid dreams lately. For instance, I dreamt that Alex and I adopted a ten year old kid....weird.

Symptoms I have: 
I've been having a whole lot of false labor.  Physically speaking, this has been a rough week for me.  Several nights this week I had crazy sore false labor.

Emotionally speaking however, this week has been much better than last week.

Okay so I've been walking the butt load lately (approx 5 miles or more at least) which has resulted in very very swollen feet/cankles/calves.

We try to go to the beach pretty much everyday to help out those swollen feet.  Alex has tried to massage them as well which is a nice gesture and feels good but doesn't do much to help the swelling.

I've been eating the ton of pineapples and trying to get the whole sex thing to work but alas, real labor has yet to start.

I can't wear a bra because I now find that it kills my back big time.

Oh man I'm emotionally unstable.  Apparently any little minuscule thing can make me cry.

I wish there were real signs that guaranteed the onset of labor.  I've lost my mucus plus/bloody show, I've dropped, I can feel my sons head bounce up and down when I walk.  I just wish it could be the real thing.

I also thought that my water bag was leaking but we got it checked out and its fully intact.  Since I had to do the exam anyway for the water bag I figured I'd have my doc check me (which wasn' t the original plan) as of Friday I was 2 cm dilated.  Its nice to know that those uncomfy nights are at least amounting to some progress.

However as a side note, I do think that this week will be the week :)

My little babe has officially passed all the dates both his mommy and daddy wanted him to pass.  He will officially not be sharing any close relative/friends birthdays and he is also now a Gemini Snake, same as his father.

Maternity clothes:
Basketball shorts and hubs shirts.  I do hope the stretch marks will fade into light lines.

Cravings: 
Pita bread w/hummus. Cinnabon Chillatas.  Ice.

Dimensions
40 1/2 inches around.   I'm not gaining any inches or anything around my belly.  But the fundus measurements are coming in at 38 cm.

I'm up to 150.  So therefore I've gained more than the "recommended."

Movement: 
He moves around a good amount from time to time and I enjoy it.  I find his little movements to be reassuring.  I realized that he can't move during contractions. 

Belly button:
Outie

Events of the week:
My ankles/calves and so on got quite fat the day before mothers day and my blood pressure was high as well as my blood sugars.  Therefore just to be on the safe side, we went into the hospital under doctors advice to get monitored.  I was particularly worried about preeclapmsia since my mother had it with my sister.  We went in rather late in the evening and were monitored for roughly four hours or so.  I took blood test, urine test, so on and so forth and it turns out everything was fine.  There was no protein in my urine so it was okay.

I had thought my water bag had sprung a leak on Thursday so we went in to get it checked out.  My water bag is still intact and as of than I was 2 cm dilated.  Later that same day, lost the mucus plug.

Since we were in the doctors on Thursday, my OB also decided to check my fluid levels which were all up to par but we also got to see his little face!

Mothers Day - Originally Alex had wanted to take me to watch the sunrise with some cocoa to start the day but given that we had spent the entire previous night in the hospital we decided that we would sleep in and get some rest instead.  Turns out the morning was very rainy so had we gotten up, we probably wouldn't have been able to see anything anyway.  Given the weather, we decided we'd spend parts of the day with our families so we had breakfast with his family and lunch with mine.  For dinner Alex got me some flowers and made me portobello mushrooms with asparagus and potato fries with a bottle of apple cider.  Oh and he had also gone to Liliha Bakery the day before to get us some cocoa puffs! I was a spoiled mama that day.

Briana and Donovan's going away party. - Good food. Sad to see them leave but excited for their little family to start their own adventure.

We went to my families house to troubleshoot their aquaponics system and my husband built a tent for them to shade the system.  In that time I got to hang out with my family for a little while which was really nice.  My sister really likes to feel my baby kick and will patiently rest her hand on my belly until he decides to move around.  She's super cute and I miss my sister a bunch on a day to day basis.  I thought it was funny how my sister told me that I should simply ask my son in a nice way to come out.  It just made me laugh.  Also my mother commented on how my baby will probably be dark cause "alex is super dark!" Oh man that made me laugh too, he's dark and toasty now from the sun/beach but as a baby he was a light skinned blonde little thing.

We got a new high efficiency washer and dryer which we found to be a ridiculously exciting event.

We passed the guessed due dates of half of my family at this point.

The way Alex and I count the weeks is a little different.  For instance I am currently 38 weeks and 2 days today however, since the 38th week is technically over, we count it as the 2nd day of the 39th week.  All in all its the same thing but it just makes more sense for us to think of it that way.

Oh and my belly button now points to the floor.  I'm assuming that means he has dropped even lower.  However, my mother in law keeps on insisting that I haven't dropped at all, which is irritating to say the least.

Speaking of in-laws, their planning on making us some meals for the first week home with baby which is super super thoughtful.  We have everything prepped Ezykiel, now all we need is you!

Its pretty cool to think that even if he decides to hold out to the very end I'll have him by next Friday, not this up coming one but the Friday after.

*I got Alex's bday present today :DDDD  I'm really glad I thought ahead cause I don't think I have many more opportunities to sneak out and get his surprises.  I went while he went diving with his friends.  Matter of fact, I hope he's going to be bringing home some uhu tonight. yummmm.

Looking Forward To:
Real Labor

There is quite a whole lot going on this up coming weekend with everyone around me.  I'm planning on not participating in any of it given that if I don't have a baby by that point, I am going to be extremely uncomfortable.

My family and a whole lot of family friends are going to spend the weekend camping at Malaekahana. I hope they have a blast and it seems like they're gonna have a really great time.  I wish we could go but it is SO far from the hospital and I'm praying that I'll have him by that point, meaning that my little fam would have to stay home anyway.  If I were to go into labor down there it would be the most uncomfortable drive ever and everyone would be fussing over me so it seems unnecessary.  By the way camping is my ALL TIME favorite thing to do.  As of now, I can't imagine sleeping on the floor of a tent :( Having contractions with everyone around would be weird.

On another note, the aquaponics convention is this Saturday as well.  Really, that is where my husband and I should be this weekend.  We just decided that we weren't going to invest the money into going and participating since its so close to our due date.  I've also been missing our friends from  aquaponics, Reyn, Ness, Kaika, Dex.

Tomorrow I'm going to drop by my old work to see my friend Shelby :)

This week I'd like too:
Scrub my tub and deep clean my kitchen

Wrap Alex's bday gift

Figure out what the heck we're gonna do for fathers day

Friday, May 10, 2013

Week 37

This week has honestly been a difficult week for me overall.  Time is passing very very slowly and I'm feeling very overwhelmed with a whole lot of "negative" emotions.  

*side note both my mama and my gma had all their babies on week 36 which is why I wouldn't have been surprised if my baby wanted to show up this past week.

Since this is my first baby I have no idea what real labor feels like and with that being said.....

I thought twice this week that I was going into true labor because my braxton hicks were regular, steady and some what sore.  These "false alarms" are extremely frustrating to me.  My husband isn't a very good camper about the false alarms either.  Every time I don't progress into real labor my husband gets mad at me for "playing games" with him.  

I am frustrated with these fake labor symptoms that last all day.  I am irritated that they don't progress into anything further.  I am sad because my husband makes me out to be the bad guy when the contractions taper off and I don't end up going into true labor.  I feel unsupported because my birth partner (ie Alex) gets frustrated with me so easily these days.  When I get really overwhelmed and have to cry a little bit simply because I am overwhelmed, he badgers me about crying and why its unnecessary.  Says things like "why are you crying?! nothings even happening?!" and so and so forth.  I almost feel like he believes that my own feelings aren't validated.  Like I have no right to feel down or sad or overwhelmed or lonely.  Since he's working and I'm staying home I get to do whatever I want when ever I want so therefore I should be happy happy happy.  All in all though I just feel lonely.  Like i'm in this completely on my own right now.

I understand especially now that we're coming to the end of the pregnancy that my hubs is getting stressed to the brink and beyond of providing for our family and making enough to stay home for a month with me and baby Ezykiel when he decides to make his debut.  I do get that he's overwhelmed with everything too because it is nerve wracking and stressful.

However, I don't appreciate being made to feel like less of a person because I'm not working at the moment and therefore not contributing to the household income.  (I'm a server and I got off the floor and stopped working about a month ago)

Yesterday I babysat my gf's month and half old baby.  He was everything cuddly and wonderful and I had great time.  Alex was not at all pleased that I was watching someone else's baby and kept on telling me that I was "betraying" our son and getting the other babies "scent" in our home.  Which is ridiculous but went on to say that he's worried about me staying home and raising our kids since i'm already choosing another baby over ezykiel and he's not even here yet.

I've honestly just been trying to avoid my husband as of late when he's home because the more I talk to him, the more I feel like less of a person.

I have my own stresses and I have a hard time dealing with the fact that he takes his frustrations out on me as well.

Lately, he's been belittling my pregnancy telling me that I only walked an hour and I shouldn't be tired or to "get over" my swollen feet.  He thinks all of the pregnancy symptoms, heartburn, fatigue, swelling, braxton hicks are just a result of my mind not being able to control my body.

I think I just really need a hug.  And thank goodness for this blog so that I am able to vent.

After talking to a few of my friends who are going through or have gone through similar situations, I feel better knowing that I'm not the only one whose had to deal with these end of the road changes.  Apparently guys can get stressed out too and be a little douche-y especially towards the end when the tensions are the highest.

I want to hear stories mamas, during your births what "clicked" in your head to make you realize that you were in real labor rather than false labor?

______________________________________________________________________




How far along:  37 weeks  

Sleep: 
We can more or less say no sleep.  Its just an impossible thing.  Plus I've been kind of down this week which makes it even more difficult to get any rest.

Symptoms I have: 
So many symptoms.

Sore everything pretty much.   My back is always sore, particularly underneath my left shoulder blade.
Also, my lower back tends to be a bit sore as well.

My feet and ankles swell now and thats no fun.

I had a sprained ankle I had difficulty walking on half the week.

I find it frustrating that I have a hard time putting socks and shoes on my feet because my belly is in the way and I have to hold my breathe to reach my toes.  Even than I think that's in my head because holding my breathe does not make my belly any smaller at all.

Getting up and down is challenging when you have a belly that you can't breathe with and an ankle you can't stand on.  Going from the ground up by myself is near impossible.

Braxton hicks!  I'm really not sure if i'm in early labor or not because my braxton hicks for the last 24 hours have hurt in my lower back and my tummy.  I have so many contractions all the time :(

Maternity clothes:
None still, anything that will stretch

Cravings: 
Coffee.  I caved today and brew me up a cup of decaf.  I know that isn't too bad but on the other hand I really haven't even caved to decaf in forever.  I really want ice cream.

Dimensions
40 1/2 inches around.   I'm not gaining any inches or anything around my belly.  But the fundus measurements are coming in at 38 cm.

No idea about the weight gain-age.  I've never owned a scale and since my doc has been out this week I didn't go in for a check up.

Movement: 
I was under the impression that his movements were supposed to have slowed down now that he's so big and there isn't much room.  However he's only getting more and more active on a consistent basis.

Belly button: I'm an outie.  Trying to keep the stretch marks under control.

Best moments of the week:





Even though I sprained my ankle hiking last weekend, I really enjoyed it.  One thing I've missed a whole lot during the third trimester especially is hiking.  By the way everyone who passed us on that hike thought I was crazy and berated my husband for even allowing me to do such a thing this far along.

After hiking we even stopped by the most delicious bakery known to man (Liliha Bakery) and got some cocoa pufs which have chantilly on the top and chocolate custard in the middle.

We finally came up with a name for our son.  His first name is going to be Ezykiel.  I'll announce his full name and the meaning behind it when he decides to come.

sleepytime
ignore me but check out that baby yawn 


I watched my gf's baby yesterday and my oh my he was the cutest little thing.

My family has been really great and they've dropped off lunch to me several times this week.

Haleiwa Joes was a delicious brunch to celebrate boys day and I even got to bring home some of the extra decaf tea bags from the hot tea we all ordered.

Today is also my mamas bf's birthday! He's pretty much the father figure in our lives :)

Looking forward too:
Briana and Donovan's going away party on Saturday.  Although I'm pretty bummed that they are leaving so soon but on the other hand I'm really excited for Briana and her little family to start out there lives else where.

Mother Day is this Sunday.  I really have no idea what I'm going to do that day.  I'm going to assume Alex isn't going to do anything for me given that I have not yet had the baby so i'm really not sure if I qualify as a "mother" in his eyes quite yet.  Although I know that I'm a mother, I've only grown this little babe in me for the last ten months.  Besides its better to be pleasantly surprised if he does do something rather than be disappointed if he doesn't.  I need to figure out a way to show the mamas in my life that their seriously loved.  Challenge is going to be doing that with pretty much no money on hand.

Having this baby.  I don't feel like he's going to show up till next week though.  My exact guess is actually next week Friday the 17th.

Side Notes:
This past Saturday Alex and I decided to go on hike up Manoa Falls.  Mind you, we are avid hikers on a regular basis but being super duper pregnant I haven't really done a hike in the last few months.  Anyway, as far as memory serves me, this particular hike should've been the easiest hike in the history of man kind.  My oh my being nine months pregnant changed things around a bit for me.  I was actually super tired even though I made it without problem.  However, my ankles got super duper swollen in my hiking boots. :(   Although I didn't twist my right ankle, it feels sprained because the ligaments are hurting a whole lot and the swelling will not go down.

Updating about an entire week on here is a bit much.  I think I might switch up to doing two posts a week instead of one.

Already by the end of writing this all down I feel a million times better.  Other things that helped this morning brighten up include an early morning walk, a cup of decaf coffee, talking to my gf Victoria :)

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Week 36

So much Belly


These are technically 35weeks6days



How far along:  36 weeks  

Sleep: 
It is hot every moment of every second of every day no matter what!  I really don't sleep great anymore, and it kind of blows my mind to think that i'll have to deal with it for the rest of the month.

Symptoms I have: 
Some seriously painful kicks at times.

I'm starting to notice swelling, especially in my feet at the end of the day.

My whole body hurts sometimes, particularly under my shoulder blades and my lower back.

I pee quite a whole lot

Maternity clothes:
None technically still.  Just forgoing clothes in the comfort of my own house and wearing really loose outfits when I must go out and about.

Cravings: 
My cravings for coffee and sweets is getting ridiculous.  I almost feel like its all I can think about the moment my mind switches to any form of sustenance.  Coffee I don't cave however I have caved this week with sweets.  I shared some ice cream with my mom yesterday, I had some banana bread today and at my baby shower I ate cake!

Dimensions
40 1/2 inches around.   I noticed that i'm no longer gaining inches around but my doc says i'm measuring perfectly.

Gaining about a half a pound a week.

Movement: 
Still have an active baby in my belly. Speaking of which here's a short video of him kicking me that I tried to capture.






Belly button: I'm an outie.  

Best moments of the week:
All in all I actually had a wonderful week.

I had my baby shower last weekend and I had a blast catching up with family and a couple of friends. I really appreciated all the thoughtful gifts as well.  I even got a gift of silk pajamas for this mama. :)

I've been walking everyday with Alex after work and its been wonderful.  When we get home he reads to baby, last night we read Oh the Places You'll Go by the one and only Dr. Seuss.

I got to spend some time Sunday with my mom, sister and Jordan.  We went out to go eat at tsukijis and man oh man did I stuff myself silly.  I even got my bubble drink since I drove all the way out to Ala Moana.

I had lunch with my grandma yesterday and got to chit-chat with her and I even got to hang out with my mom a bit during the farmers market.

I finally taught myself how to crochet and made my baby his little beanie.

We picked strawberries in our system!

We more or less finished up the main aspects of baby's room.  We ordered everything else that we needed and are set to go.  Speaking of which

Looking forward too:
Tomorrow! Alex is taking the day off to go see the eye doctor and finally get himself some new contacts so we'll be spending the rest of the day at the beach.

Brunch on Sunday with my in-laws at Haleiwa Joes

Working on the Kapolei aquaponics system on Saturday.

Getting really excited to meet my baby, I'm hoping he comes in a couple of weeks  :)

Side Notes:
Just got home from the doctors and she went over all of the potential emergencies and such.  Otherwise, baby is head down and ready to go.  Next week we'll start checking to see my progress and I'm glad to know that I can still follow my birth plan even with the GD.  During early labor I have to check my sugars once every four hours and than once every two hours in active labor.  I have to control my sugars more during labor and my numbers need to below 110.  If they should go above 120, I need to go into the hospital.  Also, as a side note, if my water should break my doc doesn't want me to wait more than two hours to come in.  Take my time getting ready to leave and drive over calmly but don't wait too long.  My doc will actually be out of town this next week so I won't be seeing her to the monday after Mothers Day.

Some moments of happiness throughout the week :)

Picked some juicy strawberries out of our aquaponics system :)

No Make-Up + Belly + Strawberries



Made my baby a beanie he can wear when he comes home
Now I'm working on a matching one for his daddy <3
Short hair!

Sisterly-Love

Prepped all of babys cloth diapers and have everything set to go

Including the same rocking chair Alex was rocked in as a baby
I am currently missing being this skinny.  I really am hoping and praying with all my heart that I can get back to this size pretty much ASAP after I have baby.  I was at a size 1 - 3 so i'm crossing my fingers and hoping for the best.  Oh and also I've always been the girl that ate whatever in the world I wanted to eat and didn't have to worry about it.  I really hope that it'll still be that way post prego.