Pregnancy Update: 38 weeks

How far along? 38 weeks 3 days (Only 8 days to go!)

Total weight gain/loss: Haven't gained anything since my 36 weeks appt. My appetite has been pretty flat but the baby is definitely growing.

Stretch marks? Some--getting a slight tan has helped.

Best moment this week? Feeling pretty prepared now- bag is packed and everything is washed and set-up.

Movement: It's been pretty quiet but I think he's just running out of room.

Food cravings: Not much

Gender: Boy

Labor Signs: None recently

Belly Button in or out? Flat
What I miss: Being able to keep up with my kids!
What I am looking forward to: Meeting this little man! We are still on track for a c-section next Wednesday. My next OB isn't until Friday.
Weekly Wisdom: Accept that you can't do it all!! The house is going to be messy, the dishes are gonna sit in the sink and the laundry isn't gonna get done. And it's totally okay!

Milestones: This is my last week of being pregnant for the rest of my life. I'm enjoying it but am glad it's almost over : )

On Tray Review

Have you ever seen a product and though "How did I live without this?" and then kick yourself for not inventing it yourself? That's exactly what I did with the On Tray!

I have seen if for sale before on baby sites like http://www.babysteals.com/ but never ordered fast enough to get one. This time, I decided to go right to the WAHM's website http://www.ontray2go.com/ and she graciously offered to fulfill my order with free shipping--so I of course used that savings to buy an extra one!

The On Tray is a neat little, well, tray that attaches to any shopping cart to help aid in carrying all those little things that you juggle while out shopping. It's manufactured in the USA, is microwave and dishwasher safe and comes in four fun colors!
I immediately thought of the bazillion times I'm bending down to pick up snack cups or fumbling with plastic baggies but I decided to test my On Tray out on my own private shopping trip.
I brought along the green On Tray when I went grocery shopping last night. It's made of a high quality BPA free plastic and is quite sturdy. It clipped easily onto the grocery cart handle and stayed put for the duration of the trip.

The size is rougly the size of a sandwich and easily held my shopping list, pen and cell phone. It's about 1 inch deep so nothing rolled off or fell down for my big 9 month belly to bend and pick up!! I decided to face the tray "in" towards the cart (vs. out) as I don't have much room in front of me anymore!
It was super handy in keeping everything right in front of me and I felt like it actually helped save me time for my overall trip (now....if I could only figure out a way for it to help me save $$ when shopping-hehe).
I plan to take it on my next venture out shopping with the kids and see how it does with snacks. I also love that it comes with a locking cover to help keep snacks fresh from trip to trip (although I don't believe it's meant for long term storage or anything).

Keep checking back for the On Tray review Part 2!!

It's Wednesday

I loathe Wednesdays. I know people call it "hump day" because it's the middle of the week and all but I just don't like Wednesdays.

I forget how much fun I had the weekend before but it seems like the next weekend is super far away. There is nothing good on TV on Wednesday and I think it's the hardest day of the week to spell.

I am always tired on Wednesday and never have a creative idea on what to make for dinner. The house starts getting messy from the weekend clean-up and laundry starts piling up reminding me we have another clean-up coming in a few days.

BUT THIS WEDNESDAY IS MY LAST WEDNESDAY AT WORK!!!!

YAHOO FOR WEDNESDAY!!!

My maternity leave starts next week and I look forward to have 12 or so days to prepare for Baby P's birth scheduled for 07-07. I'm having all these daydreams of all the stuff I'll get done with those days off yet I know I'll probably spend it meeting with friends, shopping and resting.

Then, on the next Wednesday, Baby P will be here for us to finally meet and welcome into our family.

Maybe Wednesday will hold a special meaning to me after he is born. We'll see.....

Nicki's Diapers Blog Weekly Giveaway

I've ordered from Nicki's diapers website before but never really noticed they had a blog. In fact, Nicki's was the first cloth diaper order I ever made! I was very happy with the ease of checkout and how quickly I received my items.

They have a weekly giveaway on their blog. Just wanted to share it with my readers!

Pregnancy Update 37 weeks

How far along? 37 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: My OB appt is tomorrow so we'll see!

Stretch marks? Been applying Bio-Oil like crazy hoping to stave off any others!

Best moment this week? Having my bag about 75% packed and feeling semi-prepared. We finally put up the crib and got all the bedding washed. I have to get the co-sleeper put together and get that bedding washed and we should be all set!

Movement: They have definitely slowed down. I think the baby is preparing himself for his entry into the world by taking it easy this last week. I don't think he really knows what he's in for!

Food cravings: Nothing specific. I have a container of fresh strawberries in my fridge at home that are calling my name though!

Gender: Boy
Labor Signs: I was timing BH contractions last week Thursday but nothing major.

Belly Button in or out? Flat

What I miss: Walking like a normal person. Now I'm getting these shooting/stabbing pains in my legs that cripple me when I walk. I've had more than one person ask if I needed help or an ambulance!!

What I am looking forward to: My OB appt tomorrow to check on the baby. I'm fine with keeping him in for another 16 days as long as he's doing well. My BP was up just a little last time but otherwise things are going as planned!

Weekly Wisdom: Accept help from others. I know it's hard in this day in age when we are expected to be "super women" but if someone offers to carry your grocery bag, take it! If they want to take the kids for the afternoon, let them! Accept all the help you can and take it easy!

Milestones: I am considered full-term at the end of the week. 99% of babies do not need any medical intervention if born after 37 weeks. That is very reassuring!

******We are already up to 41 followers! Only 9 more to go before the giveaway! Spread the word on your blogs!*******

Whiny Whiny Whiny

I'm feeling whiny today.

I just don't feel good today. I'm really tired, have sore feet and feel like there are a million things I could be doing at home yet I'm here at work waiting for that one meeting from 1:00-1:30 to happen. Otherwise, I don't have any current projects as my boss doesn't want to assign me anything with me leaving in a few days. Totally understandable but it makes for a very, very long day.

I'm also getting stressed/anxious about delivering this baby. I walk around all day wondering if my water will break before my surgery date. How do moms that don't have a scheduled surgery date live wondering when this whole journey will be over? I give you a lot of credit. Both of my past surgeries happened so fast, I didn't have time to get stressed. With this one being scheduled ahead of time, I have too much time to prepare and think about it. Almost makes it worse.

And the pressure I'm feeling "down below" almost makes it impossible to walk. I don't think I can take much more of this! I don't know if that means the baby has dropped or what.

I am excited about a maternity photo-shoot I have scheduled for the 27th. Hopefully the baby holds on until then as I've not had maternity photos taken with my last two and would love to have some with this last and final pregnancy.

That's all for now. Here's a cute picture just for fun:

Pregnancy Update: 36 weeks

How far along? 36 weeks 1 days

Total weight gain/loss: 0 pounds from last week to this week! I had gained 7 lbs from week 33 to 34 so I'm okay with no weight gain last week or this week!

Stretch marks? Nothing new so far! I feel like this is the biggest my belly has been so I'm thankful for stretchy skin.

Best moment this week? Starting to pack my bag and finally having a c-section date scheduled. I know baby can come early but at least I know the latest this will be over!

Movement: It's beginning to get hard to tell the difference between big rolls and BH contractions.

Food cravings: Nothing really.

Gender: Boy

Labor Signs: Some BH contractions but no dilation.

Belly Button in or out? Flat

What I miss: Still sleep. I can barely roll over without waking myself up because of the pain. My ankles are also really painful during the night. Oh----and don't GET me started on the heartburn!!

What I am looking forward to: Meeting this little one.

Weekly Wisdom: Slow down and enjoy these last few weeks. It will be my last time (99.9% sure) so as much as I'm loathing it, I'm trying to enjoy it.

Milestones: Baby is over 6 lbs and considered full term at the end of the week. It feels great knowing that if he was born, he probably wouldn't need much medical intervention.

******We are already up to 40 followers! Only 10 more to go before the giveaway! Spread the word on your blogs!*******