38 Weeks Pregnant!!!

Your baby has really plumped up. He weighs about 6.8 pounds and he's over 19 1/2 inches long. He has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold his hand for the first time! His organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.

Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If he's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If he's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time he's 9 months old.

Baby is now the length of a leek!!
















Total weight gain: Up 1 more lb this week. 29 lbs total.
Updates: Went to my 38 week appointment today. Slight difference this week. 1.5 cm dilated and 80% effaced. My OB thinks baby weighs about 7 lbs right now and he feels long and skinny (just like a Shepardson boy). She informed me that 70% of first time moms will NOT go into labor on their own until on or after their due date. We made a back up plan that if I do not go into labor by July 6th, she will scheduled an induction for that evening. That would be just fine with me. I could have a 7/7/10 baby! Who knows though, I still could go tonight, tomorrow or next week but it is nice to have an end date in mind.
Sleep: Better sleep this week. I can't believe it! Since baby has moved down out of my ribs, I am less uncomfortable (no more rib pain) and can breath more easily. I've slept in my own bed for 3 nights in a row! It is so wonderful!
Other symptoms: Still having shooting pains from baby resting on my nerves, having menstrual type cramps occasionally as well as braxston hicks contractions. I've been nesting like crazy too. Lots of cleaning and organizing going on.
Best moment last week: We had a fun weekend celebrating father's day! We spent the evening at my parent's home and toasted my dad, my brother-in-law and soon to be father Dan. Also, I took some pictures of the finished nursery (below). I like to just hang out in there now and think about what it will be like to be a mother. I have a feeling I'll look back on that statement and think "I can't believe I had the time to just hang out and think!"
Other thoughts: This week I've been reflecting on how I got to this point. How did I survive years of heartache and empty arms to getting pregnant to making it full term in my pregnancy? Well, it was with lots and lots of prayers. So many people cried out to the Lord to bless me and give me a child. My mom and dad, brothers and sisters, in-laws, friends, and my church family all said countless prayers for me and am I so thankful for each and every person and prayer. The following are the wonderful words from the bible from which I drew strength and peace in my infertility journey:

Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Psalm 71:20-21 Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once again.

Jeremiah 31:13 (the Message) Their lives will be like a well-watered garden,never again left to dry up. Young women will dance and be happy, young men and old men will join in. I'll convert their weeping into laughter, lavishing comfort, invading their grief with joy.

Psalm 37:4-5 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he will bring it to pass.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

2 Corinthians 1:20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God.

Psalm 113:9 He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the LORD!

Praise the Lord indeed! Thank you for filling these empty arms. If there is anyone out there who is going through a difficult time, those are God's promises to all of us! Take Heart! and rest in the peace of His word.
What I am looking forward to: Well, now that I know my end date, I am looking forward to July 6th. However, I also look forward to waking Dan up in the middle of the night so he can take me to hospital! Seriously though, I am just going to enjoy these last few days of growing this precious baby inside my belly.
38 Week Belly Picture:





























Nursery Pictures:

37 Weeks Pregnant - Full Term!!!

Your baby is now considered "full term," even though your due date is three weeks away. If you go into labor now, his lungs will likely be mature enough to fully adjust to life outside the womb. Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel. Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.

Baby is now the length of a stalk of Swiss chard!!!

















Total weight gain: No weight gain this week. 28 lbs total.
Updates: Not too much of a difference this week. Still 1cm dialated but 70% effaced. My OB said it could still be today, tomorrow, or 3 weeks from now. I was a little suprised that I hadn't progressed further. Baby's head is very low and I can sure feel it! My hospital bag is packed and ready.
Sleep: Not good. I think last night I got 3 hours. A combination of contractions, cramping, sore ribs, diminished lung capacity, baby awake and moving, and just pure anxiety.
Other symptoms: Like I said, baby's head is right at my cervix and he continues to bump into it sending shooting pains many many times a day. Now that weather has heated up, I'm trying to remember to be thankful that I only have 3 more weeks at the most. 80 degrees is feeling like 110 to me. I'm very uncomforable in the heat.
Movement: I've read that baby's movements are supposed to start to slow now just because of the lack of room in my belly. Well, he is just as active as ever if not even more so since he seems even stronger. That is fine with me though. I still love feeling every movement.
Best moment last week: For all intents and purposes, the nursery is done! Hooray! The furniture is beautiful! I don't have pictures this week because I still need to hang some things on the walls but I hope to get that all done this weekend. I'll take some pictures and post them soon. My mom and I put together a glider all by ourselves. I was very proud of us. I would not have had the confidence to do it on my own but together we figured it out! My sister helped with setting up my nursery as well and my neice Baby Peyton helped by eating boxes and instruction manuals.
What I am looking forward to: I still need to organize baby's clothes and blankets etc., clean off my dining room table of boxes and plastic wrapping/packaging, and just general nesting and cleaning. I realize that baby will not know if my house is properly vacuumed and dusted but I have to do something with this nervous energy.
37 Week Belly Picture:

36 Weeks Pregnant!!!

Baby should soon descend into your pelvis, which will give your lungs a little room to breathe (literally). The bad news: This puts the brunt of baby's weight on your hips and pelvis, and will make them pretty sore. Add in your ever-loosening ligaments, and you may soon be taking on that oh-so-adorable pregnancy waddle.

Baby is now the size of a crenshaw melon!!!















Total weight gain: Up another lb this week. 28lbs total. My OB said I was starting to retain some fluid so that may be some of it.
Updates: Very exciting this week. I went to my OB appointment today and my Dr. said I am 1 cm dialated and 50% effaced. She said "Go home and pack your hospital bag! It could be tonight, it could still be weeks from now". Not completely helpful information but exciting nonetheless. I will go to the Dr. every week now until I deliver. Hopefully I will continue to make progress as I get closer to my due date.
Other symptoms: More and more contractions although nothing regular or significant. However, I have started to have a lot of pressure in my pelvis. Dr. said that is baby settling in lower and lower, getting ready to come out!
Movement: Lots of hiccups this week along with normal movement. Was at my parents house during one of his hiccup sessions and everyone got to feel them on the outside of my belly. It was pretty fun.
Best moment last week: Had a small shower last weekend. It was so fun and I got some great baby gifts! My mother-in-law Michele was so generous! She pretty much outfitted my entire nursery plus got me a pack-n-play along with some great toys and clothes! She said she has been buying for this baby since before we even announced we were pregnant! That made me cry! Thank you everyone who helped and came to the shower. It was a special time of celebration!
What I am looking forward to: Nursery Furniture is being delivered today! I'm so excited!!! It is a happy day when you get to set up a crib for your very own precious baby.
36 Week Belly Picture: Woah Mamma!!

























Picture of me at my shower with baby flip flops given by my sister-in-law Kelsey!

35 Weeks Pregnant!!!

Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds. Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

Baby is now the size of a honeydew melon!!!















Total weight gain: Up 1 lb this week. 27lbs total. I can stop gaining anytime now. That would be fine.
Sleep: I seem to spend half my sleep time on the couch and half in bed depending on how sore my ribs are. I tend to start in the bed and end up on the couch. Still getting about 6 hours a night with a couple naps throughout the week.
Other symptoms: Starting to get some contractions here and there. This past week, my Mom, Baby Peyton, and I made an unexpected mile long walk when we locked our keys in the car. Had 3 contractions on that walk. Also had a few yesterday. Guess my body is practicing for the real thing. Pretty exciting and scary.
Movement: Lots and lots. I love it except when I finally get comfortable enough to sleep and baby decides its time to get his exercise.
Best moment last week: Lots of fun stuff this past week. The nursery paint is finished! Hooray. Just have to get the chair rail up. Dan did such a great job. We've been shopping for a glider/chair for the nursery. We had a great time at a Memorial Day cookout at my parents house on Sunday. Mom and I took Baby P to the outdoor pool as well this week. So happy it is finally summer!
What I miss: I haven't had the energy or ability to plant a veggie garden this summer. We still might get a few things planted but I can't phyically do it myself this year. :( Maybe it is just as well as I probably won't be doing as much cooking at the end of the summer.
What I am looking forward to: Having a shower this weekend. I'm so looking forward to celebrating!
Milestones: 35/35!!!! 35 Weeks along and 35 days until my due date!
35 Week Belly Picture: