36 weeks | Baby #4

It's my golden week of pregnancy, when my weekly count matches my age. Hilarious to think that with Truman, week 28 was golden. Oh, how far we have come!

36 weeks, all four times: carrying differently every pregnancy!


Also, surpassed the 'one month' mark this week. Four more weeks seems ridiculously soon, right??

My weekly OB appointments have begun, and yesterday was a good one. I'd been having a lot more Braxton Hicks all day before the appointment, even just sitting in my desk chair, so it was nice to have a check up and NOT go into labor after a strange 'practice contraction' day like that.



I declined an internal exam because it's too early to get my mind set on any progress. Perhaps next week I'll cave? But baby boy measured well, heart rate was 152 and he was actively kicking the doppler the entire time. I lost two pounds somehow (?) which brings me back down to 28 total and my BP remains normal. Hallelujah!



Also, I finally told my OB that I'm listening to the Hypnobabies tracks and she is 110% behind me here. I don't know why I was nervous to tell her that I'm trying to stay mentally prepared, to be focused with positive thoughts, so that I don't completely lose my sh*t during labor. I mean, she's had four kids of her own and three of those were without epidurals---so she's a pretty 'natural' OB and totally gets it. Also, she's delivered 2/3 of my kids so she knows that this certainly cannot hurt to try!

She said, 'I love it, I love that---I wish more of my patients would listen to those tracks!' And I reiterated that I'm not saying I *won't* get an epidural, but I despise that time frame between deciding I need an epidural and waiting for it to arrive/take affect. It's the WORST. If I can ride the waves and eliminate the fear and anxiety that comes with labor, remembering that every contraction brings me closer to holding my baby, I will be able to embrace this final labor and delivery for all that it's worth. In envisioning it happening quickly, peacefully, but it will no doubt be intense;)

Baby boy has dropped if my bladder has anything to say about it. I seriously think I pee nearly every hour now, which is absurd and annoying, but I'm also trying to force down the fluids more than ever with this summer heat wave we're experiencing. When I drink more, and have to pee more, it seems like I have more BH contractions, just because there is so much pressure down there! I can feel him punching my bladder and cervix and definitely feel the 'lightening' sensation that I can breathe easier and have more room up top now. Oh, and did I mention that I have some wicked varicose veins in my legs and groin this time around? Really hoping those go away after birth, some are pretty gnarly but not painful so I won't complain too much.

Still not feeling very hungry lately, but I'm trying to eat a lot of protein along with my massive fluid intake. Also, have discovered the best ice cream known to man: Ben and Jerry's 'The Tonight Dough'. I need you to stop what you are doing right now and seriously consider going to the store if you've never tried it. Nate introduced me to this flavor, as a true ice cream lover, and I have come around to the idea of having several bowls per week. SEVERAL. Because this stuff is mind blowing, for real, and I don't usually love ice cream like my husband does.

It's fun to see how different my belly looks in the morning versus the evening hours. When I wake up he's super high and pointy, just floating around and giving my bladder/cervix lots of space. Then by about 4pm he's a bowling ball between my legs. I can't stop rubbing my belly to feel various appendages jut out at me and he's an acrobat that prefers my belly button for a punching bag. We all love to watch the Belly Show and frequently discuss what type of little person he's going to be. The kids (ahem, Porter) also gave me their cold this week and now I feel like my sinuses are going to pop out of my cheek bones, but I'm definitely better than I was a few days ago. Being sick when very pregnant in the summer is the opposite of fun but I'm glad it wasn't anything too bad. And I'm very thankful for Kleenex but can't wait until I can take Ibuprofen again.

Porter has been randomly asking when the baby will come out, tells me that he loves his little brother, and wants to hold him. He also asked me when the baby will start talking and frequently refers to himself as a baby, but whatever. Cecelia and Truman love to feel my belly jump and are practically giddy when they talk about this baby being born. They both had their last day of school yesterday, so it's feeling even more real when we discuss this baby's birthday happening 'this summer'. It's summer! And it is going to happen pretty freaking soon!!

I will not cry, I will not cry. BUT COME ON.




First day//last day. Bah!

So proud of this guy, who will be in Second Grade in a blink.


And this little lady rocked her first year of school, she's ready for Senior Kindergarten!


As if that's not enough to get me right in the feels, Truman lost his seventh tooth this week. AND I helped the kids in his class put together a sweet 'thank you' book for their teacher, which made her cry when we gave it to her, which made EVERYONE cry.


And this girl and I cannot get enough of popsicles, so there's that.


I finally started working on my list of things to buy for this baby. It's nothing major, but I added a bunch of new sleepers (some with magnetic closures, what??), swaddle sacks, a new Wubbanub pacifier, some diapers, and Aden and Anais blankets to my Amazon cart the other day. ALSO, I felt the urge to treat this fourth baby to a 'real' going home outfit from Etsy. Personalized, freaking adorable baby onesie, leggings, and a hat? YES. Not his name but the real deal will announce it. Hopefully it arrives in time as it can take 3 weeks to ship!



The other thing on my list is to figure out what breast pump to use, then order new parts and bottles and storage bags. I have two pumps right now, one Hygeia from 2010 (!) and one Medela from medical insurance with Porter. Both have seen better days and when looking into ordering new tubing and parts, I realized that I can probably get a brand new pump with my insurance again! So I'm going down that path this time and feeling like it's a major check mark to have a working breast pump and all of the supplies ready to go. Pretty sure I had my pump and all parts ready by 20 weeks in the past, but who is counting?



Another boy will soon be a part of this crew. Sigh.


So, I'm just hot and tired but not nearly as d-o-n-e as I was with Porter. Even with Cecelia, I was timing some concerning contractions at 36 weeks and was worried about her making an early appearance. I was navigating the waters of high blood pressure and intermittent bed rest with Truman, and I had no idea he would be in our arms just two weeks later.

All things considered, I'm hitting my golden week feeling grateful and really pretty good! I hope it continues and plan to enjoy this part of summer when baby is still on the inside;)