36 Weeks

Wow! It's been a crazy, busy time.  We have been going, going, going.  Coop turned 2, my family visited, we recently moved, and are working on unpacking.  Needless to say there has not been much down time.  Life is moving pretty fast and we are well aware it shows no signs of slowing down.  Taking time to stop and relax is not always easy, but it's very easy to remember how insanely blessed we are!

How far along: 36 weeks and 4 days--so so close!

Maternity clothes: Oh yeah.  This belly is here and on display for the world to see.  Strangers are asking me if I have a basketball under my shirt.  I'm just going to take that as a compliment.  I have maxi skirts in 5 different colors and am currently enjoying the comfort of those skirt.

Stretch marks: Yes!  WahWah!  Despite my best shea butter efforts I have stretch marks.  I found an awesome quote of Pintrest saying how stretch marks represent each breath your child took in your belly and I think that's pretty cool.

Sleep: On my left side with a body pillow. I lay on a heating pad every night to help with my lower back pain.  I am getting up only once a night to use the bathroom.  Some nights I can fall asleep pretty easily and others my mind races.  On those nights it takes a hour or so to fall back to sleep.  

Best moment last week: It's been so long since I blogged and there have been some great moments.  But one that is fresh on my mind is the impromptu family dance party we had this past weekend. We went to the Chowder Cook Off in CB.  After sampling some chowder (OMG) we walked over to the area where the band was playing.  C pulled J and me up to dance floor and began to shake his tail feather.  He was clapping, laughing, jumping, twirling, and having the time of his life.  He insisted we did not let him dance alone.  The look of joy on his face was the greatest thing I have ever seen.  He was so happy and it made us so happy.  On a totally related note he napped for 2 hours which allowed for me to nap AND slept until 7:00 the following morning.  He usually gets up between 5 and 5:30 AM so it was a treat to sleep in.  Dancing can wear a family out!

Movement: This girl is going to be dancing machine like her big brother.  The doc says he head is down which is great news.  The kids at school can see her move and think that's pretty cool.  It never gets old for me to watch her move.  It's always fun and makes me wonder what she is thinking in there...  

Food cravings:y  As the weather warms up I tend to crave fruit and summer drinks.  Strawberries, blueberries, kiwis, and grapes are my favorites right now.  I am also loving coke Icees.  There is a gas station down from our new house that serves them.  YAY!  The other weekend I bought a box of Honeynut Cheerios on a whim.  I've since gotten J hooked on them and we now are buying boxes in bulk.  C is a purist and sticking to the more healthful orignal CHeerios.

Gender: GIRL

We are not only moving, but getting a baby room ready, too!  We have decided on purples, greens, pinks.  Girly,but not too girly.  I'm really excited to get her room together.  The crib is up and my stepfather in law is putting the rest of the furniture together this week.  My mom is coming to help on Thursday.  She did not get to help with C's nursery so I know this will be a special time for us to put together her room.  

Labor signs: Having some Braxton Hicks that stop me every now and then.  As I said her head is down.  I opted not to get checked at the last appointment.  I probably will not until 38-39 weeks.  I am mentally preparing myself to be overdue again. This way if I go into labor I will be pleasantly surprised.

Belly button - in or out? Out and it''s not cute.  It sticks out on all my shirts and it's annoying.  Oh well. 

What I miss: y  Not huffing and puffing when getting up.  I am proud that I am not as big as I was last time so I am moving around much better this time around.  But as a friend pointed out this weekend I am nine months pregnant and it's ok that things aren't easy.  I miss being mobile.  J had to work so hard to get us moved out and in of the houses.  Being physically unable to lift stuff, climb up on chairs, and just bend over easily while moving is frustrating.  My grandmother spent the last 10 plus years of her life in a wheelchair and would be frustrated with having to ask people for help. My immobility is temporary and I'm grateful to able to move.  So despite the frustration, no whining here!

What I am looking forward to: Getting this house in order and making it a home for our family.  It is going to be a place where we will be for a long time.  We will bring our little girl home to this house.  Coop will learn to love his little sister here.  We will learn how to balance 2 kids here.  My kids will sit at the breakfast bar and have afterschool snacks while telling me about their day. I really want this place to be a comfortable home for us and a place for us to make new family memories.

Milestones: I think the biggest milestone is making it to 36 weeks!  It is homestretch and I'm nervous and excited.  We have decided this is the last pregnancy so knowing our family will be complete in less than 4 weeks is so exciting!  Anything could happen and it is up to this little LennyBean to let us know when the fun will begin!