37 Weeks

Fuchsia Maternity Maxi HERE

How far along? 37 Weeks 

Fruit Size: Romaine Lettuce

Nickname this week: Little Buddy

Total weight gain/loss: Not going there this week, but the gain went from pounds at every check up to ounces, must be that baby takes up so much room that teeny portions are now a must.

Maternity clothes? Yes 

Stretch marks? Yes
Belly button in or out? Out

Wedding ring on or off? Off

Sleep: Not so amazing the past couple days with lots of cramping, stomach pains & baby crowding my ribs.

Favorite thing this week: Super comfy maxi & t-shirt dresses.

Miss anything? Easily getting up off the couch!

Movement: Still lots but smaller

Food Cravings: Ice Cream

Pregnancy Symptoms: Nesting, which is so much more fun than swollen ankles!

Have you started to show? Yes

Gender: Boy

Happy or moody? Happy
Looking forward to: Seeing baby for the first time & Daddy finally getting a chance to hold him <3

35 Weeks

Tank Top SIMILAR HERE // Non-Maternity Sweater SIMILAR HERE // Maternity Leggings HERE

How far along? 35 Weeks 

Fruit Size: Pineapple

Nickname this week: Little Guy

Total weight gain/loss: No Comment (eek)

Maternity clothes? Yes (minus that draped sweater above)

Stretch marks? Yes
Belly button in or out? Out

Wedding ring on or off? Off

Sleep: Pretty amazing once I get comfortable (knock on wood).

Favorite thing this week: Setting up baby's nursery with hubby & putting together his first load of laundry.  Just a few little things to add & we're done!

Miss anything? Sitting by the fire pit with a cocktail instead of lemonade :)

Movement: Lots & Lots

Food Cravings: Fresh Fruit yum-o

Pregnancy Symptoms: Joint pain in my fingers, what's up with that??

Have you started to show? Yes

Gender: Boy

Happy or moody? Happy
Looking forward to: DIYing a few wall projects for baby's room & hanging our maternity photos <3

34 Weeks

Non-Maternity Sweater Kohl's // Maternity Leggings HERE

How far along? 34 Weeks 

Fruit Size: Butternut Squash

Nickname this week: Little Buddy

Total weight gain/loss: No Comment

Maternity clothes? Yes (minus that super comfy sweater above)

Stretch marks? Until this week I was blessed to only have one stretch mark, but now there's a mini family of them springing up.  Throughout my pregnancy I've used a combination of Suave Revitalizing with Vitamin E Body Lotion & JOHNSON’S baby oil with shea & cocoa butter, but this week added Deep Steep Body Butter - Grapefruit Bergamot & Mederma® Stretch Marks Therapy to my routine.  Side note- the body butter is amazing for fast itch relief & I plan to gift it at every baby shower I attend for the rest of my life.
Belly button in or out? Out

Wedding ring on or off? Off

Sleep: Good & not so good nights.

Favorite thing this week: The most wonderful surprise baby shower <3

Miss anything? My pre-baby waistline.  Yesterday I was daydreaming about sleeping on my stomach & being able to roll over.

Movement: Baby is doing the wave in there & pushing up on the right side a ton.

Food Cravings: Ice Cream

Pregnancy Symptoms: Swollen Ankles/Feet, Sciatic Nerve Pain

Have you started to show? Yes

Gender: Boy

Happy or moody? Sleepy
Looking forward to: Finishing baby's room this weekend & packing those hospital bags.

Meeting the Pediatrician

Before the visit:

I am super nervous about meeting the right pediatrician.  A Doctor that's in sync with what we're looking for, friendly & nearby.  As first time parents Eric & I both know there will be lots of questions, anxiety & nervousness on our end; especially during the first couple months after baby is born.  So someone who understands this is our first go round with an infant is also key.

Our OB, family & a few others in between all suggested one place which made choosing who to set up our first interview with super easy.  Plus two locations, one less than five minutes from our home & the second no more than fifteen, was a huge bonus.

So to get ready I scheduled a prenatal visit which includes a tour, meeting one of the Doctors & a chance to ask any questions we might have.  Then I started researching what others looked for during their interviews & found this amazing article by Fit Mama 4 Life.  In addition to her suggested questions, I'm also adding:

- Is a lactation consultant in house or suggested one nearby.

- Are same day sick appointments offered.

- What medications (i.e. Infant Tylenol) should we always have on hand at home.

- Are all visits handled by a Doctor or are well baby visits typically done with a Nurse Practitioner?

After the visit:

Looking back I have no idea why I was so nervous about this because we couldn't have asked for a better first interview (& last because I don't even want to look anywhere else).  The Doctor answered nearly all of my questions before I even asked, which was a huge check mark in their favor.  The entire office was spotless & organized, a second plus.  And turns out we were visiting with the same pediatrician Eric went to, just in a newly remodeled space (what are the odds of that one??).

This visit was our last scheduled tour or class which is making me reflect back on everything we've done to prepare for baby L & what I still need to feel ready to bring that little guy home next month (squeal!!).

Which led me to the conclusion that everything will never be 100% ready.  There will be frantic last minute emails before being away from my business, all of our current family photos will not be organized (sniff sniff), there will probably be dirty dishes in the sink & the dogs will not be fully trained but that's okay.  All of it is okay & will be perfect in it's imperfection.  Now on to finish painting that dresser from our Nursery Inspiration post...