Home and Body Postpartum

It's been quite difficult for me to take care of both the home and my body since the arrival of our daughter (Rose, who is almost 8 weeks old now).  However, it's definitely getting better.  We haven't undertaken any major home improvement projects.  I feel like we are just now starting to be able to keep up with everyday house maintenance.  As for the body... I am quite pleased with my postpartum body.  I haven't done any official workouts, but I've done a few little things here or there.  Plus taking care of Rose is sometimes a workout (pacing, bouncing, lifting, etc).  I'm thinking it won't be too long before I again embark on a workout program/routine.

40 Weeks

How far along?          40 weeks!  It’s so exciting that I’ve reached my due date!  A lot of people don’t understand that 40 weeks is the average length of pregnancy, which means about half of babies are born after their due date.  Well, we’re ready when she is!

Total Weight Gain:    This past week +1 lb, Total +26 lbs.

Maternity Clothes:    Same as last week.

Continuing Symptoms:         Lots of movement, back, sciatic, or hip pain, restless legs, Braxton hicks, increased bathroom trips, things are more difficult to do, I feel out of breath, and I get tired and/or achy a lot easier, etc

New Symptoms:        Well, not much new really.  I’ve definitely been having all of the “pre-labor” signs… but that doesn’t really give any real indication as to when labor will actually start, haha.

Sleep:              My bathrooms trips have doubled; I’ve now been making two a night.  I continue to sometimes have problems with hip/back pain while sleeping, but it’s not every night and it’s bearable.  Oh yeah, sometimes I get woken up with contractions too, but only up to a couple of times a night…

Cravings:         Sweets and pizza.

Stretch Marks:           None yet.  I thought I might have found some last week, but it turns out that they really were just scratches.  I don’t know how I managed to scratch myself in the middle of the night…  They’re gone now.

Special Moments:      Things have been pretty calm around here.  We’re all ready to go.  We’re just waiting.  I’ve been trying to do a good job of having groceries on hand and having the house clean, that way whenever the time comes we won’t come back to a dirty house or an empty refrigerator.  It still feels so surreal.  It’s still so hard for me to believe that we’ll have a baby soon and that pretty soon I won’t be pregnant, haha.

Miss anything?           I miss being able to cuddle easily with Carlos, have nice close hugs; this big belly makes things difficult, evening cuddling on the couch.  I’m also still missing being able to squeeze between things (furniture, people, etc), sleeping on my back and stomach, running, being able to easily lean or bend over to pick up things, being able to stand close to the sink while washing dishes, having an alcoholic beverage, eating cold sandwich meat, wearing my non-maternity clothes...

Belly Button in or out?         Same… my belly button is still in, but it’s also out…  It’s in, but you wouldn’t necessarily know that looking through a shirt or something, because the skin kind of sticks out.

Wedding rings on or off?      On.

Looking forward to:  Having this baby!  I’m also looking forward to my parents coming to visit.  Hopefully, they won’t have to change their tickets and I’ll get to see them in a week.  =)

Nursery Update

39 Weeks

How far along?          39 weeks

Total Weight Gain:    This past week 1 lb, Total +25 lbs.

Maternity Clothes:    No changes or additions, though I’m pretty much just sticking with one pair of jeans these days.

Continuing Symptoms:         Baby movement (I can feel her everywhere in my torso! I'm all baby!), back, sciatic, or hip pain, restless legs, Braxton hicks, increased bathroom trips, things are more difficult to do, and I get tired and/or achy very easily, etc

New Symptoms:        Nothing new exactly.  I’m continuing to get more and more uncomfortable, mostly with regards to hip and sciatic pain, shortness of breath, and crowding to my ribs.  I’ve also been quite moody lately (happy, frustrated, crying, then happy, then happy crying, etc… haha)

Sleep:              Same…  I’m still having once a night bathroom trips, but I’m sleeping well (most nights) and falling asleep quickly after I get up at night.  I’ve been having more nights in which my hips/back bother me more and they’re usually aching when I wake up.

Cravings:         Chocolate and chocolates.

Stretch Marks:           Not yet… well... maybe not.  I have three lines on my belly that just instantly appeared overnight last night.  They look like scratches (straight pink lines, and kind of sting to touch), so I'm hoping that's what they are... time will tell.

Special Moments:      I really wanted to make it to at least 39 weeks because of the likely benefits of the baby staying in the womb for that long, and today I’m there!  Yea!  Yesterday I went to a La Leche League meeting, so that was neat to meet some experienced moms, moms-to-be, and brand new moms.  Supposedly weight gain is supposed to slow down in the last month, but it hasn’t for me, haha.  I finally acquired that rounder pregnancy face; I just feel more filled out everywhere.  I don’t mind too much, I feel very womanly!

Miss anything?           Being able to squeeze between things (furniture, people, etc), sleeping on my back and stomach, running, being able to easily lean or bend over to pick up things, being able to stand close to the sink while washing dishes, having an alcoholic beverage, eating cold sandwich meat, wearing my non-maternity clothes…  I ran into my belts the other day and I was like, “Oh yeah, I used to wear those…”

Belly Button in or out?         Same… my belly button is still in, but it’s also out…  It’s in, but you wouldn’t necessarily know that looking through a shirt or something, because the skin kind of sticks out.

Wedding rings on or off?      On.

Looking forward to:  At this point, mostly just looking forward to baby’s arrival!  I think Carlos is starting to get more nervous about the labor and delivery, but I know he’ll do well.  I’m surprised I’m not more nervous, I’m sure more nerves will kick in when the time comes.

38 Weeks!!!!

How far along?          38 weeks

Total Weight Gain:    This past week +1 lb, Total +24 lbs.

Maternity Clothes:    No changes or additions.

Continuing Symptoms:         Lots of movement, I’m generally feeling good, occasional back, sciatic, or hip pain, restless legs, Braxton hicks, increased bathroom trips, things are slightly more difficult to do, and I get tired and/or achy a lot easier.

New Symptoms:        Nothing new.

Sleep:              Same…  I’m still having once a night bathroom trips, but I’m sleeping well (most nights) and falling asleep quickly after I get up at night.

Cravings:         Same… Cereal and pancakes.  Oh, and chocolate.

Stretch Marks:           Not yet… 

Special Moments:      Tomorrow will be the baby’s birth month!  I’m very excited for it to be February.  I’ve done more setting up and decorating of our bedroom and the nursery.  The crib looks so cute with the crib skirt and mobile.  I want to wait to make another video until the chair slipcover comes in...

Miss anything?           Being able to squeeze between things (furniture, people, etc), sleeping on my back and stomach, running, being able to easily lean or bend over to pick up things, being able to stand close to the sink while washing dishes…

Belly Button in or out?         Same… my belly button is still in, but it’s also out…  It’s in, but you wouldn’t necessarily know that looking through a shirt or something, because the skin kind of sticks out.

Wedding rings on or off?      On.

Looking forward to:  Receiving the chair slipcover for the nursery.  Oh yeah, I’m also looking forward to the baby’s birth.

37 Weeks

How far along?          37 Weeks = Full Term!  Yea!  Baby will still benefit from time in the womb though, so she's welcome to take her time.  Although I have no control over it, I'd like to make it to at least 39 weeks! :)

Total Weight Gain:    This past week 2 lb, Total +23 lbs.

Maternity Clothes:    No changes or additions.

Continuing Symptoms:         Lots of movement, I’m generally feeling good, occasional back, sciatic, or hip pain, restless legs, Braxton hicks, increased bathroom trips, things are getting slightly more difficult to do, and I get tired and/or achy a lot easier.

New Symptoms:        BH’s are getting to be a bit more painful/uncomfortable, but nothing to indicate impending “true labor”.

Sleep:              Same…  I’m still having once a night bathroom trips, but I’m sleeping well (most nights) and falling asleep quickly after I get up at night.

Cravings:         Cereal and pancakes.  Oh, and chocolate.

Stretch Marks:           Not yet… 

Special Moments:      We finished shopping!  Well… basically, we still want to get something with drawers for the nursery (we’ll get a wood dresser later) and a basket for the “diaper station” in our room.  I had a good appointment yesterday.  The birth plan is finalized!  Baby’s head is engaged and she’s in perfect position for birth.  =)  We also have our hospital bags packed with the exception of a few last minute items.  Oh yeah, and we moved the crib into our bedroom finally.

Miss anything?           Being able to squeeze between things (furniture, people, etc), sleeping on my back and stomach, running, being able to easily lean or bend over to pick up things, being able to stand close to the sink while washing dishes…

Belly Button in or out?         Same… my belly button is still in, but it’s also out…  It’s in, but you wouldn’t necessarily know that looking through a shirt or something, because the skin kind of sticks out.

Wedding rings on or off?      On.

Looking forward to:  Receiving all of the items that we ordered online!