Final Month

"Some day you will be old enough to start 

reading fairy tales again." 

                                                                                                                 C.S. Lewis

I meant to post something over the weekend, but we were very busy moving rooms around and setting up the nursery! We're still collecting the odds and ends, but it finally feels like things are ready.

Yesterday I had my 36 week appointment. Blood pressure was good, actually lost weight over this past week (I believe that's due to finally being able to "go" again), urine looked great, and my uterus is still measuring right on track. Baby girl is head down and seems to be enjoying herself in there.
I had the strep B test done which wasn't as bad as I was expecting it to be. I also had my cervix checked. Things are happening down there and it makes me very excited.

Up until yesterday I hadn't registered at the hospital I plan on delivering at or packed my hospital bag. My bag still isn't packed, but I do have a list of what I want to put in it (hey, I want to use some of those things in the meantime), and I finally went and got all the registration stuff taken care of.

I am loving all the walking and hiking I've been getting in. I might not like living so far from the city, or from anything, but it sure is pretty here. Yesterday I went up to the trails earlier than I normally do. There was still fog hanging over some of the trees, the view of Denver was clear and beautiful, and it was at that perfect time of morning where the sun starts shining through the tree branches. Very relaxing.
There were only two other people up there, but I only ever saw them in the parking lot so it felt like I had the trails all to myself. The only things I saw on the trail were deer and wild turkeys. It was so quiet that I kept switching between feeling entirely at peace and really frightened, haha. I need to start going up there early more often. 

The work situation has been really stressful for us. Kevin and I have both experienced a lot of frustration and doubt over the past few months. There have been many exciting and promising things fall in our laps only to never go anywhere which has been incredibly discouraging. I would say depression has definitely afflicted  both of us throughout this waiting period and we have spent several nights sharing our "darkness" and discussing faith and patience.
Over this past week, we've both had experiences which have rejuvenated our spirits and helped increase our hope. Life gives everyone plenty of mountains to climb. I'm grateful for the gentle reminder I received that we're not doing this alone. 

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How far along: 36 weeks and 4 days. Only 24 days to go (if I deliver by my due date). 

Maternity clothes: Some. If I wore jeans, I would definitely need some maternity ones.

Sleep: I've been really tired lately from late nights and early mornings, but I have no problem sleeping. I love sleep, and when I have the time I get plenty of it.

Movement: She moves all the time and I love it, even when it hurts or makes me pee. The movement will be what I miss most when she arrives.

Cravings: Can getting this baby out be a craving? If so, that's my craving. If not, then salt and fat.

Symptoms: Nothing really other than peeing all the time.

Belly button in or out: Still half in. It's a fighter.

Signs of labor: Nope :(

Worst moment of the week: Running errands by myself and getting terribly lost. I ended up 50 minutes away from where I was trying to go. I pulled into a DQ parking lot and called Kevin sobbing, haha. It's funny now, but it sure wasn't yesterday.

Best moment of the week: Setting up the nursery, my OB appointment, and listening to Kevin talk about his daughter and how excited he is to meet her.

What I'm looking forward to: Reading to and rocking her to sleep in the glider, and for her and Kevin to meet. I think they're going to like each other.

Victories of the week: Washing and putting away all the baby clothes, getting all the errands I needed to get done done, and reaching fitness goals. Still putting on my own socks and shoes, still shaving my own legs, and still doing an awesome job at not peeing my pants.
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Size of baby: This week she measures 18.7 inches long and weighs just under 6 lbs. She is a coconut. 

Milestones: Our little miss is packing on weight at the rate of about an ounce a day. She is head down in preparation for game time. Her skull bones are still not fused together yet so her head can easily maneuver through the birth canal. At the end of this week, she will be considered early term!

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I have lots of pictures for today.

Here are the clothing items I'm choosing between for her coming home outfit: 

 This is from her auntie Kayleigh (love you). If it's cold, this is what we will bring her home in.

I love these too. They're a gift from my good friend Abby. 

Here are the nursery pictures!

Glider! I love sitting here and can't wait to share it with our daughter!

Nightstand with our baby books in it. I don't know what I'm going to put in the drawer yet.

 Sign I made.

The crib! I love, love, love it. We still need to put sheets on it, but that's it. 

 Close up of the banner which one of my visiting teachers made for me. She made the puffy balls too.

 Changing table! We're still waiting for our changing pad right now so we have some shoes sitting on top of it. 

The paintings I made a while ago are finally up!

 Socks, hats, pants, mittens, etc. Diapers and more changing supplies are in the side cupboard. 

The closet with only about half her clothes in it (the rest are in the bottom drawers of the changing table until I buy more hangers) and baby gear we're not opening yet on the floor. 

 Some bump photos from this morning:

Bye, toes!

 Right 

 Front

Left

And here are a couple videos:

The end. 

Over n' out.