Dear Baby: Week 38

DEAR BABY,

NOT MUCH HAS CHANGED SINCE LAST WEEK. THE DR. DIDN'T CHECK FOR DILATION PROGRESSION AT THIS WEEKS APPOINTMENT BUT WITH ALL THE CRAMPING I'VE BEEN HAVING, I KNOW THERE'S BEEN SOME CHANGE. IT'S BEEN VERY STEADY AND CONSISTENT FOR A FEW DAYS NOW AND I JUST KEEP WONDERING, IS THIS IT?! SHE SAID I WILL KNOW WITHOUT A DOUBT WHEN IT REALLY IS TIME THOUGH, AND I WON'T EVEN HAVE TO ASK MYSELF. WE FINALLY WENT AND PRE-REGISTERED AT THE HOSPITAL AND BOY, IS IT NICE. WE HAVE OUR OWN PRIVATE TOUR OF THE LABOR AND DELIVERY FLOOR NEXT WEEK AFTER THE DR. IF WE LAST THAT LONG (BUT I REALLY REALLY REEEEEALLY HOPE YOU'RE HERE BEFORE THAT!) YOU'RE MEASURING 37 CM AND YOU'RE IN HEAD DOWN POSITION, ALL READY TO GO. YOU MAKE THE BIGGEST MOVES NOW, SHIFTING MY BELLY SO DRASTICALLY THAT I JUST KNOW YOU'RE ABOUT TO FALL RIGHT OUT. I HOPED THAT YOU WOULD COME EITHER YESTERDAY ON THE 24TH, OR TOMORROW ON THE 26TH BECAUSE I REALLY LIKE THOSE NUMBERS. YOUR GRANDPA SAYS TOMORROW WOULD BE NEAT BECAUSE 26 IS DOUBLE 13, SO IT'D BE EASY TO REMEMBER 6/26/13. I'VE BEEN RESEARCHING ALL THE WAYS TO JUMP START THE PROGRESS BUT NOT BECAUSE I'M TIRED OR MISERABLE, I'M JUST SO ANXIOUS AND EXCITED TO MEET YOU! WE'RE SO READY LITTLE BABE. YOUR CLOTHES, CRIB, CARSEAT, TOYS, SWING...EVERYTHING IS IN PLACE AND ALL WE NEED IS YOU TO COMPLETE OUR LITTLE WORLD. WE LOVE YOU TIMES INFINITY! XOXO MAMABEAR

Dear Baby: Week 37

DEAR BABY,

THE END IS NEAR! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT. IT FEELS LIKE IT'S KIND OF BEEN A BREEZE AND AT 37 WEEKS I THOUGHT I'D BE MISERABLE BY NOW. INSTEAD I FEEL MORE ENERGIZED AND HEALTHY THAN EVER. I DON'T HAVE TROUBLE BREATHING OR FEEL TENSE OR TIRED. I ONLY START TO WADDLE WHEN I'VE WALKED 7 MILES IN A DAY AND MY SHOES START GETTING UNCOMFORTABLE. IT'S EASY FOR THAT TO HAPPEN THOUGH BECAUSE THEY'VE SPREAD AND THEY'RE MOSTLY ALL TOO TIGHT IN THE WIDTH, BUT NOT THE LENGTH. I DIDN'T GAIN A SINGLE POUND THIS WEEK AND THE DR. SAYS WE'RE DOING SO SO GOOD. IT'S THE WALKING, AND WE'RE GONNA DO EVEN MORE OF IT WHEN YOU'RE OUT! YOU WILL SMELL THIS FRESH OCEAN AIR AND I WILL WORK ON THE POUNDS I GLADLY PUT IN FOR YOU, ALL WHILE LOOKING AT YOUR SWEET FACE IN FRONT OF ME. IT'S GONNA BE GREAT! I'M CURRENTLY 1.5 CM DILATED AND 50% EFFACED. YOU MIGHT BE SMALL BECAUSE YOU MEASURED AT 36 WEEKS EVEN THOUGH WE'RE STILL 37, BUT IT MAY JUST BE BECAUSE I WAS STARVING AND MY EMPTY STOMACH MADE IT A LITTLE FLATTER THAN USUAL. ONE OF YOUR GRANDMAS CAME FOR A SHORT VISIT THIS WEEK. WE WENT TO FIVE DIFFERENT STORES ALL OVER THE COUNTY TO FIND YOU THE PERFECT SWING. IT'S PRETTY FANCY! I KNOW YOU WERE GRATEFUL BECAUSE YOU KICKED FOR HER WHEN WE FINALLY FOUND IT. YOU CAN COME ANY TIME NOW, BABY. YOU'RE FULL TERM AND READY, AND WE'RE ALL READY FOR YOU OUT HERE! EVERYONE'S WAITING AND WE ALL LOVE YOU! XOXO MAMABEAR

Dear Baby: Week 36

DEAR BABY,

YOU'RE GETTING SO BIG THAT SOME NIGHTS YOU MAKE MY BELLY HEART SHAPED WHEN YOU'RE SQUIRMING AROUND IN THERE. YOUR HEAD AND YOUR KNEES POP OUT AND YOUR LITTLE BUM PUSHES INWARD TOWARD MY BACK MAKING IT SOMETIMES HARD TO BREATH. IT LOOKS NEAT THOUGH! WE DIDN'T GET TO TAKE THE HOSPITAL TOUR BECAUSE WHEN WE CALLED TO SCHEDULE IT THEY INFORMED US THAT THEY ONLY HAVE ONE A MONTH. THIS MONTHS HAS ALREADY COME AND GONE, AND YOU WILL ALREADY BE HERE BY NEXT MONTHS TOUR. INSTEAD WE'RE JUST GOING TO DO A PRACTICE RUN TO THE HOSPITAL AND FIND OUR WAY ON OUR OWN, AND THEN PRE REGISTER AS PLANNED. IT'S GETTING SO CLOSE IT'S SCARY! LAST NIGHT WE WENT TO A LITTLE OLD FASHIONED DINER AND GUESS WHAT HAPPENED? MY BELLY WOULDN'T FIT BETWEEN THE BOOTH AND THE TABLE! I KNOW PEOPLE WERE TINIER BACK IN THE DAY, BUT STILL! I LOST TWO POUNDS AT THIS WEEKS DR. VISIT AND SHE WAS VERY PLEASED. EVERYTHING LOOKS GOOD AS USUAL AND YOU'RE GROWING PERFECTLY ON TRACK. YOUR HEARTBEAT IS FAST AND STRONG EVERY TIME. SHE ALSO SAID THAT I LOST THE "MUCUS PLUG" AND WE'RE BOTH MAKING CHANGES TO PREPARE FOR LABOR. SOUNDS GROSS BUT I HAVE TO DOCUMENT THESE THINGS! SHE DIDN'T CHECK TO SEE IF I'VE DILATED ANYMORE, SHE'S GOING TO DO THAT EVERY OTHER WEEK, SO WE'LL SEE NEXT TIME! CAN I JUST TELL YOU THAT I'M OBSESSED WITH YOU AND YOU'RE NOT EVEN HERE YET? THE LAST THING I DO BEFORE I FALL ASLEEP AT NIGHT IS STARE AT YOUR 3D PHOTOS ON MY PHONE, AND THEN AGAIN IN THE MORNING AND EVERY TIME I PASS BY THE FRIDGE. YOU MAKE ME SMILE SO BIG EVERY TIME, I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT YOU'LL DO TO ME WHEN YOU'RE OUT! WE LOVE YOU TOOTS! XOXO MAMABEAR

Dear Baby: Week 35

DEAR BABY,

We are officially in countdown mode! We had two baby showers for you in the last two weeks - one planned and one a surprise for your papa from all of his work buddies. You have lots of new goodies and so much love from so many people that can't wait to meet you! We ended up seeing you in 3D last week after all and let me tell you little one, you were stubborn. We had to work for it but you showed us that sweet little face and it was really something special. We're going to register and take a tour of the hospital this week so we know what to expect and where to go when the big day comes. The Dr. tells us you may come just a tad bit early too because I'm currently at 1cm already. Eeeek! That's a little scary and exciting all at once. I got the whooping cough shot while we were there to protect you when you come out into this world. Your papa has to get one too. Finally some kind of pain on his part! We spent an afternoon taking pictures together with you in the bump this weekend and I can't wait to get the end results! In just about 5 short weeks we'll be taking your newborn photos and sending out announcement cards to all of the people waiting for you to join us! You are so loved little boy! XOXO MAMABEAR

Dear Baby: Week 33

DEAR BABY,

WE SAW THE DR. YESTERDAY AND EVERYTHING LOOKS GOOD AND HEALTHY AS USUAL. I'VE GAINED 2 POUNDS IN A MONTH, SO THE GROWTH SPURTS ARE SLOWING DOWN. THIS WEEK I GOT MY VERY FIRST STRETCH MARKS THOUGH, AND I COULD CRY. THERE'S A TINY CLUSTER ON EACH OF MY HIP BONES AND ALTHOUGH YOU CAN'T SEE THEM UNLESS YOU'RE REALLY IN MY BUBBLE, IT'S ALL I CAN HELP BUT NOTICE WHEN I'M DOING MY DAILY COCONUT OIL RUB DOWN IN FRONT OF THE MIRROR. WHEN I THINK OF WHAT I'M TRADING THEM FOR I FEEL BETTER. THEY'LL EVENTUALLY FADE AWAY AND I'VE GOT YOU FOR LIFE! YOU'RE STILL MEASURING AT A WEEK LATER THAN WE ARE ACCORDING TO MY DUE DATE, SO MAYBE YOU'LL BE HERE EVEN EARLIER THAN WE THOUGHT! PEOPLE KEEP TELLING ME FIRST BABIES COME LATE THOUGH, SO THIS MIGHT PUT YOU RIGHT ON TIME. WE'VE REALLY BEEN ABLE TO SEE YOU MOVE THESE DAYS. MY WHOLE BELLY SHIFTS FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND POPS OUT ALL OVER AND YOUR PAPA REALLY GETS A KICK OUT OF THAT. I'VE ALWAYS GOTTEN THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING ABLE TO FEEL YOU SO I THINK HE LOVES THAT HE CAN GET IN ON IT TOO NOW. I HAVEN'T HAD ANY OF THE DREADED PREGNANCY DISCOMFORTS OR COMPLAINTS I EXPECTED TO HAVE BY NOW BASED OFF WORD OF MOUTH, AND I JUST KEEP WAITING FOR THE HARD PART. NOT THAT I'M ASKING FOR IT, IF YOU WANT TO KEEP MAKING THIS BREEZY FOR MAMA, PLEASE DO! I THINK YOU'LL BE HAPPY AND MELLOW AND LOW MAINTENANCE LIKE US. YOUR HEARTBEAT WAS THE MOST LOUD AND CLEAR IT'S EVER BEEN WHEN WE LISTENED ON THE DOPPLER THIS WEEK. THERE WAS NO MORE WHITE NOISE AROUND IT, JUST A CLEAN, STRONG BEAT. SOME OF YOUR GRANDPARENTS ARE COMING TO VISIT IN THREE DAYS! WE ALL HOPE TO SEE YOU IN 3D IF THE DR. WILL ALLOW US, BUT I READ SOMEWHERE THAT IT'S NOT RECOMMENDED AFTER 34 WEEKS (WHICH YOU'RE MEASURING AT), SO WE'LL SEE! I'VE REALLY BEEN GETTING EXCITED FOR YOU TO COME OUT SO I CAN DRESS YOU AND ENTERTAIN YOU AND TAKE YOU EVERYWHERE! WE BOTH WENT THROUGH A FEAR FAZE BUT ALL THE SHOPPING AND PREPPING FOR YOU HAS US READY AND ANXIOUS. I JUST WANT TO SEE YOUR SWEET FACE AND GET TO KNOW YOUR PERSONALITY! WE LOVE YOU LITTLE BOY! XOXO MAMABEAR

Dear Baby: Week 31

Dear Baby,

You're getting so big! I can feel your knees and elbows slide against the inside of my belly when you move now. Your bones are so sturdy and sharp. It feels the same as sliding a knuckle in a cupped palm, only from the inside out- so crazy! We went to the Dr. today and we're at 31 weeks, 5 days, but you're measuring at 32 weeks which is just fine. Your heart rate was a strong 140 and we always love hearing it beat so loud and fast on the doppler. I weighed in at the exact same amount as when we went two weeks ago, so the prenatal workouts sure are paying off. I've really got that pep back in my step and have felt much more energized taking those iron pills twice a day. I got a little taste of the first trimester sickness this week though when I drank some acai pomegranate juice with breakfast. To be sure I drank it the following day with my iron pill before eating and sure enough, that was the cause. It's always been my favorite juice so hopefully I'll be able to handle it again when you're out of there. The books say that you're fully formed at this point and look the way you're gonna look at birth, you're just adding on fat now along with other tiny tweeks. I just can't wait to see your little face, so much so that we're going to see you in 3D/4D at the end of this month when your grandparents come to visit! Keep growing strong and big so they can see you! We love you tons little boy. XOXO MAMABEAR

Dear Baby: Week 29

Dear Baby,
Lots has happened for us over the last few weeks. We had to do the dreaded blood glucose test to see how my body is processing sugar. I had to fast and then drink a super sugary drink, wait an hour and then get my blood taken. The drink was pretty tasty despite what I'd heard, but I almost blacked out during the hours wait. I've come to find out the reason for that and for other recent light headed spells are because I've picked up anemia. The baby Dr. prescribed iron pills, so we should be feeling better soon! We've started visiting her every two weeks now, and the next couple times we go we're seeing someone new. They want us to get familiar with all of the staff so we feel comfortable with whoever happens to be on call when you decide to make your big appearance. Fingers crossed that it's the one we've been seeing the last 8 months though. I'm back to being pretty tired all the time again, my energy runs out fast. I feel the best when we go on our walks, stay active and eat light meals. I've been sleeping pretty good through the night once I can actually fall asleep. My body pillow has been a real lifesaver. It's getting hard to do little things like pick something up from the ground, stand up from our low bed, shave my legs, etc. When I think about it too hard I start to feel a little claustrophobic in this body, so I have to detour my mind and think about the positive. We got your carseat and stroller this week and we're so in love! We chose a British brand that is sharp, slim and sleek. You're going to look so handsome riding around! Knock on wood I don't have any stretch marks at this point, however I feel like my belly is stretched as far as it will go and we still have 10 weeks left. I'm going to continue caking on the coconut oil twice a day and hope for the best! See you soon little bear! We love you! -XOXO MAMABEAR

Dear Baby: Week 26

Dear Baby,
You officially have a place to lay your little head and it looks so comfy that I sometimes just wanna crawl in there and take a nap. Your papa picked out a stuffed bear for you, and as you'll come to know, he has a little bit of a bear obsession. He liked it because it looks like a real life bear, and not the typical plush teddy. He's already waiting for you in the corner of your crib. I can't wait to see you lug him around everywhere and even name him when you start to talk. Your favorite times to move are very late at night, when there's music playing, and when I drink a lot of water at once. These must be a few of your favorite things and I just love getting to know your personality already. I'm sure you noticed the amount of sweets I've been feeding you lately. They're the only real craving I've had this whole time and they've been attacking for a couple weeks now. I've loved baking so many new things, but I think the urges are finally dying down. It's a good thing too because I have to take the blood glucose test at the Dr. next week to check for diabetes. We always have very healthy results across the board though, so I'm not too worried about it. Packages of clothing and things just for you are slowly coming in from friends and family, and your wardrobe is just adorable. We're coming up on week 27 in two days, and that means we'll be in the third and final stage! The books say that by this time and on you have a very good chance of surviving if you were to come out, but as much as we can't wait to see you, you have my permission to stay in there for three more months. I'd rather you finish your last little developments and be fully ready to come home with us when you get out then stuck in a sterile hospital. Besides, if your gonna come out of my comfy belly, you're gonna want the easy transition to your cozy crib at home and not the hard hospital one. A few people lately have asked if I'm around 3 months and are totally shocked when I correct them and say 6. They're probably just trying to be nice but it always makes my day anyway. As long as you're growing and are healthy in there, I don't care how I look right now. Mama and Papa love you little cub! XOXO MAMABEAR