Somehow these weeks are starting to blend into each other. I think a big part of it is just waiting for the inevitable. This week the baby feels like it got bigger. He moves so much and it's incredibly painful at times. Sometimes, there is this strange grinding-feeling like bones on bones heheh..I've also started to have more frequent Braxton-Hicks contractions. I've had these since the beginning of the pregnancy so I'm not alarmed by them. Unfortunately, I'm still congested from my cold and it seems to be taking forever to clear out. It probably doesn't help that I daily use nasal spray hehe.
We are still clearing and unpacking, as some of it, we just don't have anywhere to put yet. It's interesting how much more frequently you are cleaning the same stuff in a house than an apartment. For example, before there was one bathroom to clean and now there's 3 that need cleaning at different times. Keeps you perpetually busy, that's for sure!
I had to pick up the laminate flooring on Friday from Lumber Liquidators in Rockford as we placed the order late and didn't realize the Arlington Heights one wouldn't have it in stock. Wow, what an ordeal! I took the 90 tollway, which was under heavy construction the entire way and just two lanes, and on top of that, one of the heaviest thunderstorms I can remember, hit as I was driving. The rain came so hard that I couldn't really even see a few feet in front of me. I was praying so hard, one-because I was worried I'd crash or drive off the road and two, with this kind of crazy storm, I was worried I'd have early labor or something! Robert was also working downtown that day, so I'd be on my own and I kept thinking, how am I going to cut the umbilical cord by myself! Hahaha-what your mind does sometimes..but thank God-all went okay and I made it safely even though it took over 2.5 hours to get there.
 |
| Week 35 |
Week 36 (June 25th-July 1st)
Yay! We've reached the 9th and final month! It's incredible to think how long it takes for a baby to form. Here is some fun facts on gestation periods, to put it in perspective (according to Wikipedia):
Animal
|
Average gestation period (days) |
|
American opossum
|
12 - 13
|
|
|
15 - 17
|
|
|
18 - 20
|
|
|
33
|
|
|
51 - 63
|
|
|
62
|
|
|
65
|
|
|
76-78
|
|
|
94
|
|
|
108
|
|
|
115
|
|
|
122
|
|
|
145
|
|
|
187
|
|
|
245
|
|
|
259–294
|
|
|
283
|
|
|
336
|
|
380-400
|
|
|
|
420-450
|
|
|
480–590
|
|
|
487
|
|
|
600–660
|
Okay, so back to the blog :) This week was busy as usual, getting things done around the house. The painting downstairs is done but I decided to try my hand at painting the bathroom upstairs. Overall, it turned out okay but I couldn't reach the ceiling very well and, let's just say you can tell. I finally also finished my online course for work which was such a pain because I had to write papers and read articles all during this craziness. Some friends also came over to begin working on the floors so that was exciting.
Robert and I took a "New Baby, Now What?" course at the hospital where they talk about installing car seats and also what to do with the baby once he arrives. Unfortunately, the speaker did not seem very knowledgable and a lot of what she said appeared as personal opinion. We did practice swaddling and changing diapers-which I have done neither to-date!
Baby Busan is moving around so hard, it's at times incredibly painful and I can't figure out what sort of motion he could possibly be making. It almost feels like he's trying to swim. Other times, you can tell he's trying to stretch out and wow! does that hurt or what. I think there is just so little room in there that I feel all his movements. I've had trouble sleeping and relaxing as unfortunately he is nocturnal :) We also had our 36-week ultrasound/doc appointment and all is good. My BP is fine and baby is estimated at 6lbs 10oz so far (+-20%) so he's already a decent size. I will be going in weekly from now on to see the doctor.
 |
| Ultrasound of baby's face at 36 weeks (face is sideways) |
 |
| 36 Weeks |
Week 37 (July 2nd-8th)
This week the floors were finally finished, thanks to the hard work and kindness of several friends! Robert and I appreciate it very much :) Our dishwasher was even installed by a very nice man who we just met that day. We thank God for everyone who has been so willing to be there for us and help out of the kindness of their heart!
As we've reached full-term now, the baby's room is finally completed, I set up a glider and put up the decorations. Car seat is installed and bags are packed. We are ready to go (at least physically)! We went to see Star Trek the movie for one of our final dates before we have to worry about finding a sitter.
What can I say about the baby-he's moving? This is nothing new and I feel like a broken record :) I've had Braxton-Hicks more frequently and even on Sunday I had like 5 in a row so I got a little nervous.
 |
| Panoramic view of baby's room |
 |
| Gizmo trying out the changing table-she gives it two paws up! |
 |
| 37 weeks |
A week like this reminds you, you are so close but yet still far, as every minute can feel like forever when you are uncomfortable. This was a bit of a rough week. The baby has decided he wants to dance or run in place usually starting around 10pm and not stop until the middle of the night. I will attach a short video to show what it kind of looks like and that movement doesn't stop for hours. It's a very odd occurance. I'm not sure exactly what he's doing. This has happened four nights, this week- plus he loooves to punch/push me in the cervix and belly button (sorry if that sounds weird). It is a very sharp, intense pain that stops me in my tracks and if it happens long enough or often enough brings me to tears. I try to push against him to get him to back off but he's very persistant and strong heheh. During my doctor appointments, I always mention his activity and she's like "oh that's so good!". Yes, it is but oh wow so not fun. Nothing happened yet this week and the doctor thinks I will still be pregnant next week.
If you look carefully at Mr. S's paws moving-that's the baby.
I went on Wednesday to a breastfeeding class at the hospital and strangely enough everyone brought their spouse. So it was quite awkward watching videos and practicing breastfeeding with a bunch of guys there.
We were able to make it to a friend of ours' wedding on Friday and it was really beautiful. They had it outside in a garden setting and the reception indoors. We didn't stay too late as I was starting to feel quite swollen in my feet and the baby was getting crazy.
Speaking of swelling feet, it's very strange how it starts happening even without you doing anything. I'm okay, and then I feel this tightness in my toes and my feet all of a suddent look like sausages. I have these compression socks (I know, I know-old lady!) that help alot though so I usually put them on at night to relieve some of the pressure.
(I'll post a week 38 pic as soon as I can) Here's one to show Mr. Squeakers' approving of the new floors:
Dun Dun Dun...Yikes!
