38 WEEKS

Weeks: 38

Waist size: +7.5"

Weight gain: 24 lbs.

Symptoms: My right hip is still bothering me a lot. I truly feel so much better than I expected to at full term, though!

Cravings: Strawberry Kiwi Arctic Rush from Dairy Queen, it's so refreshing!

Aversions: It's been a bit of a struggle to eat healthy this week. I just want carbs and sugar.

Sleep: I can't complain!

Wedding ring on: Still on

Best moment this week: This was my last weekend off before my due date. Ryan and I finished up some last minute errands and went out for breakfast. It was a wonderful weekend!

Progression update: I'm still 2cm dilated, but 75% effaced as of July 12th. I don't think I'll get a check done on the 19th. I'm just going to impatiently wait for it to happen.

37 WEEKS

Weeks: 37

Waist size: +7" This baby boy is really dropping low. Every time I see my midwife she mentions how low he is compared to the previous week.

Weight gain: 23 lbs.

Symptoms: My hips are bothering me all of the time. It's still not painful, just a little annoying to have them aching all the time. I've been less motivated to do things the last couple days, as well. Before I'd be productive and clean and water my plants, now it seems like such a chore. I was able to work shorter shifts this weekend, and that made all the difference. My body has been feeling pretty darn good, with the exception of my hips. I usually have a lot of back pain, but I think it's because I would work 9-10 hour days on my feet.

Cravings: Ice cream! I made a trip to the grocery store this week and ended up with 3 different flavors of ice cream and two different boxes of ice bars in my cart! 

Aversions: I am still over salads. 

Sleep: I've been sleeping so-so lately. It's not bad enough that I'm sleepy throughout the day, but I'm averaging 4-6 hours of sleep a night.

Wedding ring on: Those fingers are staying slim! 

Best moment this week: Ryan and I had a lot of quality time together this week. Tuesday was our 2 year anniversary and it was wonderful! I was able to leave work early and we had a great dinner outside overlooking a lake. It was perfect! I just feel so fortunate that Ryan will be the father to my son, I know he'll be an absolutely amazing dad!
Progression update: At my July 5th appointment, I was 2 cm dilated and 50% effaced.

Here are some pictures I've been meaning to post:

A group shot from the baby shower

Glider in the nursery

(I'll post some more pictures of the nursery, once we receive the bedding.)

36 WEEKS

Weeks: 36

Waist size: +7.5"

Weight gain: 23 lbs.

Symptoms: My hips have been bothering me a bit the last couple weeks. I'll just be walking like normal and they will feel like they have become disconnected from my body. It's pretty achy, but only lasts for a few minutes and then it's fine. I guess it's a good sign that my joints are relaxing and preparing to birth this baby!

Cravings: I'm still eating a lot of fruit. This summer weather is also making my microwaved s'mores craving kick in! Oh, I've also been loving corn on the cob!

Aversions: Pizza. I had a couple bites this week and it just didn't taste good to me.

Sleep: Pretty darn good, considering I'm in my final month of pregnancy!

Wedding ring on: Still on!

Best moment this week: This week I finally ordered the crib bedding. I just couldn't decide on what I wanted. I ended up going with a custom-made skirt and sheet from Etsy. There just isn't a nice variety of crib bedding available out there! The only down-side to having it custom-made is that the estimated delivery date is July 26th...how's that for timing. We also finally picked out a glider! Luckily they had one in stock, and I was able to bring it home that day. It's so comfortable and I can already imagine rocking my baby in it!
My midwife did a cervical check this week and I'm 1cm dilated and 50% effaced. It's nothing extreme, but it's two steps in the right direction.

35 WEEKS

Weeks: 35

Waist size: +7.5"

Weight gain: 21 lbs.

Symptoms: That innie is just holding on! Please don't convert to an outie, you only have a few more weeks!

Cravings: Fruit! Strawberries, bananas, cantaloupe, grapes, and apples.

Aversions: I still haven't touched a homemade salad since last week. Restaurant-prepared salads still taste good, though.

Sleep: Eh, it depends on the day. Not terrible, though.

Wedding ring on: Yep!

Best moment this week: I washed and organized all of the baby's newborn-3 month clothing. It's crazy to think I only have two more weekends off before this baby's due date! (I work every other weekend.) My midwife appointments are every week now, which is unbelievable. I can't even wrap my mind around how close we're getting!
Oh, also my midwife confirmed that the baby is head-down and has dropped! Two steps in the right direction. 

34 WEEKS

Weeks: 34

Waist size: +7"

Weight gain: 19 lbs.

Symptoms: It's becoming more and more difficult to move freely. I have to squat to reach anything low, and then it's more difficult to stand back up. It's such an odd feeling to have this huge belly in the way of everything I do. I even notice that I'm uncomfortable driving now. 

Cravings: I just started using our Kuerig coffee machine and oh my, it's amazing! Ryan ordered these caramel cappuccino k-cups that are to die for! I've always loved coffee, but really try not to drink it, because I don't do caffeine. This coffee must be weak, because the caffeine doesn't get to me. Usually I get really dizzy and nausea with any amount of caffeine. I also mix half skim milk with the small setting of coffee, and it's still so flavorful. I love sipping my coffee, in our home office, overlooking our stunning backyard!

Aversions: I haven't had one salad this week. Oops!

Sleep: I've been sleeping really well. I'm still using the bathroom 2-3 times per night, but falling right back asleep!

Wedding ring on: Still on :)

Best moment this week: We traveled to Fort Collins, CO to visit Ryan's brother, his girlfriend, and our one month old nephew! It was so beautiful there! We fell head over heels for our nephew, Ashton. He is so precious and he really only cried once the whole time we were there. I told Ryan not to get too used to a baby not crying ;) We were not ready to leave, I wish we had another couple of days to spend there. It was such a great time!

Ashton

The whole family at

Rocky Mountain National Park

Me and Ryan at 

Rocky Mountain National Park

33 WEEKS

Weeks: 33

Waist size: +6.5"

Weight gain: 17 lbs.

Symptoms: My feet have been aching at the end of the night. I've been rolling a tennis ball under them and doing tons of ankle rolls and point/flexes to relieve the tightness. Thank goodness it's starting to warm up and I can just throw on sandals now.

Cravings: Deep fried cheese curds. I know, terrible! I had them once this week and now I'm craving them.

Aversions: Well the theme for this pregnancy was salads. I'm starting to get saladed-out (what? lol) I've been having a hard time getting those last couple bites down without having a gagging reaction.   

Sleep: Still better than the first trimester!

Wedding ring on: Yep, still no problem!

Best moment this week: I had time to go through all the great things we received at the shower. I was able to get the nursery tidied up a bit, too.

32 WEEKS

Weeks: 32

Waist size: +6"

Weight gain: 15 lbs.

Symptoms: The leg cramps are getting intense again. Also, sometimes it's pretty uncomfortable when the baby moves. It's almost like my belly is bruised. 

Cravings: My mom made my chicken salad for the baby shower. I haven't had it in so long, it was all I could think about on my drive home :) I guess I should pick up the ingredients today and whip it up.

Aversions: Nothing this week.

Sleep: I've been falling asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow, but then I wake up between 3:30-5:30 every morning.

Wedding ring on: YES

Best moment this week: Sunday was my baby shower. It was perfect! It was hosted by my friend, Brooke, my mother, and my mother-in-law. They did SUCH an amazing job! It was a nautical theme, and they really went above and beyond. I'll post some photos once I receive them. Thank you so much to everyone who came. It was wonderful to see you!