37 weeks

Happy Easter! Thank goodness I bought at least one maternity dress because it was either this, blue jeans (again...), or gym clothes. 

Yes, this is a gallon of milk, but look at the exp. date! Yippee! April 16th is around the corner!

How far along: 37 weeks

Clothes: Even maternity tops are getting too little, but I'm not buying one more thing. My plan is to go on a shopping trip for new clothes once I find out what my body is like after baby. I'm hoping to seriously deflate.

Sleep: I get very tired around 8:30-9pm, but I have so much on my mind that I end up tossing and turning for a couple hours. My sleep is very fragmented due to frequent bathroom trips, irregular contractions, or Scarlett head butting me in the pelvic region (it hurts like crazy!). I am so ready to have this baby, but I'm so tried and zombie-like in the middle of the night that I hope labor starts during the day, but I will take what I can get. 

Last night I had the strongest contractions so far. They were not painful, but they weren't a walk in the park either. They started around 11 pm and didn't stop until 6 am. I was having about 4-5 an hour. They weren't getting stronger, so I knew it was most likely false labor. I told Alex what was going on and he calmly said, "ok, we'll just see what happens". He then rolled over and in less than 5 minutes, he was snoring......are you kidding me!? I wish sleep could come that easily for me!

Symptoms: stronger and more frequent braxton hicks contractions, fatigue, hot flashes, sore muscles, frequent bathroom trips, anxiety, and pain in pelvic area.

Food Cravings: Cinnamon toast crunch, Diet Dr. Pepper, and anything sweet.

Food Aversions: None that I can think of

Best Moment this Week: Long weekend with Alex

Looking forward to: umm...let's see....meeting Scarlett of course!

Wedding Rings On: Yes!!

Stretch Marks: No! I coat myself daily with cocoa butter and pray that it continues to do the trick.

Baby Size Comparison: winter melon...no clue.

Electrolux Baby Shower

Dear Electrolux Family,

Alex and I cannot even begin to express how much your sweet shower meant to us both. The love and support is overwhelming and we are truly blessed and thankful. I am so happy to know that Alex works with such amazing people. You are all so kind and generous to host such a nice shower and give us such wonderful gifts. I am so excited for Scarlett to get here and can't wait for you all to meet her! Thank you again from the bottoms of our hearts! 

Sincerely,

Alex and Emily

The adorable diaper cake!

Alex's surprise baby shower!

The gifts and a very nice gift card to Babies-R-Us

What a spread!

Alex and his coworkers at the shower

36 weeks

How far along: 36 weeks

Weight Gain: 32 lbs

Baby's Heartbeat: 150 bpm

Belly Measuring: 36 weeks

Clothes: Nashville's March weather will not make up its mind, so I haven't been able to transition into my sandals and spring (loose) clothes yet. I'm still wearing the boring 3-4 tops and same jeans....blah.

Sleep: I've been having some seriously scary dreams since I started watching the Breaking Bad series. If a 9 month pregnant woman running from the Mexican drug cartel with an assault rifle isn't scary, I don't know what is. I should probably find another show, but it's just too good! I have been sleeping a lot, but I just get up a lot and have to change sides often because my arm goes to sleep.

Symptoms: serious pelvic pressure, a lot of intense lower back pain, stronger braxton hicks contractions, cramping, frequent bathroom trips, emotional, hip pain, and restless legs at night. It's a blast!

Food Cravings: raisinettes, biscuits, cinnamon toast crunch, chicken caesar salad wraps, italian subs, and anything with a lot of mustard.

Food Aversions: pizza

Wedding Rings On: Yes! The swelling is down, so I can wear them.

Stretch Marks: No! I've been told they can strike at anytime, so I'm really not in the clear until this little girl makes her appearance. Until then, I will continue slathering on the cocoa butter. I'm so polished, I shine!

Best Moments This Week: spending this dreary weekend in pajamas with Alex watching Breaking Bad and an amazing dinner with a good friend.

Looking Forward to: Hitting the 37 week mark on Tuesday because she is then considered full term. I will begin some serious walks and hitting up the Mexican food because I am ready to get this little girl out!

Baby Size Comparison: Watermelon! My goodness, no wonder I'm beginning to feel the pressure. 

35 weeks

Our mini photo shoot from this weekend: these are some of our favorites!

How far along: 35 weeks

Clothes: Wore sandals for the first time in months and it felt wonderful! I also forgot about this cute top I had in my closet and I think it worked out great for some early spring pictures. I am so happy for this change in weather and looking forward to getting back into regular clothes once Scarlett arrives and my tummy deflates  ;)

Sleep: Crazy dreams! I dreamed last that I could see the details of Scarlett's feet and hands beneath my belly and it was like she was trying to claw her way out. Seriously scared me to death like something from a horror movie! I'm still having to wake up a lot to use the bathroom, but really taking advantage of getting good sleep before she arrives.

Symptoms: Feeling more Braxton Hicks contractions, pressure in lower abdomen, frequent bathroom trips, sore legs and feet, hip pain, loose joints (I accidentally fell down the stairs the other day and landed on my butt, so me and baby are completely fine, but it did scare me. It felt like my hips just went to jello and collapsed underneath me), and strong baby movement. However, I did have my first freak out the other morning. I woke up around 4:45 am to use the bathroom and then laid back down. I waited a couple minutes to feel Scarlett move, but didn't feel anything (I'm used to feeling her after each bathroom break). I waited 15 more minutes and nothing. I got a bit anxious and went to the kitchen to eat a bowl of cereal and drink ice water to coax her into moving-still nothing. I then went back to bed and by 5:30 am, I was rubbing my belly and I just couldn't get her to move. I then FREAKED ( i know you must be thinking that is not a long time, but I know her schedule and I should be feeling her move every hour now this far into my pregnancy). I woke Alex up and told him how nervous I was, he tried to calm me down, but nothing that he said would calm me down until I felt her move. I started hysterically crying and told him that I was going to the ER if I still had not felt anything by 6am. I finally relaxed a bit and Alex started rubbing my belly and she moved!! I can't explain the relief I felt. 

I do have another thing I want to make note of: Sympathy symptoms are real! Alex has been experiencing strong cravings and sleeping more than usual on weekends. I've been with Alex for 10 years and in all that time he's never been too fond of sweets. Since I've been pregnant, he's craved sweets like a hormonal pregnant woman. The other night, I was driving home and he made me make a u-turn in the middle of the road to get him some candy. Since then, I've even noticed a stash of candy hidden on the top shelf of our pantry! I just thought this was too funny not to share.

Food Cravings: Anything sweet, carrot jalepeno and onion relish from El Chico (ate it yesterday with my mom and it sent me over the moon), and spaghetti

Food Aversions: I can't think of anything that I absolutely wouldn't eat right now.

Missing Anything: yes! I miss running so much! I am also ready for some cute spring clothes! 

Best Moments This Week: visiting with my mom and brother, getting a pedicure, maternity photo shoot, and getting my hair done.

Looking Forward to: Holding my baby girl in about a month! Time is flying!

Baby Size Comparison: Coconut

34 weeks

How far along: 34 weeks

Weight Gain: 28 lbs

Belly Measuring: 34 weeks (Doctor said it is same as the last appointment because she is starting to move down)

Baby Heartbeat: 160 bpm

Clothes: I have about 4-5 tops that work, so I'm getting sick of the same outfits! I'm also so ready to stop wearing the same boots, but they are the only shoes that work right now (my flats are too tight). I'm ready for sandal weather. I'm hoping that in the next 2 weeks I can start wearing sandals.

Sleep: I was actually in tears the other night because my ribs hurt so bad. I'm also up all hours of the night. I'm also taking a lot of naps which make up for the restless nights.

Symptoms: legs and feet swelling after I've been on them for a while, Braxton Hicks contractions, fatigue, leg and hip pain, restless legs at night, and going to bathroom every 30 min!

Food Cravings: Cinnamon toast crunch (I eat it at least 2-3 times a day- my teeth may fall out), hot wings, and Italian subs.

Food Aversions: Chinese food and creamy chicken dishes

Best Moments This Week: childbirth class, shopping with a friend at Opry Mills, and homemade pizza party with good friends.

Looking Forward to: My mom visiting this coming weekend, decorating the house for spring, and getting my hair done (it's in bad shape!)

Wedding Rings On: Yes and no. At the end of the day, they are just too tight.

Stretch Marks: No! Praying they stay away.

Baby Size Comparison: Large Cantaloupe

33 weeks

Ready for my first "Labor of Love" class!

How far along: 33 weeks

Clothes: Blah...I'm running out and I'm getting really antsy about getting back into cute sundresses. Right now is all about comfort and trying to not look like a slob.

Sleep: I'm now up 6-7 times a night to use the bathroom. I wake up almost every night around 3:30 and stay awake until 5. I eventually fall back asleep, but it's getting very frustrating. I'm also experiencing cramping because of how heavy my belly is and I'm also starting to get the Braxton Hicks contractions.

Symptoms: Legs hurt and swell so I have to keep them propped up, Braxton Hicsks contractions, shortness of breath, a lot of strong baby movement, hip/back pain and fatigue.

Food Cravings: I still want Newk's all the time, waffles, and Italian subs

Food Aversions: I am really grossed out by jello cups. I also still don't like sweet smells and creamy dishes.

Best Moment This Week: Spending time with my family this past weekend.

Looking Forward to: Seeing Scarlett in the next 6-7 weeks! I can't wait to see what she looks like! I am also looking forward to getting my hospital bag packed because it is really starting to feel real! O and I am so excited to see my friend Jamie and her little girl on Friday at Opry Mills! It's been way too long and I'm looking forward to a girl's day and catching up.

Wedding Rings On: Yes, but definitely tight.

Stretch Marks: No, but my stomach definitely looks like it will pop soon. It is kind of freaking me out.

Baby Size Comparison: Pineapple!