Pregnancy week 36

So after last week and all my nerves and emotions, of the possibility Kase wasn't growing, have all gone away. Thank goodness. My ultrasound and the growth scan came out completely normal and Kase is healthy; right where he should be. The nurse even said he had hair, chubby cheeks, and is in the 38th percentile for his weight. Not too big, not too little.

He measured about 5 1/2 pounds last week, so should be 6 by the end of this week. So yay; Im not producing a big baby!

My uterus and weight had not changed since week 32, but all of a sudden caught up today. I was totally expecting no change, and my doctor to tell me I needed to be induced to get the baby out!

No dilation or anything yet, but I guess thats expected right now. Maybe next week!

Im feeling good/normal. Every once and a while I have some back/hip pain that effects my walking (like today!). I have "slight" swelling, but nothing too noticeable.

It's all still a little surreal and I feel so far away from having a baby. Although now we're at 4 weeks or less!

I wonder when my husband is going to pack for the hospital...I've been packed for weeks....

5 things that I love

Here are 5 things that I"m loving NOW

1. The baby in the belly: Kase. Look at those cheeks!

2. Thoughts of Florida! We're going this summer, and I cant wait.

3. The weather! It's finally warm enough for tanks and sundresses! (4 weeks left by the way)

4. McDonald's Sweet Tea; mmmmmm

5. The opportunity and blessings of staying at home!

What are you loving?! Obviously I love my husband and kiddos too, but that's assumed, right?!

Visit Amber to see more loving lists and pictures, and make some new friends!

35 week updates

So today was my 35 week check up, and now I go every week! It's really crazy to think I"m THAT close, because I still feel so far away from being in labor.

I have my hospital bag packed, and I guess Im as ready as I can be.

I've felt really good the past few weeks. Energy and everything has been normal. I've been sleeping well, except getting up to use the restroom 2-6 times a night! I know thats a large range; it all depends on how much I drink after dinner! But i'm so thirsty...

My cravings, if you want to call it that, include; cereal, oranges, and watermelon. Not so bad eh?! I love to eat oranges and watermelon, but my stomach has been bothering me. I think I"m eating too much of them.

Today I went for my normal apt, and was surprised that my weight was the same (but maybe not too shocked since I gained 7 pounds last time!) The nurse checked the babies heart rate and it was good and strong; always comforting! Then she measured my belly and it was the same from 2 weeks ago. She said she didnt think my doctor would be concerned, because 1 week of no growth isn't completely abnormal, but she may do an ultrasound to check the baby.

Lovely. Emotions are starting to set in.

The positive side of another ultrasound, was that I got to see the baby again! I saw his heart beating, him breathing, his hand by his head (which is low by the way!), and the assurance that he looked good!

To leave this short; Im going back on Thursday for another ultrasound to have the baby's growth monitored and the amniotic fluid levels checked. I have to drink more water and no more morning cokes.

Maybe I'll buy caffeine free coke, and try to trick my mind.

So I have a lot of out of town family that will be visiting my parents in Dallas the weekend of May 1st. I thought it would be fun to drive and spend the weekend there! I started to make plans and arrangements to go by myself, and even get a hair appointment with my lady there!

But then I realized I would be 3 1/2 weeks away from my due date, and driving to Dallas alone, was probably not the smartest idea. So I punted that idea. Besides, doctors tell you not to leave home after week 36!

I forgot to mention I couldn't get my wedding ring off! I've had ZERO swelling so far, thank goodness, but my knuckles have apparently decided to enlarge. I tried to take my ring off because it was starting to cut my finger, and I couldn't! I tried everything! Drank water, put my hand in ice, used lotion, and sprayed my finger with windex (seriously; somebody told me to try that).

Nothing.

I attempted again yesterday (because Edwin was getting claustrophobic for me!), and it wouldnt budge. FINALLY; after spraying windex on my finger again, it came off with a small fight.

Ouch. It hurt.

And now I feel like people are looking at me like Im a knocked up teenager.

Until next time...

The Perfect Date

What's your idea of a perfect date?! Can your mind even go there?! Being 35 weeks pregnant and all, my perfect date would begin by NOT being pregnant. The last date we had, ended a little early because my feet were killing me as we walked through Borders.

Our dates are generally simple and satisfying; dinner, a movie, shopping, and/or wondering through a book store. Every once and a while we'll go to a nice restaurant but we'll end up home early, because we're tired! Curling up on the couch and watching a movie is sometimes WAY more appealing than being out and about. And lets face it; when you have 3 kids and another on the way (if you dont know us, its okay to say; crap, that's a lot of kids!), being tired is sometimes just life!

HOWEVER; the perfect date (and lets dream big here folks!), would be a weekend away! Can a date be extended into a weekend?! I suppose it can be, since this is MY dream perfect date! Maybe even a local hotel, where we can sleep in, order room service, watch movies, go to the hot tub, and FOR SURE spa services!

I LOVE me some spa time.

My husband and I both love DSW, so we'd have to fit some shoe shopping in there too. So...the perfect mix between luxury and relaxation, and being out and about!

Check out Friend Making Monday and Modern Mom for more perfect date ideas!

Visit me tomorrow; I'll have 35 week pictures and updates from my doctor's appointment. Im hoping I haven't gained another 7 pounds like I did last time!

***UPDATE: new blog about 35 weeks now posted

Easter

This year for Easter we "celebrated" on Saturday, by having dinner and an Easter Egg hunt at my In Laws with the cousins. On Sunday, we always have the kids baskets ready for them and head off to church, but we didnt have an "Easter Meal" that day!

This is one Prego mama that wasn't about to cook a big Easter meal (33 weeks on Wed!) I hope everyone had a great weekend! Keira doesn't have preschool today, so we're hanging out! After this post of course...

Keira ready to hunt for Easter eggs!

Keira and Seth

Zane

Kai

Seth

Kade; not to old for hunting yet!

Cousins

Kade and Keira about to check out their candy

Miss Quinn

Trying to enjoy some gum

Sunday morning Baskets (sorry, no pictures of "Easter Church Outfits!"

Kitchen table with Easter goodies

Family gift

Keira's basket

Kai's basket

Family gift (although Keira immediately put it in her purse, and will not part without it!)

Kade's basket

mmmm

Love the color coordinating candy at Walmart!

This post is linked to Friend Making Monday, because everyone needs some friends!

Week 32 and Driving Race car pictures!

32 weeks

32 weeks (at my Dallas shower)

So for Christmas my mom bought Edwin, my dad, and brother Jason, a "ride along" with a professional race car driver and an opportunity for them to drive themselves! We went to Dallas this past weekend for a baby shower for me, and for them to "feel the need for speed"!

Getting ready!

My dad

Jason with Ethan and Adelaide

Edwin

Crawling in

The fellas waiting for their turn!

Edwin's next!

Jason's next!

My dad crawling out after his ride along

Edwin crawling out from his ride along!

My mom and Ethan. Ethan thought it was too loud

Edwin starting to drive. Ready for 140?!

My dad about to drive!

Watching from the stands. Heidi, my sister in law, her kiddos, and my mom

Dad got "interviewed"
Jason about to drive

Edwin crawling in to drive

After going 140 on a race track. He looks a little disoriented! 

It was a blast to watch, and a great Christmas gift from my mom to the boys! 

Sea World/San Antonio Pictures

Last week during Spring Break, we surprised the kids and went to San Antonio. We ended up buying Season Passes to Sea World because it was the same price for kids, and only $10 more for adults! Hopefully we'll go a lot this summer, even though its almost a 4 hour drive! We were all exhausted and it was a QUICK vaca, but it was fun and we even got to have dinner with my mama (she was there for work)!

 I definitely would like to say I was a trooper, for being 30 weeks pregnant and walking around at Sea World all day! The kids were troopers too, and did awesome in the car. They're always perfect on car rides. 

About to have dinner and a boat ride on the river walk

Swimming at the hotel

Busy River Walk!

Kai and Keira in front of the Alamo

Kai and Keira being goofy

St.Patrick's Day light Sabers (waiting for dinner PAST bedtime)

First ride at Sea World

The Steal Eel; rollercoaster that Edwin and Kai rode

Kade and Keira looking at the penguins 

In the penguin gift shop

Edwin and Kai on the big rollercoaster! Kade wanted NOTHING to do with it!

Family picture with Shamu (notice his "fin" on my belly)

After a LONG wait, they finally made it on the log ride! I of course, was waiting to capture all the pictures (what else did I have to do?!)

Then they got wet with a sprayer! Look at Edwin leaning out, and Kade leaning in!

Shamu show and Cotton Candy

Edwin and Keira

So long Shamu! Hope to see you this summer with our season pass and baby Kase!