37 & 38 Weeks

I hope all of you had a Merry Christmas!  Michael and I spent the holiday just the two of us, and it was really nice.  Knowing it was our last quiet holiday, we took advantage of the peace and quiet and enjoyed just being together.  We are spending the weekend together, which is rare these days, and I'm glad I have two more days to spend with him.

I got behind again on my weekly posts, so I'm catching up with week 37 & 38.  Today, I am 38 weeks and 2 days, and I wish I could report that there has been some progress, but I'm still at 0.  The doc wanted to discuss a possible induction or c-section on my due date, but I'm hopeful McBaby won't be too stubborn and will decide to make an appearance before then.

How Far Along: 37 weeks

Size of baby: Just more than 19 inches long and almost 6 pounds, 6 ounces. The size of a bunch of swiss chard.  

Pregnancy Weight Gain: 16 pounds

Maternity Clothes: I am wearing maternity most of the time with the exception of my lounge clothes.  Luckily, I'm still able to wear most of my oversized sweaters and cardigans.  I wear the same pair of black dress pants to work every week, and it will be nice to retire them soon although I am more than thankful for them these days.

Gender: Not finding out!  

Movement: Lots of moving and kicking me in the side.  

Sleep: I can't complain.  I get up a lot to use the bathroom, but I sleep pretty well most nights.  

Symptoms: I certainly feel pregnant now.  Cankles and waddling are part of life.  My hips hurt every time I have to get up after sitting for a while.  I'm experiencing more joint and groin pain and can tell some of my bones are separating. Forgetfulness and pregnancy brain are certainly symptoms as well.    

What I miss:  Not having to think so hard about what I eat and drink, though it has kept me healthy, it would be nice to indulge.  I also miss being able to think a complete thought before forgetting what in the heck I was thinking about.

Cravings: Sweets because that's what everyone eats at Christmas

Best Moment this week:  We had an ultrasound to determine how McBaby's growth is going since I have gestational.  McBaby measured average, which is what we wanted to hear.  We got to see McBaby's face and he/she has hair. 

What I am looking forward to: Having a quiet holiday with Michael.  

How Far Along: 38 weeks

Size of baby: Just more than 19 1/2 inches long and approximately 6 pounds, 8 ounces. The size of a leek.  

Pregnancy Weight Gain: 17 pounds

Maternity Clothes: I am wearing maternity most of the time with the exception of my lounge clothes.  Luckily, I'm still able to wear most of my oversized sweaters and cardigans.  I wear the same pair of black dress pants to work every week, and it will be nice to retire them soon although I am more than thankful for them these days.

Gender: Not finding out!  

Movement: McBaby moves off and on from morning til night, and he/she has been known to wake me up in the middle of the night with a swift kick in the ribs.  

Sleep: It's getting worse.  I fall asleep easily when we go to bed, but when I get up in the middle of the night, I have trouble going back to sleep.   

Symptoms: This week has been hard so far.  I'm having trouble sleeping, I feel nauseous and crampy, I have lower back pain that won't go away, and my hips and groin are so sore.  And I'm so exhausted! I was feeling so bad yesterday, that I knew for sure there was progress being made, but today's doctor's appointment proved me wrong when doc said I was still at 0.   

What I miss: At this point, I miss everything that I could do pre-pregnancy.  Too many things to name!  

Cravings: I don't really feel like eating much, but I guess I'm craving comfort foods since I don't fell well.  

Best Moment this week: I know I have said it a lot, but simply spending time with Michael and relaxing is so precious to me right now.  

What I am looking forward to: A safe and healthy delivery that results in meeting our little boy or girl.  

36 Weeks

How Far Along: 36 weeks

Size of baby: Just more than 18 1/2 inches long and almost 6 pounds. The size of a head of romaine lettuce.  

Pregnancy Weight Gain: 15 pounds

Maternity Clothes: I am wearing maternity most of the time with the exception of my lounge clothes.  Luckily, I'm still able to wear most of my oversized sweaters and cardigans.  I wear the same pair of black dress pants to work every week, and it will be nice to retire them soon although I am more than thankful for them these days.

Gender: Not finding out!  

Movement: McBaby moves a lot these days and has discovered how fun it is to kick me in the ribs and take my breath away

Sleep: I can't complain.  I get up a lot to use the bathroom, but I sleep pretty well most nights.  

Symptoms: I certainly feel pregnant now.  I discovered my cankles the other day, and I have begun to waddle.  My hips hurt every time I have to get up after sitting for a while.  I'm experiencing more joint and groin pain and can tell some of my bones are separating. The most annoying symptom is severe pregnancy brain! It's all part of the journey I guess, and I remind myself it could be a lot worse.  I'm still walking every day and haven't slowed down yet.  

What I miss: The Christmas treats are killing me!  I can't escape the sugar, but I have to say no, which makes me mad sometimes.  I would give anything for a piece of chocolate ganache cake with a glass of red wine right now. 

Cravings: Sugar...because it's forbidden.  I've had cravings for donuts and pancakes lately.  

Best Moment this week: Having a great check up at the doctor.  I appreciate good news more and more as the birth gets closer.  We also enjoyed some fun Christmas events this week. We went to the Homewood Christmas Parade, Michael's athletics department Christmas party, and hosted our own Christmas shrimp boil for Michael's employees on Saturday

What I am looking forward to: Meeting our little one...I'm dying to know if we are having a boy or girl!  

McBaby's Gender Neutral Nursery

When we decided that we would not find out the gender of our baby, I knew that creating the nursery would be a challenging but fun and creative project.  I was very excited about the challenge.  Almost immediately, I wanted to create a nursery straight out of an Ikea magazine or from one of my favorite nursery tours at Apartment Therapy. I was picturing clean lines, modern furniture, stark white or gray walls and primary colored accents.  But then it all changed because of a chair....

My one nursery requirement was a big comfy glider, but when I began searching for the perfect glider, I quickly realized we could easily spend half of our nursery budget.  I didn't give up, and I searched for used gliders every day until I finally found one on Craigslist for $300 cheaper than I could find anywhere else.  We bought it the day I found it although I knew there was nothing modern about it, and so my vision changed.  And I couldn't be happier with how our nursery has turned out!

Once I refocused from stark white and modern to soft and sweet, we painted the walls a light green called "White Willow" after going through several samples of green paint.  I wanted all white furniture but made sure it was a bit more modern in case we have a boy, and I new I wanted very neutral textiles in various shades of white, cream and taupe that would go with any color once the baby arrived.   We found the softest rug known to man after searching for a while, and it was the final piece that made the nursery come together.  And by the way, Scarlett is obsessed with the rug.  We catch her in the nursery all the time snuggled up or rolling around on it.  Poor thing has no idea what is coming and why that rug is there in the first place!

The nursery is peaceful, soft and calm, and I love the addition of bunnies and lambs as well as all of the books we have from our sweet book shower.  The nursery is as complete as it will be before McBaby's arrival, but I look forward to adding some personal girl or boy touches.  I have reserved the blank wall in the nursery for our first family portraits we are taking in January.  My favorite things in the room are the personalized lamb and bunny art pieces that have special Bible verses, and I love the lamb mobile that hangs above the crib.   And of course I love the chair!

35 Weeks

How Far Along: 35 weeks

Size of baby: Just more than 18 inches long and almost 5 1/4 pounds. The size of a honeydew melon.  

Pregnancy Weight Gain: 14 pounds

Maternity Clothes: I am wearing maternity most of the time with the exception of my lounge clothes.  Luckily, I'm still able to wear most of my oversized sweaters and cardigans.  I need to give up the sweatpants.  The other night, we were planning to go run errands and Michael said, "you aren't wearing sweatpants are you."  I got the hint for sure ;)

Gender: Not finding out!  

Movement: McBaby moves a lot these days...

Sleep: Better than I thought it would be so far! I'm averaging 8-10 hours a night, and I am taking advantage of sleep as much as I can. 

Symptoms: I'm experiencing more joint and groin pain and can tell some of my bones are separating.  I am waddling a little more lately.  One night, I felt pretty ill and was having nausea and Braxton Hicks contractions, but I have felt good since then.

What I miss: I miss lots of things.  Sleeping on my stomach, eating without heartburn, eating dessert without worrying, wine and beer on occasion, sushi, and Jersey Mike's subs.  

Cravings: Everything!  I wake up wanting a million things I can't have, and it is no fun!

Best Moment this week: Finishing the nursery

What I am looking forward to: The holidays, so I can spend some time with Michael

33 & 34 Weeks and Thanksgiving

I'm playing catch up today with posting my 33 and 34 week pictures.  I can't believe how close we are getting to our baby's arrival!  When I think about the possibility of AnnMarie or Noah arriving in 5 weeks or less, it makes me so nervous and excited...I hope we are ready!

We celebrated Thanksgiving on Thursday with just the two of us.  We were invited to a Thanksgiving feast at The Arvin's house, but unfortunately Michael was sick and we thought it was best to stay home and enjoy Thanksgiving quarantined.  I roasted a chicken, and we had green beans, mashed potatoes, and sweet potato casserole.  I bought a pecan pie from Whole Foods for dessert, which I ate sparingly.
I also treated myself to these babies.  3 truffles only have 8 carbs...a gestational diabetes dream!

Michael was feeling so bad on Wednesday, that he told me just to buy a frozen pizza for Thanksgiving.  I knew he was sick with that suggestion because Thanksgiving is his favorite holiday.  I tried to make our meal as close to Thanksgiving as I could.

I did not venture out for Black Thursday/Black Friday (they should change the name now that everything is open on Thanksgiving).  I have never had the desire to fight over toasters and TVs....maybe someday.  I did partake in some internet shopping for McBaby, and I bought one single Black Friday item.  I can't wait to get it in the mail!

Football rivalry weekend happens every Thanksgiving, and in Alabama, the Iron Bowl may be more of a holiday than Thanksgiving.  Yesterday's game was predicted to be the most important Iron Bowl in history, and it was a game that definitely lived up to all the hype!  #4 Auburn beat #1 Alabama with one second left in the game, knocking Alabama out of National Title contention.  I wonder if any pregnant Auburn or Bama fans went into labor last night after that ending? Ha!

Speaking of labor...I'm getting closer to the big day.  I'll be 35 weeks along this week, but here is McBaby at 33 & 34 weeks. I'm feeling better than I thought I would at this point, but I hear it gets rough around 36 weeks.  I'm hoping that life continues as it has the past two weeks!

33 Weeks!

34 Weeks!

How Far Along: 34 weeks

Size of baby: Just more than 18 inches long and almost 4 3/4 pounds. The size of a cantaloupe.  

Maternity Clothes: I am wearing maternity most of the time with the exception of my lounge clothes.  Luckily, I'm still able to wear most of my oversized sweaters and cardigans.

Gender: Not finding out!  

Movement: McBaby moves a lot these days...

Sleep: Better than I thought it would be so far! I'm averaging 8-10 hours a night, and I am taking advantage of sleep as much as I can. 

Symptoms: I'm experiencing more joint and groin pain and can tell some of my bones are separating.  I am waddling a little more lately.  

What I miss: I miss lots of things.  Sleeping on my stomach, eating without heartburn, eating dessert without worrying, wine and beer on occasion, sushi, and Jersey Mike's subs.  

Cravings: Pickles, cheese, and sugar lately

Best Moment this week: Finding a pediatrician and a MDO program for McBaby when he/she turns 5 months old.  

What I am looking forward to: Michael getting some time off in December and spending as many minutes with him as possible before the baby arrives and our lives our changed forever!  

32 Weeks

I'm nearing the end of week 32, and time is flying by!  It will only go faster through the holiday season I suppose.  Maybe that's my rationale for being the crazy nesting pregnant woman that I have been the past week.  Seriously...I'm insane!  But I am accomplishing lots of things.

I will officially be 33 weeks on Wednesday, which is also my 31st birthday.  I have never been that big into celebrating my birthday, but I certainly don't mind a gift or two and a nice dinner to celebrate.  I certainly enjoyed my 30th birthday last year.  Well...this year, I will be celebrating my 31st by going to our 33 week OB appointment then to an evening breastfeeding class.  I cannot believe how much my life has changed this year!  The girl who never thought she would have children is attending a breastfeeding class on her birthday.  All I can do is laugh sometimes and appreciate the irony and surprises of life.  It will be a birthday I won't forget for sure!

How Far Along: 32 weeks

Size of baby: Just more than 16.7 inches long and almost 3.75 pounds. The size of a jicama.  

Maternity Clothes: I am wearing maternity most of the time with the exception of my lounge clothes.  I love wearing Michael's hoodies.

Gender: Not finding out!  I have to confess, I'm a little over the gender neutral thing at this point.  It is going to make the day so much more special than it already is for us, but I have vetoed buying anything else for McBaby because I refuse to buy one more item that is yellow, green or has ducks on it. 

Movement: McBaby moves a lot these days...

Sleep: Better than I thought it would be so far!  

Symptoms: I tire out more easily, occasional heart burn and back pain, but I feel good for the most part.  

What I miss: Not eating carbs and sugar around the holidays is difficult, and I miss wine, sushi, and eating sandwiches as much as I want.   

Cravings: Pickles and cheese all day long

Best Moment this week: Washing my last set of baby clothes before McBaby arrives.  I love folding little onesies!

What I am looking forward to: Putting the final touches on the nursery and sharing pictures of how it has turned out.  

31 Weeks and One More McBaby Shower

I'm a day shy of 32 weeks, but I figured better late than never sharing my 31 week post!  This was another good week for me and McBaby who was showered once again by our family and friends in Arkansas.  Now it is time to organize and prepare for McBaby's arrival.  I have been in super nesting mode lately, and I don't see myself stopping anytime soon.  Here are some photos from McBaby's shower last Saturday.

 My wonderful friends from Cabot and Henderson State who came to shower McBaby

 Holly and Lonnie served as hostesses

 Holly and I have been friends for almost 20 years, she was my maid of honor and I was hers.  We have shared many of life's great moments together (how sappy did that sound, ha!)

 Me and my mom aka "Gimmie"

 5 Generations...my great grandmother will be 102 when McBaby arrives.  Very blessed she came!

 Me and Michael's mom Betty...we need to establish a grandma name for you Betty!

My wonderful hostesses who made this day perfect!

How Far Along: 31 weeks

Size of baby: Just more than 16 inches long and almost 3.5 pounds. The size of a coconut.  

Maternity Clothes: Now that I'm in the third trimester, I am wearing maternity most of the time with the exception of my lounge clothes.  

Gender: Not finding out!

Movement: McBaby is moving a lot...I'm starting to think that he/she is developing Michael's personality.  I am enjoying the movement so much, and I love the reminders that he or she is there swimming around.  

Sleep: Better than I thought it would be so far!  

Symptoms: Back pain, more heartburn, trouble bending over and tying my shoes.  

What I miss: I struggle with the low carb diet, and I miss being able to not have to think so hard about what I eat.  

Cravings: Pickles and cheese 

Best Moment this week: Traveling to Arkansas for the last time and getting to be with family and friends

What I am looking forward to: At this point, I'm ready to meet the little guy or gal...but not too soon!

30 Weeks, Showers and a Wedding

This has been a very busy, fun and blessed week.  Last Sunday, our friends Lindsey and Blake threw us a coed baby shower.  We had a wonderful time, and Baby McGreevey was showered with lots and lots of love!

Lindsey did a great job with the decorations

She had these precious onesies made for McBaby.  I love them and can't wait for McBaby to finally put one on announcing we have had a Noah or AnnMarie!

McBaby received so many wonderful presents!

All of our friends who came to the shower!

Love these girls!

Mom and Dad!

This week at work, we celebrated Halloween with a party in the office.  To my surprise, the Halloween party was a disguise for a secret baby shower thrown by my wonderful coworkers.  They were so great about keeping the shower a secret!  The shower was a book theme, and they all got me their favorite books that they read to their children when they were little.  I thought it was the sweetest theme ever, and I can't wait to read the books to our little one.

Opening my books dressed as a mouse :)

I was so happy to get all of these great books!

Last night, we went to a wedding to celebrate my friend Rachel and her fiancé Mason.  The wedding was gorgeous and so much fun!  So many of our friends were there, so it was a wonderful night. I even made it out to the dance floor a few times, but every time I danced with Michael, it seemed he had a little trouble adjusting to my belly.  Ha!

We ended our busy and fun week on a hight note!

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 30 weeks

Size of baby: Just more than15.7 inches long and almost 3 pounds. The size of a Head of Cabbage.  

Maternity Clothes: Now that I'm in the third trimester, I am wearing maternity most of the time with the exception of my lounge clothes.  Some maternity tops have been too big in the arms and shoulders, so I bought a Medium in a few tops and they seem to work for now.

Gender: Not finding out!

Movement: McBaby moves most in the mornings or night.  He/She doesn't move on command that's for sure.  Whenever we are around people and they want to feel him/her kick, our little stubborn baby does nothing.

Sleep: I can't complain!  

Symptoms: A little more tired, and I'm cranky sometimes because I just want to pig out on a piece of cake but can't.  I don't even really like sweets, but I think I want them more lately because I can't have them.   

What I miss: Now that I'm near the end, I miss lots of things.  

Cravings: I could eat pickles all day long...no joke!!!

Best Moment this week: Feeling all the love from everyone who came to our showers or sent us gifts.

What I am looking forward to: We are very close to finishing the nursery, and I can't wait to see it complete.

29 Weeks

Things have been better in Pregnancy Land since my last blog post.  I have slept great this week, which is always a welcomed and pleasant surprise.  I am thankful for each good night of sleep I can get.  We are very close to finishing up the nursery, which is also very exciting.  It will be a few weeks before I will declare it complete, but I will post pics soon.  We only have one more week of baby class to go, and I am glad we enrolled in the class.  It has been fun and pretty helpful.  Last week, the dads participated in a relay race where they had to put on all the scrub gear and race to the baby at the other end of the room and back again.  I got a picture of Michael who was the last leg on the winning team.  He always enjoys a little competition!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 29 weeks

Size of baby: Just more than15 inches long and 2 1/2 pounds. The size of a Butternut Squash. 

Total Weight Gain: 9 pounds 

Maternity Clothes: Now that I'm in the third trimester, I am wearing maternity most of the time with the exception of my lounge clothes.  Some maternity tops have been too big in the arms and shoulders, so I bought a Medium in a few tops and they seem to work for now.

Gender: Not finding out!

Movement: McBaby moves more and more.  The other day on our walk, I got a swift kick in the ribs.  I am looking forward to seeing a hand or footprint.

Sleep: Much better this week!  

Symptoms: I'm adjusting to living with gestational diabetes.  My diet has been controlling my sugar very well.  I am metering four times a day, but after next week, I only have to meter twice a day.  

What I miss: Sleeping on my stomach, eating more carbs 

Cravings: Still loving pickles, and I am back on my cheese kick

Best Moment this week: Feeling more organized and checking things off our list

What I am looking forward to: Our first baby shower this Sunday!

28 Weeks

I'm now in the third trimester!  Last week's post was about week 26 although I was just a day away from 27 weeks.  I've skipped week 27 to catch up and try to be more timely the rest of the way.  No promises though!  Yesterday, I was officially 28 weeks.

This past week has been full of highs and lows. I finally started feeling better, but I failed my glucose tolerance tests...both of them.  I've always had issues with sugar and can barely eat a donut without feeling sick, but I guess I assumed I would pass.    I barely failed the first test, but my sugar was crazy high during the three hour test.  I was very upset of course and thought the world was coming to an end, especially when my doctor described what having gestational diabetes could mean for the baby and for me.  Since then, I have met with a dietician and have learned to meter my blood sugar.  I have to prick my finger 4 times a day for two weeks, and if my blood sugar is under control, then I can simply prick twice a day.  My current diet is diabetes friendly, and my sugar has been good so far, so I really think everything is going to be fine as long as I don't eat a bunch of sugar.  Fortunately, I don't crave sugar too much, so I think McBaby and me will be good!

After being sick and having to deal with the tests last week, I was happy to get away.  We traveled to Arkansas for my mom's wedding.  She rented a house on the lake in Hot Springs, and it was beautiful.

I enjoyed this amazing view for three days.  Mom and Steve got married at the top of the hill with the lake in the background.  It was a perfect family wedding, and they are now celebrating their honeymoon at Disney World.

I am getting really excited about our showers that we have coming up in the next few weeks. I will love getting to see all of my friends I don't get to see too often, and it will be so fun seeing what McBaby gets.  My friend Lindsey and her husband Blake are hosting our first shower next week, and she sent me this picture last night of something she has bought McBaby.  She said it was supposed to be a surprise, but she couldn't wait.  How cute are these?!  She made my night!

I'm thinking we are being blessed with a Noah, and Michael is certain we are having an AnnMarie!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 28 weeks

Size of baby: 15 inches long and 2 1/4 pounds. The size of an Eggplant.  

Maternity Clothes: Wearing these more and more.  Maternity jeans are the most comfortable invention ever! I'm still wearing some of my pre-pregnancy dresses and tunics. 

Gender: Not finding out!

Movement: McBaby has been very active lately.  I enjoy the movement so much, and it is fun to see my stomach moving now.  I can't wait to see a hand or footprint.

Sleep: Much better this week!  

Symptoms: Back and hip pain, and a sever case of pregnancy brain!

What I miss: Sleeping on my stomach 

Cravings: Still loving pickles

Best Moment this week: Stronger kicks and getting more sleep

What I am looking forward to: Our baby showers!

26 Weeks

Week 26 has been hard on me.  Sleep has been very difficult to come by, and I am on day seven of a cold.  And to top off the end of Week 26, we are heading to the doctor in an hour to do the sugar test for gestational diabetes.   Yay!!!  I am slowly feeling better after nursing myself back to health with homemade organic soup loaded with garlic and onion (also perfect for scaring off vampires) and homemade organic vitamin c smoothies with kale, pineapples, and orange juice.  If I can't kick this cold all the way, I may resort to medicine, but I really don't want to.

Last night was our first childbirth class, and I still sounded horrible so Michael suggested that I stay home while he went.  It probably was not in the best interest of the other pregnant ladies for me to be spreading any germs.  So as he left last night for class, I cried so hard because I was missing it.  But I am so thankful that he still went by himself like it was no big deal.  He is going to be such a great daddy.  I texted him throughout the night to ask what they were talking about.  Here are his two responses:  "you need to start doing kegels" and "they asked what my wish was for our baby, and I said I hope he or she is taller than us."  Ha!  I love this man!!!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 26 weeks

Size of baby: 14 inches long and 1 2/3 pounds. The size of a scallion.  

Maternity Clothes: Wearing these more and more.  Maternity jeans are the most comfortable invention ever!  

Gender: Not finding out!

Movement: McBaby is pretty chill for the most part.  Kicking in the morning or late at night is his/her favorite time to be active.

Sleep: Horrible this week.  Between back pain, sweating like crazy and fighting a cold, it was impossible to get a good night's sleep.  

Symptoms: Back and hip pain

What I miss: Sleeping on my stomach 

Cravings: Still loving pickles

Best Moment this week: Seeing how much Michael loves me and McBaby

What I am looking forward to: Our baby showers!