38 Weeks

Where has the time gone? Seriously. Where? I've been back home for three full days and I've been non-stop ever since... even while battling a cold I managed to pick up from our travels. I thought being sick in general was not ideal, but being sick while 38 weeks pregnant is absolute torture. I've got this MEAN case of nasal congestion, my throat hurt (up until yesterday), and the mucus cough...it's just not been fun. I have been sleeping a lot more, going to bed a lot earlier, and allowing Justin to graciously assist with tasks around the house. I *think* I may be on the mend, so I'm hoping that's the case. In other news at around 130 am this past Saturday (just an hour after we landed in Seattle), I went into labor and delivery to get myself and Livy bean checked out. Flying wasn't nearly as terrible as I expected, but I always caution on the side of safety. I'm happy to report that this mama bear and baby girl # 2 are doing excellent, with the exception of my cold. Olivia had one day this past week where she wasn't as active, and that was actually the day we were heading home from New York. Other than that, she's been moving up a storm! My sister, Ava bug, and Justin got to feel some pretty intense kicks and rolls on Sunday, that was a lot of fun to watch my family bonding with this baby already.

How far Along: 38 Weeks

Nicknames for baby: Livy Bean, Olivia

Size of baby: An estimated 7 pounds (the size of a pumpkin) 

Gender: It's a girl! 

Symptoms: Charlie horse leg cramps (OUCH, OUCH), breast tenderness, pelvic straining, itchy belly, and Braxton hicks.

Best moment this week: The best moment this week was actually just making it home safely, getting a bill of health for the baby in my womb after flying on an airplane so late in pregnancy, and finally getting the house prepped for baby. Yes, bassinets are a go, organizing Olivia's hospital bag is a go, and getting her baby clothes washed is a go!

Movement: Whenever I lay still, she is moving. I love it so, so much.

Food Cravings: Fish sticks (surprisingly, my second round in this pregnancy). Cranberry juice.

Food Aversions: WE ARE FINALLY IN THE CLEAR HERE. 

What I Miss: I do miss not waking up in the middle of the night because of severe Charlie horses in both my legs. I also miss being able to get out of bed myself without the assistance of my husband. Overall, I miss my body feeling good, even while pregnant.

Sleep: I get extremely good sleep, once I am out, I am out! Except, I started drooling (yuck). BUT I do get interrupted if a Charlie horse comes about in the middle of the night.

Justin: Thankful for this man for always. He has been pretty great with allowing me to tear our house apart to get things done for Baby O. We still haven't taken down our Christmas decorations because of all the chaos, and I wonder if that's driving him nuts at all? He's allowed me to be bossy with all my glory and sass at 38 weeks pregnant, and that has been appreciated more than he knows. He's offered up foot rubs and leg rubs for the Charlie horse pains, he's been making almost every single meal since we've been home, and I really appreciate being able to sleep, even when Ava is LIVE and ready to play.

Ava: Ahh, my baby girl. She has found herself and has been acting so much more like our bug since the moment we got home. I can't even begin to tell you how happy and elated this has made us. Vacation was nice, but it was so stressful and involved a lot of changes for my toddler. Although she was visiting her family, they are also people she doesn't know. Justin and I didn't really take this into consideration prior to the trip, so I think that had a lot to do with the changes we saw in her while in New York.

What I am looking forward to this week: I am SO excited for my OB appointment on Thursday. I can't wait to see how far along I'm measuring, and go over some of the details of being 38 weeks pregnant. It's crazy to think that at this time with Ava bug, I literally only had 8 days until I met her. I'm anxious to see if I'll make it to my due date with Olivia.

Happy or moody most of the time: Since being home, I have been a happy camper. Aside from having a cold, I'm so in the baby mood. Justin and I assembled and put the car seat in on Saturday, and it feels so surreal seeing two Chicco seats when I turn around. 9 months flew by so much quicker in this pregnancy then I ever imagined. Now it's just a waiting game. We've lined up a babysitter for Ava bug, my hospital bag is almost ready, and Justin's company is tracking as well. So yes, I'm a happy mama. 

♥- Leilani