Oh hey! Here we are at 38 (and a half) weeks! Baby girl could arrive any day which is so exciting and slightly terrifying at the same time. We are almost here at the end so I thought I would give you a nice comparative look at the baby belly.
So there you have it! Crazy how fast and slow the time has gone. 
What’s going on with mom?
Well I feel pretty huge and tight and ready to bust out a baby! haha! I’ve had less contractions overall this week. Still some lower back pain, but that’s all to be expected at this stage. We also had our last baby shower with my mom’s side of the family. It was so wonderful to be surrounded by family and love for our little one. I lost both my grandpa and my grandma years ago and moments like these can remind you of who isn’t around the table, yet the sadness has softened over time. Now I can smile in these moments thinking of the things they would have said or done and seeing traces of their love and legacy in myself and my other family members. And I’m grateful that I knew them well enough and long enough to recognize and appreciate those things.
What’s going on with baby?
She’s still in there! She’s likes her dark chocolate and grape juice (which I use to speed along her kick counts when I’m short on time). We’re so excited to meet her! At the same time I’m feeling very grateful and nostalgic almost for this pregnancy time…I know it’s only a very short time and a very special thing to get to experience.
What else is going on?
Well I have the baby’s bag all packed (and really packed-not panic-packed)! I got this super beautiful diaper bag from my aunt and her mom. I love the color and it was so fun to pack for our little lady!
Nate also refinished a little dresser for the baby this week. I really wish I had a before picture; it turned out amazing! I love the color and the mod design which stands out so much better now than when it was light grain wood and faded bronze handles.
So I think that sums things up for this week! Our crib (looong story-again) is still not together because we couldn’t get the replacement part so we are going back to the drawing board and picking out an entirely different model (this one just has a bad taste in our mouth right now). But we have our bassinet so even if she comes tomorrow she’ll have a bed at least!
So yeah, another week down! Who knows what the next one will bring… 
Any must-haves for our hospital bag? Something random or weird you were SO glad you had in the hospital? Anything to definitely leave behind?
Congratulations! (I’m new to your blog) How special to have family to share these special moments with (and that diaper bag is awesome!) Hope the rest of your pregnancy goes well and you meet your little darling at just the perfect time.
Thank you Kelly! Glad you are here. 🙂
you look great! good luck!! 🙂 🙂
Thanks girl!
You are soooo close, how exciting!! You’re right, pregnancy is such a special time to savor- I really love being pregnant, even with the nausea and discomfort that can come with it. Best wishes for a smooth labor very soon!
Thank you!!
I was so glad to have shower supplies, make-up, toothbrush and paste, and lip balm. It just always feels good to feel clean, to have clean hair, and to look presentable. I like feeling fresh and after laboring for a few hours and pushing and sweating, etc., it just feels nice to be clean. I also took the baby book and birth announcements. It was hard to sit still, so I enjoyed working on those things.
Hey!! This is such an exciting time in your life. The anticipation was killing me those last couple of wks. The actual birth made me so nervous. No one in my family had a natural birth for me to compare to… all c-section. So I watched dozens of YouTube videos and took the Bradley childbirth classes to prepare. But nothing prepares you for the pain and endurance needed for this event! I had a 36 hr labor! You have to keep reassuring yourself that God made you for this and that every contraction is for a purpose.
Make sure you bring a yoga mat just in case you want to labor on the floor. There are tons of positions that help you through it. Also see if the hospital has a yoga ball for you to use or bring your own. Try anything to make yourself comfortable… Try not to sit on the bed and rest, you need to be moving around and trying to get her in position and keep her there. And walk walk walk!! I was walking around 2 miles a day till she came.. It really helps. I even walked around the hospital grounds with our bags packed in the car to try to let her know we were ready just in case.. 😉 those walks were soo hard for me and they would take forever because I was having contractions most of the time but I knew that my ultimate goal was a natural birth and I knew that I had to do my part.
Also make sure you have comfy clothes for the ride home. You will be really sore everywhere. Also skin to skin is so important after the birth. And definitely meet with the lactation consultant and have her check her latch. I really never had any pain because she was a champ and had a great latch from the start. Also bring any of your healthy snacks for the labor, and I also brought coconut water for energy. I know I am all scatter brained.. lol sorry. Also bring sandals or slippers.. You will be getting in and out of bed a bunch. You will also have hotflashes and cold flashes I would also bring organic peppermint oil it is great for nausea. You dampen a wash cloth and add some drops to the cloth and breathe it in deaply and it clears your head and makes you feel better.. If you do vomit it will make you feel better after. Make sure you have the car seat installed and you know how to use it. FYI Modesty goes out the window.. lol. most of all treasure every moment it goes by so fast. I hope this helps.. Have a great day and I hope she comes soon!
You are a champ, lady! So much great stuff–I may message you some other questions…. I’m really excited that the hospital I’m delivering at is very supportive of a natural birth and mobile labor–I’ll have access to a birthing ball, bar, and tub to use during labor and their “standard” is an hour of skin to skin–no need to move baby unless she has a health concern. I’m so glad that many things that others have to be “firm” about with their providers is standard procedure where I’m delivering. 🙂
Oh and healthy snacks is such a good tip! I’ll probably stock up on Kind bars–they’re my favorite! I’ve also heard of people using like energy chews and other stuff to give them energy throughout a long labor.
AHHHH so excited for you!!! You are looking so great! Can’t wait to “meet” the little lady 🙂
Thanks girl. I’m excited too!
That is such a pretty diaper bag, and I love the dresser! Those handles are pretty cool looking. The little pink outfit on top of the diaper bag is adorable!
I know, right? I had actually picked out another similar one, but liked this one that my aunt and her mom chose better!
The print on your diaper bag is adorable! I love that!