Mama and Squish: 38 Weeks & Baby Shower Photos!

Size of baby:  Squishy is as big as a pumpkin! It definitely feels (and looks) that way. The average baby is 19-21" at this point and weighs between 6 and 9 lbs. I would venture to guess that our little Squishy is on the upper end of both of those measurements... (but you never know until D-day) and continues to grow, apparently!

Weight gain: I am up again and baby continues to grow. Another 4 lbs. I don't even want to tell you how much I am up from my pre-preggo weight, but I do plan on getting it all off again as soon as I can!

Development / Movement: Baby could have up to an inch of hair already and is continuing to plump up between now and his/her birthday. My fundal measurement has gone up 2cm, which means baby has grown inside this pumpkin-sized belly. My fundal measurement is exactly average, so either my abs are hiding a large baby or perhaps the ultrasound was off. I am feeling the weight and the corresponding aches and pains, that's for sure. I can also tell you that baby has dropped significantly since last week. My belly now sits on my lap, rather than my boobs sitting on my belly (haha). That head is well-rooted in my pelvis and it feels very uncomfortable. This has lightened the crowding of my lungs a little, which means I am not constantly out of breath, but I'm feeling more pain (woo hoo). As for movement, I feel baby's hiccups all the time and of course Squish continues to kick and punch in there, which I still love feeling every time, even though it can hurt.

Sleep: Just when I thought sleep "wasn't so bad", I have had the worst time this week. I am definitely ready for this baby to come, even more than ever. I have not yet been as uncomfortable, frustrated, and generally just as ready as I am this week. I get up now every 1.5 hours or so to use the bathroom and another several times to toss and turn and try to get comfortable (which is basically a pointless task, because I am never comfortable). I'm having Braxton Hicks contractions, even painful and intense ones here and there, which keep me (and poor Trey) up at night, but of course they don't progress into labour... not yet, anyway!

What I miss:  Pretty much just everything about not being pregnant. I know that sounds so negative. I really have loved being pregnant and I know I will miss it (especially feeling baby's movements and knowing he/she is with me all day, every day), but I'm ready for my old body, my old workouts, my old wardrobe, and generally just feeling good. That includes feeling mobile, lightweight, and able to run around like a spry little rabbit.

Best moment this week: I've had a lot of fun this week, as usual. I have to say that blogging every week about all of the "best moments" reminds me of what a great life we have. On Sunday I had a hot chocolate date with Nafeesa and that afternoon, Trey took me to the spa for a couples' massage. We went early so we could hang out in the lounge in our robes, sip on rooibos tea and snack on dried fruits and nuts. It was a nice day for sure. I cooked a couple of nice homemade dinners this week and had some quiet days at home.

On Wednesday night, a large group of us went out for Anita's birthday dinner to The Boathouse in Horseshoe Bay. It was great to see everyone and the food was amazing. I had a doctor's appointment Thursday, which I took Linden to because I was babysitting (they all got a kick out of 9+ month preggo me, carrying a baby into the appointment). I snuggled with Linden most of Thursday and when Anita came to pick him up she brought lunch and we hung out for a bit. Yesterday was quite packed! It was Anita's actual birthday, so I took her for a facial in the morning (amazing), then we met Diana, Irina, and Kim for lunch at Beach House in West Van - yes, we go there a lot!

In the afternoon, Christie came over for a tea date and brought me some beautiful pink tulips. We hadn't hung out in a while so it was really nice to see her! I also babysat Linden again so that Jeff could take Anita out for her birthday. He was an absolute angel yesterday.

Last night, Trey and I had one more date night dinner out at Fish Works. We aren't sure of course how many opportunities we'll have to squeeze in a nice night out just the two of us before baby arrives, so that could have been our last baby-free date night for a while! It was lovely. The Dine Out Vancouver menu was to die for, as expected! I had a crab "mac n' cheese" made with mascarpone and Trey had ling cod. I only ate about 1/8th of the meal because my stomach is so squished by Squish (and it was pretty rich), so we have leftovers for lunch today.

Looking forward to:  Once again, this weekend, Trey and I are going to spend lots of time together and relax. Maybe we'll take the pups to the dog park and do a big walk to bring on labour! My cousin Melanie, her baby Ashlyn, and my Aunt Susie are planning to come over and visit for the day tomorrow. Part of the day Sunday I will also have Linden again, as Anita and Jeff sadly have to attend a funeral.

It should be a nice weekend and I'm looking forward to hopefully sleeping in a little bit??

Cravings: Same! Oranges!

Maternity Clothes: I have included this section back in today because you wouldn't believe it - even some of my designated maternity clothes are not fitting over my pumpkin bump. This belly has gotten so big!! I'm very frustrated with my lack of options (particularly for going out). I'm not buying anything new at this point, so I'm just going to ride it out and keep wearing my "uniform" of leggings, tank and a sweater/cardigan... but I tell you, I cannot WAIT until clothes start to fit me normally again!

Symptoms/Labour Symptoms: Lots of Braxton Hicks. Painful ones. Sometimes intense. Pelvic pressure (ew, its so weird), round ligament pain (the stabbing is back in the middle of the night, likely thanks to baby's growing size), and swollen feet and hands. Other than the contractions, no major labour signs. The doctor says my cervix is still closed but thinning, so that is a step in the right direction. Problem is, if it does not open at least a little by next week, I can't have my membrane sweep done. Fingers crossed!

Other funny ones: my belly button is fully poked out now. It was sort of half in/half out before, but the skin on my tummy is now stretched to full capacity and the belly button has turned inside-out. Kinda funny. I also still do not have stretch marks. For those of you who have asked, I've used a bunch of different things on my belly. They say it is genetic whether you will get stretch marks or not, so it may have been all for nothing, but I have used: cocoa butter, shea butter, coconut oil, vitamin e oil, and just regular nice-smelling lotions. Depends on the day and what I feel like! Most of the time I use coconut or vitamin e oil, which I think are the two most effective ones.

PHOTOS! I have a few photos from Anita's birthday yesterday, as well as some photos from my gorgeous baby shower, as promised. I have to thank Anita again so very much for all of the time, effort and detail she put into making this day so perfect. Thank you as well to all of my amazing friends for being there to celebrate little Squish and for the wonderful, thoughtful gifts. I'm so lucky to have you all!

Some time this week I will post a few more pics from our maternity shoot. We just received them but I haven't gone through them yet. We're so excited to see them!

Hope you have a great week, everybody - wish me luck and let's hope that I go into labour before the next post! ;)