37 Weeks- Full Term

Well I officially made it "Full Term" (according to the old standards at least). Bets on a Birthday?!

How far along? 37 Weeks
How many weeks left? 3
Total weight gain: 22 pounds up until I stopped walking... So grand total now is 26
Food Craving of the Week: Bagels and Cream Cheese(This never seems to go away)
Sleep: No way! Up every few hours using the restroom.
Best moment this week: Reading what Ela was thankful for at school.
Movement: Slowing down some.
Belly Button in or out?Out...Old News
What I miss: Going out for a drink with my Hubby
What I am looking forward to: Ela and Julia meeting; she is SO SO excited.
Weekly Wisdom: Relax
Milestones: Made it to full term.

Ela's thoughts on Baby Sister: Ela keeps telling everyone her sister is going to be out in "5 minutes". After getting out of the shower I go in and find Ela with her baby on her chest. I asked what she was doing. She said " my baby is biting my boobies to eat". CLASSIC!

At this point Ela was already born. I (we ) have spent the last two weeks making sure we kept sweet little Julia to stay put. After podrominal labor for about 3-4 week and a "false alarm" scare at 35 weeks, I found out that I was 1cm dilated . I guess I am that statistic that you read about that can walk around for weeks being dilated. I was not put on bed rest(I refused), but I stopped taking the subway to work, started driving, and literally sit at my desk all day at work. It worked! I really miss walking those 4-6 miles a day and gained 3 pounds quickly over the past 2 weeks. On Tuesday I experienced some severe and regular contractions. Tomasz and I thought it was time to head to the hospital. Its so funny that when I thought I was in labor, the first thing I did was clean the apartment, make a to do list for Ela, and laid out her clothes and lunches for the next few days. Its so funny how you go into nesting(panic) overdrive. Tomasz was getting really nervous and kept wanting to leave immediately, but I wanted to see if I could get them to stop. After three bathtubs, and 64 ounces of water they became less regular and I decided to follow up with my doctor's office the next day. I was sent home not any more dilated and told to return when the contractions became regular. Baby girl was given stress tests and I will now go every 5 days until she is born. (She failed the first two but I knew it was because she was sleeping--She never moves much during the day.)

On another note, I personally am thankful for so much, the biggest to be thankful for is  my growing family. Tomasz and I went to pick up Ela from school and it made my heart melt to see that she was already thankful for her baby sister on the "Thankful Tree".  (In addition to my fun shaped pancakes I make on Saturday mornings) I am also thankful for the sweet moments in life. I was cuddling with Tomasz before we got up to start our day(I hopped over the Snuggle pillow barrier) and as we were laying together Julia kept kicking him through my belly and he could feel it. Melt.My.Heart.

Fasten your masks before helping others...

I read an article a few weeks ago that really hit home. I am a member of our Church's facebook group and get regular emails. Often I don't really read through them, but this one caught my attention. It is also ironic that the premise of the article is based off of the airlines and that's a big part of our families life and which is also is the factor that makes this harder for me to do. The point of the articles is " Put your mask on before helping others". The articles compares this to being a parent; If you don't take care of yourself you become incapable of helping others.

The Article is titled: 'Parenting: What the Airlines can teach you

 As a parent, specifically a mother, we are so inclined to help our child first. I strive to make my daughter, and soon to be daughter happy, doing whatever it takes. Even being pregnant with my child sick  in the hospital for three days, I cuddled with Ela against the advisement of all the doctors and nurses as she was highly contagious. The love that you experience for your child, as well as the pain and joy that you feel is unexplainable until you become a mother.  I understand the article is not speaking directly to this effect, but more so about how as Mothers' we need to take a quick time out to ourselves, make sure we are eating and sleeping. Loving your little ones so much makes this seem like an impossible feat. If we are not 100%, how are we supposed to take care of the little ones that depend so much on us?

I will openly admit that I struggle with this. My husband has been blessed with a job that is truly his passion; not many can say that. At times it was very hard on our family. With both companies that he has worked for, he had to go to an initial training for 6 weeks. In another state, and not being together for an extended period of time was HARD. The first time he was gone, I ended up in the hospital and the second time Ela. That's the law of averages right? Up until recently, when he changed companies, my husband was traveling 3-5 days a week.Add a working mom into the mix and we were a recipe for busy. The only way to do it was a regimented schedule. Switching jobs could not have come at a better time now expecting our second child. He is home most days now as he is based out of Laguardia airport, and usually goes to work in the morning and is home in the evening!(THANK GOODNESS). I almost feel like he has a "normal" job.Even when he is home, I still find it hard to steal "me time" and there is always something to be done. I have caught 3 colds during this pregnancy. A pregnant women, taking care of a sick toddler, while being sick myself is NO fun. I truly need to make it a priority to make sure that I am taking care of myself so I am able to not only to provide for my children, but also my husband. I often wonder if this is even possible, but then the reality hits that if I don't make this a priority then my children do not get me at my best. This has happened many times, a few of which I shared What does not kill you, makes you Stronger , and Speak up Mommy .

Reading this article is nothing new, but maybe something that I really needed to be reminded of. With our second little girl due any day, I am not sure if this will get any easier to achieve, but I will for sure be making it a priority.

35 Weeks-Bump Update

I thought my 34 week post would be one of my last as I would not have much new going on. Turns out the sweet little girls that Tomasz and I made like to keep us on our toes.

As I mentioned in my last post, I was on bed rest at this point with Ela. In exactly one week in my pregnancy with her(36 weeks) I was induced, went into labor and our life changed in the best way possible. Crazy to think about. I still don't think it has set in that we get to meet baby Julia in a few weeks(or days), so yesterday after a trip to the OBGYN I was very surprised.

I have been having contractions on and off for around the past three weeks,been slightly swollen and just not felt right. Nothing a little laying on my left, drinking gallons of water and my Snoogle pillow could not fix. At my last appointment, my doctor assured me that contractions were normal this late in the pregnancy, especially for second time moms and that I was experiencing podrominal labor. (Sidebar: How are you going to call labor "fake" but still have it hurt so bad?? I don't get it) Starting Monday night I started getting contractions really bad again. I did my whole routine of laying down and over hydrating, yada yada yada. Most times they would let up at night. On Wednesday night into Thursday, there was NOTHING I could do to make them stop. I got no sleep even after taking two warm baths and a Tylenol. I debated on calling my OB. Sounds silly not knowing if I was actually in real labor as I am a second time mom, but being induced the first time I had NO clue what real labor felt like. Everyone always said "You will know" so I just attributed it to no bed rest this go around, and my body prepping itself. By lunch the following day I was in so much pain; the contractions were not regular, but super painful. I finally gave in and called the OB and he had me come in. On the way to the office, I began to have them every few minutes as it was a good walk. I have been driving to work lately, but to find parking around Midtown  would have been crazy so I walked....BIG MISTAKE.

Sure enough, I was examined and I was already a centimeter dilated! HOLY COW! I was shocked. When I was induced with Ela at 36.5 weeks, I was not dilated at all and barely effaced. All this time I was expecting to hear it was just prodrominal labor again, and it actually looked like I was in the beginning of labor. I was sent to the hospital and monitored just in case it was more than early labor. When I laid in bed, the contractions slowed and since they had never been regular in the first place I was sent home.(Figured this was the case) I will follow up on Monday with my OB and get a sonogram to see how much our girl weighs. The Labor and Delivery nurses said if I stay off my feet and walk minimally, she will probably come in 2-3 weeks. (37 weeks) I can already tell that even walking a few blocks, the contractions start back up again. Its near impossible living in NYC and not being able to walk.

I really want to keep this little girl nice and safe until 36.5 weeks at minimum, but I wont lie, around 37 weeks, I will be taking a few walks!

35 Weeks....A little more swollen this week.

Any of you other moms have contractions the whole last month of your pregnancy?

34 Week Bump Update

Yes....Still pregnant over here. This pregnancy flew by.... 

Then I hit 30 weeks.I feel like I will forever be growing this little girl in my belly. 

At this point last time in my pregnancy with Ela, I was on bed rest due to Preclampsia. Snow Baby-BedRest  As I was put on bed rest 6 weeks before my due date I never got to experience working while massively pregnant, being fatigued,  and with a toddler. My blood pressure has risen over the past few days from 100/63 to 127/75, but still not a cause for worry yet.  Since all is good for now, we just wait for Julia! I have been having extreme contractions, so much so that I thought I was going into labor last Sunday. They were not regular and after laying down and 3 bottles of water they stopped. A quick check up with the doctor and I am having Podorimal Labor( Painful Braxton Hicks). I guess it is good that my body is getting lots of practice, which should make for a quick labor.

Any bets on a due date?

How far along? 34 Weeks
How many weeks left? 6 weeks... 12/13/13 Due Date.
Total weight gain: 21 pounds
Food Craving of the Week: Pickles(Claussen only) CANDY!!
Sleep: If Ela could sleep maybe I could too. We have both been up.
Best moment this week: Trick or Treating with Ela
Movement: Yes, lots of rolling around but not as many kicks. I even rested my hand on my belly because I did not feel her move and I could feel her heartbeat(so cool)
Belly Button in or out?Out...Old News
What I miss: Pumpkin Beer
What I am looking forward to: Ela and Julia meeting; bending over(the little things in life)
Weekly Wisdom: Rest
Milestones: 34 weeks an accomplishment in itself.

Ela's thoughts on Baby Sister: Mommy, when is Julia coming out? Me: Soon, you are going to stay with your uncle and Mommy will go to the hospital. Ela: Is Julia sick? Me: No, Mommy goes to the hospital so the doctor can take the baby out. Ela: How? Me: I'll tell you later. Ela: OK When? LOL! SO many questions.

A couple snapshots from Halloween.