Adventures in Pregnancy: 36 Weeks
30 Jun 2014
What a difference a week makes! Now that I’m down to only a handful of outfits, it should be easier than ever to tell how much my shape is changing. I think I look considerably more pointy than I did last week, and hopefully this is because the baby has descended a bit. And I have to be honest: I kind of love being this huge. Because I am growing so gradually, I don’t ever really feel like I can tell a difference, until I look in the mirror or see a picture, at which point I think, “Whoa! I am seriously pregnant!” I also kind of enjoy the “pregnant lady coming through” kindness of others.
Miraculously, I am still feeling great. I am certainly waddling, and picking things up off the floor is a thing of the past, but otherwise I feel about the same. Mild heartburn, a bit of increasing insomnia, occasional pains from kicks or punches, but all of this feels very manageable to me. I’ve also started having some Braxton-Hicks contractions, but they don’t hurt at all, and I’m happy for my uterus to get some practice for the big event. My ankle swelling even went down! I think a combination of swimming and drinking even more water than usual deserves the credit, but I will say that I’ve never been happier to see those pointy ankle bones. As far as the insomnia goes, I am usually up for about an hour and a half during the night. This has gotten easier to deal with since I’ve just decided to get up and read rather than tossing and turning. And I am sure it is good practice for the nights ahead! I have not even been feeling especially tired lately–some days I nap for an hour, but never more than that. I am amazed at this eleventh hour burst of energy.
It’s being well spent. This weekend we made a lot of progress on prepping our room and the nursery for furniture moving: consolidating things, clearing them out, getting rid of old stuff. Eric came up with some great space-saving ideas. He has really been on a roll!
We were supposed to have our 36 week appointment on Saturday, but our doctor was called to a delivery. This is totally understandable, but I was super bummed because I was so looking forward to seeing our baby on the ultrasound. But now we’ll go on Thursday and start the long weekend with some extra joy.
We have our prenatal meeting with our doula tomorrow, and two more childbirth classes in our series. I am going to miss those Tuesday nights. I totally adore our teacher and feel like we have learned so much. I am feeling so much more prepared and excited for the birth, and I feel like these classes have been seriously invaluable. Eric and I are also working our way through our birth books and sharing what we’re learning with each other. Every now and again I’ll shout, “Hey, remind me to blow raspberries during contractions!” or Eric will say, “Oh, I am supposed to be practicing squats with you!” I love that we’re working on this together, and so thankful that Eric is such an amazingly intuitive and calming presence in my life. Even practicing for labor with him makes me cry. I’m a lucky lady.
Also! We had our Name Summit and are actively discussing names. We haven’t firmly decided yet, but it’s good to be talking through some ideas and preferences. And I think we were both encouraged that we seem to like the same kind of names. Whew!
Jun 30, 2014 @ 03:39:42
You look amazing! When I saw the pictures I thought to myself, “Wow! What a difference a week makes!”, and then I read that you were thinking the same thoughts! 🙂 I know you will have a good labor and delivery because of all that you’ve done and learned. Your husband will be your greatest asset because of his dedication to the whole process. You truly are a lucky lady…blessed to be exact. 😉 Have a wonderful day!
Jun 30, 2014 @ 22:49:34
Thank you so much! I am definitely feeling VERY pregnant these days, but so grateful to be still comfortable. And thank you too for your sweet words on labor and delivery–we are truly very blessed indeed! Hope you are having a great week!
Jun 30, 2014 @ 03:46:58
You look great and seriously pregnant! How cool! Good luck with the Name Summit. Can’t wait to read what you name this greatly anticipated little one!
Jun 30, 2014 @ 22:50:33
Thank you so much, Sandi! We are still discussing and tossing ideas around, but it feels good to be getting closer. I imagine having his name chosen will make this feel real in a whole new way–can’t wait!
Jun 30, 2014 @ 05:01:09
Wow that’s amazing what a difference just a week makes. I too look forward to the next ultrasound image of that little (and getting bigger) guy.
Jun 30, 2014 @ 22:51:06
Me too! He is wiggling like crazy these days, so hopefully we’ll get to see him in action!
Jun 30, 2014 @ 05:21:21
yikes! getting closer and won’t be long (for me!). I can’t wait to hear the names, if you are posting them….or the nickname….or I’ll stay in suspense forever 🙂
Jun 30, 2014 @ 22:51:59
Haha, I won’t leave you in suspense forever! Only until he is born! It’s crazy to think that this time next month we’ll likely be holding him in our arms…so excited!
Jun 30, 2014 @ 05:35:01
Glad you kids are finally getting around to the name summit, so that the grandparent group doesn’t have to take matters into our own hands. You do have an ancestor named Archibald, by the way. You do look SERIOUSLY bigger this week than last week! I’m starting to wonder if you’ll make it to your due date! Excitement all around!
Jun 30, 2014 @ 22:53:50
Hahaha, I can only imagine what the grandparents would come up with, given the hilarious lists you have shared with me! I know, I am huge! But I love it. Definitely starting to feel some aches and twinges of preparation, so we’ll see when he decides to make his grand entrance. I just hope we have the nursery set up by then:)
Jul 01, 2014 @ 07:54:31
I had enough trouble coming up with names for my own kids!
Jul 02, 2014 @ 23:51:39
But you named them very well! 🙂
Jun 30, 2014 @ 15:04:01
you look great.. i too used to forget just how humongous I had gotten until I would see a picture of myself or catch m reflection in the mirror.
The kindness of people both while pregnant and with a little baby is wonderful..
We too had very similar tastes in names.. very rarely did we need to use our veto’s..
I am so excited for you 🙂
Jun 30, 2014 @ 22:54:44
Thank you so much! I am so glad the naming process was smooth for you, and love seeing your adventures with your two sweet boys;)