39

Baby Calvin Update-Week 39

How Far Along: 39 weeks 1 day

Total Weight Gain: I still haven't gained any weight since my 36 week appointment, so I have gained a total of 40 pounds. It is funny though, because I feel like I have gained a lot more, especially in the last few weeks, but I suppose it's just swelling.

Maternity Clothes: YES! However, I'm mostly wearing sweats and maternity maxi dresses.

Favorite Moment This Week: I have really enjoyed my time of relaxation before baby Calvin arrives. It's been nice to do my own thing on my own timeline and lay on the couch for hours without feeling guilty. The waiting is getting harder every day, but I am still not in a hurry. I want Calvin to come on HIS timeline when he is ready.

Gender: Boy, Calvin

Movement: Yes! He still has lots of room to move around and my doctor was so amazed at how spread out he is in there. He's definitely loving his home in there and not in any hurry to meet us.

Food Cravings: The same as previous weeks, but this week I am definitely on a sugar spree. Apple pie a la mode, Lucky Charms, Hershey's chocolate bars and sugar cookies with strawberry icing from Classy Chocolate on the square. Yum!

What I Miss: I miss having energy. I get spurts of energy every once in a while, but for the most part, I just want to be curled up in bed/on the couch relaxing. It's definitely not as bad as my first trimester, but energy is definitely lacking.

Sleep: So-so.  Last night was ok.  I tend to sleep best between the hours of 5am-11am.  Luckily, I am fortunate enough to be able to sleep in like that-but not for long! :)

What I Am Looking Forward To: Savoring these last few days/weeks as a family of two as we await the arrival of our sweet baby boy.

Symptoms: Exhaustion, back ache, cramping/contractions and low pressure

Belly Button: Out!

Next Dr. Appt: Monday, June 17th (Calvin's due date)

Contractions: Yes. I have had a couple of instances where they get pretty intense and right when I think it might be THE time, they stop.

Dilation/Effacement: I am STILL only 1 cm dilated and 0% effaced. After I had some pretty intense cramping and contractions on Sunday evening, I thought for sure that I would have progressed a little bit. However, at our appointment yesterday our doctor shared that she doesn't think he is in any hurry and that I should be prepared to go overdue, possibly 42 weeks.  She was kind enough to share her schedule for the rest of the month and I am sure that we will probably welcome Baby Calvin the week that she is off which would be week 41 (two weeks from yesterday.)

Because I DO NOT want to be induced, it will be interesting to see when this sweet boy does decided to arrive. We're ready for you Calvin whenever you are!

 39 weeks! The final countdown begins!

 38 weeks (forgot to include this last week) - on our way to a BBQ

Yes, I'm laying flat on my back, that's Calvin on the left!

38

Pregnancy Updates-Week 38

How Far Along: 38 weeks, 1 day

Total Weight Gain: I've gained 40 pounds total, but haven't gained any weight in my last three appointments!

Maternity Clothes: Absolutely! AND since school is out, I've been sporting leggings and dresses every day if I am not in pajamas.

Favorite Moment This Week: There are always so many favorite moments throughout the weeks, but this week there were several little ones. I have really been enjoying my relaxation time since school has been out. It has been great to "nest" and get things done around the house and have more than just the weekend to do it all. I've also done my fair share of resting.

Gender: BOY - Calvin!

Movement: YES! He is so active that I think it's frustrating for the doctor when she is trying to find his little heart rate with the Doppler. She has started calling him wiggle worm because when we are there for our appointments, he is always going crazy!

Food Cravings: Nothing new, but I have started making a new drink with carbonated lime water with a lime Popsicle in it to keep it cold - YUM! Also, I finally got my apple pie and vanilla ice cream fix that I've been craving since last weekend.

What I Miss: Sleeping on my back and my stomach.

Sleep: Well, last night was definitely the worst night of sleep that I have had since I've been pregnant. I was too hot so I couldn't get comfortable and had a really hard time falling back asleep once I was awake to use the restroom. Hopefully, tonight will be better.

What I Am Looking Forward To: These next few days/weeks of relaxation and preparing our home and lives for baby Calvin to arrive.

Symptoms: I am still comfortable over all. Sunday and Monday I had really severe cramping and there were a few times when I had to stop and breathe deeply. My doctor said that was a good thing to be happening especially considering that I am not making much progress in the dilation/effacement department. I asked if I should take it easy when that happens and she said, "Oh, no, get more active!"

Belly Button: OUT!

Next Dr. Appointment: Next Monday, June 10th

Contractions: Yes, they are very random, but they do happen. Braxton Hicks are becoming more frequent and I've been having more and more cramping.

Dilated/Effaced: Yes, but I am still at 1cm dilated and 0% effaced. My doctor mentioned she didn't think Calvin was aware that he had a due date coming up in two weeks so we will see! She estimated that he currently weighs 7.2 pounds so he will definitely be nice and hefty when he is born!

Are you ready?

The number one question I have been asked over the past couple of months: Are you ready?

Yes, I am ready. The pack and play is assembled, his clothes are washed, the only thing missing in his room is him, bottles are washed and put away and our hospital bags are packed. In the logistical ways, I am ready. Now that school is out for the summer, it's a waiting game...will today be the day? Tomorrow? Next Wednesday?

However, there are many aspects that I am NOT ready for. Call me crazy, but I have enjoyed every moment of being pregnant; even the nausea, puffy feet, exhaustion, etc. I have loved all of it. I am beginning to realize that I will no longer have this sweet boy growing inside of me and instead will be in charge of him growing outside of myself.

I am not ready to not be in control of virtually aspect of his growth and well being. Right now, it's all up to me and my body.

Selfishly, I am not ready to share him. The bond I have with this little guy is so strong and it's all mine for now. (Yes, I know, incredibly selfish.)

However, after nine months of carrying this precious miracle, I am ready to meet him. I can't wait to see his sweet face, wiggle his toes and stare at him all day long.

I'm ready when he is ready.

I had a great conversation with a co-worker last week before summer began. I mentioned that while at the doctor I watched an obviously miserable woman walk into the office for an appointment. She looked as though there was nothing about this pregnancy experience that she was enjoying. (Disclaimer: I am aware that I could have caught her on a bad day and shouldn't generalize her entire experience. However, that was my observation for the moment.) She and I were discussing the negative attitude that some people have towards pregnancy. The women who have very few positive things to say about the whole pregnancy experience. You know you have met them, because I have encountered several of them, even complete strangers who are willing to share every horrible thing that happened to them while they were pregnant.

I made myself a promise last spring after our mc. I promised myself that I would enjoy EVERY aspect of pregnancy, even the not so glamorous things. I promised that no matter how lousy I felt, I would count my blessings and relish in the life that was growing inside of me. I didn't want to be someone who would scare other women out of pregnancy. I wanted to be someone that other people see and then want to experience this phenomenal experience for themselves.

I know I haven't been positive 100% of the time. There were days where I had to vent to J or J at school, but I feel as I though I have fulfilled the promise I made to myself.

I feel great and I am ready for my sweet baby Calvin to come into our lives.

I am ready when he is ready; whether that is tonight, tomorrow, next Thursday or three and a half weeks from now. I am ready.

36 & 37

Baby BOY DeSalvo - Week 36 & 37

How Far Along: 37 weeks, 1 day

Total Weight Gain: Right now I believe I am at around 40 pounds or so...woof!

Maternity Clothes: YES!

Favorite Moment This Week: These have been a great couple of weeks around our house! Last Thursday, fourth grade went on our spring field trip to Arrowhead. It was a great day and I loved getting to spend that time with my kids. When we returned to school, we went to another room to watch Magic School Bus and returned to our classroom around 2:45 p.m. The kids were really excited to be returning to class, but it didn't phase me...until I walked into the room. There were several classroom parents, MY parents and 21 smiling faces yelling, "SURPRISE!" My precious class and their parents had planned a baby shower for Calvin and I. We played a game where we guessed whose baby picture was whose, raced changing diapers and opened generous presents from my wonderful kids. It was truly one of the highlights of this school year and my heart felt so full! I am truly blessed with the families I have had the pleasure of working with this year and CANNOT wait to spend another year with their students and their support!

Gender: BOY - Calvin

Movement: Yes! As a matter of fact in between our ultrasound and our next doctor's appointment he went from being head down to being breech...again. That silly boy just loves to move!

Food Cravings: Nothing new, but fresh fruit has never tasted so good.

What I Miss: Energy! I still get bursts of it every once in a while, but by the end of the day, game's over and I am ready for bed!

Sleep: Not terrible, but not great either. It's hard to change positions without getting out of bed and starting all over. I am getting up between 3 and 4 times to use the restroom which makes it difficult to sleep through the night. However, I am glad that God is preparing me for the sleep patterns I am about to adopt in a month or so.

What I am Looking Forward To: I am looking forward to relaxing in between school getting out and the birth of Calvin!

Symptoms: Exhaustion, swelling, cramping and some mild contractions!

Belly Button: Outtie

Next Dr. Appt: We go tomorrow! We're going to see where Calvin is laying now.

Contractions: Yes, some Braxton Hicks, occasional mild cramping, and mild contractions

Dilation and Effacement: Last Monday, I was dilated to 1cm, but my cervix was still very "long". Tomorrow I will find out if that has changed at all!

 36 weeks! 

 37 weeks! 3 weeks to go! 

Adorable cake from the phenomenal shower!

twenty five things

While wandering around on Facebook this evening, I came across a "note" that I wrote four and a half years ago. I got a real kick out of reading the twenty five random things about myself back then. See for yourself...

Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.

(To do this, go to “notes” under tabs on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 25 random things, tag 25 people (in the right hand corner of the app) then click publish.)

1. I can't wait to get married on July 11, 2009. 
2. I am excited to be a wife and do all of those wifey things!
3. I LOVE to clean and do laundry. Strangely, I find it relaxing. In fact, I'm doing laundry right now!
4. I believe that I was a nurse in a past life, I love taking care of people, but can't handle vomit or enormous amounts of blood.
5. I wear my retainer to bed EVERY night.
6. I never imagined that I would graduate with a GPA above a 3.0, but I did and I have to say I worked hard for it!
7. I'm an over-analyzer.
8. My nose used to be really squishy, there wasn't much bone in it, but after I had septoplasty surgery, it's not as squishy. And I'm bummed about that.
9. I have become obsessed with the original 90210 on SOAP Net.
10. The school supply section at the store makes me really happy.
11. In the past month, Joe and I have bought a couch, chair, side tables, and a coffee table. I guess that means we're almost adults.
12. I love the fact that my fiance is such a kid at heart.
14. I love my VW Jetta, I love everything about it.
15. I can't wait for Joe and I to move into our home/apartment and make it our own.
16. I'm very organized, and very messy.
17. I wish that I could live in the White House and be a nanny to the Obama girls.
18. There is nothing better than walking in to school and having kids run up to you to give you hugs. Nothing better.
19. It makes my stomach hurt when I see kids who get so excited that I am willing to help them with something, or offer them a hug because no one else will!
20. I am a realtiy tv junkie.
21. My favorite part of watching Grey's Anatomy are the monologues at the beginning and end.
22. I think "flesh" is the most digusting word ever.
23. I will never be okay with people who drink and drive, ever.
24. There is nothing I hate more than procrastination.
25. I wish I could wear my rain boots every day.

thirty five

Baby BOY DeSalvo - Week 35

How Far Along: 35 weeks, 3 days

Total Weight Gain: I am not sure if it has changed since last week, but I will know for sure at my next appointment on Monday.

Maternity Clothes: YES!

Favorite Moment This Week: I have many favorite moments from this week. We have been doing a lot of prep around the house and stocking up on various household items. We have pretty much everything laid out for our hospital bags, we just need to get everything into the bags and get them in one centralized location in the house. We also went to the fire department this week and learned everything there was to learn about car seats. It was incredibly interesting and I am so glad that we went. I now have a car seat in my car...talk about reality check!

We also had our 35 week ultra sound this afternoon. At our 20 week ultra sound, they discovered that I had a partial placenta previa (a condition in which the placenta is abnormally placed, and partially or totally covers the cervix) and would need to be checked again at week 35 to determine if I could deliver vaginally or if we would need to schedule a C-section. GOOD NEWS - it shifted and is now no longer a danger! We also got to see our baby again and it is such a previous memory that I will have forever! We got to see his hair, chubby cheeks and big belly. I am so thankful that he has hair as I didn't have hair until I was 2 and a half! His hair even looked like it was styled like Joe's. One other thing that we noticed is that he appears to have my nose. Of course, this isn't the greatest visual and only time will tell for sure! We only have 4 and a half weeks until we meet our little man!

Gender: BOY - Calvin, we finally settled on this name. It has been our front runner from the beginning and we haven't found one that we like better so, Calvin it is.

Movement: Yes! It's amazing that even though he is running out of room, he is still able to move all around and contort my belly! I am going to miss feeling that and seeing him move.

Food Cravings: Nothing new, but I have been craving Chicken pad thai throughout this week.

What I Miss: Sleeping comfortably and being able to wear whatever shoes I want to. Right now, my Sanuks are the ONLY ones that fit.

Sleep: Not terrible, but not great either. It's hard to change positions without getting out of bed and starting all over. I am getting up between 3 and 4 times to use the restroom which makes it difficult to sleep through the night. However, I am glad that God is preparing me for the sleep patterns I am about to adopt in a month or so.

What I am Looking Forward To: Continuing to get everything ready for Calvin's arrival and spending our last days as a family of two.

Symptoms: Nothing too terrible, but swelling in my feet and ankles is the most unbearable.

Belly Button: Outtie

Next Dr. Appt: Monday! Then, it's every week until baby Calvin's birthday!

Contractions: Yes, some Braxton Hicks and occasional mild cramping

Dilation and Effacement: Don't know, but I will be checked for the first time on Monday!

 Joe sure did spoil me on Mother's Day...Baby D's name is officially Calvin!

35 weeks! We are almost there!

How do you measure a year?

It is phenomenal how much can happen in one year.

Last spring was one of the hardest times that we've ever been through. It was hard, impossible at times, to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I distinctly remember shopping for Mother's Day gifts last year at this time and it being one of the most painful experiences. It seemed pitiful and selfish, but there I was in the middle of Dillard's crying like a baby. That day, Mother's Day, was so painful last year. I couldn't help but think of the fact that I was supposed to be a mother that day, but I wasn't. My baby was gone and I wouldn't be a mother.

Fast forward to Mother's Day 2013. I am a Mom. My baby may not be born yet, but I'm a mom.

In five very short weeks, my baby Calvin will be here and he will make me a mom.

So much can happen in a year. Calvin is the light in the tunnel that I have been praying for and I can't wait to meet him.

Happy Mother's Day to all of the wonderful moms that I am blessed to know.