38 Weeks and the BEGINNING OF MATERNITY LEAVE!

**This is a pregnancy-related post, so please feel free to skip this post if you're not up for it. God bless.**

Well, I finally made it! Not to the end of my pregnancy (yet), but to the end of WORK...which I'm so grateful for! Because of the weather and being increasingly uncomfortable, I took off a bit early, and I am so glad.

But now that I'm home, I'm not quite sure what to do with myself! I'm almost done with the TV show I've been watching on Netflix, I've cleaned several obscure parts of my house, the nursery is DONE (can't wait to show you pictures!), so, what now? Anyone have any good recommendations? I'm not on bed rest, but I'm also not feeling AWESOME these days so I don't want to go too far from home. If you know of any good movies/TV shows to watch on Netflix or Xfinity On Demand, PLEASE shoot them my way. Odds are I've already seen them, but it's worth a shot!

I'm gonna keep things short today, because I'm super sore and crampy...which is hopefully a good thing!

How far along?  38 weeks! Baby is the size of a spaghetti squash, but feels like a bowling ball in my belly! She could be 7 lbs already...holy cow!

Clothing? Mostly PAJAMAS because I'm HOME!!!!

Stretch marks? Yep. Battle scars. Proud of it!

Sleep? Could be worse, but not awesome. Still many bathroom trips, still tossing and turning.

Best moment of this week? STARTING MY MATERNITY LEAVE!!! And spending quality time with my baby while I still have her all to myself.

Worst moment of this week? Unfortunately, my aunt passed away this week. Although she had been sick for a long time, it was still unexpected and upsetting. Please pray for her passage into heaven, and for the six brothers and sisters (my dad being one of them) and other family that she leaves behind. She was a wonderful lady and will be dearly missed. 

Miss anything? Whaddya think...can I have a half glass of wine this week to "try and induce labor"?! Haha!

Movement? She's definitely cramped in there, but she's still movin' and groovin'. I can see and feel lots of tiny body parts poking out lately. I know I will miss this after she's here!

Symptoms? CRAMPING, contractions. Achy hips and pelvis, and increased pressure in my pelvis. Increased hunger (especially for sweets), pregnancy brain, swollen (and sore) fingers/joints, upper/lower linea nigra, nesting, heartburn/acid reflux, and IMPATIENCE! 

Food cravings? Cereal, cookies, chocolate, MILK.

Gender? Designing a gender neutral nursery is HARD, let me tell ya! Can't wait until I finally KNOW the gender! But I am sticking with my original guess--GIRL.

Labor Signs? I mean, sorta. Nothing substantial, but my body is definitely getting ready. 

Belly button in or out? Out out out.

Wedding rings on/off? Off, and missing them.

Mood? SO EXCITED, impatient, and every emotion in between.

Rituals? Nighttime lullaby, holy water on the belly in the morning, holy oil on the belly at night. Routine bedtime chats. And a few playful poke fests to watch the baby squirm around in my belly!

Milestones? Although they may change after birth, baby now has a hair color and eye color! I can't wait to SEE those beautiful features!

Looking forward to? My 39-week appointment next Monday, my PRE-NATAL MASSAGE this week (a late anniversary gift, yay!), my mani-pedi with mom next week, and...BABY'S BIRTHDAY!!!!!

This week's pregnancy-small-talk-gems (aka things other people say to pregnant ladies without thinking): Someone actually told me I looked SLIM this week. I seriously could've kissed her. I know I'm not, but honestly, LIE TO ME! I DON'T MIND! I LOVE IT ACTUALLY! Haha.

Notes from doctor’s appointment (Dad, and men reading other than Tim, you may want to avoid this section from now on if you're sensitive): My cervix is now "very soft" and baby had descended quite a bit, to the point where my doctor could no longer push her head out of the way. He thinks this is great progress for a week, and is really excited and hopeful for me! I asked him if he had ANY clue when labor might start, and of course he said "nope, total crap shoot!" Lovely. So I wait, and wait. Joyfully, fearfully, hopefully, I wait.

If you could spare a prayer for baby and I this week, for peace and good health, we sure would appreciate it. 

And if any of you have any special intentions that you would like me to take into labor with me, please leave them in my comment box or email me at mamaholiblog (at) gmail.com I would be more than honored to pray for you and offer up any discomfort/pain for your intentions. Regardless, this community will be at the top of my list...please know of my constant prayers for all of you!

Have a blessed and lovely week!