37 Weeks...FULL TERM BABY!

We have arrived!!! You read in different sources that 37 weeks is full-term, but then other sources tell you that "full-term" is not technically until 39 weeks (at which point I will be one day away from my c-section). But, my lovely doctor friend informed me today that I can count myself as full-term. So, I will! WAHOO! CELEBRATE!!!!

I still think back to how I hoped and prayed and dreamed of this day before getting pregnant with Eileen. There were many, many points in my darkest days where I truly believed that I would never be able to carry a baby to term. And here I am, two weeks from delivering my third precious child. I am so thankful that God had other plans for me, but at the same time so acutely aware that others are still suffering and feeling how I once felt. Ladies, if you're reading, I think of you EVERY DAY and pray for God to ease your pain. In time, He makes all things new. Believe that. There was a time when I did not believe, but now I do.

Okay, enough rambling. We are in very much the same place as last week...hanging in there, quite physically uncomfortable (understatement), struggling with the schedule of daily life, but getting SO EXCITED to meet this baby.

Until then, business as usual (if by usual you mean, business plus another human living in your stomach making it difficult to move, breathe, or formulate a sentence).

My beautiful big girl turns THREE next Saturday, and we are celebrating with a party this weekend!

So proud and constantly in awe of this girl and her amazing spirit.

Holding hands with my baby while she's still my baby. Sob.

A little extra screen time this week. Mama's tired.

Gotta love those sister cuddles (well, sorta).

  

Whenever I start to take myself too seriously, this girl brings me right back down to earth. Can't get enough of that smile.

I snapped these shots this morning and I feel like they so accurately encapsulate these final days...

...hair a mess, bathroom in shambles, junk everywhere...

But happy. Joyful. Lucky. And at peace.

And on that note...let me go ahead and show you the most unflattering bump shot to date.

Ugh. It's okay mama, you're almost there.

How far along? 37 weeks!

Clothing? My leggings are starting to wear out on me, I'm not kidding. That's what happens when you wear the same 3-4 pairs of pants every day for about 3 months (and no, that's not an exaggeration. I do lots of laundry, I promise).

Stretch marks? Yes!

Sleep? Like a torture drawn up especially for me. Girls still waking up, one or both, every night...and when I'm up to comfort them, I'm up for at least an hour before I can fall back asleep. I cannot get comfortable, at all. Not sure I could even be comfortable if I were sleeping on a cloud at this point. Oh, and I have a cold. Cmon man.

Best moment of this week? HB on the doppler, so many sweet and wonderful moments with my girls, and getting within the TWO WEEK MARK of meeting this baby!!!

Worst moment of this week? I mean...everything I already said. But we'll be okay.

Miss anything? End is in sight, we're all good! And soon I will be saying that I miss pregnancy, because I always do...haha!

Movement? Slower than it has been but still regularly throughout the day. Hard kicks and rolls, lots of rib kicks, and lots of hiccups. Ready to meet this ninja.

Symptoms? Nauseous, back and forth between starving and uncomfortably full, some more rapid weight gain here at the end which is a bummer because I was doing so well!, so many BH's, lots of pelvic pressure, sore, exhausted, crabby, and now breaking out. Oy!

Food cravings?  Sweets again. Trying to keep it under control and not blow this manageable weight gain I've had!

Gender? I totally think girl. But again, will be thrilled to be right, will be thrilled to be wrong.

Labor Signs? Nah.

Belly button in or out? Outie.

Wedding rings on or off? On! Maybe until the end?

Mood? Tired. But happy. And ready!!!!!!!

Looking forward to? My LAST APPOINTMENT NEXT WEEK, Eileen's birthday party this Saturday, her actual birthday the following week, and then BABY!!!!!! HOLY COW!!!!!!!! WE ARE SO CLOSE, PEOPLE!!!!!!!!

Okay, now I'm REALLY stoked. 

Seeya in a week, folks!