38 Weeks...AHHHHH!

OH MAN. Here we are, guys! 38 weeks (well, tomorrow). Just barely over a WEEK before we meet this baby! Can you believe it?! I sure can't!

A brief update on how we're staying sane:

Ice cream dates with my big girl.

Magic tricks with Kiki bird.

Lots of sister "bonding" (when it's peaceful, that is).

And baths. Lots of baths.

And glamour shots for my big girl, who is THREE on Saturday!!! HUH?!?!?!

Golly. She sure is grown up. Cue the tears (doesn't take much these days).

...and some one-on-one baking time with big girl, who is having an especially tough time with this transition. I love my Leenie so much, but she is a very sensitive kid and is picking up ALL of my anxiety and nervousness secondhand. So I am trying to pay extra attention to her and give her lots of special quality time before baby. Today we baked vegan chocolate chip cookies and she was in heaven. 

...and so was I.

So yeah, trying to stay busy, simultaneously getting so excited for this big day and trying NOT to be so so nervous about what our life is about to look life. I mean, it will be SO amazing, but as all of you moms know, the transition after new baby is always a bit of a struggle. Add into that that my kids are already misbehaving a bit and, well, I guess...we'll see?! Ha!

I am so excited though, really. My heart is filled with such joy. This is what I always hoped and prayed for as a little girl...and big girl, too! A home full of laughter, little feet, sweet voices, and sure, even tears. But a full and happy home on even our most challenging days! I am so, so, so thankful, and so excited to begin this new chapter. 

We had a great time celebrating Leenie Lou this weekend at her Peppa party! Cupcakes, pizza, and soda were basically the whole menu and it was perfect. She got a kitchen tower (see above) so she can continue her journey towards becoming the next Food Network star, and she loves it. I love how happy she gets whenever she is in the kitchen. We'll see if this passion continues!

My final doctor's appointment was also great. The heartbeat was 136 BPM and I am 2 cm dilated. HUH?! I've NEVER been dilated at this point before, and though rationally I know this means little to nothing, it gives me SOME hope that maybe I could go early?! Tim will be out of town THE NIGHT BEFORE MY C-SECTION on business and I am praying praying praying that baby Bud picks any other night but that one. Realistically, though, it will probably be next Friday, and I will be just fine with that, too.

I did learn at my doctor's appointment that because of this crazy flu, my kids are not allowed to visit me at the hospital AT ALL while I'm there. That's about 4 days. I'm devastated. I know in the grand scheme of things it's for the best, but still, my heart is breaking! Trying to keep things in perspective and look forward to our happy reunion when we are all back home together, complete with new sibling for them to meet!

Okay, I am not sure if this will be my last post or not, but in case it is, CHECK OUT THIS ALMOST-FINISHED-COOKING BUMP!

This was before Leenie's party. I spilled on this shirt 15 minutes later and had to change. Not good when you only have 3-4 shirts that fit...I am pretty much a mess...haha!

How far along? 37 weeks + 6 days!

Clothing?  Embarrassing. My husband is 6'1" and his shirts no longer fit. 

Stretch marks? Yes!

Sleep? Bad. Just...very very bad. Between Bud, Eileen, Charlotte, and poor coughing Tim, just stick a fork in me. Maybe Bud will be an awesome sleeper though?! (How's that for wishful thinking!!!)

Best moment of this week? Celebrating my sweet big girl, soaking up time with BOTH girls, getting in some good cuddles with the hubs, and hearing that last doppler this week!

Worst moment of this week? Some stress, which is natural. We'll be okay.

Miss anything? End is in sight, we're all good! 

Movement? Saw AN ACTUAL FOOT STICKING OUT OF MY STOMACH THIS WEEK. Never seen that before! Tried to get a pic but the bugger moved away. So, so, so cool. Still regular movement, head is very low and hurts my pelvis. But oh, how I miss those kicks once baby is here!

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. AND DILATED. 

Food cravings?  Carbs, sweets, ice cream. Mmmm.

Gender? Going in predicting girl. We'll see!!!!!!

Labor Signs? Nah.

Belly button in or out? Outie.

Wedding rings on or off? On! But swollen!

Mood? Excited. Stressed. Anxious. Thrilled. READY!!!!!!

Looking forward to? Leenie's actual birthday this Saturday! A few days of quiet next week...and then...BABY!!!!!!!

HERE WE GO!!!!!!!!!!