The good news is that I'm not feeling as uncomfortable as I was last week...or maybe I am but it's overwhelmed by excitement?...or maybe I'm tired of complaining? (haha, no it can't be that!) Whatever it is, I'm happy about the change.
How big is baby: According to babycenter.com, about 6.8lbs.
Weight Gain: ~23lbs
Dr's Appointment Update: This week's appointment was on Tuesday (at 37w5d) and was also pretty uneventful. The doctor tried to check if I was dilated, but the baby is still up so high that it really hurt and I told him to stop. He could tell that I was 80% effaced. Based on my experience with Chase, I bet I am dilated but that doesn't mean anything. It could easily be two more weeks. He said to go to the hospital when they are 8 minutes apart since I'm a VBAC and dilated so fast last time.
Sleep: I'm tired, so going to sleep is not an issue. But when I do wake up, I'm having a tough time getting back to sleep- not because I'm uncomfortable, but because I'm WIDE awake. Then I finally get back to sleep and it's hard to wake up and I'm stiff from always sleeping the same way on my left side.
Diet/Cravings/Aversions: It depends on the moment. I just had a major craving for a bagel and cream cheese. Oooh, and a smoothie...Stephen got me these snacks today:
Exercise: Commute walking and planking for 2 minutes at 2pm every day at work, although my belly is getting close to hitting the ground.
Symptoms: My contractions are getting more frequent, but they are still pretty painless. I had an upset stomach on Saturday afternoon and was contracting on and off until I went to sleep that night. On Tuesday, before the doctor's appointment, I started having contractions that also hurt in my back (a first for this pregnancy). They were about 15 minutes apart, but I lost count when I was on my way to the doctor's office so they clearly were not that painful. Afterwards I contracted every 8-12 minutes from about 4pm-9pm...during our anniversary dinner, ugh! They were uncomfortable but definitely never more than a 1.5 on the pain scale. I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow that night so again they were clearly not painful. I figure that no one gives birth without having painful contractions.
Movement: Actually, with the more frequent contractions I've been feeling his movements more. It's like he's try to stretch and move after the contractions.
What's different this time: Actual having BH contractions pretty regularly. I don't think I had many with Chase.
Labor Signs: See above symptoms. I haven't had as many contractions since Tuesday night.
Anti-Labor Signs: The baby is SO HIGH. I think he's moving higher into my ribs, although my heartburn isn't quite as bad.
Best moment of the week: 3rd anniversary dinner on Tuesday night. Carol babysat Chase while Stephen and I went out for Asian fusion. It was delicious and hit the spot. Afterwards we got fro-yo. Despite ongoing contractions, I was in heaven!
What I'm looking forward to: Chase's 2nd birthday party on Sunday! We've been talking it up to him and he is getting so excited. It's adorable. We ask him all the time who is coming and he starts listing all of his friends who will be there. He adds Mueller...and asks if Nonnie/Pop and Uncle "Buoy"are coming, which we just found out that they are!
