Week 38

38 W 6 D

Single digit count down until the due date!  Though Aidan gets to decide how many days are really left...hopefully he'll choose sooner rather than later.

Previously, I joked that I had a discussion with Aidan about not arriving on September 3rd since it's the first Saturday of the 2011 College Football Season, and I love to watch college football.  It's the first season in 3 years I can watch football from the couch instead of studying.  However, my brother is travelling to Wisconsin for work and does not return until Friday evening.  So I would prefer that my brother is back on the East Coast when Aidan makes his debut so my brother can see him soon after he's born. Therefore, if Aidan decides it's Saturday, then I'll be happy...besides, the hospital has ESPN and the internet, so I can watch all the big games and Clemson's game if I happen to be in the hospital at the time.  Besides, college football will probably be a good distraction from labor pains.

The plan is to go natural.  No pitocin, no nubain, no epidural.  That's the plan, and I hope I'm successful, but we'll see.  I think I have a high enough pain tolerance, and I believe the adrenaline rush of the situation will help, but you never know if there are any complications that change the plan.


How far along?: 38 weeks 6 days

How big is baby?: According to What to Expect When You’re Expecting: Started the week as the size of a Watermelon and about to be a Watermelon. The fruit doesn't change as often as it did early on. Going into week 39, Aidan is approximately 22 inches long and weighs 6 to 9 lbs.

Weight gain?: I think it's water weight since my ankles are swelling, but I did put a 1lb on this week between Monday's doctor appointment and Saturday. Total weight gain is 28 lbs.

Stretch marks?: Not yet.

Maternity clothes?: Definitely. I have to wash clothes more often that I use to because I have very few shirts that I can wear now...it's like an every other week rotation.

Sleep?: Sleeping is still going well.  However, the past few days this week, I have woke up in the middle of the night to go pee, which is a first for me.  Though I have been drinking a lot of water to help decrease the water retention.  Not sure if Aidan has dropped lower and he's on my bladder more or if it's due to the extra water consumption.

Best moment this week?: I can't pick out a particular moment this week, but I do love when I am able to go to my hair stylist to get my hair done.  Despite an incident earlier in the week, he did a great job on my hair and it looked wonderful when I left.

I also found out that my Uncle in Washington is doing much better in his fight against Leukemia.


Worst moment this week?: Thursday morning was by far the worst this week...I struck out twice before 6am.  The day started going downhill when my straightening iron broke and ended up frying the hair I was trying to straighten before I realized the element was falling out.  Then I stepped in dog pee as I was getting a towel so I could swim after work - I just threw out my socks because I didn't feel like dealing with cleaning them.  As I was leaving the house, I realized that AJ accidentally parked behind me (as I was running late to meet my carpool ride), and  I had to run inside to find his keys.  I almost ran into the back of my truck because I put the truck in drive instead of reverse, but fortunately, I realized it in time. So, first strike out.

As I was driving to work, there were TWO cars stopped in the middle of the road.  Not sure what they were doing, but there was no way around them.  I felt a little sketched out with two vehicles in the middle of the road at 4AM.  They finally moved, and I made it to the carpool meeting point.  When I got into the car and we were riding down the road, I realized my personal phone was no longer in its holster.  I have a Droid X, and I really didn't want to replace it.  We arrived to work on time...security gate was really fast, thank goodness.  But then, my boss was coming in late and I didn't know it, so I was technically in charge that morning.  I usually like to be prepared for these situations, but at least nothing crazy came up - there seems to always be a snake in the grass waiting to strike when the boss is out.  So, second strike out.  Finally, the building's AC went out. Ugh, what a day.

So on Friday, my hair stylist had to inform me of the damage to my hair.  He said it could all break off and to just watch it.  The damage was more than I expected...I didn't realize I had tried to straighten so much hair before realizing the iron was falling apart. 

The culprit

Food cravings?: Just my weekly serving of shrimp

Symptoms?: Exhaustion (though not as bad as last week), TMI symptom, swollen ankles

Exercise?: I walked 9 miles, swam a mile, and worked out my arms once, legs once, and core once.

Movement?: Aidan still moves a lot!  He kicks me in the ribs more and more...I think he is running out of room.  Maybe he'll decide he's uncomfortable and come on out. :)

Belly button?: It's an outie

What I miss?: Being able to each as much seafood as I want.  I hate the 12 ounce limit, but it's well worth it.

Labor signs?: Nope - plenty of pelvic pressure though. The doctor did an internal check on Monday - no progress with the cervix.  Although I did experience BH contractions on Monday, and there was a slight discomfort associated with it.  To me, it was awesome, and I wish more would have occurred...definitely an adrenaline rush.

Purchases: Mom and I went shopping last weekend to get a few last minute things.  I did find a baby monitor that I liked - it's a digital Motorola with lots of great reviews.  Mom also bought herself a car seat base for her car.  I also both some more cloth wipes off of Etsy.com - one pattern was John Deere and the second pattern was a boyish "I love mommy and daddy".

What I'm looking forward to?: I am curious what the doctor will say on Monday since I will be 39 weeks and 1 day.  If I waited on more week, he actually wouldn't see me until 40 weeks and 2 days due to the holiday.  I wonder what his thoughts are on induction if I go past 40 weeks - I would like to avoid induction and really only consider it if there's a health reason.  So come on Aidan, make your debut!
I am also looking forward to the return of College Football!!!  Less than a week, and Clemson kicks off their 2011 season.  So excited.