35 Weeks

I'm 35 weeks and I've officially hit a brick wall. I'm beat, burnt out and ready to meet my babies. I can't believe I still have 3 weeks to go until my scheduled c-section on 7/11/11.

I'm retaining water in my lower extremities like its my job. Its far worse on my left side, which according to my OB is because I've experienced 'trauma' (ie surgery) on my left leg so my blood circulation is already compromised. Basically, my thighs down to my feet look disgusting and I'm embarrassed by them. I used to have such nice and toned legs.

I've been having a lot more contractions, which are getting more and more uncomfortable. I also have quite a bit of cramping, however at my 35 week OB appointment I'm not dilated yet, but maybe I'm getting there.

How far along: 35 weeks
Weight gain/loss: 39 lbs - most of which has got to be all this damn fluid
Maternity clothes: yes
Sleep: bathroom trips and contractions are keeping me up
Best moment this week: Michael feeling the babies being really active and telling me they want out - he then installed the car seats in my car
Food cravings: still watermelon
Gender: boy/girl
What I'm missing: my body
What I'm looking forward to: meeting my babies!

34 Weeks

Its been an eventful week for me. On Sunday had my baby shower, hosted by Michael's 4 aunts. It was a beautiful day, beautiful decorations, delicious food and wonderful family and friends to share the day with. I couldn't believe how emotionally overwhelmed I felt throughout the day. I just couldn't believe, after all I've been through, that I was finally in the home stretch and sharing it with such amazing people. We got a lot of wonderful gifts and an insane amount of baby clothes. It seemed most people arrived with a 'his' and 'hers' gift bag, which is quite thoughtful, but made for a lot of gifts to open!

Probably the most sentimental gift I got was from Annie, my sister in law. Among other things, she put a picture of her two kids (Riland, age 6 and Bergen, age 3) in a 'Cousins' frame that a sweet little saying on it. Riland also wrote a note (in blue marker) saying 'I can't wait to meet you'. Of course my eyes swelled up with tears.

I also had any ultrasound on Tuesday, which I wrote about in the previous post. This put a little panic in me and garnered excitement in Michael. He's says he's just anxious to meet the babies, but part of me thinks he's tired of hearing me complain about all the fluid I've been retaining.

This fluid is slowly taking over my body. What started just in my feet, progressed to my ankles and calves and this morning my thighs. It looks so bad and I'm so embarrassed. I know I shouldn't be, but its just not me. I look down and cannot believe these are my legs. What the hell happened?

The one thing I keep telling myself is that its not permanent. I've been lucky enough to avoid stretch marks (at least so far) so I should suck it up and deal with the swollen lower extremities like the tough bitch I am.

How far along: 34 weeks
Weight loss/gain: 34 lbs
Maternity clothes: yes
Sleep: not so good
Best moment this week: Baby shower with family and friends
Food cravings: once again, I can't get enough watermelon
Gender: boy/girl
What I'm missing: easily finding a pair of shoes to wear
What I'm looking forward to: finishing the nursery this weekend

33 Weeks

33 weeks and I'm really starting to feel it! My back hurts from sitting at my desk all day and my legs, ankles and feet are retaining so much water I feel like I'm having an out of body experience when I look down. I just can't believe those are my legs. What happened to my thin toned legs? I see them in the morning and at some point during the day, they disappear. It probably doesn't help that its been in the 90's here and extremely humid.

Other than the swelling and back aches, I'm still forging ahead. I'm still going to the gym and trying to do as much as I can. In all honesty, I'm afraid to stop. I feel like if I stop, I loose. Like I'm letting pregnancy kick my ass and I'm not having that.

I'm loving feeling the babies move and how they keep getting stronger. Little guy seems so much lower than he was, hence my basketball belly. Baby girl, I swear, is coming out of my side. It is so funny to her push or stretch and its so far on the side of my belly its almost in the back.

How far along: 33 weeks
Weight gain/loss: 30 lbs
Maternity clothes: yes, with the exception of maxi dresses. The maternity maxi dresses have too much material and make me look like a tent. Not flattering!
Sleep: waking up every 2 hours. Michael just told me he is getting on the babies scheduled too because he is now waking up every couple hours.
Best moment this week: maternity pictures at the park we got married. I can't wait to share them!
Food cravings: still watermelon
Gender: boy/girl
What I'm missing: my thin toned legs, real ankles and normal feet
What I'm looking forward to: my family and friends shower this Sunday!