Happy Saturday everyone...!!
Oh boy..36 week update. So much to do, so little time..! The last 4 weeks have really been a whirlwind trying to get the house, nursery, work, and let's be honest..MYSELF ready. Ha!
Here's a few updates:
Safety first:
I swear that we are cursed when it comes to vacations! We were supposed to head to Florida at the end of July/early August and literally the day or two before we were set to leave news came out of Florida that local ZIKA transmissions had been found in Miami dating back all the way to June. For us, there was no risking heading down there. How did they know that it hadn't moved up the coast? Big gamble. Unfortunately, as you can imagine, flights were crazy expensive to change the trip to go anywhere else, so we ended up driving up to Toronto for a few days and had some down time up there. It was a nice time, but it was no Florida!
Labor/Delivery Decisions:
After my 32/33 week appointment and speaking with the Dr., doing some thinking, research, and also speaking with my doula from my first pregnancy I've decided to do a scheduled C-section. The closer I have gotten to the end of this pregnancy the more I started to get cold feet about a VBAC. I know that there are so many successful VBACs out there but a number of things concerned me: the time between births (only 2 years, higher risk), my failure to dilate after 20 hours last pregnancy, and issues I've already had with my incision with my last pregnancy. Of course all of this plays into my thought process in the risk of a uterine rupture where the baby could potentially die or have serious birth defects. I would love more than anything to give birth vaginally or naturally but sometimes life just doesn't work that way. I'm definitely not looking forward to the recovery or the surgery but I just have to remind myself its just temporary. At the end of the day I would never forgive myself if something ended up happening to my little man {{even if the chances are small}}. I'm scheduling in for the first week of October so a little bit less than 3 weeks to go!!
Nursery:
FINALLY the closet and the room are DONE. Let me tell you how horrible the closet was before we gutted it. I guess for those of you that know old houses or have old houses can relate!! Crib, mattress, Bookshelf, changing table/dresser, and night stand are all in. I went with white from Pottery Barn while they had their "Friends and Family" promotion in July so that was bomb...saved over $700. I also ordered the rocking chair during friends and family and that will be delivered this upcoming week. I'm really excited to share the nursery with you guys in the next week or two! It's really starting to come together. I feel like everything else I have already with regard to baby gear- car seats, rock and play, bassinete, and the LIFE SAVING swing that Max used for a whole year we already have. Once the rocker comes I'll feel a lot better about where I'm at. I've organized all of Max's old clothes. Unfortunately the seasons will be a little bit off (June vs October) but I'm sure I'll be able to use some of the same onesies and just have stocked up on more pants/long sleeves for Baby 2.
Workouts:
Still hitting the streets 2-3 times a week with running. Some days are better than others and some days I get out there and have to try again later in the day or the next day due to pelvic pressure or pressure on the bladder {{the worst}}! Definitely slowed down substantially over the last 4 weeks but the most important thing is I'm moving, sweating, and have more energy after I work out afterwards!. Swimming was so nice through the month of August {{the hottest month ever recorded ..smh}} so I definitely took advantage of it! I'm still aqua jogging 2-3 times a week on my off days and I like that because it adds a little resistance into my workouts. I've all but given up on my strength training and lifting once I hit 31 or 32 weeks (see below for workout log). I honestly just feel so much pressure in different movements that I've really just stuck with the cardio. Also...I have sooo much less time now that I have Max. I feel like first pregnancy was sooo much easier to fit in a light lift because you have all the time in the world. Now, I have to pick and choose and due to the discomfort I've stuck with the swimming and slow running :) I've also been doing quite a bit of coaching and of course walking with Max so that keeps my step count close to 15,000/day, even at almost 37 weeks pregnant.
Hospital Bag:
..Is still not packed. Oops. I'll get on that this weekend! When I do finish it, I'll be sure to list out my essentials from my experience the first time for any of you mommas that need guidance.
Super Fun stock up time: I have had some fun stocking up some cute baby clothes, but now that its almost "time" I've had to face the music so to say and stock up on some really fun stuff...such as : maxi pads for the never ending period, a new belly bandit (I used it with Max and totally think it helped compress my stomach), nursing pads, and some new pumping parts. Not exactly the packages you are excited to receive in the mall but hey, they're necessities!
THIS SUMMER.... has been absolutely brutal. Who's with me on this? I mean honestly I coulden't have picked a worse summer to be pregnant. From being drenched with sweat just taking Max for a walk, to completely zapping my energy coaching, its been tough. Add in swollen legs and ankles and no central air and you have an unhappy momma! So, so happy the nights are getting cooler and its making being active a little bit easier!
The lowdown for weeks 30-36:
How have you been feeling? Uncomfortable, tired, massive. Haha. It's about that time where you're just getting to that "done" stage!
Do you have morning sickness? No
Do you have any cravings? I actually feel like I'v eaten less this pregnancy than with Max. I swear I'm not as hungry (could've been the heat as well!) Add in the heartburn too...yikes.
Do you have any food aversions? Nope
Weight gain so far? At the end of 36 weeks I'm up 36 pounds. With Max I gained around 36-38 so looks like I'll be in and around the same! Sometimes it worries me when I hear about others that only gain 20-25 but I just need to remember everything is temporary and its all about the growing little bub in there! Everyone is different, and start out at different body fat levels. #YOUvsYOU, amirite?
Any mood swings? No
Sleep: Is definitely a struggle. I'm up 3-5 times a night to go to the bathroom and nights are tough. I feel like I can't even relax on the couch after dinner because I have restless legs. Thankfully I haven't had many nights in the last week or two where I've been up for an hour or two at a time. I've added extra pillows to my huge pregnancy pillow and that has definitely helped! I went through a rough patch as this guy has been growing!!
Stretch marks: I got a few small ones around my belly button with M's pregnancy ...this time I definitely have gotten more {sad face}. The last 3 weeks he's grown so much and I'm trying to do my best with the creams, eating right and staying active but I think his growth rate is just killing my skin right now. All of them seem to be around the belly button so hoping they fade and aren't too noticeable.
Clothing: I just don't even want to wear anything anymore! ha! Right now wardrobe is about 3-4 maternity tops that still fit and most of my leggings aren't even comfortable anymore. I have capris from Nike that are fold over at the waist and cotton- super comfy so living in those!! My birkenstocks have been a life saver...shoes/sneakers are just not happening right now.
Rings: ON...suprisingly. I know I'm swollen but I do see pics from my first pregnancy and feel I'm a little less swollen...I can actually get my rings on and off! Hard to believe.
Movement: Tons of movement!
Boy or girl: Its a boy!
Things I miss: Oh god. Where to start...for starters being able to relax at night. The restless legs is horrible..and I miss my daily Advocare spark more than ever now that I'm getting more tired {{I do try and stay away from the caffeine while preggo}}. and clothing! My gosh, none of my maternity stuff even fits. Yikes. I just keep telling myself I am almost there.
Week 30:
Monday: 3 miles, 8:46, 8:49, 9:12
Tuesday: 40 min swim
Wednesday: Stroller run: 10:19, 10:13, 10:16--> was soooo hot! 88 degrees.
Thurs-Saturday Off-travelled to Toronto
Sunday: 3 mile run, 9:14, 9:24, 10:12. Had to slow up at the end.
Week 31:
Monday: 40 min swim
Tuesday: 8:50 splits- 3 miles
Wednesday: Stroller run with Max, so hot AGAIN. 10:01, 10:24. 2 miles.
Thursday: lower lift
Friday/Saturday: Off
Sunday: 3 miles in Central Park:
Week 32:
Monday: 2 miles after no sleep- 9:40, 10:11 on gravel surface
Tuesday: 40 min swim
Wednesday: 20 minute run, lower lift
Thursday: off
Friday: 45 min swim
Sat: off
Sunday: Stroller run with Max- was very cool and felt amazing!! 9:47, 9:44, 9:57!! wow!
Week 33:
Monday: 40 min swim
Tuesday: Trail run-- slow 2.42 miles. 10:45, 10:25, 10:28
Wednesday: off
Thursday: 2 mile run stroller--hot and slow! 10:29, 10:50
Friday/Saturday off
Sunday: Ran 2.62 miles. 9:23, 9:37, 10:15 splits
Week 34:
Monday: 40 min swim
Tuesday: off
Wednesday: 40 min swim
Thursday: off
Friday: 2 mile run- no time listed
Saturday: 2 miles: 10:09, 10:39
Sunday: off
Week 35:
Monday: 3 miles, 10:13, 10:24, 10:23
Tuesday: off
Wednesday: 40 min swim
Thursday: 40 min swim
Friday: 3 miles, negative splits. 10:56, 11:01, 10:31. Felt horrible to start, but ended well :)
Sat/Sun off
Until next time...xoxox
Alex