35 Week Bumpdate... It's Lilly Month!

September is HERE... which means that we are within 30 days of meeting our baby girl and this mama is more than ready!  

Between Braxton Hicks contractions (which I never had with Jake), backaches (which I don't remember with Jake), heartburn, and the constant rearranging of my insides, I will be happy to be the only occupant of this body again.  So even though I generally don't do these prego-surveys, I thought that since it's been so long it might be worth it this time around.  So here goes...

How far along: 35 weeks, 6 days (so almost 36 weeks if you want to get specific)

Total weight gain/loss: Ha!  Like I'm going to tell you that!  Let's just say that I have surpassed the highest weight I ever reached while carrying Jake (and started this one about 4 pounds lighter).  In other words... A LOT.

Maternity clothes: Yeah, since about week 8.  You know it's time when you're belly is showing in even your longest maternity shirts.  And several pairs of my maternity pants no longer fit.

Stretch marks: A few pinkish ones around my belly button.  I got a few like this after Jake was born (how unfair is that?) and they went away over time, so I'm hoping that these are temporary, too.

Sleep: Sleep?  What's that?  Between a body temperature that stays around 145 degrees and a toddler who still occasionally wants to have a middle-of-the-night party, I can't remember the last time I slept through the night.  But it's no big deal considering that the situation is not going to change any time soon.  I get the occasional nap and that works just fine for me!

Best moment this week: Ummm... we've had lots of good moments since our move, so I'm not entirely sure.  Seeing my sisters and their families as frequently as I have been has probably been the highlight.

Movement: She beats me up a lot more than Jake ever did.  I'd get an occasional jab or kick from him, but she likes to press my insides outward and then move, creating this odd sensation and a sight to watch!  I had an ultrasound today and the doctor said that I have lots of fluid in there (which thankfully might be why I'm measuring big... and by big I mean a week or two ahead of schedule) so she still has plenty of room to move around.  It's no wonder that I am short of breath so often!

Food cravings: Oh wow, what don't I crave?  The biggest one this time around has been Coke floats.  Weird I know.  I'm also really enjoying chips and cheese dip these days.

Food aversions: None.  Baby likes to eat!

Labor Signs: I had one day of some pretty good contractions and it was conveniently on a day when I had a doctor appointment.  According to the monitoring (which I get weekly), my uterus was demonstrating "erratic behavior," whatever that means.  The next day I was fine though and aside from some mild Braxton Hicks, all is business as usual... no dilation yet either... she must like it in there.

Belly Button in or out? Like a turkey thermometer, it's popped out.  This bird is cooked!

What I miss: Not going to lie... a frosty beverage or a glass of red wine would be heavenly!  And I'm kind of (and that's a very small kind of) getting antsy to run again.  I think it has something to do with living near my favorite running buddies.

What I am looking forward to: Meeting her (duh!)

Weekly Wisdom: This should probably be something about getting plenty of rest before baby, but I can't seem to do that.  I'm a busy-body.  I have managed to slow down a bit, but should probably stop and put my feet up more often.  

Milestones: Ummmm.... I couldn't really tell you.  In about a week I'll be considered full-term, so that's kind of what I'm waiting on right now.  I'm still set to be induced at 39 weeks (like I was with Jake and will be with every child I ever have) but I'm hoping that she decides to come a couple of days early so that I can experience what it's like to go into labor.  We'll see.

So I think that covers everything and more and makes up for my lack of posts about the bump this time around.  And since no decent bumpdate is complete without a photo, here is the latest:

I don't have one from my pregnancy with Jake at 36/37 weeks, but I do have one from 38 weeks with him for comparison purposes:

I think she's siting a little bit higher than he did, but I am glad to see that they are fairly similar.  As I've mentioned previously, the extra weight gain is in my lower back, love handles, and rear, which thankfully does not show up in photos!

So now you're updated, which is good considering that I'm not sure if another one will happen or not before her arrival.  Now it's just a matter of counting the days... and oh how I can't wait to kiss those sweet cheeks!