My Big Fat Belly - 38 Weeks

How I'm Feeling at 38 weeks: Anxious. Nervous. Tired. Ready. Really pregnant. Annoyed. Excited. Happy. Anxious!! Every feeling under the sun that can be associated with being 38 weeks pregnant really!! I'm so ready to have this baby in my arms and I'm trying really hard to be patient. Unfortunately, if you know me at all, you know that patience is not one of my greatest virtues. So, I'm taking it one day at a time and reminding myself over and over again that the longer she is inside my belly, the healthier she will be.
I've started having more BH contractions each day and they are longer and stronger, just not in any consistent pattern and they stop when I go to bed or rest. I've been trying to get out and walk a little every day but that isn't always possible with BR because she doesn't like to ride in the stroller for longer than 20 minutes. The pressure down there is so crazy painful sometimes, especially during a contraction. I feel like I spend the majority of my day in the bathroom because I'm constantly having to pee. It will be so nice when that sensation is gone after delivery.
So, really overall I'm still doing great. At my appointment on Thursday, I was still 1.5cm, almost 2cm. My belly is measuring 37.5 weeks so Savannah's growth has started to slow down which I'm hoping translates into, she'll be here very soon. My blood pressure is still wonderfully low and I haven't gained any weight in over 3 weeks now.

Baby Movements: Savannah is actually still very active at times. I thought by now she would have run out of room to do much moving. BUT for the past 3 mornings and sometimes during the day, she gets really ralled up and kicks, punches, squirms for a good 15 minutes which hurts and keeps me awake for a while. Chances are she is going to be an early riser once she's born. Oh Joy!

Baby's Size: Dr. S and I discussed Savannah's size on Thursday and we're both thinking she might be a little smaller than Brantley when she is born. I feel like I was bigger with BR and since SC's growth has slowed down I'm not sure she'll make it to 7lbs 10oz by next Saturday, but really we don't know.

Belly Pic of the week:

I'll be back Friday for my 39 weeks belly post or sooner if Savannah decides to make her arrival before then. I hope everyone has a good week! Please keep us in your prayers! Thanks!!

We Love Homewood Day

A few Saturdays ago, Chase and I took Brantley to We Love Homewood Day over at Homewood Park. She had fun jumping in the bouncy houses and sliding down the big slides but I think her favorite part was riding the rides. Brantley got to ride the tiny carousel by herself (no picture), the big chain swings and the rocking Pirate ship with her Daddy.

It was unfortunately extremely hot that day so we didn't stay all that long. I started having a few contractions and we were all sweating and getting miserable, fast. So we left all the fun in the sun and headed to Firehouse Subs for lunch. Yummy!!

My Big Fat Belly - 37 Weeks

How I'm Feeling at 37 weeks: Thankfully, I'm still feeling pretty good. I'm sleeping decent for being over 9 months pregnant, so that's a plus. I haven't been feeling very many Braxton Hick's contractions over the past week or so. My only complaint/pain that I'm experiencing now is menstral-like cramping and groin pains. They are like really bad period cramps that don't stop for an hour or so (sometimes they just come and go). The groin pain just about brings me to my knees sometimes. It's like I get a cramp in my groin muscles when I walk so it just takes me out all of a sudden. I asked the doctor about it and she told me that it's just from hormones causing my pelvis to open up so that Savannah can drop down more. The pains led to me going in to my doctor's office to be checked on Tuesday afternoon but I wasn't in labor and I was still at 1.5 cm.

Doctors Appointment/Progress: I went to my 37 weeks appointment yesterday. Savannah and I are still doing really well. All the little measurements and tests they do looked great so there are no worries. Dr. S checked my cervix again just to see if anything had changed since Tuesday and I was still at a solid 1.5cm. I was totally expecting that since I haven't been feeling very many BH contractions. So that was that.

Kinda big news....There is an end in sight! Dr. S and I decided yesterday that if I haven't had Savannah on my own by 39 weeks, I will be induced on Saturday, May 19th!!!!! I'm so excited to say that in 2 weeks or less we will be holding our baby girl in our arms!!! So if I don't go into labor sometime in the next 2 weeks on my own Chase and I will be heading to the hospital bright and early that Saturday morning to be induced. EEEK! I'm so excited!!!

Baby's Size at 37 weeks:

Savannah is now about the size of a Watermelon and considered FULL TERM!! Yay!!

I forgot to have Dr. S guess how much she weighs at this appointment but I'm still going to guess that she is somewhere around 6-7lbs. I was looking back at my belly pictures from my pregnancy with BR and I think I may have been a little bigger at 37 weeks with her than I am at 37 weeks with Savannah. BR was born 7lb10oz at 39 weeks, so that's why I'm guessing that Savannah is more like 6lbs right now.

What I'm looking forward to: Going into labor sometime soon or at least being induced in 2 weeks. I'm so happy to know that there is a for sure end (I mean I know the date) that I will no longer be pregnant and I will get to see our sweet baby girls face. These next 2 weeks are going to test my patience so please pray with me that I can relax and just enjoy myself while we wait for Savannah's big debut. Thanks!

Belly pic at 37 weeks:

You can visit HERE to see my 37 week belly post during my pregnancy with Brantley Rae and compare my size if you'd like.

Okay I'll be back next week with 38 weeks belly post unless by some chance I deliver before then. Stay tuned!!

Ribbon Wreath

Yesterday I decided to make a ribbon wreath for the door at the hospital and then we will hang it in Savannah's room after we come home. I looked up some "how-to" tutorials and then BR and I headed off to Hobby Lobby to buy the ribbon and wreath. Let me tell you what, these take A LOT of ribbon! I bought 9 spools of ribbon in different widths but then shortly after I started the wreath I realized that was not going to be near enough. I had already spent $50 on ribbon so buying more was not an option. (Note: If you decide to make one of these, make sure you have your timing right for when Hobby Lobby has a sale on their ribbon. I didn't and that's why I had to spend so much. Ouch!)

Thankfully, since I'm a sewer I had a bunch of fabric downstairs that matched the ribbon I purchased, so I was able to use it as well. I torn it into 2 inch strips about 7-8 inches long and went to town. I now have blisters on my fingers from tying so much ribbon and fabric but it was all worth it because the wreath looks great!

I had purchased the wooden S a while back but had never come up with a way to use it. It's perfect for the inside of the wreath!! I can not wait to see it on the hospital door because that will mean that labor and delivery is over and Savannah will be in my arms!! We're so close!! I can hardly believe it or stand the waiting anymore. Please pray for my patience. It's getting really thin!! Thanks!!

Brantley's New John Deere

Back a few weeks ago Chase found this beauty on Craigslist for $35. He was the first of about 20 or more people to call the guy in a 10 minute time span, so we got it and headed straight out to his house to buy it for her. She's been a little scared of it but finally we got her to ride it last weekend.

Baby Sprinkle #2

Last Monday morning, our playgroup bunch got together and threw up a little baby shower for Savannah. My friend, Casey, was kind enough to host the shower at her house in T-town. The set up outside was so great and the kiddos had a wonderful time in the sun!

Brantley and Kayleigh

Brantley and AnnaBelle were making cupcakes.

Casey had cooked a really yummy lunch and some delicious cupcakes. Every thing was great and I'm so thankful for the gifts we received. 

I'm more thankful to be in this group of sweet Mommies and their kiddos. Brantley is making some really sweet friends and I love watching them play and interact with each other.

We received diapers, wipes, outfits and hair bows as gifts. I look forward to seeing little Savannah wearing them all very soon. 

My 37 week post is coming up next!

Painted By U

 A few weeks ago, Alyssa spent the night with my parents because her school was having a weather make-up day so we got to spend the morning with her. I love when the girls are able to spend time together!

Mom and I decided to take them to Painted By U in Hoover for a little crafty fun. Brantley picked out a cute puppy dog to paint and Alyssa chose a fish. They both did a great job but of course, Alyssa's was better since she's actually old enough to do this kind of thing. ha! Brantley was so proud of her puppy when we went back to pick it up the next week. The puppy is in her room on her bookshelf now for everyone to see.

While we were there I decided I needed to go ahead and make another plate with BR's 2-year-old hand print on it. We have one from 6 months and then that was it, so I knew it was time. I like the way it turned out! I plan to take BR and SC back there in a few months to do a plate or something with both their hand (or foot) prints on it. 

We had a great time with Alyssa and Mom that day! After painting, we had lunch at Chick-fil-a before naptime. Hopefully we will see Alyssa again soon!!