The Merfett

Merfbaby is 36 weeks!

I’m officially 9 months pregnant today. Funny how pregnancy is actually 10 months…

How I’m Feeling: Still hanging in there and going to work every day! I’m not moving as fast as I was a few weeks ago, and I’m for sure feeling the belly when I’m sitting and standing for longer periods. Potty breaks are much more frequent too.

Belly/Weight: Only a few ounces gained since last week. Merfbaby is packing on the weight now. My belly is low and big. I had a woman over the weekend comment that it looked like it was having a boy since my belly is so low. Merfman even noticed that it’s more cone shaped than round now. It changes shapes throughout the day as Merfbaby is moving around.

Life Changes: We’ll be done with the nursery next weekend, Merfman and I both have a 4 day weekend for the holiday so we’ll get everything we need to finish wrapped up. After that I’m going to focus on getting meals ready for the freezer and supplies for a crock pot dinner or two. My Momma-son will be staying with us in the beginning so I’m sure she’ll help with meals too :)

Movement: Kicking my butt every day! Which is a good thing, I want him to be strong! He’s running out of space and really pushing to make room. I look down at my tummy and can see him sticking out all over the place. I wonder if other people notice it? When I’m talking to people are work he’s jumping all over the place in there and you can see my belly moving around.

Sleep: Still sleeping hard. And I found the most amazing thing ever. It’s called a pregnancy wedge pillow. It’s made by the people that make the Bobby and it’s a little pillow that you can stick under your belly to support it. Best $12 I’ve ever spent. I like that it’s small and easy to move around when I roll from side to side. I’ve never used one of those big pregnancy pillows, but I don’t think I would like how big and bulky they are.

Cravings: A chocolate milk shake the other night :) And PB&J sandwiches have sounded really good lately.

Exercise: Hiking up and down the stairs on my way to and from work. People think I’m crazy taking the stairs but since I’m not doing much traditional exercise these days besides walking I figure it still helps. I go really slow and hold the hand rail, since my number one fear since getting pregnant has been falling down the stairs.

Favorite Pregnancy Moment this week: Hearing Merfman coach me through labor in his sleep last night :) We’ve been practicing our labor and relaxation techniques in Bradley Class so I think it’s on his mind? We both talk in our sleep sometimes and last night he was saying things like “you’re almost there” and “you’re doing great.” It made me smile.

On My Mind: I’m thinking more and more about labor and what life might be like post baby. I’m not worried about labor, Merfman and I feel informed and confident in what might happen. But you never know until it starts! I like knowing that I have a solid idea of how labor progresses and what my body will be going through. I’m a little nervous about the post-labor healing. Yucky. I’ve got all my “stuff” prepared and ready for after Merfbaby comes, I just pray my body does well in labor. Our Bradley Teacher made an interesting point – if you have a natural vaginal labor the “hard” work for your body is done and you focus on healing and bonding with your baby. If you have a c-section that’s major surgery that your body has to recover from while you’re bonding with your baby. If something happens to Merfbaby or me during labor and a c-section is the safest option we’ll do it, but I wouldn’t elect to have a c-section by choice. Guess we’ll find out when the time comes!

Merfbaby is 35 weeks!

According to our Dr Appointment this week he’s 6.5lbds! Dr thinks we can expect at least an 8lb Merfbaby.

How I’m Feeling: Another busy week at work, so I’m tired and ready to get some good sleep this weekend. I’m for sure feeling pregnant, this belly is serious and I know it’s going to get bigger. Getting out of bed is a challenge, especially for the middle of the night potty breaks, since he’s so low it’s almost painful when I wake up to go potty since he’s right on my bladder.

Belly/Weight: Up a total of 37lbs. I’m curious to see how much I’ll gain the the last few weeks. I’m starting to notice a little swelling in my fingers, but I’m still drinking tons of water to keep things circulating. Belly is low and round. Somedays depending on what type of shirt I’m wearing I look more preggo than other days. I like tank tops since they stretch and come down low over my tummy, t-shirts are sort of baggy or creep up and show off some of my under belly ;)

Life Changes: I was really hoping to spend the 4th of July with Momma-Son in Palm Springs. I wanted to make sure my Dr was ok with it, but she said no dice. I need to stay close to home and not be in the desert heat. Boo. I was really looking forward to some pool time and naps. With the holiday traffic it would be awful if something happened with me or Merfbaby and we needed to get home in a rush. Anyone doing anything fun (and local) for the 4th and want to hang out with a pregnant lady?

Movement: So low. He’s really wedging himself in there, ha! In the ultrasound on Wednesday the Dr had a hard time getting a shot of his face because he’s really stuck in there. Which is good, he’s in an ideal position and hopefully won’t be moving. A few other mom’s in our Bradley class have Breech or Transverse babies, I really hope they flip so they can avoid a c-section.

Sleep: Sleeping hard, just waking up for potty breaks. With work being busy and me staying active I think it’s helping me sleep better at night. Sometimes I wish I was able to take naps, but I feel rested enough during the day. Crawling out of bed isn’t fun but I’m trying to remind myself that my days of sleeping in are numbered.

Cravings: Hm, nothing really this week. I did ask Merfman if he wanted to go out to our favorite fancy pizza place for date night tonight :) Maybe we’ll even order dessert!

Exercise: Another week on my feet running around. I haven’t had time for formal exercise since I’ve been working longer hours, but I still feel like I’ve been active. Taking the stairs up and down in the parking structure helps too : )

Favorite Pregnancy Moment this week: Seeing Merfbaby in the Ultrasound. We only got to see parts of his face, but his little chin and mouth look so cute and baby-like. Sounds strange to say? Merfman was able to come to the appointment with me and it was nice to see Merfbaby since we haven’t had an ultrasound since like 20ish weeks?

On My Mind: Meeting Merfbaby. I was talking about it at work this week, but it’s sort of crazy to think that over the past almost 9 months Merfbaby and I have created a bond. I feel him move, he feels me. I push on my tummy and he pushes back or moves. I feel so protective and proud of this little human that I’ve never met, or even really seen. What’s it going to be like the first time we meet? Is he going to know that I’m his Mom? I feel like it’ll make sense, like we’ll see him and think, well of course that’s what he looks like and he belongs to us :)

Merfbaby is 34 weeks!

He’s the size of a cantaloupe.

How I’m Feeling: Another busy week so I’m a week late on this post also. I still feel really good, getting more tired but I think that’s from work as much as pregnancy. Merfbaby is low and pushing lower into my right hip which is always a strange feeling.

Belly/Weight: Sometimes I don’t notice how big my belly is until I catch a glimpse of it in the corner of my eye. Yesterday I had a few people comment that I sure didn’t look 8.5 months along! But I’m starting to feel it ;)

Life Changes: Most of my clothes are still fitting, well…the ones that I’ve been using for “maternity” clothes. I have two soft stretch skirts that I love and I will live in those until Merfbaby arrives.

Movement: Low and slow. His movements are firmer but lower, he’s head down so he’s pushing himself down and trying to get comfy.

Sleep: Sleeping really well, just wish I could have a lot more of it! Getting out of bed it hard, but going to bed it always nice :) I’m thankful I’ve been sleeping really well through the whole pregnancy.

Cravings: Berries. It’s been my big craving for the whole pregnancy, fruit and citrus juice. I love my OJ and strawberries.

Exercise: Lots of time on my feet again this week. I’ve been much more active around the office since moving into our new space. I never spend very long sitting down before I have to run to grab something.

Favorite Pregnancy Moment this week: Another baby shower with my close friends from college and beyond. It was so great to see everyone and spend some time catching up. It’s funny, around this time last year I was having my bridal showers…and I remember them asking me about having kids and how soon. I said “if I was pregnant this time next year I would be ok with it.” Wow. I didn’t realize that was really happening until one of the girls pointed it out. Ha!

On My Mind: Wondering when he’s going to arrive and what he’s going to look like. I still feel like he’s going to come late, like August but who knows what’ll happen. It’s hard to imagine how it’s all going to happen, but exciting to think about. I started packing our hospital bag – eek. It’s starting to feel so much more real!