Update: 38+ weeks

Baby update:  Everything is still good.  Dr B measured his head again and said he was just under 10 cm this time and even if that wasn't accurate that he felt I should still be fine.  So I am holding out hope and trying not to worry anymore.  He estimated his weight at 6 1/2 lbs this time (a little less that last time) so maybe u/s technology isn't that great.  I think he'll be between 7 and 8 lbs but hoping he's not over that.  Dilated to 2 cm and 75% effaced so not a lot of progress but enough to not feel worried.  I was still chicken enough on size though to ask about being induced and Dr B said we could go that route.  So I will actually be going in on September 30th to be induced but not until 8 pm...sounds like a horrible time as I imagine that will mean labor all night.  I have my flight of fancy to walk my heart out on Monday and Tuesday to maybe go on my own before then but I doubt that will be the case.  

Cravings:  Sweets.  Fried food.  Nothing really good for me.  Maybe it's more indulgence than craving.

Weight Gain:  about 20 lbs up from pre-pregnancy weight.  

Movement / Symptoms:  He still moves a bit mostly just before bedtime.  He likes to stick his feet into my right side and ribs.  I also feel him occasionally where it seems he's trying to stretch out from head to toe.  I don't have insomnia but now I don't sleep great due to discomfort.  I think I've had a few actual though mild contractions but nothing consistent.  If I walk a bit it usually tightens everything up but then goes away once I relax for a little while.  My feet have also been swelling the last few days.

Day to Day:   Trying to clean house and organize.  Finishing packing a hospital bag and getting "big sister" gifts together.  I definitely have not accomplished everything I wanted to but it will do and work out.  Hoping to fit in a haircut today or tomorrow.   

Baby Prep:  Pretty much planning on just doing this after he's hear now haha Ooops.  I'm a stinker.  We have all the physical needs met but the nursery decorating can wait a bit.

The Girls:  Love my girls.  They are so good to each other and such good playmates, usually.  They have such fun imaginations lately and conversations I love.  Kendall was eating dinner with my parents the other night and kept saying "two grandmas and two grandpas" and I thought she was just saying she had two of each but she giggled and pointed and we realized she was crossing her eyes and seeing/making two of each.  Cracked us all up, silly girl. 

Looking forward to:  Just looking forward to little boy being here and coming home with him now.  Hoping it all goes smoothly. 

Next visit:  September 30th is set for the day.  

Update: 37+ weeks

Baby update:  Baby boy is still doing really well.  Still head down but not engaged.  He is estimated to weigh 7 lbs now.  So if full-term somewhere around 8 lb estimate.  I am still only dilated to 1.5 cm and now 70% effaced so nothing serious happening there.  My issue/concern is this little guys head is measuring full term (the u/s said 41 weeks...yikes!).  I asked Dr B somewhat nervously if this was going to be a problem and he didn't seem concerned and just gave his usual cheery tone of voice and said "It shouldn't be that's just why one has to dilate the full 10 cm".  Not super encouraging.  Plus during the cervical check he mentioned that baby needs to drop a bit still which has/had me worrying that he hasn't dropped cause there isn't enough room.  Seriously?  I have a nervous/scared cry anytime I really think about (despite reading online it's common for second-timers to not drop until actual labor sets in and big babies come natural all the time).  Can we say considering induction again? and beating myself up for not taking the offer to sweep membranes and help things along too (I didn't want to risk actually going into labor before my parents got here).  

Cravings:  Nothing really.  Spicy chinese was super delicious a week ago and milk always tastes good.  Just the usual. 

Weight Gain:  still about 15 lbs up from pre-pregnancy weight.  

Movement / Symptoms:  He still moves a bit mostly just before bedtime.  I have had insomnia issues going back to sleep for the last few days.  Last night was definitely due to worrying about the big head concerns.  I think I've had a few actual though mild contractions but nothing consistent.  I'm hoping to step up my game on helping things along if I can.  

Day to Day:  Painting has stopped in main house.  I may paint after he's born and before we transition to bedroom (he'll be in ours for a while I think).  I borrowed my sister's sewing machine but haven't done anything and don't really want to or care if I do.  

Baby Prep:  I've lost my motivation to sew or do things for this.  I did get a car seat canopy off a yardsale group on Facebook because I want one but lost all desire there too.    

The Girls:  They are doing great.  They love playgrounds and climbing on things.  They have great imaginative play developing.  They love to ride the tricycles up and down in front of the house.  They are excited for fall/winter/Halloween but not sure the "cold" idea really means much to them yet.  

Seren was disappointed when I didn't come home with baby brother from the doctor's appointment yesterday.  "Awww...no baby brother?"  like he will just be something easy to pick up at the store or doctor and bring home.  Kendall wanted to go to the appointment and I told her I had to take my bottoms off lately and she didn't want to see my bum.  She asked "what's in your bum?" haha funny kids.  Then she said she wanted to go next time so she could play on the playground...bless that sweet honest girl.  

Looking forward to:  Honestly I just want to go into labor now.  Between being uncomfortable and fear of him getting any bigger to possibly not fit I just want to be done now.  Hospital bag is mostly packed so yeah bring it on already.  

Next visit:  September 24th and October 2nd.  Let's plan on cancelling the October 2nd one at least right? 

Update: 35 weeks

Baby update:  Baby boy is still doing really well.  Still head down with face towards my back bone.  He is estimated to weigh 6 1/4 lbs now (more then Seren or Kendall weighed at birth).  So if full-term somewhere around 8 1/4 lb estimate.  Not too terrifying.  I am dilated to 1.5 cm and 50% effaced so nothing serious happening there yet.  I'm supposed to have weekly appointments at this point but Dr B is gone next Thursday and at my last appointment they said "you're probably okay to skip that week and if anything happens let us know" but then the nurse seemed a little more pushy to fit me in on Tuesday.  But really an appointment 4 days after just seeing him and I'm only hitting 36 weeks...I declined but offered to squeeze it in if necessary.  Again the same "you'll probably be fine just let us know".  Of course.  I have braxton hicks a decent amount but no inkling of actual contractions so I'm not worried.

Cravings:  Chocolate.  Sweets give me heartburn sometimes.  Water.  I feel like I drink a lot of water later and I'm still thirsty.  Nothing out of the ordinary food wise though...just my usual temptations.  

Weight Gain:  about 15 lbs up from pre-pregnancy weight.  

Movement / Symptoms:  He is moving quite a bit still.  Sometimes I feel his bum, foot or knee (who knows) slide across my stomach trying to get comfortable.   He usually likes to start moving the most after we put the girls to bed and I'm chilling on the couch.  

Day to Day:  We are almost to the stopping point for painting the kitchen...one wall left.  I still want to paint his room but my internal motivation is not really there.  My sewing machine had a part issue so I'm borrowing my sister's and hoping for motivation to finish my projects (bedding, car seat canopy thing and some burp clothes)...I'm sure I'm not going to get it all done but I want to try. 

Baby Prep:  Super Mario nursery decor.  This is my first sewing goal.  Followed by ordering last needed items from Amazon along with some Mario wall decals.  

The Girls:  They are doing great.  We took them for a day out yesterday and went downtown.  They had fun.  They love playgrounds and climbing on things.  They have great imaginative play developing.  

As for baby stuff, Seren complains that "baby brother's taking too long" and Kendall doesn't seem to mind.  They comment on my belly being big sometimes.  We got some formula in the mail and I talked to them about baby brother breast feeding and Seren laughed at me and said "nuh uh".  But she mentioned it to Jeff when he got home so it didn't go over her head either.  Kendall is more interested in rocking her baby brother when he arrives.  We brought up the recliner/rocker we used in their nursery and they rocked in it and were excited.

Looking forward to:  Getting some nursery stuff made and cleaning up the house.  Hospital bag is mostly packed so yeah.  Just basically settling in for the final few weeks and looking forward to his arrival. 

Next visit:  Sept 18th and Sept 24th?? (I think)  Is it bad that I'm hoping those might be the last two.