One week countdown

I'm in my 36th week of pregnancy! Anxiously awaiting next Thursday.....

I wanted to post a bit about how I feel and how I look now that the pregnancy is almost finished.....

In the beginning, I couldn't even imagine a baby here with us. Now over the course of this month, we have gotten the room ready, bought diapers, washed clothes and so on, but things aren't as organized and as "perfect" as they were 10 years ago with our first baby- but I guess that's typical.

I was getting Andrew ready for school yesterday - my big old self on the floor changing all 80lbs of him and realized just then how months ago I was certain that either the baby would have been here by now, or I would be stuck in a bed, or I would have had to hire someone to help me care for Andrew and the girls, but no. YEAH!! I am moving around (not as usual) but definately able to take care of my kids, husband and home - so for that I am really happy and grateful. Everyone has been wishing me well and checking in with us and telling us it will all be okay. For this I am also grateful. Friends and family are asking about plans once the baby is home, but to be honest I can't get past next Thursday and meeting Jenna and seeing if she is okay. Friends have told me that "lightening doesn't strike twice" well it has already for us - no explanations whatsoever. I can only hope that the constant monitoring of this pregnancy and my taking lovenox will make all the difference this time around.

From my updates, everyone knows I am over 180lbs. Yikes! If I do say so, my weight though is mostly in my belly, but now I am starting to see it in my legs and face a bit. I am still able to wear my rings, so my hands are the same size. The baby moves, or should I say rolls around a lot. I feel movement into my ribs and my upper torso the most. Sleeping has been a nightmare. I don't even want to go to bed at night, because I just toss and turn and am very restless. I definately have periods of sleep and then wakefulness - maybe this will be the baby's kind of schedule....???... The lack of sleep is a mixture of being uncomfortable and my constant thinking about what I need to do the next day and in the weeks ahead. For the lack of sleep I am having, I have a good amount of energy in the day. My left leg has always been sore, but now I describe the pain as a fiery pins and needles. My skin isn't hot to touch or anything like that, just sore and is a shooting pain at times. I believe this is my uterus expanding into my sciatic nerve. This leg has also been affected by vericose veins. Pretty gross to look at. I can't seem to find a comfortable position - whether it be sleeping, sitting, standing...it all is tough. These aren't complaints, just wanted to document how my body has responded to being pregnant at age 38 - a month shy of 39.

I thought Dave and the kids might be realizing my discomfort...I know Dave does...not so sure of the kids though. Amelia told me recently she didn't want to cross her fingers anymore (we've been crossing our fingers for Jenna to be okay this whole pregnancy). I asked why, thinking she was being sympathetic. Her answer was this.... "she didn't want another baby after this one, just a dog".

Tomorrow two of my brothers go to Sanibel, Florida for our annual family vacation. Just so happens Jenna will be born the week of our annual trip we've been taking for most of my life, so we along with my mom are here! Don't really want to remind the kids that they are missing their happy beach/Sanibel time. :)