Weight Gain: 18.5 lbs for me. Baby is estimated to weigh 6.4 lbs.
Symptoms: I wake up often in the night but this doesn't really bother me. I'm great at waking up and falling asleep again instantly. I did wake up yelling the other day because of a charley horse--I don't think I've ever had one in my life--and probably freaked Angel out a little bit. I've very much become a homebody whenever I can be, because walking and feeling hot outdoors in the sunshine never really seems worth it, and riding in cars is so bumpy. My excessive passion for smooth roads might be a bit exaggerated at the moment. I tend to feel like 95% of the time I feel fine, and then once in a while I feel overheated and lightheaded and painful and crash in a chair for a while drinking cold water until I perk up again. Or sometimes I just fall asleep.
Wearing: I told Angel the other day, "I feel like I have only about a week's worth of outfits."
He responded, "Why?"
I looked at him..."...Uh...because I literally only have...about a week's worth of outfits."
Good thing we do laundry often.
Perks of not buying any maternity clothes is motivation to stay on top of laundry duties. At this point, I think I have about 5 shirts, 4 leggings, 1 pair of capris, 1 skirt, 4 tunics long enough to wear with leggings, and 3 maxi dresses. So, technically more than a week's worth, but even if I have 5 shirts, only having one pair of capris and one skirt limits opportunity to wear those, and 2 of the maxi dresses are pretty thick, so they're too hot to wear unless I'm going somewhere with good aircon...which is pretty much the movie theater and church. Mostly it's the leggings and tunics--I got 3 of those leggings in a 3-pack at the supermarket for $20 when I was in America in May, have definitely gotten my money's worth!
Eating: Noticing less appetite or motivation to eat. Green apples, grapefruit, and cold water are LIFE. I declare that about 3 times a day. Very dramatically. Seriously, the amount of excitement I have over eating those fruits or drinking a glass of cold water is probably ridiculous. Nausea sneaks back in at times but cold water or sucking on ice cubes (not chewing them!) helps.
Favorite Things: When he's moving and stretching. This past week he's been more active than previously, and whenever Angel tries to listen to his heartbeat, baby immediately starts moving around. Also, I probably get excessively excited about things like the doctor's office giving us free diaper samples. 12 free diapers? Score!!
Emotions: I think we tend to be still in somewhat of an "I can't believe this is real" state. How is it possible to love someone so much, be able to see their movements, be just inches away from being able to touch their tiny hands and feet...and still have no idea what they look like? That's the mind-blowing thing for me--the fact that I don't even know what my own baby looks like. Or what his favorite things are. Or even what his birthday is!!! I remember everyone's birthday, how could I not know his?
Preparations: Angel's been watching youtube videos on how to bathe a newborn, so we're all set, right? He does a lot more of the medical/technical research than I do because that just suits us better. I firmly believe that too much research will make me nervous more than it will make me feel prepared, so I'll leave all of that to my beloved medical professional who is never nervous about anything. I put a couple things in the diaper bag and we've started gathering up all the paperwork needed for registering the birth of a US Citizen abroad. A few extra hurdles to jump when one of the first things you need to think about after having a brand-new baby is getting a passport photo taken! Baby's first road trip will be to the US Embassy. We need to set up the portable crib/bassinet in our room at some point and rearrange our furniture so that it will fit. There will probably be some video watching on how to install carseats in the near future (fun fact: there are currently no carseat laws where we live, and we often see small infants being held by parents on the back of motorcycles--interesting differences because car seats are such a serious matter in the USA).
I told Angel we should make sure to bring along some snacks for me to the hospital, because I can guarantee that I won't eat hospital meals (since they'll probably consist of chicken porridge), and he looked at me with a smirk and said, "Great idea! What snacks will you eat?"
I looked at him.
He continued to stare back at me.
"....Green apples...and..." I said.
"You're gonna starve," he said.
If Skinny Pop White Cheddar Popcorn existed in this country I wouldn't be in this situation.
..................................
I don't think either of us are at the point yet of experiencing impatience--though that may start to come on later as the weeks fly by!
Awe, getting so close and I can't believe the limited number of foods you are eating. Bet that's why you are still looking so good at almost 9 months pregnant. Hoping it is smooth sailing from here on out. Blessings abundant!
You're SO spot on with the knowing/not knowing your baby during pregnancy. That is exactly what I'm going through. For me, oranges and milk are life. I'm pretty sure I'm going to starve at the hospital too since they apparently don't do gluten-free very well, at least I'll be prepared with snacks! You're getting SO close, I am SO, SO excited for you!
There's a full-sized baby in there! You look great. I used to read everything about everything, but now I find that there are times when I just don't want to know ahead of time. It can be anxiety-provoking and who needs that?
It's so close now, congratulations! Sounds like it's summer where you are? Heat in pregnancy is no fun at all, no wonder you are taking refuge indoors and eating fruit. Can't wait to see what the little guy looks like, soooo many great things to look forward to. I can't believe my "baby" is 12. The years really do fly by!
I am so thrilled for you!! Youtube can teach anything!! :)
Ah, pregnancy Charlie horses are the worst! I can't wait to see your little guy! 😀
You look so great, and it's so exciting that you're so far along! Oh man, free stuff is awesome :) I loved signing up for random programs or baby registries when I was pregnant with my first just to get the free diaper and shampoo samples :)
I think it's interesting that there aren't carseat laws over there! The old ladies at my church have told me similar stuff from when they raised their babies here in the U.S. 60+ years ago-they'd have someone hold the baby or stick the baby in a box somewhere in the car or something. It helps me keep perspective and hope about the resiliency of humans to hear those kinds of stories!
Sounds like everything is going great! Sending you best wishes for a smooth and comfortable last few weeks or so. I just also had to say I LOVE your springy outfit in the photo - it is absolutely perfect.
I think once you have the baby you will never want to see a green apple or grapefruit again so long as you live.
Suzanne
You look beautiful! I totally agree about having about 1 weeks of clothes to wear! Hah! The plus side is you feel like your wardrobe is huge afterwards! Don't put too much faith in the baby weight estimate - they told me my son would be about 7 lbs on the morning of the day he was born - he came out at 9 lbs 7 oz! And I absolutely agree on the packing hospital snacks!! Although I'm the opposite of you right now - I am starving ALL the time! Enjoy these last few weeks of just your family of two!
You look adorable! I think feeling my babies move around was my favorite thing about being pregnant. :) What an exciting time for you!
It's so exciting to read this! You are looking great! Will be looking forward to your next update!
Gaaahhhh! C'mon baby! We're waiting for you
you look adorable! Happy everything is progressing smoothly! And maybe you can get skinny pop to send you some popcorn for snacks haha!
I remember my pregnancies - my kids are almost all grown now - but I remember how exciting it was with all the new feelings in my body and the anticipation of what was to come!
you look amazing for 37 weeks! the end is always so hard, i never had any clothes to wear either and it's so hard not to buy more for that last month. congratulations to your family!
Hi, Rachel. I haven't been around for a visit in awhile, so it's great to find you doing so well in your pregnancy. I pray you have a safe and healthy delivery and a healthy baby. :-)
I'm just joining the story of your pregnancy journey and I already feel so invested. I have so many questions about having a baby aboard (mainly, what do you have to do to ensure you baby is a US citizen??). I'm so glad to hear you are doing well in your pregnancy. I pray your delivery is swift, safe, and your baby is healthy!
Yay for 37 weeks!
The car seat thing - it is important but American's are so crazy uptight about it. I think a balance would be nice. =)
Wow you look so light and beautiful!!! I know you can't wait to meet your little one. I just started trying to conceive and hope to join in on your happiness too!
So close to the end!! I slept SO horribly throughout my entire pregnancy. I honestly slept a million times better with a newborn than I ever did while pregnant haha but it sounds like you're doing everything you can to prepare! I honestly read ZERO baby books, blogs, research, etc. NONE of it haha I was actually quite against it in some ways and honestly even now 8 months later, I'm so glad I never picked up a book lol it's been so much less stressful to allow my child to grow and develop at her own pace rather than resorting to a book to tell me everything she "should" be doing. So you're totally right in regards to limiting the research you're doing haha it was so much less stressful going into motherhood without it. Wishing you the best in your last few weeks!!
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