Visualizations and post ultrasound at 37ish weeks

Baby is in perfect condition. Head down, bum up.

There was no need for alarm. I'm frustrated with my Midwife Joanne and her quick reaction to send me to the Hospital right away on a hunch that the baby was breach. I would have expected her to want to consult the other midwives first in this circumstance. Of course, I can understand her concern but I mean whisking me off to the doctors again at 37 weeks seemed like a bit of a cop out.

I bet most of the midwives at Plum could've touched me the right way to verify the position of the baby. I mean it's been head down now since week 32.

Anyway, off to Powell River today to soak up some sunshine and family time. I'll leave you with my visualization posters for the birth room when we get underway. Apparently it helps a lot to imagine things opening up and getting really big.

Ps. Julian shaved off his beard yesterday, and he looks so buff!

37ish weeks

"When the student is ready, the teacher will appear"

This is the latest quote that resonates with me. I truly believe that this child has already taught me more than I will ever be able to teach it. Although I'll do my darnedest to create a safe, loving and creative environment for this little bean.

Joanne, the midwife visited the house today. She tested my blood pressure and told me that everything was under control. I tested negative for group B strep which is an added bonus. Although she poked and prodded my belly and believes that the lil bean has moved around now and is in the breach position. Which is going to make it difficult to give birth naturally, as it's illegal for midwives in BC to deliver a breached baby. Therefore, I'm scheduled for another ultrasound tomorrow morning and we will find out then if it is truly the case.

The options we have then will be discussed but if the midwife can't move the baby to the right position then we will have to look at other medical alternatives.

Yesterday was a glorious day in the sun on Tree Island. We took out Rowans sailboat with his 2 brothers and Cher. It was a perfect 20C and sunny. It was so much fun. Here are a few magical shots.

Mantras at 35 weeks yesterday

"Remember: With every contraction, you're closer to meeting the new member of your family"

"Breath deep, and longer and open wider and wider and wider, you are opening so big and wide"

"Trust: My body knows what to do, and every mother since Eve has conquered this feat."

"Power: My body is not working against me, I am my body"

"Relax: I am safe and my baby is safe"

"Patience: This is just one day. I can do anything for one day. This will not last forever"

"Relax: Open, Open, Open"

"Trust: Our baby know how to and when to be born"

Mantras on my mind. I'm thinking about all the sayings that are going to ride me through the wave of this pregnancy. I'm going to envision what I want to happen. I going to dilate huge and push my sweet baby out with all my might.

The contractions aren't bigger than me, they are me. I'm making them happen. They represent how strong I am.
I'm feeling baby kick and punch and dance up a storm in my stomach. Truly this is a very active time in the birth. I feel pretty normal, more normal than I did at 6 months, but I am getting to full term and feeling full and heavy too. It's getting harder and harder to wake up and go to work.

Speaking of work,

I have approx 550 hours right now and need 600 hours to get maternity leave. I am pushing through. I'm going to be done by the 29 April, if not sooner. The Kingfisher really needs me right now as they are very short staffed with one girl in Italy and another who quit. But I think I'm going to have to pull out sooner than later. It's a demanding job dealing with all types of personalities and standing on my feet 8 hours a day for a measly 13$ and hour.

I am really on a mission to try and find something that I can make and sell to subsidize my living costs and stay at home with the baby within the next few years. Something will come up if I think about it hard enough.

The garden is coming along beautifully and it's only a matter of time before all our meals are coming from the backyard. So exciting!!! Here's a picture of me in the back, well a few pictures at 35 weeks :)

My baby bump makes a great beer holder!!

Sunday Sunday at 34 weeks

What a gorgeous day! It was 18C and sunny today. I planted some seeds, hung out in a hammock, and made pizza. Emily and baby Maverick came by for a visit.

The baby is an active little monkey and constantly kicking my right side. As I sit here and type this there are some major belly rolls going on down there. I have really, really bad heartburn at the moment too, but that is nothing new. They say that it gets a little more difficult near the end and I can see why. I didn't think that I would be the one to say my feet are swelling or my heartburn in ferocious but I am and it does.

Other than swollen feet, very emotional days after work, heartburn, a little anxiety about how my life is about to change and the kicking, constant hardcore ninja jabs into my side, everything is running smoothly. I have approx 2 more weeks of work to go. Which will be a relief once that is over and I can start to collect maternity. This job is so draining and I'm about to topple over these days. Weighing in at approx 155 lbs. That means I've gained about 40lbs so far in the pregnancy.

I sometimes really thing it's a girl because of all the movement and sideways kicks. Plus all my dreams that I've been having have a little baby boy in them so who knows. We will just have to wait and see. I'm so excited!

We had our first BBQ of the year a couple of nights ago. I picked up some chicken and turkey and Julian smoked everything to divine deliciousness. It was a great surprise to come home to after work.

It's April 10 today and I got a tan at 18C

I am wearing bathing suit bottoms here I swear!

You are a miracle at 33 weeks and 4 days

Little baby monkey is growing fast and furious. Right now it feels like I weigh an extra pound a day. The kicking and moving never stops and my appetite is fierce.

I have my usual bought of emotion of course. Crying for no reason really, or just letting myself get overwhelmed with the fact that things in my life are about to drastically change. Oh not to mention putting the peanut butter in the cupboard with the mugs and the milk in the pantry instead of the fridge. Baby Brain is real!

Plus, I miss my tummy and wearing nice clothes. Nothing seems to fit no matter how big the Large is. But Julian reminds me that my body won't be like this forever, so enjoy it while it lasts. Which are some great words of wisdom if I'd ever heard any before. 

Overall, it's been a mellow 4 months and I'm definitely looking forward to the adventure. Picked up 6 cloth diapers off Craigslist for $60. I paid $15 for the the Grovia which are $25 brand new. I'm happy with the purchase. Let's hope it holds up to the wee ones poops.

Today ,I have my usual Pre-Natal Yoga class at the Doghouse. It is such a wonderful way to connect with baby. Then we have an Indian buffet lunch with 3 of my favourite people in the world, Julian, Cari and Mike of course ;)

Right afterwards is my midwife appointment with Laya then onto the first of 4 weekly prenatal classes at the Island Health down the street. Julian has been a rock through this and I hope every woman is as lucky as I am to have such support surrounding her during these trying months.

It's my day off of work today, but it's definitely not a day off of life! Everything is moving along fabulously and I couldn't be happier.