#babybutlernumerodos is 35 Weeks!

Growth: Here’s what babycenter says:

Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (about the size of a honeydew melon). Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

My Symptoms: I still feel really good. I am grateful to be having such a joyful, uneventful, easy pregnancy.

Jonathan said Kade is going to be VERY smart because he is taking ALLLLL of my brainpower. Ha! He’s totally right though. One morning I couldn’t find my keys because I left them on the bumper of my car (in the garage) from the day before. I feel like I have pregnancy brain in full force, and it seems like my vision and hearing aren’t as sharp as normal either. Jon gets annoyed that he keeps having to repeat himself to me. I’m sure it’s just that sweet baby taking what he needs from Mama during these last few important weeks.

My belly has been a little itchy so I’m trying to keep it moisturized. And the stretch marks have arrived. Welcome, friends! They are light for now, but as this belly continues to grow I’m sure they’ll get a little darker. They are only right around the center of my belly. You can’t grab even a tiny pinch of skin anywhere on my midsection (not even my sides) because it is SO stretched out and firm. It feels just like a watermelon or basketball under my shirt. Hard to imagine I am going to continue growing & stretching. I am thinking I’ll start widening out soon.

I did a LOT on Wednesday though and I paid for it on Thursday. I was exhausted all day!!

Weight/Baby Bump: I’m up about 19 lbs and actually lost a pound since my last appointment. I remember my weight tapering off at the end of my pregnancy with Jase, but I feel like it’s a little early for that.  Starting on Tuesday of this week, I haven’t been very hungry and I am making myself eat just because it’s time to eat. That is rare for a food lover like me, but I’m sure it’s just because I’m running out of room in my belly. I do still eat a really great (& big) breakfast every day and have been cooking healthy dinners at home every night.

I didn’t get any “bump” pics this week either so this will have to do. You can see a little of my belly because I’m at a slight angle, but I really have to turn to the side to do this bad boy the justice it deserves!

Gender: Precious little fella. I cannot WAIT to kiss his sweet little cheeks!

Maternity Clothes: Yep. I pretty much just wear the same few articles of clothing over and over. Lucky Jon, I barely even wear makeup & I am pretty sure this is the most pale I have ever been in my life.

Movement: One day this week Kade wasn’t moving as much as normal and I got a little worried, so of course I texted my OB entourage. (Seriously, super thankful for all my OB & midwife friends. And their patience with me.) I did a kick count & he was where he needed to be, so I stopped worrying. The next day he was back to his normal self. I know as he begins running out of room and amniotic fluid starts decreasing the movements will change, so as long as he is moving enough, we are good.

Sleep: Sleeping okay. Waking up super early though! What in the world??

Cravings/Aversions: Nothing sounds that good to me right now. I did stop to get one of those frozen lemonade things from Chik Fil A because it sounded good, but it didn’t taste good at all. I took one sip and threw it away. Total disappointment.

I am really enjoying oats with pink Himalayan salt (instead of my normal cinnamon) at breakfast.

Appointment: I get so excited for appointments! Our OB’s office is like a little family and everyone over there is so great. At my appointment on Wednesday my blood pressure was 107/63 and I lost a pound since the last appointment. I had a little crowd in the room this time because one of the midwives is being shadowed & her professor was in there too. All 4 of us had a grand ole time. He was really nice & encouraging and shared a few helpful hints. I was measuring right at 34 weeks and the heartbeat was in the 130s. We talked a little about last birth and it was neat to hear Lauren (who helped deliver Jase) recount my labor from her perspective. It was pretty much right on with what I remember.

I’ll be one day shy of 37 weeks at my next appointment so I’ll probably get checked (although the more I read, the less I want to get checked) and ask to get screened for GBS. After that I’ll be going weekly until the Lord decides it’s time for Kade to make his arrival.

Accomplishments: Mom watched Jase for me on Wednesday so I could go to yoga & my doctor’s appointment, and I knocked out about 15 errands on my to-do list the rest of the day before church. That felt good!

This week I ordered Kade’s bedding. (Well, mom ordered it, but I did call to give them my credit card number to pay for it, so that means it’s officially ORDERED.) I registered online at the hospital so we won’t have to do that when we check in. I got Jase’s 2 year old pictures taken. I knocked several errands off my to-do list. And I did lots of reading. That is a WIN of a week in my book!

This is where we ordered from and it will incorporate a few of these fabrics. Can’t wait to see the finished product!

Best Pregnancy Moment of the Week: We had a sweet shower with some of my FAVORITE people on Saturday morning, and a Sunday School shower/fellowship with our awesome SS class that evening. It was a WONDERFUL day. I am thankful beyond words for our sweet friends and family. We are BLESSED beyond measure & their love, prayers, and encouragement means so very much.

I also got a prenatal massage on Wednesday & it.was.awesome. I haven’t had one this whole pregnancy (since I first found out anyway) and it was much needed.

Work Outs: LOVING some yoga. It is definitely a highlight of my week & I look forward to it. I took pump twice this week but felt super sore from a prenatal massage on Wednesday so I was a wimp at pump on Thursday. My goal is 3 yoga classes each week & Bradley exercises daily until Kade gets here.

Thoughts: I am SO, SO thankful and encouraged by our friends prayers for Kade and for our labor and delivery. I have some serious prayer warrior friends and they have no idea what an encouragement they are to me. I love getting sweet texts from friends who are covering us in prayer- THANK YOU ladies for that. (You know who you are.)

My heart’s desire is to have a big family (although I’m not exactly sure what that will look like), and because of that a successful VBAC is really important to us. I learned last time that God is absolutely in control, but we are believing for a “supernatural birth” where He gets all the glory for healthy baby & mama.

My friend Larissa and I have been within 2 weeks pregnant of each other twice now, and she just had her beautiful sweet girl!! Her water broke and she delivered at 36 weeks, which seriously lit a fire under my tail to start REALLY getting ready for Kade. {Like logistics stuff.} Who am I going to call to watch Jase depending on what time I go into labor? Bags need to be packed, registration completed, cars eat installed, goals talked over with Erin, etc. I don’t even know the number to call if I go into labor in the middle of the night. I’m assuming just our doctor’s office and I know someone is on call, but is there an option for “Hi, I’m in labor now.”  I don’t feel anxious or overwhelmed at all, but I think that’s my problem. I’ve been so relaxed about it that I am not ready for it if I were to go into labor now. I’ve gotta get it together.

Jonathan hasn’t done as much to prepare this time either. He hasn’t reread any of the books he read last time or done any Bradley relaxation exercises with me, and he watches Jase during my appointments so he doesn’t get to be in on those either.  I am so thankful for his hard work though. He has been 100% focused on finishing the basement so we can move one of the guest bedrooms downstairs and have a playroom/living room for the boys. (It is seriously a HUGE job and he is doing it all by himself- super thankful that he knows how to do all that and for the money he is saving us. Plus, I’ know adding another bedroom, bathroom, & living area will increase resale value when and if the time comes for us to sell.) I know he has been praying a lot, but I’m not sure if he is mentally ready yet either. Time for Butlers to get into baby mode!

I am praying we go full-term so Kade has time for his lungs to fully develop, but I do feel like he might come a little earlier. I had Jase at 40 + 1…just one day after his due date. My gut is telling me he is going to come earlier and the labor will be a little shorter, AND that it’s going to be in the middle of the night. Guess we’ll see! I could be totally, totally wrong! Ha! Part of the excitement, I guess.

I cannot wait to see when Kade decides to come, his weight/length, and who he looks like. And I am so looking forward to being a family of 4! This is such a wonderfully exciting time!!!

Goals for next week:

1. Have Jon install car seat.

2. Pack hospital bags.

3. Bring newborn stuff we’ll need early on to our bedroom.

4. Wash some newborn clothes so he has SOMETHING to wear.

5. Make goody bags for the sweet nurses. (L&D and mother/baby seriously has the BEST nurses!!)

6. Get Jase a “gift” from Kade.

I mean, does that sound like we’re about to have a baby or what??

Comparison:

35 Weeks Pregnant with Jase