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39 Weeks
It's been quite the journey... And, now-- it continues. I'm rounding a corner.
In less than 3 hours, I will be officially 40 weeks pregnant, with nothing but an even bigger bump to show for it.

I blame my silly hubby for getting my hopes up and having all of these bogus theories about me going into labor at 38 weeks or some such nonsense. He has predicted numerous days to be the day our child greets the world. But, so far, baby Ezra hasn't liked any of those options. 

My measurements have been the same for the past two weeks. 1 cm dilated, 70% effaced, and the baby's head at -1 station. The doctors seem to think that those numbers are magical and that I could go into labor at any moment. I usually leave their office feeling a bit less optimistic than all of that. 

The weeks are getting increasingly hard. My energy is depleting more each day and so is my patience. I'm not, what most people would describe as, stressed-- just anxious. Anxious to see what my body can really do as far as labor and delivery, anxious to hold my baby and look at his face for the first time (a face that is, for now, a mystery to me), and have his little tiny fingers wrapped around just one of mine. Not to mention the look on Jon's face when he see's it all happen. Having gone through the whole emergency c-section, terrifying newborn health situation, and then having a 6.5 year old who is basically a grown up compared to changing a poopy, size 1 diaper... It's gonna be a completely new experience.

I'm getting tired of people calling me every day to ask if I'm "STILL pregnant" or say, "Haven't you had that baby yet?!" Especially when most of them are family members that would be informed the moment something happened. Most people are also convinced that because DH is so tall (6'2") and weighed 10 lbs, 6oz at birth, that our child is going to be a mammoth. I hear numerous times a week about how humongous our child is going to be. Or how late.
Even when I went shopping the other day, the lady checking my items at Victoria's Secret seemed to be an EXPERT in the fact that most 1st babies are late. While it's true that 70% of all babies are born after their due date, I don't need reminded of that every five seconds!

What's really funny is, after all of the talking THEY do they say, "Well, don't be too worried or stressed out. The baby will come when it's ready." REALLY? I didn't have a clue. -_-
If maybe, just maybe, I could get away from all that talking I would be completely fine with my baby boy waiting this thing out and letting me know whenever he is ready to make his grand entrance. And I'm sure with all the pain I'm in now, a grand entrance it will be!

Between all that and DH's mom & dad in town and wanting to come over all the time, and the awkward relationship (or lack thereof) that I already have with his sister-in-law heading into uncharted waters, I'm just a little sleep deprived, tense, and moody. Jon has literally been such a doll and told me to complain as much as I wanted. Poor thing-- I don't think he understood what that meant. Haha. He is basically my life coach right now and I don't know what I'd do without him.

So, with my due date tomorrow, I'm just sitting here drinking in the fact that hubs is cleaning the kitchen for me and my whole house smells like french vanilla creamer, and wondering- Where is Baby McConnell?

 
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38 Weeks
I really don't know what to say...
I'm 38 weeks + 3 days (almost 4) and honestly, I won't lie, I was hoping- maybe even expecting- to be done being pregnant by now. It never occurred to me that I could take this thing to 39 or 40 weeks. It just seemed impossible!
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#eisforezra

 
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36 weeks
36 weeks was pure awful. Emotions ALL over the place. I spent, what feels like, days in bed and hours of my life crying over everything or arguing with hubby... sometimes over how nice he is being? Sounds like a psycho pregnant lady to me! 


Jon went to Washington D.C. as his last business trip before baby Ezra makes his debut and I decided to spend some time with friends in the neighboring town; just a few hours.
Well, in those few hours- five, to be exact- I managed to sprain my ankle. {Stylishly, mind you. Ruining one of my favorite pairs of wedges I spend a lot of money on as a souvenir when hubby and I were in Vegas last February.} 

I oh-so-graciously tripped over a rock in the road and, fortunately, did not fall on my stomach. Thank goodness I took my good friend, Jade, with me and she was able to ease my fall. Although, my leg eased its way underneath & behind me. Nasty bruising ensued, 4 days of crutches, and lots of ice and tylenol. Jon, had to get an early flight home from work and my mom came to spend the night with me because I could barely even get around enough to use the bathroom by myself.

All this, was the same week that I am, of course, due for a dreaded vaginal test at the doctor. Warning to all you girlies who haven't yet been pregnant... If you ever get the Group B Strep test in your 9th month, you will NEVER forget it. A plus was that the doctor I saw that particular morning, before abusing my lady parts, gave us an unscheduled in-room ultrasound. I was beyond thrilled because we had not seen our little alien in almost 17 weeks!

He has gotten so big, healthy, strong, and head down! I could've leaped for joy, had I not almost fallen on my already injured ankle in front of the dozens of people in the waiting room.

On top of everything else, it was also the week of my baby shower! However, I'm grateful I was at least able to get a mani/pedi and pull myself together to make it through the weekend. My mom did a great job planning the shower and incorporating the ideas I had too without letting me know too much about it. The hot chocolate bar went over great and the desserts were so simple! Not to mention we got almost EVERYTHING on our registry. 

Plus, all the things we had to return to the store.... that money paid for all the things we didn't get and still needed. I love all of our supportive friends and family so much. Below are a few pictures from our shower day. Don't forget to follow our Ezra's hashtag to see more photos in general.... #eisforezra

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Hubby and I in the mirror...Inspired by a pinterest maternity photo.
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my mom and I at the end of the baby shower
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I originally wanted Dahlias at my shower SO badly. But, they aren't in season. So, a friend made them all out of gum paste. How gorgeous are these?!
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37 weeks
37 weeks today! FULL TERM; and totally ready to meet my kid!
Especially after last night's fiasco...



Last night, Sunday, was supposed to be our last pre-baby date night. Knowing that Ezra could arrive at any time starting today, and Noah being at his mom's house, we wanted to spend some time together after having a very busy week/end. Plus, when you have a $25 gift certificate and two $5 off an entree coupons for Olive Garden how could date night NOT sound like a good idea?! 

I was so excited and feeling good... I actually felt like I looked cute which is pretty unheard of for me on a usual, non-pregnant day. Since I've gained my baby belly, it's even more scarce. 
Well, we made it through dinner, and I actually ate a full meal which surprised me! But, by the time the check was coming around my Braxton Hicks were so strong and the twinges of pain in my pelvis were so terrifying that anyone looking at me walk out of the restaurant probably thought that I was going into labor. And, dear lord, I felt like I was!

By the time we got home, I was bawling my eyes out and writhing in pain. (At least, now we know what my impending labor will be like. Probably, as awful as expected. Fortunately, I never expected it to be easy.) I ended up furiously angry, crying, curled up in the fetal position, and asking Jon over and over, "What's happening??" To which he thought the appropriate response was, "You're just in pain, babe."-- REALLY?? I hadn't noticed!

I felt so bad; like I just ruined the last "real" date night we will ever have... Which, of course, if a bit of a dramatization. But, what else is a hormone driven, done with being pregnant woman supposed to think when you go from feeling semi-sexy and by two hours later you're about to puke in your husband's lap?
Jon was a good sport and took awesome care of me... :)

Anyway, now that my "ripening" period has finally arrived, I am thinking of every possible way to have this baby come out ASAP! I'm so anxious to be a mommy and hold my baby with my arms instead of my abdominal walls. Also, I am tired of feeling like my pelvic bones are smashed to smithereens! 

I just ate an entire fresh, ripe pineapple by myself to see if the enzyme they say is in it, bromelain, will have any effect. Not to mention, I couldn't think of anything that sounded good for dinner....again. Still.



Right now, though, I am beginning to think that Ezra is perfectly content with his feet in my right ribcage...
 
Very long overdue... Even more so than my last couple of library books. Good thing blog readers don't charge late fees, ey?

This new year has started out with a "BANG!" and I can't believe that January is nearly over. Only 3-6 more weeks until we meet out sweet baby boy and lord! I'm anxious!


 
I have about had it with this nerve pain that stems from the root around my tailbone and all the way down my left butt cheek.
It is getting progressively worse and neither hubby nor I can think of anything to do for it, besides putting on a moist heat pad. But, even with that, I couldn't get out of bed this morning without searing pain; wincing and moaning with every movement. (Really the only complaint I have right now, though, so that says a lot!)

Remember the post I put up a couple of weeks ago about detox baths. Well, I decided to research a little on good ingredients for aromatherapy baths and teas and muscle/pain relief... Here's a recipe I came up with all on my own and it was REALLY helpful.

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Quin's Pregnancy Pain Potion Bath
5 bags of green tea
1 bag peppermint tea
Lavender essential oil (mine is already measured out, but you probably don't need more than 2-3 drops)
1 tsp of ground ginger
1 cup Epsom salts
1/2 cup of honey


These ingredients are supposed to be good for drawing out toxins, loosening stiff areas, easing pain, taking away stress, softening dry/dead skin, toning, and fighting fatigue. I don't think you can go wrong even if this bath only does one of those things for you!

 
....far away from the cold night air. With one enormous chair! Oh, wouldn't it be lovely?


Okay, so it's not cold. It's actually like 75 degrees here. In December. Yes, I know... But, that doesn't make my plea to get a room with a nice comfy chair and a half, some cocoa, and a book any less legitimate or sincere.


Ladies and Gentlemen...

 
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Well, Pinterest has done it again. 
I am counting down the days until I can enjoy a full on workout at the gym again. These prenatal pilates are great for conditioning pre-labor and delivery, but I'm ready to go back to my kick-butt boot camp pilates teacher, Amy. If anyone is an inspiring mom, it's her. She has 3 children and looks absolutely ripped!


Unfortunately, in my condition, I have another 4 months until it's okay for me to play at one of my old sessions. :( 
My muscles are killer right now and my bones, especially in my ribs and lower back. I feel like I'm growing a cancer, not a baby-- I'm completely exhausted. Not to mention I am FINALLY starving (been waiting for that feeling) all the time, as I mentioned last week. But, I am having a hard time deciding what to eat still. If any of you have been following this blog regularly you are probably SO sick of hearing about that by now! And in that case, you can imagine how I feel living it on a daily basis. 


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Jon has been such a HUGE helper. He plays Mr. Mom so well (although he has had practice...) that he never hesitates to step up and make dinner (which he has done SO many nights while I've been pregnant), or let me nap. He has gotten up so many times to change peed on sheets, take the dogs for a walk... He even got on his hands and knees to mop the floor for me because, according to him, I'm "too pregnant". Such a great hubby!

Today I went for my one hour glucose test... Drank a bottle of what tasted like carbonated Gatorade and waiting in a tiny room full of multiple other pregnant woman, who looked like they wanted to rip their hair out and many of which had other small children with them, to get my blood drawn. I dread getting a phone call telling me that I need to come back for a more extensive three hour test, which points to the probability that I have gestational diabetes; the last thing I need to deal with. Though, I haven't had any excessive swelling or weight gain; major symptoms to look for = avoided thus far.


After that, I had to scurry across the street to my OB appointment for a "tummy check". [A little background, the practice at which I am being treated has about 13 doctors housed there. It is the goal of that office for all of their pregnant patients to see as many of those doctors as possible, seeing as how any of them could be the one that delivers your child. Had I thought about that before becoming an established patient there, I might have chosen to go somewhere with only one doctor following me so that the visits might be a little more personal and maybe more than five minutes, after you've waited for 30-40. Hindsight is 20/20... But, since I've been going there for 26 weeks and 3 days, I should bring out that they are taking good care of me.]

So far, I have gained 24/25 pounds; still under what one of the doctors predicted! I am hearing from them that the average weight gain now is 20 lbs in the first twenty weeks and additional 20 in the duration of your pregnancy. Fortunately, I have not gained that fast! Nor do I want to. 
I was told I look perfect, Ezra's heartbeat is "beautiful", and that I don't have another appointment until the first week of January! (Thank goodness for a healthy baby!) They also started measuring my tummy today. It's exactly where it should be; 27... inches? Centimeters? I don't remember... But, now I can rest easy until the next time.

My mom is getting on my nerves now... She has no filter it seems. (Must be where I get it from!)
She calls or texts me at least once a week giving me alternative baby names for Ezra! Now, I don't know about you but, I'm not really fond of someone trying to change my child's name just because THEY don't care for it. It's MY kid. I told her, in the early 1990's when she was walking around telling everyone that her daughter's name was Quintana, they probably looked at her like she was nuts! She confirmed my speculation. 

It's my reasoning, too, that a child grows into their name. I, almost 21 yrs later, couldn't go around telling people my name is Ashley and make it believable. Ha!
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Ezra's room is coming together slowly, but surely. We have yet to paint and such, but getting the details together is the fun part! We got a beautiful Eames 1960's/70's style dresser which was a major stress now lifted; and it cost a fraction of the price. (Pictures and vendors will be supplied as soon as the room is finished!)
I had to share this cute little guy (to the left) though! One of my best friends, Jade, pinned a photo of this on pinterest last week and I couldn't resist clicking on it. For the love of owls!
It is a ceramic speaker that works with any mp3 player. I am so excited!!





Hubby and I have been compromising left and right with each other to make this room what the other one wants. I think it's gonna turn out great!
Well, I'm off to finish dinner for the fam before we all perish from hunger! I'll be sharing recipes soon!

 
I'm currently in bed as I write this because I'm so exhausted I feel like it would be a waste of energy to get up and go to my computer. I cancelled all my appointments for this morning as it is. Zero sleep last night and an early morning... They mixed way better a few years ago when I was 18 and single, and way more paranoid about how I would look if I just decided to blow something off.

Week 23 has been an eventful on thus far. After our long weekend trip to Ohio & our first baby shower for Ezra I was sorely deprived of sleep. To get up early and come home, plus have my friend Zoe come back with us for the week... It seems like I get more tired, uncomfortable, and out of breath every day.

Monday I had an "I can't do this" breakdown and just wanted my pregnancy to be over... Sometimes 3 months more sounds like an eternity! And other times I feel like I need all that time to be prepared. Our stroller is put together but a baby can't sleep in that! Lol

I've also noticed I've got a shy boy on my hands. Ezra kicks and moves A LOT throughout the day. Sometimes it's so much that I have to just sit very still until he stops. But, today I'm disappointed because every time I make Jon rush over to feel the movement or wake him up in the night/early morning to put his hand on my belly, the baby stops moving and won't move again for a little while after Daddy takes his hand away. So sad that it happens like that because I want Jon to feel as much of a part of this pregnancy as possible.

A friend told me that it's only down hill from here... I really hope that's not the case. For the most part I have really enjoyed being pregnant! I don't have half of the problems a typical pregnant woman would complain of or characteristics you read in the mom-to-be books.

I guess for that reason alone I'll just sing "We Are The Champions" on my way to fulfill yet another bagel craving & look forward to the 6 month mark!