Week by Week: Trimester Three

The final mester. See one and two if you want to drown yourself in the full experience.

Week 28: It's busy season, guys. I don't have time for anything and I need sleep. I didn't even have time to take Labor day off -- that's a federal holiday, folks. We still got to the temple for sealings on Saturday while I took a break from work. We went to dinner at Thailandia with the Agrelius' afterward, too. Which felt like the break I needed before getting back on the computer until Sabbath's 12 am (much anticipated) call to stop everything for the next 24 hours of rest. Look at how excited I am to see the sun and not be working!

Week 29: Glen has found the baby moves more when the stomach is tapped -- the little thing prods at the sounding spot; you've just witnessed our new bedtime tradition. Also, Glen is really into the whole babies can see light thing and this is the first week where baby actually responded to the flashes. And the first deadline of busy season has ended, which couldn't have been a better stopping point for me. I'm feeling more tired again and have a bunch of stuff to do to get ready for baby showers and... birth. So, yeah. Also, I bought two maternity/post-maternity dresses because I have had very limited clothing options. This is one of them -- well the top because I'm still trying to recuperate from September 15th and have just been dazed since trying not to think about the next deadline in October. Oh, P.S., this is in my cube at work.

Week 30: I found the wave of the gift registry future in babylist and it's been a huge weight lifted because I hate the idea of just registering at one store when their are so many boutiques and hand-made items so easily accessible now. Anyway, Glen and I still went to Target to register as well for those who don't internet (who?) and got a S.W.A.G. bag, which was an awesome bonus! I came home from work and was feeling annoyed with heart burn, so we grabbed smoothies at this new juice place down the street. Glen needed Nyquil because he's pretty sick right now, so we just decided to go to Target and register while picking up the medicine. I was planning on just doing it online because, because, but I'm so glad we went! It was way more fun than I expected and always a good time with my best friend.

Week 31: I think I've made it through Glen's sickness without contracting a severe case! We had a doctor's appointment on Tuesday -- we talked to him about my lower back pain (which has been since before the whole pregnancy thing, but it's just worsened due to having more weight, I think) and what to do about a pediatrician. Not excited about having to choose one, but we have to. Also, they sprung the whole whooping cough shot on me after taking my blood pressure and, really, that's just unacceptable. I mean, I got the shot or whatever, but I need to prepare for this kind of crap. Don't they understand anything? And now my arm is sore -- double boo. Glen and have I been in the process of changing our room because three in a 10x11 is a bit much with a full bed. So, Glen and Middleton (scout master/friend of Glen's since forever) have been working on our new setup (SO EXCITED). Also, Glen finished his knife this week and it looks like he has a new hobby because wow.

Week 32: I walked outside Monday morning and it was kind of chilly. Great, great timing for the heat to disappear because I am experiencing body warmth more often. I sleep with just Glen's linen blanket instead of my customary flannel + linen blanket setup. Also, with sleep, I tend to fall asleep on my right side for a good portion of the night; around two-three hours before my alarm is ready to beep, I awake to find my right leg feeling like it needs some more blood flow so I turn onto my back... which then causes the bladder-baby situation to appear and I usually go pee. When I get back, I fall asleep on my left side foolishly thinking tonight is the night this will be okay. Every. Night. Not long after this naive body placement, I must switch to my right side again because my left leg can't hang like the other one. Speaking of sleep, I had my first dream where the baby was still part of my life! It must have been moving a ton because my whole dream was just about showing other people my moving stomach. That's it. Temple night, Thursday night. I went to the chiropractor on Friday morning because I have been having extreme lower back pain for all of my pregnancy, which has gotten significantly worse this trimester. I haven't been able to lay on my back without pain in my sacrum for the past 6-7 months. Just recently has it become so bad that when I walk it hurts my back and I feel a pop every time I step with my right leg. The fire that caused me to actually see someone about all of this was the leg cramp I got Thursday night about an hour into sleep. Glen was still awake and I started laughing a little in my sleep, soon turning into painful sobs and a wide-eyed panic over my left leg. It lasted probably a minute, but I thought I could be paralyzed and never walk again. Leg cramps have never been common to me -- I can't think if I've had one in the past at all, but I know I never want one again. But the happiness that has become my new life is unreal! I can sleep on my back again and roll over at night without searing pain shooting up my spine and down my legs; I don't understand how it is possible, but I am so grateful for the relief. Also, I look more pregnant when I wear my guam :)

Week 33: Had an appointment with the doctor and a chiropractic visit afterward on Tuesday. We went into the doctor's office and found there to be no appointment for me because they had switched it and I didn't get the message. But the doctor that was there (Dr. Henderson) had an opening for me and he was so awesome! It didn't feel rushed and he showed us the position of the baby and was just so nice! I've been finding myself more tired this week and waking up from naps that I hadn't realized I started. Also, breathing has become interestingly difficult at times -- mainly when the heartburn is in full swing.

Week 34: Busy season is officially over now and I have started studying to take the AUD portion of the CPA exam on November 15th. But let's not talk about it because I'm still finding every chance to procrastinate, which I will regret. Anyway, the new room situation is coming together! We have most of the main structures built and I started priming on Tuesday as I "studied" and "worked from home" -- I love non-busy season time. Our ward young women and relief society threw a baby shower for me on Wednesday night and it was less awkward than I anticipated! I don't like the whole attention type of situation, but the girls made it easier to handle and they did such an awesome job decorating and making it fun. I'm so grateful for the many gifts our baby received and for the blessing of having a loving ward family. I played in my first 18-hole golf tournament on Friday for work and it was fun/hot! I've played golf once before -- also for work, but that was only nine holes. It was actually at the very beginning of my pregnancy (March), so this baby has been golfing just as much as me. Glen was listening to the baby as it moved on Sunday night and he said it sounded like someone crawling/playing in a cardboard box... interesting.

Week 35: Birthday time!!! On Monday, I got my birthday massage after my chiropractic appointment and it was everything. Glen got his on Tuesday after my doctor's appointment and it was painful because he's stressed and needs to do yoga like me haha! We were going to do a couple's massage, but they're more expensive and we found a Groupon deal for singles. Maybe every holiday will be accompanied by a massage visit (can't wait for Thanksgiving! haha). Bronson's birthday was on Tuesday and we celebrated with them at Chick-Fil-A and their home for dessert! That boy is so good; I'm so happy our birthdays sandwich his. The family baby shower happened on Saturday and it was all I wanted -- a relaxing time to talk and laugh with the people who will become our baby's every day. Kate and Marinda threw me the party and we're so grateful for their hard work and friendship. My sciatica acts up when the baby is in a certain low position and I'm walking around; mainly when I start the action of walking and it only effects my right leg so far.

Week 36: Halloween! My costume was the Kool-Aid Man and Glen was a brick wall -- best costume yet coming from this corner. We went trick-or-treating down Nutwood with Bronson and Jaydyn (plus their parents), dancing to music, and hugging through the scary times. Sciatica was a pretty consistent companion during the whole experience, unfortunately. We saw a friend performing with his barbershop quartet, too! It was so surprising and an awesome idea that should happen every holiday. Wednesday night, my left foot swelled a bit for the first time -- it was so quick I actually felt the change. It's because the baby really likes my right side; it likes stretching out into my right ribs and my right leg is the sciatica recipient because of the pressure it puts toward that side. So, I usually sit somewhat leaned over on my left side to not feel the gauges in my right ribs, which then causes my left leg to have more pressure on it. Pros and cons, people. Marinda took some photos of us and we're excited to see how they turn out -- Bronson is in a few, but he wasn't feeling particularly photo-happy that evening. Sunday was our anniversary (seventh) of being married; we spent the day cuddling in bed because Glen's sick and can't really do anything else at the moment (momentary lapses in cuddles while I went to church and choir practices). Oh yes, and we went to the doctor on Friday for our last scheduled ultrasound! The baby roughly measured at 6.4 pounds and still no word on the skull measurement... The technician said she could see lots of hair, which was met with extreme skepticism because I'm sure our baby's head will be bald until two.

Week 37: This is crunch week to study for my second CPA exam -- on auditing. I will be taking it next Tuesday and then my life will be completely different haha. But we did manage to steal away to the grounds of the temple on Monday night for FHE for a tiny, tiny anniversary celebration. I've been asked several times now whether we're ready or what we have left to do and all I can think about is studying and taking this stupid exam right now. So, after Tuesday, I'm sure there will be a flood of emotions and thoughts and to-do's and freak outs about having a baby in two weeks, but, for now, it's study or die. Friday night was the second time my tummy was growling too much to go back to sleep; while I didn't actually have the urge in my brain to eat at 4 AM, Glen went to the kitchen and got me some Special K with strawberries and we had a little feast in bed. Also, this is the same night that Glen mistakenly chose to use the restroom before me when I woke up for my mid-night-ritual-pee-break. I almost died in the hallway scratching at the door. Ash and Rich's baby was born and their shower was on Saturday -- it was so beautiful and delicious! Bronson gave me two unprompted hugs, so it was a really great night. Plus, it gave me an excuse to stop studying for an hour... so that was nerve-racking and awesome at the same time.

Week 38: Monday, I had a sore throat and an ear ache that wouldn't leave me alone -- it ruined my studying which should have already been accomplished, but whatever. Glen kept warming up a damp cloth for me to put over my ear/neck area and that helped a lot. Tuesday, we took the exam and baby was a little jitterbug the entire time; probably because it was just as excited as me to get this stupid test out of the way finally. Glen and I went out for pizza after at Tony's Little Italy and ate too much, then I went over to Vi's to celebrate Joanna's birthday. I was tired, but I needed to go out and have normal life things happen without the stress of a test in the back of my mind. I still feel like there's no way I'm going to have this baby in two weeks; like maybe I'll just be pregnant forever (or at least until January). It just doesn't feel real yet, I guess. My officemate and a few other coworkers prettied my desk on my supposed last day :) We had a doctor's appointment and the doc said I'm 70-80% effaced, which is extremely average. We took our second batch of maternity photos on Friday evening and we're so excited to see them! My feet and lower legs have been swelling more frequently, which is never fun, but yeah. I have to think about where I'll sit beforehand making sure there's a way for my feet to be elevated - it's not convenient, that's for sure. Glen still thinks I look good though, so no real complaints from me so far. Also, Ian got home from his mission :) I started "feeling the pregnancy" that day -- probably because we had a busy day on Friday after not getting enough sleep, so Saturday got the lame sticker. I was just extra tired and felt like everything we did was burdensome.

Week 39: I went into work on Monday and quickly got sent home by one of my bosses because I "should be resting" and he can finish the project we were working on by himself. I felt relieved because I wasn't feeling particularly normal that morning and the right side of my face was numb. The numb type of feeling after the dentist shoots you up and it's wearing off a little later -- like tingly and feels like your face is waking up from being dead. I looked it up online and after a short scare of Bells Palsy, remembered that I hadn't taken my pill the night before because we got home late from Nana's and there was evidence suggesting that numbness can come from vitamin deficiencies (it specified B12, but I don't know anything about that). I took my pill right then and by the next day everything was back to not being numb. Glen finally got his TDAP booster from one Dr. Kim on Tuesday morning. All we need to do now is pack our hospital bag, get the furniture built/painted/situated, and decorate for Christmas... Oh wait, already did decorate for Christmas! **high fives all around** At least in our room anyway. Well, nothing's happening down there it seems to me and I haven't had Braxton Hicks or milk leakage... the baby's content and I'm becoming uncomfortable. At the doctor on Wednesday, he said I'm 70-80% effaced and the baby could come any time. Glen and I have packed the hospital bag completely now and have the crib up in our room officially -- this all happened on Saturday. So, just waiting around for go time. I don't want to be induced or have to end the pregnancy via C-section. It will all happen as it will, but there are more ideal situations to be in than those.

Monday, November 28, 2016 - Due Date: Went to the doctor -- got checked and just as I suspected, nothing of note is going on down there still. He said I'm still at 80% effacement and completely closed. I think I'm too hospitable and need to start making it uncomfortable for the baby somehow. Is there a Pinterest for that? I'm officially on maternity leave this week, so I really want this baby to come so we can spend as much time as a family together before I have to go back to work. If only the thing would cooperate. I've noticed a few stretch marks on my tummy thus far -- one on my lower left side becomes inflamed often and hurts. There's another one above my bellybutton and possibly more around there because wow is that whole area something else haha. Lots of change both inside and out of me, but I'm so grateful to be carrying Glen's baby. He offers my life more love than I have strength to bear -- often overflowing through my tear ducts. We are very much built for each other. Okay, coming back to this later in the day (7:17 PM) because I've been feeling very slight pains in my lower left abdomen. It feels much like menstrual cramps except only on my left side. Just thought I'd mention it in case my dreams are coming true. But off we go to AMC to see Fantastic Beasts for FHE because I still don't think this is meaningful birth-wise.

So, whether this baby comes now or later, we're not ready and never will be, but excited about it anyway.