.:36 Weeks:.

One month out from my due date! I can't believe it! 

Just another week of feeling sore and huge. I start out every day feeling okay, but by the evening my hips and back hurt so badly, I'm just hobbling around. I've gotten to the point where my feet just swell up around midday, and stay that way for the rest of the day. It doesn't matter how much water I drink or keep my feet up, they are just swollen. Especially my right one. Evenings bring some nausea as well. But even with all of the uncomfortable stuff, I'm trying to still enjoy these last few weeks. I know there will be things I miss about being pregnant, and it's never happening again!

I had a doctor's appointment this week, and she did my Group B strep test. She decided to check me since she was already down there. I'm barely dilated and baby is head down. So, great that he is head down, and I never dilate too much beforehand so that doesn't mean too much to me. I had Harper at 37 weeks and was only a one the day before, so you just never know! 

I've got to get through Reece's birthday and party this week, and then this little guy is welcome to make his appearance at any time! I know my doctor will induce me at 39 weeks if we want to and he hasn't come yet. I'd much prefer to go on my own, and I'd also much prefer for him to come before 39 weeks. But we might do that if not, just because it makes it easier to get someone in to watch our girls, and arrange for rides and schedules and all that fun stuff. 

Exciting times!

36 weeks

.:24th of July:.

Here in Utah, the 24th is a holiday, so we took advantage of Josh having the day off and headed up into the mountains to do some hiking. 

We had never done the hike, so we had no idea how easy or difficult it was. It turned out to be quite the hike - especially for one pregnant lady and three young kids! The girls were rockstars, though! Even though it was steep, and rocky, and tiring, they did really awesome. There were a few tears along the way, but nothing like I would have expected from them. Josh and I took turns carrying Rem and Harp on a couple of the tougher parts (super fun while pregnant) but it was never for very long. I was really proud of them, and it was a gorgeous hike!

On our back down the canyon, we stopped off at a campground to roast some hot dogs and marshmallows. It was tasty and fun!

Afterwards it was home for tubs and more fireworks! It was a lovely day spent together as a family!

.:4th of July:.

We enjoyed a lovely Fourth of July this year. We started out our festivities by heading to Grantsville to watch the parade. It was the perfect parade for our girls; they made out with so much candy! A lady was there taking pictures for the Tooele newspaper, and she kept coming back to take pictures of our girls in their fourth of July skirts. We obviously can't disagree with their great choice in photography subjects. Grandpa Ken, Aunt Kate, and Uncle Ryan were riding in the parade, so Reece hopped on to the side by side they were riding in and finished the parade with them.

After the parade, we spent the rest of our afternoon playing outside in the pool and with the water table. The girls always love going to Granny's house, and it was nice to spend a relaxing day out there.

We went home in the evening, and had Grandpa Gary, Uncle Mike and Aunt Em over to bbq and do fireworks. 

Reece and Rem LOVED watching the fireworks!

Harper did not love them, and put herself to sleep. (This is also when her sleeping problems started, so I think this may have been the cause).

So grateful to live in this country and enjoy the freedoms that we do! It was a lovely day spent with family!

.:Maternity Pictures:.

Last week I had Nikki (Your Vantage Photography) take some maternity photos for me. I just wanted them to be simple and classy, and hopefully timeless. We just did them in my bedroom, and I think she got it perfectly! I love them, and can't wait to do some in the same setting with our new baby!

.:35 Weeks:.

I had a slight moment of freak out when I was remembering that Harper was born at 37 weeks - if this baby comes when she did, that would mean two weeks! Crazy! I don't anticipate him coming quite that early, but I'm hoping for somewhere between 38-39 weeks. I have just been extra achy this week. My hips are sooooo loose, and the back pain that started with Harper's pregnancy (and continued for months after she was born) is back and getting worse. I feel like I'm starting to waddle and hobble. Normally my exercise classes are in the morning, but I decided to try out an evening Zumba class. I was surprised at how much tougher it was to work out after a full day of being on my feet and taking care of kids. Then I was up all nite with contractions in my back. Soooo re-thinking doing that again until I'm full term and ready to get him out! My belly is getting so big, it just pushes my pants down and my shirts ride up. Gauchos and long shirts are about all I am comfortable in for too long these days! I started sleeping with three pillows instead of two this week and it has made a big difference with my allergies and congestion. Not sleeping great, but much better than before so I'll take it! I've got a couple more things to make for his room, and then I think we're about as ready as we're going to be. He's coming so soon! I can't wait!

35 weeks

.:34 Weeks:.

Another week, come and gone! As much as I wanted this pregnancy to speed up in the beginning, it's sure flying now! I'm definitely ready to have my body back, and ready to have a baby to snuggle, but not sure I'm totally ready for all of the other things that come along with having a newborn. This week just brought more feeling huge and achy - what's new? My back and hips just ache; I feel like my hips are so loose already. I've had a wonderful mix of allergies and a head cold this week, so my bad sleeping has been even worse. But even with the tiredness, aches, and pains, I'm still feeling pretty good lately. I think as I'm getting closer to the end of this pregnancy, I'm starting to realize that this is really the end of having babies and I want to try and enjoy it as much as I can. I love feeling him bump around and know I'll miss that closeness. Bittersweet!

34 weeks

.:32 & 33 Weeks:.

We've been vacationing, and sailed right over both 32 and 33 weeks; score!

I am feeling okay. Baby feels low again, which leads to some pressure 'down there' which was pretty awesome the first few days of riding bikes on our vacation. (Side note, I fell off my bike trying to get off it; I'm totally blaming pregnancy balance problems). I feel like baby is getting just huge and going mostly straight out. I don't remember feeling like it was as difficult to heave my weight around when rolling over, getting up out of a seat, etc. but it is sure difficult lately! There might be some grunting and sighing from time to time. I'm down to two week appointments, and hadn't gained any weight between my last two appointments - best feeling ever! I've got another appointment this week so we'll see what happens. Otherwise, just feeling huge and tired, but glad to still be exercising and hanging in there. He has definitely relaxed a little with his movement during the day, but nites are still especially busy. He really doesn't appreciate it when I lay on my side; that is almost guaranteed to get some movement out of him. Last nite, he was moving around and very clearly pushed against me; I'm not sure if it was his forearm or his little thigh, but I could definitely feel something very clearly! Kind of cool, but kind of creepy. I'm still having some nausea, which is so weird. I don't get sick, but my appetite is not what it was. Not a bad thing! Sometimes I wonder if all of his wiggling around is what is making me sick to my stomach. We start back up with school, piano lessons, and dance this week, so I am pretty sure it is going to make September fly, and then it's pretty much baby time anytime! So excited to meet this little baby. We still don't have a name. Help!