Week 35

Well, the countdown definitely begins.  We were told last week that we are ready to go at any time and it just depends on Anson and when he wants to show.  At the moment, he is head down... Thankfully!  But you never know what can happen in the last couple weeks.  I have another appointment with my doctor on Thursday to schedule an ultrasound and get measurements.

Since Anson is measuring in the 70th percentile for his age and the 3 times a day 10 minute hiccup spells... Dr. Barnes said that his lungs are pretty much developed.  Also, because my belly is measuring large (short torso or not) he is literally ready at any time, however, I would like to keep him in as long as possible.

In return, Clark and I have been in a panic this last week trying to get everything situated.  Finally got my breast pump just in case the one Jessica gave me didn't work.  Plus I pay almost $600/mo for my insurance, I will take that "free" breast pump while I am at it!  All week, I have been finishing up on candle orders and getting things ready for Anson's arrival.  I didn't have any appointments last week, which was incredibly nice... but at the same time I was just as busy doing other things around the house and with the orders.  I am trying to figure out what inventory I have and get those items on Etsy.  I am done making custom orders, but anything that is premade will still be for sale... Clark can handle packaging everything and sending it out :)

Now, the one downfall this week was the fact that my sleep is starting to get off pattern.  I am definitely more exhausted and the sad thing is, I can't get comfortable in bed.  I just lie awake until around 12:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. so Netflix has been a good friend.  Anson, especially this last week has been quite active at night... I would say he is more active now than he was before at night.  I think we will be having a night owl :) Granted, the lactation specialist said most babies are more active from 9:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.... Go figure!  However, the sleep I am getting is pretty undisturbed.  I wake up maybe once or twice per night to use the bathroom, which in itself is nice.  The worst part about it is that around 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. I have to struggle to stay awake.  I know if I take a nap, I am done for the night.  I won't be able to fall asleep until much later!

I actually got together my hospital bag and on Friday, Yogi decided to unpack it all for me... That dog melts my heart and pisses me off at the same time :) But I love him!  He decided it would be better for him to eat my shampoo and soap instead of me leaving haha!  So I had to repack my bag with new clothes that didn't have exploded shampoo on them and deal with a dog who pretty much can eat anything and be totally fine... Sometimes it worries me the extent of things he eats!

On Friday, Clark and I took out my grandma to dinner and it was delicious like always and we wound up heading to the outlets.  Unfortunately for me, I have gone from a Large to an X-Large... The X-Large is still a little big on me... However, I switched because of the fact that I feel like an extra large person who doesn't realize their belly is hanging out.  I have undershirts that cover me completely, but with my belly going only outwards, they are starting to ride up and nothing is long enough for me to wear.  So I bought a few more shirts that are REALLY long that should last me until the end of the pregnancy :)  However, that is when I started getting contractions.  I thought for sure, I would be heading to the hospital on Friday night.  I counted them and I had 4 within the first hour and by the time we walked into Carter's I was getting really nervous.  Granted, walking into Carter's was like a HUGE play store for me... My eyes opened so wide... All I could think was "BUY BUY BUY"!  I had to get out of there quickly!  We went home, my grandma drove off from our house and I had 4 more contractions in the next hour.  I was starting to count them, seeing how close they were together and figured maybe I was a little dehydrated as well since it had been so hot.  I chugged a lot of water and rested for the rest of the night and they went away.

I woke up on Saturday a little sore but ready to start my day.  But, I woke up ravenous.  During my pregnancy, I haven't really had cravings until these last few weeks... and it has been for breakfast!  Clark and I went to Eggs N Things and boy was it delicious :)

I had 2 extra large orders to complete and quite honestly, it took almost a full 10 hours to finish it all... so I was on my feet all day long.  Then, we headed over to Ma's house so Clark could put up her new umbrella.  She got a new patio set for us to sit out and visit at since I have been having a hard time with the cats inside.  By the time we got home, I didn't want to do anything.  I sat on the couch for 30 minutes and decided it was time to get up off my butt to take the boogers on a walk.  Clark and I still walk the dogs for at least an hour each night.

Sunday, oh Sunday.  I woke up and Clark asked me "Do you want to go to Ma's while I clean up her garden area?" I said sure.  We immediately left and headed over.  I sat there and rested while he trimmed all the trees and bushes that were overgrown and I pained my nails :) After four hours, we finally got home and I was so tired that I felt incredibly lazy!  I had to clean though.  Due to my large orders, I have been bread crumbing through the entire house, putting things here and there... Now, I have to suffer the consequences and clean them all... lol the joy!  So, I wanted to make sure I had the dining room table SOMEWHAT clean before we went out to dinner with my grandma and parents.  It's very nice to be invited out to eat to get that time with family because I know it won't be happening very much after Anson comes as well as the fact that we don't have to cook!

So, for anyone wanting to do something... better do it now before we run out of time!  ;)

A huge thanks to Sara for getting us the bassinet essentials set and the ABC's book!  I actually was SO excited to get it that I didn't take a picture because I already put it on the bassinet haha!  So, I will take a picture of that later!!

Another huge thanks to my cousin Laura!  I got one of the most beautiful diaper bags that I slightly feel guilty to use it!  It is too perfect!!!!  I absolutely love it :) 

And, another HUGE shoutout to Elvia!  We received this beautiful handmade crochet blanket that is just amazing as well as another blanket that is for the holidays which we adore!  You can't forget the duckie towel either!  You have done so much Elvia!  I need to take pictures to post!

Lastly, thank you to my grandma!  She bought me a couple new maternity tops as well as Anson's outfits of Christmas :) Carter's is a dangerous place!!  Plus, she bought Anson's shoes for the maternity pictures!  We can't wait to use them!!!

We feel so incredibly blessed and have had so many important people in Anson's life who just keep getting us gifts.  It is amazing to be so loved by so many people.  A huge thanks to my parents, my grandma, Elvia and my mom's side of the family that keeps pouring love into our homes.  We know you guys don't have to send anything, but the gesture is so incredibly nice!  I feel like we get a couple gifts ever few weeks by each one of those people.  It isn't the gifts, but the thoughtfulness that makes it a hundred times more meaningful.  So a huge thank you for that!

On another note, I would like to say that my husband is amazing.  I don't mean to boast but I feel so incredibly blessed in life and especially during my pregnancy by him.  Clark has done more than I could ever ask for and it makes me smile ear to ear.  The list of things he has done is endless, but just to name some:

1. He gives me foot rubs almost on a daily basis because he knows how swollen I get
2. He cleans the whole house so I don't have to lift a finger, even when I make a huge mess with the candles!
3. He takes care of the dogs when they have to go to the bathroom or be fed so that I don't have to get up at all.
4. He makes sure I am as comfortable as possible
5. He makes emergency grocery runs if I need something
6. He will get up in the middle of the night to readjust me if half of my body has decided to come off the bed
7. He checks in on me frequently when we aren't together to make sure I am doing okay or if I need anything.
8. He has been so patient with me.
9. When my hormones hit, he knows to get me ice cream or chocolate haha!
10. He loves every part of me, no matter how large and hairy I am getting, especially when I get criticized about how gross my stretch marks are by other people.