38 Weeks

How far along? 38 weeks

Weight gain? 38 lbs - Holding steady this week with no weight gain

Baby is the size of - a small pumpkin

Stretch marks? Still haven't spotted any!

Sleep? Sleep …. I only wish I could sleep.  Currently I'm running on 4 hours of uneasy sleep.

Miss anything?  Sleep and moving with ease

Cravings? Fruit mostly this week and Dr Pepper

Anything make you queasy or sick?  Nope, other than things prior mentioned

Symptoms? Insanely intense pelvic pain.  Getting up at night brings me close to tears it's so painful.  I look like a pokey old granny doing the two foot shuffle instead of walking when I have to get up at night.

Belly button - In or out? It's an outie and it's definitely not cute by any means!  Haha

Wedding rings - on or off? They are still off

Any movement? Jaxon is still trying his best to stretch my belly out to accommodate him better but it's not working.  Obviously, he's uncomfortable and so am I!

Happy or moody? I've not been a beaming ray of sunshine but I've not been a thundercloud either.

What emotions have you been experiencing this week?  This week I've been stressing over going back to work after Jaxon is here.  It's upsetting already, I know I'll have to do it but it doesn't mean that I have to like it.   

Looking forward to - Seeing John hold our son for the very first time.  I know it'll absolutely melt my heart a million times over.  Maybe this sounds a little selfish, but I'm also looking forward to not having to share my body with Jaxon; it's getting beyond painful.

Week 38 Fun Fact - Jaxon is still continuing to gain weight with each week.  At this point his head is about the same circumference as his abdomen.


Our hospital bags are packed, his room is finished and now, we wait…. We had another checkup this past Friday with McArthur.  We are now at the "full-term" mark.  Yay.  Strangely enough, I've stopped gaining weight even though Jaxon is continuing to gain weight weekly.  It's been a struggle with food lately because I know that I need to be eating a lot more than what I tend to do on most days but I feel so full already that I have no appetite or when I start eating I fill up after only a few bites.   I had contractions most of the night Thursday night but nothing that stayed consistent.  The OB checked me for dilation but I haven't dilated anymore than I had three weeks ago when I was at only a fingertip dilated.  Not the news we wanted to hear but on a positive note, it's looking like he's definitely going to be a June baby.  John would love to share his birthday week with Jaxon and it's looking like there's a very good chance of that.

This whole week I've been struggling a lot with the thoughts of having to go back to work after just a few short weeks after Jaxon's arrival.  It's been on my mind a lot and it's hard to put those thoughts on the back burner while I'm filling out FMLA forms and realizing just how quickly my time with him, being fully focused on him and not work, will be.  Growing up, I was never the girl that wanted kids (funny how things change).  A lot of that was due the the fact that I didn't want to be a working mom but always knew that times had changed from when I was born and most mom's work now.  Paying someone else to spend precious time with my child was something I didn't even want to think about, but now I have to think about it.  I know that being a full time stay at home mom is not in the cards currently but it doesn't make the idea settle any easier with me.  Lots of prayers are being said that when the time comes to go back, that I will know without a doubt that I'm doing the right thing and what's best for our family at the time.

 Yesterday was Memorial Day so we were both off from work.  It was a beautiful day to get out and enjoy the sunshine and our freedom but not forgetting those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.  The North Buncombe High School Band set up a flag display of 600 flags.  They were absolutely gorgeous to see.  Flags could be purchased in memory of or in honor of our military veterans.  We purchased one for each of John's papaws as well as one for a fallen hero John had met during his time in Afghanistan.  My papaw already had one placed in the field for him but we made sure to find it.  In the picture of the two of us in front of the flags we are actually standing next to papaw Coy's flag.  It's hard thinking that Jaxon will grow up never knowing him, he was such an amazing person, but I'm sure I'll be telling him all about him over the years.

34 Weeks

The toy trucks are from John's childhood Hot Wheels collection

How far along? 34 weeks

Weight gain? 40 lbs

Baby is the size of - a butternut squash

Stretch marks? None! Yay!

Sleep? Sleep is up and down.  I can nap like no other but when it comes time to actually lay down and sleep at night I have the worst time falling asleep and staying asleep.  A lot of this can be attributed to my ever growing belly.  If I don't have a pillow positioned just right underneath it it's impossible for me to fall asleep because it literally feels like my skin will rip apart.  I know it won't actually do so, but that's how it feels.

Miss anything?  Does vacations count?  I'm dying for a trip to the beach, even if it was for a weekend but I know that my window for a vacation has passed and there will be none of that.  It's looking like Orlando in December for a wedding will be our next getaway.

Cravings? Lucky Charms sounds wonderful for any meal or snack lately.  I've had two bowlfuls already today.

Anything make you queasy or sick? The thought of getting Jaxon out is starting to make me queasy but in terms of actually being sick or queasy, there's nothing that does that.

Symptoms?  Uncomfortableness.  I hurt when I sit too long.  I hurt when I lay down.  I'm exhausted but I can't sleep.  There's so much I want to get done or do, but it's hard to find the energy to do it after working a 9 hour day. I did have one day of super "nesting" this week.  I put together his changing table, Rock & Play and also his bouncy seat.  That should count for something right?


Belly button - In or out?  It's poking out a little more this week

Wedding rings - on or off? I've had them on all this week but they are tight

Any movement? He's been moving quite a bit this week.  He still likes to tickle my hip bones but I reckon that is better than him kicking my ribs!  He likes to make his presence known and likes to poke his butt and head out where it's very noticeable.

Happy or moody? It's been a happy week, only because I've had to suffocate my come and go moodiness.

What emotions have you been experiencing this week? I've had mixed emotions this week.  I think it's because I'm so uncomfortable and struggling with the fact that I want a getaway in the sunshine.  I feel uncomfortable and for the most part useless.  Some days I feel like such a complainer and that's not me.  Guess I've been super whiny the past few days because the last two times I've complained in the least bit, John's said something about it.  Not in a jerk kind of way, put your claws back in ladies.  I know he has to be ready for me to have Jaxon so he won't have to hear the complaining anymore.

Looking forward to -  I'm still looking forward to some pain-free sleep!  But, will that ever happen?!?  

Week 34 Fun Fact -  Jaxon can now recognize and react to simple songs.  I read where it suggested that we can start practicing singing him lullabies so he'll recognize those frequently sung and they'll be soothing after birth. (Note to self: download some lullabies on the iPod and start playing them for him.  Anyone that knows either of us knows that we are tone deaf and couldn't carry a pitch in a bucket)  Or, maybe I'll just start playing Aerosmith for him all the time!


I had another checkup with the OB on Friday.  Everything is looking good and Jaxon's heart is sounding great!  I'd love to have another ultrasound soon so they could do another estimated weight, although that information may scare the crap out of me more than anything!  I ended up getting a shot, I felt like such a champ since I didn't even get light headed!  You have no idea how impressive that is for me!  I also discussed a spot on my back that is growing at super speeds.  I have an appointment set up tomorrow to have it evaluated and hopefully removed by a dermatologist.  Now that tank top and lower backed clothing weather is here I constantly have to have a bandaid on my back to spare everyone else from having to see this disgusting spot.  "Ewwww, that's really gross," were the direct words from the OB that I met Friday.  Yes, yes it is very gross.

We met with a pediatrician on Friday as well.  We interviewed with Dr Templeton with French Broad Pediatrics.  He was very personable and the staff was great as well.  We really liked the set up of the office, there is a sick side and a well side and neither cross each other's paths which I thought was a terrific idea!  It's nice knowing that if we are taking Jaxon in for a checkup that we won't be risking his health to do so because from check in to check out, he will never be in an area were a sick child has been through or seen.  Dr Templeton also believes in communicating with the parents as much as possible so there's no "quick visit" time limits.  He or his partner also answer all calls after hours, which I really like since it takes out the middle man and saves on time when assistance is really needed.  We left the office feeling very confident that we had found Jaxon's pediatrician!  Relieved for that and another check mark on the list of things to do before his arrival!  

We had birthing class on Saturday.  That was definitely interesting and not a total waste of time.  We learned a few things so hopefully we'll be prepared for different situations during delivery.  The class was held at Asheville Women's which meant that we were sitting in their waiting room chairs all day.  After 45 minutes my back was hurting so bad that I was breaking out into a cold sweat.  You would think considering that the majority of the patients there are pregnant that they would invest in some comfy waiting area seating like my OB office has.  I moved and twitched more than any hyper child in a church pew could ever imagine (thank goodness we were sitting on the back row so I wasn't a distraction to everyone else)!