Baby B: 36 Weeks

How far along: 36 weeks

How big is the baby: Weighing about 6 pounds and measuring 19-22 inches long (according to those lovely Internet statistics). According to my midwife, baby is probably smaller than that.

Sleep: This continues to be a bit of an issue. Finding a comfortable position and having it stay that way is rare. I also wake up feeling wide a wake around 2:30 in the morning, thankfully, I do end up falling back asleep.

Best moment of the week: We had our first co-ed baby shower this past weekend and it was a blast. We were so blessed by the generosity and care of our friends - I can't even tell you how loved we felt. And how much more prepared we are!

Worst thing: I have been moving so much slower these days and find myself getting winded on these San Francisco hills. I also feel pretty stiff after sitting on the floor or even in a chair for any length of time. Kind of moving around like an older person.

Symptoms: Much of the same. Swollen ankles and a growing belly. My hands are also starting to swell and I have one of those beautiful indents underneath my wedding ring . . .but it still fits! Fatigue. I've also started experiencing braxton hicks contractions.

Movement: Movements are pretty big and noticeable if you're watching. Sometimes they hurt a little, but not too bad.

What I miss: Getting up without making noise, or putting on my socks without grunting. That and margaritas. . . in this heat, it would be lovely.


Food Cravings: Sweets. Cutting them out completely only worked for about a week. Now, I'm trying to keep myself in check and have other snacks ready to go. I found that raisins are a nice addition to my trail-mix. Those are healthy, right?!

Food Aversions: This isn't a real aversion, but my blood sugar seems to drop suddenly if I don't eat at the proper times and if I find myself stuffing my face with too many sweets, I feel just awful afterwards. Guess my body is trying to tell me something!

Maternity Clothes: Summer has hit hard in San Francisco and I am so thankful for the hand-me-down summer clothes I have. So far the long sleeve shirts I purchased have only made an appearance a few times.

Things People Say: People have been pretty kind these days, commenting that I look good, etc. which I appreciate. No one has mentioned (to my face) that my ankles have completely disappeared.

Exercise: I'm still working out about 3-4 times a week at the gym. I go slower, but still feel pretty good afterwards.

Last Appointment: August 28 - we toured the hospital which was great. I didn't really know what to expect. The rooms are small and not overly decorative, which is okay. It's pretty small, only 4 or 5 delivery rooms and a short hallway. I had been picturing walking up and down these long sterile hallways in my gown stopping for a contraction, but that won't likely be the case. I'll be taking short laps.

Next Appointment: September 11

How far along: 36 weeks

How big is the baby: Weighing about 6 pounds and measuring 19-22 inches long (according to those lovely Internet statistics). According to my midwife, baby is probably smaller than that.

Sleep: This continues to be a bit of an issue. Finding a comfortable position and having it stay that way is rare. I also wake up feeling wide a wake around 2:30 in the morning, thankfully, I do end up falling back asleep.

Best moment of the week: We had our first co-ed baby shower this past weekend and it was a blast. We were so blessed by the generosity and care of our friends - I can't even tell you how loved we felt. And how much more prepared we are!

Worst thing: I have been moving so much slower these days and find myself getting winded on these San Francisco hills. I also feel pretty stiff after sitting on the floor or even in a chair for any length of time. Kind of moving around like an older person.

Symptoms: Much of the same. Swollen ankles and a growing belly. My hands are also starting to swell and I have one of those beautiful indents underneath my wedding ring . . .but it still fits! Fatigue. I've also started experiencing braxton hicks contractions.

Movement: Movements are pretty big and noticeable if you're watching. Sometimes they hurt a little, but not too bad.

What I miss: Getting up without making noise, or putting on my socks without grunting. That and margaritas. . . in this heat, it would be lovely.


Food Cravings: Sweets. Cutting them out completely only worked for about a week. Now, I'm trying to keep myself in check and have other snacks ready to go. I found that raisins are a nice addition to my trail-mix. Those are healthy, right?!

Food Aversions: This isn't a real aversion, but my blood sugar seems to drop suddenly if I don't eat at the proper times and if I find myself stuffing my face with too many sweets, I feel just awful afterwards. Guess my body is trying to tell me something!

Maternity Clothes: Summer has hit hard in San Francisco and I am so thankful for the hand-me-down summer clothes I have. So far the long sleeve shirts I purchased have only made an appearance a few times.

Things People Say: People have been pretty kind these days, commenting that I look good, etc. which I appreciate. No one has mentioned (to my face) that my ankles have completely disappeared.

Exercise: I'm still working out about 3-4 times a week at the gym. I go slower, but still feel pretty good afterwards.

Last Appointment: August 28 - we toured the hospital which was great. I didn't really know what to expect. The rooms are small and not overly decorative, which is okay. It's pretty small, only 4 or 5 delivery rooms and a short hallway. I had been picturing walking up and down these long sterile hallways in my gown stopping for a contraction, but that won't likely be the case. I'll be taking short laps.

Next Appointment: September 11

Nothing to Fear . . . right.

The sermon I heard at church last Sunday was a good one. An important one. It was one of those sermons where the word just met me where I was and fed my soul. And the person who shared the word had a great testimony to go along with it. You can listen to it here if you're interested.

The passage was Isaiah 8-9, specifically:

^8:11 For thus the Lord spoke to me with mighty power and instructed me not to walk in the way of this people, saying,
¹² “You are not to say, ‘It is a conspiracy!’
In regard to all that this people call a conspiracy,
And you are not to fear what they fear or be in dread of it.
¹³ “It is the Lord of hosts whom you should regard as holy.
And He shall be your fear,
And He shall be your dread.¹⁴ “Then He shall become a sanctuary;

I fear a lot of stuff. I fear that something will happened to me or Chris or our baby. I feel really anxious about things like bike, car, or pedestrian accidents. I hear stories of these things happening a lot. And they frighten me. Often times these fears stop me from moving forward. They hinder me from living.

Last week, there was an accident at a local park that rekindled a lot of my fears, or at least brought them to the surface. A woman and her 11-month old child along with their dog were hanging out at the park and were hit by a city parks vehicle. It was horrible. The woman ended up dying at the hospital; the baby uninjured (PTL!). I had assumed that it was another case of a pedestrian vs. car accident, but that wasn't the case. The woman was actually sunbathing in the grass, away from the road! The city vehicle was driving in the grassy area and ran her over . . . and kept driving. The police found the truck and driver not far from the park.

How does one take precautions against stuff like this? Are we supposed to fear sunbathing in the park? Live in fear of freak accidents? Fear the seemingly impossible?

I don't want to live that way. I really don't. And the word that was shared on Sunday says I don't have to! It says that I shouldn't fear the things of this world. No, I am to fear the Lord and regard Him as holy. Then He will be my sanctuary (or peace).

The sermon covered so much more than this, but this is the part that I took home with me and needed to dwell on. How do I acknowledge the sovereignty of God on a daily basis and fear Him only? How can I keep these earthly fears from taking over my mind and heart . . . and life? I don't really have any answers to this, but I think part of it (or maybe most of it) has to do with being in God's word, knowing Him, and TRUSTING Him with all of me.

I hope I can grow in this area of living without fear or anxiety. It seems unlikely as I enter parenthood. But I need to.

The sermon I heard at church last Sunday was a good one. An important one. It was one of those sermons where the word just met me where I was and fed my soul. And the person who shared the word had a great testimony to go along with it. You can listen to it here if you're interested.

The passage was Isaiah 8-9, specifically:

^8:11 For thus the Lord spoke to me with mighty power and instructed me not to walk in the way of this people, saying,
¹² “You are not to say, ‘It is a conspiracy!’
In regard to all that this people call a conspiracy,
And you are not to fear what they fear or be in dread of it.
¹³ “It is the Lord of hosts whom you should regard as holy.
And He shall be your fear,
And He shall be your dread.¹⁴ “Then He shall become a sanctuary;

I fear a lot of stuff. I fear that something will happened to me or Chris or our baby. I feel really anxious about things like bike, car, or pedestrian accidents. I hear stories of these things happening a lot. And they frighten me. Often times these fears stop me from moving forward. They hinder me from living.

Last week, there was an accident at a local park that rekindled a lot of my fears, or at least brought them to the surface. A woman and her 11-month old child along with their dog were hanging out at the park and were hit by a city parks vehicle. It was horrible. The woman ended up dying at the hospital; the baby uninjured (PTL!). I had assumed that it was another case of a pedestrian vs. car accident, but that wasn't the case. The woman was actually sunbathing in the grass, away from the road! The city vehicle was driving in the grassy area and ran her over . . . and kept driving. The police found the truck and driver not far from the park.

How does one take precautions against stuff like this? Are we supposed to fear sunbathing in the park? Live in fear of freak accidents? Fear the seemingly impossible?

I don't want to live that way. I really don't. And the word that was shared on Sunday says I don't have to! It says that I shouldn't fear the things of this world. No, I am to fear the Lord and regard Him as holy. Then He will be my sanctuary (or peace).

The sermon covered so much more than this, but this is the part that I took home with me and needed to dwell on. How do I acknowledge the sovereignty of God on a daily basis and fear Him only? How can I keep these earthly fears from taking over my mind and heart . . . and life? I don't really have any answers to this, but I think part of it (or maybe most of it) has to do with being in God's word, knowing Him, and TRUSTING Him with all of me.

I hope I can grow in this area of living without fear or anxiety. It seems unlikely as I enter parenthood. But I need to.

Family Photos

A few weeks ago, I had asked a friend to take some photos of Chris and I with our growing baby bump. She did such a great job and so without too many words, I'd like to share them with you!

 

Can't wait for Baby B to join us! One month to go!

A few weeks ago, I had asked a friend to take some photos of Chris and I with our growing baby bump. She did such a great job and so without too many words, I'd like to share them with you!

 

Can't wait for Baby B to join us! One month to go!