Baby Bump Pictures

I finally put together all of my baby belly pictures. It is amazing what a transformation your body makes. Being pregnant for me was the best feeling in the world. I remember the first few weeks we were home from the hospital crying because I missed that feeling of a baby inside of me. 

Now my little Harper-doodle lays on my belly. I get to snuggle her as she smiles at me and I LOVE it even more!!

Baby Bump Video

Baby Wood Update- Weeks 38 & 39

39 WEEKS

I think my cold has gone away but my belly is still growing. The end of this pregnancy is no joke. I am really struggling at work and ended up taking two half days later in the week. Let's go BABY GIRL!!!

Total weight gain: 156 lb (gained 36 pounds)
Maternity clothes? Yes! - Most of my comfortable clothes are packed in my hospital bag which leaves with me with a total of 5 pants and 3 total shirts I actually fit into. My maternity clothes don't even look right anymore. 
Stretch marks? Well, the stretch marks are here to stay. I made it all the way through this pregnancy without anything on my belly and in the last few weeks now have these beautiful spider looking veins and both sides of my stomach.
Belly Button: Just a little bit.
Miss anything: Nothing really.        
Food cravings: Chocolate and fruit.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing...Feeling good.
Labor signs: Braxton Hicks & cramps here and there
Third Trimester Symptoms:  4th internal exam- I was still 1cm. dilated and 80% effaced. I met with the one doctor I do not mesh with. She is young and kills me when she does the exam. She also struggles to find the heartbeat every time. I had a few different questions at this particular appointment that I wanted answered. 

• How many people can come into the labor and delivery room? 2 people will be given wrist bands
• Does she seem big to you? Yes. An ultrasound would be able to give us more information but would not be 100% accurate. The ultrasound is up to us.
• Can I get a prescription for a breast pump? Yes
• Can I get a note for stop working as of 2/4? Yes (She ended up giving me a note for the 5th and 6th. When I called back for another doctors notes since the baby had not arrived she gave me a very hard time. She ended up refilling out the FMLA paperwork and I started FMLA as of Thursday even though the baby is not here yet.)

Wedding rings on/off: Off
Mood: Feeling good! Getting very excited!!
Best Part of the Week: Celebrated Nick's 35th birthday!!! It felt good spending some time together and getting to go out at least one last time.

Looking forward to: Meeting Little Miss Wood!!!

38 WEEKS

This week was absolutely the worst. It was the first week that I felt too pregnant. I also had to deal with a terrible nose cold. It has been the one and only time in the past nine months I have been sick. Since I didn't feel great, sadly I didn't take a picture. 

Total weight gain: I didn't weigh myself this week.
Maternity clothes? Yes! - I think I wore my maternity jeans for the last time this week. This belly has really grown.
Stretch marks? I am very nervous to admit it but I have light veins which have appeared on the left side of my belly button.
Belly Button: Just a little bit.
Miss anything: Anything with Caesar Dressing...wraps, salad, etc.        
Food cravings: Chocolate and fruit.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing...Feeling good.
Labor signs: Braxton Hicks.- contractions are getting stronger
Third Trimester Symptoms:  3rd internal exam- no progression 

• What can I do if I do not want the delivery doctor to us instruments such as forceps or vacuum? The doctor introduced us to the idea of scheduling a c-section. If we decided to do this they would schedule it for the week of Feb 3rd. Factoid: A c-section is safer for the baby and more invasive for the mother while a vaginal birth is more dangerous for the baby and safer for the mother. (Nick and I decided not to do this. First, Nick was very against doing an abdominal surgery that is not needed. Second, we were both on the fence of the possibility of regretting not having a vaginal birth. I am still against using the instruments and have since decided to write a birth plan of what I want and don't want during the delivery.)

Wedding rings on/off: Off
Mood: Ugh!
Best Part of the Week: Celebrated Nick's 35th birthday!!! It felt good spending some time together and getting to go out at least one last time.

Looking forward to: Meeting Little Miss Wood!!!

Baby Wood Update- Week 37

Hello Full Term!!!!!

Total weight gain: 152 lbs.- no weight gain this week (Total of 32lbs) 
Maternity clothes? Yes! - but hardly. My favorite maternity jeans are becoming tighter and tighter and my belly is popping out of most of my shirts.
Stretch marks? Pinkish-Purple line above my belly button
Belly Button: I have a little bump on my belly button.
Miss anything: Nothing this week.          
Food cravings: Chocolate and fruit.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing...Feeling good.
Labor signs: Braxton Hicks.- contractions are getting stronger
Third Trimester Symptoms:

• 2nd internal exam- Still 1 cm. & slightly effaced...doctor said 25%, I believe I lost my mucus plug. 
• Nesting has completely set in. I have been cleaning like crazy!! 
• Baby has been very active and due to the lack of area available kicks are stronger. She feels like she is moving my whole mid section.
• The nursery is coming together, the carseats are installed, bags are just about packed, and maternity plans are set at work!!

Wedding rings on/off: Off
Mood: Feeling good! Getting very excited!!

Looking forward to: (A.) Meeting Little Miss Wood!!!

Just for fun Nick and I decided to take some belly pics.

Striking a Pose!!!- That is terrible!

Baby Wood Update- Week 36

Total weight gain: 152 lbs. (Total of 32lbs) 
Maternity clothes? Yes! 
Stretch marks? Pinkish-Purple line above my belly button
Belly Button: My belly really popped this week. I woke up one morning and felt a little bump where my belly button is. It's not really popping out but there is a little bump.
Sleep: Sleeping with lots of pillows but sleeping. 
Miss anything: Nothing this week.         
Food cravings: Still craving fruit. I would love some watermelon!!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing...Feeling good.- Heartburn. Spicy food sends me over the edge. 
Labor signs: Braxton Hicks.- They are getting to be more frequent and stronger.
Third Trimester Symptoms: I had my first internal exam. I am a "loose" 1 cm but my cervix has not changed. She said it is still thick. The doctor also said that the baby is head down. A few people who have seen me make the comment that I have not dropped. Honestly I have no idea. I feel like I am lower but I don't fully understand what "dropping" would look like on me.
Wedding rings on/off: Off. My fingers are swollen.
Mood: Tired but feeling pretty good. 
Special Moment this Week: My kids at school had a little shower for me and so did my coworkers. My classroom shower was a surprise and held in the cafeteria. I was completely surprised. We had cake, pretzels, and chips. The kids showered me with the cutest outfits and an amazing gift card to Babies R Us.  
My friend Megan hosted my shower for work. They completely out did themselves. Lots of food and we were showered with books, onesies, and a fabulous gift card for new born pictures. It was an amazing week!!!

Looking forward to: (A.) Preparing for this little girl!!!!- cleaning the house, working on the nursery, and picking up a few last minute things. IT'S ALMOST TIME!!!! 

Baby Wood Update- Week 35

Total weight gain: 150 lbs. (Total of 30lbs) 
Maternity clothes? Yes! 
Stretch marks? Pinkish-Purple line above my belly button
Belly Button: Somedays it seems like my belly button wants to pop out a little bit but nothing serious 
Sleep: Sleeping with lots of pillows but sleeping. Around 12 o'clock I get really tired. It doesn't matter if I am at home or at work I could sleep standing up. For the first time in this pregnancy I have been napping. Only 20 minutes but it's still out of the norm for me.
Miss anything: Nothing this week.- Since I am coming to the end of the pregnancy I have treated myself to a couple cravings...chicken caesar wrap, some cookie dough, and a turkey club.          
Food cravings: Fruit. It's hard with nothing good being in season. I am getting pretty sick of the standard apples and bananas so I bought some clementines and strawberries this week.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing...Feeling good.
Labor signs: Braxton Hicks.
Third Trimester Symptoms: Swelling hasn't been as bad this week. I had a doctors appt this week....my last external exam. She felt around and guessed that the baby was head down. I feel a lot fo kicks up towards my rib cage and pressure toward my bottom.
Wedding rings on/off: Off most of the time...unless there is a special occasion I need to squeeze them back on.
Mood: Tired but feeling pretty good. 

Looking forward to: (A.) Finishing the nursery (B.) Meeting my Baby Girl!!!!!