37 Weeks

FULL TERM!  Whoa!  Where did these past 37 weeks go!?  Don't mind the fat arms and bloated face... I think this is what pregnancy is suppose to look like at 37 weeks... right??  haha... If not, just say yes.  Thank you!  And look at Bay-Bay!  She is getting so big.  She has more than doubled in size since we brought her home now (8 weeks ago)... we brought her home right under 10lbs.  She is a little over 20 lbs now!!  I can no longer carry her comfortably.  We are very much looking forward to introducing her to her little bud, Sal very SOON! 

So.... we had our doctor visit which included a little ultra sound to see how Sal is positioned.... And now I feel like that damn rib pain is finally explained!! His noggin has been nestled right under my right rib all this time!  His head is up towards my right side, his little booty is resting on the bottom right side, and his little kicking feet continue to bang in to the bottom left side of my belly (a very tender area!).  He has been moving A TON since the dr apt but I am not totally convinced yet that he will completely flip.  I wonder if as I continue to drop he can wiggle out from the ribs and turn but I am trying to not stress over it....   The doctor said there is still some chance he will flip, but I am guessing he has been in this position for months explaining the inflamed rib!  The other option was ECV (external cephalic version) which is where the doctor and a specialist monitor the baby while trying to move him in your belly into the right position for a natural delivery.  Since I had already a HUGE hunch that Sal's head was up (I have been telling Tyler that this large "limb" pushing out of the top of my belly is too big to be a foot or hand so I was CONVINCED it was his head!), I had done my homework.  #1.  This process. ECV, works about 58% of the time for a 2nd baby... not so successful for a first pregnancy since the uterus is so tight.... #2. Another thing that drew me away from this is that while they are pushing and turning, they can cause labor by detaching the uterus/placenta or stress Sal enough that they would have to do an emergency C section right away.  No thanks, would rather plan a C section while he is not under a whole bunch of stress from people invading his territory!  #3.  Also, I heard/read it was very painful and uncomfortable.  I already feel like the inside of my tummy is bruised and there are parts that are tender to the touch, so I cannot IMAGINE two people pushing all over my belly and turning Sal...  So all in all... there must be a reason he is positioned the way he is and I suppose we just work with what we got and be thankful that we live in a day and age that they can deliver him via C section rather a breech natural delivery...(Thank God!) 

So.. like the doctor ordered, we scheduled the C section in the week before the due date.  In fact, Daddy asked for the earliest possible opening on Monday!  (Someone is EXCITED to hold the little guy!)  Daddy even said in the doctor office how either way, he won't be able to sleep the night before.  haha.  I am so excited that Tyler is on cloud nine.  And honestly, it sucks that I will not be able to hold Sal right away, but I am so happy that it means the WORLD to Tyler that he gets to be the first to hold him.  I cannot wait to see the smile on Tyler's face.  So, I am sure we will have our bags packed at the door and ready to go before the weekend of the September 8th, and I am sure Tyler and I will not get any sleep the night of the 9th... because shortly after 10am on September 10th, 2012 we will have our little Salvatore in our arms! 

Exercising?   Got SOME walking in this week...(Baya was getting her workouts in Doggy-Day-Care with all the big dogs!) but with all the cleaning and organizing we did with the house, I honestly feel like I ran a marathon!!  SO SORE and tired!  

Maternity clothes?  Popped over to Old Navy... got some very comfy large pants and tops for after the C section.  The pants are a VERY thin sweat pant with a band that can be very low or very high to work around an incision.... and the tops are  the same material with buttons down the front to accommodate for feeding.  Also going to look for a couple maxi dresses at Walmart... and of course... getting some hot granny panties to accommodate for the healing and the scar after Sal is born.  Watch out, hide your husbands and your sons, I will be one hot mama!  (wink wink)  

Sleeping?   I WISH.... I am just absolutely exhausted 24/7 right now.  Pretty sure I have Restless Leg Syndrome and it is one of the most annoying symptoms that I have had yet in these 37 weeks.  Tyler has had this for years, and I FINALLY understand how disturbing it is now... It is not painful at all, in fact, I cannot explain to you what it "feels" like... but let me tell you - I flail all over the place for like an hour before I even fall asleep.  Then I wake up shortly after to go potty and do it all over again.... The only thing painful about it is missing the MUCH NEEDED sleep from CONSTANTLY having to move... and then using every muscle to move... and then TRYING to sleep on one side although it hurts because I can't sleep on the other side, just to be annoyed enough by the restless legs and turning into a whole new position... ya, I feel like a fish out of water and I wonder how Tyler sleeps through a beached whale shaking the bed with every move.   Wish someone could just sedate me for 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep before Sal arrives.   

Missing Anything?   Sleep.  Something I know I will miss for a very long time but I have been a total b!tch this week!!  So I apologize to anyone that I might have snapped at... just really missing sleep right now....  

Food cravings?   Cold Cold Cold... for the last couple weeks I have really noticed that I love VERY COLD foods and drinks... must be why I have turned a huge ice cream fan.  I can't get my water cold enough and once the ice melts, I don't want to drink it anymore.   

Heartburn?  Just a little acid reflux... nothing too bad!    

Anything making you queasy or sick?  Eating too much!  HAHA.   I still am having a hard time eating a full meal.. I mean, I do it, but after I feel like it might all come back up.     

This Weeks Symptoms?  So the Restless Leg Syndrome bothers me at night a lot, but it is also very present during the day at work when I am sitting at my desk... I just want to move my legs and arms all day... nothing can SIT STILL!  Haha... it is not painful, just extremely annoying!  Also feeling the BLOAT.  Just feeling really chunky... not "fat" chunky, more like balloon chunky.... haha... it is NOT a heavy feeling, so it is hard to explain...  you just feel extra gooshy all over...  Like someone needs to put a pin in you and let some air out...   

Any Movement?  A ton... not any that makes me think he has flipped, but I do question it now every time he is moving and every time I feel a limb/body part... I wonder, okay, is this still the head?  Maybe it is a foot now?  What would it take to get my own little ultra sound device so I can keep my eye on him 24/7!?!?  It sucks not knowing what is what!!    

 Labor Signs?   Nada... no braxton hix contractions... nothing is going on downstairs either... which is good now that we are not using that area anymore anyway.... 

Belly Button: in or out?  What belly button?     

Wedding rings on or off?   Real ring still off... and still wearing my fake one. Haha.   

Overall Mood this week?  Haha...  I was one big fat crab ass.... it think the news of C section early in the week set it off and the restless leg syndrome/lack of sleep took it from there... I was so bummed out about the C section.  I think recovery (natural or C section) scares me the most, and now adding on to the time that I will be recovering is a bummer... I do feel the best option is the C section and I want Sal to come out healthy so that is all that matters.  Although there are many down sides to the C section over the natural birth, we were trying to talk about all the great attributes of this situation...  - Hopefully my water wont break before then in some crazy place like the grocery store or at work! - We KNOW we get to meet him on the 10th instead of WAITING for him to make the call! - He will have a nice round head, hopefully... unless those ribs had a say. - I can wear makeup and look pretty for my first picture with Sal. - Not having to question if I could have mustered through hours of labor without a C section as a result anyway. - Having a PLAN and set schedule (I love being able to be in control!).   

Looking forward to?  Well... pretty much TWO weeks away from the finish line here.... so that is TRULY what I am looking forward to.... I am feeling accomplished at home and I feel very ready to bring Sal home.  I am feeling pretty anxious to be done with the pregnancy  and most of all very excited to have Salvatore here with his family.  I know many of his family members are very anxious to meet him as well!    

Pit of the week?  Discovering that Sal is breech.  That was a curve ball.  But we are going to be fine!    

Peak of the week?  The last baby shower was held this Sunday at our house by the Foti's.  It was another shower well done!  Salvatore got MANY GREAT books and lots of diapers along with an abundance of sports wear and some very awesome gifts off the registry.  Oh and I can't forget the 3 legged gator, stuffed animal (family inside joke)... Sal is going to be ONE lucky little guy and we will make sure he knows it!  It is amazing to feel so taken care of by family and friends... there are VERY few items that Tyler and I need to purchase before Sal's arrival and it is minimal compared to the MANY gifts and clothes we have received.  We cannot thank family and friends enough for all the love and generosity.  We feel so loved and we cannot wait for Sal to meet all the amazing people that we are surrounded by! 

The house is DONE... I should take pictures of what we have been working on over the last couple months... too bad I don't have any "before" pics, so I don't know that it would really matter.  It just feels great to feel accomplished and READY for anything now.  

Starting the countdown!  As of Monday (tomorrow) morning at 10am, we will be exactly TWO weeks shy of Sal's arrival!  It's almost hard to get too excited, because what if we do the count down and get SUPER amped, go in for the C section, and find out he is flipped and then we will be playing the damn waiting game... But in the mean time... we are so ready to meet this kid!!   

Make it a great week everyone!
Much Love, Jax

36 Weeks

ONE WEEK FROM FULL TERM! CRAZY!

Exercising?  Walking - LOTS of walking!  We had a great time in Door County enjoying the lovely scenery and great hikes.  Baya was loving the different adventures from the rocks on the lake at Cave Point to the woods hike in the Peninsula State park!  We wore her out big time... resulting in a VERY WELL BEHAVED puppy!  IT WAS AWESOME!  Tyler and I are already looking forward to next year... Planning out all the hikes and parks we want to hit up.  Baya in tow and Sal tucked safe in the Bjorn!  CAN'T WAIT!      

Maternity clothes?  Just sporting what I got... nothing new... but I was already looking at the fall/winter wardrobes that are coming out.  I am already looking forward to my first little shopping trip post-Sal... and of course, after a little working out to get back into shape.  Do not want to be hanging out in the dressing room all depressed!  

Sleeping?   Really feeling like I am not getting the sleep I need lately...I feel like I am interrupted by changing positions in bed, rib pain, Sal moving all over, and bathroom breaks.... I just do not feel refreshed when the alarm goes off!  I feel like I am yawning all day at work and just dying to get home and and rest! 

 Missing Anything?  umm... not REALLY... I would say I am not dying to to be done with this because I am just getting the hang of being pregnant and making things work for me, pretty soon I will have to jump on a whole new boat.... Ya, that NEW MOM boat, where everything is a whole new world all over again.... so right now, I am not missing much, I am going to TRY to enjoy life without baby... life without crying... life without NO sleep... life without anxiety for the little one...  because SOON ENOUGH I could possibly miss having him safe, sound, and quite in my belly!  Haha.  But, I am  ready for that martini asap. 

 Food cravings?   Nothing this week... just kinda blah.  But still eating like Miss Piggy!  Even though it can't be too big of meals, I just feel like I am eating non-stop!  When I eat too much I feel like you could just roll me around ... it is awful.  Trying to be conscious of how much I am shoving in my mouth at one sitting because if I overeat it is like physically painful to move! 

 Heartburn?  Still a little acid reflux.... Mostly at night when I lay down to go to bed... so trying to use some pillows to prop me up a little more.  My throat is still not on fire... so nothing that is overwhelmingly annoying or painful!    

Anything making you queasy or sick?  no...  

This Weeks Symptoms?  Ummm... not much besides LOTS of movement that is sometimes kinda painful!  He pushes out so hard and I want to just push him back!  I feel like I am bruised from the inside in some areas on my tummy...  Other than that... swelling, a little back pain, tired... Very tired...  I feel like my brain is not functioning properly sometimes. I also feel like I look ridiculous when I am getting up from sitting down somewhere!  The waddling and lack of being able to move like I could a couple months ago... oh man, this belly controls it all!         

 Any Movement?  Absolutely, like I said, the little bugger must be getting strong!  He will make a movement and it looks like something is trying to come out of my belly and I want to just push him right back to let him know to settle down in there!  There is a area on my lower left side that literally feels bruised - some parts of my belly are tender to the touch!!  It is hard to sleep on my left side right now because it hurts so much and I think I can attribute this to maybe his head (a guess made by Lindsay) poking out.... oh man... I am looking forward to him moving into a new position soon!  

Labor Signs?   A couple braxton hix contractions here and there . . . nothing painful...    

Belly Button: in or out?  What belly button?    

Wedding rings on or off?   Officially OFF and put away safely.  This week the swelling really made a presence...  Even though I could get my rings off here and there, I heard a scary story of a woman that had to get her rings cut off because they were stuck!  So one night when I could NOT get them off, I just decided that the next time I COULD get them off, they were staying off... just in case.  Then the next night when they were still not budging too much, I pulled them over my knuckle like a mad woman and as painful as it was I was happy to have them safe and in one piece!  So, for now, just wearing a fake ring in place... you know, because pregnant ladies are easy hit on....    

Overall Mood this week?  Anxious!  I was so ready to get outta town and chill!  It was a busy week but the weekend could not come fast enough for me!  I knew this would be our last little getaway before Sal, so I was ready to enjoy every second of it!    

Looking forward to?  This coming week I am JAM PACKED busy.  I keep telling myself to get everything  in before I can't do ANYTHING!  I know that is crazy to say I can't do anything after the baby is born, but you know what I mean.  I am getting in all my dates with my girlfriends one last time before there is a screaming baby that interrupts us, I am getting in some finishing touches on decorations for the house, and cleaning.. of course... what would nesting be like with out the urge to have everything spotless and beautiful (although my energy level does not agree with that statement)!  Also, Tuesday we have a doctor apt and we get to see an ultra sound to see the positioning of Sal and to make sure all is going well!  Wednesday, we are having the Schemms over for dinner, and Thursday I am meeting Mrs. Nicole Shinnick from Madison for dinner.  This coming weekend, Tricia, from Madison is staying here to visit, we are meeting the Blue Marlin girlfriends for lunch on Saturday, and then my last baby shower on Sunday!  BUSY LIKE WHOA!  And as much as I LOVE to be a busy busy busy bee (you know this if you know me!), in all honesty, I am really  looking forward to NOT MAKING ANY PLANS.... I am looking forward to having sweet Salvatore in our arms and NOT leaving the house for anything... to not have to take a shower, to not have to get ready for anything, maybe go as far as to not HAVE to get out of bed, and I am looking forward to just cuddling and bonding and having nothing but Sal to worry about.  I know you moms out there are going to say this next statement is CRAZY, but it almost seems PEACEFUL to have that little baby in your arms and nothing else around you matters... life, work, hobbies, appointments.... etc....  

Pit of the week?  This is not a huge pit or anything... but just something I have to be really honest about.  After this week, I am ready to have Sal out of my tummy!  I GET THAT ALL MOMS ARE ALL EXCITED ABOUT FEELING THE BABIES MOVE AND WHAT NOT, which it was a great feeling and experience....  but I think I am at a point when I have too small of space for the little guy and he is growing by the hour... especially with the way I have been eating... so the movements are not so "fun" anymore.  I love knowing that he is safe and sound in there, but I just want my space back now.  Haha.  I feel very tight around the tummy and back so when he is punching/kicking the same spots over and over it kinda hurts!  There is very little give for him and I am sure he is quite annoyed by it as well....  

Peak of the week?  Door County!  I LOVE door county and love the parks and walking all over the place and the little shops... I don't know a more perfect spot for a weekend get away!  (unless people have suggestions!)  I cannot wait to do it again.    

Make it a great week everyone! Much Love, Jax 

35 Weeks

 Wow do I look tired!!  Yuck!  Looking forward to enjoying putting make-up on and doing my hair sometime in the near future!  But for now, riding this pregnancy out just like it started.. no makeup and throwing my hair back without putting any effort into it.  And if you know me - that is just not my thing, but Sal is not a fan of getting pretty in the morning!  

Exercising?  Just walking.  Lately though, activities like shaving my legs feel like a strenuous workout! Everything seems to take more energy these days... even getting up out of the recliner!  I have been craving to get back on the hardcore workout train... I know I have no energy to do it now and I am sure once Sal is born the energy will be drained due to no sleep- but honestly... I just want to pop in an insanity DVD and mindlessly sweat for an hour!  I will probably not be able to keep up, but that's why I have Lindsay to push me through it!  Lindsay, hope your ready to get this lady back in shape!  I am going to find a 5k to run this spring or something... I need to feel good again!  Plus, soon enough I will have a great running partner: Baya!

Maternity clothes?  ...  just what I already have  ....    

Sleeping?   I am really really really looking forward to a night of sleep that I don't have to worry about what side I am laying on, not having to get up for a million bathroom breaks, and not having to completely wake up from using all my muscles just to MOVE/ROLL-OVER in bed when I am uncomfortable.  Pretty sure Tyler has stopped asking me what's wrong when I sigh or grunt loudly every time I am trying to move in bed!  Haha... that is hot, I know.        

Missing Anything?  ummm... nothing really too much this past week... I am getting a little tired of the belly.  It is starting to feel kinda heavy and gets in the way a little (like shaving my legs!), so I am missing the "little" bump from the beginning.  I know it is only going to get bigger, so I am thinking next pregnancy I will remember to enjoy the days of the "little" bump because the bigger this gets the more I wish he was done growing already!  HAHA.   

Food cravings?   Ya, this is probably why my belly is growing so fast!  I have been all about treats this week.  Chocolate, ice cream, and chocolate ice cream!  I made Tyler run out and get me a small chocolate malt one night from Culvers.  Really, I feel like I am eating for two all of a sudden.  I did not feel this way the whole pregnancy but now I feel hungry all the time.  I can tell you that I am loving all food and I have a bottomless pit for a stomach.  So far, I feel that I have done a good job at watching what I am eating and maintaining a healthy weight for me and baby... but this past week I might have been a little out of hand with the treats again.  Poor Sal is going to have sugar/chocolate withdrawal when he is born!

Heartburn?  No heartburn... just a little acid reflux here and there.  As for now, my throat is not on fire, so I will accept that my stomach is just as uncomfortable as I am because Sal is growing big, fast!  

Anything making you queasy or sick?  no...

This Weeks Symptoms?  My tummy has been SOOOOO DARN ITCHY!  I have been using BIO OIL since the day I found out I was pregnant and I have not seen a stretch mark yet, but this new itchy belly thing is DRIVING ME NUTS!  I am getting little red dots on my tummy from itching!  I sware that means I have dry skin or something, but I am trying to take care of it with lotion and it doesn't always work!!  AHHH!  I feel like I want to just take sand paper to it and rub rub rub!  Other than that, I feel like the swelling has begun.  I just feel slightly puffy - everywhere... I don't think it is super noticeable for other people, but I feel  it...   Oh and just when I say I am not feeling any pains that are making me wish this was all over (ie: back pain)...  BOOM, Sunday - I got back pain like you wouldn't believe!  KISS OF DEATH as Tyler was saying... apparently, I should stop bragging about how great I feel with one month to go!  Unfortunately, I had strong, very uncomfortable pain in my lower back ONLY on the right side.  Standing, sitting, laying... NOTHING relieved the pain.  Lets put this into context though... the minimized rib pain has spoiled me.  I kept asking myself, back pain or rib pain? - back pain or rib pain? - back pain or rib pain?  Concluding that I will take this damn back pain over the rib pain any day, but I am trying to be healthy and stay fit to keep these pains away!  WHY IS IT NOT WORKING??   Or is this a sign to slow down even more!?         

Any Movement?   It feels like non-stop.... I am assuming because I get him all hyped up on sugar!  Haha.  Also, he must hear when I tell people these things because I was JUST saying how I feel pretty much all of the movement on the top right side of the bump and then I swear he does flips and then I was feeling him EVERYWHERE but the top right side.

Labor Signs?  Nope.  Didn't even have any braxton hix contractions that I can remember this past week...

Belly Button: in or out?  out and almost not  noticeable anymore... it is like gone... disappeared. Ciao ciao belly button.   

Wedding rings on or off?   On (9am-5pm) and Off (all other hours of the day)

Overall Mood this week?  Blah... nothing really all that exciting.  I will take this as a positive... I felt pretty good knowing the nursery is PRETTY much done... Just waiting for a couple more touches that I need to order...  But these things are nothing that would keep a baby from being able to sleep in there.  Appoligies for the awful quality... this iphone just does not cut it for me!  But here are some PICS... more to come soon!
 

Looking forward to?  Door County of course... but this coming week on the 16th I start the Maternity Leave process with HR!!  Not that I am looking forward to it because it will be so exciting to deal with all that crap, but excited to #1 get the ball moving and #2 have everything taken care of so I can make sure all lose ends are tied before I kiss my work desk good-bye for a while!  As much as insurance stuff and Maternity Leave Rules and Regulations make me want to poke my eyeballs out, I am thankful that the benefits I do have allow me to take SOME PAID time off to spend with my little sweet Sal.  I have heard different from other pregnant women who have NO PAID leave and I just can't believe that places of work do not promote bonding time with the littles when they come into the world! (like every mom would say, Maternity leave is NEVER long enough...or like some people tell me - I will be ready to go back after six weeks, no doubt)  We will see what the verdict is.....    

Pit of the week?   Work... is it sad that I have more fear of the bank conversion that is about to happen in my company than giving birth?!?!  Yes, this fear is all of a sudden, but with all the training we are jamming in and all the new paperwork we have to know (like a 100 page booklet that our customers will be getting) I just HOPE I can keep up because you have to be on your toes for customers that are not liking "change"!!  I wouldn't be surprised if the stress at work puts me in to labor!  (I like to tell my boss this so he eases up on me. hehe)  It's great to be needed at work.. I mean my boss already said I am only allowed a long weekend after Sal is born (joking, obviously) and I am flattered that they are also in fear of what to do while I am gone...  but really... this conversion is so stressful!    

Peak of the week?  I have been realizing I have A LOT LESS pain in the rib department this past week!  I don't know what this can be attributed to, but the ONLY time I have had any pain this past week was when I was sleeping, and it came from my left rib (usually it is my right rib that flares up)... so really - this is a great PEAK because I have stopped taking Tylenol like it was candy this past week and I have NOT been interrupted by the pain at all!  It is so exciting to think I might be able to ride this pregnancy out with less pain than a couple weeks ago!  That is if this back pain will stay away!!  

Another great highlight was the Schemm's Cookout this past Saturday!  We hung out with a group of guys that Tyler went to college with who have AWESOME wives and cute little kiddos! (18 of us counting the babes).  We see each other often in the summers for weddings, but this might have been the first casual event that brought us all together!  It was awesome to hang out with the ladies - maybe I am biased - because most conversations were revolved around politics, babies, and dogs.  Right up my ally!  But then again, these must be the reasons we all have such a great time together!  These are families that I foresee many great years of friendships and I look forward to all our families growing and staying connected!  I cannot wait for Sal to meet all these amazing people in our lives.

Make it a great week everyone!
Much Love,
Jax

34 Weeks

Exercising?  Lots of walking still!  Baya is getting much better on the leash so that is exciting!  Unfortunately the fatigue is keeping me from doing much else even though I often think about doing some yoga or lifting some weights.  But for now, I am just too tired to do more than think  about it....

Maternity clothes?  no more, hopefully... Really attempting to not purchase any more!!  Gotta save my money for some post-pregnancy outfits!    

Sleeping?   Oh ya, hitting the bed hard and loving to TRY to sleep as much as possible right now!!  I am really having a hard time staying on my left side lately... I am waking up on my back all the time.  I just can't help it!  It is so much more comfortable and I feel like I actually get a BETTER sleep on my back!!  Also, got an idea from another pregnant friend about prenatal massages... which apparently they have this pillow that allows you to lay on your tummy!  NO WAY!!!  I NEED TO GET ME ONE OF THESE PILLOWS ASAP!!!  Haha  But maybe I can slip in a massage before Sept, too...           

Missing Anything?  Yes...I am missing having a normal  life after this past weekend...  A HUGE FAMILY EVENT WENT ON THIS PAST SATURDAY!  Tyler's cousin got married IN CALIFORNIA, and I was UNABLE to attend due to being pregnant.  It was THE WEDDING OF THE YEAR, and it was SO HARD to not be there... harder than I thought it would be.  Here is the deal - we told the doc about this wedding at the first doc apt back in February/March.  Her reply was, you can buy a plane ticket, but I cannot sign for you to get on that plane until we know how the pregnancy is at that  time.  Even then, who knows what and if any complications flying could bring up.  So ya, that being said, not knowing how I would be doing at this point in the pregnancy, it was just the "smartest" decision at that time to count me out of the vacation.  UNFORTUNATELY, with things going so well, I am almost sure she would have signed me to get on a plane, no problem... so it was so unbelievably hard to say good-bye to Tyler Thursday morning when the Foti's all headed out to Cali.  I was a mess Wednesday night and Thursday night, but this also makes me GREATLY appreciate all the amazing vacations I have gone on with them over the years, because NOT going felt like a sharp knife to the heart.  So yes.. I am MISSING having a normal life without any restrictions.  These sacrifices are already huge and the babe is not even here, yet... oh gosh, I hope I can do this "mother" thing, people!!  This is so hard!    

Food cravings?  Still, nothing to brag about...

Heartburn?  umm ... not heartburn, but I will say, the acid reflux is making it's way back slowly... not only do I feel a lot  of saliva in my mouth, but I always feel like there is a chance "stuff" is sitting in my throat.  Like when I burp, they are kinda nasty burps and stuff seems to come up a little (a little TMI, I know - but it's the TRUTH!).  I am assuming this is because my stomach is basically being pushed up into my throat... so ya, that's not always the most pleasant feeling in the world, but definitely manageable still...

Anything making you queasy or sick?  Nope...

This Weeks Symptoms?  Fatigue and super emotional ... and for me, when I am tired, I get emotional so I am sure these two go hand in hand.  I am assuming now I will be tried and emotional for a looong time... considering a good nights sleep is probably years away from today.  Haha.  I am feeling like a DEBBIE DOWNER!  SORRY PEOPLE!  But hey, there are still some good symptoms...like the full size chest I still got going on here!  Crossing my fingers that these babies stick around for a long time.         

Any Movement?  So I treated myself to a McDonald's coffee on Thursday and Friday morning... I cannot believe how much it makes him GO-GO-GO!  Haha... he must have been doing jumping jacks in there because my belly was moving all over the place!!  At least I know if I ever get worried about lack of movement a McDonald's coffee will reassure me he is alive and well!

Labor Signs?  Nope.  Just pretty sure I am still feeling those weird braxton hix contractions ! !

Belly Button: in or out?  Out, stretching, and ITCHY!  MY WHOLE BELLY IS SO ITCHY, but especially around the belly button!  

Wedding rings on or off?  So ya, I don't think much of me is swelling quite yet, but my fingers are little indications that I am retaining some water here and there because there are times when my rings are pretty tight and I can hardly move them, but for the most part still following this regimen... on (9am-5pm) and Off (all other hours of the day)

Overall Mood this week?  I will be honest.  I did not want to be pregnant this past week.  I wouldn't say I have ever been angry with being pregnant yet, but I was down right angry about pregnancy interfering with my life.  I felt totally limited when I was trying to clean to get ready for the baby shower this weekend.  I felt a ton of pressure to have everything perfect, yet, I felt like I couldn't make it as perfect as I wanted to because I was unable to get things done how I would have been able to before I was pregnant.  (I know, such dumb complaints that I should just keep to myself probably...  Can I blame them on the fatigue and emotions that are taking over me!?)  AND last but not least, I was straight up pissed off that pregnant women "shouldn't" fly in their 3rd trimester which kept me from a GREAT freaking family vacation!!  Not that I want to have a baby on the plane, but really!?!?  Ugh!  Don't worry though, I am just sour about it and I do realize it is just the price I pay... and yes, the grass is always greener on the other side because there are women that would kill to be pregnant and wouldn't give a damn about not being able to get on a plane... so I will stop complaining, but that does not take away the fact that I was one angry pregnant lady this past week (sorry Tyler).  On the upside, our baby shower on Saturday was BIGGEST the thing keeping a smile on my face over the weekend.  It was a BLAST and I loved having family and friends around celebrating!    

Looking forward to?  Door County!  This is not until the weekend of the 18th, but I need a little vacation after this past week!  This will be my second time in Door County and I am very much looking forward to hanging out with Tyler's mom's side of the family who goes up there every year!  The last Door County trip that we took was just Tyler and me in Sept of 2011.  It was awesome!  I loved the cities, the shops, and the scenery.  SO very relaxing and calm.  We are even more excited because we got a place that allows dogs so Baya is coming, too!  She loves to be outside so we are pretty sure she will a have blast!  AND all her puppy shots will be done and we are going to see if she wants to swim a little!    

Pit of the week?  This is a no-brainer... Missing out on the wedding was a huge downer...  I think it is safe to say it is one of the biggest pits of this whole pregnancy.  I love spending time with the Foti's and knowing that I missed out on a ton of great memories with them makes me pretty darn sad.  

Peak of the week?  Well I have two peaks that both have to do with the BABY SHOWER #2!  Sooo, knowing that this weekend would be a hard one for me, not being able to attend the wedding and all, a couple of my mom's sisters threw a baby shower for me at our house!  

First of all, in preparing for the shower to be at our house we wanted to have the nursery set up AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE for everyone to see and despite my anger, fatigue and crazy emotions which kept me from doing anything functional and logical, I just want to note that my husband makes up for everything I lack and more.  I can't take much credit for anything past the white tree mural and letters hanging on the wall... Tyler did an awesome job setting up pretty much everything else!  He washed/dried/folded every single piece of clothing we have received thus far for Sal, unpacked things, put things together, put sheets on the crib, and organized the room to make it look like we might have a baby in there sometime soon!  We still have a couple finishing touches to make on the room, but if Salvatore decided to come tomorrow he has a legit room that his awesome dad prepared for him. (Pics to come soon!)

Secondly, hanging out with my kick ass family and friends was the ABSOLUTE BEST way to wipe away those pregnancy blues from not traveling!  Again, just when I cannot stand being pregnant, I realize how amazing it actually is and how lucky I am to be able to go through all of this!  Plus it's kinda hard to NOT have a good time when you hang out with all these ladies!

Make it a great week everyone!
Much Love,
Jax