39 Weeks

How far along? 39 weeks 4 days

Total weight gain/loss:  + 20 lbs 
Baby Comparison: Baby weighs as much as a mini-watermelon (Finally I've been waiting for this moment  j/k)
Maternity clothes: You bet!
Stretch Marks: None yet keep your fingers crossed
Sleeping: Left and right side but kinda looking forward to sleeping on my tummy
Best Moment this Week: Bags are packed and we could go at any moment!
Baby Movement: Still moving but running out of room
Food Cravings: Nothing crazy just food
Gender: It's a GIRL!!

Belly Button in or out: In and that is the way it is going to stay
What I miss: Bending over to shave my legs (how come no one ever tells you about that?)
I am looking forward to: Meeting Carmella..... any day now
Milestones: We're 70% effaced and almost 2 cm dilated, getting closer

 39 Weeks 4 days

Baby Moon

We decided to have a little babymoon this weekend. For those of you that don't know a babymoon is time away together before the baby arrives. Like a honeymoon before baby. We had talked about getting away many times but we couldn't find a weekend that worked for both of us. So like any couple awaiting the arrival of there first baby, we waited til the last minute. Yes, the weekend before the baby is due! 

As a result, we couldn't travel far for fear that Carmella would make her grand entrance and we would be hours from the hospital. So we decided to get away to Santana Row. Sounds a little crazy traveling 10 minutes away just to get away but truthfully it was the best decision for us. We snuck away Friday afternoon and checked in early to our hotel. We stayed at the Hotel Valencia and it was perfect. I have stayed her two other times for my bachlorette party and a friends bachelorette party. It truly feels like you're in a little oasis away from home. 

 

We thought it would be great to get a balcony room so we could do some people watching along the row. 

We decided to catch a movie, since we know once baby comes that will be a foreign word to us. It was perfect because Moneyball was playing down the street. So we headed to the movie theater and filled up on some popcorn and enjoyed the flick together. Then we headed back to the room and while Chris took a little nap I sat on our balcony and read a book. I guess you could say the theme of the weekend was to do all the things we won't be able to do when Carmella gets her. 

Next up a nice dinner for two at Amber India (secretly hoping the spicy food would convince the baby to come out). We even walked along the row holding hands and window shopping. As we were window shopping we caught a glimpse of Bobby Flay as he was signing books at Sur La Table. So we stalked the store and tried to steal a picture of him. Sorry I don't have any pictures to post it was too hard to capture him. 

After a tasty breakfast the next morning we took a stroll to the pool where we laid around and relaxed for a bit. Ahh reading a book in the sun and just relaxing, soaking it all up now.  Finally, we walked along the row and then headed into Valley Fair Mall. Who doesn't love that mall? We were researching video camera's and diaper bags. And we left with a new PPB diaper bag, I guess you could say I was a happy new mommy!!!  

It was a great babymoon and who knows we will probably be back for some mommy and daddy alone time........... well in a few months at least.

38 Weeks

How far along? 38 weeks 4 days

Total weight gain/loss:  + 18 lbs (-2 lbs)
Baby Comparison: Baby is as long a leek
Maternity clothes: All the time
Stretch Marks: None and only a little over a week to go
Sleeping: Still through the night and now looking forward to sleeping in and resting before baby arrives
Best Moment this Week: Finishing up work for five and a half months
Baby Movement: Non stop and trying to savor every minute
Food Cravings: Feeling like some pizza
Gender: It's a GIRL!!

Belly Button in or out: In and I am thinking it will stay that way
What I miss: Sleeping on my back and or stomach
I am looking forward to: Officially finished with work and BABYMOON this weekend
Milestones: Happy Anniversary to mom and dad, we've been married 4 years!! 

 38 Weeks 3 days

We could GO at any time now!

 

That's right we're officially full term and this baby could come at any time. YIKES! I mean we're so excited but are we ready........... yes, I know we are. I just need to pack our hospital bags, install the car seat, follow up with the paperwork for my disability oh and just a few other things. But according to babycenter.com, she could come at any time now!

Some days I think she is going to be late and I have all the time in the world. But then when I think of all the things I need to do I just know she will come early since I am not fully ready. But she will come when she is ready and truthfully it is already planned and I just need to sit back and relax because who knows how often I will do that after she arrives.

Oh yeah and the best news is today is my last day of work!! So excited to be done with work for 5 and a half months! Yippee!!

A little space for Carmella

As many of you have heard we will not be purchasing a house before our sweet baby girl arrives. So we have no choice but to make due with the space we have, or as my husband says when life gives you lemons, you have to make lemonade. So that is what I did.

Carmella has a nice little area set aside just for her in the office and if you stand in the right spot in the room it might even begin to look like a nursery.

I spent some time cleaning out a few drawers for her and washed up all her newborn and 3 months clothes (I think this little girl already has more clothes than me). We feel so blessed that Carmella has two older girl cousins and they have been sharing all there clothes with her. Lucky girl!!

I turned the dresser into a perfect size changing table and even found some wall decor to brighten up the wall. My friend Katie helped me decorate the wall and I think it looks fabulous. But I am not so sure I will take it down and try to redo it at the house cause that was a lot more work than we expected.

We also found that a cubed bookshelf works perfect for all the baby accessories and stuff that you just never seem to have enough room for.

Her little bassinet is all set up and ready for her right next to mom, but if daddy wants to get you in the middle of the night I won't complain.

I have to say I am overjoyed and excited with the way everything turned out. We're so happy to meet our sweet baby girl and can't wait for her to turn our world upside down.

And the finally touches, our first family photo. 

 I love it!!

37 Weeks

How far along? 37 weeks 3 days

Total weight gain/loss:  +18 lbs (no weight gain this week)
Baby Comparison: Baby is as long as a stalk of Swiss chard
Maternity clothes: Yes
Stretch Marks: No and only a few weeks to go
Sleeping: Thanking God every morning for 6-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep
Best Moment this Week: Getting all of Carmella's stuff ready for when she arrives
Baby Movement: All over the place and sometimes its uncomfortable
Food Cravings: Hmm right now Peanut Butter
Gender: It's a GIRL!!

Belly Button in or out: In and I am thinking it will stay that way
What I miss: Shaving my legs with ease, no one ever tells you how hard it is going to be when you're 9 months pregnant
I am looking forward to: Only one more week of work, then 5 and a half months off!
Milestones: Weekly doctor appointments start this week

 37 Weeks 3 Days

Conerstone Baby Shower

Our church family at Cornerstone Community Church helped celebrate the upcoming birth of Carmella with a fabulous shower. This wasn't just any shower, it was a stroller themed shower!  Everything was perfect from the yummy food, great friends, delicious cake, fun decorations and we can't forget the awesome stroller.

My dear friends, Katie, Kathy and Meg made everything perfect and I felt so blessed to have such a wonderful church family. We can't wait for Carmella to meet our church family.

After all the laughs and great memories it was time for my favorite cake...

 

 Bannana Cake with Cream cheese frosting from Icing on the cake

(you may have heard me mention this before, well because it's the BEST!)

 

The entire Cornerstone crew!

And we can't forget the special visitors that made a guest appearance.

It was great to catch up and love on Bronwyn and Claire- bear.

Love you girls!!

 The YAC girls all together.
(L-R) Stephanie, Megan, Natalie, Meg, Me, Leslie, Carrie and Katie

These women are amazing and my besties, we have been through a lot together and I know I can count on them for anything. Thanks for making me feel so special and I can't wait for Carmella to meet all her auntie's. 

And we can't forget the awesome Red City Select Stroller!
We love it, love it, love it and can't wait to take it out for a little stroll.
 

Hopefully Carmella will get here soon so we can go for some walks!!

Thank you Cornerstone for an amazing day filled with God's love.

Birthing Classes

After some discussion and suggestions from friends and family we decided to take a birthing class about two weeks ago. I have been involved in 5 births, some in nursing school and others were friends. So I feel like I know what to expect, but of course that is from another perspective. I can anticipate what and when things are going to happen but when it comes to dealing with the pain and the actual birth I am pretty clueless.

We signed up to take a two day birthing class (4 hours each day) because I was told that an 8 hour day is a waste and my schedule is so inconsistent that we could never take a weekly class. And the only place that offered classes for 4 hours was at Harmony Birth and Baby. At first I was a little nervous because the place seemed really earthy and green to me and I was hoping they wouldn't try to talk me out of my epidural. But after meeting the other couples and the Douala that was our teacher, it seemed like they were going to offer information about both natural and medicated births.

I wasn't sure how Chris was going to do in these classes but once again be surprised me completely! He was and is going to be the best partner and coach!! Seriously he got involved in the discussions and asked questions and when it came time to role play contractions he was right there encouraging me and rubbing my back. We learned all about the stages of labor, pain medication and deep breathing, what to expect at the hospital and so much more. They even simulate the pain of a contraction by placing your hands into a bowl of ice and holding them there for a minute. Funny thing was the men had to do it too just so they could begin to imagine the women's pain. Yes, I am aware that the contractions are going to be a lot worse than a bowl of ice, but I must admit that was not very comfortable.

We finished up our weekend birthing classes and felt encouraged and overwhelmed all at the same time. But we aren't stopping there because we'll be taking a comfort measures class this weekend. The hope is that this class will teach us techniques and allow me to labor at home for longer. Truthfully no one likes to be sitting in a hospital bed in pain and totally vulnerable, well at least that is what my patients tell me.

So off to another birthing class this weekend and then it is time to get organized for baby Carmella!

36 Weeks

How far along? 36 weeks 4 days

Total weight gain/loss:  +19 lbs
Baby Comparison: Baby is the size of a size of a Crenshaw Melon (whatever that is?)
Maternity clothes: Um yeah Not sure what else I would fit into
Stretch Marks:  None and still lathering up with lotion
Sleeping: Getting up about once to use the bathroom, but soaking up the 6-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep
Best Moment this Week: Ok so this is about me (and a little bit of Carmella) I PASSED the CCRN
Baby Movement: Moving all around in there, sometimes I wonder how she still has room to move
Food Cravings: Thin Crust Pizza and Yogurt land, the two things I asked Chris for after I deliver
Gender: It's a GIRL!!

Belly Button in or out: In and will probably stay that way
What I miss: Still bending over and getting back up with ease or sleeping on my back
I am looking forward to: Getting organized and washing all baby Carmella's clothes 
Milestones: We're officially Full term! 

 36 Weeks 2 days

Stanford Baby Shower

On Saturday my friends and coworkers threw a fabulous shower for baby Carmella. It was filled with an Italian feast fit for an Italian baby girl and her mommy! Oh so yummy, too bad I ate all the food before I took a picture. Kelley and Sally made everything perfect right down to the gorgeous flower arrangements.

It was great to see everyone and celebrate baby Carmella. After our fabulous feast we settled in to open some presents and enjoyed my favorite cake from Icing on the cake.

Oh so yummy Banana Cake!!

We even had some little visitors, Kenna (Nancy's baby) and Giselle (Natalie's baby) join the party. These girls are waiting for Carmella to arrive so we can have lots of play dates.

We didn't take that many pictures but we did get a group shot.

Isobel, Arni, Lisa, Harriet, Bonnie, Nancy C, Nancy (Kenna), Kelley, Prego, Natalie, Laura, Sally, Hannah and Valerie

35 Weeks

How far along? 35 weeks 3 days

Total weight gain/loss:  +18.2 lbs
Baby Comparison: Baby weighs as much as a honeydew melon
Maternity clothes: All the time
Stretch Marks:  None and crossing my fingers only a few weeks left
Sleeping: Baby is not here yet so sleeping through the night and trying to soak it up
Best Moment this Week: Hearing Carmella's heartbeat, 158 bpm
Baby Movement: Baby is getting bigger and still moving, sometimes she gets into an awkward position that hurts mom
Food Cravings: Right now Sushi or a margarita
Gender: It's a GIRL!!

Belly Button in or out: Probably will never pop out
What I miss: Bending over to put my shoes and socks on, not so easy with a big belly
I am looking forward to: A Stanford shower for baby Carmella this weekend
Milestones: Cleared by the dietitian to continue to control the GD with diet and no more check ups :)

35 Weeks 5 Days