Babyshower + 39 weeks...

I don't know if I've ever mentioned this but we live in the best ward. I've never felt so welcome or so loved in a ward than I do here. Some of the ladies I've gotten to become friends with threw me a baby shower this past Friday night! I wasn't expecting anything since this is my second baby and another boy so I was totally surprised when Emily approached me about it. It was so fun and so nice to get out with some girl-friends. We went to a cute little Italian restaurant in Ballard and then had molten lava cake at Hot Cakes just down the road. It was so fun and I'm so grateful to have made friends here. They are all so great. Here are a few pictures...

Baby bumps! In order of due dates- January, February, and March. Boy, Girl, Girl.

The ladies (missing Maren) from left to right... Kelly, Kathryn, Emily, Kelly, Noel, Me, Layla, and Lisha

Delicious chocolate/peanut butter molten lava cake and ice cream. If you ever visit Seattle, you must come here.

Heres some pregnancy progress for you...

How far along: 39 weeks... almost. Technically I'll be 39 weeks on Tuesday but at this point who cares.
Total weight gain: at my last appointment I had a different doctor (it was the day after Christmas so mine was on vacation) so the new doctor didn't tell me if I'd gained anything. Just said I was right on track.
Maternity clothes? I've grown out of a lot of them. I'm thinking of just wearing sweats and Jordans t-shirts the rest of my pregnancy haha
Stretch marks: Yep and more new ones this past week. Baby is really stretching me out!
Sleep: Eh... depends on the night and how tired I am. I usually wake up around four or so and can't get back to sleep and Noah has been getting up super early too. Also the baby moved around like crazy until late (midnight or one). Sometimes I can get to sleep through it but most of the time I can't.
Best moment this week: Christmas and my baby shower!
Movement: Yes but its slowed down a bit and is more like rolling around. Not so many kicks and jabs like he used to. Hopefully that means he's getting ready to come out.
Cravings?: Nutella. We bought a big thing of it at Sam's Club last night and I just made short bread cookies to go with it. Yumm...
Anything making you queasy or sick: no.
Labor Signs: I've had some painful contractions in the last week or so. But nothing regular and a TON of braxton hicks. Lets hope I have some progress when I go to my next doctors appointment on Wednesday (last Wednesday I was only a fingertip dilated and only 60% effaced. But the doctor reassured me that as a second time mom things can change really fast)
Missing anything?: Regular/non-maternity clothes...
Symptoms: Siatic pain has been really bad lately. Lots of pelvic pressure/pain. Heartburn. Low back pain. Contractions.
Belly Button in or out? Out. My belly looks kind of pointy. lol
Wedding ring on or off? There was a few days when I couldn't wear my ring because of swelling. Luckly Jordan got me a really pretty infinity ring for Christmas (that is a half size bigger) so I can wear that when I can't wear my wedding ring. But right now, as I type this, I can. 
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy.
Looking forward to: Baby!! He should be here in a week or so (we might talk induction on Wednesday)... crossing my fingers. Lets hope Jordan and I can finally pick a name for this guy.

Thoughts + 37 weeks...

 I've been wanting to write a normal post lately... not one thats just updating my progress in pregnancy. But I haven't been able to decide what to write about because there's not really anything new going on with us. So here are just some random thoughts (in no particular order) I've had lately that might give some insight into what my days are like... some of these things I think, literally, everyday... PS- don't be offended. :-)

~My testimony of prayer has grown a whole lot just from moving here. The gospel is an amazing thing and I'm blessed to live where I live... for so many reasons.

~I hate The Land Before Time 5. Curse you Amazon Instant Video for not having the original.

~Important life lessons can be learned from the movie mentioned above... like if you're lost in the wilderness with friends and aren't sure if the plants are edible, tell your dumbest friend to try everything first, just to be safe. Also, pray your children don't learn their grammar from this movie.

~Its ok if my floor is covered in bits of play doh and pine needles... let it go. Just let it go.... and breath...

~I love having a little boy. With all his energy and roughness, he sure is a mama's boy. And I can't wait to have another one. Boys are so fun. But I am a little biased.

~My husband is the most loving and supportive (and patient) person in the world. I'm lucky to have him.

~Sometimes its okay for my toddler to throw a giant tantrum... I need to take a shower.

~I enjoy church so much more now that I don't have to sit in nursery for two hours. Bless those people who get called into nursery. Another testament that the lord really does answer prayers. *five weeks before I'm due to have this baby, Noah just decides that he's fine in nursery without me. He only cried for five minutes two Sundays ago and last Sunday he didn't cry at all. Prayers answered.*

~I never thought I'd have to console my child from the toilet. But as a mom, what is privacy anyway.

~Its good to know that pregnancy isn't forever. Whether you have your baby at 37 week or 41 weeks, you WILL have your baby. And from what my doctor has told me, I only have three more weeks at most... and I'm counting on three more weeks... Not being pessimistic... just realistic and patient.

~I still haven't packed my hospital bag... maybe I should do that sometime...

which leads us to my pregnancy update..

How far along: 37 weeks! Thats only 21 days left.
Total weight gain: 20 lbs up. I thought I had gained 23 but at my last appointment my doctor told me just 20... I didn't gain anything between 35 and 37 weeks. I'm in good shape this time!
Maternity clothes? I should just delete about half of these questions..
Stretch marks: Yes...
Sleep: Last night I slept like a rock... only woke up once and it was just to roll over... which is odd because with Noah my sleep seemed to get worse the further along I was but it seems to be getting better. Probably because I'm SOOO tired at the end of the day; between the house, taking care of a two year old, and being massively pregnant, I'm always exhausted.
Best moment this week: Hmm.... I don't know if I've had a best moment this week. Things have been good. Just trying to get everything with Christmas done and get ready for the baby. I'm not nearly as anxious this time as I was as a first time mom...
Movement: Almost all day long. He's an active little guy.
Cravings?: Nothing this week.
Anything making you queasy or sick: no.
Labor Signs: Tons of braxton hicks and lots of pressure... that doesn't mean labor though so... no.

Symptoms: My heartburn is back. Turns out baby hasn't dropped like I thought he had (normal for a second pregnancy). I just carry really low I guess. The heart burn is getting pretty bad though. And my pelvis kills me.
Belly Button in or out? Out. And Noah is still fascinated. But now when you ask him where his baby brother is he points to my stomach... cutest thing ever.
Wedding ring on or off? Still on. My hands still look normal.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy.
Looking forward to: Christmas and January!!

36 weeks...

How far along: 36 weeks
Total weight gain: As of a week ago... 23 lbs up. 
Maternity clothes? Yes
Stretch marks: Yes...
Sleep: It was better just because I've been SOOO tired... but last night it was worse again. I'm exhausted again tonight though so hopefully I sleep better.
Best moment this week: I haven't posted about pregnancy in a few weeks so... we decorated for Christmas and went to the ward Christmas party. Also, getting ready for baby more and more each week. Its getting exciting!
Miss anything?: Being able to bend over.
Movement: Almost all day long. He's an active little guy.
Cravings?: Last night I was craving ginger bread loaf from Starbucks. So I made a copycat and it was the best ever. Sooo yummy.
Anything making you queasy or sick: no.
Labor Signs: No real labor signs yet. Just lots of pressure and I think baby has dropped a bit.
Symptoms: Everything pregnancy related. I know baby has dropped though because my heart burn isn't as bad anymore. But you should see my belly... its huge. I've had people in my ward asking if I'm having twins... and at the ward party some ladies stopped me and asked me when I was due; when I said at the beginning of January they were shocked and said that he would probably be early. haha I had to tell them probably not because Noah was late. Maybe we'll get lucky and he'll come a few days before his due date.
Belly Button in or out? Out. Noah thinks its hilarious.
Wedding ring on or off? On. Haven't really had any swelling this time so its been nice.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy.
Looking forward to: Picking a name! We're back to talking about names so we'll see what he looks like out of the three we like. Oh and the next FOUR weeks... can't believe I only have four left! So fun.