37 Weeks-Full Term

How far along? 37 Weeks! If we had this little one today, he would not be considered a premie!

Total Weight Gain? +32

Stretch Marks?  Lucky me the right is finally catching up.

Sleep: Other than up every 2 hours to go the bathroom and the turmoil I cause getting in and out of bed, not bad.  I have started having more dreams (that I remember) and they are not good ones.  Apparently, I have a very dark side when I am pregnant.....

Best Moment this Week: We got to be a part of Brynn and Scott's wedding day!  It was so nice to see all the family and friends and celebrate the sacrament of marriage between my only sister and my new brother. --This now brings my brother total up to 6.  Any time a brother wants to get married and give me a sister I would welcome it!

Miss Anything? A normal dress fitting. Lets just say things got awkward with this one.  I had to order new fabric and basically build my dress...4 days before the wedding!  Due to a shipping error, the fabric took that long to come in!  Thank goodness it worked!

Movement: Yes, the little bugger likes to move through contractions in a whole body morphing kind of way.

Food Craving? none

Anything making you queasy or sick? no


Bellybutton in our out? Out.  I didn't think it could go further out, and then it did.

Wedding Rings on or off? off.  I wore my Grandma Chew (Grandpa Nolen's Wife) dinner ring to the wedding.  

Happy or Moody most of the time? Emotions are definitely taking over this time around!

Looking forward to? Meeting this little guy!

Labor Signs?The first half of this week I was having the same painful contractions in my back wrapping around my front lasting a long time 7-15 minutes apart.  Then I went to the doctor for my weekly appt and I have no progress since last week (1cm and 50%).  And now the contractions have stopped.  Of course because the doctor gave us the go ahead and wants this baby to come as much as we do, that is when contractions stop.  

Anything Else? Alex wants me to stop being selfish and share the parenting (so cute!) Believe me, at this point I am more than willing to start sharing.  Just waiting on little stinker Nolan now!

36 Weeks

How far along? 36 weeks!  We made it out of high risk!

Total Weight Gain? +30lbs

Stretch Marks? Mostly my left, starting to get bits on my right.  Still funny how different my left and my right are!

Sleep: Still getting up every 2 hours to use the bathroom, but other than that I am sleeping pretty well.  I am pretty much sleeping all the time.  I am pretty much narcoleptic. I fell asleep on the couch both days Robin and Megan were visiting.  Alex had the stomach flu the other day and I told him I was sorry I didnt even know.  He told me he got up right after I did every time...apparently I fell asleep before I hit the pillow and he got up....

Best Moment this Week: Seeing Megan and Robin, getting my classroom pretty much done, and making it to 36 weeks!

Miss Anything? working for long periods of time with out hurting or being exhausted.

Movement: Only on his schedule.  Apparently when the doctors are measuring movement he is not in the mood, when I am already having a painful contraction that is a great time to freak out.

Food Craving?  no--though going to a Timer Rattler Game is not the best idea.  Nachos, kettle corn, root beer, and cotton candy....I felt like Templeton from Charlotte's Web!

Anything making you queasy or sick? no

Bellybutton in our out? out

Wedding Rings on or off? off

Looking forward to? Auntie Brynn & Scott's wedding.  We think it may be a photo finish to make this wedding...we only need to hang on 2 days!

Labor Signs? I start having contractions in my abdomen and my back.  They are happening every 7-13 minutes and lasting 3-24 minutes, and they are way more intense than they were weeks ago.  I go to bed figuring I need to get as much rest as possible and if I wake up in ain then that is probably when it is time to go to the hospital...I mean if I can sleep through it they cant be real labor right? I then wake up in the morning and feel great....only to repeat the process again by 4pm.

Anything Else? Doctors Update: our stinker decided not to move on the NST (Non-Stress Test) on Tuesday, even after stimulation. I was also measuring small so they were not sure if it was a placental problem causing him not to move or grow. So I was sent off to ultrasound to get a biophysical profile. Turns out he was just lazy and so far in my pelvis you can't measure part of him. He is 6lbs 1oz. 50.7 percentile. I am 50% effaced and just about 1cm dilated.  We do not need any more NSTs. We are no longer high risk parents, I get to be a normal mom!  

We have been checking things off our list of summer events we would like to get done before Nolan makes his appearance. We almost have all of them done!

35 weeks

How far along? 35 Weeks!

Total Weight Gain? +30 lbs

Maternity Clothes? Again, if I get dressed.  XL t-shirts are more typical.  I can be the Kool-Aid man easy peasy now.

Stretch Marks? still only on my left lol

Sleep: I am up every 2 hours to go to the bathroom, but that is it.

Best Moment this Week: still has to be hearing his heartbeat and feeling him move.  It is funny to hear his heartbeat pick up and and see him kick the monitors I am put on every week.

Miss Anything? being pain free.  I just wish I was pain free so I could enjoy the miracle....

Movement: it is getting more rolly than kick like, but it still looks like an alien trying to break out at times!

Food Craving? not really

Anything making you queasy or sick? doing pretty well

Bellybutton in our out? out 

Wedding Rings on or off? off

Happy or Moody most of the time? Happy unless I am in pain.  Then I am whiney.  I also have cried a couple times over small things.  I feel crazy.

Looking forward to? Reaching 36 weeks!  Then we can take a nice breath.

Next week is crazy wedding prep, school prep, Nolan prep, and wedding week for Brynn!  I am getting my hair dyed, doctor appointment, Badger getting groomed, meeting with one of my long term subs (kindergarten math) and training them up, finishing my classroom set up for fall, nails, rehearsal and wedding!  Here is to hoping it doesn't put me into labor!

Labor Signs? Nice long contractions, but still mostly painless, and some nice pack cramps to go along with it.

Anything Else? Doctor Update: I took my last pill!!  I have had some contractions, but I am hanging in there.  I can definitely handle them for now and we are SO CLOSE it is crazy to think of.  My NST (non-stress test) is showing less contractions but that was before going off the meds.  Nolan is doing well.  He moves when they make him, naps when he feels like it.  

I have been having a very bad pain in my right rib and then going over my shoulder into the same spot in my back.  It is the pain I was talking about last week.  I could not get away no matter how I moved and no matter what I did.  I was in tears a lot.  I am  not sure why, but it finally occurred to me to look up what side the gallbladder causes pain on.  Sure enough it was my right.  I mentioned it to my doctor and he agreed.  It was a little strange because since I decided that Monday night, I ate better on Tuesday and then I didn't have the pain.  Doctor still sent me in for an ultrasound in the hospital for Wednesday morning.  The tests all came back normal, but I was also on day 2 of watching what I eat.  So as of now, I have not been diagnosed with any gallbladder problems, but if I eat better I don't get the pain I had.  

34 weeks

How far along? 34 weeks

Total Weight Gain? +27

Maternity Clothes? yes, if I get dressed.  Last week's laundry consisted of 2 pair of sweatpants and 2 tank tops....

Stretch Marks? only on my left thigh.  Apparently they aren't growing in unison.  Doesn't surprise me, I have always been crooked....

Sleep: I am up every 1.5 /2 hours to go to the bathroom.  

Best Moment this Week: Celebrating 4th of July at Festivus with the Vanden Heuvel family.  It was nice to see families we havent seen in a while and spending time in a place we love.  

Miss Anything? Moving like normal, getting ready to the school year when others are, not having limits.  

Movement: He is doing a good job moving.  To get him to move a little more, Alex talked to him at the Doctor's office and he went crazy. He knows his mommy and daddy's voice, but loves his daddy's!

Food Craving? none

Anything making you queasy or sick? not this week

Bellybutton in our out? out, way out.

Wedding Rings on or off? Off, they are hanging on my necklace.  I am able to get them on and off, but it is so close I am not risking it.

Happy or Moody most of the time? I have been in quite a bit of pain this week in one of my ribs, so I have been pretty mopey about it.

Looking forward to? Meeting our little one and getting my ribs back!

Labor Signs? At this point, same old, same old.

Anything Else? Doctors Update: Things are basically the same.  I am contracting, but responding to my medication.  When it is gone ( 7 days) we are not refilling because we are close enough.  His head is still super low and my doctor still wants me sitting with my feet up more than anything else.  2 weeks until we are out of NICU range, and I really want to wait until then, but after that, I want.him.out.  He is KILLING my ribs.  There are days I just cry about it.  It is not a severe pain, no where near my appendicitis, kidney infection, or what labor will be like, but it is a constant pain that I can do NOTHING about to make it go away.  No stretches, no position, nothing.  It is like a side ache that you will never be able to get rid of for 6 more weeks.  The thought is exhausting and painful.  We shall see when he decides to grace us with his presence, but honestly I think he will be late now that we were all worried about him coming early.  It is the Gloudemans' luck....If you are laying cement, it is going to rain. ;)

33 weeks

How far along? 33 weeks

Total Weight Gain? +26

Maternity Clothes? Unless it is my Tuesday to run errands, I am basically in Alex's shirts and sweatpants/leggings.

Stretch Marks? Nothing New

Sleep: I keep waking up dying of thirst and having to go to the bathroom at least 3 times if not more now. At least I get to sleep in!  I have been having more and more trouble sleeping, but I think that has to do with the fact that I am also napping from being tired during the night before and then my naps go to long and then I am not tired for the next night.  Vicious circle!

Best Moment this Week: Celebrating Brynn's bridal shower and bachelorette party.  It was nice to spend time with family and to celebrate her upcoming wedding!  Crazy to think it is coming so fast...that coming fast means he is coming fast!  It is getting really close and real!

We had a good doctor appointment.  Heard the heartbeat...he was sleeping. They decided he needed to be stimulated to make sure he was moving fine....well then he moved for another good 2 hours.  Didn't anyone ever tell them not to wake a sleeping baby!?! 

Miss Anything? Moving for more than one day in a row with out needed a day off.  Nolan is super low and I can feel him hitting my cervix.  That means a day of walking now means a day of resting.

Movement: He moves a great deal.  He takes some days off that always make me nervous, but then I start a kick count and he always passes.  Then there are days where he is moving all day long just headbutting that cervix like it is a game!  He is so low!

Food Craving? none

Anything making you queasy or sick? Dairy products (most not all) taste sour or old to me but it doesn't seem to bother anyone else. It gags me thinking of sour dairy (I once bit into a very old creme puff and have been traumatized since).  Unfortunately, cucumber salad and sour cream and chive potatoes have been a no no this week.  :(

Bellybutton in our out? Out

Wedding Rings on or off? on

Happy or Moody most of the time? I find myself getting more and more emotional.  Shows I watch make me cry--especially if someone is crying on the show.  Pudge was a little sick this week and I cried like a baby.  Alex folding baby clothes, made me cry.  Alex kissed me goodbye and I cried.  

Looking forward to? Another week!  Dr. says we are really getting safer and safer each week, and each week feels like an accomplishment.  I am looking forward to another week of him maturing, growing, and getting healthier and healthier. 

Labor Signs? Contractions and him dropped down super low.  

Anything Else? Doctor update: Doctor put me on the monitor  and I had one contraction and once stimulated, Nolan moved tons.  Doctor is still amazed every appointment how low Nolan is.  He asked about my symptoms and when I explain them, he then asks what my physical activity is.  I tell him about my 10 minute walks, and my only going out Tuesdays.  He still suggests I sit with my feet up, but does not put me on bed rest yet.  
     My prescription runs out in a week.  We asked if we should renew that prescription and he said we are going to wait and see how things go off of it, but he is thinking we will be in the clear!  
     We also asked at what point can we head to Appleton Medical Center (the hospital we prefer and is closest to our home) instead of Theda Care (about half and hour away but has a NICU).  He says that  36 weeks is our safe time.  AMC can handle no more premie than 36 weeks.  So we do the math and make the calculations, and we able to go out of the NICU range on July 24--2 days before Brynn's wedding.  On the plus side, if I would go into labor at Brynns wedding not only will be be down the road from the hospital, but we will be far enough to be allowed to go to that hospital.  Then we did more math....that is only 3 freaking weeks!  Holy Crap--its getting real now!

     Knowing his due date is only getting closer, we decided it was type to prep.  Alex and I both got into nesting mode.  We filed all the paperwork in our house (and set up a new system for filing in a new filing cabinet), organizing the whole basement, cleaning the whole house, packing our hospital bags, moving thing around in the nursery and more has gotten done.
     I really dont like cooking.  Well, I dont mind cooking, I hate cooking for one or having to come up what to cook.  I have been seeing friends saying they are making freezer meals and I got it into my head to suck it up one day and get tons of meals made and I wont have to decide or cook for myself. So I got on pinterest and started actually going to all those sites you pin.  I found Fun with the Sharps-Freezer to Crockpot Recipes.  These recipes looked good, Alex didn't thing I was making to much for the first try, and IT CAME WITH THE SHOPPING LIST!  It was great not having to sit with all the recipes and figure out how many cans of this and that to buy.  We went shopping and Alex only whined a little bit about shopping (and the cost) ;)  We then worked as a team and pounded out 25 bags of recipes.  Alex only complained once about half way through and then slept like a baby that night!  Can't wait to see how we did!

     
  I have officially gotten into school planning mode.  I have mapped out the school year in themes, days off, put them into my google calendar, embedded it into my school blog, made a snack sign up, picked all my after school activities, and helped with the accredidation I volunteered to help with.  The program we use for our lesson plans just updated and the new features make it very nice.  I was very excited for the changes and couldn't help myself.  I was excited to get started.  Alex calls me a nerd.  Then,  friend of mine posted this image on facebook and I thought it fit.