40 weeks and 1 day

As of today I am four days more pregnant than I have ever been.  But the good news is I know I will most definitely have a newborn baby in my arms with in the next 13 days! 
This past week I was in a dark space surrounding still being pregnant, I was emotional and playing the pitty party with myself.  This week I am choosing to be positive and enjoy the last few moments I have with just Ruby! 

currently

38 weeks

 Today I am currently 38 weeks and 2 days and my body feels exhausted from being pregnant.  On Tuesday at my appointment my midwife checked me and said I was 2 cm dilated and nearly fully effaced and the baby was at station 0.  But that doesn't mean anything in regards to going into labor soon.  Hopefully it just means that by the time I actually go into labor there wont be much that has to be done before the pushing can start.  I pray for the pushing stage to be easier and quicker this time around.  With Ruby I pushed for 2 and 1/2 hours, I am thinking its cause she was born with her arm and hand up by her head.  

Anyway my body feels ready, my mind feels ready, I am just READY!

22 months

 Ruby is now 22 months old going on 16 years old, this little girl has so much sass in her.

 I don't think she quite conceives what it means when I tell her mama has a baby in her belly and that she's going to be a big sister soon.  Though she has taken on the cutest roll of being a mama to her many babies, I am hoping the arrival of her brother or sister will be a good thing in her mind! 

 She is communicating her needs and wants so much better these days.  I am trying really hard to give her the right words to use so we can avoid as much whining a possible.  She is super opinionated and knows what she wants and isn't afraid to throw a tantrum about. 

 She also has an incredibly sweet side that likes to slow down and cuddle mama on the couch and read books.  She also loves giving kisses and hugs, at least to her papa and I. 

Last week on Thanksgiving Dan's sister took some very special maternity family of three pictures for us.  Its such a treat having someone with such talent in the family!!

last week

36 weeks

Last week my belly turned 36 weeks, as of today I am officially 37 weeks and can now have my baby at the birth center.  Currently I am hoping this baby comes soon because I am so uncomfortable and frankly cant take it anymore.  I am pretty sure the baby has dropped since taking this photo.  The baby feels much lower in my hips, I have to pee more than before, I am having more hip discomfort, a lot more sciatic nerve pain and when the baby moves I feel it much lower than before.  I don't want to get my hopes up but I am hoping this is a sign that labor is near!

36 weeks with Ruby!

For comparison here's a picture of me pregnant with Ruby at 36 weeks.  In the last month of my pregnancy with Ruby I took measurements of my belly and even though I feel more uncomfortable and bigger this go around I am actually measuring 2 inches smaller.  I am sure its just cause the baby is in a different orientation this time and not because its smaller, I have been weak with the no sugar rule.

Anyway I will most definitely have a baby within the next 5 weeks!!!!

Around Here

32 weeks (this was last week, I am between 33-34 weeks now)

 Its been pretty quiet and mellow around here lately.  I haven't had much motivation to do anything, with this belly of mine getting bigger and bigger everyday simple tasks are getting harder.  Let me tell you its tough trying to wrangle a wiggly toddler with a big 'ol pregnant belly. 

 Last week Ruby turned 21 months old

 and was the furthest thing from excited to get her picture taken.

 Apparently she wanted to be beside the chair, not on it.

Ruby is getting more and more interested in the potty!!!  Every time I got potty she comes in and sit on her little potty next to me, though she hasn't gone potty in there yet.

30 weeks

30 weeks, here we are.  

Its just a little over two months, give or take a week or two, before we are finally face to face.  I dream and can't wait for that moment.  

I just ordered the car seat and a few random things for this baby yesterday and when they get here we will have everything we need for the beginning.  We have a girl name and possibly a boy name figured out, but nothing is permanent until we meet this little bean and feel that the name fits.  I really want to dwell on my sweet newborns face and personality for some moments before I set any name in stone.  After we had and named Ruby it took me 3 months to be ok with her name.  I feel we settled and named her to quickly, luckily I love it now though!  I don't want that same feeling with this little babe.

As far as this pregnancy is going, well it could be easily described as uncomfortable.  I really think having pregnancies so close together really does a number on your muscles, bones and joints.  This time around I am having lots of discomfort in my back and hips and my abdominal muscles feel so worked.  I would definitely say I enjoyed being pregnant with Ruby more.  One thing I do love and will always love about being pregnant is feeling the baby moved around in there.  This one does it almost constantly which is great!

lately

 Its been raining really hard lately so I finally let Ruby go puddle crazy, she loved it.

 A great distraction for Ruby while I made some dinner!

 We tell Ruby all the time that there is a baby in my belly, I have no clue how much she understands about that, but last week she was being super cute and affectionate to it.

 Last week I made it into my third trimester.

 This handsome guy turned 35.

 and this sweet little girl turn 20 months.

belly

weeks 20, 23 and 26

 Everything about this pregnancy has been so drastically different than the one with Ruby.  I'd like to think its because I am having a boy but its only because its a different pregnancy. 

This go around I am having lots more fatigue, mood swings and discomfort.  Last night I had to worst RLS ever, I wanted to scream.  It seems as though my belly is growing along the same rate as when I had Ruby in there, I sure do feel bigger than ever though.  Its getting a little more challenging finding comfortable things to wear in public, I refuse to go out wearing lounge wear.  I did find a cheap $7 maternity dress at Wal-Mart a couple weeks ago and I have worn it nearly every other day since. 

week 26 with Ruby next to week 26 with #2

Really, I just can't wait for the next 3 months to be over.

the belly

16 weeks, 18 weeks, 20 weeks

Its growing....

16 weeks

Incase you didn't catch the small note I made in a post a few weeks ago about being pregnant, I am pregnant and due in the beginning of December.  We couldn't be more pleased with this new addition joining our family soon.  I recently made it to 16 weeks and since that's the time I started my weekly belly photo's with Ruby I thought I'd start at 16 weeks with this one too. 

It normally looks bigger but I think it's cause I am standing up straight in this picture.  I normally slouch more thanks to toting a baby/toddler around for the last year and a half.

16 weeks with Ruby

and for those of you who like to compare (I know I do) here is a picture from 16 weeks with Ruby. 

So far this pregnancy had been so incredibly different from my pregnancy with Ruby.  Lucky for me I didn't have much morning sickness to deal with this go around.  Don't get me wrong I did have some nasty moments with nausea and vomiting but nothing compared to what I endured with Ruby.  The major difference with this pregnancy is my moods.  With Ruby I never went through any crazy mood swings, actually being pregnant with her made my moods better!  But sadly this go around my moods have been all over the place.  I feel most sorry for my husband, Dan, who has to deal with me on a regular basis he typically gets the short end of the stick when it come to me being nice.  Sorry Dan, I still love you.  Aside from that everything is going smoothly.  I felt the baby move a bunch for the first time a couple weeks ago.  Nothing compares to those first kicks.