Bumpdate 37 Weeks

How Far Along: 37 weeks

Gender: Boy

Movement:  Active as usual.  He typically prefers my right side.  Sometimes I feel like he's trying to bust out through my stomach - ouch.  I keep telling him that's not the way out.  I hope he listens - I don't want to have an Alien experience. 

Sleep:  Not too bad this week.  I wake up often to use the bathroom.  Sometimes when it's early morning (5:00 or 6:00), I can't go back to sleep & get really frustrated.  The last couple of days have been ok, though.

Maternity Clothes:  All maternity clothes.  Getting tired of them!

Symptoms:  The pain in my lower stomach/pelvis seemed to be better for a few days but is back.  It comes & goes.  Sometimes I feel ok & move around easily & sometimes I can't do anything without hurting.  Not fun.  I also have moments of being overly emotional & freaking out for no real reason.  Poor Michael.  I know it's getting old.  I go from being super anxious about getting everything done & how we're going to manage with two little ones to being relaxed, thinking we'll figure it out as we go & we'll be fine.  He never knows what to expect!

Aversions:  Nothing out of the ordinary.

Cravings:  Sugar.  I've been wanting candy, Coke, desserts, fruit, etc.  I've tried to be reasonable & not cave to every urge.  Fruit helps - I don't feel guilty eating it. 

Best Moment This Week:  The baby's room is coming together.  Just working on the finishing touches.  I'll try to remember to take pictures & post soon.  Also, I got an exciting gift from Michael.  A new lens for my camera!  I was completely surprised.  We weren't planning on getting Christmas gifts for each other since we've been buying stuff for our new house lately.  I guess he was planning on getting it for me for a push gift* but decided to get it a little early, so I could use it at Christmas.  I have a fixed lens that I love but knew I needed a zoom lens eventually.  In fact, I was just thinking a few days before Christmas - maybe next year I'll just ask everyone to give me money for my birthday & Christmas to put toward a new lens...  Little did I know, I'd be getting one this year!  There was some drama, though.  Michael tried to have the lens shipped to my parents' house since it required an in-person signature & we'd be at my parents' house for Christmas.  The store wouldn't let him ship it to an address other than the billing address.  It was supposed to arrive the Friday before Christmas & I had taken the day off because the daycare was closed.  Michael asked me to sign for the package but not open the box.  I was, of course, super curious...  Then UPS had a weather delay & the package didn't leave the East coast until Friday morning.  It was supposed to arrive on Monday but we spent the day with Michael's family & then headed to my parents' house, so we weren't there to sign for it.  I had to work after Christmas & Michael went to Houston for a wedding, so we were never home during the day.  It felt like we were never going to get it!  Finally, I called UPS & they were able to deliver it to my office.  I got it the Friday after Christmas (a week later than anticipated).  Michael did print out a picture of it to give to me on Christmas, so I didn't have to wait the whole time to find out what it was.  It was worth the wait!  I used the lens to take the picture above.  I was able to prop the camera up on our dresser & zoom in - not something that would have worked with my other lens!

*I know the push gift thing is a little controversial.  Some people like the idea, some people hate it.  I personally think it's a really nice gesture but I don't think it should be required.  Michael didn't get one for me with Alex (we shopped for some birthstone necklaces but I ended up finding one online I liked & bought it a few weeks after Alex was born) & I was fine with that.  I've heard people say - isn't the baby enough of a gift?  Yes, getting to hold your baby is wonderful.  But it obviously comes with a lot of responsibility & work.  (Totally worth it).  A little gift from your husband is nice to get to acknowledge everything you went through with the pregnancy/delivery.  I also think the guy deserves a gift, too, for putting up with all the trials & tribulations of a pregnancy.  I know it can't be easy!