Week 36

Getting close!  Less than 4 weeks till D-day.  I'm so curious at this point if baby will come early at all, or if perhaps we'll go past our due date.  People ask all the time if we are ready and I never know how to answer that question exactly.  Because in some ways, I am definitely ready, but in others, I am definitely NOT ready.  If that question means are we ready as far as having all the necessary items needed for baby, then the answer is yes.  Of course we have a few odds n' ends things left to do, but if baby were to arrive today, I am pretty confident that we have everything we need to have (at least I think we do).
And if that question means, am I physically ready?  I'd have to say yes also.  I know I'm lucky that I've had a fairly easy pregnancy so far, but I feel like I am ready to be done with this pregnant body.  It will be nice to be able to breath comfortably, not have sore feet, swollen ankles, a gigantic belly, etc.  And especially nice to not have to hear anymore people tell me how huge I am.  I'm definitely tired of all of that.  But then I catch myself and try to remember that unless we have a second baby, I may never be pregnant again in my life and these last 9 months really have gone quite quickly, so I shouldn't wish them away just yet.
But, if the question of whether we are ready means are we ready for baby to be here, alive and physically in our arms, ready for all the diapers and feedings and restless nights??  I'd have to say No...not quite yet.  At least for me.  I'm not sure about Jeff.  I'm just really starting to get scared that I won't be any good at this parenting thing.  And I probably shouldn't admit this out loud, but I'm also scared that I won't enjoy it.  Isn't that a terrible thing to say?  I'm not saying that I don't think I will enjoy it, because I really can't see that actually happening.  But I can't help but wonder...am I going to love being a mom?  I think I will love it, but can anyone really know how they will feel once they have a baby?  I mean, my life is about to change one thousand percent.  And as excited as I am about that, you have to admit, it's a pretty scary realization to come to.  And again...how can anyone know how they will feel when their life has turned upside down, inside out and backwards?  I guess we'll just have to see.  :)
I'd also have to answer No, if the question of whether we are ready meant do we have our bags packed for the hospital, a birthing plan in place, and all our "ducks-in-a-row" so to speak.  I'm actually hoping to get some more things planned out and written down yet this week.  We had our third prenatal class tonight where we took a tour of the hospital birthing center, which I was really excited about, and found helpful.  Next week we will go over our birth plans and what-to-pack sheets in more detail as well.  Tomorrow we meet with the midwives for our 36 week appointment, and from here on out we will see them every week.   I have a whole list of questions for tomorrow's appointment too!

Anyway, here's my update for the week...

Maternity clothes:  Went on a hunt for nursing bras over the weekend.  No luck.  Found one at JC Penny that was ok, but I thought was a little on the expensive side.  So, I ordered some online yesterday and will have to see how they work out.  Anyone have any suggestions on this?  Found any perfect and inexpensive nursing bras?  Do tell!

Sleep:  Definitely not sleeping thru the night at all anymore.  Wake up at least 2 times a night to use the bathroom.  Last Friday I had a nightmare shortly after I went to bed...even woke Jeff up because apparently I was screaming (I was screaming in my dream but Jeff said it sounded more like yelling and moans, than a scream).  Anyway, after that I woke up about every hour and eventually moved to the couch about 5 AM.  I started getting really worried because I was having trouble feeling the baby move, even after I poked at it for about an hour.  I finally went back into the bedroom to wake Jeff up because I was so scared, but I eventually felt baby moving around again, so I was able to get some sleep.  And since then all has been back to normal.  Still...your mind starts to wander and worry sets in....better get used to it, I guess.  I hear moms worry all the time! ;)

Cravings:  Still my good ole Ice Cream cravings.  I have a bowl every night....can't even remember the last time I didn't end my night with some yummy ice cream!

Best moment this week:  The three day weekend!  Jeff and I got SOOOOOO much accomplished this weekend.  We both feel great!

Movement:  Already mentioned this above under "Sleep".

Gender:  I'm going to take this one off my weekly list because it doesn't ever change.  We have no idea and not even any hunches one way or the other.  If for some reason I start to feel really strongly about the sex either way, I will be sure to post about it.

Labor Signs:  Still nothing...

What I miss:  Walking down the halls at work and not having anyone ask me how much longer I have left. Actually, I don't really mind this too much, honestly.  I just always dread the follow-up response I get all the time regarding people's thoughts on how they are SURE I won't make it till my due date because I'm just SO BIG!  Ugh...annoying.

What I Bought This Week:  We have bought LOTS of things for baby this past week.  I don't even want to list them all, but just know that there is officially pretty much not anything left on our baby registries, so that is a good feeling.  We are so blessed that we got everything we needed and wanted, and were able to purchase what was left with gift cards we received, or with exchanges we made.

What I Checked off my To-Do List:  Again, lots!  We really accomplished a lot over the 3-day weekend...too many things to list.  What a great feeling!