Week 37 -- Some Happenings and Unboxings

So this post will cover some of the happenings that occurred in the last couple of months, but weren't big enough for separate posts.

First things first...

Except the Lisa part.

What mismatched candles?

I have reached week 37, just as I turned 37. Just a humorous observation. My pregnancy app is comparing my baby to a striped skunk.

Not the cutest comparison. What's up with that, app? Although, I do like it better than the food comparisons. Honeydew melon? Really? My child is not in ball form. At least, I don't think she is. Maybe all those books, videos, and classes are lying to me. Like I don't feel unprepared enough.

Speaking of not being prepared....

I keep going over in my head about the item I need. For example, diapering. What essentials do I really need? Sure, diapers and wipes. But what else is recommended? I feel so dumb. I haven't spent a lot of time around babies. Not that reflects how good of a parent one will be. But nevertheless, sometimes I feel like I missed out on picking up tips and basic knowledge from real world experience.

So, I have a good case of anxiety going. Can I admit to that? Or does that make me a bad mom already? I understand that no matter what, there is a learning curve. How does one not freak out?

But, let's move on from me contemplating failure....

Skip back to May where J2 and I took a Childbirth Prep class. During the last class, the instructor showed a video of an unmedicated labor from start to finish. At the end, J2 turned to me and said, "that's looks awful." Haha! Sounds like someone is glad he doesn't have to give birth. Of course, he is entirely supportive of whatever method I want to do. We also got a nice diploma and a blanket. J2 said I probably didn't need another blanket since I have two sources to obtain all the blankets I could ever want. I told him we paid for it, so I'm taking one.

My blanket.

J2 doesn't get birth plans, either. When talking about them, he asked me: "isn't the whole point just to have the baby?" I agreed with him. Having preferences is one thing, but I am under no delusion that birth is kind of a crap shoot. 100% preparedness is a fantasy. Sure, there is something to be said about the experience of pregnancy and labor, but it really is a means to an end. We've waited and been through plenty that we now just want the final product. You might be questioning what J2 got out of the class. He knows how to time my contractions and when to take me to the hospital. That's a good job for him. Oh, yeah. We are prepped.

What other happenings are going on?

First, the crib. While we received the crib from someone J2 once worked with, it was not the color I preferred. However, I could not turn my nose up at a very nice and free crib. It's not offer that comes along for me. Enter the handy husband. So we took it and J2 stained it for me. Came out great.

I love it That is all.

Next, when making a baby registry, many places will send you a gift upon completion. That means you have to go through every category and put a corresponding item on it. I did this with a site called Babylist and Amazon. Here I unbox the Bbabylist box....

Babylist.com

Stuff!

Burt's Bee burp cloth

Pampers

Cetaphil samples

Registry cards.

Sun hat from Iplay.

Not sure.

Not bad. Seems pretty close to a standard gift box. Nice to see more samples and not just coupons.

Lastly, I also received the Welcome Box from Amazon. Come along for the unboxing....

Amazon Welcome Box

The Opening...

Stuff!

Pampers. This seems like a common insert.

Cute onsie.

It's a size 3-6 months. Nice it's not a NB.

Binkies.

Cleaning wipes.

Wipes.

Nice bathing samples.

Bottle, 4 oz.

Muslin Swaddle.

Can I say wow? I know it's Amazon and they should have some good connections, but still, they really did make the worthwhile. Actually samples of things you will probably use. I know I will. Amazon did not cheap out on this box. Yay for freebies! Amazon also gives you 15% off baby registry items (sold by Amazon, only 2 transaction with a total of $2,000) starting 60 before your due date. This helped get me the stroller I wanted.

I also did a registry for Target and Buy Buy Baby, but never picked up the gifts for them. Perhaps I should. Why can't they deliver?

That sums up a few things I've been meaning to post. A more personal update: I am 3 cm dilated and 80% effaced as of last Monday. I just figure I'm in a holding pattern. I am also on twice a day Heparin shots. Super fun being awoken at 6ish in the morning.

Milestone: 36 Weeks

Well, two days shy of 36 weeks, if you need to be that technical.  Some people just need to be so precise. Well, quit it--I'm the pregnant one here. Haha!

Since my appointment was today, my doctor considered it close enough. And what does that mean? And why is it such a big deal? To answer the first question: I had my cerclage removed. Want to know how it feels? Don't care, still going to tell you. First, that comfortable(sarcasm font goes here) little device known as a speculum is inserted. Then, with some long tong-like grippers, my doctor found the knot she made at 12 weeks and clipped it. I felt some tugging and pressure. Definitely uncomfortable. Maybe even a twinge of pain from the speculum. In all, it probably took two minutes.

The answer to the second question is one you might have guessed. Not only have I (and baby girl) made it this far, but I'm also considered full term. As J2 and I are saying: we have between 0 and 4 weeks.

Honestly, we don't feel 100% ready. We've spent all these months going week to week--and now--BAM! She's almost here. The pressure of choosing a name. The panic of not feeling like you have the stuff you need. The weight of all of it now is pressing down on us. How do you not freak out? Inner anxiety head monologue now complete.

After the removal, my doctor checked me and I am dilated 2cm. This doesn't mean impending labor in the next day or two. But with that being said, my doctor also doesn't believe I will make it to August. Place your bets now.

Next week, we check to see if baby is head down. If I make it that far. Dun, dun, dun!