We are officially in the final 3 weeks of pregnancy!! I looked at my Ovia app and first thing I read was "You are at the homestretch!" Omg!! Most people say pregnancy went really slowly for them, but I feel like it flew by for us!! This past week or two has been a little rough, but nothing I couldn't handle. Just feel really big and uncomfortable at this point, but still trying to keep a positive mind. With that said, we are baby ready, for the most part! I don think we can fully and 100% be prepared for what is yet to come, but we're getting it together, and just going with the flow.


I finished packing our hospital bag the other day (with the exception of the camera bag and other goodies), and after crossing off 95% of the things off the list, I was getting more excited and anxious! I may have over packed a bit, but better safe than sorry. I don't know how long we'll be there. I was told between 2-3 days, depending on my labor and any complications that arises. Which I'm hoping for a smooth labor and delivery. One can only hope and pray for, right? Let me just say how much I am loving our JuJuBe set, which can be purchased at their website or other baby online sites!! I purchased these separately and I originally had a different design for the diaper bag, because they were sold out of the one I have now for a while. So as soon as it came back in stock, I sold the one I had and got this! I purchased our duffle bag from Amazon back in July when they had a sale. It is the the Superstar - Admiral from their Legacy/Nautical collection. The Fuel Cell and Paci pod were from Navy Exchange and was bought during the everything baby sale, and finally the diaper bag is the BFF - The Commodore! I originally had the Queen of the Nile and purchased it from the Navy Exchange for a reaallly good price, but sold it to purchase the Commodore because I really wanted it to match mine and John's hospital bag! Hehe! The Commodore was purchased at Bed Bath and Beyond and used a 20% coupon. The duffle bag consists of mostly my clothes and necessities and some change of clothes for John.  The fuel cell has snacks for John and my family and gum, paci pod obviously has the pacifiers, and then the BFF diaper bag has all of baby's outfits, blankets, and other stuff. We didn't pack much for baby because we were told the hospital provides most of the things we need. We will also be bringing an extra bag for all the hospital goodies we get to take home! 

Here's a picture of the rough draft Hospital Bag list I made. Never got a chance to finalize it or type it up, but you get the picture! Haha! I had to search Pinterest to get ideas on what to even bring, as well as going off of friends list and then just customized it to meet our needs.

Not pictured that we will also be bringing:

1. Camera/Tech Bag

2. Boppy Pillow

3. Pillows for John & I and a blanket for John
4. File binder and baby book

I think we should be fine. I just want to be as comfortable as possible when Im at the hospital! Im hoping to stay no more than 3 days. I will also  be asking them for a medicine ball to bounce around in!


Aside from the hospital bag being ready, John finally installed the carseat a few days ago! I cleaned the inside of my car on Thanksgiving day and have been asking John to install the seat! We decided on the driver side, for now. We will be taking it to the fire-station sometime this week to make sure it has been installed correctly. If the prefer it being in the passenger side, then its no big deal we will gladly move it there. We had to make sure that the driver seats were still comfortable and can be adjusted for John to sit on and he said it was fine. The stroller is in the trunk, window shades are up and the 'Baby on Board' sign that I gave John as part of the baby announcement is also up! Has it really been 31 weeks since the day I told John?! This year definitely flew by! It is officially December tomorrow!!! Ahhh!

Xx,
Jenn

Im nearing the end of my pregnancy journey and its making me extremely emotional! Everytime I look down at my belly I think of how much I am going to miss him being inside me, where I know I can protect him from the dangers of this world. But I know sooner or later, he'll have to come out and I'll be able to hold him in my arms and protect him in a different way. Its has definitely been an overwhelming roller-coaster ride that I could not have anticipated for, but was worth every ups and downs. I know I haven't kept up with my bump chronicles, and I promised I'd update in one post, so Im going to take this time to reflect on the past 4 weeks that I missed. 

The picture above was a trial image that John took with the new lens that I bought him, but it was the only belly picture I had for the 36th week (taken at 36weeks 5days), which was yesterday. This was after I woke up from a nap and earlier on the day was rushed to the ER. It wasn't due to complications with baby, I was bleeding non-stop from my neck for nearly an hour and had no idea. It was a normal day. I was starting to put up Christmas decorations outside, John installing the carseat and other things around the house... Until after lunch. I felt something wet drip down my neck and when I felt for it, it was nothing. Clear like water. So I ignored it, but I did tell him I was feeling a little off and shaky. 30 or so minutes later John asks me to move on the other side of the couch because he had to put the subwoofer behind the one I was sitting on, and I just happened to look down. My clothes were drenched it blood and I had no idea. John freaked out and pulled me in to the powder room and made me take my clothes off so he can find where it was coming from. After wiping off the blood, he saw it was a cut from my neck and it was on a vein. He immediately changed and rushed me to the ER because blood would not stop gushing out of my neck even after wiping and putting pressure on it. My first thoughts was, "Oh crap! The baby!" I wasnt sure how much blood I had already lost, but I was definitely light headed. I tried not to panic, but I was low-key wanting to pass out! John wouldn't let me close my eyes on the drive there, but I couldn't keep my eyes open.  It turns out, there was a minor cut on my neck and it was on an artery. I have no idea where or how I got it. They are assuming it was a skin tag, or something that I accidentally scratched without knowing. The doctors weren't too worried since the cut was small. They patched it up, then monitored the baby via ultrasound. Baby is doing fine, his heartbeat looked wonderful and he was certainly wiggling around in my belly. Thats all I was really worried about. John ended up staying home a little longer to keep an eye on me before heading off to work at 6:30. It was nice having home a little longer.

Aside from that little scare, I have also been having really bad heartburn and indigestion! It started on Thanksgiving after dinner. And no! I didn't eat an entire feast because I ended up staying home alone cuz John came home later than planned and we didn't end up making it to our friends family party. So it was dinner for 1, or well 2, sorta! Lol! I was just glad John got to come home at 9 rather than midnight. We went to bed around 11 so we can get up early for some black friday shopping. But boy, I could not sleep because of the heartburns. They were so bad I was up at 2:20am and could not, for the life of me, fall back asleep. So I was super tired while we went out. I only lasted 2 hours before I asked John if we can go back home and sleep. John bought me some Tums and I ate some before heading to bed. I was able to sleep for a good 3 hours before it started bothering me again.

On top of all the heartburn, I have been extremely itchy! Itchy.. everywhere! Neck, chest area, belly, thighs, arms.. I cant seem to figure out why! Its really bothersome! I started using Aveeno itchy cream, its helped a little bit. But oh my goodness! I knew the 3rd trimester was going to be just as bad as the First, but holy smokes! This is the most uncomfortable I've been my entire pregnancy!! Itchiness, heartburn, constantly having to pee, and just feeling really really big! His movements have also changed. It doesnt feel the way it did several weeks ago, its definitely more forceful and I feel like when he kicks me now, it feels like my ribs are getting bruised! I can feel every single movement. Baby H has also turned and is head down and in birthing position. And since he has turned, I can feel his bum agains my belly and his foot next to my ribs when he kicks. I can also see his elbow, or arm move along my belly! Its quite fascinating to just watch! I also like to poke his leg which makes him move a ton!! Also, aside from the heartburn and itchiness, add pelvic pressure on top of all of that other things I have been experiencing! I started experiencing some of these symptoms at 34 weeks, but it has just gotten worse! Its both good and bad (in terms of being uncomfortable).

I am also on my weekly OB appointments, which started earlier this week. We had an appointment on Tuesday and they did labs, the normal routine, and checked my cervix. Doc said im not dilating just yet, but its definitely thinning. Eeep! John was able to join me for the first time since our 20 week anatomy scan, which was nice. We also had to do an unplanned ultrasound because the doctor thinks the baby is measuring small. I have always measured a week behind because of my small frame, the other ob's Ive seen says its normal for my size and they dont expect a big baby. But just to be safe, the doctor went ahead and squeezed me in for an ultrasound just to get measurements. I was a little worried but I knew he was fine. He is measuring at the 12th percentile at 36 weeks 2 days, and is weighing roughly at 5lbs 6oz. Sounds good to me! I do have a follow up appointment in 3 weeks to do more measurements making sure baby is growing, and I thought by then, I wouldnt be surprised if he has already made his arrival! Im hoping for a December 18th-20th baby because I really want him home by Christmas! But I know, I know... its not up to me!

After this session was over, it made me sad to think that this was going to be our last maternity session before this baby gets here! I had one last dress left that I couldn't go to waste since none of my clients put it to use! Im sure it'll get some lovin' once we start accepting sessions again next year. The top part of the dress is the Hilary Crop Top by Sew Trendy Accessories that I was able to grab during the RTS sale they had, and the skirt part I made to match it [for anyone of my fellow pregnant mamas out there who are curious! Sew Trendy has some amazing dresses!!!]

But anyway, I really am going to miss this big belly of mine even though sometimes I feel so unattractive. When my belly started to get bigger, I started to feel less attractive and John has been amazing at reminding me just how beautiful I am, to be carrying this beautiful little life inside of me. I have to remind myself that the weight gain is all a part of it. I have gained 25 lbs so far with about 5 week (give or take) left. I guess I'm right on track on the weigh gain department. My doc did say that with my small frame, I should gain between 25-30 lbs. 

It has been 3 weeks since I did a "bump chronicle" update! That bump up there is at 34weeks and 3 days. I'm kind sad I've missed three whole weeks! I've just been caught up with a lot of things that by the end of the night blogging is the last thing on my mind and I just crawl straight to bed. Plus John's recent schedule changes has gotten me on a weird funk!! So now with the shower over, and our photography sessions coming to an end, I'm back. I will recap in one post sometime later this week. 

Xx,

Jenn

As I mentioned, John and I have been together for a total of 13 years! Time sure flies! We don't normally do the typical halloween stuff (except for one or two years), cuz we're normally out doing our own thing. So as we were getting ready to head out for our annual anniversary dinner date, John says "This is it Mama, next year we get to join all these folks and do actual halloween stuff!" Eeep! It got me even more excited! We've only ever dressed up twice in the pats 13 years! I'm excited to do fun halloween stuff with our baby boy!

Anyway, since John had the day off, we didnt want to waste the day and headed for the zoo! Our original plans of heading to Baltimore and watching the Chargers game was canceled due to John's schedule being shifted and we weren't sure if he was going to have the weekend off! I was so bummed, because it would have been our last out of town trip before baby makes his arrival. John tried to make up for the change of plans by taking me out at the zoo since we both haven't been to the one in Virginia and we've lived here for 6 years! But before that, we strolled down Granby St and grabbed lunch at Grilled Cheese. The food was yummy!!!

After the zoo, we went back home to rest before heading out to dinner. John made reservations at Texas de Brazil. I love the Brazilian steakhouses back in San Diego, and haven't gone to one out here, so I was excited to try this restaurant! The food was delicious! Pricey, but that was expected. There was one that was less pricey but we didnt want to make the drive up to Newport News. The lobster bisque and the potato salad and mushrooms and  lamb-chops was oh so delicious!!! Im drooling just thinking about it now! Yum!!! I dont know if I'd want to eat there again just for the heck of eating there because its $40 per person. Maybe on another special date night. Lol!

Xx,
Jenn