38 weeks- more winter storms and croup

We are zombies.  We are so tired.  I am so tired.  Last day of work is officially Feb 28, which is one week from yesterday.  I absolutely could not do one more day. The start of a full five months off will be glorious and even if baby Sean is late, I will have a couple of weeks to myself just to lounge around like the lazy prego mama I am.  I feel like such a sloth, but I have to do this for survival. I feel myself shutting down.  But in typical Type A fashion, even as I'm "shutting down", I'm making lists for things I will do during my 3 week "vacation" before the baby comes...because I'm pretty sure he'll be stretching it until 42 weeks.

At both my 37 and 38 week appointments, my cervix is closed and high.  The doctor's exact words were "your cervix doesn't seem to know you are even pregnant!".  Nice, exactly what I wanted to hear. I keep meaning to email doula Nikki to make me feel better. But I will see her tomorrow morning for coffee with my cousin Rachael. I guess it's still early- if I'm like that at 40 weeks then I'm going to start to worry.  Please, God, no surgery.  I don't care about being uncomfortable or anxious, I just really really really don't want surgery and I want a shot to do this right!

We have continued the crazy winter here in Chester County, PA.  Ice, snow, freezing mess on the roads.  Can't wait for spring! Poor Luke had croup again this week, second time this winter and evidence of how being indoors just completely stinks! Today it was 50 degrees out so there were lots of kids outside and we took Luke outside too just to get some fresh air! We got the first "lice" letter of the year as well- apparently it's common in school to have a break out of lice every year.  I was itching as soon as I heard about it and though it looks like we are in the clear, everything went into hot wash water this week.  Between croup, lice and 38 weeks pregnant I'm about done with this week!

M is working on the basement as much as he can before the baby comes- the plumber, cabinet person and radon remediator come this week, as well as my polyshutter installation in the family room.  One last big push before the baby halts all house work for awhile.  Having the basement done will provide much needed space, and a future playroom for the boys that will keep my upstairs looking presentable for company :)  I don't know what people did before Pinterest...I am addicted!

We had dinner tonight one last time with my brothers and sisters in law before the baby. We were trying to recollect the last time we had done it, and decided it had been at least two years, maybe more.  We went to a restaurant that was about halfway for all of us, did a 6pm start and didn't leave until 9pm!  It was so much fun to catch up with them without kids around- we love our kids but they are a big distraction and you never get to just chat with the adults because you are always worrying about who is pushing or stealing a toy from who. Quite relaxing, even if i couldn't partake in the BYOB beverages and limoncello after dinner drink.

Well, a little less than two weeks til the official due date.  I hope this is going to be my last entry before 40 weeks but I think I know myself better.  These boys just love this mama's uterus!

36 weeks - ice storm & winter from h e double hockey sticks

This is what 36 weeks looks like.

I don't know how I'm going to do another 4, possibly 6, weeks of this. I don't remember feeling this way last time.  I don't remember the tiredness that starts at about 9am and doesn't let up until I fall into bed around 8pm. My brain is mush and my body can barely function sometimes.  Going to work is like running a marathon and when you get to the end, you have to run some more.  Thank goodness the cleaners come every other week.  I just spent 5 hours today doing food prep/freeze for when the baby comes.  I made 4 vegan lentil loaves and 12 stuffed peppers. My mom is going to make 2 veggie lasagnas and I think we'll be all set for at least 2 mos after the baby is born.  When asked, I will tell people to just bring food so I don't have to cook- ever again!  I was thinking about healthychefcreations.com for when I go back to work- an organic (and can be vegan) food delivery service.  There just isn't enough time to do anything but work and come home/eat/bath/bed and I know it's about to get even more crazy.

We have had the worst winter here in the NE US.  We have had more snow than I can remember in the  last 5 years, and this week was no exception.  Monday we had a snow storm followed by an ice storm on Wednesday.  Of course with work, we were in the month-end close which is the time when you are not allowed to be off at all.  My work is ridiculous and crazy and I always say on this maternity leave I'm looking for another job (4 days/week).  Wednesday with the ice storm we lose power and don't get it back until sometime on Thursday, so the three of us slept at my parents' house that night.  I was so thankful we had the option but it's hard when you get out of your normal routine during the week.  By Friday I was so exhausted I had to cancel a playdate for Saturday with an old friend because I just couldn't stand to do one more thing.  It was just an exhausting week overall.  

I had my 36 week appointment- blood pressure looking good, no other issues to note.  Got my group B strep test but no results yet.  No dilation or effacement yet, measuring on track and heart beat sounding good! Sean is head down and ready to come out!  I swear he moves so much he is trying to get out.  I have Braxton Hicks a lot, especially at night and especially this week when I was under so much stress with work and the weather.   They were almost painful and not just tightness in my abdomen.  Again, I don't really remember these last time, but I was reading that the stronger they get the closer labor might be.  I don't want to have the baby this early, but in another few weeks wouldn't be so bad ;)