38 Weeks

August 19 - 25

How far along: 38 weeks

Total weight gain: Around 34 lbs.

Maternity clothes: Starting to run low on options that are work-appropriate. The kids are just going to have to accept the fact that I will wear the same clothes over and over- haha.

Sleep: Not too bad- trying to get as much as I can in preparation for the big event (and all the lost sleep that will surely follow)!

Best moment this week: Finishing my first week of school, and knowing that I have so little left before maternity leave!

Gender: Girl

Labor signs: Still feeling a couple random BH contractions... not much else

Belly button: Out

Cravings: Nothing in particular

What I miss: Being able to bend over easily... things I used to take for granted, like being able to easily tie my shoes and paint my toenails, are now SO difficult

Stretch marks: Same

What I am looking forward to this week: The final countdown to the due date- so exciting!

37 Weeks

August 12 - 18

How far along: 37 weeks

Total weight gain: Around 33 or 34 lbs.

Maternity clothes: Starting to get tight... hopefully they'll hold out for a couple more weeks!

Sleep: Staying busy at school is actually helping me to sleep better- I'm so exhausted when I get home!

Best moment this week: Madison is full term! We also finally joined a church, so Mitchell and I are officially members of Westminster Presbyterian. Now we can get Madison baptized- always a good thing :)

Gender: Girl

Labor signs: Couple of contractions here and there... Doctor says there's still no progress, but her position is good

Belly button: I'm starting to worry about what my belly button will look like AFTER the baby is born- yikes!

Cravings: Not really, but I got some REALLY good strawberry smoothie ice pops- yum! I've also been cooking like crazy, so there's plenty of food.

What I miss: Shirts that cover my whole stomach. All of my shirts- maternity or not- are getting so short! It makes me so paranoid.

Stretch marks: Same

What I am looking forward to this week: Back to school! The first few days are so exciting- especially meeting all the new students. I love the early days when they are on their best behavior- if only that would last!

36 Weeks

August 5 - 11

How far along: 36 weeks

Total weight gain: About 32 lbs.

Maternity clothes: Starting to wear more dresses and skirts- the pants just aren't comfortable anymore.

Sleep: About the same... lots of middle of the night bathroom visits

Best moment this week: Back to school for teachers! The new computers in my classroom are GREAT! Too bad I'll only be there to enjoy them for a couple of weeks (they better still be nice when I get back!).

Gender: Girl

Labor signs: I think I've had a few Braxton-Hicks contractions... I don't really know exactly what I'm feeling for

Belly button: Pokes through all my shirts

Cravings: Watermelon :)

What I miss: Being able to do things on my own- it's so hard to get my classroom set up when I can't climb up to hang posters or carry heavy boxes/books.

Stretch marks: Mitchell is amazed at the fact that my stomach is huge and I only have a couple of small stretch marks- thanks for the good genes Mom and Dad!

What I am looking forward to this week: Seeing everyone at school and getting things set for my sub. I'm definitely ready to meet Madison, but preparing everything at school is the one thing I'm still worried about!

35 Weeks

July 29 - August 4

How far along: 35 weeks

Total weight gain: still around 30 lbs...

Maternity clothes: yup- but I'm nervous that my maternity dress pants won't fit anymore by the time school starts back!

Sleep: Usually wake up about once or twice per night for a bathroom break- otherwise not bad

Best moment this week: August 3 was our Freshman Academy Retreat at Roper Mountain Science Center. I'm starting to get excited about school starting back- and it was great to meet my long term sub!

Gender: Girl

Labor signs: Having some back pain... still haven't noticed any contractions...

Belly button: All the way out

Cravings: Fruit?

What I miss: Not bumping into things with my stomach- it's always in the way!

Stretch marks: Nothing new

What I am looking forward to this week: Starting to get my classroom ready!