{Baby Davis} Due Date in One Week

There are so many things running through my mind that I'm not sure how to start this post! First, I would be remiss if I didn't apologize (to you and myself) for slacking off on my posts for the past several weeks (months?). My only excuse is that life somehow, suddenly got way too busy for my husband and me. I feel like it's all we can do to stay on top of the rising tide of our lives right now! Showers (for us and a couple of our friends who are pregnant), weekly doctor appointments, decorating the nursery, work/school, There are many changes happening, of which our darling little girl is chief. All these changes are good, but it's still exhausting!

Secondly, I cannot believe that Maylin is due in one week. ONE WEEK from today. There are so many emotions running through me that it's hard to sort through them all! I am filled simultaneously with anticipation, excitement, anxiety, calm, and strong obsessive urges to "get things done." I believe my overriding emotion is a desire to get started on the labor and delivery process. I am actually wanting the contractions to start so that I can actively begin bringing our baby out of my stomach and into our arms. It's important for me to feel physically,  mentally, and emotionally involved in the process of birthing our child. I feel such a huge responsibility in getting my mind and body ready for the birthing journey. This week I am on spring break, and I am spending most of my time working out, bouncing on my exercise ball, reading my childbirth books, washing baby clothes, making last minute grocery runs, and cleaning house. I'm thankful that I have these few days before she arrives to get my life in order and prepare mentally for one of the biggest days of our lives.

All that being said, here are the details of one of the last weeks of my first pregnancy!

Date:: April 2, 2013

How far along:: 39 weeks // 9 months 3 weeks // 3rd trimester

Gender:: Girl

Movement::
All the time, day and night. She is also very fond of digging her little heels under my ribs on my right side. There's no more room for you, little girl!

Symptoms::
~ Firm, very low belly
~ Still having back pain, especially under my right shoulder blade
~ Shortness of breath after doing simple activities (chalking it up to all that extra blood flowing through my body)
~ Loss of balance

~ Alternating nights of insomnia and deep sleep. The nights that I can't sleep very much I spend thinking about this little girl. On the nights I sleep well I dream about her. Welcome to motherhood.
~ Protruding belly button, but no stretch marks yet!

~ Loss of concentration when doing simple activities

Craving::
These foods have remained my favorites since late in the first trimester. I eat them very frequently.
~ Apple juice
~ Frozen yogurt (classic tart with strawberries & pecans)
~ Dill Any kind of pickles
~ Wheat crackers with cheese and mustard
~ Oatmeal with cinnamon, raisins, and honey
~ Gala apples (every day for recess snack)
~ Popcorn (the old fashioned way- kernels popped in a skillet with organic butter)
~ Whole, organic milk

~ Cuties (those tiny, delicious oranges)

~ Homemade trail mix with pecans, peanuts, raisins, and dried plums

~ Blackberries! I buy frozen, then thaw them and add them to my shredded wheat cereal or plain Greek yogurt. They are so good!

I have recently been able to eat salads again! I am very happy about this because I have always loved salads. I am also eating cooked vegetables, and the other night I ate some boiled shrimp courtesy of Michael. Still not crazy about any other kind of fish/ shellfish.

Looking Forward To::

~ Birthing our baby!

~ Contractions that are consistent and progressive

~ Holding our baby

~ Bringing her home to a calm, quiet, clean nursery

Fun Baby Fact::
~ Little Miss is (supposedly) as big as a watermelon.
~ She is weighing about average, according to our doctor, and should be born at about 7 1/2 pounds.

Weekly Development::
~ Maylin's lungs and brain cells are still rapidly developing, and she's still practicing those sucking movements with her mouth that will help her feel after birth.

Emotions::
~ Smitten by our little girl. We can't wait to meet her!
~ Excited and determined about labor and delivery

~ "Nesting" has kicked in full swing.

Here are some pictures from recent weeks...a little late, but better late than never!!