39 Weeks

As I sit here writing this blog, I cannot believe it's my last post before we welcome our sweet baby boy!  The past 9 months have been the best of my life. I have thoroughly enjoyed being pregnant & am very thankful to God for blessing us with this beautiful life growing inside of me. I've been a little emotional the past few days because I just can't believe I'm meeting my son in 2 days!! I have always dreamed of being a mommy & can't wait to experience this journey with Johny. He is going to be the best daddy! I mean the man hasn't slept in a week because he is so excited for Monday to get here. He's been taking such good care of me & constantly asks me what I need & how he can help me prepare. I'm a lucky girl & I absolutely can't wait to see him holding Hatcher for the first time!

We are scheduled for our c section at 9:30 a.m. on Monday. We have to check in at 8:00 to get prepped for surgery. I'm a little nervous to say the least but after meeting the nurses & staff at The Medical Center on Friday, I feel a little better about the whole process. Plus, I have a fabulous doctor & I know he's going to take wonderful care of me & my little family. My mom arrived yesterday to help us get ready for the big day & to spend a little quality time with her first born before I become a mother myself. She's making a pot of her famous homemade chili for us as we speak! We've also gotten to spend some time with Johny's parents & we're so glad to have this special time with all of them. My dad & sister will arrive tomorrow & I cant' wait to see them!

I can't wait to post pictures of baby Hatcher next week once we're home! I'll try to update everyone as soon as we're settled. Thank all of you for following along on our pregnancy journey. The blog isn't over though. I've enjoyed blogging so much that I'm going to continue the blog with Hatcher's stories, my mommy experiences & updates on the Ricks Family!

Below is the 39 week "bump" shot & update.

How far along? 39 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: +30 lbs.

Maternity clothes? Yes

Stretch marks? Only a few & there aren't bad at all...I'm very lucky! 

Sleep: Maybe a good solid few hours but I'm too excited to sleep!! 

Best moment this week: Spending quality time with Johny over the past week having date nights & just enjoying our last few nights just the two of us! Plus, hearing Hatch's heartbeat at our OB appointment. Like I've said before, it never gets old! :)

Have you told family and friends: Yes!

Miss Anything? Not having acid reflux every night.

Movement: Lots of movement & I love every minute of it!!

Food cravings: Blueberry waffles

Anything making you queasy or sick: No

Belly Button in or out? In

Have you started to show yet: Yes

Gender: Boy

Labor Signs: No

Wedding rings on or off? Off

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!

Looking forward to: Hatcher's arrival on Monday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

38 Weeks

I literally cannot believe that we have 8 days until we meet our sweet baby boy! It seems like just yesterday we found out we were pregnant...ok maybe not yesterday because honestly towards the end of pregnancy you feel like you've been pregnant forever! I honestly think it's going to be weird not to be pregnant anymore!

At our 37 week appointment this past Wednesday, Dr. Slocumb told us that Hatcher still hadn't moved down far enough so there was no action happening. He continues to be concerned week after week with the position of my pelvic bone so we ultimately came to the decision to schedule a c section. Hatcher's birthday will be September 24th unless he decides to make his appearance sooner! We are SO EXCITED!!! The c section wasn't our original birth plan but after much prayer & conversations with our doctor, we feel it's the right thing to do for both Hatcher & myself. We go in this Friday for my 38 week appointment & then head to the hospital for pre-op.

I had 4 days of vacation to use before the end of the year so tomorrow is going to be my last day of work before my maternity leave officially starts! It's hard to believe that for the next 3 months my only responsibility is my lil man! :) I'm going to spend the week getting last minute things done around the house & running last minute errands. And more than likely getting a mani/pedi since I know it may be awhile before that'll happen again! My family starts arriving on Friday which is so exciting because it makes everything feel so real!

Here's to a great last week of being pregnant & the countdown until baby Hatcher's arrival! :)

Below is the 38 week "bump" shot & update.

How far along? 38 weeks in weeks; currently 38 weeks, 1 day

Total weight gain/loss: +29 lbs.

Maternity clothes? Yes

Stretch marks? Only a few & there aren't bad at all...I'm very lucky! 

Sleep: Average bathroom break during the night: 3. Needless to say, sleep is becoming less & less. 

Best moment this week: Spending time with close friends watching football & catching up on Saturday.

Have you told family and friends: Yes!

Miss Anything? Not having swollen hands & feet that remind me of little sausages! 

Movement: Lots of movement & I love every minute of it!!

Food cravings: Nothing new this week. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: No

Belly Button in or out? In

Have you started to show yet: Yes

Gender: Boy

Labor Signs: No

Wedding rings on or off? Off

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!

Looking forward to: My vacation time this week as we prepare for Hatcher to be here in 8 DAYS!!! 

37 Weeks

When I woke up on Saturday my pregnancy tracker said 21 days until baby is due!! YAY!!!!!!!! I can't believe that in 3 weeks or less we're going to become parents. It's the best feeling in the world.

I took this picture one night this week. It's the view I see when I look down! :)

We had a great week last week & really enjoyed our weekend. We had our 36 week appointment last Thursday & the doctor said I wasn't dilated or effaced at all. We're really hoping that on Wednesday I've started making some progress. On Saturday, Johny did lots of yard work planting new flower beds while I decorated the house for fall. It's my favorite time of the year & I thought if I didn't decorate before Hatch arrived it may not get done. On Sunday, my parents came over for the day since we hadn't seen them in a month. We had lunch & did a little last minute errand running for the nursery.

This week we both have lots of work to get done in preparation for us being out when Hatcher is born. It's stressful for me especially knowing I'm going to be out for 12 weeks & trying to make sure everything is handled before he's born. Other than that, we're still playing the waiting game! :)

Below is the 37 week "bump" shot & update.

How far along? 37 weeks, 1 day in picture, currently 37 weeks, 2 days

Total weight gain/loss: +28 lbs.

Maternity clothes? Yes

Stretch marks? I actually found just a few over the weekend. Can you believe it? I made it to 37 weeks without one & now they show up...such a bummer! 

Sleep: Sleep is about the same. Lots of potty breaks & it's becoming harder to fall asleep with all the thoughts running through my mind!

Best moment this week: Celebrating my boss's birthday with my co-workers & spending quality time with Johny & my parents. 

Have you told family and friends: Yes!

Miss Anything? Not having swollen hands & feet that remind me of little sausages! 

Movement: Lots of movement & I love every minute of it!!

Food cravings: Nothing new this week. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: No

Belly Button in or out? In

Have you started to show yet: Yes

Gender: Boy

Labor Signs: No

Wedding rings on or off? Off

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!

Looking forward to: 37 week appointment on Wednesday, the delivery of our new memory foam mattress on Wednesday & spending the weekend with great friends! :)

36 Weeks

We're officially in the 9th month!! We're so excited & can't believe there are only 25 days left until our due date!!

Over the holiday weekend with much help from Johny, we got lots done in preparation for the big day. The car seat is in the car & ready to go. We also got the pack & play set up in our bedroom since that's where Hatcher will be sleeping for the first few months. I have to admit waking up & seeing his bed in our room got me so excited today! I can't wait till he's laying in there!

We go to the doctor for our 36 week visit on Thursday & we're hoping for some progress! :)

Below is the 36 week "bump" shot & update. As Johny took this picture on Sunday, he said who knows this could be our last "bump" shot before H arrives! I guess we'll have to wait & see!

How far along? 36 weeks, 1 day in picture, currently 36 weeks, 3 days

Total weight gain/loss: +28 lbs.

Maternity clothes? Yes. The dress in this picture is from Motherhood Maternity & is borrowed from my friend, Becky. 

Stretch marks? Nope! :)

Sleep: Sleep is about the same. Lots of potty breaks & it's becoming harder to fall asleep with all the thoughts running through my mind!

Best moment this week: Spending the holiday weekend with Johny relaxing per doctor's orders after my visit last week. 

Have you told family and friends: Yes!

Miss Anything? Not feeling like my bladder may explode when I have to pee. I mean it's intense!!

Movement: Lots of movement & I love every minute of it!!

Food cravings: Nothing new this week. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: No

Belly Button in or out? In

Have you started to show yet: Yes

Gender: Boy

Labor Signs: No

Wedding rings on or off? Off

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!

Looking forward to: Our 36 week appointment on Thursday. Praying for progress & that we can finally make a decision on whether we're having a vaginal birth or c-section.