Our last night as a twosome....

So tomorrow is our daughters big debut! I decided a long time ago that if I did not have this baby by my due date, that I would proceed with a scheduled Cesarean Section instead of opting for an induction of labor. Not everyone will understand my choice in doing this, but for me, it just made the most sense. So now we have arrived at the day before my delivery date and I am beyond nervous. I don't know if I am more nervous about the procedure, or the fact that I am finally going to meet my daughter (I am sure it is a combination of both.) I have seen this surgery hundreds of times, and I know exactly how it will probably play out, but I am still extremely anxious.

John is as calm as can be. I don't think it will truly hit him until we are in the operating room tomorrow. He says it is all still very surreal to him, so he isn't quite sure how he is going to process it all yet. His love and support is definitely calming me down....somewhat! Let's see how well he sleeps tonight?

So this will be my last post before Baby Rivera is finally here. Almost 40 weeks of waiting and the big day is upon us. Hopefully I can get some rest tonight and wake up refreshed and ready. My baby girl is coming tomorrow!!!

39 Weeks!

How far along? 39 weeks! Baby Rivera is 20 inches, give or take an inch or so, and probably a little over 7 pounds!

Total weight gain/loss? 23 pounds! I lost a pound this week, which is common late in pregnancy.

Feeling Sick/Signs of Labor? I am so ready for this little girl to be out! I am tired, nauseous, and the heartburn is driving me crazy! I am having a lot of contractions, but unfortunately they are doing nothing. I have been 0.5 cm dilated for a month now. I feel like I have tried everything to get this labor going, but my efforts have failed. So sad. She will be here soon though!

Clothing? I have still been able to utilize some of my sundresses this week. They are so comfortable. I am so happy that I did not have to buy a single pair of full panel maternity pants my whole pregnancy. In actuality, I bought very few maternity items. Yay me. Oh how excited I am to get back into my old clothes.

Stretch Marks? Nope.

Sleep? My sleep schedule is routine now. I fall asleep usually by 10pm and am up every morning no later then 0730am. I wake up 2-3 times to use the little girl’s room, and sometimes an additional time due to uncomfortable contractions.

Movement? I still love every one of her movements. She is such an active little girl.

Cravings? ICE. ICE. and more ICE. Crushed ice is my favorite thing ever!

Gender? GIRL!

What I miss? The ability to breathe deeply. It is so difficult to catch my breath with this big belly hogging up all of the room where my other internal organs used to reside.

Upcoming Events? My Daughters big debut!!! I am scheduled for a Cesarean Section on Thursday if she doesn’t come before that! I can’t wait!

Best moment of the week? Spending one on one time with John, and enjoying our last few days as a twosome.

38 weeks!

How far along? 38 weeks! Baby Rivera is 20 inches, give or take an inch or so, and close to 7 pounds!

Total weight gain/loss? 24 pounds!

Feeling Sick/Signs of Labor? Feeling tired and low on energy. I am up bright and early every morning, anxious to get my day going, but I always hit a wall around 4pm and have no desire to do anything. I continue to contract, but nothing is happening from them yet.

Clothing? I have been able to utilize a lot of my sundresses over stretchy pants lately because the weather has been so nice. I just can’t wait to shop once this baby comes out. I am getting annoyed with having to dress this belly everyday.

Stretch Marks? Nope.

Sleep? Sleep has been okay lately. I wake up once or twice to use the little ladies room, but I am able to fall back asleep quickly. I do wake up at 7am every single morning. I no longer have the ability to sleep in.

Movement? I have a racehorse growing inside of me.

Cravings? I still love chewing ice. It is amazing.

Gender? All princess! I can’t wait to meet her. I think she is going to look like daddy!

What I miss? Not feeling fatigued and worn out. I may never have tons of energy again (because I will be chasing after a baby), but I just want to feel like I can walk up the stairs without feeling short of breath.

Upcoming Events? I continue to have my weekly non-stress tests and OB appointments. Maybe she will show up this week!!

Best moment of the week? It was a great week. I celebrated my 30^th birthday with my closest friends and family. It can only get better from here.

A few last minute maternity photos

The weather has been absolutely amazing in San Diego, so what better way to spend the day then in Balboa Park taking maternity photos. My mom got some great shots of John and I, as well as, some individual shots of me and the belly.

Belly Cast

Had a blast on Thursday doing a belly cast with my girlfriends. The kit was very easy to use and the mold turned out great. I can't wait to paint it!

37 Weeks!

How far along? 37 weeks! Full-term! Baby Rivera is pretty much done growing length wise (she is probably still around 20 inches), and somewhere between 6-7 pounds!

Total weight gain/loss? 22 pounds!

Feeling Sick/Signs of Labor? It was unusually hot in San Diego today, so today kind of sucked (this was one reason I avoided being 9 months pregnant in the summer time, but obviously I could not avoid that, as it is 80 degrees here in January.) I am definitely contracting, some are painful and some are not, but I am definitely tracking them and looking for regularity, but nothing that stands out yet.

Clothing? I am running out of things to wear! Especially in this warm weather we are having. All of my cute sundresses I was able to wear in the summer are now to short in the front (due to my big belly). Bummer. I am pretty sure I can manage through the next couple of weeks though. I am anxiously awaiting the day I get my body back and can buy a whole new post-baby wardrobe.

Stretch Marks? Nope.

Sleep? As long as I don’t have horrendous heartburn, I am sleeping decently through the night. I have noticed that I am now waking up every morning at 7am. Not my ideal time to wakeup, but I guess it is my body’s way of teaching me that sleeping in will be a thing of the past.

Movement? Lots!!!

Cravings? I am obsessed with chewing ice. It is very strange, but crushed ice is my new best friend.

Gender? I am getting more and more excited to meet Princess Rivera. This week I painted my toenails hot pink and put hot pink streaks in my hair in her honor.

What I miss? Not having a baby in my ribs. She must love short ribs because she is constantly in mine. She definitely makes it hard for her mommy to breathe sometimes.

Upcoming Events? So.many.appointments. I am trying to squeeze everything in before this baby gets here, so I feel like I have a different appointment everyday.

Best moment of the week? I had my first NST on Monday and was able to hear 40 minutes of her little heart beating. She sounds amazing. I also had a really nice dinner and dessert party with my girlfriends. It was a great week!

36 Weeks!

How far along? 36 weeks! Baby Rivera is roughly 20 inches from head to toe, and about 6 pounds!

Total weight gain/loss? 21 pounds!

Feeling Sick/Signs of Labor? I am feeling great now that I am on maternity leave. I have had more time to relax. I continue to contract daily; some are feeling more painful then others. The doctor told me on Thursday that I am 0.5 cm, 50 percent effaced and that she is really low. I could stay this way for the next few weeks or this could be the start to something. Bring it on!

Clothing? Well at least I don’t have to wear my scrubs anymore. I wouldn’t have lasted another week wearing them. I continue to strut around in my camisoles and stretchy pants, not sexy at all, but comfortable. My mom and I went shopping for hospital attire today and also looked at some cute things to wear once I get my pre-pregnancy body back. I can’t wait.

Stretch Marks? Nope.

Sleep? HAHAHA. I dream about sleeping through the night.

Movement? Wiggle worm! I still love her movements, except for the kicks to my bladder. Those don’t feel so good.

Cravings? I love lemon treats. Lemon bars, lemon cake, lemoncello crème torte from Cheesecake factory. YUM!

Gender? I can’t stop saying “my daughter.” It’s so strange to think I will have a daughter in just a few short weeks.

What I miss? I saw the cutest sequin shorts today at Forever 21 and wanted to try them on, and then I remembered that I have a BIG belly. Not so hot. I miss my little belly and can’t wait to get back in to my little clothes (of course mom appropriate now).

Upcoming Events? I start my weekly non-stress tests this week, as well as, my weekly OB appointments. I also have my third baby shower on Friday.

Best moment of the week? This week has been a bit overwhelming, but I would have to say that hearing my little girl’s heartbeat made all of my other feelings seem minuscule.