38 Weeks

How far along are you?: 38 weeks, 1 day

Total weight gain: 30 pounds

How big is the baby?: Almost 6.8 lbs and 19.5 inches long.

Maternity clothes: I've started to grow out of some of them!

Stretch marks?: They better not come now!

Sleep: All I do is have baby dreams all night long.....

Best moment this week: On my last day of work before maternity leave, I was let off early, so I scooped Harlie up from daycare and headed to Faith Nails for a pedicure. It was Harlie's first time getting her nails done and she was super excited. I was in desperate need of a pedicure (my feet were frightening) and was even more in need of some pampering. I thought it would be fun to have a little Mommy and Me date with H before Ashlynne came and I'm so glad we did. The pedicure felt soooooooo good and Harlie was loving every moment getting her nails and toes painted.

Movement: Oh Boy! Well I had a little freakout on Saturday because Ashlynne hadn't been very active and I was afraid something was wrong.  So I drank some juice, laid on my side, and 15 minutes and a pep talk (text) from Melanie later I started to feel her kick. After downloading a kick count app (iPhones are awesome), I was reassured that she was ok and calmed down. But then I had my OB appt on Monday and just mentioned to her that she had been a little less active lately. Not trying to make a big deal out of of it, but wanting to let her know. Being cautious Dr. Juhn suggested I head over to Mercy on my way home to have the baby monitored, just to make sure. She was pretty confident everything was fine and that I'd be in and out in 30 minutes. Better safe than sorry!  I head over there around noon (starving) with Keri at home with 3 kids expecting me soon so she can help me put some baby stuff put away. Well, 5 hours later after pulling Scott away from his golf game --I've been monitored for 3 hours, then a false alarm sends me to have an ultrasound done to check amniotic fluid levels and all kinds of other stuff--we find out everything is just fine and I get to finally go home.  The bright side is that we'll know our way to Labor and Delivery now, since they've had a renovation since Harlie was born and I got totally lost on my way in yesterday (that would be no good if I was in actual labor) AND we got another confirmation that our little peanut is still a girl!!!  Yay, since I took the tags off all the clothes already. :-) Also, another funny thing.... I've been avoided and craving deli meat my entire pregnancy, being super cautious about BACTERIA, OH NO! And then yesterday, after mentioning that I should have stopped for lunch had I known I'd be at the hospital so long, the nice nurse brings me a sandwich, a turkey sandwich!  I just had to laugh, and it was GOOD!

Food cravings: Sushi and OJ

Food aversions: None

Labor signs: I'm still 3 cm dilated and 50% effaced. Doctor Juhn says that is normal for a second pregnancy and says my body is ready whenever baby decides to come.  She actually told me she thinks my labor will last about 4 hours. 4 HOURS?! Holy crap. I'm legitimately freaked about getting my epidural in time.  But she did say as soon as my contraction are 10 minutes apart to come right in and if my water breaks first, to head to the hospital within an hour at the latest. So we'll see. It'll be interesting to see if her prediction holds true.

Belly button in or out: It wants to pop out, but it's pretty flat.

What I'm looking forward to: Enjoying maternity leave but also I can't to hold my new baby girl.  It's not a bad place to be in right now....filled with anticipation and being able to focus 100% on her arrival.  Baby is on the brain 24/7 now and I like it.

It was cute, Scott actually suggested that we take another progress picture given that she might come any day. AND he told me to wear this sweater because it makes my belly pop. :-)

Also, here are some photos of baby Ashlynne's space in our bedroom. Thanks to Melanie and Keri, we were able to make it special with their custom-made shower decorations. I love it.