The Time of Zwischen

Yesterday marked my 37th week, a significant day as this is the point where babies are now considered full term and should be born between now and 42 weeks.  This was also they day in my pregnancy with Elena in which my water broke and less than 12 hours later I birthed our sweet bundle of light.

Some call this time zwischen, German for between.  "The last days of pregnancy— sometimes stretching to agonizing weeks—are a distinct place, time, event, stage. It is a time of in between. Neither here nor there. Your old self and your new self, balanced on the edge of a pregnancy. One foot in your old world, one foot in a new world"  Jana Studelska CPM/LM, www.mothering.com.  This aptly describes my emotional and physical state right now.  I've never been good with transitions especially once I have come to accept what will happen but have to wait.  So between physically aching, feeling motion sick, constant bathroom breaks, acid reflux, unable to sleep, constantly hungry, fluctuating hormones and being stuck in between--as one could imagine, I'm mentally a roller coaster.  This is a place I never visited while pregnant with Elena, she just came too early.

We are ready for our next bundle, this one seems to have energy, strength and endurance based on his acrobatics in my belly.  While everything isn't perfect around the house, it is functional.  The crib has been reassembled, this time we have a sheet--washed and on the crib.  We have clothes washed and ready to be worn.  My bag is packed, car seat ready to go.  All things that weren't ready when Elena arrived.  Plans for what to do with Elena when the time comes are in place.  And fortunately I've been lucky enough to have started my maternity leave.  I've enjoyed a week of bonding with Elena, relaxing (including a massage), napping, cleaning up our home and finishing a quilt for our new addition.

As a side note/update: at 35 weeks 4 days, we had our 3rd ultrasound to measure this boy's growth.  He has consistently measured big with his tummy greater than 97%.  His body was measuring the average size at 37 weeks, his tummy was at 41.5 weeks for a whopping weight of 8lbs 3oz at the time of the ultrasound.  Of course these measurements are estimates and it seems the weight can be off by 2lbs in either direction.  Either way, if you consider he should put on 1/2 pound a week for the last few weeks, his estimated weight comes in at 8lbs 3oz to 10lbs 3 oz (I can't even think about the possibility that he's measuring smaller than he actually is).  I've put on 10 pounds less with this pregnancy than with Elena, yet it appears he'll be at least a pound heavier, most likely more.  This boy loves food just like the rest of us :)  

Elena's Self Entertainment

This is my first week of maternity leave.  I took Elena out of day care for the week so we could have some Elena Mommy bonding time before the baby is born.  We have had a great week so far--full of board games, books, crafts and a morning with Chris and Lorraine while I went off for a pregnancy massage.

Elena had asked if she could get the finger paints out but we were scheduled to go to the beach soon so I told her not today.  Unfortunately I wasn't feeling so well so I laid down for a bit and fell asleep.  Well, Elena decided to make her own paints with chalk and water.  This is what I awoke to...chalk paint covering both the cement and paver patios....

...and of course Elena.  She even stripped herself down to her underwear to keep her jammies clean.

She had so much fun.  When she was done, we filled up the little pool and she washed it all off.  She was so cute, she insisted in wearing her floaty.   

Swim Fun

Today we went to Chris and Lorraine's for some swim time.  Elena was a bit unsure of the pool at first but quickly warmed up.  As you can see, she had a blast with Carl and posing fun for the camera.

Yes, we are in the tongue phase...how long does this last??

Grandma Lorraine showing Elena how to use her arms when she swims.  Later this fall, after baby is born and we are in a routine, I hope to enroll Elena in swim lessons.  She loves being in the water just like her parents.

Baby Shower

My co-workers threw me the sweetest baby shower today and everyone was happy that I made it to this shower.  I missed the shower they threw when I was pregnant with Elena because we were in the hospital recovering from an early delivery.

I have been overwhelmed with the emotional support I have received during this pregnancy from my co-workers (as it hasn't been an easy pregnancy) and their generosity for this bundle in my belly.

We received a little bit of everything...a few sets of clothes, a vibrating rocker chair, a teddy, a lion rattle, diapers, wipes, pacifiers, changing pad with cover, a sheet, swaddle and receiving blankets and a couple of gift cards.  All more than a girl could have asked for.  I am so lucky to work with such a wonderful group of people.

Happy Birthday to Me

 This year we mixed things up and had a watermelon cake instead of a sugar cake.  I'm just not craving or enjoying refined sugar nearly as much as I used to.  I'm sure this has helped in maintaining my pregnancy weight gain in the normal range.  Watermelon, on the other hand, I just can't get enough.

 Elena and Carl loading up the cake with candles.

 Just a little taste.  Doesn't everyone need a taste after the candles are in place?

 "Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you..."

Candle blowout!

Please pay no attention to my sewing machine set up on the table, I'm in mid-project.  And forgive the messy looking living room.  It's hard to tell but those are games on the coffee table and art supplies across the rest of the table.  And a bag quasi-packed on the chair, ready to go just in case.  No chances on this baby--hospital scrubs are no fun to lounge in.