38 Week Update

First of all...
Haha! Quite a change from our photo last year. (Scroll to the bottom of the post to see it.)

We've had a lovely holiday weekend here. It's become a tradition for Jeff's college roommates and their wives to come to Roanoke over the 4th for Floyd Fandango - an annual beer/wine festival nearby. It was fun to have all of them in town and - of course - they absolutely SPOILED Baby C with gifts and goodies. Anyway, although I joined them for dinner on Saturday night, I opted out of the festival in this 97 degree weather we are having. Instead, Jeff enjoyed a day with his friends (with his cell phone on high alert "just in case") and I went to the lake with my family for some shade-sitting, reading, and floating on a raft. It was perfect. Tomorrow, I'm hoping to do some little project around the house and then we are going to a cook-out later. (Of course, it isn't too late for our little one to make a patriotic appearance either though!)

Which brings me to...

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 38 weeks on Saturday

Do you see how full my hair is on top? It's just perfect for this hot weather. Haha! I never thought I'd say this, but I'm ready for some of it to fall out!

Size of Baby: Approximately 6.8 pounds, 19.5 inches & the length of a leek (according to Baby Center). *I asked my OB about checking his weight via ultrasound - you know, because of the Gestational Diabetes - and he said they wouldn't do anything different unless the baby was projected to weigh over 11 POUNDS!!! Wow. Can you imagine? That's all I will say about that.

Maternity Clothes: Yes, mostly really stretchy comfy ones. Although, I'm proud to report that I never actually outgrew any of them. (Some women do, OK, and I have to take small victories as they come!)

Gender: I realized today (only 38 weeks in) that this is sort-of silly to re-state each week... It hasn't changed (that I know of... Oh, God, please don't let it change!)... He's still my little guy.

Movement: Still feeling lots. (I also learned at my last OB appointment that he IS head-down, but has not officially "dropped" yet.)

Sleep: For the most part, I'm still sleeping really well. I'm also sleeping A LOT. This past week in particular, I took a nap almost every afternoon. Thank you summer vacation.

What I miss: Being able to bend down and get up from a chair comfortably. Wearing cute shoes.

Cravings: Krispy Kreme donuts? Haha! I don't know...

Symptoms/ Signs of Labor: As of Wednesday of last week, I was 1cm. dilated. This isn't that impressive, but at least it is something. Other than that small glimmer of hope for an early arrival, I'm feeling NOTHING. If I'm having contractions at all, they are very mild. I'm praying that this just means one minute my water will break and the next (well, hour) I'll have a baby... Maybe I'll be one of the "lucky ones" - wouldn't that be ironic? All my other symptoms are still around (difficulty moving, swollen everywhere, etc. etc.), but I'm used to them by now... I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Best Moment(s) This Week: Celebrating our 4th wedding anniversary with a fancy dinner for two. We were well aware of the fact that every anniversary from here on out will be very different. And, FINALLY finishing the nursery and posting pictures for all to see!

What I'm Looking Forward To: Having a baby! (Well, not really all the yucky painful parts... But the end result for sure!!!! Plus, I'm just really curious to see what this whole "labor thing" will be like for me.)

I'm not going to lie, part of me REALLY wants this to be the last "pregnancy update" I do for a long time. I've predicted a 4th of July(ish) baby since the very beginning, so I would NOT be sad if Baby C came this next week. BUT, I'm also not miserable. I'm honestly trying to enjoy the final days/weeks before he makes his appearance and not waste them away. I find myself thinking "this will be the last time I do this without a baby" many times a day. I guess only time will tell... In the meantime, thank you for all your prayers and support in these last few weeks... They are very felt and very appreciated! You know I'll keep you updated.

Hot and Ready

No, my title is not referring to Baby C being "fully cooked" OR my current emotional/physical state - although either one would be a perfect description right about now - I'm actually talking about donuts.  You know, Krispy Kreme Hot & Ready:

Now that you get the picture (are you drooling yet?)... Let me tell you a little story about these donuts and a 9-month-pregnant-hormonal-diabetic-woman.  (I won't say who this woman is.)

The evening started out great.  Said woman and her husband had just finished a wonderful dinner and were happily headed downtown to get sugar-free frozen yogurt.  Then, out of nowhere, the unassuming couple ran across the above lit-up sign.  The husband - who, literally NEVER requests sweets - has a moment of weakness and asks if he can stop and get ONE.  The wife - at this time, still quite content and excited for her frozen yogurt, said YES and instructed him to pull in.  While she waited in the car, husband ran inside like a giddy school boy.  Within seconds, he emerged from the shop with a whole DOZEN donuts and a smile the size of Texas.  He then proceeded to get in the car, rip into the box, and devour a steaming-hot-melt-in-your-mouth-donut as the smell overtook the car.

It was at this point, that things took an unexpected turn...  Nine-month-pregnant-hormonal-diabetic-woman went CRAZY.  While poor husband innocently held his box of donuts, crazy wife screamed, yelled, and - yes - CRIED because husband was being so "insensitive" by eating the donuts in front of her.  (Remember, she TOLD him he could.)  

Needless to say, crazy woman then decided she did NOT want frozen yogurt - because by now her mascara was all over her face and she was "not in the mood."  Traumatized husband closed his box of eleven remaining donuts and put them in the backseat to take to work in the morning.  The night did NOT end well.  

Luckily, husband is very patient and promptly forgave wife - even took the blame.  Today is a new day and donuts seem less important.  However, that being said, woman would not be sad at all if someone remembers to bring her a dozen "hot & ready" donuts when she is in the hospital in a few days/weeks.

Sausage Thingies: Excellent Make-Ahead Breakfast Recipe

Today at Kelly's Korner, we are sharing our favorite breakfast recipe.  I thought about sharing something extravagant with you... But, I'm just not an extravagant breakfast eater.  So, instead, I'm sharing these yummy, easy, make-ahead Sausage Thingies (creative name, I know) that our friends Daniel & Katie introduced us to recently:

Hands on Time: 30 minutes give or take
Serves: 12

Ingredients:
Sausage (1 lb. mild)
Kraft Old English Cheese (2 small jars approx.)
English Muffins (pkg. of 6)


- Split the English muffins and lay them out on wax paper

- Cook the sausage in a frying pan as you would normally do

- Once sausage is fully cooked, drain fat & return to pan

- Add the cheese and stir until it is melted and well blended

- Spoon sausage and cheese mixture onto English muffins

- Allow to cool for approximately one-hour

- Wrap sausage-thingies (I usually stack them with aluminum foil) and freeze.

- Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 30 minutes (or until muffins begin to brown) before serving.

I eat these as just a quick breakfast from the toaster oven a lot during the school year... But, company seems to be impressed by them with a a little side of fruit too! (Definitely making up a batch or two to freeze before baby comes!)