oh baby:: 37 weeks!
37 weeks and I...
... "can't" do the dishes anymore because my belly won't let me reach the faucet.
... still battle that heartburn. Thankful for strong prescriptions that keep it at bay for the most part.
... pee about 30 times a day.
... am quite tired of this baby punching me 'down there'. I think The Bump accurately dubbed it "lightening crotch".
... need to hang just a few more things in the nursery before it's all ready!
... am dying in anticipation of Si's arrival.
... don't get what's so difficult about the name Silas. People give us funny looks whenever we share his name. (We've had several people think we're saying Silence. Yeah, that's a great name for a baby...)
... haven't felt a single contraction, real or false, that I know of.
... had ice cream for breakfast, because why the heck not?
... also have enjoyed a few glasses of wine this week, for the same reason.
I think that as the big day approaches, I'm more anxious about the recovery/post-partum stage than the birth itself. I'm actually really looking forward to experiencing birth, in whatever manner it happens. But the horror stories I've heard about recovery freak me out. I wonder if I'll be myself. I wonder if I can manage it with Chris' crazy work schedule. I wonder how breast-feeding will work out. I'm so thankful that my mama will be able to spend some time here with us right after Si's birth. As a mama to seven (perfect ;) kids, she will be a life-saver, I know it.
Several times this week, Chris and I have just sat watching my belly move and shaking our heads in disbelief that this Silas we've grown to love will be in our arms soon. It makes me giddy to see how excited Chris is and I am 100% convinced he's going to be a natural dad. We're soaking up our time together with little dates and quiet moments. I don't really think anything can prepare us for how different things will be on "the flip side", but after 3 beautiful years as just the two of us in marriage, we're so ready to become three.
lindsay
You're so cute! I'm jealous that you had ice cream for breakfast. Also, I really like the name Silas. Hope the next few weeks go well :)
ReplyDeleteOh man, I'm so with you. We moved on July 1 to a new state (my husband had moved two weeks before, leaving me on an air mattress with an 18-month old and no other furniture. At 37 weeks pregnant.) and I just had our second baby last Friday. My hubs took two days off but he just started his medical residency on the 1st and is on call so my mom was here until Tuesday but now it's just me and the two babies. We see my husband for 20 or so mins in the am and then sometimes not until after we are all in bed. Then he gets called in for surgeries and stuff in the night. I get where you are :) God has been so faithful though; I have another easy nurser who only got up ONCE last night between 9 and 6. We've had some hard times already but we are praying through it and so far everything has worked more smoothly than I thought possible. I'll be prayin for you too...the time will drag until sweet Silas gets here but then it will fly, and you WILL find a routine eventually!
ReplyDeleteWow, Hannah, sounds like a rough start! So glad your new little one is making a little bit easier on you though! Thanks so much for the encouragement and prayers. Definitely needed and absolutely appreciated!
DeleteI've been following your blog for a little while now and you are such a cute pregnant girl! I'm due in November and let me tell you, the after birth part scares me more than the actual birth itself too! I shouldn't have read the articles about it! but congrats to being almost done with pregnancy and I look forward to reading all about your new life as "mom" :)
ReplyDeleteYou are getting so close! How exciting! And I love your shirt, it's so cute! I don't see what's difficult about the name Silas either. I think it's a very nice name.
ReplyDeleteAnd on a completely random note, do you use a tripod when you take pictures of yourself, or does your hubby take them for you? I can never get my camera to focus correctly when I try to use my tripod to take pictures of me.
Lauren
http://laurensweetnothings.blogspot.com/
Lauren, I use my tripod. It takes a little finagling to get the focus right, but I've figured out how to make it work for me. (And not every photo comes out right! I just pick the ones that happen to work! ;)
DeleteI'm gonna jump on the cute train: I was going to say I think you might be THE cutest pregnant person i've ever seen! I also love the name Silas!
ReplyDeleteNo worries you will do great. I think knowing the post-partum is hard will help you a ton. And it's totally okay to cry and you are a great momma. Those are the two things I needed to hear daily. Your mom will be great help & find a couple friends you can text or call regularly. They were my lifesavers!!
ReplyDeleteThese next few weeks will fly by! And then when he comes, it goes by so quick. It's so fun though!
ReplyDeleteI once worked with a guy named Silas so maybe that's why I don't have an issue with the name? I actually really like it!
ReplyDeleteIf I told you what I want to name my future daughter you'd probably look at me weird. It's not the most normal name but whatev, unique is okay! At least you know when Silas is in school it's unlikely there will be any classmates that share his name.
Such an incredibly adorable baby bump. And I loved everything about this post. I will be sending gorgeous happy vibes your way! Happy and healthy delivery and thereafter...
ReplyDeleteYou look stunning. And yes. "Lightening crotch" is an appropriate name... I DONT miss THAT! We get funny looks when people ask what his name is and we reply with Sydney. xoxoxoxo I didnt do dishes the last couple weeks either - it was too much trouble to stand in the corner and load the dishwasher. =) I didnt swap the laundry either. It was a PITA to reach in to get all the pieces from the wash.
ReplyDeleteYou look so great! And I love all the colors! I nursed my baby girl and there were days when I got frustrated but for the most part it went well. Just be as relaxed as you can be because then your baby will be too! I'm sure you'll do great! With recovery take one day at a time and don't push yourself! I'm so excited for you and your hubby!
ReplyDeleteoh man...i'm feeling the pain "down there" too...its so odd. I think i had my very first braxton hicks contraction yesterday, but i'm not positive? of course...you're looking fab.
ReplyDeleteDon't talk to me about the after-birth and recovery process! I was a train wreck...down there...for awhile. I tore quite a bit and I swear at my 6 week post-partum appt with my doctor where he checks everything out and makes sure you heal properly, I did NOT believe him that I was okay to resume working out and...ahem...sex. Breastfeeding worked out right away and those were the times that helped me remember to slow down, enjoy the newborn phase, ice "down there", and just be in the moment. You will do great. The birthing process is so beautiful and you will remember it for the rest of your life. Our memorable moments were when my placenta fell onto my drs lap, and then onto the floor. It was dramatic. and even better, my daughter was born on Halloween, so we had lots of blood and guts on Halloween night! It was pretty laugh out loud. For a LOT of women, recovery is a sinch and they are out and about within a few days, and feeling great! I wasn't so lucky, but I am hoping and praying that this time around (due in Oct), I will bounce back muuuuch quicker. I really just want my mom to move in with us, but she has a life too, I guessssss ;-)
ReplyDeleteYou are going to do great! Nothing can really prepare you when that baby comes into the world, but once he finally does arrive, you'll look at your baby and at your husband and think, I can't imagine life without him now. We always say, what on earth was our life like before our daughter came?? We were boring. We must have been. Life is too good with kids :-)
Getting so close! and yes your right.....nothing can prepare for what is about to happen:) so glad your mom will be there for you.
ReplyDeleteI am feeling excited as the days go by.
ReplyDeleteYou're SO very close. I've said it before, but I truly think that you and Chris will be amazing parents and total naturals. Life on the "flip side" is indeed SO different, but so different in a wonderful way. It's great that you'll have your mom there for a while to help out. It's always nice to have an extra pair of mama hands right after giving birth. Don't stress the post partum stuff, just deal with it as it comes.. if it even does. Recovery isn't always a nightmare. It can be messy, a little painful, etc.. but compared to the past 9 months and giving birth, it's not bad. You'll be fine. Thinking of you, lots!
ReplyDeleteI love the name Silas! But I named my daughter Veda Jane and have to explain that one too :). One person thought I named her Feta. Yup, Feta and Silence... the next generation.
ReplyDeleteyou are the cutest!! oh I just love that belly!! I hope mine is that adorable!! <3! I am a new follower of your blog, but totally loving it! And I can't wait until I can "meet" your little guy! :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post Lindsay! Love all the faces you're making.
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard many stories about recovery. Maybe its because I try to stay away from the horror stories. I had a c-section and recovered quite quickly from it, but there is definitely a lot of emotion. You have a lot of support though - your husband, your mama, friends... I think that helps a lot. If you aren't yourself they will notice that and help! I'm anxious about recovery and getting my normal (ish) body back... and sleep... I'm nervous about how tired I am going to be with two! :S
Looking forward to "meeting" your little guy. It will be the best day of your life for sure!
Don't worry too much about the postpartum recovery. I know everyone has a different experience, but mine was this - nothing mattered quite as much as taking care of that precious new one. My daughter is almost 4 months now, and I remember feeling some pain after (I mean, hi, a human just came out of my body!) but the pain wasn't nearly as great as the newborn in my arms. Possibly the hardest thing for me was breastfeeding. Not because she wasn't a good nurser, but it's very time consuming teaching them how to latch and nurse while you're learning yourself. I also cracked very badly, so nursing got a little painful for me. But, again, nothing was unbearable. Just remember that God made your body to do all these things! And through Him you have the strength to give birth, recover and breastfeed your beautiful baby!
ReplyDeleteSilas is a great name...and hey calling him Silence as his nickname might just mean he'll be a good sleeper!!!
ReplyDeletePost baby recovery is different with every person and every baby!
Just roll with it...
rest when your body needs to rest,
cry when your body needs to cry,
eat good non-gas producing foods and lots of water...
and just let it roll over you. Don't fight the pain or the emotions that's part of childbirth!
And breastfeeding...isn't easy, but it's not too hard either...again...just roll with it...once you know little Si is latched on right let it happen...don't force it, don't stress about it...just relax and be the mother that God created you to be.
AND pray...every little time you start getting slightly overwhelmed just pray and rest in God!
love the belly!! And I totally get the name thing. My sons name is Deacon and people have the strangest reaction when they hear it!! Oh well!!!
ReplyDeleteLOVE this post. I'm so excited for you. People are idiots about baby names....
ReplyDeleteYou are adorable! I hope I can look as good as you when I get pregnant! :)
ReplyDeleteYou are looking beautiful, even there in the end (super tough) yet exciting weeks. You are almost there. I know everyone's recovery is different but mine was a breeze and the little blessing in your arms makes it easy to overlook the discomforts of new mamaness. It is truly the most beautiful thing ever. Wishing you the best. I so enjoy your blog.
ReplyDeleteI was actually amazed at how quickly I recovered. And it was even more so with my second, I was ready to go home within hours (not that they let me!)
ReplyDeleteSuper excited for Silas' arrival!
Love your post! You are all baby bump! So cute! The first three months seem to be the most award after birth- but just remember its okay to cry as often as you need to - and that you can do all things through Christ who gives you strength! Just trust in the Lord and you will do great.
ReplyDeleteOn another note that's so neat to see you are from a big family , I am too! There are 6 kids in my family.
God bless!
Chelsea
You took the words out of my mouth. I too am excited about the whole birth part but it's the recovery process that I'm little more concerned about. I'm 37 weeks too and I love reading your experience because it's so on point with how I'm feeling too.
ReplyDeleteDefining Tabitha
You just have the cutest baby bump I've ever seen! I hope I look half as good as you at 37 weeks... whenever that happens :)
ReplyDeleteJust remember Tucks pads and ice packs and don't be afraid to use up the pain killers they give you;)
ReplyDeleteTucks pads and ice packs and pain killers=yes.
DeleteYou will be a great mom! We all know it! Post-baby recovery is different for all moms-take lots of deep breaths to get you through the tough parts.
You are an amazingly beautiful mom-to-be, Lindsay!
I try not to tell expectant moms about the postpartum recovery--I don't wanna freak them out! (I'm glad no one really told me all the details either.) Having your mom around will be such a blessing. My mom came, and it was fabulous. If you're having trouble with the breastfeeding, don't forget about your resources like a Lactation Consultant and the La Leche League. Best of luck; I know you'll be an excellent mommy!!
ReplyDeletehi there! just thought I would let you know that I mentioned u in a blog post over @ www.urbanstarlings.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteoh lady, you are so gorgeous! I hope I look half as beautiful rocking a bump as you do. :)
ReplyDeleteum, yeah, I was reading an article the other day about post-partum recovery (don't ask me why i thought that was a good idea!) and it pretty much freaked me out. glad I won't have to worry about that for a while yet! =O
You are as adorable as ever. To get through the recovery, the number one thing you need to do is give yourself slack when things don't seem to be perfect. The second thing you need to do is give yourself credit for even the tiniest accomplishment. One month is a huge mile marker in recovery, but the three month mark is even better. You are gonna be an incredible mama.
ReplyDeleteAs for Si's adorable name...once people see it attached to your incredible baby boy, they will chill with the faces/remarks. Have no fear.
You are SO adorable!! I love all your pregnancy posts! I just did my last one last week, as our little guy had to make a little bit of an early entry! But, we're all doing well.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with everything in the next couple of weeks. Don't worry too much about the post-partum phase. It can be tough, but it SO depends on your delivery. Use everything they give you--including the mesh undies. Those are my fav! :) LOL! Rest, lots of water, and pain killers when needed will all help--as will all those precious baby snuggles. Can't wait to see pictures of Silas! :)
I don't want to preach what the world has already told you but at two weeks post partum with a two year old and some frustrating nights with my new baby the things that have helped my recovery is making sure my time with my hubby has been quality time spent. I have a friend who also just had a baby and it's wonderful chatting with her and laughing at our emotional insanities. Also, I had some tears with a few nursing problems and scheduled an appointment with a lactation consultant when my baby was a week - I suggest doing that if any problems arise after you've left the hospital but also take advantage of them while you're in the hospital too. Have them check baby's latch as that causes the most problem and pain but know that the first week/sometimes two are the hardest only because it's a huge adjustment. And take it easy post-partum, that ALWAYS makes the healing faster and easier :) you will be so awesome!
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