9 Months.. Just like that..
Holy Smokes.
I'm literally not sure how this pregnancy is flying by so fast.
While I feel that time is literally slipping through my fingers like grains of sand, it also can't move quickly enough for me to be able to hold you, little one!!
Week 36 started out pretty special - on Mother's Day. I got my first official card & a gift certificate from the hubs for a pedicure. He knows that the struggle is REAL now to reach my own toes. HA!
The day before, I did my usual Saturday cardio routine. That night, it triggered my first series of pretty intense contractions. For about 3 hours we wondered if I would continue to progress beyond contractions every 3-4 minutes, but things ended up slowing back down entirely on their own to very frequent Braxton Hicks without pain.
Neither of us were rattle by the situation, but it reminded us both of how CLOSE we actually are to the big day & the fact that my body is going to do this whether we're "ready or not."
Ready or not..
This is scary for some gals, but for me - it's actually comforting.
The fact that I can't control any of this & literally am along for the ride is yet another reminder of how our bodies as women were literally created to grow & birth little humans. What a blessing & honor that is!!! Thank you, Jesus!
After that burst of excitement, we decided there was NO better time to get the car seat all set up! We took a trip to my sisters house to visit her, my brother in law & niece for Mother's Day lunch & to pick up their infant car seat we're borrowing.
It's pretty cool that my older sister & I will have babies on 10 months apart from each other!! We're all so grateful to be near each other in this season!
Car seat installation: CHECK - a BIG baby do list item is officially crossed off!!
This was a BIG week for my baby do list. Every day we were knocking things out.. I think it all started with getting that car seat put in. After that, it was like the domino affect kicked in! And it felt GREAT!!
That being said - nesting has continued with a vengeance. For both of us - but especially this mama bear!!
The organized planner inside of me is LOVING this "excuse" to get things in order around the house - although I know right now this is literally for survival! haha.
I made about 10 freezer meals this week that I can either throw right into the oven or dump in the crock pot when we need them. I'll be sure to blog about those recipes soon! Thank God for pinterest inspiration from mamas who have gone before me :)
Freezer Meals: another big CHECK off our list this week.
I KNOW exhausted, PP lindsey will be thanking me for this in a few more weeks!
Speaking of exhausted ;)
These snapshots after a couple of my workouts this week are pretty self explanatory. I haven't eased up a bit on my training schedule - in fact, I'm on week 2 of this final 30 day block of Chalene Extreme. However, I sure am tired!!
Sleep is happening less & less as my body continues to grow//become more uncomfortable. SO I don't have quite the same energy during my workouts or put out as hard as I usually would. But it's funny how at the end of my 45 minutes I'm still absolutely drenched, as if I had just completed the hardest workout of my life :)
#CantStopWontStop
I know the gals in my May accountability group are proud of me for keeping up my commitment to myself, this baby & our challenge together - I hope they know how big of a role they play in keeping me motivated!!
{Want to know more about these online accountability groups? Email me at lindseykollar@yahoo.com }
Another big baby prep moment of the week that I crossed off the list (can you tell I'm on FIRE right now!?): interviewing a pediatrician!!
Although I had a few questions about vaccination schedules, I walked into that appointment like a deer in headlights. I asked a couple questions, but totally owned my rookie status & said that I would let her know what else I thought of later on when the baby arrived.
Y'all. I could hardly think objectively.
I was way too busy trying to mentally process the shock of sitting in a pediatric office that was covered in toys, playing disney songs & had cartoons on the tv.
At the end of the day - it was a good visit & I think we found a decent option for the next year or so of us living here. That's a win!
Next up on my list: hospital go bags, packing the diaper bag, making our last minute list before we head to the hospital & finalizing gifts for our nursing/medical team.
This was a lot of fun for me - especially the part of getting things ready for other people. I LOVE giving gifts of appreciation. So gathering goodies and baking muffins to take to the hospital was a blast for me.
While this next item was a big one on our list, it moreso felt like a passing a milestone for us in this baby prep season. Like okay, now we can realllllllly have the baby: MATERNITY PHOTOS
I spent the weekend before shopping around for some dress options, which was quite the adventure. Thanks to everyone on FB who weighed in & helped me with feedback on the options I had chosen!!
At the beginning of the week, we finally met with our photographer & got them done. I can't wait to see the finished product - I'm sure they'll be GORGEOUS. Although if there were real life outtakes, you'd see all the bug swatting & SWEATING that was happening due to this insane Florida heat & humidity. Ha!
So grateful we were able to capture this precious bump! Although next time, I'll probably try to do photos a little earlier so I'm not as GIANT & sweaty :)
What else.. what else.
OH, our play gym came in this week from a small business called Spebarn & Sprout that I actually found a couple of months ago on Pinterest. The owner of this business is a stay at home, working mama from Portland, Oregon who hand makes each item with love.
If you're looking for a play gym, mobile, etc I would absoutely check her out (on the web or on IG). Help support another hustling mama who is working hard to be home with her babies!!
I spent lots of time in the nursery this week, wrapping up some last minute things & helping hubby narrow down a stain color for the shelves we're putting up soon. I feel SO close to this little girl when I sit in her room and watch her move in my belly. A nearly full term baby separated by what feels like just a layer of skin. It's AMAZING to watch her react to certain noises & touches of mine.
I will cherish these memories FOREVER, sweet girl!!
Little one, you're almost here.
Our midwife officially told us this week that you can really come at any time now & you'd be fine.
I'm fine if you bake a little longer, but if God gives you the green light, you go ahead & come on!! We're ready!
Mommy & Daddy love you to the moon!!
