Thirty Seven, Thirty Eight & Thirty Nine

Baby Love is now around 19 inches long and weighs about 7 pounds.
She can be compared to a watermelon.

Yes, a watermelon. Let’s not even think about that. 

At thirty-eight-almost-thirty-nine weeks, I can happily report that I’m feeling great. Super-duper even. Now we’re just waiting, waiting, waiting. Sometimes I'm okay with waiting. Other times, not so much.

Each day that passes leaves me more anxious to meet this baby, but also thankful for another day with just my sweetie. I will miss our hugs with my tummy getting in the way, miss needing Timmy to pick things up for me because I can no longer reach the floor easily… miss feeling Baby Love's many kicks and wiggles, miss daydreaming about the uncertainty of the future, and miss Timmy's passionate prayers into my belly button. (Which really no longer exists, by the way.)

We've been praying into this little soul for nine (ten, really) months. I feel a special whisper in my heart, and I know that this baby - whoever s/he turns out to be -
will be one who knows God. 

God is so amazing. I can't wait to find out what day
He has destined Baby Love's birthday to be.

P.S. I'm really hoping for an August baby
so that Baby Love can share a birthday month with my Daddy.

Thirty Six.

Last week Baby Love was 18.5 inches long, and weighed about 6 pounds.
Kind of like a honeydew melon. 

“Come soon, Baby Love, come soon.” Those are the words Timmy and I have been repeating daily, hoping our whispered ideas will become a reality. We can’t wait to meet this little darling. SOON doesn’t seem soon enough. I’m impatient! 

 
And then, while daydreaming and wish wishing for an early arrival,
God spoke these words to me: “Baby Love WILL COME.”
 

Baby Love will come. So true, so simple, but so hard to grasp. Sooner or later, she will be born and I’ll be a mom and we’ll be a family of three. It will happen, that’s a guarantee… sometime within the next four to six weeks. 

 
A visit to the midwife last week showed that the baby is head down and has started to drop. Her heartbeat is strong and so are her movements. She responds to Timmy’s voice and when he laughs I can feel her wiggle.

I’m taking evening primrose and red raspberry leaf capsules in addition to my daily regimen of over 13 vitamins. (Thanks for taking care of me babe.) I’m going on walks and bouncing on my birth ball. I’ve been seeing a chiropractor who has straightened out my pelvic floor (apparently I was quite crooked) and is doing some sort of  magic with my uterine ligaments. Being well-aligned is essential to having an easy birth, and that’s what we’re praying for. 

So. We're ready.
"Come, Baby Love!! … whenever you're ready."

Thirty-Four & Thirty-Five

Baby Love is 18 inches long and weighs five pounds,
kind of like a melon.

Is it normal to feel apprehensive at this point? Because I am. Suddenly the reality of this baby coming – in less than one month! – is hitting me square in the face. My emotions spin in a wide range throughout the day. Moments of panic, where I sniffle and confess I’m worried about being a good mother. Hours of frantic cleaning, where I purge our cupboards with ruthless vengeance. Times of reflection, where I sit in the nursery and think and think about what having an actual baby really means.

I’m scared, anxious, excited, and nervous. I bounce back and forth between an overwhelming desire to finally meet our Baby Love and a want to stop time and stay exactly as we are.

It’s a good, good thing that I have Timmy. He somehow remains confident and the only emotion he consistently exudes is pure, uninhibited, gloriously enthusiastic excitement. He is excited to be a father, excited to have our lives disrupted for the better, excited for the challenge of putting a little someone’s needs above our own, and excited for how our marriage is going to grow stronger and closer. He says life is about to get a whole lot better. He says we will love each other even more than we do now. He says I was made to be a mom.

And I believe him. (I think.)



Once again, this post is late. I'm already on to 36 weeks... eek!

Thirty Three.

Baby Love was about 17 inches long last week
and weighs over four pounds,
kind of like a large purple cabbage.

 

Last week was just one of those weeks. I should have done a lot of things, but I didn’t. It was too hot. Instead of cleaning the kitchen I read baby books. Rather than folding the laundry, I sewed baby burp cloths. While I should have been making dinner, I rearranged the nursery three times and then, in the end, put everything back where it had been originally. I wasted two fresh tomatoes in an attempt to make homemade ketchup, only to taste it and toss it out. I drank Izze’s with a straw and I watched out the window for the UPS man to bring me boxes of online ordered baby treasures. I spent hours resting in bed (Tim came home from work twice to find me sleeping – oops!), just feeling the baby kick, kick, kick… and daydreaming about our future as a family of three.  

 
I purposely rearranged our schedules to accommodate our 33 week belly shoot, but the photos remained untouched on my camera for days. I’m already on to 34 weeks and am finally posting them, because my 33^rd week was really just one of those weeks. Nothing accomplished but all the silly little things that make life the sweetest.  

Thirty-Two.

Baby Love is still 15 inches long this week
 and weighs about 4 pounds,
which can be compared to four navel oranges. 

 

32 weeks pregnant in July is a pretty place to be. As the amount of clothes that fit me becomes less and less (due to both my expanding belly and increasingly swollen feet), I’m relying more and more on simple sundresses, comfy capris, flip flops, and sandals. This is made possible by warm air and bright summer-blue skies. Fresh summery organic fruits and veggies – bought from Amish stands and farmer’s markets - have been filling my plate with color and nutrients - sun ripened tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, zuchinni, and boiled baby red potatoes. Cherry tomato plants are thriving on our porch, thanks to Farmer Tim, and we peek out nightly to check on their progress. My anticipation of sweet corn leaves me breathless. Long walks at twilight, accompanied by twinkling fireflies and my favorite boy, are delicious summertime pregnancy treasures. Windows left open to sweet breezes, cool sheets to slide into, and the music of fans blowing create a summery symphony to fall asleep to, all the while rubbing my tummy and whispering the joys of the world to Baby Love. I am thankful for balmy thunderstorms, tank tops, and the carefree feeling that comes with the month of July. 

 
With less than eight weeks to go, I’m treasuring each wiggle and kick and trying to ignore my sore back, swollen fingers, and the return of an all-day-every-day lingering queasy stomach. I’ve been reading some good books, “Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth” and “On Becoming Baby Wise”, and learning and planning and preparing for the ever-approaching arrival of our little love.  

Soon.
Before the hot days are cast aside for crisp temperatures, before the leaves fall
– Baby Love will be here soon. We can’t wait.

Thirty & Thirty-One

Baby Love is 15 inches long this week
and weighs about 3.5 pounds.

Her *weight can be compared to a cabbage.

I totally missed out on the 30 week photos, which really is a bummer.

The past two weeks have been a whirlwind of activity
and have included super fun things like
painting the downstairs bathroom,
gardening the jungle in our front yard,
and our mailbox being stolen. (Why?!)

Not only has my nesting instinct kicked into full force, but it's swallowed up Timmy as well. He has been in a frenzy of activity that I can only describe as the male version of nesting. Suddenly it is of utmost importance to have the garage organized before the baby comes. I totally understand, because suddenly it is of utmost importance to have the downstairs closets cleaned out before the baby comes.

Not like the baby will care if either is done. But, if we have anything to say about it, both will be done. As well as all the other things that occupy our to-do lists.

Luckily, I'm still feeling great enough to spend hours crouching on the bathroom floor, painting behind the bathroom sink. (Don't worry Mom, I didn't breathe the toxic fumes.)

The Final Ten Countdown has begun.

*Now that Baby Love is mostly just fattening up, we're switching to weight comparisons for a while.

Twenty Nine.

Baby Love is over 15 inches long this week,
kinda like a loaf of sourdough bread.
 

This week, in our birth class, we learned how to have the baby in a car. You know, just in case everything moves so quickly we don’t have time to get to the birth center. I think - and I may be mistaken - but I truly think that, judging from the thrill of excitement in his eyes, Timmy thinks this birth option would be a pretty great adventure. Not me!

My sweet coworkers threw us a baby shower this week. Timmy joined the fun and enjoyed meeting the people I work with, eating double chocolate vegan cupcakes (from the Daisy Café and Cupcakery – YUM!), and helping me open a stack of beautifully wrapped gifts. We were definitely spoiled and completely overwhelmed with everyone’s generosity. Wash cloths, burp cloths, clothes, swaddle blankets… and more. They even bought me the pink bath tub I had registered for. (What? Pink matches my bathroom...)

I went home that night and just slowly examined each treasure, rubbed my hands on the soft onesies, twirled the swaddle blankets in my fingers, and really, truly, nearly cried when pulling out a hooded towel with “I love my Daddy” embroidered on the top.

I don’t know if Baby Love will have my eyes or my complexion, and I have no idea what personality traits we will share. (Judging from her enthusiastic bouncing in my tummy, she will have her father’s energy.) But, I do know that we already have one thing in common. 

Both of us adore this guy named Tim O’Brien with all our hearts. 

She’ll call him “Daddy” and I’ll call him “Hot Stuff”
and he’ll make sure our lives are never boring.
(Let’s just hope her life doesn’t start in the backseat of our car!)

Twenty Eight.

Baby Love is 14.8 inches long this week, 

about the size of a… *bottle of grapefruit juice.

Yesterday Tim and I had a conversation that went like this, “Oh Babe… I’m just getting a little uncomfortable… and lately Baby Love has been hooking her little toes under my right rib and kicking and it’s just really bothering me…” to which Timmy responded, “Really?! THAT’S AMAZING! I’m so excited! That’s the first time you said the baby was making you uncomfortable! That means we’re getting close to the end.” To which I responded, “Yes. Amazing.”

 
I like being married to Timmy because he gives me amazing perspective on life. Truly, feeling the baby hang like a bat from my ribcage IS AMAZING. The fact that I have a healthy little 28 week old baby IS AMAZING. The fact that we have less than twelve weeks left until my due date IS AMAZING.

Amazing is the only way to look at it, because if I dwell on the negative parts (bruised ribs, getting woken up in the middle of the night by a swift kick, etc.) then I totally lose the amazingness of being pregnant and this period of pregnancy is SO fleeting in the grand scheme of life.

While we’re talking about amazing things, I should mention that we’ve started taking natural birth classes – and they’re amazing. The more I learn about giving birth, the calmer I feel and the more I’m certain that bringing this baby into the world is going to be an AMAZING experience. 

In conclusion, we’re all amazing at the O’Brien house. Tim, Becki, and Baby Love are happy and thriving in a state of amazed happiness.  

*It's getting harder and harder to find fruits and veggies the right size. And despite my amazing state, this week was exhausting and when it came time to take our weekly photo... grapefruit juice was the only 14 inch thing in my fridge that wouldn't require a trip to the grocery store. 

Twenty Seven.

Baby Love is 14.5 inches long this week, 

about the size of a pineapple.

Baby Love’s movements have become more pronounced, graduating from little flutters to strong pushes. I love to stare at my belly, watching her little movements roll across my skin.

I have been much hotter than usual these days, thanks to my little built-in heater. For the first time in my life, I’m the “hot one” at meetings and events, fanning myself desperately with pieces of paper and books. I've been especially tired this week. So tired that these pictures almost didn't happen.

And I realize that this pineapple is a bit larger than 14.5 inches. But, when I saw it in the produce section, I immediately wanted to eat it, so... pineapple it is!

Twenty Six.

Baby Love is 14 inches long this week,
about the size of a leek.

 
In reality, the leek was longer than 14 inches, but we got out a tape measure and chopped it off at the correct length. It is getting harder and harder to find fruits and veggies the right size, and I think Baby Center is a little off with some of its weekly visuals. This week’s was cauliflower, but I have yet to see a 14 inch cauliflower…

My overall feeling for this week has been tired and - when I realized that this is the final week of my second trimester – melancholy. I am excited for September to draw nearer, but I’m also a little anxious as I contemplate everything this last trimester brings. 

 
I have been reflecting on all the best moments of Trimester Two - no more morning sickness, feeling Baby Love’s first flutters – and this week I've been soaking up these last days of being in the middle of my pregnancy. Everything seemed to even out in this trimester, and somewhere between weeks 14 and 26 I became totally used to and comfortable with carrying this life inside me. It was smooth sailing and I had almost forgotten that eventually I will no longer be pregnant and this baby WILL make an appearance at the end of these nine (ten) months. Really? I was beginning to feel (quite contentedly) as if I would be pregnant forever. 

 
I love being pregnant. It’s such a beautiful, miraculous journey, and I honestly feel as if these months have been some of the happiest of my life. It’s bittersweet to see an end in sight.

 
But at the end of these last three months
is the promise of meeting Baby Love – finally - face to face.

Twenty Five.

Baby Love was 13.5 inches long last week,
about the size of a Greek cucumber.  

My 25th week of pregnancy was spent walking up hundreds of Greek stairs, exploring the ancient ruins, and sightseeing in Athens. We happened to find this incredibly long cucumber at one of the many fruit and veggie stands in the Grecian seaside village we spent several days at and decided it was the perfect length to use for a 25 week belly shot. Let me just say that, looking at these pictures, I have a hard time believing that 13.5 inches of anything could fit inside my belly.

But, I must look legitimately pregnant now because nearly everyone commented on my belly and asked me "how many months" I was. I would hold up six fingers to show six months and receive loud exclamations of "I hope he comes out strong!" and "Oompa!". One of our waiters told me that "Children are like angels from heaven" and showed us many pictures of his son that he had stored on his phone. Greeks love children and I was told repeatedly that “Children are life! They are everything and bring the whole family joy.”

Baby Love was especially wiggly last week, especially on the plane rides. Every time the plane hit any turbulence I could feel her kicking crazily near my ribs. Several times I could feel a tiny arm or leg push out and I could actually feel the hardness of a small hand or foot. Her usual schedule of sleeping during the day and becoming active at night was totally flip flopped due to the time change, and I enjoyed being awake for all her little flutterings. 

Twenty Four.

Baby Love is 12 inches long this week,
the size of a celery stalk.

Our knowledge of Baby Love began in January. Outside, snowflakes were falling and inside, a pregnancy test confirmed what Timmy already felt sure of. My surprise was surrounded by hushed snow banks, cold stars, and frozen, crystal winds. Our baby was the size of a lentil and no evidence of her existence was showing, except those two beautiful blue lines. September felt so far away.

Now the days are getting warmer and summer is slowly tiptoeing in. Soft, warm breezes are fluttering newly opened flower petals and bright green leaves. I can feel the sunlight getting hotter and I am happily anticipating the hot, humid days of June and July. My stomach is growing round and our baby’s kicks and wiggles are becoming more pronounced and forceful. She is a foot long and she has been growing in my belly for six months. The evidence of her little life is tangible and real. September feels so very near. 

 
The weeks are flashing by so quickly.

Right now Baby Love and I are existing together in a state of bliss. She moves and I smile. I rub my belly as she sleeps. When the numbers on my scale are climbing daily and the numbers on my calendar are quickly falling away… there is nothing left to do but bask in the happiness that is found at six months pregnant. 

 
And my joy is furthered by the fact that this baby’s father
is also my best friend and favorite person.

Twenty Three.

Baby Love is 11.5 inches long this week,
about the size of a spaghetti squash.

Yesterday afternoon we had a midwife appointment and we listened to Baby Love’s little heartbeat (one of my favorite sounds), which was beating strongly at 140 beats per minute. As we listened, Timmy put his face close to my tummy and said “Hey there baby!” and the heartbeat immediately sped up to 150. So cute. (My heart does the same thing when Timmy talks to me. He’s such a charmer.)

 
The midwife also told us it is time to sign up for childbirth classes, and we’ll be starting those at the beginning of June!

 
Avocados are still my favorite, although mini cucumbers have been added to my list of cravings. Mini cucumber slices taste especially delicious dipped in fresh parsley hummus. 

 
The baby’s movements have become more regular, and she seems to wake up right as I’m falling asleep each night. I love drifting off to dreamland while feeling her soft kicks and praying for her little life. Our constant prayer is for the Lord to bless her with the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control) and to fill her little heart with love for Him.