Pearls and Perfection Problems: 37 Weeks

How far along? 37 weeks

Baby size: Winter Melon, 6.30 lb, 19.13 in (crown to heel)

Total weight gain/loss: I went to the doctor today and have gained 26 pounds!!! I guess I did some damage at the beach trip... 3 pounds in 2 weeks :(
Maternity clothes? Yes!
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: Sleep has been very off and on. Some nights I will sleep solid like a rock, get up to use the bathroom, and go right back to sleep until Emersyn wakes me. Then other nights I wake between 1-3am and do not go back to sleep for the remainder of the night. I know I have a lot on my mind of ALL THE MANY THINGS that need to be done in the next few weeks... and I am anxious about the big change that is about to happen and how Emersyn is going to adjust. That could be part of what is messing up my sleep, but I am also hot flashing throughout the night and it is simply hard to get comfortable with such a large belly. Sunday night I woke at 2am and could not go back to sleep the rest of the night and Monday I woke at 1am and was up the rest of the night. When the 4th of July came on Tuesday... the fun "let's go to the pool or lake Erica" was gone. Thankfully Daniel realized it and played with Emersyn most of the morning for me to relax some. When I am asleep though, it is deep sleep. Poor Daniel has slept more on the couch or in the bed with Emersyn than in his own bed because my snoring is so bad.
Best moment this week: We returned from the beach and Friday I took a LONG nap to catch up in my own bed :) Saturday we went to my parents to swim, but a storm came so we stayed inside and had dinner together. When we told Emersyn on Saturday that we were going to see Mimi and Pappy, she grabbed her bag and started putting clothes in it saying she was going to spend the night... and she did haha!! Sunday, since Emersyn was at my parents, Daniel and I skipped church to get a few things done on our "to do list" while we were kid free. Around lunch we headed to my parents and spent the rest of the day swimming with them and Emersyn. We normally are at the lake for the 4th, but I have no desire to bounce around in a boat right now!! We had a delicious cookout at Daniel's parents on the 4th and then went to Lake Bowen to watch the fireworks.
Thursday, I had a doctor's appointment. I gained 3 pounds!! I think that is the most I have gained between any doctor's appointment ahhh!! Baby is growing or either I ate too much at the beach. I had an ultrasound, and we were able to see Brayden really good. He showed his sweet squishy face this time!! His heartbeat was 138bpm, and my fluid level was a 17 which was good. He is measuring in at a whopping 7lbs 7oz and in the 80%ile!!! Emersyn weighed 7lbs 6oz at 41.5 weeks, so he is a much bigger baby. When I saw the doctor, he seemed a bit concerned with how big Brayden measured and said that he probably would not let me go past 39 weeks. He checked to see if there was any progression, and I heard those stinging words: your cervix is not favorable at all... you're a ZERO!! I asked him why he thought baby brother grew SO MUCH between 28 weeks when he was in the 29%ile and 37 weeks when he was in the 80%ile. I told him I craved much healthier things with this pregnancy than with Emersyn and had gained less weight at this point with him than with her. I also said that all I hardly eat for dinner lately is a bowl of Cheerios and peaches. He told me to lay off the Cheerios haha!! So between now and 39 weeks, I am praying specifically for several things.
1) Safe delivery for both of us and a healthy baby boy
2) That I can deliver without a C-section
3) That I can go into labor on my own
4) If that can't happen, that I can at least dilate to a 2 on my own so we can start Pitocin and avoid the night before medicines like I had to do with Emersyn
Miss Anything? I'm past getting ready every day and would prefer to just be at home in a tshirt because that is the most comfortable. I'm looking forward to being able to bend and move quicker and easier once this big belly is gone... every task takes longer, even getting up from the floor or in the car. I also miss enjoying being outside with Emersyn. I am totally over this heat!!!
Movement: He was super active during the ultrasound we had, which was around 3pm. He is also very active if I wake at night around 2-3am. There is no doubt that he is getting his "kick counts" in for the day (although I don't ever count them).
Food cravings: Watermelon, peaches, smoothies, cereal, hamburgers, salt and vinegar chips, sandwiches with tomatoes
Anything making you queasy or sick: Bacon, eggs, anything containing onions or peppers, usually pass up on desserts
Have you started to show yet: Yes
Gender: It's a BOY!!
Symptoms: Throat burn has gotten worse this week, so I am keeping gum in many afternoons and evenings and upping the Tums I take. I've also started having some upper thigh pains, and things are still super crowded in the stomach area. Sitting for long periods of time is impossible. I feel SO much better in the mornings because I am smaller, but as the day goes on... everything grows (belly, ankles, calves, fingers, etc).
Belly Button in or out? In but pretty flat, and it is still very tender.
Wedding rings on or off? Off
Looking forward to: After learning that I only have 2 weeks to go because of his weight, I am currently in panic/get it done mode. I was assuming he would be like Emersyn and come way over my due date, so I at least had 4 more weeks... SURPRISE!!! Things are about to get really serious and crazy around here (sorry Daniel haha)!!