Thirty-Six Weeks

Just about a month left of this pregnancy! Everything's going well, I'm still feeling mostly fine (although very, very large) and I think I've gained enough weight to avoid an extra ultrasound. Weekly check-ups start on Monday with the Strep B test and a quick check to make sure Betsy's head down. 

I've been going to prenatal yoga, acupuncture, and the chiropractor once a week since the beginning of December. Now I've added the probably completely ineffective evening primrose oil and raspberry leaf tea. I'd read a study that found eating six dates a day from 36 weeks was supposed to be helpful, but, you guys, I just can't eat dates without gagging. I tried them plain first, then in a smoothie, then in oatmeal and all options were terrible. Oh, well, I gave it my best shot. 

Of course, I'm also trying to get in lots of walking, which is kind of tricky in the winter when the sun sets at 4:30 pm. After a couple days of unsuccessful attempts to fit a walk with the girls into our schedule during the daylight, I decided to join the nearest gym. Totally worth the $50 monthly membership fee to have somewhere to walk in the evenings while watching HGTV.

And as I'm typing this, someone is cleaning my bathrooms! This is the first time I've ever hired a cleaning service and it feels so luxurious.

We've been making lots of progress on our "before baby" to-do list and feel really good about where we're at...

- We decluttered the garage and every room in the house.

- We got the van detailed, moved Claire to the back row, and set up the infant car seat.

- We bought a bassinet for our room and a ride board for the double stroller. The bouncy seat and baby carrier are all ready to go.

- We washed all the infant clothing, blankets, and burp cloths. It's all stored in the previously empty guest room dresser, along with plenty of newborn diapers and nursing pads.

- We wrote a packing list for the hospital and got as much as we could packed ahead of time (Betsy's going-home outfit, toiletries, snacks, etc).

- Thanks to Christmas money from our parents, we were able to get a glider for the playroom. And thanks to gift cards from our siblings and points from our Amazon credit card, we were able to buy a new bookshelf for the playroom as well. We'd been saving for a new dining set for several years too, so lots of exciting house changes recently. Pictures coming next week!

- I've got invitations and favors for Claire's birthday party. I ordered the cutest saint doll for Betsy's baptism present and we've got the baptism class at church this weekend.

- Next weekend, we've got a date night planned and I made an appointment for a hair cut and pedicure. Hooray!

So we're chugging along! My biggest project left on the list is making our 2015 family photo book, which is basically my idea of a good time.

I am so, so, so ready for Betsy's arrival. Not just because I'd loved to sleep comfortably again (even if it's very interrupted sleep) but because I'm beyond ready to know what's going to happen. Her birth and whether it will be a c-section or a successful VBAC has been something we've been thinking about since Maggie arrived over two years ago. The suspense is killing me!