40 Weeks with Baby #2

40 weeks and 1 day!!!

How Far Along: 40 weeks on 4/26/13

Size of baby: Hard to say obviously, but I'm going to guess that he'll weigh in just a bit under 8 lbs or at least around 8 lbs, like his big sister. And I'm thinking 20" or 21". The size of a newborn baby. (I have no vegetable in mind to compare it too.)

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Guessing around 17ish lbs but will find out for sure at my appt on Monday (if we make it that long.)

Maternity Clothes: Oh, you bet. If a 40 week pregnant girl can wear anything but maternity then I'd like to meet her and take her out for ice cream. (P.S. I have been living in my Gap maternity tanks that I layer under everything - such great purchases! I love it when I don't regret buying things *smile.)

Gender: Baby Brother!

Movement: He moves a lot and I know I'll miss it once he's here, but of course the trade off is worth it.

Sleep: Taking into consideration that every night I go to bed I think "this could be it" and then in my head go through a long list of what will happen if and when it is, I'd say I'm sleeping pretty well once I finally fall asleep  Didn't even get up last night! Naps are glorious. 

What I miss: My SIL Natalie said this week that she just "missed her body" while in the final stages with #3 and I can totally relate to that statement. I feel so great in the mornings, but I'm looking forward to just being able to move like a normal person again. And go on walks and keep up with my companions. And climb playgrounds. And get in and out of my car without a huge moan and Gwendolyn saying "tired, Mama?" *smile.

Cravings: Protein....Shakes. Peanut butter. Greek yogurt. Bars. Lots of protein. And Cold Stone ice cream.

Symptoms: I honestly would have thought he would be here by now given some of my symptoms, but he's keeping us on our toes! And God has been so gracious to give us some really sweet time to just relax and chill, which is what I had been longing for with such a crazy, busy start to April. 

Best moment this past week: This has been a wonderful and productive week. Gwendolyn and I have had some extra time together to do play dates and be outside (finally) and not have my to do list looming over my head. She's seriously been extra sweet and I can't get enough of her. I felt like yesterday was one big ball of fun - due dates are a big deal! Tom and I woke up early and had some quiet/Bible reading time together, which was really nice. Gwendolyn slept until 8:20 and then we went to ECFE drop-in play time, which she loves. Next stops: Target, Barnes & Noble, and then a bang trim for me. I was feeling extra energetic so I decided she and I needed to go on a lunch date to Wendy's. I haven't ever eaten out with just her, and I found it to be particularly entertaining and fun. We talked. Like, chatted and she made me laugh. It was fun. Then we napped and spent some time outside before daddy got home. Ended the night seeing John and Trisha's new house (so excited for them!) and grabbed ice cream at Cold Stone since Tom finally saw the first robin! (Sinclair family tradition.)

Talk about nesting....I'm currently on my third manicure in 1.5 weeks because I've been scrubbing and cleaning and dusting and folding and washing and cooking up "hit the jackpot" meals, as Tom would say. I think I've vacuumed 5 times in the last 7 days just to make sure I'm ready if we have guests, I got out carpet stains in several rooms with this miracle carpet stain remover that the teenage boy at Bed, Bath & Beyond talked me into (I was hesitant, but so glad I fell for it!) It got out stains a Rug Doctor didn't get out you guys. Un.Believable. Base boards upstairs are dusted (you don't realize how dirty those get over time until you clean them. Ick.) 

I made a mean pork roast in the crock pot (excellent recipe, Nikki) and finally took on the challenge of my first turkey after it had been sitting in our deep freeze since November 2011. After four days thawing in the refrigerator and realizing it wasn't going to cook itself (I was a bit intimidated by it), I decided Thursday was the day. So following a few youtube videos (I couldn't find the giblets!), reading and rereading of roasting bag instructions, and a phone call to my mom to discuss seasoning....we had one perfectly browned, cooked to perfection minus a few dry parts turkey. Tom came home utterly shocked and totally impressed. Maybe I need to cook turkeys more often. He lovingly took on the challenge of shredding the entire 12 lb thing (manicure girls...manicure) and we now have a lot of turkey meat that I'm not exactly sure what to do with! Ha.

The hole in the top is the slice I put in it to hold my slab of butter since I was running out of time to get it in the oven in order for it to cook for the recommended 2-2.5 hours and be done before small group. No time to melt and brush with butter. Sorry, Mom.

Also, don't take out the "red nail!" That tells you when it's done! Brilliant!

There will always be a few things still to get done, but such is life. We're ready for baby brother and so excited to meet him and see his face and hold him in our arms. Can't believe the time has come!

Off to wash windows....