35 WEEKS!!!!!! The countdown has begun!!!!

Shocker Alert: I am 35 weeks pregnant!!!!! I can't  believe it!!!

At 35 weeks, Sweet Pea is a whopping 20" long, 5.5lbs in weight.

The baby takes up more space than amniotic fluid now.

Over the next weeks, she will be putting on more pounds; anywhere from 1lbs to several more pounds until delivery day.

Just two short weeks from now I had Nya almost three years ago at 37 weeks. The reality that this could be my fate is again makes the butterflies in my tummy whirl.

As much as I'm praying she stays put until the beginning of July, as per my inital due date, I am SO, sooooooo very anxious to see, meet, hold, kiss, snuggle and feed my wee one. I can't wait to hear her first cry, see her in her daddy's arms, and for the first meeting and encounter between Big Sister Nya and herself. My phone will be snapping pics and recording like crazy.

Another benifit of having an epidural. You are in your right frame of mind and body to be fully involved in these special moments without being distracted by the pain and everything taking place to your body after the birth.

I remember the experiance of seeing and holding Nya for the first time and that moment when the whole world just stopped. Through all the commotion in the room with the nurses and doctor, it felt calm and peaceful to us; it felt like it was just the three of us: daddy, Nya and myself.

Dennard has precious video footage (which is like gold to me!) of Nya being laid on my chest and our first few minutes of interaction together. I still cry watching that video. Lol

My husband and I just experianced the greatest miracle in life together as a team and it was like the most glorious dream!

Within minutes of bonding, Nya latched and fed immediately. I remember thinking 'wow! This is easy!'. Lol (I claim an immediate latch and feed with Sweet Pea as well!!)

After her feeding, I passed her to daddy for the first time.

He ever so gently picked her up in his arms, and very cautiously walked her over to the window and sat together in a chair. He was practically nose to nose with her; starring at all her sweetness, innocence, preciousness and beauty. I captured several shots and video of this special moment.

Goodness, I'm getting teary eyed replaying all of these memories. Lol

When I sit and relive these priceless moments, I can't help but be excited and anxious for what our experiance will be like with this little one.  I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas AM. The build up of anticipation is killing me!! Lol

What I regret asking from my first pregnancy that I will be sure to include in my birth plan this time is seeing the placenta after birth. This may make some squirm and weak in the knees, but to me it's super facinating! The placenta is what has kept my child alive and healthy for 9 whole months; providing life, nutrients and oxygen. I want to see where she has 'lived' the last several months.

My girlfriend had a midwife deliver her baby and she was sharing with me how amazing it was to see and be walked through the placenta. The mid wife even showed her the tear in the placenta where her water had broken; how cool!!!!!


How I Have Been Feeling:
 I've noticed on and off throughout the last few weeks that my gums have been bleeding when I brush. I read up on this and spoke to my dentist; it's very common in pregnancy to have sensitive, red, bleeding gums. It's all hormonal.

Sweet Pea has also been having more frequent bouts of the hiccups. Yay Sweet Pea; keep swallowing!!! It's sooooo cool because I can tell exactly how she is positioned when she has hiccups. Today for example, I was laying down and could distinctly feel the arch of her back on my left side and every jolt from each one of her hiccups.
If it wasn't for the hiccups, I wouldn't have known if that was her bum or back I was feeling.

Sweet Pea sleeps through the night.  She remains still and quite the whole night until I wake up and stretch. After stretching, I almost immediately feel her starting to move.  It's like her own way of saying 'is it time to get up mommy?'. Lol

Today at 35 weeks, 2 days pregnant I haven't been feeling so well. I've been feeling rather light headed and have a weird feeling in the pit of my stomach. It almost feels a little like the flu!?! I was out with Nya and turned around and came straight home. I couldn't even stand or walk without feeling like I was going to pass out. I called D at work, let him know how I was feeling and came straight home to lay down with Nya.
Right now I'm just taking it easy on the couch until D gets home.
Dinner will have to be put on hold for the time being...lol

35 weeks Pregnant; on my way to church.  First time in months where we drove to church as a family :)