Lake Weekend with Friends

We went down to the lake for the last time before Hudson arrives with Jessica, Brandon, and 4 of our other friends. We got lots of time in the sun and water which was exactly what I needed. AND yes I could still get out of the water back into the boat......it's hard to believe when you see how big my belly has gotten the last few weeks.



On Saturday night, all of us girls headed to the Landing to eat dinner. We went to Garfields and then to Marble Slab Creamery. I loved Garfields as usual and my food was very good. I was not impressed with Marble Slab Creamery at all. We had to wait 45 minutes to get our ice cream and they didn't have brownie as a mix-in unless you paid another $1.50 for it, and it seemed more pricey to me than Cold Stone which we have here in Springfield.



While we were at the Landing, the four guys played poker out on the deck. The guys set out at the table with lights, candles, and tiki torches along with music provided by a boombox/ipod player. Brandon and Jeremy were the first two out, and Jason won the money around 2:00 am. It was a fun but tiring weekend!!

Jeremy and I are hoping that after Hudson arrives we can introduce him to the lake later this summer or early fall, even if that entails us keeping him in the playpen on the dock or in the cabin. He will definitely love growing up around the lake just like I have these past 26 years. I sure do love our lake place!!

Week 37 Photo

37 Weeks............our Watermelon

Hudson is now close to the size of a watermelon. It is hard to believe that my belly is as big as this green and pink fruit. I am now considered full term since I am at 37 weeks. This means Hudson would most likely thrive if he was born at this time because his lungs are more maturely developed now.

I have been pretty uncomfortable lately. It is definitely getting harder to sleep at night and I am walking/moving much slower. It really depends on the day and how he is positioned on if I have much pain or not. I continue to have some heartburn at night and swelling in my feet and ankles.

At 37 weeks, Hudson weighs around 6 and 1/3 pounds (or we think more) and is a little longer than 19 inches from head to heel. There is a good chance that he has a full head of hair at this point but then again some babies are born with only peach fuzz.....we shall wait and see. These last few weeks Hudson is preparing for the world outside of the womb. He is perfecting his blink, suck, inhale, and exhale. Meconium is starting to accumulate in his intestines and that will be seen in his first bowel movement.

Jeremy put together Hudson's dresser and changing table this past Sunday since we have come to the realization that we will not be moved out of this house by the time he arrives. We figured we at least needed to be more prepared than what we were for when he decides to make his appearance into this world. We are headed to the lake with friends for one more weekend of fun and sun before he arrives. I am hoping to take him down there towards the end of the summer!!

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 37 weeks 0 days
Total Weight Gain/Loss: +22
Maternity Clothes: Yes almost exclusively
Best Moment this week: Putting together his room and setting up his dresser and changing table
Gender: Boy- Hudson Ray Elliott
Movement: Feel like he has less room to move around but he is still moving and kicking often
Food Craving: ice cream, fruit, sweets, cheez-its, sushi (but not eating sushi, Panera, cheese
What I miss: Not having heartburn/indigestion, being able to paint toes on own or bend down without being uncomfortable, not get up a million times in the night to use the restroom, pain when I get out of bed
Sleep: Not as good as it had been but still not horrible. I am having to get up to use the restroom or change positions alot more frequently
What I am looking forward to: my doctor's appointment on Monday
Belly Button: Starting to poke out but hasn't popped yet
Symptoms: Braxton Hicks, Pubic pain, growing belly, using the bathroom constantly, stretch marks, belly button starting to poke out, heartburn/indigestion, swelling in feet and ankles.
Note: Going to get my hospital bag ready when we return from the lake on Sunday so that I am prepared for when this little guy is ready to come into this world!!

Week 36 Photo

36 Weeks

One more week and Hudson will be the size of a watermelon. I am 36 weeks today and also had my first weekly doctor's appointment today. My doctor said everything looks good. Hudson was very active, and his heartbeat was 170 beats per minute. I had gained four more pounds from my previous appointment and my blood pressure was great. My doctor checked my cervix for the first time. I am 70% effaced (soft) and not dilated at all. I guess that is a good thing so I can go to the lake the next two weekends since we already made plans to go. ha! Hudson has not dropped yet but is still face down and putting lots of pressure on his mommy. He continues to be very active, and I love feeling him move.

Yesterday was a special day. Mom and I washed and sorted most of Hudson's clothes that we were handed down from friends and family members. It was an exciting time but stressful to think about where it is all going to go in our small house since it still hasn't sold. Thanks mom for all of your help yesterday. Hudson and I both love you so much!

At 36 weeks, Hudson is gaining about an ounce a day. He weighs approximately 6 pounds and is 18.5 inches long (our doc guessed he is 7 lbs right now and will be around 8-8.5 at delivery). He is getting rid of the little hairs that covered his body as well as the waxy substance that protected his skin the past 9 months in the amniotic fluid. Next week Hudson will be considered full-term.

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 36 weeks 0 days
Total Weight Gain/Loss: +20
Maternity Clothes: Yes almost exclusively
Best Moment this week: Washing and sorting all of his baby clothes with my mom
Gender: Boy- Hudson Ray Elliott
Movement: Feel like he has less room to move around but he is still moving and kicking often
Food Craving: ice cream, fruit, sweets, cheez-its, sushi (but not eating sushi, Panera, cheese
What I miss: Not having heartburn/indigestion, being able to paint toes on own or bend down without being uncomfortable, not get up a million times in the night to use the restroom
Sleep: Still pretty good but having to get up to use the restroom or change positions alot more frequently
What I am looking forward to: setting up our dresser and changing table
Belly Button: Starting to poke out but hasn't popped yet
Symptoms: Braxton Hicks, Pubic pain, growing belly, using the bathroom constantly, stretch marks, belly button starting to poke out, heartburn/indigestion, swelling in feet and ankles.
Note: Excited for the holiday weekend with my family at the lake!

Week 35 Photo

35 Weeks

Still no new fruit comparison until week 37 so Hudson remains the size of a honeydew for a few more weeks.

We are now 35 weeks. It is crazy to me that he could be here anytime if he decided to come early. We have thought the entire pregnancy that we were 2 weeks ahead of what the first ultrasound revealed so we will see. I can definitely tell that Hudson is head down (which u/s told us about a month ago) and that he is moving lower into my pelvis. I know this because I am having alot more pressure and many more times of having to go to the restroom throughout the day and night. I am also experiencing more Braxton Hicks contractions which I didn't think I was having until my last doctor's appointment. I asked my doctor if it is common not to have them at all in your pregnancy because at that point I hadn't felt anything that made me think I was having them. She told me I probably was having them but didn't notice them and then she told me to lie back while she listened to his heartbeat and come to find out I was having one right there on the table. My stomach was super hard and I had some pressure but that was it. I guess I have been experiencing them longer than I have known. I am feeling pretty good. I am still having some swelling in my feet and ankles but nothing too bad. Heartburn has appeared to be a little better this week but it could be that I am watching what I eat.

My godmother had my family and friend baby shower last Saturday. We got so many wonderful things from everyone. Some of the bigger things we got included: our bedding, glider, highchair, pack n play, and travel system with the car seat and stroller. The gifts were so nice and we feel so blessed! I feel like we are set in terms of what we need for Hudson. The only problem now is that all of the stuff is being stored at my parent's house and we need to sell this house and buy a new one before I can set up his nursery. I am needing to nest and I am not able to because our house hasn't sold. I look forward to the day when I can set everything up in his room with Jeremy and wash and hang each outfit we have received for our little guy.

At 35 weeks, Hudson is over 18 inches long and weighs approximately 5 1/4 pounds. He doesn't have much room to maneuver anymore which is probably why his movements have changed. It seems his kicks aren't as hard and that when he does move his legs it feels more like he is skimming my stomach instead of punching it. Hudson's kidneys are fully developed now and his liver can process some waste products At this point, most of his physical development is complete! He will continue to put on weight over the next few weeks.

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 35 weeks 0 days
Total Weight Gain/Loss: +16
Maternity Clothes: Yes almost exclusively
Best Moment this week: Getting lots of wonderful gifts for Hudson at the shower and touring labor and delivery and mother's unit at our lamaze class
Gender: Boy- Hudson Ray Elliott
Movement: Feel like he has less room to move around but he is still moving and kicking often
Food Craving: ice cream, fruit, sweets, cheez-its, sushi (but not eating sushi, Panera, cheese
What I miss: Not having heartburn/indigestion, being able to paint toes on own or bend down without being uncomfortable, not get up a million times in the night to use the restroom
Sleep: Still pretty good but having to get up to use the restroom or change positions alot more frequently
What I am looking forward to: the lake this weekend
Belly Button: Starting to poke out but hasn't popped yet
Symptoms: Braxton Hicks, Pubic pain, growing belly, using the bathroom constantly, stretch marks, belly button starting to poke out, heartburn/indigestion, swelling in feet and ankles.
Note: Can't wait to meet our little man!

I have my next appointment a week from today and she will be checking my cervix for the first time so that should give us a better idea at where I am at. I will update after that appointment!