Week 37!

Oct 17th

Baby girl is the size of a skunk this week. Making it to 37 weeks is another relief for us! She's almost fully grown and would be able to survive if we had her early. (but stay in there baby girl!!) She's over 6lbs and about 19inches long (we learned the weight last week, which still isnt exact). She also has strong reflexes and is putting on more baby fat. 

How's Mama?: Doing great still! When I weighed in at the doctor I had gained 4lbs in a WEEK! But my calves, ankles, and feet were SUPER swollen. They told me not to even worry about it since it was from that. I also learned that I am 1cm dilated and 60% effaced already! Pretty exciting even though it doesnt really mean anything :D I'm just glad to know that my body is doing what it needs to start doing. Hopefully, it means less complications in delivery. Other than all of that, I have some serious heartburn at night- no matter what I eat or drink. Even just water. My hips are starting to hurt more when I sleep and I'm just tired. She's still dancing around in there and I'm trying to soak it up as much as I can since it's almost over!! I cant believe it. 

How's Daddy?: Would you be shocked if I said busy? LOL. He didnt get to make this last appointment or the next one because of work related meetings. But that's okay- they are super quick and I hate him having to take all that time for a 15 minute appointment. Otherwise, he's still trying to get himself to a spot at work where he doesnt leave a ton of work left undone before his break.

This week: This week we haven't been SUPER busy at home, but more so exhausted from everything. Monday night we went and had our maternity pictures taken! A girl from John's work offered to take them for us. She's SO sweet! We decided on NC State and Pullen Park. John got off work a little late, so we had to rush to beat the daylight some. It turned out to be more than perfect. We had the coolest experience! We decided to start at the Bell Tower. I got there before John did and while I was waiting on him, Dr. Stafford (he was the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at State for over 40 years until he retired recently- he also does all the bell tower tours) saw me standing near the bell tower. Well, he came over to me and asked if I was a student- ha!- I told him no, but I was alumni. He was SO excited and asked if I had ever been inside the bell tower. I told him that he actually had taken me in it before and how awesome the tour was. Then, I got the brilliant idea to ask him if we could get a picture INSIDE the bell tower! He was just as excited about it as I was and said yes! He said it would be a historic moment as nobody has ever had maternity pictures taken in the bell tower and Baby M would be the youngest ever inside. lol. So, as soon as John got there, Dr. Stafford gave us the key and let me unlock the bell tower!! and then take as many pictures as we wanted!!! He is such an incredibly nice guy and made the experience so perfect for us! Seriously, what are the odds that this crazy Wolfpack loving couple got to do something so precious at one of our favorite locations? I cant WAIT to see the pictures!! After that awesome experience, we took a few more on campus then headed over to Pullen where John proposed. :D Then we went back to another part of campus and got some with the wolves :D I seriously cant wait to see them :D

Tuesday, John got us free tickets to see the new Jack Reacher movie! that was a fun little date night in the middle of the week for sure :D This was my last week in the office! So I made sure to say all my goodbyes until maternity is over. I'm very much looking forward to working from home the next two weeks!

Over the weekend, the Kinlaws threw an Oktoberfest party! It was so much fun! Everyone for the most part dressed in character! Even Mason! haha. 

Josh made an awesome table!

Dave grilling out- they had an awesome spread of German food!

Hutch!!

Uncle John and Mason :D

We love our nephew!! Yes, that is an apron- what else was a 9 1/2 month preggo girl gunna wear? haha :D 

German game John found online! It was fun!

Kristian made an AWESOME cake. It was so delicious!!!

Sunday, the girls took me out for a pamper day. I have some of the best friends a girl could ask for. We got lunch, mani/pedis, and they got me a massage!! I really didnt expect any of that, so it was extremely nice of them. After all of that, I took a nap and then Andrew made dinner. While I slept through dinner, they let us grab some to-go plates and snuggles with Mason :D Seriously, the best friends :D

Mason was snuggling with his cousin from the outside. I think he's excited? ;D