38 weeks!

this past weekend we took a childbirth class at long island jewish hospital that ran from 10am to 3pm. it was a long, long day for us and i was extremely exhausted by the time we were done and headed home, but we did learn a lot of useful things as well as brought up a few questions that i'd need to ask the doc about.

i think k was a bit freaked out with all the live birth clips, and frankly so was i. additionally, the nurse described basically all that can possibly ever go wrong and it just makes childbirth seem so unpredictable and dangerous and worrisome!

we got back our maternity shoot pictures a few weeks ago, and i absolutely love them. i'm so glad i decided to do this and cannot wait for the newborn shoot when baby l gets here! i highly recommend any first time mom look into a maternity/newborn shoot if finances allow it; you will not regret it.

after i came back from my doctor's appointment yesterday, i notified my manager of my condition. we've decided that i will continue to work, but from home, for the rest of the time. commuting back and forth to work is starting to take a toll on me, especially since its the holiday season. it took me almost 2 hours to get home on tuesday night! that is not gonna fly if i go into labor suddenly! not only that, but the ride is becoming quite uncomfortable, having to sit for so long without moving. the anxiety/stress that it gives me is probably not good neither.

currently: 38 weeks
weight gained: approximately 26lbs

stats: 60% effaced, 1cm dilated

maternity shoot. maternity leave.

i had my maternity shoot two weeks ago and interestingly enough, one week to the next makes a huge difference in the third trimester. i wasn't showing a lot during that time, but now i'm like a washing machine. sleeping has been quite an ordeal with not being able to get into a comfortable spot, even with 4 pillows :( i've had to buy a new coat since most of my coats are just way too tight around the tummy area and i end up looking like a stuffed sausage. i guess if i had waited two more weeks i would've had a bigger belly in the pictures, but the photographer had suggested perhaps another shoot in a few weeks when he is in the area so i'm just waiting for him to get back to me on possible dates.

work has been relatively stressfree these couple of days. my maternity leave is already being discussed in earnest and a plan is forming for when i'm out. i'm a bit worried about when i come back and how things will be... i guess there is always job stability, plus whether or not i'll be able to keep my position as the lead once i'm back.

currently: 31 weeks
weight gained: approximately 18lbs