38 Weeks and Almost There!

I can't believe I'm 38 (and a half now) weeks pregnant! My last blog post was at 32 weeks and I'll try to remember everything that has changed since then!

 38 weeks pregnant

 38 weeks and picking strawberries!

Updates about being pregnant now:

• I'm getting pretty dang big! I had an ultrasound at 36.5 weeks and she was measuring at 6 pounds 9 ounces although I know to take that with a grain of salt. we got to see her cute face in her ultrasound and she had both hands at her face. She was moving a lot too which is always good and we confirmed she is indeed, still a girl! At my 37.5 week appointment my belly was measuring right on track at 37cm so I'm expecting her to be right around 7 pounds, 9 ounces since that is what I was! :)
• Not only do I look big I feel big! I'm finally starting to feel that "I ache all over" kind of feeling that pregnant women always refer to! My feet are swollen, my back aches constantly, and my belly feels big, tight and heavy! 
• Last weekend Jason and I took a 1 day childbirth class and it was actually really great. It made us feel a lot more prepared and was very informative. We learned all about breathing techniques, stages of labor, swaddling and other fun things. We were the people who were due first out of 20 couples but hey, better late than never, right?
• I've read a few more books and although I'm feeling really informed overall I'm at the point where I just want to experience things for myself (labor, delivery, breastfeeding, infant) and stop hearing all opinions. I know my  experience will be completely my own and no one elses. And baby girl will be her own person and I'm sure the books will help but I'm ready to meet her!! 
• I finished work on the 8th so I've been job-free for a week and a half. It's been really nice since I've needed all this time to finish more baby projects and to try and rest some (although I do little of that since I feel like my to do list never ends!) It was super sad to leave my job but I'm ready for this next stage of life and my work threw me an awesome going away party and I'll definitely stay in touch with everyone there and visit :)
• Last week I washed all the baby stuff, made tons of returns/exchanges/final purchases and organized more of the house. Jason assembled the stroller, pack n play, bouncer, monitor and added batteries to things. I think I thoroughly wore him out!
• We installed the car seat last week but I scheduled an appointment to have it checked out (you can do it here too) and luckily we did, because it wasn't set up properly! We had them show us how to do it in both cars and we feel much better now knowing we know how to keep her safe! We will be doing this every time we get a new car seat, new car or just forget-as it's a free service and they say in general, 70% of all car seats aren't properly installed. So at least we aren't the only ones who were confused! 
• Baby girl is still kicking me lots and they are starting to hurt more and more as she gets bigger but my belly has no room to give! I also have to go to the bathroom all the time which gets old fast (I've always prided myself on being able to hold it!). She's also taking up lots of stomach and diaphragm space so I can't eat very much at one time and I get winded even walking up the stairs, I do think I will be ready to have my body back soon!!
• I did have my 38.5 week appointment today and I was dilated to a 1! Yay! But I'm not letting that be any indication of when she will come since I know you can stay like that for a long time! 

Congrats if you read through all of that! I wanted to do an update before she comes and before I forget everything I'm feeling while in my current state :)

Mainly Jason and I just can't believe we have made it this far and we are just so excited to see and meet this baby! We will see if she is a redhead (a common question we get).