The journey to meeting our little one continues with immense anticipation and, admittedly, a fair share of late-pregnancy realities! We’re deep into the third trimester now, navigating the final weeks before our family expands. While the excitement is palpable, so is the increasing physical demand. Each day brings us closer to holding our baby boy, a thought that makes every ache and warm, humid moment worth enduring. Speaking of which, if Mother Nature could dial down the summer heat, that would be a true blessing for this mama-to-be. Anything above 80 degrees feels like a monumental challenge when carrying a rapidly growing bump!
Embracing the Final Weeks: A 37-Week Pregnancy Journey Update
It feels like just yesterday we were sharing our 32-week update, and now, approximately five weeks later, we’ve reached the incredible milestone of 37 weeks. This officially marks full-term, which is both a comforting and thrilling thought. The countdown is truly on, and our little guy is making his presence known more than ever. Life is certainly getting more tiring, but the thought of meeting him soon keeps us energized and focused on the finish line. Here’s a closer look at what’s been happening in our world as we prepare for baby’s arrival.
Me: “Honey, I need some pics for my bumpdate”
Mr J: “Can they not be boring of you just touching your stomach?”
Third Trimester Milestones: Week 37 Bumpdate Specifics
How Far Along & Due Date Insights
We’ve officially hit 37 weeks, a significant marker in any pregnancy journey. It means our baby is considered full-term, and while we want him to stay cozy and continue developing for as long as he needs, it’s reassuring to know he’s reached this stage. Our official due date remains July 29th. However, our doctors have noticed his accelerated growth and are now predicting he might make an appearance a little sooner than expected. This anticipation adds another layer of excitement (and a touch of nerves!) to these final days.
Baby’s Size & Gender Confirmation
According to the pregnancy apps and guides, our baby is currently the size of a Winter Melon. I’m still not entirely sure what that looks like, but I can certainly feel his substantial size! He’s been growing fast and strong, a true testament to all the hard work happening inside. And yes, it’s still a BOY! We’ve grown so accustomed to the idea of welcoming a son into our lives and are just bursting with eagerness to meet him.
Navigating Pregnancy Weight Gain & Body Image
My total weight gain has been hovering around 22 pounds for the past month. To be completely honest, this has been a source of some internal struggle for me. I’ve had a few well-meaning individuals comment on how I’m a ‘skinny pregnant woman,’ which, while intended as a compliment by most (except for one particularly blunt nail technician who insisted I needed to eat more!), actually made me feel a bit uneasy. I started to question if I was doing enough to ensure appropriate weight gain for a healthy pregnancy. Despite my doctors reassuring me that both I and the baby are doing perfectly fine – in fact, he’s growing ahead of schedule – a sense of guilt lingered for a while. It’s a strange mental game, balancing societal expectations, personal anxieties, and medical advice, but I’m learning to trust my body and my doctors, focusing on nourishing myself and our growing little one without unnecessary comparisons.
So we had fun posing..or pretending to pose.
Embracing the Changes: Symptoms, Sleep, & Self-Care
Maternity Wardrobe Essentials: Maxi Dresses & Comfort
At 37 weeks, if I wasn’t exclusively in maternity clothes, we’d definitely have a problem! Comfort has become my absolute priority. I’ve fallen completely in love with maxi dresses lately; they are incredibly comfortable and make battling the summer heat much more bearable. It’s funny, I was never much of a maxi dress person before pregnancy, but I have a feeling I’ll be revisiting them even after the baby arrives. Their versatility and effortless style are undeniable. I’m planning to share some of my favorite maternity maxi dress finds in an upcoming Fashion Friday post next week, so stay tuned for some styling inspiration. For these photos, I’m wearing my super comfy H&M Mama Skinny Jeans paired with a soft StitchFix Maternity Top.
Common Third Trimester Symptoms & Grateful Reflections
The third trimester certainly comes with its unique set of challenges. I’m experiencing the usual suspects: swollen feet that resemble small loaves of bread, a serious waddle that would make any duck proud, persistent achy back, and the delightful sensation of heartburn from seemingly everything I consume. You name a classic pregnancy symptom, and I’m likely experiencing it! However, I honestly can’t complain. These are all normal side effects of carrying a human being, and I feel incredibly blessed and profoundly grateful to have reached this point in my pregnancy without any major complications. Every discomfort is a reminder of the amazing journey my body is undertaking.
The Reality of Pregnancy Sleep
Sleep? What’s that? It feels like a distant memory at this stage. I’ve fully embraced what I believe to be evolution’s grand plan to train my body for the many sleepless nights that are undoubtedly just around the corner once the baby arrives. Between needing to use the restroom every hour, finding a comfortable position for my growing belly, and the occasional baby kicks keeping me awake, uninterrupted sleep is a luxury I rarely experience. I’m doing my best to catch naps whenever possible, but mostly, I’m mentally preparing for the beautiful chaos of newborn life.
Staying Active: Balancing Exercise with Demanding Work
My exercise routine has, understandably, scaled back significantly. Now, it’s mostly limited to walks whenever I can manage them. My demanding schedule in the lab, where I’ve been rushing to finish experiments, means I’m often on my feet for long hours during the day. By the time evening rolls around, my primary goal is usually to collapse onto the couch, rather than hit the gym. I listen to my body, ensuring I don’t overdo it, but I still try to incorporate gentle movement to keep my circulation going and alleviate some of the stiffness.
Baby’s Movements: The Pre-Arrival Wiggles
We’re experiencing a shift in movement patterns. While he’s still active, the dramatic acrobatics of the past few months have decreased. I think someone is running out of space for all those flips and kicks! It feels like he’s getting the memo: eviction time is fast approaching, and he needs to settle into his final position. We still feel plenty of wiggles and rolls, which is always a sweet and reassuring sensation, reminding us of the vibrant life within.
Highlight of the Week: Our Last Ultrasound Appointment
The absolute best moment this week was our last ultrasound appointment. It was such a joy and a truly heartwarming experience to see how much he has grown and developed. The doctors confirmed that he is ready to go, positioned correctly for birth, and looks healthy and strong. Seeing his little profile and knowing everything is on track filled us with immense relief and even more excitement for his impending arrival. It was the perfect send-off before the grand event!
Cravings Corner: Indulgence in Carbohydrates
When it comes to food cravings, it’s pretty much everything and anything carb-related! I know it’s not always the healthiest, but my body has been screaming for comforting carbohydrates. I confess, I even made these delicious lemon-filled doughnuts again this week, simply because I needed that sweet, carby indulgence. Balancing these cravings with nutritious choices has been a daily challenge, but sometimes, you just have to give in a little!
Emotional Well-being & The Nesting Instinct
My mood has been much more stable lately, which is a huge relief after some of the hormonal rollercoasters earlier in pregnancy. We’ve managed to get pretty much everything set for baby’s arrival, thanks in large part to two wonderful baby showers and the incredible support from my husband. He really surprised me with his proactive approach; he’s usually more of a last-minute kind of guy. I mean, we still don’t have pictures hung up in our house since we moved two months ago, so getting him to tackle tasks he doesn’t prioritize can be a struggle! However, I think the fact that several of our friends recently had babies around 32-34 weeks truly freaked him out. This urgency spurred him into action, and he’s been a fantastic partner in getting everything prepared.
Mr J: “Uhmmm, yeah that is not what I meant”
Nursery Nook & Anticipating Motherhood
The Completed Nursery: A Safari-Themed Haven
I’m thrilled to report that the nursery is almost entirely complete, save for a few final decor items. We’ve opted for a charming safari theme, and I recently acquired some beautiful paintings from The Land of Nod to perfectly complement the space. This past weekend, we even organized all his tiny, adorable clothes – a task that truly brought the reality of his impending arrival home. I’ll make sure to get around to taking and sharing some proper photos of his little haven with you all very soon!
Preparing for Maternity Leave: A Content Rush
What I’m looking forward to most right now is wrapping up the majority of my summer recipe content for the blog! I have several delicious recipes I’ve been diligently working on that I absolutely need to share with you before I head out on maternity leave. So, please bear with me if you notice a slight overload of mouth-watering, drool-worthy summer recipes over the next two weeks – it will be more than my usual two posts per week, but it’s all in preparation for my upcoming break!
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A Glimpse into My Maternity Leave & Beyond
Speaking of maternity leave, I fully intend to take some much-needed time away from the blog when our little one makes his grand entrance. This period will be dedicated to spending quality time with him, our families, and fully immersing myself in the joys and challenges of being a new mommy. As a result, things will likely be a bit slower around here on the blog throughout August and September. But rest assured, I would never leave you completely hanging! I’ve reached out to a few of my amazing and incredibly talented blogger friends, who have graciously agreed to fill in with some fantastic recipes and engaging guest posts while I’m away. I know you will absolutely love what they have in store for you, and I’m so grateful for their support in keeping this space vibrant during my hiatus. Thank you for following along on this incredible journey!