Maute Moo Update – Week 36

I’m entering the final stretch of my pregnancy. It’s almost my “due month.” My doctors appointments will now be weekly. Our doulas came and meet with us to finalize all the details of our delivery. I’m in the process of filling out all my maternity level and FMLA paper work. We are pre-registering at the hospital.  Although I’m anxious to meet Chet and I’m getting more uncomfortable by the day, I really just want him to keep cooking for a few more weeks. These last few weeks are crucial leading up Chet’s birth day. He’s storing up antibodies to help support his immune system until my milk supply is established. He’s doubling his fat percentage. All the important little details that so often get over looked are happening right now in my baby. Although his lungs and other organs are strong enough to support him in the real world, he is busy working on many developmental milestones that can make breastfeeding more successful, that can allow him to bond more easily, and will prepare him to be ready for the real world. Right now I like knowing he is safe inside my belly.

Although I’d love to be able to tell everyone who is constantly asking me – Any day now, huh? – that he is due any day now, I really want him to stay put until he decides he is ready for us.

Thanks to my nesting, the outside world is almost ready to meet Chet also. My to-do list is slowly shrinking, but there are some things left that I need to accomplish

• Final nursery touches – hang art work and bamboo blinds
• Order Cloth Diapers
• Buy nursing accessories – breast pads, nursing bras, and nursing tank tops
• Wash bedding and clothes up to 3 months
• Install Car Seat
• Get swing and bouncy seat ready
• Get Moses basket from my sister

And then there is the Christmas list…I won’t even start listing those items. I have a lot to do, but I think we will get a good chunk of it done this weekend. Maybe this year I can talk Christian into going to a tree farm to cut down a tree!!!!

I still trying to stay as active as possible in these last few weeks. I’m making an effort to do more exercises at home that will help prep me for labor. I can’t get enough yoga. It also feels great to get outside and walk. I know how important it is to go into labor feeling strong.  Now is not to the time to let go of all my physical activity (both physically and mentally speaking!)

4 (ish) more weeks to go! These belly photos make me laugh each week. I don’t feel as big as I look in the photo although I do feel rather HUGE!

As of right now, I’m feeling incredibly relaxed and excited about giving birth to Chet. Inviting the doulas to join us in the delivery room was the best decision we have made this pregnancy. Although there are some choices I would definitely change IF we have another baby, the support, encouragement, and care we have received from our doulas would make me beg them to join us again and again. I really can not wait to experience child-birth with the support of Christian.

Now if I can just get my ever-growing to-do lists tackled, I might be able to relax a bit.

Fun Full-Circle Story for you: Yesterday we got a piece of mail for the original owner of our house. We bought our house that was built in 1960 from the original owners last year. The husband passed away in the 80s. We’ve seen the wife’s name hundreds of time but never the husband’s name. Guess what his name was? Chet! I love carrying on the name in their family home!