37 Weeks.. Full Term!

 tank top / Gap * denim skinnies / Loved by Heidi Klum * scarf / The Limited (similar)  


How far along? 37 Weeks- full term!!  You can tell by the cheesy grin on my face that I am oh-so-excited, yes?
Total weight gain: 36 pounds.  I had an unsaid goal to gain 40 pounds while carrying twins- and I’d say I was successful:) But, seriously- look at my HUGE bump?  I had a guy do a quadruple-take yesterday as I approached the doors to my doctor’s office.  He must have noticed my incredible preggo swag (read: waddle).  If the quadruple-take wasn’t enough, he proceeded to let out an over-reactive “ohhh“, covering his mouth and grabbing his own stomach.  Yes, serious.  All I could do was laugh (really hard)- and maintaining my preggo swag became difficult.  I had to stop for air halfway to the elevators.  After taking twelve , ten, eight, five (what is an appropriate number to share with you on this one without stirring up your thoughts of tremendous vanity?) this week’s belly picture(s) I realized that I’m covering up part of my chalkboard with that mass.  But, I decided that you can easily tell what it says and I was getting dizzy (I unintentionally hold my breathe when I smile.. that can’t be good for mom or babies) so I was done with the pictures.
Maternity clothes?  Yes- it is December 5th and I’m wearing a tank top.  80* anyone?  Hardly Christmas weather.  Makes me sad because I luurrvvee sweater-weather.  I’ve been forcing the long sleeves over the past few weeks, and after getting up from the sweat puddles that I sat in while doing my hair and makeup, I decided I was okay to bare my full arms.  I did carry a sweater in my purse, but it never saw the light of day.  As of this last week- or two- anything that is comfortable and fits (to some extent), is what I’m wearing.  I wore my denim skinnies (that I’ve practically lived in for the past nine months) to my (final!!) doctor appointment this week and thought I was going to die.  They put so much pressure on the lower part of my belly that I almost requested to lay down in the back seat of the car for the drive home.  I was miserable- and (the hubs will agree) I’ve never complained of being miserable- poor Jordan didn’t know what to do for me.  At home I’ve been wearing the same maternity yoga pants from Target for the past two weeks.  They are beyond comfortable and don’t over crowd my low hanging belly.  I’ve washed them (once?), of course.. and sit in my bed pant-less while they dry.  Sadly- I’m not kidding at all.  In my defense, the other 3 pairs of maternity lounge pants that I own are packed away in my bag for my future hospital stay.
Stretch marks? None.  Good genes.  Thanks, Mom..            
Sleep: Sleep has come better these days.  I’m pretty much in a constant state of exhaustion, so I haven’t experienced the annoying bouts of insomnia I once had on a regular basis.   Still getting up pretty early- but, yesterday I slept until 6:45am before rolling out of bed.  Nice.                     
Best moment this week:  At our appointment with the perinatologist on Tuesday, all looked excellent with the babies- both are still super healthy girls with great cord dopplers and heartbeats at 146bpm and 154bpm. Last week the girls’ amniotic fluid dropped pretty significantly, but as of Tuesday, their fluid levels were back on the high end (as they’ve been through my entire pregnancy).  I was glad to see two big(ger) healthy girls on the monitor and a great report from Dr. Koster.          
Miss Anything?  Ease of movement.  And throw grace in there with my ease of movement.  I have neither.                  
Movement:  I usually have a baby part sticking out somewhere, and if not, one or both of them have the hiccups.  Jordan likes to play whack-a-mole with their little feet sticking up all over the place.            
Food cravings:  None. Food is completely uninteresting to me.  Tonight Jordan has planned a steak dinner to celebrate our last night as a family of two.  Steak, baked potato, salad, and grilled French breaaaddd.  We have made it into a special night.. and I’m full already just thinking about it.  
Oh wait- did I mention that these babies will be here tomorrow? 
          
Symptoms:  I am (still) super congested, complete with a daily headache and constant nose blowing.  I sound pretty horrible sometimes- but the sound is worse than I actually feel.         
Anything making you queasy or sick:  Nada. 
Labor Signs:  Oh yes. As of last Thursday I had a little over a centimeter left of cervix, which in turn actually means none at all. My OB came in the room after reviewing the sonogram and said “Honey, you know you’ll never make it until December 12th, right?  How about we plan on getting those babies out on Thursday next week.. but as for this weekend, I’m not on call, so you cannot go into labor.  Which means that you will not get out of bed for anything but to pee.”  It was a funnnn weekend (read: serious sarcasm)  I did some online Christmas shopping and enjoyed a Law and Order: SVU marathon.  Needless to say, I made it through the weekend, and its looking like I’ll make it to Thursday morning at 9am when we are to arrive for delivery.  Having regular BH contractions- most super uncomfortable, but nothing with increasing intensity. 
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: So excited, I/we can be nothing but happy!!!  I am not sure that I’ll be able to sleep much for the next 24 hours- too much to think about and look forward to, thats for sure.         
Looking forward to:  We are so, SO close.  In just about 24 hours we will meet our little baby girls.  I cannot believe it is already here.  I feel like these past 9 months have flown by- and yes, I say this even with the 3+ months of bed rest.  
While I wont be blogging until we get home and settled- you better bet that I’ll be blowing up instagram with proud mommy pictures and updates.  You can follow me at masseya.  

I did want to acknowledge everyone that has commented and emailed me throughout my journey with this pregnancy.  It is amazing how the slightest encouragement can lift your spirits to another level on a less than stellar day.  I love (like, really LOVE) reading through what you all have had to say, and am so thankful for each one of you and your words of wisdom and prayer.  Its been a long road to ‘full term’ and know that we are so lucky and are confident that without a doubt His perfect hands has been involved through all of it.  I have continued to thank God for every single (extra) day he has given me with these little bits.  Carrying them to 37 weeks is a huge accomplishment, and I will say that I am so proud of it, but it is not my doing that did this- the glory is totally His.  I am so blessed.  Blessed with an amazing medical team.  Blessed with sweet neighbors, close friends, and precious family.  Blessed with an above average (and incredibly handsome) husband.  Blessed with readers like you that have shared your words of encouragement as each week goes by.  Blessed with my new ‘blogger’ friends that I feel like I ‘know’ and have known for years- you know who you are;).  And finally, I am so blessed to have carried these two this far.  
So, thank you.  These are just two simple words, but please know that they are loaded with (hyperpreggo) emotions behind them. 

37 weeks down.. ready or not, here they come! 

December 5, 2012

  1. Elizabeth says:

    SO excited for you!! Get ready for your world to be rocked..in a good way, of course!! Praying for a healthy and easy delivery!!

  2. Congratulations! So so excited for you! Welcome to the world Parker and Jolie! Can't wait to see pictures of those beauties!

  3. Kelly says:

    I am so excited for you and your hubby! I have loved reading about your pregnancy on your blog. I will be thinking about you all day tomorrow and I look forward to seeing your beautiful girls on Instagram! Congratulations girl! 🙂

  4. Tasha says:

    Congrats to you and Good Luck. I just started following you recenetly and I must say i love the names. I just had a little girl in October and her middle name is Parker. Love it.

  5. YAY! So exciting:) Happy to hear that you've accomplished what you set out to do! God's glory is shown. I have enjoyed reading all your posts and keeping up with your journey! Can't wait for my own someday. Congratulations! Can't wait to see their precious faces.

    XO

  6. Amanda says:

    Congrats! I've found your blog from a friend of a friends and have loved reading your pregnancy blogs! Praying that everything will go well and cannot wait to see pics of your pretty girls!

  7. Andrea says:

    Good luck to you mama!! I am a rather new follower, but you are just the cutest pregnant woman ever! Can't wait to see pictures of your beautiful girls!

  8. Sarah Tucker says:

    EEEEEKKKKKKK! Oh-my-lanta I am so freakin' excited! I will be stalking Instagram 24/7. SO SO happy for y'all! The countdown is on!

  9. Ashley says:

    good luck Amber! I will be thinking of you and your little family tomorrow! 🙂 you will have to keep us posted on how everything went down when you get home and settled so I know what I'm in store for!

    -Ashley

  10. Blaire says:

    My husband (Russell Reagan) graduated with your hubby, and I've been reading your blog for a long time now. I'm so excited for both of you, and can't wait to see your little miracles. Continued prayers for your growing family!
    Blaire Reagan

  11. Meredith says:

    I started crying reading this post! I'm just so excited for you guys and what lies ahead! This is been the best month of my life and I know it'll be the same for you. I'll be thinking of you four tomorrow and have already said so many prayers. You are going to do great, mom!!!

  12. Tami says:

    Yay for making it to full term! You have been so strong throughout all of this and your sweet girls are so lucky to have you as their momma. I'm now following on Instagram and I can't wait to see pictures of those precious girls. Prayers for a quick delivery and two healthy babies!

  13. Darcy Potter says:

    Good luck tomorrow 🙂 lots of thoughts and prayers will be with you and the girls as they come into this big beautiful world! I can tell already you will be an amazing mommy to Jolie and Parker <3 can't wait to see lots of pictures! I will be following your instagram 🙂 much love and God Bless!

  14. Erinn says:

    Congratulations! Can't wait to see photos & hear how you're adjusting to life as a family of four!

  15. Congrats!! I've been a reader, for at least 3 years. And never commented. But I wanted to say Congrats for making it full term!!! You are going to be an amazing momma!!!

  16. The Joiners says:

    SO impressed and so happy for you- that seems like an eternity from now for me! Praying for a safe delivery and healthy mom and babies!!

  17. I'm so excited for you! You are so lucky……I'm still patiently (we will say patiently but not really) waiting for my little girl to make her debut. I'm 38 weeks…..I can't wait to see your posts after you have your little girls. I do not have instagram 🙁 So hopefully, it won't be long before your back blogging away about how hopelessly in love you are of your 2 new additions.

  18. So excited for you! I've been a reader for a couple years and have loved following your blog through your pregnancy. I have twins (21 mos.) and wish I would have kept up w/ my pregnancy like you have. It'll be so much fun to look back at! Enjoy every moment – it really does go SO fast!!

  19. Aubs says:

    okay. so, i've been following you for a little while now but have to break my silence and say that i am so excited for you!!! i will be praying for all of you ~ a safe delivery & healthy baby girls and momma!! the joy of Christ truly beams in you and it has been a blessing to follow along on your journey! Enjoy your final evening as a couple and best of luck tomorrow!!! =)

  20. Ashley says:

    Good luck with everything! When our girls were born, it was so, so special. I'm so excited for you!

  21. Congratulations!!! So excited for you 🙂
    I can't wait to see pictures of your 2 beautiful princesses with bows and girly things galore! I am praying that you have a quick delivery and that everything works according to your plans. We will all be waiting for pictures.

    Good Luck Massey Family!

  22. Amy B. says:

    Good luck, looking forward to pictures and the birth story!

  23. Bethany says:

    So excited for you! I'm 38 weeks, dilated to a 3 and 80% effaced, so I'm right there with you, just waiting to deliver! I wish you the best of luck in delivery and will be praying for you all day tomorrow.
    http://imperfectionisbeautytoraj.blogspot.com/

  24. Ashley D says:

    I'm so thankful that my flight was so short I only got halfway through this post, otherwise I would have been a blubbering mess on the plane.

    I love you! And Jordan! You both have been and continue to be an inspiration for J&I.

    I cannot wait to meet sweet P&J tomorrow!

    Xoxo!

  25. Samantha says:

    Congrats and best wishes tomorrow. I recently stumbled across your blog (thanks to pinterest) and think you are absolutely adorable and fabulous. I hope I can look half as amazing as you as I embrace my evolving bump. Seriously, I don't think I have seen someone as happy and glowing as you, ever. It is wonderfully refreshing and a really great inspiration. So thanks and again nothing but the best thoughts for you, your husband and those amazing little babies tomorrow.

  26. Amanda Laren says:

    I have been praying for you darlings and I am so excited for you two to welcome your little girls into this world. I admit I am also stalking your instagram as well even though you're probably in surgery right now…GOOD LUCK! Many prayers and well wishes.

    Amanda

  27. Kristina says:

    YAY YAY YAY!!!

    can't wait to meet (see pics of) those precious girls!! Hope everything went well with delivery and all!

  28. Laura says:

    I stumbled across your blog a few weeks ago and am so inspired by your beautiful faith and marriage. I hope that you had an easy delivery and are enjoying your new additions! Parker and Jolie are lucky girls to come into a family filled with so much love and grace. Congratulations!

  29. Anonymous says:

    Just sat down and read all of your pregnancy blogs in one night! When I reached December I was surprised to see that your sweet baby girls aren't here yet! Praying for the best, can't wait to meet them! Congratulations 🙂