33 weeks 3 days (July 16th): Maternity pictures by the amazing and very talented Olivia Lott of Olivia Lott Photography. This was a fun and very HOT shoot. Thank you so much, Olivia!
 |
| Photo courtesy of Olivia Lott Photography |
 |
| Photo courtesy of Olivia Lott Photography |
35 weeks (July 27th): Last ultrasound of my pregnancy. Tanner weighed approximately 6 lbs 1 oz and heartbeat was strong. SN: I learned a valuable lesson this week – DON’T call your husband, leave a voicemail and send a follow-up text message all within minutes of each other. He WILL call you back in a panic thinking you have gone into labor. Lesson learned, LOL. : )
 |
| 35 weeks |
36 weeks (August 3rd): Heartbeat of 140 and slightly less than a fingertip dilated. My feet have started to swell regardless of how often they are propped or how much water I consume. SN: This terrifies my paternal grandmother. According to her, “it’s not normal”, but that’s not what the doctor says. Dr. trumps grandmother – sorry Mems. Tanner was in his first wedding on August 6th. Congrats and best wishes to the happy couple!
37 weeks (August 10th): Waking up at 4 a.m. everyday – what’s up with that? Maybe it’s an indication as to the timing of Tanner’s arrival. Heartbeat of 140 and no changes, he must really love his temporary bachelor pad.
38 weeks (August 17th): Heartbeat of 150, 1 cm dilated and his head dropped quite a bit. I have now gained a total of 35 lbs – this is the only time a woman can proudly talk about weight gain. So, there it is 38 weeks and 35 lbs.
38 weeks 6 days (August 22nd): My bag is packed, diaper bag is packed, car seat(s) are installed and the nursery is finally complete. We only lack a baby.My maternity leave begins tomorrow and I have to admit, I’m biting my nails on that one. I hope I go into labor sooner, rather than later so that I can make the most of my very short leave. This brings me to being a full-time mom who must maintain a full-time job after delivery of a baby. Some people look down on women who have an obligation to their spouse/household and must return to work shortly after the birth of a child.
Trust me, I would love nothing more than to have the ability to be a housewife, but I can’t because I have an obligation to my husband and pride myself in being an I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T (do you know what I mean?) woman. If I wanted to allow a foreclosure on our house or allow a repossession of our vehicles, then sure, I wouldn’t go back to work; I would live off of governmental assistance and receive a monthly food stamp allowance. Thankfully, I wasn’t raised that way. I was taught at an early age that one must work hard for the things they want and need in life. I was also taught that it is important for a woman to be independent. I have had a job since I was 16. 8 years of being employed and with only 2 different employers. I enjoy working and having the ability to afford the luxuries I have. So, I’m sorry if it’s such a “bad” thing that I will HAVE to/WANT to return to work in order to properly, efficiently, and successfully assist in providing for my son.
This all goes back to sacrifice. – c’est la vie
