Week 36

Week 36- June 16, 2010

Only one more week until we are considered full term!! I can't believe how fast this whole pregnancy has gone! We had our 36 week appointment yesterday and the doctor said everything looked great. Unfortunately I haven't dropped nearly as much as I would have liked but CJ will come when he is ready! They weighed me (like they do every appointment) which I hate.... and I am up 28 pounds. My goal is to keep it under 35.....I think I can do it!!

We got the long speech from the doctor on how not to come to the hospital unless: 1) Your water bags have broken (even then you need to call the doctor ahead of time before showing up at the hospital); 2) My contractions are 5 minutes apart, painful and consistent for 1-2 hours. They really want to avoid false labor visits to the hospital. I'm really getting anxious at this point because this whole process is completely out of my hands. I wish I knew which day he was coming so I can better prepare myself. I guess I will just play the waiting game and hope that he doesn't decide to come while I'm still at work.


Yes, I'm still at work : ( I plan on working up to the day I deliver. You all may think I am crazy but I really want to save all of my days for when our little boy arrives. My boss is also a real huge advocate for working mothers and has suggested that I start working from home one day a week and If I don't deliver by July 9th then I should work from home permanently until the baby arrives! I am so lucky to have such an understanding boss!!

So I don't know if I have ever mentioned our plan on maternity leave. Well, my company provides us with 6 weeks of short term disability, 6 additional weeks under FMLA and then 4 weeks under the Parenting Leave program. Our plan is for me to take the full 16 weeks if we can afford it. As you may know, the only portion of leave that is paid is short term disability and then your vacation days kick in under FMLA. After you exhaust your vacation days, you are unpaid until you return to week. Needless to say, I will probably get paid for 8 1/2 weeks of the the 16 weeks.

Money is going to be tight for the remaining 7 1/2 weeks but we have a nice little savings put aside that I hope will get us through the last portion of leave. It will break my heart if I have to go back before 16 weeks but bills have to be paid and we will make that decision as we get closer to the time.

Did I also mention that I get to work from home one day a week once I return to work? This makes me feel so much better about going back!!! I still know that it will be hard to return to work but that one day a week will really help!

Enough about leave. Below you will see my lovely 36 week pictures. Getting big! Sorry if the white, pale stomach grosses you out! I really need to get some color this weekend!!