Rewind: 37 Weeks

I absolutely cannot believe I am already 37 weeks into my pregnancy with Kylie! When I found out I was pregnant back in April, I expected it would fly by but WOW…I find myself wondering where the time has gone.

Just within the last few weeks I have started gathering things we will need for Kylie, like diapers, medicines, a changing pad, etc. as well as digging out Morgan’s old things to reuse. We have been cleaning out the basement preparing to move, and so I started with going through Morgan’s old clothes. Kylie has several outfits to start out with and soo many sleepsacks & swaddles which I am thankful for because those were lifesavers with Morgan.

I feel pretty prepared and mentally ready for her to arrive, but one thing I need to start working on is my hospital bag! I plan to pack a little simpler this time around than I did with Morgan because I had packed so many things I didn’t use. Plus, the hospital provided me with many things (for postpartum care) so I don’t think I will need to bring much of anything for that. I have Kylie’s announcement outfit all planned out and it is so cute! My hospital outfits I am sure will not be as cute LOL.

Being in the last month of pregnancy also has me thinking extra about labor & delivery. I haven’t been very nervous about it other than worrying about the fact that my not being very active this pregnancy could make my labor go less-smoothly than my first. But I am hoping my body will know what to do since it has been through it before and that it will be smooth sailing. The good news is, I will get to meet my baby girl either way!

I have been stressed at work lately with planning for my maternity leave. I am lucky to be able to take 12 weeks off, but the downside is that it is a lot of planning and prepping! Luckily, my long-term substitute is an amazing veteran teacher who I know will do a great job with my class. I explained to my students recently that here within the next few weeks, I won’t exactly be their teacher anymore (until March). I don’t think some really understand quite yet but there are others who I can tell are a little anxious to be having a different teacher for a while. A few times now, a couple students have asked when I am leaving. They like routine and to know what to expect (I am totally the same way), and I told them when it comes to babies, they like to arrive on their own time and so I don’t know when exactly I will be gone. I wish I knew that I would make it all the way to Christmas Break because right now I am scrambling to get my January-March plans finished while also trying to be prepared for the possibility of needing to have sub plans ready for the week or so before break starts!

The end of the quarter is also coming up so I am stressed about getting testing done before I leave. A lot has to be done for a teacher to be gone for so long. I do feel relief that I will be on leave when I am, though, because I will have made it a semester with my students before leave and then I will return after Spring Break and begin the final quarter of the year with them. It’s not an awkward time of the school year to be away from my students and I am thankful for that!

Speaking of having a baby at this time of year, I just want to say that it has to be about the most magical time to have a baby, too! All the happiness that comes along with the holidays approaching is amplified with the excitement of having a baby. I am also so excited for the winter snuggles I will be getting! Lots of cozy + snuggly days are in my near future and I am READY!