Happy Due Date to me! I honestly wasn’t completely sure I’d see this date since I swear I’ve run out of room in my belly. However, baby girl is so content in her warm and cozy home, albeit temporary. Just to keep things real, I have to admit that I’ve definitely found myself frustrated and struggling at times this week. Wednesday we had our doctor’s appointment and I was devastated when the doctor told me that we had not made any progress in the labor department and that he would likely see us again in a week (today) to start discussing options if we don’t go into labor soon.
However, I committed long ago that I would make this a very positive pregnancy experience for Matt and I so I must finish it out on a happy note even though I really just want to whine about my pains and discomforts. So first of all, we selfishly wanted a May birthday for our little girl and now we’ve guaranteed it! Who knows, maybe she’ll even be a Mother’s Day baby! Secondly, we are very lucky that Caroline has stayed put longer than we had hoped because her first day of school doesn’t start until September, yet I go back to work at the end of July (yes, I am going back to work), leaving a month long gap during which we will need to secure temporary care. So, the later we deliver, the shorter the gap. Also, we have a beach vacation scheduled at the end of July and we were a tad worried we would have to cut it short to get back to work if Caroline made an early debut. So that’s a relief, and a trip we are really looking forward to. Lastly, I am the only person who gets this precious time with her and I am going to soak in all these last little rolls and pokes as possible. She and I have a bond that no one else will ever understand and I must cherish these last few days with my little girl on the inside.
Because he is the best hubby and soon-to-be-daddy, Matt surprised me with reservations at one of our favorite restaurants in Charlotte – The Fig Tree.We went all out and ordered everything that looked yummy on the menu. It was the perfect date night.
How far along: 40 weeks!
Baby Size: A small pumpkin {20 inches, 7.5 pounds}
Weight gain: 32 lbs , shockingly no weight gain for the first week of my entire pregnancy.
Maternity clothes: Now that I’m working from home, I am pretty much living in yoga pants and maternity tanks.
Stretch marks: Probably.
Sleep: Really, really great, even through the Braxton Hicks and frequent tinkle trips.
Gender: Caroline Grace Marcellino!
Movement: Yep, she definitely favors my left side and loves to poke her booty out all day long. It’s the funniest thing ever.
Best moment this week: Our last fancy dinner together before baby, planting lots of stuff around the backyard over the weekend and my last day working in the office!
Looking forward to: Meeting our sweat pea – SOON! Matt set up the hammock in the backyard this weekend so we have another little place to relax once the baby arrives.
Food cravings: Dried and fresh fruit, muffins, bagels and bread.
Anything making you queasy or sick: No.
Labor Signs: I would be seriously surprised if we didn’t make some major progress since our last appointment after all of the crampiness and other “labor is near” symptoms I’ve experienced the past couple of days.
What I miss: Well, besides our due date, I’ve missed an ice cold beer. I can’t decide what my first drink will be…a refreshing cocktail or an extra large summer shandy on draft.
Symptoms: The usual, very long list of pains and discomforts. I really want to go for long walks with Charlie but my round ligament pains are so horrendous that it’s almost not even worth the effort of lacing up my shoes to walk a slow half mile.
Nursery: It is so ready for a little girl to come home to!
Belly Button in or out? In and out, it varies still.
Wedding rings on or off? On and no swelling at all (very thankful).
Mood: Anxious, anxious, anxious. I should add that this is Matt’s mood too. Every time I even call for him he comes running over with his hospital bag in hand. I swear he is more on edge than I am.
Workouts: Pitiful short, slow walks and squats!
Prayer for Caroline:
Dear Lord, Thank you for helping me make it to the full stretch of my pregnancy. Please help Caroline come at just the right time and bless my labor and delivery. Give the medical staff wisdom to make all the right decisions. Help me to be strong during delivery and trust in You. I pray that your presence would fill the room with joy as we welcome Caroline into the world. You are so good and I love You. Thank you, Lord. Amen.
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him. – Psalm 37:7
FORTY!

Fifteen / Sixteen / Seventeen
Eighteen / Nineteen / Twenty
Twenty-Seven / Twenty-Eight / Twenty-Nine
Thirty / Thirty-One / Thirty-Two
Thirty-Three / Thirty-Four / Thirty-Five
Thirty-Six / Thirty-Seven / Thirty-Eight






Ah congrats for making it this far!! The little one must love it in there! ๐ That is too cute about Matt running over with the hospital bag all the time! Good luck, hope you made some progress!!
It's been so neat to watch this journey yall are on – I know you are so ready to meet your sweet girl! The Fig Tree looks delicious; what a fun time!! Oh and I love your dress!!
Yay for 40 weeks!!! Soon she will be here and you will be snuggling away with baby Caroline! ๐
That top dress is amazing. I am 15 weeks pregnant and entering the scary world of maternity clothes. May I ask where it's from? I can't imagine how anxious and excited y'all must be this week.
Asos!
I can remember feeling the same way as you, so grateful and savouring all the precious kicks, but at the same time, SO ready to have real cuddles and to finally feel pain free! You've come so far, carried your little girl so well, and there are just days left now, try so hard to rest and stay calm. I remember not wanting to talk to anyone at the end because I was in such miserable pain I didn't think I could get any positive words out!! But so soon you won't have enough wonderful words to express yourself with! You are so close now, try to channel your anxiety into positive strength. Good luck for this week, we're all crossing our fingers that you get to meet sweet Caroline soon. xx
Hope this is your first Mother's Day!!! You look wonderful at 40 weeks.
Can't believe yours and April's due dates are finally here! How funny would that be if you delivered on the same day?? Good luck!!
Gorgeous mama!!! Prayers for your delivery, girlie! xx
Congrats Mama for making it this far!!!! You look amazing and I am sure that little Caroline will make her debut soon. Isn't that just like a lady to make you wait? xoxo Caroline
Not long now… Thinking of you every day x
Congratulations on hitting the 40 week mark! You look more fabulous than ever. Prayers for a comfortable and safe last few days!
Aww this got me a little choked up! I can only imagine how ready you are. & How precious of Matt – he's such a good hubby & will be an amazing daddy too! Praying for labor to progress & a quick & safe delivery when she does decide to make her debut! Congratulations to you & Matt!! #comeonecaroline ๐
Aw. I know the last weeks and days can be so very frustrating but you are doing a wonderful job at looking on the bright side!!!! She'll be here in no time!!
You look amazing!!! I bet you're so ready! That date night looked precious!
You seriously look so beautiful pregnant. You make having a grown human being inside you look so easy! Congratulations to you and your husband and soon-to-be family!
So cute about Matt being on alert – it seems like most first babies take their time coming out, but I know she'll be worth the wait!
You are one of the most adorable preggos! Hang in there! When I made it to 37 weeks I was all amped & ready! Slowly the weeks crept by until we induced & had our son at 40weeks 4days. I was beyond ready at that point! And as excited as I am to have him here I do miss the belly & jabs and pokes from the inside!
The end is tough but enjoy this time!! I had a similar experience and had made no progress by 41 weeks, when I was eventually induced. The induction went great and my daughter was born at 41 weeks, 1 day, healthy as can be. Her name is Noelle, but ironically, our other name choice was Caroline Grace, which we debated right up until she was 30 minutes old! You are in for a world of love but soak up these days with your hubby and your privacy when you pee. ๐
You are so pretty and the cutest with your baby belly!! You even look so great in your workout clothes!! How sweet is Matt. Glad y'all are still enjoying every bit of this time. Best wishes on your delivery!
Well 1) you have looked amazing your entire pregnancy !! 2) i feel ya the last few weeks can be trying 3) it will all go by so quickly embrace it ๐ Can't wait for photos of the princess !!
Happy Due Date to you! Y'all are the cutest. And I know you are so ready for that sweet baby girl to be out in this world! But I know this last little bit of time is so special. And how cute of your hubs to always come running with the bag! So adorable. Thinking of you!xo
Be with this precious family, Lord.
Yay for full term! I will be praying for You, Caroline, your hubby and the Dr and nurses.
I absolutely love your positive perspective, it is very encouraging and refreshing. Wishing you a safe, quick and easy labor; whenever it may come! Keep up the great work, you two will be the BEST parents! ๐
I have enjoyed every single "bump date" post! You are one of the most beautiful pregnant women I have ever saw! Seeing your bump makes me miss mine. Enjoy every precious single second with Caroline.
Maybe baby girl will surprise you and come a little bit later on her due date … you never know with those little ones! I know you're anxious and ready to meet her, but I think it's great that you are staying positive about her choosing to stay in your warm and safe belly for a little bit longer. Those are moments that are yours and hers alone and will be gone all too soon. Enjoy each kick and flop! ๐ I'll be thinking of you these next few days!
Wow!! You look great girl! I hope Caroline decides to make her debut for you soon and good luck with everything! Happy Due Date! ๐ <3, Pamelasequinsandseabreezes.blogspot.com
Aw hang in there! You sill look adorable! I wouldn't have minded another week or so wrapping up pregnancy before little miss made an early debut last week so jut try and enjoy your last nights I sleeping more than two hours at a time!!
You look adorable! That is the thing about babies they come when they decide it is time. Whenever she makes her appearance the wait will be worth it. Daughters are the best!!! Thoughts and prayers for a quick and easy labor!Katieguppystale.blogspot.com
Hi! Have been reading your Bumpdates since you started, but haven't commented yet. Wishing you all the best as you wait for labor to start and your baby girl to be born!
You make 40 weeks look like a piece of cake! Adorable ๐ This last stretch of waiting is definitely the hardest! Hang in there :)www.chasingdreamsandcatchinglife.blogspot.com
The end is SO so hard. I won't say "enjoy it!" because I've been there and hearing that only made me want her here sooner! But I will tell you something a friend told me at the end when I only wanted to deliver that really encouraged me to keep her in as long as possible. The longer they "bake", the bigger they are at birth, which means the bigger their tummies are! And the bigger her tummy, the more she can eat which mean she can go longer between feedings at night. This was totally true for my 8lb 4oz baby who was sleeping through the night at 7 weeks! Can't wait to hear that she's here!!
you look beautiful and hang in there! you still have time to have a May baby!! xo jillian – cornflake dreams
What a wonderful attitude to have! Both of my girls were late (one was "evicted" via induction and the other came the day after her due date) and I was trying everything in the book to get them out because I was just so excited to finally meet them! Best of luck these last few minutes/hours/days!
Happy due date pretty mama!! Can't wait to meet that sweet Caroline of yours!!! ๐ ๐
40 weeks I hope she celebrates her birthday soon! Good job on incubating your little babe!
Yea! Happy Due Date =) Can't wait to hear of the exciting arrival – you will do GREAT momma!!
You look great. She'll be here before you know it!
Happy due date!! She will be here before you know it:) I have loved keeping up with your sweet bumpdates. So excited for you!!
The last few days are hard!! Try to relax and sleep as much as possible and enjoy your last few precious days, hours, minutes as just the two of you!
You look wonderful! I hope she makes her appearance soon!! ๐
you look great!joanna-dan.blogspot.com
You don't even know me but each time I sign in to Bloglovin' I think… I wonder if she had her baby yet. I am so happy for you! I am surprised that you will be returning so quickly to work. I do wish that maternity leave was better here in the states. In Norway/Finland/Sweden they have about a year off with 80% pay if I remember correctly. Also, 60 of the days are designated for paternal leave too. Wouldn't it be nice…. Best of luck in the coming days. May things go smoothly and calmly. xoxo.
You look so beautiful, Christina! I am soooo excited for both you and April! Eeeeeeeep!!! ๐ "Cheers,Samara
Christina had her baby yesterday! Check out her Instagram page!!
You are adorable!
You look awesome!! Can't wait to see pictures of your little baby girl ๐ Hope delivery goes smoothly
Such a perfect prayer and congratulations on the birth of your beautiful little girl!!! ๐
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