36 Weeks

***********Update************

The suspicious mole is actually a growth of some type that is benign 90% of the time. The doctor did however think that a mole behind my knee looks "bad" and has to go. Scheduled to have them both removed on the 18th. For some reason, insurance requires 10 days between diagnosis and removal.

*******************************

Officially 36 weeks today. This is the week of my pregnancy with Ellis that she decided to make an arrival. Chase and Avery were both 38 weekers. So I feel like I have finally arrived at the final count down. Which most hours of most days seems like it can't come soon enough. (when I'm not wishing I had a good 6 more months to prepare.)

My edema has bad days and worse days. I have now added what I think is swelling induced carpal tunnel syndrome. In other words, my hands and arms are falling asleep and are numb and tingly. Not just when sleeping, but all day long.

The sciatica in my right leg was extending into my thigh, but this weekend decided that wasn't enough and now extends down to my ankle.

Last night I woke at 1:30 am with such painful contractions (ever found that you had been crying in your sleep?) that I thought that things might be kicking into high gear. Took a long, hot shower/bath and got the pain under control (I found this helped a lot with Avery... but you should have seen my water bill...). This morning things seem back to normal (for me levels). I have learned through 3 other pregnancies that at this point, unless my water breaks there is no point in going to the hospital. Not in the mood for the nasty nurses, blown out IV lines and interventions that don't do a whole lot and cost a lot of money. (I think I am jaded here.)

I have an appointment this coming Thursday. We'll see if all these contractions are actually accomplishing anything.

This afternoon I am headed to the dermatologist. I found a large and scary looking mole on my bra line. I have developed pre-cancerous moles in my pregnancies with Ellis and Avery. This one is super dark, varying in color, peeling and bleeding... in other words, pretty sure that it is bad. It is in a weird location and finding it was by chance. Anxious to get it off my body. Chase asked why we were going to the doctor and I showed it to her. She knows nothing about moles, or about the pre-cancerous ones that I had removed and her reaction was to shriek and tell me that it was a "Mole of Death" and could we please get rid of it today. It was a strange reaction from her (we are all moley around here). Sometimes kids say strange and perceptive things...

I picked a good 50 lbs of zucchini and crook necks this weekend. I have been driving around and being the squash fairy. Chase is looking forward to a lot of bread. In fact, I think that is what we are eating for lunch today. It has eggs and veggies, right?

I have a ton of pics and updates about what we have been doing... if I can just find the camera cord and the motivation...