36 weeks (9 months!!!)

It's getting closer! I think I'm going through some nesting. I did most of my baby laundry this past weekend so she'll have something to wear...she has mittens (to keep her from scratching her face since I hear they don't clip their nails at the hospital) and socks and hats and tons of blankets. The only thing I'm not sure of is her clothes. I mean, I think I have plenty but I just worry about her size. Will she be too small? And would that really matter? She could just float around in them I guess...I have some pretty small onesies so she'll be fine in those I guess. Whatever, right? As long as I get to bring her home.

I have my work shower on Friday so I'm very excited about that! (More baby laundry???) :0)
And next week I start my weekly doctor appointments so that's something to look forward too...something to break up the week if nothing else, I guess.

I still feel pretty good. A little tired at night...tossing and turning...and regular bathroom breaks but, no other problems really so that's good. It's hard to believe it's 3-1/2 weeks away!!!

I better get my filing done at work!!!

36 weeks

How your baby's growing: Your baby is still putting on the pounds — about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds and is a little less than 19 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the creamy substance that covered and protected her skin during its submersion in amniotic fluid.

At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Babies between 37 and 42 weeks are considered full-term; a baby born before 37 weeks is pre-term and after 42 is post-term.) Most likely she's in a head-down position by now, which is optimal for a smooth delivery, but if she isn't in the next week, your provider may suggest scheduling an "external cephalic version," which is a fancy way of saying he'll try to coax your baby into a head-down position manually, by manipulating her from the outside of your belly. [Turn baby, turn!!!! We don't want no manipulations!!]

35 weeks

Soooo...went to the doctor on Monday and nothing eventful occurred there. I'm not having a cervical exam (or "cow appointment" as I like to call it) until the 38th week (I think?).

Whew! But my doctor did say those "checks" can be traumatic for some people...I'm sure that I'm one of those people and I've decided I don't want to know how dilated I am - just surprise me!!! (Pleeeeease!)

It's getting so close sometimes I worry I won't be ready. Still, I put off some tasks for whatever reason and it's hard to believe it's actually coming so soon! Of course, she can refuse to come on her due date and then we'll have plenty of time, right?

Right.

35 weeks

How your baby's growing: Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that she's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 pounds plus. Because it's so snug in your womb, she isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times she kicks should remain about the same. Her kidneys are fully developed now, and her liver can process some waste products. Most of her basic physical development is now complete — she'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

34 weeks

I've updated my little e-mail system so it sends me info. about my weeks a little earlier...I don't want to ick anyone out by the details but the site had a different due date for me than my doctor. Add that to the fact that I'm growing slightly impatient and I want my time to go by faster and the extra four days was bugging me! (Even though she probably won't come until the later due date...)

Monday I have another doctor's appt. They're getting more frequent now...and I not excited about them becoming more "invasive" so I'm a little nervous.

We finished our birthing class and we toured the new rooms at Carle. I'm ready to go ahead and check in and get this thing going...and I'm paranoid that the day I have my baby - they'll be completely full. That'd be just my luck. They deliver tons of babies at Carle.

34 weeks

How your baby's growing: Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds and is probably almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which she'll need to regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her central nervous system is still maturing and her lungs are well developed by now. If you've been nervous about going into preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that 99 percent of babies this age can survive outside the womb — and most have no major long-term problems related to prematurity.

Another pic of the expectant parents:

Babeh Shower

My family threw a lovely shower for me over the weekend. Everything went perfectly. I got lots and lots of clothes (which I kind of expected since everyone told me that's what I'd get and is the fit I usually like to buy) that I already have too many of but are always cute to look at and open so...she won't be nekkid that's for sure.

My mom was up ver-very early cleaning and cooking and working hard...my aunt got up at 5:00 a.m. to finish making the cake (she'd worked all week on the fondant decorations)...my grandma and her sister brought beautiful salads...my sister gave me a beautiful card that made me cry and got me a carrier for the baby...my in-laws came up from Tennessee and brought tons of gifts (including my crib net/bat/cat keeper outter!). I definitely felt special. Not to mention, Grandma and my aunt both made quilts for the baby!

[My Dad - wondering: "What the heck is this thing???]

33 weeks

Ahhhh...getting closer all the time! I had a doctor's appt. this week and I'll be going every two weeks now. Fun, fun, fun! I'm almost done with my birthing classes. (Did I mention how much I like the teacher? She's hilllllllaaaaarious!)

I have my family shower this weekend - I'm very excited! It'll be nice to see everyone. Maybe someone will take a lovely picture of me that I can post here. If I approve it, of course...

33 weeks

How your baby's growing: This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds and measures 17.2 inches from the top of her head to her heels. Her skin is becoming less red and wrinkled, and while most of her bones are hardening, her skull is quite pliable and not completely joined. This will help her ease out of your relatively narrow birth canal.

8 months! (32 weeks)

Wow! 8 months...I get more excited everyday! There is still a lot of preparation that needs to be done. I have my family shower next weekend so I'll see what goodies I get and know more what I might need to shop for. I'm antsy to get everything bought - but I know I need to wait to see what we still need. But, I wanna buy it all NOW! And be prepared! I know I still have some time (7 weeks...or more!) but I also know that it could really fly by! I've started lists of what I still need to buy and what I need to pack for the hospital. I'm sure we'll get it all done. Then I'll probably forget my bag at home! :0)

32 weeks

How your baby's growing: By now, your baby probably weighs almost 4 pounds and is almost 17 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. She has tiny toenails now, and her fingernails have grown in, too [I knew I felt them scratching me! ;0) ]. Some babies have a head of hair already; others have only peach fuzz.