37 weeks pregnant

My body: The biggest news…as of Monday, I was 2 cm dilated and 50% effaced. I am very excited that things are progressing and that’s 2 less cm I will have to dilate during labor!!! The baby is head down ready for deliver I have been having Braxton Hicks contractions, which are more of a dull ache than a true pain. I am fairly confident that I am doing something of a waddle when I walk, especially after a long day.

The baby
At our ultrasound last Friday, the baby measured at 5.12 oz. J
Weight: 6 pounds
Length:19-20 inches

What’s going on with us: Jonathan and I finished our Childbirth classes on Monday and both agreed they were very beneficial. We have finished the nursery, set up all the “toys,” washed the clothes and finished packing the hospital bags. I am officially in nesting mode and hope to organize all drawers and closets before this baby arrives. We picked up the bassinet from my mom’s house for our room. It’s a special bassinet because it has been passed around my family for many years. We found this was the easiest way to transport the bassinet:)

Jonathan holding his nephew, Alex.
Grandpa and Alex, on Father's Day.

36 weeks pregnant- 9 months:)

My body: Men hold your ears…I urinate every 5 minutes and I am only slightly exaggerating. I think for sure that the baby must have dropped recently to cause that sort of activity from my bladder. I feel really good though and now that the air is fixed in my car, the temperature is manageable. I got this taken care of just in time for the 90 degree weather we are about to see. I thought I would be terrible uncomfortable being pregnant in this heat, but I don’t think it’s any worse that before I was pregnant…Never was a huge fan of 90 degree weather:) I am happy to be in the home stretch of this pregnancy and more excited than ever to meet this person.

The baby:
Height: 18.5 inches
Weight: Nearly 6 pounds

Interesting facts: “Your baby continues to put on weight at about ½ pound each week. This layer of fat will help your baby regulate his body temperature after leaving your climate-controlled womb. In fact, your baby will be 15 percent fat at birth (and you ... well that's another story). Even in the womb, your baby can listen, feel, touch and see…His gums are firm with ridges that look somewhat like teeth…Your baby has definite patterns of sleep and wakefulness—opening his eyes while awake and closing them while sleeping. Your baby will become alert and turn his head toward light and sound just as a newborn would”

Update on my mom: As most of you know, my mom had a detached retina that was discovered about a week and a half ago. She had surgery to re-attach the retina last Thursday. The surgery went well, but a heavy dose of pain medicine (for a headache none the less) left her nauseous for much of Thursday. On the upside, it knocked her out so well that she was able to sleep through most of Thursday after the surgery. She was told on Thursday to lay on her stomach face down in a special pillow throughout Thursday, through the night and as much as possible until her follow up appointment at 9:30 the next day. She did a really great job of this, which caused her eye to swell…believe it or not, that was a very good thing. They were very proud of her swollen eye at the follow up appointment. Apparently, the better you do your job of facing down, the “better” your eye will swell. So, she got the good patient award and we are very proud of her. Everything looked good at her follow up and she will go back on Monday for another check up. We will know how her retina and vision have responded at her 1 month follow up visit. The eye looks a lot better, but her eye is still swollen shut at this point.

What’s going on with us: Over the last week, we have completed several “getting ready for baby” activities. We installed the car seat and had it checked at a car seat inspection sight. We finished packing the hospital bag (okay 2 bags.) We stocked up on diapers and wipes and discussed what we still plan to purchase before the baby arrives. It is so amazing to me that with all the wonderful things we have to make our baby comfortable and our life easier, and all the baby really needs is us! A friend of mine is giving us her glider, which I can’t wait to rock my baby in! Also, last Sunday we had dinner with Jonathan's family to celebrate the baby coming. We recieved a beautiful basket full of baby goodies and a beautiful quilt that Jonathan's mom made. I was nice for the family to get together again before the baby comes.

35 weeks pregnant

My body: My main complaint continues to be the same..swelling in the hands. I still feel very lucky about how well this pregnancy has gone. I have really enjoyed being pregnant, but now we are ready to meet this little person! Since school let out, I have gotten up early and walked every day, which isn’t that easy but I think it’s important.

The baby
Weight: 5 and a half pounds
Length: 18 inches

What’s going on with my sister: Abby got engaged on Friday night! It came as a complete surprise to her (and me) but my mom knew for 6 weeks! We are so excited for her and came wait to officially welcome Alex into the family! What’s going on with us: I had a baby shower on Saturday with my family and family friends. It had a “pea in a pod” theme and everything was so darn cute. My aunts hosted and made it really special for me. I know they worked hard to plan a nice day and I was so touched. I received many really great gifts that I can’t wait to use (hurry up next 5 weeks)! I have all of my big items now, which is really amazing. After each shower, I have come home (usually with my mom) and re-opened them all for Jonathan. He is a really good “gift-receiver,” so it’s fun to see his reaction to all the baby items. He is having as much fun in this process as I am. I feel very lucky to have him!

Lastly, Jonathan put the changing table together and it looks great! The nursery is almost finished:) Thanks for working so hard, hubby!

34 weeks pregnant

My body: Overall I feel really good, still. My hands have been swollen for most of the this last week, but I guess that’s to be expected in 88 degree weather. I am trying to elevate my feet whenever I have a chance and that seems to have helped keep my ankles from swelling. The baby continues to be very active.

The baby
Weight: 5.3 pounds exactly
Length: 18 inches

Interesting facts: “The soft fur, lanugo, that covered your baby's body for much of her stay in the womb is now almost completely gone. Your baby begins to develop her own immune system, instead of relying solely on antibodies received through the placenta”

What’s going on with us: Jonathan fished 2 tournaments last weekend and won both! Considering what he endured with the heat, I am SO glad it was worthwhile for him! On Sunday, Jonathan’s parents visited for a little while after his tournament and finally got to see the crib they helped us get for the baby. On Memorial Day, my family came over for dinner and we had a really nice time. Today, I pre-registered at the hospital, which feels a little surreal. I guess this baby is really going to be here someday, and that “someday” is quickly approaching. I also had an ultrasound today and everything looked great! The baby currently weighs 5.3 pounds, which places him or her in the 47 percentile. We got to see the baby practice swallowing the amniotic fluid, the eyes moving and lots of movement. I didn’t expect to think this from an ultrasound, but we have a beautiful baby! We got to see a great angle of the face and he/she is a perfect angel…our perfect angel! I am even more excited now to meet this perfect little person inside me!