38 Weeks - our little leek

So this week she is roughly the size of a leek (again I think we are going with length on this one). I am still working, but my replacement is now working with me so we get her completely ready to go in case we go into labor at any time. Michael was born 2 weeks early, so if she follows in her father's footsteps, that would mean she is really due tomorrow!

Of course, I doubt that its genetically passed down from the father's line but it sure would be nice! We pretty much have the apartment ready to go, bag partially packed, and are just trying to keep busy so we don't feel like these last few weeks drag on and on. Most first time babies are actually in the womb 41 weeks, rather than 40 so I am trying to not wish every day would be her birthday, since we could have 3 more weeks to go!

37 weeks and 5 days

Here are some pictures, I knew it had been a while, but you might be blown away!
:)

37 weeks - Full term

We are 37 weeks now, which means I have officially carried this baby to full term. Although she is not "due" for 3 more weeks, there should be little doubt that she is developed enough to live comfortably out here in the big bad world. So now it is just a question of when our little roommate is moving in for good.

For those of you who love your vegetable of the week, this week she is a swiss chard, which I can only believe must be in relation to her lenghth. See the picture below in relation to the size of a quarter.

Top 10 Reasons Babies are so fun

As my unborn baby woke me up at 4:30 this morning and I couldn't get back to sleep, I have finally given in and just gotten up. Being 36 weeks along is a little bit like it constantly being Christmas eve. You know you should sleep because Santa Clause will be here quicker, but you are so excited because SANTA CLAUSE IS COMING!!!! So that is how I feel. Except the baby version of Santa Clause doesn't do anything nice like come on a set day of the year so you know when to expect him. He's creepy that way.

So I thought I should think happy thoughts about the baby. I may not come up with all 10, but I figured some of you might have a few you want to contribute. So here goes:

Top 10 Reasons Babies are so Fun: Draft 1

10. When you are awake in the middle of the night, now you can have a buddy
9. Until they can talk you get to name all their stuffed animals for them (hence Monty's plush cow, Mr. Moo) - see picture in a previous blog
8. They're squishy (don't you just love squishy things?)
7. You get to buy new furniture
6. When you used to talk to yourself, now it looks like you are talking to another person, even though you just might still be talking to yourself
5. People will no longer talk about your abdomen - instead the baby can draw the main spotlight
4. You always have something to break the ice with strangers ("excuse me, have you admired my beautiful baby yet? She gets those looks from her beautiful mommy. Oh, my name is Julie, what's yours?")

That's all I have at the moment. Send me your suggestions.
:)

Baby stuff tour part 2

Here is part 2 of the baby stuff tour. Enjoy!

36 Weeks - Almost full term

Today we are 36 weeks, which is 1 week short of full term. So the baby could come anytime after next Saturday. Of course I shall remind both you and me that first time babies are notoriously late. However, let your excitement mount. Her day is coming!

This week the average baby is just under 6 lbs, and rougly the size of a Crenshaw melon. What is a crenshaw melon you may ask? I have no idea. But I did find this picture if it helps anyone out. I think our size comparison is based on weight rather than shape - since she should be over 18 inches long on average.

Much Awaited Pictures!

Here are some pictures many of you have been begging for. This one is Monty cuddling with Mr. Moo. I took a couple other pictures after this one, but he was on to me so he just looks miserable. I can't forget to include my older child on the blog after all. This next one is me taking a picture of my reflection in the mirror. This was apparently taken on 6/13 - almost a month ago if that gives you any idea of my progress since then! Don't worry, the light spots on my belly are just a result of the flash in the mirror. I am not developing spots.
I don't remember taking this picture, but here's one of Michael anyway.
This is me on that same day 6/13 but with my shirt over the belly. (so as to eliminate belly reflection)

And this is part one of the apartment Baby Tour. Enjoy, though it might be a little dark.

Week 34 and 35

I realize I never actually gave a fruit update last week. At 34 weeks the baby was roughly the weight of a cantalope, and now that we are 35 weeks today she has achieved honeydew melon status.

At 35 weeks, we are just 2 weeks away from full term, although Anika is not due to join us for another 5 weeks. At this stage, babies born now have an excellent chance of needing little to no medical intervention after birth and usually even if they need help for a few weeks, they match up developmentally with their full term counter parts rather quickly.

But I do not appear to be in danger of delivering early. I'm not having contractions very often that I can feel, although apparently the uterus contracts all throughout pregnancy, rarely does it come across my radar.

We have now finished our Lamaze class, and while I sort of felt it was mostly a waste of time, I think we learned a few helpful things to get us through labor.

This week we are down in NC at my folks, and all my brothers and sisters are here with their families. Which is both tiring, and very nice. Michael is enjoying spending time with my brothers since one by one our regular hang-out friends are either in shows, rehearsal, or moving away now that grad school is over.

Yesterday my Mom took a picture of me in my maternity bathing suit, so if she ever sends that image my way, I'll be sure to post it for you. Let's just say I am so big that my family is joking about twins. Take a honeydew melon, strap it to your belly, add 20 pounds of cushy water balloons, and you can approximate what it is like to be me these days.

I look forward to walking up and down stairs without having it be a production.