How far along? 39 weeks

How big is baby? Probably close to 8 pounds.

Weight gain? Roughly 32.  Three of those pounds came last week, so I’m just avoiding the scale at home this week and making sure I get plenty of fluids (which oddly enough helps fight fluid retention).

Stretch Marks? Nothing new here.

Maternity clothes? I kept a few items I’m wearing the most, and sent the others home to my parents basement.  Guess that means I don’t plan on staying in them too long after K arrives!

Sleep? Boo.  My 4 oclock waking hour continues, and the time it takes me to get back to sleep is stretching.  Also, we tried flipping our mattress to a firmer side to help me have some leverage when I’m trying to roll or get out.  I’m not sold on the change yet.

Cravings?  Yesterday while at the mall with J, we rounded the corner and pretty much ran to Auntie Anne’s once we smelled those delicious pretzels!  YUM!  I’ve got to learn how to make those at home!

Nursery update? 😀  I enjoy sitting in the glider for now.  Can’t wait until K is here to hang out in there too!

Movement? Hiccups are becoming more regular.  And the doctor told me the “foot” I keep feeling and touching is more likely an elbow.  Whoops.

High point? Being snowed/iced in without power.  Thought this would be the low point?  Well, J stayed home until we were sure I could get out of the house on my own should an amergency arise.  So while he was home with me we made hot chocolate on the camping stove, kept warm with a propane heater, and played cards.  It was super fun!

Low point? Total havoc being wreaked on my body!

What am I looking forward to? K’s arrival!

What do I miss? Warm weather!

Doctor Update: Coming on Wednesday!

Here’s me at 39 weeks…

Compare to the 37 week photo here.

How far along? 37 weeks and 2 days

How big is baby? Maybe close to seven pounds?

Weight gain? Holding at 29!  .:does small premature victory dance:.

Stretch Marks? Just those same couple of small ones I’ve noticed the last couple of weeks.

Maternity clothes? Outgrowing a few things.  My belly is starting to stick way OUT.  See the pic below.

Sleep? Sigh.  Dear sweet sleep, I remember you old friend.  I did sleep better Monday night, and actually had a little energy on Tuesday.  A pleasant surprise.

Cravings? Still fruit!  In addition to jello salad, a morning clementine (or 2), I’ve recently added Cherry pie and grapes to the routine.   And of course I had an old favorite one night this week…ROOT BEER FLOAT!

Nursery update? Nursery is DONE.  Planes are HUNG!  I am HAPPY!  Check out those links if you missed the posts.

Movement? Yes.  But it’s different.  There will be longer periods of “quiet”, and then his normal crazy active phases.  I spoke with the doctor about this today and he said that is normal.  For one, he is getting larger, and moving around may become more difficult.  For another…he has a more regular and peaceful sleeping pattern starting to form.   But the long quiet periods are not cool, K, not cool.  He’s kicking like crazy as I type this though.  AND…we felt him have the hiccups for the first time Saturday night.  Too cute.

High point? Finally getting those airplanes hung!  A successful 37 week appt!

Low point?  Having a round of Braxton Hicks on Thursday afternoon and in the middle of the night Thursday…while home alone!

What am I looking forward to? Um…having a baby soon? .:Yikes!:.

What do I miss? Having energy.  Not knowing what indigestion felt like.

Doctor Update:  My BP and weight gain, and K’s heart rate were all good.  Today I had my first cervix check.  Visit this link if you don’t know what these mean.
Dilation: 1-2 cm
Effacement: 50%
Station: -2

He said that was great progress for week 37.  In short, my body IS preparing which is a good sign.  He also pointed out that my cervix would be very “induceable”, should K become stubborn and hold out past his due date.

What does all that mean?  Who knows!  K could come tomorrow, or he could hold out until past the due date.  These measurements can change in a hurry, or become stagnant.  In fact, I might have the exact same measurements next week.  But the good news is things are kicking in to motion on their own, and the stage is setting for K’s arrival!

Here’s me at 37 weeks on Monday evening.  I’ll try to remember to wear that shirt for the photo from now on.  That might make it easier to compare and figure out when he’s noticeably lower!  K looks like he’s trying to escape via my belly button!

How far along?  36 weeks and 3 days.

How big is baby? Over six pounds! (We think…who knows!)

Weight gain? 29 as of the last Doc weigh in.  If K arrives immediately, I can say I gained less than 30!  If he takes his time…I may gain 40!  It seems I’m starting to swell a tad.  I’ve even decided not to put my rings back on until we’re done.  Hopefully the swelling won’t get worse.

Stretch Marks? I think I have a couple of small ones now.  Boo!

Maternity clothes? Nothing new to report here. Except that I look frumpy in everything.  And my plan to make both normal and maternity clothes fit in the closet has officially turned it in to a disaster zone.

Sleep? Getting much worse in a hurry.  There were a couple of crampy nights last week where I got less than four hours of sleep, and most of that came on a couch.  I now use five pillows. (What?)  I’m up at least once or twice for potty breaks, and I CONTINUE to wake up during the 4:00 am hour every night!  (What is that about?)

Cravings? Fruit!  I even made a jello fruit salad, which I don’t normally have much interest in.  I bought Clementines and have been eating those at breakfast too. And I had a hankering for OJ, which of course gave me heartburn.  Also…Chinese!  Mac N Cheese!  Food in general…

Nursery update? Finishing touches are going on the airplanes now!  Everything else is done, and in fact I have the photos of the nursery uploaded and am just waiting on the right time to post.  I want ONE shot of the airplanes once we get them hung.  So I should have pics posted for you by this weekend.

Movement? Still a busy guy, but there are fewer kicks and more rolls and pushes.   I can identify a hand on my lower left side pretty often.  Or is it a foot by his face?

High point? Getting the nursery finished, and walls decorated.

Low point? A crampy, sleepless 48 hours last week.

What am I looking forward to? Visitors this weekend!  Finally getting these airplanes hung!

What do I miss? Seeing my own feet.  Being able to put on shoes and socks without grunting.  Sleeping through the night.  Wearing contacts.  Pants with buttons.  High Heels.  Having the option to tan.  Eating spicy foods.  Mt Dew.  Ruh Roh…sounds like I’m wearing down!!!

No belly pic this week since my photographer is unavailable.  Also, I never seem to think of it until I’m in full lounge mode.  But since I’ll be doing these updates weekly now, you won’t have to wait very long for a 37 week pic!