Week 38

Weight: 139 lbs. (+26 lbs)

Fundal height: 37 cm (should be between 37 and 39 cm)

Wow! What a week!!! It started with the birth of DJ and April's twins, Maya and Zachary, on Friday. Then my cousins, Alex and Wendy, threw me a wonderful shower on Saturday for my side of the family and friends. On Sunday we met with Cindy, our Doula, and her back up for the final time before labor day. Monday we took our breastfeeding class - we're all set to do the football hold if necessary! On Tuesday we bought a car - a 2004 VW Jetta - dark red with only 13,000 miles!! Wednesday I picked up the car and it was my 38 week midwife appointment. On Thursday my students surprised me with cute cards filled with advice as well as some baby gifts including a 'diaper cake' a parent in my class actually made (pictured to the left) that includes everything from diapers to blankets to onesies to pacifiers. Friday will be my last day of working - I think I'm ready!! And on Saturday we will finally be taking our Child Birth class. How's that for a week in the life of a pregnant lady?!?!

All in all I am still feeling quite well! I saw Elaine this week at my appointment and she thinks I have 'dropped' (although everyone has an opinion whether I really have or not). She also predicts that the baby is probably six pounds or so. Once labor begins I am to call the midwives when my contractions are 5 minutes apart and lasting for about 1 minute or if my water breaks. But just in case labor doesn't happen I have set up three more weeks of appointments - the last one being on my birthday - the first day of my 41st week. If need be and as long as the baby is still 'happy' we are prepared to wait up to two weeks after April 21st before inducing labor.

In the meantime, thanks to all of the wonderful gifts we have received, the nursery is almost 'set up.' The bedding is set up in the crib; the diapers, clothing, and blankets have been washed and folded and in the dresser; the bassinet is ready to go; the curtains and rods have been ordered and will hopefully be here next week so we can put them up; the glider has been ordered and should be here within another week or so; and the infant car seat has been installed. The hospital bag still need to be packed though!

Now what? I'm just looking forward to having hopefully a full week off to myself - looking to treat myself to a facial, pedicure, and haircut. Because as everyone is saying this is the last of my time to myself and ourselves!

Baby Development (from Pregnancy.org)

• If s/he is the "average baby," s/he weights 6.8 pounds and is 19.6 inches long.
• Have you noticed s/he hiccups a lot? Because there is no air around her, those breathing exercises cause amniotic fluid to get into her windpipe. The result? Hiccups! - I actually haven't experienced a lot of hiccuping!
• Your child's intestines are accumulating lots of meconium. Meconium takes on the role of being your baby's first bowel movement -- removing the waste that has accumulated.
• S/he may have a full head of hair now -- an inch or more long! Don't be surprised if it's an unexpected color. Some blond couples have dark haired babies; some dark haired couples have red-haired babies; some couples have babies with only peach fuzz! It may just persuade you to take a closer look at your family tree!
• Circumference of head and abdomen are about the same size for your baby. No wonder it's so hard to get a t-shirt over a newborn's head!

(pictures from Pregnancy.org)