Week 39

Whoa!! Plus or minus a week to go - depending on Baby Rassman's plan!! So I am three days into my next nine (if I go back to work in January) to seventeen months off (if I take leave all of next year). My plans for this week...today I did a bunch of returns as well as bought some more items off our registry. Tomorrow I have a facial and massage at Excuria Salon (thanks to gift certificates I received from Todd and Mom at Christmas). Tomorrow night Todd and I will be taking a tour of Women's and Children's Hospital Maternity Ward - maybe we should just bring our bag and camp out! Wednesday I have my 39 week midwife appointment. Thursday I scheduled a highlight and haircut figuring I won't be able to get away for more than two hours for the next couple months while I'm breastfeeding. Friday I will conclude my week of pampering with a pedicure (using a gift certificate Mom Rassman gifted to me at Christmas). I am really looking forward to spoiling myself as well as having this time to myself.

In the meantime, we completed our birthing class this past Saturday. It was a great class taught by Pati Matlock. We were originally supposed to attend on March 20th but it was snowed-out! However, I liked attending so close to our due date. I think it allowed us to relate on a different level. For the most part, a lot of it was a 'review' since I've already learned so much from speaking with our Doula, Cindy, seeing The Business of Being Born, listening to many of our friends' birthing experiences, and reading. It also confirmed our decision to hire a Doula. There were a couple times Todd said, "I'm glad we have Cindy so I don't have to remember every single thing she is saying." Or "Is this something Cindy will tell us when and how to do it?"

On a similar note, many people have asked if we are ready. So far our bags are just about packed thanks to a list April sent us of what they brought and used, what they could have used, and what they didn't need. Our Birthing Plan Wish List is printed out and copied and in the bag. The car seat base is installed in both cars and just needs to be inspected. And we have the directions to the hospital programmed in our GPS.

Another big question is if the nursery is ready. The nursery is not 100% complete but other than painting (which we will do when we paint the entire upstairs which will be hopefully sooner than later) we just need to hang the blackout curtains that I received today. We already have the valance, holdbacks, and the rod for the curtains. We are just waiting for the rod we will be using to hang the valance. Then the room will be "ready." Luckily, the baby really won't know the difference so that buys us some more time!

With the big day closing in is there anything else we should be getting ready? Any last minute advice?

Baby's Development (from Pregnancy.org)

• The lanugo has mostly disappeared, but you'll probably find a bit on his/her shoulders, arms and legs and in those protected little bodily creases. It will vanish completely on its own in time.
• His/her lungs are maturing and surfactant production is increasing and fully prepared to take on the outside world!
• Your baby doesn't have much room to move and certainly mom agrees! Did you imagine 8 months ago that this wee one would be able to hook a toe in your ribs while elbowing your bladder? S/he certainly has grown!
• His/her body continues laying on the fat stores that will help regulate his/her body temperature after birth. In addition to normal fat, s/he is accumulating a special "brown" fat in the nape of his/her neck, between his/her shoulders and around organs. Brown fat cells are important for thermogenesis (generating heat) during his/her first weeks.
• Your infant's weight is around 7.25 pounds and length is 19.9 inches.

(pictures from Pregnancy.org)