37 Weeks - Full Term Baby, Baby!

How far along? 37 Weeks 3 days

Baby Length:  A bit over 19 inches long

Baby Weight:  About 6 1/3 lbs

Baby as Long as: A Stalk of Swiss Chard?? Again any takers??  Never eaten it or cooked with it, so not a very helpful visualization this week.
Weight gain/loss:  Up another pound and broke into the thirties.  Crap!  Up 30 lbs.
Maternity clothes? The weather has been cooler, so its fun to dig out the donated maternity jeans from friends.  Some are actually pretty comfy.  I wore a pair of Gap Materity "sexy bootcut" jeans today in "size 27"....sure they're a size 27.  Vanity sizing anyone?  I know how much I've gained and how much wider my hips are.  There's no way these would qualify as 27's...even for maternity wear.

Stretch marks?  Itchy belly these days.  Trying really hard not to itch as I've heard that can bring on the stretch marks, but so far so good.

Sleeping? Its 2:30 am as I am typing this weekly journal entry...so no, I'm not sleeping.  I'm all riled up at night and have a hard time getting comfortable, but then I'm exhausted in the morning and can't motivate.  They say the baby's schedule can get reversed in the womb, and I think it has managed to rub off on me!

Best (and scariest) moment this week:  Realizing this baby will be here soon!  I got a wake up call after my 37 week appt on Monday that it was time to get my butt in gear and get ready for our little Nashable.  So I finally dug out all the things I "might" need in the first few weeks and picked up the dye/perfume/scent free detergent and washed all the baby's stuff.  I ran around and picked up some last minute items for Jake and my hospital bags (maternity/nursing loungewear -- wish I owned A Pea in the Pod stock, nightlights, snacks, L'Occitane pillow mist and hand cream, nursing bras, comfy socks, etc).  I didn't realize it was optional but I allowed my OB to do an internal exam on Monday.  He reported that I was already 1 cm dilated and that he touched the baby's head.  It was exciting nerve-wracking all rolled into one moment!  Until I stood up and bright red blood came out of me...So I peeked out the door and grabbed the nurse and she checked with the doctor who said it was normal and because of the check.  So I get dressed and head to my car, and stop short of the door because I literally feel blood running out of me.  This feels like more than what a cervical check would cause, so I head back up to the office to ask some more questions and annoy the staff.  The stick me in the exam room and bring Dr. Marcus in to check me.  He agrees its more blood than is normal, and does another really painful, uncomfortable inspection down there.  His concensus what that it has nothing to do with the baby and is just because a blood vessel on my cervix broke...or something like that.  They have me lay there for a little bit to check again, and then decide all is good and send me on my way.  But not before Marcus says that there's no way I will make it to my due date and that I need to be ready to go at any point.  He reminds me that I'm full term and this baby could be ready to go any day!  I'm sure everything is fine, but I have felt different since Monday's appt.  Lots of spotting, and cramping, and weird feelings...some of which hurt and I'm guessing may be contractions.  But, back to the good part - I got my wake up call that this baby is coming whether Jake and I are ready or the house is ready or anything is set up.  We're scared, but so excited to meet him or her.

         

Miss anything?  Sleeping on my stomach for 8 hours without moving once.
Feel any movement? Tons of movement.  And it feels like the baby is trying to get out sometimes!  The baby also has hiccups frequently, which Dr. Google states is the baby practicing for breathing on the outside by exercising its diaphragm.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nausea randomly from time to time.  Still not sure why, but I do know eating small meals seems to keep it more controlled.
Gender: We'll see very soon!
Labor Signs: Spotting, Cramping, Baby seems to be moving down and pushing on my lower parts, what I think may be early "contractions."  And I think I'm a wuss who is in for some serious trouble bc the early stuff hurts and I'm not even technically in labor.
Symptoms:  Same old, same old and all the new stuff listed above.
Belly Button? Interestingly enough is full of freckles.  Who knew?!
Wedding rings? Tight and currently off.  Maybe permanently.  Will try again tomorrow and report back.
Happy or Moody? Happy about so many things, but also really moody about our house and contractor.  Who Sucks!!!  Cabinets are more delayed.  Now we are hearing that they will probably be delivered on 10/19.  So we are definitely having this baby while living in the rental.  I need to accept it and move on and try to stay calm and make the most of it. Is it ideal?  No way in hell.  Is it the end of the world?  Not at all.  Baby will be just fine in Virginia Highlands.  And the bonus is that I am definitely off the hook for help with moving duty which is kind of sweet.

Here is the weekly belly pic and some update pics from the house!

Master Bath Shower:

 Double Chandelier in Dining room - I wanted Restoration Hardware but out of the budget:

 Lantern in Living Room:

 New Opened up basement landing (used to be boxed in drywallj) with new banisters:

 Stack Stone Fireplace in new Master -- needs some work still but major improvement on the Red Mexican Tile:

New Double Slipper Freestanding Tub in Master Bath: 

 New Sconces for Upstairs Hall:

Lantern Foyer Chandelier we ordered off Amazon of all places - 5 feet tall and cant wait to see it up!  No this isn't my foyer ;)

Mailbox I am ordering on 11/15 from Frontgate when its 25% off - so excited!