4 weeks. Less than 4 weeks, really, because technically my due date falls on a Sunday. So 3 and a half weeks that I know will fly by, just like this entire last trimester has. We're getting down to the wire, and it's getting exciting. And a little nerve wracking. I think by the time we actually head to the hospital we'll both be in this giddy, wide-eyed, slap-happy frame of mind. Where every answer is "Yes dear!" and "Why thank you!"
Actually that's probably the furthest thing from the truth. I'll probably be silently freaking out, no emotion on my face, and Caleb will be running around like a chicken with it's head cut off. This seems a little more believable.
This week the baby is...bigger. Maybe 6 pounds? 18 1/2 inches? Who really knows at this point. I personally think he's a bit smaller so far, because my weight gain has been on the smaller end of the scale, I've only gained two pounds since my appointment last month. My sisters and I were all under 6 pounds at birth, I was 5 lbs 1 oz., the smallest baby my mom had. Caleb was a healthy 9 pound baby though, so there is that to consider. (And let's be honest, freak out a bit, because holy crap that was nearly twice what I weighed!)
The food comparison is a crenshaw melon. Whatever that is. He's swallowing all sorts of fun liquids in there, and loosing the lanugo (hair) that covers his body. As of Sunday, 37 weeks, he'll be considered full term. Again, exciting and nerve wracking. I read on one of the websites that some scientists believe that the baby himself signals to the mother's body when he's ready to be delivered. That when he's ready his brain sends a signal to the adrenal gland, which triggers the release of hormones that tell your body it's Baby Time. Who knows if this is true or not, but I'm liking the idea. If we could just figure out how to hook up some sort of Turkey Timer device, a countdown clock. A digital woman's voice that announces very soothingly, "Your baby will be born in approximately....3 days."
I could get on board with something like this.
We had my 36 week appointment this morning, and what an eventful morning it was. We first checked his position, and it appears we're all good to go. Head down, bum securely positioned for maximum rib crunching effect, his arms and legs all a jumble on my left side. It was so fun to see him, the last time we had an ultrasound his entire body could be seen on the ultrasound machine. Today we could only see his head, or his legs, or his little man-parts (which is good, because it would be just our luck to prepare for a boy and have a surprise...). It was so interesting to see him move on the screen and feel him at the same time, and it's fun to now know exactly which parts are where, instead of playing the What's That Body Part? game.
Then she did The Exam, which turned out to be not as bad as some people have said. Maybe I'm just so used to it, after doing fertility for so long. She announced I'm officially 1 cm dilated, and properly "softened", a word I prefer over "ripe". She told me I've definitely dropped, something I was surprised about since I haven't noticed anything in that regard, and then commented on how low his head was.This IS something I've noticed, evidenced by the number of times I hit the bathroom these days.
Hearing this was exciting, she predicted I wouldn't go over my due date, but I could see Caleb's face. Pure deer in the headlights. Probably because I was to drop him off at the airport in four hours for his trip to Fargo.
(I know, Fargo?! Don't ask...)
I had to convince him not to cancel his flight, explaining that you could be dilated for WEEKS before anything happens. He felt better, and dropped me off at work.
30 minutes go by and suddenly I have this Feeling. And I head to the bathroom.
Warning: this could get graphic. Pregnancy is not always rainbows and bunnies and fairies. Sadly.
I thought I had possibly lost The Plug. (Advice: please don't search for pictures...just trust me on this one.) Or maybe having my period. Which, ya know, was obviously not happening, but it did bring back many fond memories. I don't think I would have been that concerned had Caleb not been boarding a plane later, I know that sometimes after an exam you can bleed and spot and cramp, and it was probably just that. But. I called Labor and Delivery anyway, just to be sure. Also, I'd made the mistake of informing Caleb, and he was again talking about canceling his flight, which I didn't think was necessary. After speaking with L&D, we decided it was probably just that, post-exam stress.
There was a few minutes though of What If's running through my head. And I'm not going to lie, there was some freaking out. Some ohmigoshIhaven'twashedthebabyclothes. AND MY TOES! THEY'RE IN DESPERATE NEED OF A PEDICURE. And such. Thankfully we have a few extra days. There's hope left for a pedicure.
We've been slowly making progress, I completed the armoire. That's right! I put this baby together!
You see that? I installed a LOCKING DEVICE. I USED A SCREWDRIVER. AND SUCH. AND? COMES WITH AN ADORABLE, WORKING KEY. Also, please ignore the hazardous cords there...they will be, uh, dealt with before the baby arrives...
Caleb put together the stroller / car seat for me, and the cradle as well, along with moving the armoire to the other side of the room, bringing up the suitcase to be packed (and then proceeded to take it to Fargo, totally defeating the purpose...), and the two space heaters we have that are so essential during the cold winter months around here.
Everyone needs a Sock Monkey.
I went through the few clothes we have for him, separating them into sizes, and began to try and decide where everything will all go. I say began, because that's what I do. I stew over these kinds of things for DAYS. WEEKS. Where is the best possible place for the diapers? The blankets? The socks?
Moving nearly does me in.
We also made a trip to Target to gather a few essentials, more onesies, sleepers (which were the wrong size, because who pays attention to sizes these days? PSH), bath essentials, etc. So there we were, standing in the onesie isle, when we're approached by a woman, older, obviously a new grandma. She proceeds to tell us exactly "what we need", what to expect, how to dress him (onesies under his clothes so he won't get cold when you change him! So novel! AM SO GLAD SHE COULD SHARE THIS OH SO WISE WISDOM), and went on to tell me to sleep when the baby sleeps. Then she turns to Caleb and wags her finger, "And you! You let her sleep!"
Later as we were standing in the bath isle she wandered by again and exclaimed "So! What did you get?" and went through our cart, murmuring her approval over this item and that. "Oh! The lambs! I wanted to get this for my daughter's boy, but it wasn't "butch" enough for her."
People are so funny and vocal when it comes to babies. It seems unsolicited advice is a requirement.
I still can't believe he's actually in there, despite the amount he's moving these days. Caleb spends a good 10 minutes each night as we get into bed just sitting there watching my stomach, and feeling it as he stretches an arm or a leg up. Just tonight Bridgette was able to see my belly bouncing around from across the room. Caleb says it moves like a live fish in a bag. And that's pretty much what it feels like.
Oh my gosh, I am so excited for you!! The armoire turned out so great...I love the striped interior. And you, wow, you look absolutely fabulous!!
Posted by: La Petite Chic | October 16, 2008 at 07:04 AM
whoa, good job with the armoir! the room is definitley looking baby ready!
Posted by: sensibly sassy | October 16, 2008 at 07:13 AM
Glad everything's going alright! Congrats on all that you're getting done!!
You are going to be such a great mom. Well, you kinda already are, so keep up the good work :)
Posted by: Liv | October 16, 2008 at 07:47 AM
You are so close!! I totally have that stroller/car seat and I love it!! It is the best. I also love the armoire- It's beautiful. Looks like you are all ready, just need that baby!!-
Posted by: Chelsea | October 16, 2008 at 09:48 AM
You are so close!! I totally have that stroller/car seat and I love it!! It is the best. I also love the armoire- It's beautiful. Looks like you are all ready, just need that baby!!-
Posted by: Chelsea | October 16, 2008 at 09:53 AM
You are so close!! I totally have that stroller/car seat and I love it!! It is the best. I also love the armoire- It's beautiful. Looks like you are all ready, just need that baby!!-
Posted by: Chelsea | October 16, 2008 at 09:54 AM
Oh my gosh. I got one last pedicure, too! Didn't want to offend the nurses at the hospital with ugly feet. Haha. I'm glad I'm not the only one.
Posted by: Erin | October 16, 2008 at 10:52 AM
Dude, this is so crazy! I am so excited. Can't believe how close it all seems! It's absolutely unreal!!!
Posted by: Abby | October 16, 2008 at 01:31 PM
I used to do my own toes, but when I was pregnant I couldn't reach. Now I'm hooked! Even nicer than the "having the baby prep" pedicure is the "the baby has been home a week and I'm stealing an hour to get my toes done" pedicure. I firmly believe that a little pampering makes a better Mommy. Who needs to sleep when you can have pretty toes?
Posted by: Erin | October 16, 2008 at 03:56 PM
I love that you're trying to get a pedicure before you go into labor! I went to my 6 week postpardum appointment and remembered on my way there that I hadn't shaved my legs since, Oh, BEFORE Reagan was born! And I honestly just hadn't thought about it before I went. That is what sleep deprivation can do!
I'm so excited for you! I can't believe it's almost "any day now" for him to make his appearance! The ONLY thing I would change is I wish I were closer and could see you and be with you during the first little while. Let's not lie, I'd love to be close enough that we could have daily play-dates. Just know that I would be there in a second if I could be!
Posted by: Kjersti | October 16, 2008 at 08:32 PM
We notice neither the blur that attends the eye movement nor the time it takes to get the eyes from one place to the other.
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