Baby Bump Wednesday: Week 37

I'm officially lightly browned, al dente, toothpick-comes-out-clean, full term. 3 weeks left until the due date, and this is the first time I've felt like okay, I'm ready. I can be done now. Or I did at least, until yesterday when Caleb left town. Now I find myself counting down the hours and minutes until he gets back, and telling the baby that he needs to stay in there until then. Just a few more days, and then...come on out. No sense in waiting any longer, right?

The baby this week is somewhere over 6 lbs, 19 inches, getting close to if not at the height he will remain at. His lungs should be mature enough that if he were to be born now, he'd be fine. Very reassuring, I have to say. The food comparison for the week is swiss chard, they're obviously going for length here, as I've never met a 6 lb swiss chard. That would be one insanely large salad.

Last week at my appointment the ultrasound showed us that the baby's legs and arms were on my left side, which we'd already figured out, what with the jabbing and poking and stretching taking place. Two days later I was sitting at my desk and my entire stomach pushed out in a smooth, slow motion, and boom. Baby's now flipped. It was the strangest thing I have ever felt, I knew exactly what had happened, and sure enough the poking and prodding are now happening on my right. I'm interested to see how that will affect his position, if he's still as low as he was at the appointment.

This week has been different. I've finally become uncomfortable, and really, I've been so lucky to have gone this far without very many obnoxious symptoms. My back ache has become constant, a sharp pain on my lower left side. I feel it the most when I get up after sitting down for longer than a few minutes, and I end up looking like some sort of stiff mannequin trying to walk while bent slightly forward. Not quite sure why I feel like this will help, but after a few steps I can slowly begin to straighten myself. I've started using a heating pad, took it to work today, which has helped a lot. It's a really great fashion accessory, especially when accompanied by my pillow. So hot.

I also started developing this strange sharp pain in my upper...inner...right thigh. (I promise it's on the thigh, I'm not being coy here.) It happens randomly when I'm standing or walking, like a very quick Charley Horse. If I change positions or shake my leg a bit it stops, but not before I've done this crazy marionette looking dance. I look insane. I assume it's just what happens when your  baby is resting low and putting pressure on all sorts of nerves, arteries, and veins.

Originally I was going to work right up until I had this baby, but partway through I decided to take advantage of California's maternity leave laws and my last day is Friday. As in, two more days of work. Two. That's it. I'm so glad, and not just for the obvious reasons. I've been so exhausted this last week, by the end of the day I'm dragging and have very little motivation to do anything. I'm very much looking forward to having a few days (or...maybe weeks...) to get some rest, and finish the little things we have left to do before we feel ready. Like organizing the baby's room, making the mobile for the crib, creating the baby announcements, and organizing that bottom drawer in the kitchen...

I'm dead serious about that drawer.

The last few days I've started to notice a few of the early signs of labor. Random bouts of nausea, increased pressure downstairs, increased Braxton Hicks, and a few other fun little symptoms. While it doesn't necessarily mean I'll go into labor any second now, it's at least a sign that things are progressing. Which is good at this point. Any progression is good. I'll take it.

Ah, a night shot. For all ya'll who think I'm not that big. Do you see that belly button? Stretched so tight the first thing I think of when I see it (and this is the only way I CAN see it these days) is pursed lips. Sadly, I don't think Caleb is going to see it pop. And he's been waiting so long.

Return of the sleep lines! You totally missed them. I could tell.

Comments

[La Petite Chic]

I love the shot from below your belly! Such a neat angle. And oh my gosh, wow!! You are almost there! You must be so excited :)

[Liv]

Dang girl. You still fit into that swimsuit, which is a pretty good indicator that you're still one hot mama.

I hope you aches and pains ease up!! Hang in there!!

[sensibly sassy]

aww how darn cute! You are so close!

[Cabe]

I'm still holding out hope that your belly button is going to pop. In my mind I'm thinking that once it does music will go off, balloons will fall from the ceiling, and confetti will fly! And I will dance...

[Abby]

That picture was awesome. And yeah, does that swimsuit have magical powers or something? Oh WAIT, I know, you're NOT THAT BIG. That's it.

[Kimba]

Thanks guys, you're all too kind. Seriously. I tried to remember it when I attempted to shave my legs tonight...

[cheap jordans]

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.