37 weeks, 5 days

Today I have the day off. I mean, I don't have to take care of anyone but myself, not that I don't have a million things to do. In the past few days it seems I've been everywhere. Saturday evening, Brian and I dropped off Joshua at his old daycare provider's house for a couple hours where he played with friends while we had dinner and went to Toys R Us. I've also been down to Target, to Costco, to the grocery store, and today, to Babies R Us.  I think I finally have everything I need for both Christmas and baby.

Thank you cards have all been mailed. Christmas cards have all been sent.

Only a few things left to wrap. And a couple loads of laundry left to do.  And a kitchen to clean and organize (but I don't want to talk about that!).

I had my 37 week appt yesterday. It was a few days late as my doctor just returned from a 10-day vacation to Hawaii the night before. (So glad baby waited through her vacation!) Baby has dropped and head is below my pelvic bone - also called "engaged".  And I'm about 2cm dilated. All that really means is that when labor starts, I'll have 8cm (or less) to go; I can walk around for weeks at 2cm. Now I just have to hope he waits till after Christmas - it's today or not for a week, you hear me, Baby??!

And for a little questionnaire:
How far along: 37 weeks 5 days
How big is baby:  Good question- What to Expect.com says he should be around 6.5lbs. But Joshua was already born at this stage and a week ago, he was 6lbs, 12 oz. Who really knows!?
Total Weight Gain: 9 lbs (somehow I gained 4 lbs in the past month!)
Stretchmarks: A few on the bottom of my bump and to the left of my belly button
Sleep: Not getting much. Up virtually every hour, either with Joshua (and then to pee) or just to pee.
Maternity clothes:  Most shirts don't even cover the bottom of my belly anymore.
Best Moment This Week: Having a day to myself (though I feel slightly guilty)
Movement: Some days a ton and others not as much. Mostly on the right side. A few times, he's had hiccups
Gender: Boy
Labor Signs: Some braxton hicks. And some groin pain when his head hits my cervix.
Belly Button: Definitely out.
Food cravings:  Japanese and thai soup
Food aversions: nothing really
Symptoms:  Heartburn, anemia, hands swollen (can no longer wear my rings), carpel tunnel, general exhaustion, backaches
What I Miss: laying on my stomach
What I am Looking Forward to: Christmas is Sunday!
Next appt:  December 27

36 week milestone

Yesterday we hit the 36 week milestone.  What that means is that baby now has permission to come into the world. And that he can be delivered at Sutter Maternity Center instead of Dominican Hospital. Sutter is nice and much more like a hotel or resort than the hospital is, but, as they don't have a NICU, they don't allow you to deliver there until you hit 36 weeks as at that point, the chances of needing the NICU decrease significantly. Joshua was born at 36 weeks, 3 days so he too got the luxury of Sutter. Not that Dominican is bad and if the NICU is needed, that's definitely the better place to be, but I'm so glad to have a maternity center in town.

So, 36 weeks down. And we have yet to put together the cradle or the changing table or even wash the newborn clothes so that this baby will have something to wear home from the hospital. The carseat has come down from the rafters, but no base has been installed in either car. I guess we're either figuring we have more time or just that we'll have time at the early stages of labor to get everything done.  As I said, Joshua came at 36 weeks, 3 days. If this baby is on the same schedule, that'd give us till Tuesday. But that was probably a fluke. For whatever reason, my water broke with Joshua. There's no reason to think that'll happen again.... Still, I've made a list of all the things that I need to get done.

It doesn't help that Christmas is right around the corner.  Or that this time around, we're trying to get things done while also trying to keep a 3 year old entertained. And this 3 year old is into doing "projects." And to tell the truth, I'd rather do a "project" than wash clothes.

So family, most of your gifts are coming from amazon and not from me going out shopping for them. Doesn't mean I love you any less. Maybe next year with an almost-one-year old and a 4 year old will be easier.  Yeah, right!

pics from shoot

These are the pictures I'm picking from for our Christmas card. I posted some others to facebook, but didn't want to post these until I decide which one(s) will be on the card. If you have an opinion, readers (yay for multiple readers!), let me know!

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