36 Weeks! Little Crenshaw Melon!

I am 36 weeks today!! One more week to go till I am considered full-term (well, one week for some, two weeks for others, it depends on who you ask). :-) I am sooooo uncomfortable now, with backaches, extreme heartburn (was up from 1-4:30 last night because I couldn't lay down), fatigue, swelling, you name it I've got it.

The swelling has been the newest development. I gained a lot of weight the last two weeks, and I think it is due to water weight because you can see how puffy my feet, ankles, face, and hands have gotten. Every time I look at my feet I say to myself, "Those aren't my feet! Who took my feet and left these ones in their place??"I can't wear shoes anymore, I'm down to flip flops.

On a positive note (trying to stay positive here!), I only have a few weeks to go! And we are all prepared with the nursery, bags packed, and household repairs done. I am enjoying the sweet, sweet cold air from the air conditioner as we speak... I've been so hot in general, and these 75 degree days are killer! I can't imagine being preggo in August, I don't envy women who have to do it. I am lucking out that I am for SURE having this kiddo before July even gets rolling!

Our doctor's appt went well, mom got to join us since she came down to visit. The doctor did a cervical check and, surprise surprise, everything's still closed up tight. Such disheartening news, but good since a few more weeks is actually better for the baby anyway. I have a feeling this kiddo is going to hang around for awhile longer....probably past his due date. I keep shooting Eliot dirty looks when he says he hopes he will be born on Father's Day... that is a whole EIGHT days after my due date. Thanks a lot, dear husband of mine. Maybe I should start being more hormonal and difficult to live with so he starts praying for an earlier date!

Anyway, here is what is happening with our kiddo this week:

Your baby is gaining about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy hair that covered her body, as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Next week, your baby will be considered full-term. Most likely she's in a head-down position, but if she isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an external cephalic version, where she'll try to turn your baby by manipulating her from the outside of your belly.



(Our baby is head-down, btw, the doctor confirmed it. Yay!)