36 Week Update

Time is really flying by and we are already at 36 weeks...that means 4 to go (give or take)!!!! According to my weekly emails about the baby's development, she now weighs almost 6 lbs and is over 18.5" long!

We had our 36 week appointment today and everything is looking great. My doctor looked at me after he had checked everything and just shook his head and said, "You are BORING!" That is the best compliment he could have said because it means everything is going along as it is supposed to (praise the LORD!). This appointment was the beginning of my not-so-fun ones....ie. they will be checking my cervix every week from now on....ie. not the most comfy thing. ;) Today, my doc also had the pleasure of swabbing me for the Strep-B test (he swabbed 2 places, I'll let you use your imagination, but they are both down "there"). I know, TMI, I'm sorry! I think I made a horrific face because Chris just kept mouthing to me "BREATH, BREATH!" It was over quick enough and the doc said after checking my cervix that if he had to guess, he would say I am 1.5 cm dialated. He didn't check all the way because it wasn't necessary at this point. He did say that he is going to put on my chart this week that my cervix is still closed so that next week we will have progress, even if there isn't really a ton. :)

After checking everything, he said he would give me probably about 2-3 more weeks. He then went on to say, "I don't know, you probably will be around your due date (June 17)...I'm not a good predictor!" After he left the room Chris and I looked at each other and said, "Why did he say 2-3 weeks if he isn't a good predictor!? Don't predict anything then!!" HA! 2 weeks is a lot different than 4 at this point! We will just have to wait and see...

I'm still doing pretty great...definitely feeling bigger and more pregnant each day. I have a good pregnant waddle going and it is pretty hard to sit or stand for long periods of time. Baby girl has the hiccups almost daily so that is fun...in between kicking me really HARD! I asked Chris the other day if babies can break their mom's ribs by kicking because sometimes she really takes my breath away! He said he doesn't think so, but we will see!

This past week we had our hospital tour and took our birthing class over the weekend, so that is making it seem a little more real. The class was pretty much all review for Chris after a semester of OB/Pediatrics, but it was good info for me and nice to have him there to answer all of my questions. We practiced breathing techniques (while trying not to laugh - HE, HE, HE, WHO!), practiced putting diapers on a doll and swaddling, and learned all about labor and after. I can't say that watching videos of women in labor really made me excited for that part...maybe a little scared. ;) It's really hard to have NO idea of what to expect! But like our teacher said, women have been having babies for thousands of years, so we will be fine....RIGHT?!?!?

We have been doing our best to get ready for baby's arrival, but I don't quite feel "there" yet. We have washed all of her clothes, blankets, bedding, etc. We have the carseat in and ready to go. Chris has put her swing together and it's now in the living room. We have the co-sleeper (that she will sleep in next to our bed for the first little bit) up and ready to go...and I think we are going to pack our hospital bags this weekend just to be "ready."

I have to admit, this has been the fastest 9-10 months of my life and we are just so excited that we are close to the finish line and will be meeting our baby before we know it!

Thanks so much for all of your continued love, prayers, and support...stay tuned!