38 weeks

So, not gonna have a tiny, early baby. I was born 6.6 or 7 weeks early. I weighed in at just about 5 lbs. Preemie. Didn't need to get cooked, but I was TINY. And my parents were totally not ready, so I was swaddled in dad's t-shirts and slept in a drawer.

We are READY. Have a number of potential sleeping places. Way too many cute clothes (thanks Katy/Angelle/Mimi, Maggie and Sarah for the recent boxes of goodies) and a big ol belly.

At this week's midwife visit (they come weekly beginning at 37 weeks) I was:
--still gooey soft in the cervix
--35% effaced
--no more dilated

I find that I really look forward to the vaginal exams. If nothing else, gives me cervix a wake up call and me a darn good idea of where we're at, me and baby. Below is where the pros think I should be.


"How your baby's growing:
Your baby has really plumped up. She weighs about 6.8 pounds and she's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). She has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time! Her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.

"Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If she's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after she's born, but they usually won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)

"How your life's changing:
For many women, the next couple of weeks are a waiting game. Use this time to prepare your baby's nursery or to take care of necessary tasks you may not get around to for a while after your baby's born. Take naps, catch up on your reading, and spend uninterrupted time with your partner while you can.

"Some swelling in your feet and ankles is normal during these last weeks, but call your practitioner without delay if you notice excessive or sudden swelling of your feet or ankles, more than slight swelling of your hands, any swelling in your face or puffiness around your eyes, or have a sudden weight gain. Also let her know immediately if have severe or persistent headaches; visual changes (such as double or blurred vision, seeing spots or flashing lights, light sensitivity, or a temporary loss of vision), intense upper abdominal pain or tenderness, or nausea and vomiting. These are symptoms of a serious condition called preeclampsia."

--Yes! we wonder what color her eyes will be. I've got crazy yellow/blue/gry/hazel/green eyes. Ross has lovely brown. I put in an order for green. We'll see. (ha ha ha)
--Can't believe I might have a kid that weighs more than 7 or 8 pounds. I don't LOOK that big...
--Some swelling, yes, especially at the end of the day after I've been on my feet all day or been on a hilly hike.