I'm a Watermelon.

37 weeks.

I can't believe we are on the last "fruit" comparison! I remember seeing the watermelon at the end of the list and almost not believing that something so huge could possibly be walking around with me every day. But here we are. Today I am considered full term.

3 weeks until the due date, and if he came at any time now, it would be fine! I feel really thankful and relieved that we've made it to this point.

At week 37, your pregnancy is considered full term, meaning baby is likely to thrive after birth. Baby spends these last weeks in preparation for the outside world… meaning careful refinement of the blink, suck, inhale and exhale. If (okay, as) you worry about giving birth, consider what it’s like for the little one. During the journey out of your womb, baby will produce more stress hormones than any other time in life.

At last week's appointment, everything was still right on track. Dr. Cutler said that she doesn't like patients to go more than a week past their due dates, so if William is not here 4 days after our date, she actually set an induction date for Saturday November 21. I would obviously prefer that he comes on his own, but there are risks for the baby when they are past due, and it IS nice to have a last possible "end date" in mind! She said that she likes to start inductions at night, so that I could potentially (hopefully!) sleep through some of the beginning of labor, and that he would likely be born on the 22nd.

My last day of work before maternity leave is Friday the 13th (let's hope he does NOT arrive on that date, for superstitious reasons)... I can't believe how soon this is all coming up.

Please cross your fingers that most of you are wrong (in the "when will he arrive" poll!) and that he does come a little before, or right on his due date! I feel ready. Getting bigger by the minute (as you can see from this week's lovely photo, in which I not only look like I am carrying a watermelon, but am one myself!). I'm pretty uncomfortable; but I am almost giddy, I'm so excited.

36 weeks!

Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. He now weighs almost 6 pounds and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.)

No picture this week; and posting 2 days late - it's been a crazy week at work, and I've been exhausted at night. Am in a bit of denial, I think, that we are getting so close!

I made the mistake of putting my rings back on a week ago, and now officially cannot get them off. Tried a bucket of ice water, lotion, etc. etc. and they are not budging. Yikes! My feet have been so swollen at night; it doesn't hurt but is uncomfortable, hard to walk, and I look like I have elephant feet. Very, very, very tired and achey all over at this point, but I have to keep telling myself only a few more weeks left!

I am so excited to meet William. I'm dying to hold him for the first time, to see Esch hold him for the first time, and to see what he looks like! I feel like I know him already, and he certainly keeps my attention lately with almost constant movement.

Have an appointment tomorrow (they are now once a week) and Dr. Cutler said that we will be talking about labor, etc. VERY surreal, but so exciting!

35/35

Best week ever!

Wednesday we had our last Lamaze/childbirth class. I think we both learned a lot, and even if we don't use a thing, it helps to feel like you've done everything you can to prepare.

Had a great appointment on Friday; William is head-down already, which is good news, and everything is going perfectly, per Dr. Cutler.

Friday evening my Mom and Nain (grandma) arrived from Pennsylvania; they came all the way to be at the Baby Shower on Saturday. We had so much fun going out to eat, shopping, and enjoying some girls' time.

Saturday was the fabulous Shower thrown by Amelia, Roni, and Lauren. I can't even begin to thank them enough. I could not feel luckier to have such sweet friends here in Austin, back in the Northeast (a very special package arrived from a certain 5 Bucknell ladies), and family (thank you, Gran!) Thank you to everyone who came on that rainy and cool Saturday! Love you all, and we are so very thankful. Bath tub, baby toiletries, booties, books, bottles, bassinets, oh my!

P.S. Today is also an exiting milestone... 35/35. 35 weeks down, and 35 DAYS to go!

Any time after 37 weeks, he would be considered 100% full term - so essentially only 2 more weeks, and he could come any time!

Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds. Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

6 weeks to go!

34 weeks yesterday! Have had a busy week at work AND just found out that my MOMMY and grandmother are coming this weekend! Surprise visit for my shower!!! I am so excited, I cried when Mom told me over the phone. I can't wait to see them.

I just uploaded this picture and can't believe how big I look. He is really getting big, I can feel him all the time. Getting so, so excited... can't belive that it could technically be any time now!

I hope he stays put until 37 weeks, when we are considered full term. Any time after that, we would be thrilled for him to "get here!"

Off to our last baby class tonight at the hospital.

Hope everyone has a great week and weekend...

Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds and is almost 18 inches long. His fat layers — which will help regulate his body temperature once he's born — are filling him out, making him rounder. His skin is also smoother than ever. His central nervous system is maturing and his lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.