Baby Girl - 36 Weeks

How far along: 36w3d

Total weight gain: I'm holding steady at 17lbs - no weight gain for a month!  But I feel like I've gained more weight - holy smokes does my butt look big! Ha ha!  Or, actually, waaa!!! :)

Maternity clothes: It's getting more difficult to find clothes that fit nicely, that are suited to that day's temperatures and that I feel good in.  And I'm starting to dread those first months after Baby's here and nothing looks good because you still look somewhat pregnant or your move into the flabby tummy stage and you just feel like you look hideous.  Ugh. :(

Dr's appointment: I am now at weekly appointments - hooray!!  But I only have 2 left, boo!  That's because we set our date of induction for Sunday, November 15th!  Yay!!!  I'm so excited!  I chose that day for a really stupid reason -- there will be football on TV to watch so we aren't bored while waiting for the Pitocin to work.  Ha ha!  That, and waiting just one more day seemed near impossible.  I'd have done it but since I don't have to I'm not going to.  

So, at my appointment we did the Strep B butt swab test.  And then she checked me.  I almost fooled her into stripping my membranes but she's a smart one and remembered I was only 36 weeks and she can't do it until 37.  Bummer. But, I am dilated to 2cm!!!  No thinning yet, and the Princess definitely is NOT dropping.  Looks like I need to step up my walking game and start adding in other measures to get things progressing.  I asked if the whole 'sex method' really made any difference, and yes it does.  It's the sperm, not the act, which helps thin things out and signal the cervix to open.  She also said nipple stimulation is proven to really work.  Umm... I can't imagine sitting here tweaking away at those things so not thinking we'll try that method.  :)  A friend told me to eat fresh pineapple so I got a container of cut up stuff at the grocery store today.  Glad I like fresh pineapple or I wouldn't be trying that method, either! 

Sleep: The poor sleep has finally kicked in.  Over the last week I haven't slept a whole night through or been able to fall right back to sleep after waking up.  It seems like clock-work I wake up at 2 a.m. and lay there until at least 4 a.m.  Monday morning I woke up at 2, finally got out of bed at 3 to write up my blog post, then felt drowsy so went back to bed only to lay there until almost 5.  It's a form of torture, honestly!  Then I fell asleep for maybe 30 minutes before the alarm went off and woke me back up again.  Luckily the lack of sleep that morning didn't catch up with me all day until relaxing on the couch last night.

Best moment of this week: Finding out I am dilated to 2cm!  I was hoping for a 2, but felt I'd be lucky to be at a 1.  It was a great surprise!

Miss anything: Sleep (you'll be hearing that a lot for the next couple months) and being able to lay flat on my tummy with my feet kicked up behind me.  I haven't missed that at all this whole time until this past week when I couldn't fall back asleep - that's usually my method to put myself back to sleep, stinks I can't use it right now.  Soon.  Actually, not soon.  After Baby's born my boobs will be so big and full I won't be sleeping on my stomach for a while then either.

Movement: It's slowing down some, she's running out of room in there, but definitely still trying to stretch out a bit and get comfy.  I mostly feel her kicking me in the top right of my bump.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Brushing my teeth gets me almost every time.

Have you started to show yet:  It's not a pretty picture but here it is anyway. 

Gender: GIRL GIRL GIRL!!!    

Labor signs: Minor Braxton Hicks, and feeling like she's hitting 'bottom' when I walk sometimes.  

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy!

Looking forward to: Holding our sweet baby girl in 18 days!

I can't believe the end is so near!  Yesterday I sent an email to the boys' teachers letting them know the plan for the boys while we're in the hospital.  I sent an email to my mom with their schedules and basic info yesterday, too.  Baby's bag is completely packed, I need to start gathering things for mine.  My mom finished the car seat blanket so I need to get the car seat back from her so it can be installed in the car.  I still haven't hung anything up on the walls in the baby's room but I did get the glider moved in there for nursing and rocking sessions.  Besides all that we are so ready for her to come!  Soon!!