Weeks 35 - 36 and counting...

Pregnancy Hightlights: (GB stands for Gummy Bear)

How Far Along: 36 weeks

Fruit / Veggie: honeydew melon - 35 weeks
crenshaw melon - 36 weeks

Size: over 18 inches long and 5 1/4 pounds - 35 weeks
18 1/2 inches long and almost 6 pounds - 36 weeks

Baby Changes: 35 weeks
* GB doesn't have much room to maneuver now - not likely doing somersaults, but # of kicks should remain about the same
* kidneys are fully developed now
* liver can process some waste products now
* most of GB's basic physical development is now complete

36 weeks
* GB is packing on the pounds - about an ounce per day
* shedding most of the downy covering of hair as well as the vernix caseosa - the waxy substance that covered and protected the skin during GB's nine month amniotic bath
* GB swallows both of these substances as well as other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium
* at the end of the 36 weeks, GB will be considered full-term - which is 37-42 weeks
* GB is likely head down (this was confirmed at our appointment this morning)


Total Weight Gain / Loss: I gained another 2 pounds in the last 2 weeks for a total of 33 pounds. I gave myself a pat on the back since last week was Thanksgiving and all and I didn't hold back :)

Best moment this week: We had an awesome week at the lake house with both of our families...enjoyed great weather the first couple of days - family took the jet skis out and went fishing - then we watched lots of football during the men's ping pong tournaments, drank hot cocoa and played Scattergories - always a family favorite!

Gender: We've chosen to be SURPRISED!

Movement: GB is still moving away...

Food / Drink Cravings: eating Turkey day leftovers all week :)

Sleep: supposedly I am a terrible snorer these days (Johnny has conveniently recorded these sessions on his cell phone), but my doctor had my back this morning at our appointment, confirming this will go away as soon as baby is here.

I have been super exhausted this week and it could be for a number of reasons - late nights and early mornings every day last week, allergies are in full force and I'm just not sleeping well, or maybe exhaustion just sets in during the final weeks. I even look sleepy - in just about every picture we took over Thanksgiving last week, I look 'dog-tired'

What I am looking forward to: Getting everything situated for GB's arrival...Johnny and I have the crib up (we are nixing the bassinet since Johnny's brother gave us their old crib last week when they were in town) and everything 'baby' has been washed. For the first time, I felt a huge disappointment of not having our very own place as we put the bedding on and found places in the dressers for GB's little things (the bedding was also given to us, though it is a bit 'boy' specific, it is super cute) and will have to do until we can get a place of our own and I find a neutral bedding I like. Let's just say we will be set if we are having a boy - nursery bedding - check - and clothes passed on from cousin Daniel. :) But have I mentioned I am feeling 'girl' these days?! Although that means nothing...

Symptoms: I experienced my first ' puffiness' this past week (hands and feet), but thankfully it has subsided. I think it was just evidence of 'over-doing' it last week, being on my feet and having the urge for 'nesting' in whatever house we are staying in - cleaning, cleaning and more cleaning.

I do have a little cold now, or allergies, not sure which one, but I think that is zapping my energy this week. It probably has something to do with the fluctuation of the Texas weather - highs in the 70s one day and 30s the next.

Other than that, I feel good! My belly is getting big - will have to post pics soon!



Update from our 36 week appointment today:
We have officially began our weekly appointments from here on out. My cervix was checked (which I can say was not as bad as I expected it to be) and I am at a zero. It has thinned out to 50% which my doctor says is not uncommon, and that I may not thin out to 100% until I am in labor.