36 Weeks

How far along? 36 weeks

Size: Length of a Romaine Lettuce

Maternity clothes? Nothing new - it's getting bad and I am pretty sure my neighbors are horrified at my wardrobe choices (I am outside a lot with Cooper and let's just say it's not pretty!).

Symptoms:  I feel good this week. My major symptom is waking up feeling sick - headache, nausea, etc. By the time we get out the door for our morning walk I am usually fine though.
Sleep: Sleep has been great

Best moment this week: Short work week and being my last week at work. Bring on the maternity leave. 
Fourth of July! We headed downtown Menlo for a parade and festival in the park. Good food and good crowd.

Worst moment of the week: I can't think of anything 

Miss anything? Besides being able to move around and dress like a normal person, nothing.

Movement: People keep telling me that the movement slows down in the third trimester, but the last few weeks I have felt him a ton. He doesn't seem to mind kicking me around - ouch.

Food cravings: Nothing in particular, but I have a big appetite :)
Anything making you queasy or sick: Eating/drinking too much at once
Have you started to show yet: Unquestionably. Every person we see on our walks: "oh wow, a puppy and a baby? You guys will have your hands full!"

Labor signs: Continuing to have a lot of strong braxton hicks. Some of them are uncomfortable, but not painful.

Belly Button in or out? Flatty-outtie. Half of it is out, so strange.

Wedding rings on or off? On, but on these hot days they are feeling snug.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy! It’s a strange feeling when time catches up with you – almost five years ago when we got married we said we wanted a baby “about 3-5 years later.” Well, here we are almost five years after we got married with a baby due in just a few short weeks. It’s fun to look back on what used to feel so far away and realize it is a reality. Robert and I are very happy and excited for this new part of our life together. We are going to be someone's parents, gulp.
Looking forward to: Monday's ultrasound to confirm baby's position. 
I am looking forward to having some time to relax prior to the baby coming, so the next few weeks I hope to take it easy, get all of our last minute to-do's checked off our list, max out my yoga pass, and spend some extra time with Robert. 

Baby A, length of romaine lettuce

What's the baby up to?

• The baby is about 19 inches long.
• Weight is around 6 pounds.
• The baby's body is becoming chubby as fat layers build.
• Between now and birth they may gain about an ounce a day

In general, babies are gaining half a pound per week now. Baby continues gaining weight as fat deposits and is forming creases in the neck and wrists.
This week your baby may drop into the birth canal, this is called 'lightening' or 'dropping'. If this is not your first baby, this 'lightening' may not occur until right before labor. Your care provider may refer to it by saying that your baby is now 'engaged'. The majority of babies are now in the birth position, either head down (vertex) or butt down (breech), most will maintain this position until birth. Any movements that they make are more likely to be rolls from side to side.You may notice when this happens because it will suddenly become much easier for you to breathe. While breathing becomes easier, walking may be the exact opposite. If your baby has dropped you may find yourself visiting the bathroom much more often as baby is resting right on top of your bladder again.
Keep talking - by now he or she can recognize you voice, and may respond to any loud noises with a swift kick out.