37 Weeks

Here we are! Full-term, baby!

Yes, pun intended. At this very unglamorous point in the game, humor is essential.

Baby's size: a stalk of Swiss chard; a bit over 19 inches, and6 1/3 lbs (on average...size at this stage can really be all over the place, so who knows?)

What Munchkin is up to (according to Babycenter.com):

Your baby is now considered "full term," even though your due date is three weeks away. If you go into labor now, his lungs will likely be mature enough to fully adjust to life outside the womb.

Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.

Symptoms: Back and hip pain, random (and still, thankfully, pretty rare) BH contractions, exhaustion. Mostly, the exhaustion. By mid-afternoon, I'm done for the day. If there are errands to run, they best be run in the morning, because the afternoons/evenings are just a haul. This kid is getting heavy. And my other kid? She is a ball of nownownowrunrunruntalktalktalk energy.

Total Weight Gain: 33 lbs

Best moment since last update: Another good doctor's appointment on Monday. This doctor seems to think that I'll have this baby by my due date and not have to go the induction route, which is wonderful news to me. While I don't regret my induction with Mia (she was a week late, my fluid was leaking and I was having contractions 3-4 minutes apart that weren't doing anything), I would like to avoid the pitocin this time, if possible. Intense stuff, that.

Movement: Yup. Most of which are the alien-invasion variety because my skin is stretched about as far is it can go, so every little wiggle and squirm is visible.

Food cravings:FOOD! Doesn't matter what kind.

Gender: BOY!

What I miss: Just the energy. The ability to be a fun Mommy.

What I'm looking forward to: My answer from here on out will likely be pretty much the same. I'm looking forward to the end. Everything is just about in place, Baby Boy appears healthy, now we just wait. I feel some pressure to make a few more "special" memories with Mia before the new baby craziness begins, but we're working on that, too. We (Mia, Kevin, and I) have a date to Build-A-Bear next Wednesday after my doctor's appointment to make a gift she can give to her "Baby Brudda", once he arrives. This will likely be followed up by lunch at one of her favorite restaurants "Chik-A-Lay".

Weekly picture: