Baby is breaking me!

So, J informed me that my last post seemed rather liberal. I fancy myself a moderate, but what can I say? I'm a concerned parent now and our president and all of the people working for him scare me. It's not like I have a solution or that I even think John Kerry would have been so much better -- I don't. I just feel at a loss and I don't really see much to be hopeful for from either side of the aisle right now.

Anyway, I've just been gushing about how wonderfully "easy" this pregnancy has been. I've had few problems and life has just been dandy. :-) Of course, this is because I've been ridiculously blessed -- and not because I deserve to be. Also, I can't ignore my hubby's patience with me and the fact that, while I stay home or roam the streets everyday, he goes to work and does most of the chores when he gets home. Don't get me wrong, I've done a bit here and there and I've had a few urges to "nest," but J has really been carrying the load around here. This is especially true lately as I seem to be drifting around it a trance, only half awake. I just couldn't let another post go by without acknowledging that. I am so thankful for this time of peace that I've had to bond with little Tater and for J's complete support.

I guess after weeks and weeks of relative ease, I was bound to be faced with a little discomfort eventually. A few weeks back, I was complaining from some tailbone pain. It was aggravated by a pair of uncomfortable round-trip plane trips in December and January. But, it just took some walking, exercise and creative sitting, and it subsided. Now it's my rib. All I can say is ow, ow, ow, owwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I guess my belly is tired of growing outward and now it's decided to grow upward. The only problem is that -- as I've mentioned several times before -- I'm only 5' tall!!! So, the baby, even as s/he is dropping downward, is in my ribcage and it hurts! Bending, twisting, sleeping and, especially, sneezing hurt so much now. I don't know what to do! I just keep trying to push the baby down a little so it's a bit more bearable. Gah!!!

It may seem selfish to say, but I really am ready to have my body back. I want this little munchkin to get as much nourishment as s/he needs, but I can't say that I want to stay like this forever. So, Tater, if your listening, we won't rush you, but please, please make your move!

Here's what's up for Week 38:

Baby's Age: 36 Weeks
Baby's Weight: 6 ¼ to 7 ½ pounds
Baby's Length: 17-20 inches

Other developments

The baby's growth has slowed down a great deal with the exception of fat production. Because of space limitations, the baby's arms and legs are bent and held close to the body. The vast majority of his/her organs are mature and fully functioning. The only exceptions are his/her brain and lungs. These two organs are at a point that they will function outside of the womb, but will also continue to mature during childhood. At this point the circumference of the baby's head is close to the circumference of the shoulders and hips.

Not to get all political, but ...

Over the last several months, I've been pretty focused on being pregnant -- eating right, exercising (or at least making intentions to do so!), resting, staying relaxed, etc. I finally bought the book "What to Expect the First Year" a few weeks ago as I've been trying to prepare for what life will be like once this comparatively short time of pregnancy is over. There are the issues of feeding, diapers, crying and sleeping, among other things.

But, J gave me a birthday card last week that reminded me, in an odd way, that the responsibility of parenting goes far beyond the bare necessities. The card has a goofy cut-out picture of George W. Bush and reads:

You're not getting older ...
You're getting more distinguishabler.
Happy Birthday

...and more wiserer.
(on the back)

While I, of course, thought the card was hilarious as I am constantly enjoying jokes about our president's intelligence, or apparent lack thereof. But, it really made me think in a more serious way about what kind of world we are bringing this child into. After the laughter fades about W's silly grammar and annoying bravado, we face the sobering reality that many of the decisions he is making (or should I say that Cheney & Co. are making) may have a very negative impact on the lives of our children.

This administration has been dubbed the most secretive in history, we're approaching year three in the Iraq war, and it seems that there are endless efforts to curtail civil liberties. Not to mention the negative attitude with which this administration seems to view the environment, the declining interest in international issues (unless it means finger-pointing or name-calling), the rising cost of healthcare, and the mounting federal deficit that Tater and his/her friends and children will likely be paying for.

It just all makes me wonder what kind of world we're bringing this baby into and what kind of world we will leave for him/her. I know it's not WWIII, but it's far from ideal.

I'm about halfway through Orwell's 1984 right now, and with each page I am astonished at the similarities between Oceania's paranoid and controlling Party and W's crew. I can only hope that Orwell envisioned a happy ending -- maybe there's hope after all. :-p (Don't tell me; I need to finish this book!)

Perhaps our parents and our parents' parents were just as afraid when they were raising children. In any case, the deed is done. I guess the best thing we can do at this point is pray, vote, and try to inform/educate our offspring the best that we can.

Meanwhile, it looks like a little baby bomb has exploded in our house. We're trying to be organized, but the collection of onesies, little socks and baby gear seems to have taken on a life of its own! Several times during this pregnancy, I've thought about how much safer the baby would be -- physically and socially -- if Tater could just stay in his/her comfy little home. But, that feeling is withering away as the eagerness to meet this baby is taking over!!

Week 37 developments:

Baby's Age: 35 Weeks
Baby's Weight: 6 to 7 pounds
Baby's Length: 16 ½ to 19 ½ inches

By this time, the baby has developed a very firm grasp. The baby now automatically turns toward a source of light and its body is fuller and rounder as the body fat continues to rise. It's getting pretty cramped in the womb; when the baby turns we can often see the arms and legs pressing up against my belly.

Even though Tater is considered full term, it is still better in most situations for the baby to remain in the womb until s/he signals that it's time to come out.

Let's get crackin'!

I can honestly say that this pregnancy has been relatively easy on me. I have a supportive family -- even if from afar -- and a wonderful and loving husband who, together, have made this process a pleasant one. There've been a few aches and pains here and there, a mood swing or two (or 10! ask J & Miss A!). But, all in all, I can say that I've been blessed to really enjoy this time and I know I'll look back on it fondly.

Having said that, however, there are a few things that I'm eagerly anticipating once this baby is born. I am by no means complaining, but I'm looking forward to:

1. Being able to breathe like a normal person! Ever seen a diagram of a woman's body during the last stages of pregnancy? Basically, the baby made room for itself, pushing my organs out of the way ... any way it could. That means, on my 5' frame, my lungs feel like they've been shoved up into my neck, leaving me with very limited breathing capacity. Now that the baby has scooted down a bit, it's a little better -- or it would be if I didn't have these pregnancy-induced sniffles!

2. Not having to paste a fake grin on my face every time someone says I look like I'm about to pop. Like I just mentioned, I'm only 5' tall. Where else is this baby suppposed to go? My doctor, noting my frame, actually prepared me for these comments very early on, but it still catches me off guard every time. Sure, I can almost fit into a men's size 40 pant, but come on! The baby needs room to grow!

3. Being able to turn over in my sleep without fully waking up. I have a pretty hard time sleeping more than 1 or 2 hours at a time as it is. (Perhaps I'm getting prepped for those all-nighters) But, in order to switch from my left side to right side, I almost have to start rolling onto my back, grab J's arm or the edge of the bed and pull the rest of my body -- along with several pillows -- over! And forget trying to go over my stomach!

This coming Saturday marks 37 weeks, which is officially considered "full-term," so I feel a little more comfortable looking ahead to the post-pregnancy days. I just pray that these last few days or weeks go by as smoothly as the first 36 weeks. Ditto for the labor and delivery. :-) Most of all, I pray that this baby stays healthy and experiences no complications during or after birth.

Last week the doctor was basically like, "Hey! Let's get this show on the road." So, while I wasn't ready to go into labor last week, I get the feeling that she's not going to do anything to stop it if it happens today. I have appointment this morning, so we'll see where we are.

This past Sunday and last Saturday, we took tours of the labor and delivery area and the baby nursery at the hospital where I supposed to deliver. It was amazing to see the babies "fresh out" and to imagine that this little kid (poking it's limbs and other body parts through my skin in alien-like fashion) would actually look like a little baby if it were to be born right now! SubhanAllah! As we're getting mentally prepared, it's starting to look like a baby is arriving around our place. The crib is up, the stroller/car seat system is assembled and there are miscellaneous baby items overflowing out of an unorganized box. So, we're getting there!

Here's the latest from last week and this week:

Baby's Age (this week): 34 weeks
Baby's Weight: 5 ¾ to 6 ¾ pounds
Baby's Length: Between 16" and 19"

Week 35
The baby's arms and legs are growing and getting longer. A baby delivered at 8 months will lose weight because it has not fully developed its digestive system. It has, however, stored fat in the event of an early birth to survive the ordeal. By weeks 36-40 your lungs capture 15-20% more oxygen. His/her kidneys are completely developed, and the liver is beginning to process waste. Because baby has grown so much, he/she will no longer be performing an aerobic workout. There just is not enough room for somersaults. However, this does not mean I don't feel baby move. His/her kickboxing routine should stay the same. (And I think it has!)

Week 36
The fine downy hair, lanugo, that has covered you baby’s skin is beginning to disappear along with the vernix caseosa. Vernix caseosa is the thick creamy substance that has protected your baby’s skin while he/she has been submerged in amniotic fluid. Limbs are dimpling at the elbows and knees as fat deposits continue. The baby's gums are rigid and it may seem like teeth are about to come out. The baby's body fat has likely increased to about 8% and may reach as high as 15% by the end of your term.

Quick hit

There is definitely a lot to say, but time has been short lately. I just wanted to make sure I posted this week's developments before Saturday, which becomes Week 35. :-D I promise to try to post a "real" entry soon.

Baby and I are doing well, as are Daddy and Big Sister. Thanks for the continued well wishes and thoughtfulness. We appreciate you!

Week 34 Developments

Baby's Age: 32 Weeks
Baby's Weight: About 5 lbs.
Baby's Length: 12.75" (head to rump), 19.75" (head to toes)

From this point on little Tater has the level of development necessary to survive outside the womb (Wow!!!) . The baby's eyes are opening and closing in conjunction with its activity and resting periods. The eyes are nearly fully developed but will require a few weeks exposure to light to complete the pigmentation process. The baby is developing its own immune system to fight mild infections. The baby's fingernails will reach the end of the finger tips this week.