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.