37 Weeks

Gaining one ounce per day, your baby is growing rapidly. Keep up those exercises, especially your Kegels. Keeping your pelvic floor muscles toned will aid in a quicker recovery from the birth. An elbow, foot or head may protrude from your stomach when baby stretches and squirms about. Soon, as the wall of your uterus and your abdomen stretch thinner and let in more light, your baby will begin to develop daily activity cycles. Even though you are three weeks from your due date, you are now considered full term. In most cases, nothing will be done to stop your labor once it starts, even if it is before your 40th week. If you go into labor at this point your careprovider will not try to stop it.

Look At Me!!!

We were suprised to find out at our appointment that we had a 4D machine! He was fast asleep so we did not get to see him with his eyes opened. It was too cute! I am measuring a week ahead. So instead of 36.5 weeks I am 37.5 weeks. Lucas is weighing in at 7 pounds 2 oz. We will be doing lots of walking to get him ready to come. He is head first and engaged but, I am not dialated yet. My next appointment is next Thursday, December 3rd. Hope everyone enjoys their Thanksgiving! We sure will...and maybe I will be so stuffed he will decide there is not enough room for him!!

36 Weeks

While it says that your baby weighs six and a half pounds this week and measures 19 inches long, this is only an estimate. 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.You may feel contractions of the womb, called Braxton Hicks contractions, which can be used to perform and practice breathing exercises. You may be visiting your caregiver weekly up until the birth. Regular internal exams may begin, to see if your cervix has softened, thinned, dilated or if your baby's head is dropping into the pelvis. Any of these could be signs of impending labor but there are no guarantees and you could be waiting for weeks yet. Your baby is almost ready, a pair of kidneys and the liver has begun processing some waste products, the only organ still to mature is the lungs.
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.

35 Weeks

Most babies gain about half pound per week in the last month of pregnancy. Fat stores accumulate in the legs and arms. These layers of fat will help them regulate their body temperature. Baby still doesn't have enough fat deposits beneath its skin to keep warm outside your womb. If born now the baby would probably be put in an incubator, about 90% of babies born this week survive. Lungs are almost fully developed. Your baby's reflexes are coordinated, they turn their head, grasp firmly, and respond to sounds, light and touch. You should still feel movement every day. He or she is about 5 and a half pounds and growing fast, it is getting short of space in the womb.Your uterus has become more cramped, your baby's kicks and other movements less forceful.Baby may push up against your ribs and make you a little breathless. Soon your baby's position changes to prepare itself for labor and delivery. The baby drops down in your pelvis and you will be able to breathe easily again.

Girlfriend Baby Shower... PAR-TAY!!

My close girlfriends threw me a shower...yes another shower :)...and my friend Lori's mother-in-law made this beautiful cake! All the food was so yummy and I am so thankful to have great friends here in Savannah! And as always a wonderful, fun time!

School Shower

**The Kindergarten Teachers had a work shower for me that was held in the Art Room at the school! I got lots of wonderful things and many gift cards to buy Lucas everthing he needs!! **

**This was me busy opening the tremendous amount of gifts I received! The people I work with are so excited and have always been so generous! **

**The teachers that I work with made this with all my kids names on it...my class is so excited about Lucas and touch my belly all day long and talk to him! It is too cute!**

34 Weeks

Even babies born earlier than this could survive outside the womb with hospital support although the risk of complications would be high. Your baby may have already turned to a head down position in preparation for birth. The skull bones are still pretty flexible and not completely joined to help to ease exit out of the narrow birth canal. Fat accumulations plumps up the arms and legs this week. The baby's skin is also becoming less wrinkled. Braxton Hicks contractions may be getting more numerous and stronger. Thanks to antibodies crossing the placenta the baby is developing immunities to mild infections.

A Day in Savannah with Danny

We had Danny visit this weekend and we spent Halloween day in Savannah. He had this great idea to get a picture of me infront of the Lucas theater. We got some great pics and here is one of them. We did a tremendous amount of walking and I was very tired!! We had an awesome time and it helped me sleep through the night since I was exhausted!