thirty-seven weeks

Thirty-seven weeks as of Wednesday. That means less than three weeks away from the official due date, but I refuse to count days instead of weeks--due dates are rarely accurate and I know I could go past the due date by as many as two weeks. And since doctors say that in the thirty-seventh week babies are full term, meaning they won't try to stop the labor if you start it, this also means that I could have the baby any time from here to five weeks from now. It's quite an overwhelming thought!

I had another routine doctor's appointment today, and I've gained another three pounds (in one week! and I feel like I'm barely eating since I get full so quickly) and another centimeter in my belly, putting me at thirty-eight centimeters, still one week ahead of "normal" measurements. He located the baby's heartbeat slightly to the left of my non-existent (or slightly outie, whichever you prefer) belly button this time, and nearly every other visit it's been on the right side. The doctor said that, plus the less frequent movements I'm feeling from the child, just means it's basically going to roll over (I think of it more as breakdancing, spinning on its head) from now until birth since its head is basically stuck (okay, resting) in my pelvis. And my swollen ankles, which were hurting me a little for the first time today? Still okay since my blood pressure's still great (114/70), and the only real relief I might have in the swelling will come from laying on my side as much as possible. I've already ruled that out during the day since my sides (hips) get sore enough during the night. My ankles aren't really painful, anyway. Just really big and a little bothersome. My next appointment will be next week Friday. That exam will be a little more invasive, from what I gather. Fun, fun, fun!

As you know, I'm spending my last few weeks/days as a mommy-to-be doing tasks that I don't want to have waiting around for me when baby is here. Today I took a break from tasks for my own baby and worked on the quilt top for the upcoming April addition to our family, my soon-to-be niece Lily Rae. It's turning out quite gorgeous--the top is done--but I won't picture it here since my sister Beth and I (she'll be doing the quilting and binding) don't want to spoil the "surprise" for Ryan (my brother) and Rachel (my sister-in-law). I will say that it's smaller than our other niece's and nephew's quilts since that's what Ryan requested. And that's all you're getting on that!

Tomorrow's activities won't involve much work on my end (at least for my baby) either. At least, I don't think they will. I want to do the back of Lily's quilt so I can hand it over to Beth either Saturday or Sunday. I'm supposed to go to my friend's child's first birthday party, but we're also supposed to be bombarded with snow tomorrow, so whether or not I actually show at the party will depend on if I can make it out of the driveway and neighborhood without getting my little Vibe stuck in the snow. I'm also going to a gathering of high school friends, some of whom I haven't seen since high school, tomorrow night. I'll make it there regardless of the snow; I'll just have Al drive me in the truck if I can't make it in my Vibe. Then Sunday through Wednesday Al should be home, so we'll get a lot of work done on the house then--but I'm going to reserve time for a movie date with him on Tuesday or Wednesday if it kills us! We've been trying to go to the movies forever (and I don't care what I see, as long as I can sit in the dark, watch a huge screen, drink soda and eat movie theater popcorn soaked in butter) and I'd like to get one in before baby comes. It could be months before my next chance if I don't!

And now to wind down for the night...if only I could have a Bailey's...or even a beer...