36/37 Weeks - Full Term!

How far along? The pic is from 36/37 weeks ... Scarlett weighs about 6 lbs. and is about 19 in. long (about as long as a stalk of Swiss chard). At the end of 37 weeks, a baby is considered full term - we made it! Her lungs are mature enough to function outside of the womb. It's possible that she also has a full head of hair, too ... in all the dreams I've had of her, she's born with dark hair just like her mama was. :)
Belly size:

 
Symptoms? Frequent bathroom visits (even more than before, if you can believe it), Braxton Hicks, very sore pelvis when I get out of bed or off the couch, swollen feet/ankles, sleeplessness, irrational fears (like my latest one is Scarlett being born a boy, and we won't have anything for "him" ... I know the odds are quite slim, but it gives me knots in my stomach to think about all that stress after being so prepared for a girl!)
Total weight gain/loss: Up 37 lbs. total - 170 lbs.
Maternity clothes? Yep, but as the weather gets warmer I'm having to wear more non-maternity clothes because most of mine are for cold weather. Not much longer!
Food cravings: Grapefruit, milk, chocolate chip cookies, salad, bananas, peanut butter, lemonade, hot tea
Anything making you queasy or sick: Anything with a really strong smell
Stretch marks? None
Sleep: Still getting up multiple times per night for various reasons. Dreams have gotten really strange, too - they're not all about the baby, either. I've had quite a few about high school and college, actually ... very vivid and very odd.
Best moment this week: I have two ... My mom arriving (at the very end of Week 37 - more on her visit in the next post :) and buying our new car! It was definitely part of my nesting. I just didn't feel right about bringing her home from the hospital in my little run-down Cobalt with 100,000 miles on it, so we decided it was time to switch to a newer, safer, more family-friendly vehicle and bought a 2013 Ford Escape. It's perfect for us ... (and it's not a minivan!) It's my other baby ;)

Miss Anything? Lately I miss being able to do everything for myself. I'm anxious to have full independence back.
Movement: Lots of wiggling, rolling over, kicking, and generally causing discomfort to various organs. She's somethin' else!
Labor Signs: Only false labor
Belly Button in or out? STILL an innie. I'm truly shocked by this.
Wedding rings on or off? Off :( Fingers are just a little too puffy for them.
Happy or Moody most of the time: 80% happy, 20% moody. Not bad for the tail end of pregnancy, I say.
Baby Stuff Purchased? Other than our awesome new "grocery getter," I bought some extra crib sheets (I wanted cute patterned ones since that's pretty much all you're supposed to have in the crib with the baby and none of the other bedding is safe), wall decals for the nursery (the next post WILL have pictures of everything!), an adorable personalized name banner from Etsy, a rug for the nursery, some super cute headbands and baby leg warmers ... my new obsession:

How could I resist these??

 Oh, and I forgot to mention - the hospital bag is officially packed and ready to go! Eeeeek!!
Looking forward to: At the risk of sounding like a cranky pregnant woman, I am really just ready to have her at this point. I'm anxious to experience the labor and delivery part of it all, and when all is said and done I just want to be able to hold her, stare at her, and kiss her. Whenever you're ready, sweet girl - we are SO ready to meet you. <3

34/35 Weeks - Sleeplessness, Swelling, and a Soon-to-be-born Scarlett

How far along? The pic is from 34/35 weeks ... Scarlett weighs about 5 lbs. (as much as a cantaloupe) and is at birth length. At this point she is mostly about gaining weight each week (just like Mama) along with those layers of adorable baby fat. Her skin is getting smoother, her central nervous system is maturing, and her lungs are almost fully developed so she can breathe on her own once she leaves the womb. She is starting to run out of room in there - I can tell at times how uncomfortable she must be - but she is still a major wiggle worm!
Belly size:

Symptoms? Frequent bathroom visits, the occasional cramp, Braxton Hicks (happening more often now), sore pelvis and hips from the giant belly, swollen feet every day (I have to keep them up a lot if I want to keep it under control) ... oh yeah, does waddling count? I do that.
Total weight gain/loss: Up 33 lbs. total - 166 lbs.
Maternity clothes? Yep, although I'm pretty amazed at all the non-maternity shirts I can still get away with wearing.
Food cravings: Granny Smith apples, Cinnamon Chex cereal, lemonade, root beer, peanut butter, almonds, milk, grapefruit
Anything making you queasy or sick: Anything with a really strong smell
Stretch marks? None
Sleep: I get up between 2-5 times per night to use the bathroom, switch sides/sleeping positions, get a drink of water, or just stretch because I'm so darn uncomfortable. I think all this sleeplessness is preparing me to be a mom!
Best moment this week: I can feel actual body parts protruding from and/or pushing up against my belly now, which is both bizarre and SO cool at the same time! She'll push really hard, I'll put my hand where the pressure is, and I'll feel a foot or a knee or something ... there is nothing like that feeling. :)
Miss Anything? Sleeping through the night and not having my big belly always getting in the way of stuff.
Movement: Like I said, she may be running out of room in there, but she is still movin' like crazy! Definitely one of the best - if not THE best - parts of pregnancy.

Labor Signs: Other than more pelvic pressure/pain and Braxton Hicks, not yet ... but soon!
Belly Button in or out? Although it is completely flattened out, it is still an innie. Can't believe it hasn't popped! Maybe it won't ...
Wedding rings on or off? Both are off :( :( I hate not wearing them, but with the occasional mild hand swelling I get, I didn't want to risk not being able to get them off at all ... so they are safely tucked away in my jewelry box until after she's born and I go back to my non-puffy state.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Mostly happy, but I find myself being quick to tears in these last few weeks of pregnancy. A good cry (or several) is good for you, right??
Baby Stuff Purchased? A few more clothing items (I have a problem, I'll admit it) including a couple of sunhats and her very first bathing suit :) :), wall decor for her room, and her carseat canopy came in the mail - it's too cute!

Looking forward to: My mama arriving soon, everything being up on the walls, and of course holding our sweet girl :)