35 weeks today!

How your baby's growing:Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development

Nursery Pictures

I have nothing on the walls yet - I think I'm going to wait until BabyW is born, so I can do gender-specific decorations at that point. But.... everything else is done! Remember, I'm very simple when it comes to decorating. Here are some pictures (the blankets in the crib are just there for now - no, they won't be there when BabyW is in it. I do know about that rule). The walls with the closet & the windows are sage, and the crib wall & bookshelf walls are off-white. The furniture may get moved around before Baby arrives, we'll see....

As a refresher, this is what it looked like before we did anything:

Shower me with baby advice!

Yesterday my family (my mom's side, minus my mom & sister) threw me a baby shower; and taught me a lot about caring for BabyW! Shirley, Suzi, and Allison (with me - and little Bella - above) hosted the shower - and since Suzi has a two year old, and Alli has a 16-month-old, they had all kinds of advice for me, all of it VERY welcomed! I was even asking questions like "where do you store all this medicine??" Yes, I have a lot to learn. I had a great time, and I'm feeling more and more prepared for this new adventure. Okay, not fully prepared. I don't think I'll ever be quite there. But, I will learn!

After the shower, I went to the latest production of the Clinton County Youth Theatre - Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. The kids did a great job, and Julie's patience and dedication to the program never ceases to amaze me. I know I would not have had the energy to do all of that at her stage of pregnancy (okay, I don't have energy for that many kids whether I'm pregnant or not).

All of the parents are back from Cancun; I understand the sun was hot, the beers were cold, and a good time was had by all. We're glad everyone made it back safely - and my mom now knows how much she was missed - from my sister having to put on the show without Mom, to my button falling off my coat and me having to wait until Mom got home to fix it (yes, I'm 32 years old and still have my mom sew my buttons on).... welcome back!!

Six Pounds

I forgot this update.... at my appointment, it was great to learn i have gained SIX pounds since my last appointment (yes, two weeks ago).

Great news, great news.

Baby Wednesday

We spent 6 hours at the hospital on Wednesday - but nothing bad!

We had a 3:45pm doctor's appointment; never make an end-of-day doctor's appointment! We ended up leaving there around 5:30, had to do a quick wardrobe change, ate at the hospital cafeteria (which is actually a pretty good place to eat - and cheap too!!)

We then headed to our first baby class. This was the first of the two-part "fast track" childbirth preparation class. Let me ask you, if you were planning a class, and expecting 7 women who are 7 months or more pregnant, what kind of seating arrangement would you set up? Anyone? Anyone? Oh, a semi-circle of chairs, with no table or place to rest your feet? And no arms on the chairs? EXCELLENT choice, my friend. It wasn't too bad, but that was just kind of weird. And so was the fact we spent the first 30 or 45 minutes or so reviewing the fact we shouldn't eat cold cuts, shouldn't change our cat's litter..... Um, we're almost done being pregnant here. Hopefully we knew this beforehand?? The class did, however, give me more information about labor. I learned it hurts. I do feel like I know more about what to expect during the various stages of labor. Next Wednesday we'll be graduates of this class.

During the class, the baby got the hiccups. I think it was the 4mph the Sprite traveled to the baby. (see, I learned something else, too!) Baby hiccups are adorable, even when inside of you.

Yesterday was also my appointment with one of my favorite human beings, Dan, from "Bodyworks by Dan." My good friend Dan is still giving me chair massages every two weeks at work. $15/15 minutes. Can't beat it!! The doctor said if it feels good, I'm fine doing it!

One more doctor visit (in two weeks), and then my weekly appointments start! We're getting there!!

33 weeks, 5 days

Things I've learned this week: 1) Sitting through a movie or a basketball game is probably going to be uncomfortable (I tried both this weekend). 2) Having plans every night of the week will wear me out. 3) The baby REALLY likes my right side.

Things are continuing to go very well; I'm starting to get a glimpse of the uncomfortableness that sets in at the end of a pregnancy - It's not bad yet, but I'm starting to understand women's comments that they "can't wait until it's over." However, I'm trying to enjoy these last few weeks of "life as I know it" before reality sets in!

Classes start this week; on Wednesday night, we have the first of a two-part birthing class. We're taking two additional classes before BabyW arrives, if in fact he/she waits until March to arrive. We cut it close with Infant CPR on 2/21.

Every single grandparent of BabyW's is in Cancun this week, celebrating the Worzalas' anniversary (I'm going to guess 35 years, but they're out of town, so they can't correct me if I'm wrong!) We're very lucky that our parents get along so well - they often hang out without even inviting us, and I'm sure there will be many margaritas and Coronas toasted this week to the three grandchildren who are arriving in 2008! (Julie & Matt are due in early July and Cory & Randy are due in late August!)

From babycenter.com, based on 34 weeks (which I'll be on Tuesday!)

How your baby's growing: Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well

10-hour work days

If anyone is wondering what I've been up to the last few weeks....
http://www.ibj.com/html/detail_page.asp?content=09683

Needless to say, if you take the time to read the article, we've been a little busy lately! My job is safe & sound, and things are okay - but it was a tough day.... tough week, tough month - but we've taken good care of everyone, and I'm sure everyone will land on their feet.

Have a good day!

32 weeks + 1 day

Doctor appointment today - everything looks great! Heartrate was 160 (he had to wait for it to slow down - and that was "slow"). While I saw how much I weighed (and I'm not going to post it here!!), I forgot to ask what it was last time so I could see how much I have gained. As soon as doc put his hands on my belly, his comment was "So, the baby likes your right side, huh?" Smart doc; baby loves it over there!! Head is still down, so all looks good. Also had my chair massage today (have been averaging one every couple of weeks; the guy comes into work, and is fabulous!!)

Our baby classes start up soon; we're taking a two-night class on childbirth preparation (rather than the seven-week series!!), and we're also taking an Infant CPR class and a "getting ready for newborn" class. All are on weeknights, which is nice. Our hospital offers classes on anything you could possibly think of!!

This is from babycenter.com..... What the heck is a jicama??
How your baby's growing:By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds (pick up a large jicama) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, she'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb. She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth.