More Arrival Preparation

Got the smaller of the 2 dressers done today. Decided to just paint the old drawer pulls yellow rather than go buy new ones. I think is gives it that little extra touch. I am going to do the taller dresser next week, and I am trying to figure out how I should do that one. The taller dresser has 4 drawers, 2 big ones and 2 small ones. I have 5 colors, so I could paint it the same way as the short dresser and re-use one of the colors for the top drawer. I could just paint it 4 colors, but I like the 2 color effect. The final option would be to go get 1 more color, and then use that new color to also paint the side table too. Just tonight I was standing in Pearl's room and I think there needs to be a rainbow on one of the walls. Pearl is so lucky, not only is she coming into the world to 2 parents that have so much love for her, but she also has a very colorful room.

Kim is 36 weeks, on Monday she will be considered "full term" so Pearl could join us any day. We are really getting excited to see her and meet her. When Kim and I were in Holland we went to Utrecht for the day and found a Build-a-Bear store. I made my little pearl her first teddy bear "Chef Clay Bear", it brings a little tear to my eye. I am a Chef and my daughter's first bear is a little Chef Bear, awwwwww.

Pearl got 2 knitted blankets to keep her warm this winter. A square one from my Aunt Bobbie and a round one from my Mother's cousin Alison (I think that makes her my 2nd cousin). I know that Pearl will love them, Kim and I do!!!

Ugh, whew, grunt, groan!

Week 36, it's hard to believe. I'm feeling more and more like an invalid everyday. It's hard moving around with this hard-as-a-rock belly in front of me that seems to grow every second. Simple things like getting out of bed, out of the car, out of a chair, and bending over are such chores now. I'm glad I'm a lover of flip-flops, I don't think I'd have much luck tying a pair of shoes.

I ended up back in the hospital last week. Two weeks ago I mentioned to my OB/GYN that I was itching like mad. We had some blood work done to check my liver functions. I went in for a non-stress test on Monday and was informed that my liver levels were elevated. Since I was next door to the hospital they sent me over for some more bloodwork and tests. Surprise, I was admitted. While in the hospital, feeling just dandy mind you, I started having "regular contractions" they were measuring on the fetal monitor. I was given 2 shots of Terbutaline, to help stop the contractions, which it did. In the end I spent 4 days in the hospital and STILL don't really know what's up with my liver test results.

Clay and I are getting ready to finish the last of the painting in the baby's room. I think since it's getting so close we're both thinking of all the things we still need and the things we need to get done. It can start to be a little overwhelming at moments. But it's all worth it. We so can't wait to meet little Pearl. I want to hold our daughter in my arms and kiss her. I want to feel those strong movements on the outside of my body. The inside could use a rest.

Fetal development in pregnancy week 36

The countdown continues… and in fetal developments: most of the bones (soft skull aside) in their little body are now completely hardened, providing a solid structure from which they can now make their grand debut into the world. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, we are structurally ready for a secure launch. In physical fitness news: their muscle tone has also improved over these past few weeks, and you’ll definitely be impressed by their steel-like Ulnar grasp (a newborn reflex that occurs if you lay your finger in their palm). And in genital development: if you’re having a girl, her labia are now fully developed. Finally, in the fluids/excretion department: the amniotic fluid-to-baby ratio has fallen over these past weeks, although they’re still swallowing fluid (building up even more meconium for that historic first poop), and some vernix caseosa. They will be more than ready to swallow and digest milk after birth. Just in case you didn’t get it quite yet: you’ve got yourself an adorable and hungry 6.5 lbs 20 inch baby—are you ready?

Fetal development in pregnancy week 35

Congratulations! You’re now carrying nearly 6 lbs of baby not counting their amniotic fluid, the umbilical cord, or the placenta itself. We’re impressed because that’s a LOT of work non-stop. Are you feeling proud of yourself yet? Well, get to it—you’ve done an amazing job! At this point, your little grower is almost busting out of the womb size-wise, which make their restricted attempts to move much more challenging. Of course, your stubborn little sucker is still trying to move around as if they weren’t in a cramped space. And the accumulating baby fat deposits are starting to level off so your little butter ball will be padded and warm when they head out of their super snug little home.

Fetal development in pregnancy week 34

Your amazing baby is on the move! They’ve been riding fairly high in your stretched-out womb till now (while kindly compressing your poor internal organs), but now they’re planning on making the big move to your pelvis this week. If you haven’t noticed it already, you’ll be feeling the weight shift that signals that your baby is most likely out of breech position, with their head now resting on your pubic bone. In liver news: although not quite fully formed, your little miracle’s liver is now capable of processing a certain amount of waste. In general, most of your child’s prenatal physical development is pretty much up to snuff and ready for the outside world. Naturally, further weight gain is expected—so you’re still not at maximum capacity despite probably feeling like you definitely are maxed out.

Baby Belly @ 33 weeks!

Oh my, how the belly continues to grow! I swear it's getting bigger everyday. Thought I'd post a picture so you all can oooh and awwww over it...have fun.

Fetal development in pregnancy week 33

For all the weight and bulk you’re lugging around these days, you’d think your little champ should weigh much more than a mere 5 lbs and measly 17 inches in height, but nope, that’s about the average size for a baby in its thirty-third week. In terms of appearances, they’re getting cuter and pudgier every minute as they pile on the baby fat for those adorable little wrist rolls and chubby toes. And as we’re sure you’ve already noticed they’re getting stronger with every passing day. Nowadays, it’s possible to observe a well-placed kick just by watching your belly—but you already knew that didn’t you? Although they’re getting stronger, your bigger-by-the-day baby is losing space to move around, so the actual rate of movement will drop off in the last few weeks, despite that powerful drop-kick they’ve been working on. Hey, did you know you’ll continue feeling their movements even during labor?