36 weeks

It's the final countdown!  At my 36 week appointment on Friday I was almost 2 cm dilated and more effaced than the week before.  All of these Braxton Hicks contractions are definitely doing something.  Cassie doesn't think I'll make it to 40 weeks, so this baby girl really could be here at any time!  It's crazy to think that she could be here any day.  Watch, now I'll be past 40 weeks and still pregnant.  Who knows!

 

I'm not feeling too different than the last couple weeks.  Still stiff hips/pubic area, but it's better if I take some Tylenol when I'm going to be walking around a lot.  My blood pressure has been pretty steady around 120/80 and not higher than 130/90, which is higher than before, but not too concerning.  My hands are almost always a little puffy, especially when I'm warm or wake up in the morning (or right now as I'm typing this).  I'm still able to eat regular sized meals and probably have been eating way too many sweets and junk with the holidays, but I didn't notice a "lightening" at all where the baby drops and gives me more room to breathe/eat.  Her head is all the way down on my cervix, but I think maybe my torso is too short to really make a difference.  I haven't been experiencing as much of the upper right rib, gas or whatever pain, which has been nice.  I'm still having contractions all the time, sometimes a few minutes apart for a while or sometimes I don't notice them for a while, but definitely pretty often.  Not painful, but sometimes more uncomfortable than others.  The baby is kicking and dragging her feet around in the upper right part of my belly pretty regularly and getting the hiccups in the bottom left where her chest must be.  It seems that maybe she is taking after her mom and is less active in the morning, but more so in the afternoon and evening.  Let's hope that keeps up after her appearance!        

 

Strangers have started changing what they say to me in the store or around town.  This week instead of hearing, "When are you due?" I get, "You're about ready to pop, aren't you?" or "You must be close to the end now."

 

It's been so nice being on vacation for the last week, being able to sleep and rest and relax when I want to.  It has also been so much fun because so many old friends have been spending the holidays in Big Sky.  It'll be back to work and reality on Wednesday, so only 2 more days of relaxation.  And then more waiting.  But that's okay with me.  This little girl will come when she's ready.  Here's a couple shots of 36 weeks...it's so funny to compare these to even the 30 or 32 week shots a month ago.  She's growing in there!