36 Weeks

Baby should soon descend into your pelvis, which will give your lungs a little room to breathe (literally). The bad news: This puts the brunt of baby's weight on your hips and pelvis, and will make them pretty sore. Add in your ever-loosening ligaments, and you may soon be taking on that oh-so-adorable pregnancy waddle.

Baby's skin is getting smooth and soft, her gums are rigid, her liver and kidneys are in working order, and her circulation and immune system are basically good to go. Her lungs are the only organs that still need to fully mature, but every day she gets a little closer to breathing on her own.

Your baby is gaining about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy hair that covered her body, as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Next week, your baby will be considered full-term. Most likely she's in a head-down position, but if she isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an external cephalic version, where she'll try to turn your baby by manipulating her from the outside of your belly.

Charging Batteries

Currently we have the two monitors and base all charging for her walkie talkie system. We also put together the Diaper Genie. Things are getting done this week. I have the numbers of two pediatricians picked out, just need to schedule a time to go meet and interview them. Both are located here in Brandon. We also put batteries in the pack and play music box and remote. We took a small book shelf from our living room (that really didn't match the rest of the living room), up to her room. It looks great in the nursery. We put her books on the bottom and her photo frame that has slots for every month (given to her by our cousins Mary and Danny), sits on top. Because the book shelf has a hole to separate the top from bottom, when you put the night light behind it it really looks like it is lighted. We plan to also put a small cd/ipod player on top of the end table too.

We put the changing table in place and put the cover on it too. The entire room is coming together nicely. We also received the cushions for the rocking chair. Judy and John ordered these for us and they look great. I think it is my favorite room in the house! If Baby Girl Higgins doesn't like it, I may move in there!

35/35 Weeks

With baby's head pressing squarely on your bladder, you're probably clocking some quality time in the bathroom. On a similar note, if you're finding it tough to poop, load up on the fiber. Whole grains, veggies, and dried fruits (but not all at once!) should loosen things up.

From now on, baby's growth is mostly in the plumping up department -- though he won't get much longer, he'll put on a pound or more of baby fat before birth. (He's about 15 percent right now and will be about 30 percent by full-term.) His hearing is totally developed (tip: baby responds best to higher pitches), and if he really is a "he," his testes have probably completed their descent.

Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew). Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete – he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

35/35 is a big milestone! We are 35 weeks to date and have 35 more days to go. We still have a list of things to get done before she arrives. Last night we went and exchanged more items and we actually bought the changing pad for the dresser. It fits perfectly. We also bought the mattress cover. All with our lovely exchanges and gift cards. We also received a big box of girl clothes that are 18 mon- 2T from our friends James and Amber. Ashley is already grown out of them and she passed them on to us.


Here is an updated list:

Things to do:
- deep cleaning of house: fridge, cabinets, dusting
- organize the garage better, get rid of Chipotle stuff and put in storage
- find better chair for downstairs
- finalize maternity leave document for work
- landscape outside front walk/get magnet kick plate for door
- get camera and monitor systems set up
- Prepare letters of her name to be installed after she gets home
- Mobile fixed
- select pediatrician
- hang mirror in her room and possibly one more shelf above night stand
- look for bathroom storage solutions or organize guest bathroom

Things to get:
- Nightlight
- Order her monogrammed outfit for newborn photos

Things on order on their way:
- Diaper Bag (this is like our third one, but once we got a few, they were just so big and bulky that I wanted something more functional. I hope this one is a keeper.)
- Rug for nursery
- Pillow for nursery
- Special item for dad to be.

More to come!

Play Yard from P-cola

Yesterday another big box arrived for Baby Girl Higgins. She received her Super Play Yard from the Bass Family. This was from Page Bass's Dad and family. Wow! So sweet of them to think of us and Baby Girl Higgins. We plan to use it down stairs for when she starts to crawl and she will have a safe area for all of her toys. Page's Dad lives in Pensacola and I have fun memories of visiting them in college. Baby Girl Higgins will surely use it in the coming years.

Installation Day

Today, it took smart college educated folks more than two hours to assemble the pack and play and one car seat. I have never in my life knew that a pack and play had so many options. This thing can do everything but nurse the baby. You have the "Play Yard", "Bassinet", "Changing Table", "Mobile with remote" and it has wheels!
Here are some photos of our adventure this morning.

EYE see you

At the heart doctor on Friday, the tech was extra chatty and friendly. The tech scanned my heart and got measurements that she needed, but then suggested we get a quick look at BGH. And I was over the top excited. So she rolls the scan over my belly and who do we see? BGH looking back at me. I was so excited I almost fell off the table. She got a quick photo and then suggested we try the 4D scan. By the time she grabbed the other wand, BGH flipped around and all we saw were legs. Once you see this photo, it is amazing. Her eye actually opened and closed on the sonogram. Truly amazing.

Mirror Mirror On The Wall

This is the beautiful mirror that I picked up last night at You Do The Dishes. Mandi and Shannon had organized the tiles to bring to my shower where everyone signed it. It will be a beautiful addition to the nursery. We have a spot reserved for it on her wall.

More treats arrived at the house yesterday too! The Baby Bjorn Carrier and Bottle Drying rack came from Jessica Chiang in NYC. Plus, Shannon also dropped off a present from Barbara Blount filled with lavendar bottle wash, blankets and onesies. Then a nice note and card with $30 came for BGH from her Great Aunt Marylou and Uncle Paul. Speaking of which we need to start her college savings account soon.

Stroller

I have been meaning to put this up on the blog for a while, but the stroller is still in the box. After we organize this weekend, next weekend Mike is going to get moving on getting some of the big stuff in order... the monitor, car seat and bases in car, and pack and play checked out.

The stroller came from my dear friend Ann who was the one that actually went with me to BRU to learn about strollers. We checked them all out and she was so sweet to get the one liked best at BRU. She will be having a baby 16 weeks after Baby Girl Higgins gets here and we'll be pushing the bambinos around together.

Today, Shannon and Zander will be coming over to help me organize the nursery and put stuff away. Shannon being in the mom role for the last several months will help decifer what needs to be in arms reach and what will be stored in the closet.

I will post photos after it all done so you can see the new shelves my Father in Law put up last week. It is really coming together and she will be here in six short weeks!

Love from San Francisco

Today we got in the mail a beautiful package from San Francisco and my dear friend Page Bass. See the cute little outfits and bibs! She also sent a Tiffany bracelet for BGH for when she is bigger! Adorable!

34 Weeks

Baby can recognize and react to simple songs...time to start practicing your lullabies! In fact, baby will recognize frequently sung tunes after birth and probably find them soothing. Less cute news: She now urinates about one pint per day. Get the diapers ready!

No, it's not (just) the lack of sleep that's making your vision fuzzy. Pregnancy hormones and fluid buildup can affect your eyes' curvature and tear production, making them extra-itchy and sensitive. No matter what your vision's like, take a look toward the light -- less than two months to go!

Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers – which she'll need to 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.

Let there be light.

Here is our beautiful light on the night stand next to the rocker. It matches the bedding and was given to us by our dear friend Maureen. The light is also on one of the main light switches to the room, which is fantastic. The picture doesn't do it justice, it was taken by my phone. But the colors of the base match the nursery perfectly. Plus, the night stand that it is sitting on was the nightstand from Mike's bedroom growing up. So now she has my old dresser that was redone and his nightstand, so precious.

OBGYN Visit-Dr. Serrano

Today we had an early morning visit at Women's Group and saw Dr. Serrano. It was quick. I was in at 8:30 and out by 9 am. Blood pressure- Perfect 110/60. I weighed in at 237, gained 3 lbs. Measured my belly-which was right on track. Baby Girl's heart beat was in the 130's and 140's- which Dr. Serrano found right away. She commented- "That was luck not skill," because she found it immediately.

All is well and I feel great!

Abbey Drive Shower

On Sunday, September 12th, Mrs. Janke and Donna hosted a shower for our Abbey Drive neighbors, Southern Cruiser Friends, co-workers and friends. We are so blessed to have so many friends and family who care so much for us. It was a wonderful party.

Video of Belly Movement

The up and down is me breathing... the shake, rattle and roll is BGH. It is not dramatic so you have to watch carefully. It is really hard to get on video. But about halfway is when she gets moving and Mike is on the phone talking to a friend about the Marshall vs West Virginia game.

Party in the womb at 6:30 am

This morning the alarm went off and I woke up. As did BGH. She acquired a drum set and began rocking out in the tummy. I laid on my left, boom boom boom. I turned over and laid on my right, boom boom boom. Back over to the left, boom boom boom. It was like a rock concert. She is either a morning person or just wanted to rock out this morning. Who knows. I rather wake up to her than my beeping alarm.

33 weeks

Baby's now the size of a honeydew!
Things are heating up inside as well: Baby may grow up to a full inch this week alone, and her brain is developing like crazy. Pretty soon, she'll be able to coordinate breathing with sucking and swallowing. Also, her bones are hardening, and she's started to keep her eyes open when she's awake.

You are one hot mama -- literally. A 20 percent metabolic rate increase throughout pregnancy can leave you begging for a cool breeze no matter what the weather is like. Distract yourself with an exercise in blind identification. Try to distinguish between baby's feet, fists, knees, and elbows -- all doing some major pushing and nudging inside of you.

This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. She's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and her skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.

Childbirth Class & Tour

Today we took our first of three part child birth classes at St. Joe's women's hospital. It was fun, informative and we even got to take a tour to the rooms and nursery. Next week we bring two pillow and a blanket and that is when we start practicing breathing. This week talked more about the three stages of labor and what do once labor starts. Fun Fact: only 10 percent of women's water breaks, I thought it would be more. Mike got to see a real live birth on the video. At first he wanted to close his eyes. On the way home, he said, "We should really go straight to the epidural." All the women in the video were all natural births. You can have only three people in the room with you during delivery. Once you are in the mother/baby room you can have more. Security is pretty tight at the hospital which is reassuring. The class was packed.

It is starting to become even more real now that we got to see the hospital, nurses, babies in the nursery. In less than two months, it will be go time and Baby Girl Higgins will be here. Oh my this is a very exciting time.

Renegade

Yesterday, Mike went shopping at Garnet and Gold in Tallahassee. He had been looking forward to this trip for a while. First, he looked over the magazine that came to our house so he knew what he was out to get. Once in the store he looked over all the baby stuff trying to find a white newborn outfit with a Seminole logo on it. The only one he found was a "t-shirt". Then he found a garnet 3-6 month onesie. He says,"I think this will fit her when she is born." I told him I hope she is a bit smaller. Then he bought RENEGADE. A little stuffed horse. He had been set on buying this for BGH for a while. This morning when I went to take a photo, we found out RENEGADE has an extra feature. She plays they fight song. Even better.

32 Weeks

Ready or not, baby's getting ready to emerge. She's probably in the head-down position by now, with her bottom facing up. This is the comfiest way for her body to fit in your increasingly cramped womb and will make her eventual exit (only a few months away now!) much easier. (If she's still head-up, don't panic -- there's still time for a flip before birth.)

Was that a contraction? Yup, but it's just for practice. Those strengthening Braxton Hicks contractions are just your body's way of prepping for the real deal. (If you feel more than four in an hour or have discharge, call the doc.) Farther north, your nipples are getting darker and (yes, it's possible) bigger -- all the better for baby to see (and latch onto) in a few short months.

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

Crib, Dresser, Rocker in Place

Here is an update of the growing nursery. We have all the big pieces in place. Crib, Dresser and Rocker all in there. The dresser used to be the one that was in my bedroom for more than 20 years. My father-in-law offered to refinish the dress and it looks amazing. He spent a lot of time and energy on it and I am so excited that Baby Girl Higgins gets to use it too. It is also the changing table. We don't have everything in place yet, but it coming together. Photos below are also of her growing closet and just half of her presents from the showers so far. She is a very lucky lady!