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.