Quick update!

Speedy update since I know I'm a bit behind, but I am also extremely busy at home. Here's the last two weeks' updates:

34 Weeks - "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."

35 Weeks - "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 melon). 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."

After all those comparisons to melon, I need to go get some fruit! Aaron and I have now attended the baby basics class (washing, changing, medicating, swaddling, etc.) and the breastfeeding essentials classes. I'm glad to report that we actually only have one class left: postpartum adjustments. I'm supposed to learn all about what to expect AFTER I have the kid. (On a different but related note, I dreamt last night that Kiddo came out very quickly, but was a girl, I got into a fight with my mother about her name, and was in need of serious mental help as I came to the realization that little girls maybe don't like Mario as much as little boys and I would need to repaint the room.)

This weekend, Aaron, Kiddo and I are off to Madison to shake our booties for Steph's wedding! I'm both excited and apprehensive. This is the only wedding, aside from my father's, that I have ever been in. I bought a totally cute pair of heels to wear with my dress, but then I began to worry about how my feet might hold up. I bought a pair of flats also, but those bastards tore the hell out of the backs of my feet. I've been trying to let them heal up, but when I tried the flats on this morning, YIKES there's still a lot of pain. I think I'm just going to wear the heels and grit it out if they start to hurt. I do believe that we are staying in the swankiest hotel I've ever been in this weekend as well. I think I'm most excited just to see my girls again!

The apprehension comes from the fact that I am officially nearing the end of my eighth month. I know most docs would tell me not to travel, but there's no way in hell I'm missing this! So, always a planner, I am packing an emergency bag, just in case Kiddo decides to get this show on the road a bit earlier than planned. I've packed a blanket from Aunt Emily and Aunt Steph, his little scrubs, and the Who Loves Baby? book from Auntie Gab, complete with pictures. For myself I've packed an extra change of clothes (since I already have a few packed for the wedding travel), extra underwear (a must I hear), chap stick, hair ties and headbands, and some of the styling funky socks I got at Target last time (black and purple argyle and grey and purple stripes). I've also packed a few other things, but really, I think that's the essentials. Oh, and we'll have to pack the car seat so we don't have to go buy a brand new one.

So far, I'm not anticipating that Kiddo is planning The Great Escape yet. I've had some Braxton Hicks contractions that feel like somebody is yanking on my belly button. Most don't really hurt, they are just kind of uncomfortable, but on occasion they take my breath away. Next week is my last two-week appointment (second day of the school year no less) and then I have to start going every week! Next week is also the first of many visits where I shall have to strip down and let it all show so the docs can check things out. By the way, can someone PLEASE invent a filter for the TVs of pregnant women? Any time I see a pregnancy show, I have to watch it! I can't turn the damn things off, and you know that smooth deliveries don't make good TV. Instead I have to watch C-section hell, crappy epidurals, semi-insensitive nurses, and women who literally scream their children out. I don't think it's healthy for me to watch these things, but it's like I'm unable to change the channel, and even if I could, the batteries in the remote have gone dead (figuratively speaking of course).

Really, I need to go finish packing. Aaron and I are going to head out tonight to finish up any last minute "we need that" shopping for the wedding. I seriously can't wait and I think it's a great way to end my summer "vacation" (like I'd know what that is...).

TTFN!