35 Weeks ... How many to go?

That's the question of the month.  How much longer will this little boy stay in my belly.  I'm kind of getting to that, "seriously, any day now kid" phase but I recognize the fact that I am truly blessed that he has stayed right where he is for as long as he has.  I honestly never thought I would get this far but he really doesn't seem to be in a hurry to meet us and that's alllllll riiiiiight.  It dawned on my yesterday that I have never been this far along at home in any of my 3 pregnancies.  With Megan, 35 weeks was when they locked me up in the hospital and threw away the key.  I was there to stay until I was successfully induced at 37 weeks.  We all know the shenanigans my little Drama Queen pulled and she was almost ready to come home at what would have been 35 weeks of pregnancy.  It amazes me more and more each day how different each pregnancy has been ... and how different the kids are.  I'm sure this little guy will be full of new surprises when he arrives.  

On to the stats.  Had a doc appointment yesterday.  We did a BPP (biophysical profile - fancy for sonogram) and an NST (non stress test - fancy for fetal heartrate/contraction monitoring).  Little guy did wonderfully on the monitors, as usual.  This time, so did the uterus.  Sneaky little bastard (uterus, not the baby) only causes problems when nobody's looking I guess.  He weighs 6 lbs and that's pretty normal sized.  If I carry him to term, another 5 weeks, he would only be an 8.5 pounder.  Of course, the way my blood sugar has been behaving lately (though no fault of my own, of course) he might pack on a little extra weight.  His head is measuring 38 weeks and the rest of him is about 36.5 weeks so it's big but still within the normal range.  Good thing I'm having a c-section, right?  If you know my kids, you know I just make big headed babies.  I'll say it again, we blame it on James.  :-)    Dr. P says it's the price you pay for smart kids ... big heads = big brains!!  So I go back in a week for another BPP/NST and she's going to check my cervix.  She really wants me to make it to 36 weeks because it's much better for baby that way, especially little white boys.  If I make my next appointment before going into labor, all bets are off after that.  If I go into labor or if she checks my cervix and I'm at more than 3cm dilated, she's "pulling the plug".  Third kid .... already having lots of contractions .... the fast progression of labor with Emily .... she's afraid I might be the type to have the baby in the bathroom at home.  Yes, she really said that.  Too funny!

OH and total score on the scale.  Lost 2 pounds last week!!  I've been following the gestational diet a little better and trying to stay more hydrated.  I am now up 19 lbs and weigh one pound less than I did when I got pregnant with Emily.  That's 3 pounds less than when I delivered Emily.  Sure hope I can lose 30 after this one is born ... but don't worry, I'm not holding my breath. 

Lastly, here's a pic of Ginormous-Me for your viewing pleasure.  I've been getting some looks, mostly sympathetic ones from women who obviously know what it's like to be huge-pregnant. Lots of strangers, and moms at the girls' school, have asked how much longer I have to go.  It finally occurred to me that I might look really big or something so I decided to take a picture of myself.  Umm ... Holy Cow!! ... where did that belly come from?  No wonder I can't climb the stairs without becoming totally winded!!  The funny thing is, I really don't feel that big.  I mean, I have to stand a good foot away from the sink to wash my face, brush my teeth, or do dishes.  I wear flip flips because you can forget about tieing shoelaces, just because I can't reach them. I pick more stuff up with my feet, or leave it where it falls, so I don't have to bend over.  I don't know if I carried Megan more all around and this one just sticks out or what but it's total craziness.  Are you ready for this ... ?

and spell check doesn't seem to be working so forgive any mispellings or typos!