The Last 8 Days before the Last Days

I am now 8 days from my estimated due date, but that doesn't really mean much as far as I can tell.  New moms have delayed deliveries, and I can say that I don't feel any of the signs of labor.  The Gators didn't fare as well as hoped against South Carolina today, but we did manage to take a few belly shots.  I don't expect I will grow any more, though it's possible with a safe time of 3+ weeks left to go into labor. 

I still feel fine except for the sensation issues in my hands -- if I hold something, even a cell phone, for more than 5 minutes, I get pins and needles or lose feeling in my hand.  I probably seem quite odd putting my fork down and shaking my hand, but otherwise I'd drop the fork!  I'm looking forward to getting my normal legs and arms back soon.

Baby sanitation station.

Nick tries out the glider and falls asleep immediately!

Alison bakes a quiche from scratch.  Pie shell and all!

This is how Lucy feels about her life right now.

We're in the "Due Month"!

I've officially got 12 days until my due date, but I'm a few days into my "due month," as the midwife likes to say.  I had read online that first-time mothers are usually an average of 5 days overdue, but the today June said in the US, nationally, the average is 10 days overdue.  Yikes!  So if our baby is in the majority statistically, she'll come around Nov. 30th.  Just typing that makes my back ache :)

The good news is that we had our weekly appointment this morning, and everything is on track.  June estimates a baby size right now of about 6.5 pounds, with something around 7.5 at birth.  Not bad! 

The lovely ladies at Campus Church threw me a shower last weekend, and we got lots of great things, including diapers, clothing, a breast pump, and a sort of hiking carrier by Kelty.  Very cool! 

Thanks Marilyn and Shelley!

Maternity Photos - full set

Here is a link to more photos from our maternity session with Collection by Claribel.  Enjoy!

Maternity Photos by Collection by Claribel (Claribel Gonzalez)

Pregnancy Symptoms, or "How are you feeling?"

Lots of people ask me this -- it's nice to know that people care how I am feeling, even they proceed to tell me about their neighbor/sister/daughter/dog right after that.

I am now considered "full term," which means I can safely deliver any time in the next 5 weeks.  The last safe day is December 3rd, but I really hope it's before that! I thought I would write a short post about my pregnancy symptoms overall, and my current stats.  


Here have been by symptoms thus far, and when they happened:
Weeks 6-12: Nausea, needing to eat frequently, fatigue
Week 13: Vomited once after standing up really fast.
Week 20: Ultrasound, all healthy.
Week 21: Vomited once.
Weeks 25-29: Started showing quickly!
Week 27: Quickening!  Feeling lots of flutters.

Week 34: Swelling in my feet, goes away at night.  Fatigue. Waking up 4-6 times per night.  Lots of motion!  Little baby feet all over the place. She is head down.

Week 36: Infrequent indigestion, throat tightness.
Week 37: More swelling, fatigue. Still waking up a lot. Less kicking, more wiggling.
Weeks 37-38: Tingling and pain in hands & forearms - "pregnancy-induced carpal tunnel"


Overall I think I've had it pretty easy, which I'm very thankful for.  I'm still at work, and even preparing for a big visit on Nov. 10th by industry grant sponsors.  Send more good wishes my way!

As of now (37 weeks, 3 days) I am up about 37 lbs, and none of my pants stay up :)