Nora Kay Love ~ 37 Weeks aka FULL TERM!!!

Well, here we are.  While I know that Nora could still stay put for awhile longer, we're officially full term...and I'd be totally fine with her coming anytime! 

 

How far along: 37 Weeks...FULL TERM!!!

How big is baby: Swiss Chard; 6.3 lb

Gender: My sweet baby girl, Nora Kay!

Weight gain/loss: Belly, belly, belly.  It's all out front and I feel ready to pop!  I was maintaining my standard weight gain this week, and at this point I'm really eating/drinking whatever I want...as long as I'm comfortable.  However, there can't be much room in there for her anymore which means there's even less room for my stomach to be too full! 

Sleep: It's becoming a struggle. I'm certainly not complaining, but the discomfort has certainly set in and has moved into the overnight hours as well.  I feel like I toss and turn a LOT, but I still wake up feeling fairly rested which is a bonus.  While I'm typically exhausted in the evenings, I try really hard to stay awake as long as I can...those nights when I fall asleep early mean a VERY EARLY wakeup call for me which is no good at all.       

Diet/Cravings/Aversions: Whatever, whenever.  My belly gets so full so fast that my food intake has definitely slowed down...but I wouldn't say that my choices are really all that healthy.  I MIGHT have had two cups of hot chocolate with whipped cream last night during our Polar Express ride.  ;o)

Movement: It's definitely slowing down just because there's no room left.  I sort of feel like she might have dropped, just because the movement and pressure feels lower...but I'm not really all that certain.  She still does her barrel rolls and stretches out plenty often...which is fun for me to watch and even others to watch if they're sitting nearby. 

What I'm loving: As of our even last night, we don't have any MAJOR plans scheduled until after Nora's arrival...well, besides that big holiday called Thanksgiving.  This means that Nora could pretty much arrive at any time and there wouldn't be any major conflicts.  I'm also really just LOVING the time at home with my little family of 3.  We eat dinner, clean up the kitchen, and then spend the rest of the evening playing with Elyse & her toys in the playroom.  Hubby gives her a bath, and then we do her bedtime routine together.  I know that soon enough all of this will change, so I'm soaking up every moment I can. 

Symptoms: Braxton Hicks.  ALL THE TIME.  I seriously do not remember having these with Elyse, but they are certainly there this time around.  With Elyse my actual labor started as back labor, and I haven't had any of that...but man, these Braxton Hicks contractions can stick around for awhile this time around.  I've also got a little bit of slight swelling, but nothing to be concerned about. 

What I'm looking forward to:  Our weekly appointment tomorrow.  As of last week there was definitely some progress made...it was minor, but at least my body had started the process.  I'll be interested to see if anything has changed this week.  Elyse only came 5 days early, but I'm hoping that Nora might be an even earlier arrival.  I've also made my list to get my bag and Nora's bag packed...I need to make a quick trip to Target and gather those things but it shouldn't take long to get everything together.   

 

Best moment of the week: Our family weekend.  Friday night we had our first Missouri State Bears game, Saturday we literally stayed home ALL. DAY. LONG., and then Sunday we had church followed up with the Polar Express.  It was a great time for us to spend together as a family of three and I know that soon we'll be adding a fourth little person to that mix!