Jingle belly.

Baby Reeder at 37w4d

Oh, the belly. It's big, folks. And it aches. It's grown a little bit in the last few weeks, don't you think? These comparison photos just FASCINATE me. Each week, the husband takes them and I just stare at the little screen on my camera with my jaw hanging down. That's really me? Yowza. So anyway, here you go: Week 28 on the left, Week 37 on the right.

Seriously?!

Remember that discussion we had on tact? That was nothing. This wins.

"Did I pick the 19th as your due date? Where are you going to be on the 19th? (You might not want to reveal that info to me because I might google info on how to induce labor.)"

- In an email from a coworker, in reference to his Baby Reeder Split-the-Pot guess

You can't make this stuff up, folks. Creeper alert.

Full-term.

We're full-term, friends. This kiddo is fully cooked and just needs to work her way south when she wants to meet us :)

How far along?: 37 weeks, 0 days.
Total weight gain/loss: +1.5 this week, +21 overall.
How big is baby?: 6 1/3 lbs and over 19 inches long.
Maternity clothes?: It'll be weird to start shopping in the normal person section as opposed to the maternity section again. I can’t wait.
Sleep: Oddly enough, the bathroom breaks are down to only 1 a night. It's the aching back/belly/hips/etc. that wake me up every hour or so. I'm down to only being able to "comfortably" (I use this term loosely) sleep in one position....my poor left hip....
Movement: Party in my ribs, 24/7. The doctor goes "Oh yeah, that baby's right up in your rib cage, huh?" Um, duh.
Labor signs: Still not a thing, other than BH's. Absolutely no cervical progress at today’s OB appt, which is not at all surprising considering she's so darn high right now. I swear this kid is moving up rather than dropping. Typical.
Food Cravings: There's a piece of a Jersey Mikes club sub in my fridge that's calling my name.
Gender: C'mon, little one, let me give you a name already!
Belly button in or out?: Flat.
What I miss: Emotional stability.
What I am looking forward to: Christmas. Preferably with my baby in my arms and not in this big belly.
Best moment this week: Getting to spend some serious quality time with Baby Reeder’s daddy over the long Thanksgiving break.
Weekly Wisdom: There is definitely such a thing as “doing too much.” It often leads to pain, discomfort, occasional tears, and Tylenol PM.
Milestones: Full-term. Holy cow. It’s so surreal to make it to December. Any time now, baby, any time.

8 days.

I put in my "official" notice today that 12/11 is, in fact, going to be my last day of work.

8 days. I have 8 work days left (well, pretty much 7 as this day is about over). Then I get to peace out of this joint forever. And let me tell ya, it's about 2 years overdue. Can you tell that people are really ticking me off today? Ugh. The only consolation I have is that I get to start telling people I'm leaving and pawn them off on others, starting today. Now to figure out how to wipe this giant grin off my face while I do it...

My favorite place.

In honor of this food-filled Thanksgiving weekend (mmmm pie), feast your eyes on few pics of our finished nursery. Please note that Baby Reeder has a teeny tiny Christmas tree on his bookshelf; no room should be left Christmas-less :) The photos over the crib are of the husband and I as babies, with a spot in the middle for Baby Reeder when our family is complete. The collage over the dresser includes pics of Mommy & Daddy, both sets of Grandparents, an ultrasound photo, and a belly shot (the baby's first home!)

Now that my lovely rocking chair is in place, I can just sit in there and enjoy the peacefulness that will soon be overcome by an adorable screaming baby. Can. Not. Wait. :)

Under a month!

How far along?: 36 weeks, 0 days.

Total weight gain/loss: First, let me say that this is unexplainable to me as I a) no longer have an appetite and b) have a very squished, tiny stomach (not the belly, we're talking the organ itself.) That being said, +3.5 this week, +19.5 overall. Doctor isn't worried, so I'll let it remain a conundrum.

How big is baby?: Almost 6 lbs and 18.5 inches long.
Maternity clothes?: I heart sweatpants.

Sleep: Blows.
Movement: Less frequent but still forceful. Hiccups 3-4 times a day that usual make the whole belly jump rhythmically (and then the munchkin thrashes about b/c she HATES the hiccups).

Labor signs: Nada. Had yet another doctor's appt today. Nothing too new to report (heartbeat at 135 bpm, still head down, slightly elevated blood pressure for me, but otherwise we're both A-ok!) Had my first internal check. Um, ouch. No progress, though, so looks like we're in this for the long haul (I didn't expect to have progress; it's more than likely that I'll go overdue since this is my first, just wishful thinking!!)

Food Cravings: So up and down these days. I still love sugar, I'm just not as hungry anymore.

Gender: Strangers' favorite question this week: "Do you know what you're having?" I'm always so tempted to say "A baby" but instead I just politely shake my head.
Belly button in or out?: Weirdly flat.

What I miss: Sleeping comfortably. Sleeping past 7 a.m. on days when I don't even have to get up. Hell, just sleep.
What I am looking forward to: Pie. Lots of pie. I dare anyone to glance in my direction as I eat all day tomorrow. God Bless the Pilgrims.
Best moment this week: Checking so many things off the list this week! Baby's car seat installed in my car? Check. Inspected by the fire dept? Check. Christmas decorations up? Check (thanks to Grandma!) Nursery finished? Check. I repeat, the nursery is FINISHED!!! (Pics to come soon!)

Weekly Wisdom: When you're 8+ mos. pregnant and the hostess asks you "Table or booth?", always pick table! Just barely fit in the Original Pancake House booth this weekend. Napkin had to sit on top of the belly to catch food because my lap couldn't be seen (which I didn't do, by the way, because I looked like an idiot. So instead I just got pancake syrup on my shirt. Eh, it happens.)

Milestones: Less than a month to go. Weekly OB appts from now on!

Phone call.

Just had this phone conversation at work:

Me: (picks up) "This is Sarah."
My boss: "Don't go. Stay."
Me: laughter
My boss: "We need you. Just come back. Or I'll move to Cincinnati and my family will watch your baby so you can keep working. OK, that's all. Bye."
Me: more laughter

Sorry Charlie (this is not his actual name; his name wouldn't rhyme as nicely...), but this girl is down to a handful of days before she gets to check off "homemaker" as her occupation on forms/surveys :)