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 :)

35/35.

How far along?: 35 weeks, 0 days.

Total weight gain/loss: +0 this week, +16 overall.

How big is baby?: Adding about a 1/2 lb. a week from now on, so she should be around 5 1/4 lbs. She's just about to her birth length, so this growth is much slower. Just over 18 inches long this week.
Maternity clothes?: Shirts are too short (yes, maternity shirts) and pants are too tight (again, maternity). Awesome.

Sleep: Takes serious effort to roll over to the other side, then I have about 1 minute before that hip starts burning in pain and I want to flip again. Only I can't, because I don't have enough energy built back up from the last roll. So I just lay there, miserably hoping I fall asleep. Then thoughts of my baby creep into my head while I lay there, which don't help in the falling-asleep department, trust me.
Movement: Daddy watched (in horror) from the other couch while she forcefully moved about last night. Apparently being able to see my belly move from across the room is slightly terrifying.

Labor signs: Baby has run out of room. It hurts to even think about standing up. Strangers now stare at me with looks of pity on their faces. And this once emotionless woman now cries for no reason whatsoever (this still baffles me). All of this adds up to: I'm ready.

Food Cravings: My appetite is pretty much gone. Eating has become a chore again like in the 1st trimester. Oh, and the acid reflux doesn't help.

Gender: The baby LOVED seeing a Broadway musical this week (danced along to the music the whole time), much more so than attending a UD bball game. For this fact alone, I hope it's a girl....
Belly button in or out?: No longer a crater, now just flat.
What I miss: Walking up a flight of stairs and not being winded.
What I am looking forward to: Christmas decorating started today and I can't wait until it's all finished :)
Best moment this week: So many little moments this week reminded me how much I adore my husband. I would never have made it through this pregnancy without him. My little one is so very blessed to have him for her daddy.
Weekly Wisdom: Doing too much will induce crazy hip separation pain. Apparently just watching my mom put up my Christmas trees (she wouldn't let me help) is now classified as "doing too much" because, man oh man, am I in pain tonight!

Milestones: 35 weeks down and 35 days to go! What a fantastic coincidence and a lovely indication that the end is near! This also means you only have 37 days to get your Christmas shopping done...

Face-up?

I know I've had many theories about the position of my munchkin inside this belly over the last few months. And I probably have no idea what I'm talking about. However, I've got a new one.

I think this child is sunny-side up, a.k.a. in the posterior position. I say this because I no longer have a large, hard lump (Baby Reeder's bottom) resting uncomfortably under my Girls. Instead, I keep getting jabbed by what must either be feet or knees. These little knots quickly move out of the way when I push back (which I do often - sorry, little one.)

Evidently, this is not a favorable position and can make things much more difficult come D-Day. So let's hope I'm wrong this time. Or that Baby Reeder does an about-face before next week's appt, when my doc can provide confirmation either way.

Tact.

Tact [takt]
–noun
1. Acute sensitivity to what is proper and appropriate in dealing with others, including the ability to speak or act without offending.
2. Something all humans seems to lose when they are within 10 yards of a pregnant woman.

I swear this pregnant belly must have magical powers. It induces incredibly inappropriate comments from just about everyone, often in inappropriate situations (like on an elevator- talking on an elevator is never okay, especially at work.) My favorites recently:

a. "WOW, you look REALLY pregnant today." - Coworker
b. "Will you be offended if I call you a Weeble? 'Cause you're wobbling down the hall." - Coworker
c. "Have they checked your cervix yet? Any progress?" - Coworker
d. "You look like you're about to drop a bomb on us soon." - Random old man (And this was at 28 weeks.)

My responses:
a. "Um, thanks? Wait until you see me tomorrow."
b. "Yes." And then I glared at him.
c. "Haven't checked yet." And then I gave her a how-the-hell-is-that-any-of-your-business? look.
d. Awkward smile, but only because he was old and cute.

People, please learn to control your word vomit, because my level of tactfulness with my responses will only decrease as my due date approaches. Thanks.