Thirty-seven weeks five days

It's a bit difficult taking a photo of oneself in a mirror. Especially when one doesn't have a full-length mirror. I took this one today.

My bag for the hospital is mostly packed. I started packing it, and realized not everything was going to fit in the bag I chose. And I thought I chose a big bag! There's a few things that aren't in there yet; maybe I should try rearranging everything. Most of what's in there are baby things.

I've had a lot of drive recently to try and get things done before the birth: I've done a lot of sewing, and a lot of studying ahead for my classes. I'm actually about a month ahead in one class, but only about a week ahead in the other. The first has a more relaxed schedule, allowing two weeks per unit (normally about four/five chapters); the second only allows one week per unit.

While they are still new and unpuked-upon, I took some pictures of baby things I have made. The bassinet cover with embroidery:Two crocheted blankets, using the Tiramisu baby blanket pattern:
A front-opening pj top for nursing (I plan on making another one of these in the next few days). I really like it, though I haven't actually worn it to bed yet:Franklin hasn't been so fidgety for the past week or so. I think part of it is that I've been up and doing things almost constantly, so he's not getting a lot of my blood sugar. But he's also got nearly no room now I think, and can't fling his arms and legs about like he used to. He still pushes a bit on my stomach and gives me heartburn, and still presses up against my ribs, but it's not so bad.

Thirty-six weeks five days

Partner has informed me that it's time I packed a bag for the hospital, and he's going to help me with it. Ok then.

I've begun taking raspberry leaf capsules now. My midwife told me there's no concrete evidence about them, but I figure, why not? There is no evidence saying they're bad, so even if they don't help, at least they won't hurt. I've known about them for years now, and had planned on trying them in any case.

My dog-walking has gone from five days a week down to three because of the pain it causes in my pelvis and lower back now. We also do a short walk rather than a long walk. I've found that a nice hot bath afterwards really helps, however. Still, when I don't walk the dog she really gets on my nerves: but after we've gone out she curls up to sleep and doesn't bother me. I also have a difficult time getting my wellies on and off (especially off). I tried Partner's wellies the other day, and while they are easy to get into, they're absolutely huge and didn't make walking very easy. It's so muddy where we go walking! I hate getting mud on my shoes and clothing, so I need the wellies.

Pretty much every day I sing "The eensy weensy spider" and I've noticed that Franklin reacts to it once I've hit the second line or so. Partner sings him "Baa baa black sheep", and reads a story most nights. I'm also practicing the same few pieces on the piano so he's got lots of safe, familiar sounds.

I've got 23 cloth baby wipes made now, and have finished embroidering the bassinet cover I made for him (the bassinet was lent to us by a relative who had a girl; the bedding was hot pink). I embroidered a sun and moon on it. I think it looks sweet, and it didn't take me that long. Once it's washed I'll take a photo of it. That's it for all my handmade baby items. I've made everything I wanted to for him, and anything else I make is just icing on the cake.

As far as I can tell, I still don't have any stretch marks yet. I think if I do get them, they'll be more prevalent on the right side: that's the side he's almost always on, and half the time my tummy is distended to the right with his position. In the pregnancy books and websites, it is recommended that I sleep on my left side to give him the benefit of the most blood/oxygen, but it's much more comfortable to sleep on my right. When I'm on my right he's pretty much laid down on the bed with me and I don't have to support his weight.

Thirty-five weeks four days

This is a slightly photoshopped image of me taken six days ago (the original had me looking like a vampire with gray skin and deep shadows on my face; I merely brightened it up a bit). It was taken after we returned home from a night at the opera. I'm aware that I look big, but not as big as some ladies. Mostly I just feel big. For the past few days it feels like there isn't enough room for the both of us--especially when he's stretching out into my ribcage.

I had yet another hospital visit, this one arranged by my midwife who was still slightly concerned about his size. At the hospital, they told me he was exactly right in terms of size, and I personally have no doubt he'll be over eight pounds when he's born. I was, and so was Partner. I've been hooked up to the moniter thing three times now, and all three times he's tried squirming away from it. It's kind of funny (and ouchy this time--he's too big to squirm).

I woke up too hungry to go back to sleep yesterday: at 4.30AM. So I got up and decided to make a coffeecake and omelettes and sausages. I told Partner I would go back to bed once I'd walked the dog, but when I got home (this was about 8.30AM) I started to do my schoolwork instead, and ended up not going to bed until about 9.30 last night. By then I could barely keep my eyes open and even though I got up to pee three times, I didn't wake up until 9.30 this morning. Considering that I've had a really hard time sleeping and staying asleep these past few weeks, I ought to be well-rested. Um, actually no. Today I've been wandering around like a zombie.

I'm making cloth baby wipes (for baby changing, rather than using disposible ones) out of soft old t-shirts. They're double-layered and 100% cotton; so far I've finished seven, and have another seven or so cut out and ready to be sewn. I'm quite proud of them. I'm a big fan of reusing items wherever possible, and I also like natural products both in the non-chemical sense, such as in soaps (or in commercial baby wipes); and in materials like cotton instead of polyester. I actually don't use shampoo any more but wash my hair with water, and plan on not using shampoo on the baby, either. I also dislike most soaps, though I use a natural brand: Dr Bronner's. As it is a very mild soap, I think it will work nicely for the baby, too.

I was saying to Partner that the only thing I can think of that we still need is a diaper/nappy pail. As far as I can tell, everything else is ready. Well, we don't have a baby carrier or changing bag yet, but my mother has promised to bring these items for me when she flies over on the 17th of March. I've said I don't want a stroller/pushchair until he gets a bit bigger, if at all. Maybe once he's started walking, but is too heavy to carry far. They're a bit of a hassle to maneuver, really. I think Partner is skeptical about carrying the baby in a sling. I'm not.

Thirty-four weeks four days

The baby has officially engaged: meaning he's head down in my pelvis, ready to be born. The midwife told me I'll probably be on schedule for my due date, but with him riding a bit lower, this means I'm not getting such horrible heartburn or breathlessness. He still likes to kick me in the ribs, though. Now and again it really makes me wince.

My friend Tracy gave birth to her little boy early this morning and her mother emailed me a few photos. I have noticed it's hard to tell which parent a newborn looks like: they mostly just look a bit squashed (understandably!). He looks really cute anyway, and I am looking forward to Tracy's next email--hopefully I won't have to wait too long! From my experience, newborns fill out a bit within a week, so I'm also looking forward to more pictures.

I'm still walking the dog in the mornings, but only as the weather permits. Today I was too scared to go out because it's icy and snowy again. We went out yesterday, though, and I also walked to the midwife later that afternoon. I think once Franklin's born I should make a goal to visit the library once a week, too. The local library is right next to the doctor's office: a nice easy trek. I'm not a particularly active person, and I don't always rejoice in walking the dog, but I keep at it for health reasons. Reason enough, really.

I had a long chat with my mother and told her about the baby's positioning, so she's going to buy her plane ticket now. We plan on her coming for three weeks, starting the week of my due date (March 14). She says she's bringing a changing bag and a baby carrier. My only specification is that the bag not be too big and the carrier last up to 12 months. She also asked if his room was ready for him; I told her not exactly... He'll be sleeping in our room until he outgrows the basket, or maybe even longer. So at least six months. Still, I've got his clothing and toys and books in his room, and the basket has bedding for him.

Even three days ago, I could tell the baby was up quite a bit higher. I even knew which day he dropped (two days ago), because I couldn't sleep for hours that night due to the pressure on my pelvis. Last night Partner was very solicitous and rubbed my back, hands, and feet, and I was able to sleep nearly the whole night. We have been sleeping in separate bedrooms because I'm too uncomfortable to share a mattress (the slight sag caused by his weight drags at my legs and hips). And because I get up four times a night to pee. And because I get annoyed at very small things, like him breathing on my neck. It's a hard life.