37 weeks: Guess bambino’s birthday!

We did it! Bambino is now full term. He could come any day.

All along I have felt that he would come early, and I still feel that way. When do you think his birthday will be?

Here is the background: According to LMP my EDD is September 23. However, according to the first ultrasound and my charting the due date is September 16. So let’s just say my due date is somewhere between September 16 and September 23. I’ve been measuring right between the two dates all along.  For the last two weeks I’ve had an increase in contractions and cramping and the baby’s head is engaged. I feel like he will be born the week of September 12th.

So? What do you think? When will he be born? Whoever guesses the exact date will win a $25 gift card to the place of his/her choice (as long as I can order it online). If several people guess the right date I will pick the winner at random from the group.

Labor Day weekend was not spent in labor. Instead we stayed in Philly relaxing, enjoying yummy food with friends, and checking more items off of our to do lists. My lovely husband installed our Orbit Baby car seat base, and after a bit of trial and error we put it on the passenger side. We even vacuumed and scrubbed the car like crazy. It is ready for the arrival of our prince.

37 week belly pic:

*Previous belly pics can be found here.

Trig wanted in on the belly pics too this week!

This is what Babycenter says this week:

Your baby is now considered “full term,” even though your due date is three weeks away. If you go into labor now, his lungs will likely be mature enough to fully adjust to life outside the womb. (Some babies need a bit more time, though. So if you’re planning to have a repeat c-section, for example, your practitioner will schedule it for no earlier than 39 weeks unless there’s a medical reason to intervene earlier.)

Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard). Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don’t be surprised if your baby’s hair isn’t the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.

This week I also began walking as much as possible. I have walked every day! Sometimes I have to stop and sit on a bench from a strong contraction or back pain, but it is so nice to be moving. We even did the famous Rocky steps together a few times. I was so out of breath after one set, and I loved every minute of it.

Operation Eject Baby is now in motion. I don’t want the baby to come before he is ready, but I do want to get my body as ready as possible. Step 1 means lots of walking but also lots of resting. Not sure yet what step 2 will involve.

Trig and I are already playing house. My nonna gave bambino this hilarious duck, and we play him all the time. He’s so cute right? You can’t help but laugh.

 

At the end of the week I plan on making as many freezer meals as possible. Instead of the original plan I think I will just make a couple of batches of bolognese sauce (great with pasta or soft polenta) and plenty of cheese boreg– once my mother in law teaches me how. I’m not going on an official maternity leave anymore until the baby comes. My plan is just to work as much as possible- I will take a few hours here and there to rest or get tasks done as needed, but I will also work as much as I can. I think that is a good plan to allow me to keep working but without the pressure of needing to sit at my desk 8+ hours a day.

Another step in the nursery is done! We hung up the prints and will take our time to replace them with meaningful art. Now we just need to decide what to put above the crib.

I am so excited that our little boy will be here any day in the next few weeks!

Random facts of the week:
Overall weight gained: I stepped back on the scale just to see, and it seems as though my weight gain is tapering off a bit. I’m around a 37 lb weight gain right now.
Current cravings: I am giving in to every craving right now. It’s almost a compulsive thing where if I don’t eat what I’m craving it is all I think about. I am also hangry all the time. I think it might be due in part to all the exercise I’ve been getting. Cravings include Greek gyros, apples, tortilla chips with melted cheese, and vanilla soft serve ice cream with rainbow sprinkles
Exciting things to look forward to this week: a prenatal massage from Nicki (she comes to the house!), a trip to Buy Buy Baby to pick up a second car seat base, and my last birthday before becoming a mom!
Current symptoms: sciatic nerve pain in my legs, heartburn, strange appetite, sleeplessness, waddling
What I will miss about being pregnant: feeling like I am the only one that can protect and take care of bambino, feeling his kicks, all of the friendly attention and kindness from strangers

Previous weeks:
**Belly pics here
Week 36
Week 35
Week 34
Week 33
Week 32
Week 31
Week 30
Week 29
Week 28
Week 27
Week 26
Week 25
Week 24
Week 23
Week 22
Week 21
Week 20
Week 19
Week 18
Week 17
Week 16
Week 15
Week 14