I had my 38-week prenatal appointment yesterday, July 26. My BP's good, no protein leak. My doctor is happy that I'm not swelling much and encourage me to continue what I'm doing to control swelling. I've only gained a total of 22lbs. in the pregnancy so far - the range is 25-35 lbs.

Briar's heartbeat is great - healthy heartbeat, his size is within range. He's not big according to the doctor, I think that's good, that'll make it easier for me to push him out. He is still in a very good position, head down and facing my back. REALLY in an ideal position to come out, but he's not low enough! I'm still not dilated, not effaced. Looks like I'll be seeing her again next week for my next appointment.

So I need to walk a lot to encourage him to drop! I guess I'm going to the mall today!!!

Although, I'm not really in a hurry for him to come out yet. I am excited to see Briar, but if he needs to cook longer, that's fine too. The longer he's there, the better the chances of him coming out healthy - his organs would be fully developed.   That will also give me time to clean and organize more.

And, I'm afraid of being induced.  It'll be more painful, because I'll reach the second stage of labor right away instead of the slow progression.  I think I'll be able to adjust better if it's a slow progression of pain.  Although, there's epidural for the pain...

I thought I survived stretchmarks.  I'm very diligent in putting in my oils and lotions to prevent stretchmarks.  But a week or so ago, I started getting stretchmarks.  Now it's full blown and no hiding it.  Hope it fades once my belly starts shrinking.

I guess Briar had a growth spurt there at one point.  Now, he's growing more everyday that my skin can't keep up!

NURSERY

YAY!! We got the crib and the dresser/changing table!!!!   Poor Daddy Keith, he unloaded both from the truck and moved the dresser to the nursery by himself!  Hope that didn't aggravate his injury, but he sure was in pain last night.   The crib needs to be assembled so that will be this weekend's project.

The nursery is getting almost ready for the baby, I think aside from the glider/rocker we have what we need.  We can't buy the glider/rocker yet since we don't know where to put that.

DOCTOR APPOINTMENT

37-week appointment was today July 19.  Baby's measurement (through my belly) is good - within range, his heartbeat is 135, still good within range.  BUT he's still cooking!  Nurse practitioner said, he won't come out yet within this week nor next week - most likely first week of August, near the due date.   Even though he's head down already, he's still high, he hasn't dropped yet.  So, in the meantime, I'll get plenty of rest so I have energy for when it's time for him to come out, then get the rooms ready, attend classes, etc., etc. 

Preparing for Childbirth Class

We attended the "Preparing for Childbirth" class last Saturday. Here's the description of the class : This class will help prepare you and your support person for labor and giving birth. You will learn breathing and relaxation techniques; pain management options; the role of the coach; hospital procedures; and what to expect before, during, and after delivery.

We've learned a few things, but it was a long day 9a - 4:30p, with 45minute lunch. It could be shortened if the introduction part (15 couples) was skipped as well as the games.

36-Week Dr. Appointment

I had my 36-week prenatal appointment last July 10.  Good news, baby is head down. My BP is good, protein is good (no protein leak).  Baby's size is just right, baby's heartbeat is good 142 - 145.  Not dilated yet, not effaced yet.

ETC./MISC.

The car seat and stroller are out of the box, and Daddy Keith has assembled them!! YAY!! The base just needs to be installed in the car.

Mommy has washed most of clothes and blankets, there's only two batches of load left : 1) crib beddings; and 2) swaddlers, new clothes, blankets, crib sheets (recent gifts).

Also, the bassinet has been assembled already. I guess we're kind of ready now if the baby decides to come out one of these days.

BABIES R US

We went to Babies R Us Sunday to get more furnitures for the nursery and pick up Tito Mike and Tita Rochelle's gift.

We finally purchased the crib!  But they don't have it in stock so we have to wait 7 - 14 business days before we can pick it up.

When we picked up the (surprise) gift my brother and sister-in-law gave, we found out it's the mattress for the crib.  So, what's supposed to be for the mattress went towards the purchase of changing table-dresser.  The dresser will be in the same time as the crib.

We also got crib bedding set, matching hamper, papasan swing, and a few small things.

NURSERY

We cleaned up the nursery last Sunday, and finally put the wall border in.  It looks great!  (it's so cute!)  The new curtains and valance are up as well.   Can't wait toget the crib so we can finally get that completed. We have Pooh wall art as well, but we'll put that up when we get the crib and changing table.

Keith has assembled the papasan swing as well - one down, a few more to go!  (car seat, stroller, bassinet, playpen, and in 2 weeks the crib and changing table). 

It's so exciting!  36 weeks now - 4 weeks to go... 28 days...

I'm excited!  At the end of this week,  I'll be full term.

The baby has not dropped yet, so it may be a while.  I read that when lightening (baby dropped) happens labor will happen after a few weeks.  That's good - it's the warning sign.  Baby is still high right now, and still very active.

I've been extremely tired lately, and had been in pain for the past few days. I don't know if I was just having Braxton-Hicks contractions (prelabor contractions) or just the baby re-positioning himself down in my lower abdomen or the baby being extra-active, kicking and doing acrobatics :D in my pelvic area. Add to that, I'm having lower back ache.

It could also be that I overdid the activities over the weekend - well at least last Saturday. Cleaned a little bit (and thank God the housekeepers came in Saturday!), cooked, tidy up a little and then entertained guests.

I'm so glad I don't have to go to work tomorrow, and we have a Late-Term Pregnancy class (and Hospital tour) on Thursday so that's another off day for me. More rest time.

BABY SHOWER

The baby shower was fine, it was fun. I got to see people I haven't seen in a long time. Lots of food. My friend Brenda did a very good job organizing the shower.

We won't need to buy diapers for at least three weeks after the baby is born - and probably for 2 more months when he reached 12lbs. And we won't need to get baby shampoo and lotion for probably 6 months to 1 year. :D

BABY ITEMS and NURSERY

We went to Babies R Us last Sunday to buy things we'll need for the baby and for the nursery. We got quite a few items off of the registry, but we have not bought the big items yet - crib, changing table/dresser, rocker/glider, swing, high chair, etc. The dresser/changing table that I found is not in Babies R Us.

So, either we're making another trip to Babies R Us this weekend, or we're going to another furniture store to check out furnitures.

BABY SHOWER

My friends are giving me a baby shower this Saturday (June 30). I'm looking forward to it! I haven't seen some of the people attending for a long time! It will be nice to see them again. But I have to do extra cleaning before Saturday. I haven't been "deep" cleaning lately as it is so difficult to move and I tire easily. I just vacuum all rooms, clean the kitchen and dining area. No scrubbing and I can't use cleaning products since the fumes is not good for me and the baby. I can't bend much (though I've done that last week when I cleaned the wood floors - to get rid of bird accidents. But I suffered two days after that.

Thank goodness I found a housekeeper. They are coming over early Saturday to help me scrub clean the bathroom, dust, take care of the baseboard, etc., etc.

DECORATING

I changed curtains last night. The Family room and kitchen/dining area looks better, fresher now. I still need to get other things out from the baby's room to the garage so I can clean the room properly. I cleaned there last week, but just half of the room. There are boxes there that are too heavy for me to lift.

NURSERY FURNITURE and OTHER STUFF

Well, 34 weeks now. I could give birth any day now. After this baby shower, after I checked out what they have for me, I'll know what else are needed. So, we're going to Babies R Us this Sunday to get the other stuff.

I heard changing table is essential, so we're getting a combo changing table-drawers. The baby can use the drawers when he's older, we're going to get the one that you can take changing table part off to make it look like a regular drawer. It is most likely this one http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2599313&cp=2255976.2256089.2256098&parentPage=family

The storage space will hold ointment, wipes, alcohol, vaseline, etc., those that I'll need when changing diapers or after the baby's shower.

I'm so tired, I'm going home... well, maybe after 30 - 45 minutes...