36 weeks!

Okay, technically we're 36 weeks tomorrow, but really, what difference does that day make? One more week and we're full term, which means this baby can come anytime after next Saturday and be just fine. I think we're as ready as we're gonna be. We've got "newborn care" training this afternoon, because even though we both have done it. It feels like it's different when they're yours (and yes, I am that paranoid).

The baby is about 5.5-5.75lbs now and has really filled out my belly. As we were getting ready this morning I looked at my belly and told Michelle, "This might be the only time in my life I have rock hard abs."

Stay tuned...

Getting bigger by the day it seems

One thing this baby is really good at is growing. That and kicking! We took another picture of my belly last night and I swear it's doubled in size since the last one. So far my belly button is holding it's own (in!) but I think it's time is drawing near. It's gotten smaller in the last few days. After the shower at our house this past Sunday our nursery is starting to fill up and feel like really, a baby is going in there soon. I'm so excited some days it makes me all hormonal and weepy. Our thanks to everyone who's chipped in, come over and helped out, and send well wishes. Can't wait to share this baby with all of you. :)

Parents in Training

We started going to all of our "new parent" classes. I'm pretty sure I've got diaper changing down (so many younger siblings, and years of babysitting), but some things have changed over the years. Like infant CPR. Have to get a refresher on that.

I was really confused we had to go to a breastfeeding class though. I mean, I'm pretty sure babies and mommies generally understand this sort of thing without a two hour training. But there were a few things I learned and can help a little with to make sure everyone is comfy. But thanks to Lucile Packard Childrens Hospital, I now know what color breastfed baby poop should be through the first 8 weeks. Gee, uh, thanks. Eve know the consistency it should be now (think apricots, not applesauce.) I'm sure I'm going to be drowning in a sea of poopy diapers soon enough, so getting a 1080p view of them in full color was perhaps too much.

Some of the classes will be a bit more useful to me though. Like the car seat fitting. And the "how to calm down your wife in labor" classes (that is so not the name of them.) They need to teach some classes like "how to make a foot soak for when she develops swollen cankles",  "How to massage her sciatica without feeling like you're uselessly rubbing on her ass for an hour" "Crib, bassinet, and nursery assembly", and "Preparing for Placenta, the ugliest part is when you think its all done."

Ah well, that's what I have friends and family for. To warn me all about these little pitfalls and problems.

Baby Shower Day

Today is the big shower at the house. I've already managed to assemble most of the big furniture (crib, bassinet, stroller, etc.), but a few things left, plus anything that shows up today. We're doing a countdown calendar, and if you want to pick a date of the ones that are left after the party, I will create a post and you can pick. Winner gets a prize of our choice, sometime after the baby is born, 'cause we certainly are not dropping everything to mail it to you on the arrival date.

I think we both wore ourselves out this week getting the house ready, but we're just about officially ready for this child. Any time the babe wants to come after Nov 6th is a-ok with us.

So who has suggestions as to what we should put in the hospital bag?

32 weeks!!

I was thinking today, "Holy Cow, less than 8 weeks to go!" It seems like it wasn't that long ago that we were holding our breath to see if this baby would make it to 8 weeks, then 9, and 10... Now here we are getting closer by the day to my due date. I think I've promised belly pics to several people now, so I'll see if we can't get a few up here this week. This kid is bouncing and rolling like crazy, and as the kicks get stronger, I know that means we're getting strong muscles and bones. The nursery is starting to look more like a nursery and less like the room where we store all our junk thanks to the wife's master assembly skills. Next step, where do we store all our junk?

Update: Here's that pic I've been promising, complete with nosey dogs.