Today I started week 35 of pregnancy (out of 40).

Delivering at 37 weeks or afterwards is considered "normal." So in theory, I could have only 2 weeks to go, or as many as 7. And Andrew was born 5 weeks early... that is, this week. (!)

In reality, I hope to make it for the last 5 weeks... not because I'm not feeling huge and waddly and uncomfortable (I am), but because I am apprehensive about taking care of Vivian and a new baby both at the same time. Vivian is already a handful all by herself.

(Because, you know, things are sure to magically change in 5 weeks.)   :-P

I'm not setting up the bedside crib or installing the infant carseat just yet, but tonight I am starting to pack a bag for the hospital "just in case."

Well, according to the baby books, "lightening" usually doesn't happen this early for women who have already had one baby. But I still think it's happening to me now, even though the due date is 6 weeks out.

What is "lightening," I hear you ask? (Well, I hear many of you ask? Some of you probably already know...)

In a nutshell, it's when the baby's head nestles deep into the bottom of the uterus and pelvis, in preparation for birth. The woman's silhouette can change, so that the weight seems to be lower down and more forward. It's also called "dropping."

I consulted "What To Expect When You're Expecting," and found these symptoms listed:

From BabyZone.com:

"WEEK 37

According to my revised due date of April 8, I'm now one month out.

I still don't believe that date. I think it should be more like April 2. I've been posting the weeks on this blog according to "my" due date of April 2, but when I talk to the doctor we speak as though the due date is April 8. It can be a bit confusing...

From BabyZone.com:

"WEEK 36

From BabyZone.com:

"WEEK 35

From BabyZone.com:

"WEEK 34

From BabyZone.com:

"WEEK 33

From BabyZone.com:

"WEEK 32

From BabyZone.com:

"WEEK 31

 

I'm making apple-cinnamon streusel coffee cake for breakfast (MMMM!). I love weekends -- there's actually time to make fancy things like coffee cake!

Andrew works today, but only from 11 to 5 -- so we have the morning together. Tonight we're hosting 9 people for dinner and the biweekly Saturday night game.

From BabyZone.com:

"WEEK 30

OK, so today at work I have:

6 cinnamon-sugar doughnuts (not healthy, but day-old, so CHEAP!)
4 leftover chocolate waffles from the weekend
Honey to go on them.
Plain yogurt (can also go with honey)
Leftover broiled paprika chicken (half a breast, one wing)
Several slices potato "artisan bread" (dense, chewy)
1 large Fuji apple (currently 69 cents a pound!!)
8 oz. Cheddar cheese
Oatmeal, brown sugar
One sesame seed bagel
Hot cider mix
Hot cocoa mix

... think I'll have enough food??? Unfortunately today's menu is very short on vegetables. I need to go to the store and get some fresh produce to munch on...

I'm hungry ALL THE TIME now. I eat, and I'm hungry again an hour later. I get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, and now I want to eat a little something as well as drinking the obligatory glass of water.

Beware! Before you conceive, prepare to have your budget adjusted for you by your constant hunger! I feel like the Very Hungry Caterpillar.


1 Comment
thaernulie says: Poor baby! Going to be partially made out of day-old donuts!

Actually, I have a sibling that was pretty well made in large part out of donuts. My mother decided to hell with dietary advice one pregnancy. She's not very bright, that one, but she is the happiest out of us four siblings. So go figure. Good luck with your appetite, may you find nutritious things to eat.

From BabyZone.com:

"WEEK 29

From BabyZone.com:

"WEEK 28

 

From BabyZone.com:

"WEEK 27