Week 40

YAY! Due date week! This is the week Mommy, Daddy, and everyone else in the family / friend circle has been waiting for. Mommy and Daddy have made sure that they have all the essentials ready for me by this week. They are so excited to meet me! Keep in mind though that about half of pregnancies go past 40 weeks, however, the Dr won't let Mommy go past 41 weeks, so I will definitely be here in the next week!

This is also Daddy's birthday week (11/25). Happy 22nd birthday, Daddy, I can't wait to meet you! I am going to be the best birthday present, ever!

Thanksgiving is this Thursday (which is my due date 11/24). What are you thankful for?
My Mommy and Daddy are so thankful for the blessing of ME! They are also thankful for the grace God has given them over the past couple of years and they are so excited to start down the road of parenthood together this year--showing me the love of Christ through their love for one another and for me. They are so thankful for their amazing friends and family! They are thankful for Daddy's new job (though Daddy will be glad when he is working at an actual department and done with the academy) as a Firefighter. They are also thankful for God blessing them with a beautiful home to bring me home to. There are *so* many things they are thankful for, but all things lead back to the One who gave up His life for them...my friend, Jesus!

Mommy had a Dr appointment last week. The Dr said Mommy's blood pressure was lower than usual, which was a little strange to Mommy since it's been high more often than not, but all is well. My heart rate is normal and the amnio-fluid is good. Mommy's cervix hasn't dilated any more than last time (still at 1 cm). Her weight gain has been normal, too. The Dr said we are just waiting on me, now! Mommy is calling this time the "Hurry Up and Wait" period and I think it's driving her a little crazy.

What's Going on with Mommy?
Mommy's biggest "symptom" right now is serious excitement about my arrival! She is starting to feel impatient waiting with the Braxton Hicks Contractions getting more uncomfortable. She is also having trouble sleeping (having to get up for lots of potty breaks at night and tossing and turning to get comfy) which leads to fatigue. Mommy was so happy this past Sunday when Daddy let her sleep in and woke her up with breakfast in bed. Way to go, Daddy!

What's Going on with Me? 

I am weighing in between 6 and 8 pounds, but we are not 100% sure because the Doc hasn't taken my weight measurements in a while. I am about 19-22 inches long.

I am still moving around, though not as often since space is very cramped in here. Mommy has been keeping mental notes of my movements throughout the day to make sure she keeps her Dr updated on my activity. I usually like to move around after dinner and when Mommy lays down to take a nap or sleep (sorry Mom, but it won't be long before you can nap when I nap).

My skull bones are separated so they can compress to fit through the birth canal during labor. I will have soft spots on my head for about the first year after I arrive.

My hair and nails continue to grow every day. My eyelashes and eyebrows, fingernails and toe nails, nose, and mouth are completely formed!

My eyes are also formed, but the nerves inside will continue to develop after I arrive. I will have poor vision after birth and won't be able to focus and follow objects with my eyes until I am about six to eight weeks old. My vision won't be 20/20 until I am about two.

Ossification is complete in my body now. This means all of the soft cartilage has now calcified and turned to bone. However, the ends of the long bones and tips of my fingers and toes will stay cartilage so that I can grow taller as I get older.

I now have enough Princess Fluff (fat) under my skin to help me regulate temperature on my own... it will also help with making me cute and cuddly upon my arrival.

My friend Placenta, is providing me with nutrients and antibodies that will help me fight off infections in the first six months of my life outside of Mommy's belly. Mommy's milk will also provide even more antibodies that will help boost my immune system after I arrive.

I can't wait to meet all of you! It won't be long now! My arrival will come no later than 2 weeks from now. Mommy and Daddy and everyone else is on pins and needles waiting for the day I decide to enter the world. Have you made your guess for my arrival yet?

Mommy finally uploaded the sono picture from when they discovered I am a girl! I'm going to be *so* cute!



SEE YOU SOOOOONNNN!