36 weeks

How far along?  36 weeks, aka Ashland can handle a baby born at this gestation
Total weight gain/loss:  Somewhere around 28 pounds
How big is baby?  Baby's now around 6 lbs, like a ... crenshaw melon...?  Umm....yeah. Length somewhere around 18.5 inches.
Maternity clothes?  Yep!
Stretchmarks?   I think they've grown a little but they're hard to see from my vantage point here.
Sleep?  Actually ok.  I'm always tired though.  I could really use a daily afternoon nap.
Best moment this week?  Getting baby stuff purchased.  Good check up showing progress. 
Movement?  He's calmed down a little in the movement, but still going.  He currently has his bum stuck up under my left ribs which really stinks, but at least he's head down!
Food cravings?  Orange juice.
Bellybutton?  No change.
Boy/Girl?  Boy
Labor signs?  Well, I'm at 3 cm, contractions on a daily basis, but that doesn't really mean anything as we learned with Everett.  I could go into labor or I could stay this way for four weeks.  However, if the boy doesn't move that little bum of his soon, I'm going to start poking him.  He's head down and ready to go!
What I miss? Being able to sit up straight.  Being able to sign myself up for a class or anything because who knows, I might be in labor, have a newborn, be overdue....
What I am looking forward to? Getting our room organized so I can get the baby's room organized.  Having diapers prepped and ready.  Being done with this whole day care certification ordeal.
Milestones: Ashland's hospital could take care of a 36 week baby so there would be no staying an hour and a half away!

How Did I Know

I went in this morning for the first of the weekly checks (technically only 35 weeks, 5 days today, but it's my 36 week check up).  Wouldn't you know - 3 cm.  Juuust like with Everett.  I knew I would be 3cm.  There is no way it could be less with the way this boy is pushing on me.  Pretty darn sure he's head down too, so no extra ultrasound, no external version, just more kicks up in the ribs.  I do have to give this boy some credit though - he's not nearly as mean as his brother with the whole "feet in my ribs at all times" thing.  In fact, he generally keeps his feet curled up nicely and just stretches out to kick me in the side sometimes.  Everett never let his feet leave my ribcage area.  So anyway.  Yep, still have to keep the butt in gear to get everything done in time.  I'm trying to finish up my day care course TODAY so I can schedule my exam before I have a newborn in arm.  I'm also scrambling to get everything done for the county to certify me.  I need to take a 2 hour SIDS prevention class, sign up for a shaken baby syndrome class, get the cats some rabies shots....I got a TB test started today and need to have it read on Wednesday and still have a bunch of paperwork to finish and checks to write.  I also need to make laundry detergent and banana bread today and call my doula to reschedule our missed appointment last week when I was dying.

In baby world, I still need to:
-put together the crib and see if we can't manage to side-car it in our room
-rearrange the bedroom and move the desk upstairs in preparation for more baby gear and daycare downstairs.
-prep all my new diapers
-MAKE some new diapers
-set up more storage in the baby's closet
-pack the hospital bag and an overnight bag for Everett (just in case)
-get and install the infant carseat
-make a winter hat for baby

EEK!  Yeah.  But first, I am le tired.  So I shall take a nap.  And then FIRE ZEE MISSILES!  ahem.  yeah.

Baby Shopping

Today we made an all-day trek to Duluth for baby supplies (a mostly Target trip!).  It was quite successful.  Spendy, but successful.  I got my registry welcome bag full of coupons and used my 10% off completion coupon to buy some more stuff.  Here's the list of things bought today for baby #2.
-Infant acetaminophen - 2 pack!
-Diaper cream
-Johnson's Naturals baby wash
-Baby book
-Halo fleece blanket and swaddle set
-Milk storage freezer bags
-A 4oz bottle intended for BFed babies
-One pack of newborn sized disposables
-Pacifiers
-A FREE six pack of premade newborn formula bottles (I figure we might as well have it around in case we need to supplement again, and if we don't use it, I give it to someone or the food shelf - it's free!!!)
-A Sit N Stand double stroller on clearance for $65!  That's half price!

More for the mama side
-Nipple shield (being prepared this time)
-White nursing tank (they were out of the cute lacy ones in small!  grrr!)
-Lanolin

So yeah....expensive, but I am thrilled.  We also got a look at the Fisher Price Rock N Play Sleeper that I was thiiiis close to ordering on amazon and decided I am not going to get it.  I love the idea and it's a very nice little product, but I don't think it's different enough from the Boppy seat we already have to spend the money on it.

We also made quick trips into Hancock Fabrics, Kohl's, Old Navy, and Eddie Bauer, coming away with very little.  We should have just done Target and home!  Got Erbert and Gerberts for lunch and Culver's for dinner so I am set for fast food for quite a while now.

Pictures

Realized I hadn't linked to my awesome maternity photos taken by my awesome friend, Colleen.  Not sure if this will work, but here's the album on facebook.

And here's a 35 week shot today.

 

And for comparison, Everett at 34w2d

Home recovering from a stomach virus.  I decided it wasn't worth it to go into work, possibly infect everyone, and overdo it when both doctor and husband are still out of town.  Yep, now Brian's staying at least one more night so we won't see him until at least Thursday afternoon.  Luckily, I'm functioning, just very very tired and moving slowly.  I took Everett in to daycare since he has no symptoms and would benefit more from his organized schedule and playing with his friends than sitting at home watching daytime tv/wiggles with me all day.

And some cute shots that were still on the memory card.

Our cutie listening to some Dave Matthews Band.

35 weeks

How far along?  35 weeks, aka 35/35 (35 weeks along, 35 days left!)
Total weight gain/loss:  Unsure.  With this week's stomach bug, I'm guessing I haven't gained any.
How big is baby?  Baby's now around 5 1/4 lbs.  That's about the weight of a honeydew melon.  Length is probably over 18 inches.  Like I couldn't tell from the jabs, kicks, and rolls.
Maternity clothes?  Yes.  Well, I'm still in regular fleece jammie pants (which I've been in for the past three days)....actually, Tuesday night I am non-maternity everything lounge clothes!
Stretchmarks?   No changes I've noticed.
Sleep?  Decent last night but I was exhausted from being sick.
Best moment this week?  Everett has started telling us stories (we catch a word or two here and there).  He's also fallen in love with his first Dr. Suess book - Mr Brown Can Moo!  
Movement?  Strong and constant...even when I am nauseated.  At least he's reassuring me that's he's doing just fine.
Food cravings?  Coke.  With ice.
Bellybutton?  No change.
Boy/Girl?  boy
Labor signs?  Nothing new.
What I miss? This week, being healthy.  In general, energy.
What I am looking forward to? Getting totally healthy again, Brian coming home from his work trip.
Milestones: About a month to go!  All that's left now is really to put on weight and mature the lungs.