37 weeks and FULLTERM!!!!

We have finally arrived!!! Judah is full term, which means fully baked! If he decides to make his appearance, all systems are "go"! I can't believe it!!!

This week baby is the size of a diaper bag. (Okay, this is a slightly odd measurement and a little ironic, I think!)...

Here's what's happening with Judah this week...

• Typically, baby now measures 19.5 inches (50 cm) from the head to the heel.


• Baby weighs up to 7 pounds or 3 kilograms.


• The head diameter is over 3.5 inches (9cm).


• The water could break at any time.


• If it does happen, see a doctor immediately.

Gaining one ounce per day, your baby is growing rapidly. Keep up those exercises, especially your Kegels. Keeping your pelvic floor muscles toned will aid in a quicker recovery from the birth. An elbow, foot or head may protrude from your stomach when baby stretches and squirms about. Soon, as the wall of your uterus and your abdomen stretch thinner and let in more light, your baby will begin to develop daily activity cycles.

Even though you are three weeks from your due date, you are now considered full term. In most cases, nothing will be done to stop your labour once it starts, even if it is before your 40th week. You may notice a bit more vaginal discharge and/or cervical mucus.

If you go into labor at this point your careprovider will not try to stop it. (Babies between 37 and 42 weeks are considered full-term -- a baby born before 37 weeks is premature and after 42 is post-term.)

Even though you can't wait for the little bambino to quite literally rear his head, keep in mind that your bun benefits from every day in the oven. Other ticker-tape-worthy developments:

Baby's growth slows down dramatically this week, which is great news for your birth canal. His bones are still soft and pliable and will solidify after he's born. More great news for your birth canal.

So if he's all cooked and ready to go, what the heck is he still doing in there?! He's busy practicing for "life on the outside," working on his breathing, sucking, sleeping, gazing and peeing abilities. The only thing he can't practice yet is his ability to scream at the top of his lungs when he's hungry—but he'll do plenty of that in a few weeks.

Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel. Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.

Here's me at 37 weeks...

So, I'm full term...YAY!! I still have technically a little less than 3 weeks till my due date, but if Judah decides it is time, then we are ready! I can't believe we are finally at this point!

I am seeing my doctor now every week on Wednesdays. Last Wednesday, my doctor said my cervix was really soft and I was dilated to 1 cm and was 60%-70% effaced. (If you don't know what that is, it means that my cervix is getting thinner and is starting to open.) The week before I was only a Fingertip and was 60% effaced. So, I made a little progress in a week. That was good to hear. It doesn't necessarily mean anything, since I could stay at 1 cm for weeks or I could slowly dilate without even being in labor. (That would be nice....since it would mean when I do go into labor I am starting out a little bit ahead of the game!)

We went by the fire department on Saturda and had them inspect an instruct us in the installation of the car seats. So, those are now securely installed and ready to go as well. Pretty much, we are all ready and just resting and waiting at this point.

I can honestly say that I am still really enjoying this pregnancy. I still love feeling Judah move inside me. I won't lie and say that I'm not uncomfortable, and at times in pain, but I really have had a wonderful pregnancy. I wanted to say this now, so if I said it after I had him, people won't just think...oh, she just has amnesia and doesn't remember how bad she felt! I have been truly blessed.

Now, if I could just get my feet to stop swelling...! :-)