Wellington Watch, 37 weeks

37wks (9 months and one week out of 10 months)

Weight gain so far: 30.5lbs

Extra Cool Milestone This Week:

Wellington is now considered 'Full Term'. No preemies here! How is it possible that I'm carrying around a full-term baby in there? It truly boggles the mind.

Favorite quote from my 'pregnancy update' email this week:

"Now's a good time to make sure your nursery is clean and ready for baby to spit and poop all over it." Ha!

Doctor Appointment:

Boring. Nothing new or interesting. Still head down, still measuring good. No contractions. Boring. She didn't even bother to check my cervix.

Birth Classes:

Well, we're officially starting off as 'bad parents' because we missed this week's baby class to go see Seinfeld at the Jubilee.

This week was all about 'Pushing' and 'Epidurals'. Nope. Not very important at all...;-P

We will redeem ourselves somewhat next week, when we go in early to watch any videos that we missed. Plus, I think Wellington enjoyed some big belly laughs more than listening to a nurse describe big needles that go into my spine.

I wonder if there will be any babies at the class next week?

Hospital Bags (This is for you, Keri):

Here are photos and itemized lists of what we've packed so far:

Wellington's Bag:

1. Bag of newborn size diapers.
2. Plastic bags for soiled baby clothes.
3. Baby wipes.
4. Bring home outfit - yellow pants & top.
5. 4 undershirt 'onsies'.
6. 4 receiving blankets.
7. 1 warm, cozy blanket.
8. 2 pairs of tiny socks.
9. 3 pairs of little newborn mittens.
10. 3 little hats.

Missing: Newborn size sleepers.

Amanda's pathetic bag:


1. Maxi pads.
2. 'Beads of Strength' that my FST (Female Support Team) gave me to help inspire me through labor.
3. Travel size toothbrush, paste & floss.
4. 2 pairs of warm socks.
5. Bar of chocolate.
6. Pack of gum.
7. Ginormous nursing bra.
8. Medicated nipple cream.
9. Bag containing: Breath spray, chapstick, body lotion, baby powder (for massaging me in labor).

Missing: LOTS.

Please note the glaring absence of my hair dryer & hot rollers. I am slowly accepting the fact that my personal primping will need to be adjusted once baby comes.

Symptoms/Feelings/Etc:

1) On the way to the bus yesterday morning, I started thinking about what it will be like to bring Wellington home for the first time. And I started crying. Maybe my pregnancy hormones haven't quite 'leveled off' yet?

2) I pretty much live in flip flops now. Generally I hate not having any sort of 'heel' or 'wedge' on my shoes, because I just feel short. But I'm beyond caring at this point.

Sizing things up:

1) I grew out of my 2nd ring - the one I was wearing to replace my wedding rings that no longer fit my swollen fingers. For now, I've found a third. I bought it in Stockholm in 2000 on a trip with my mom & 2 aunts. I think it'll be too small by the end of the week.

2) I had to buy new flip flops because my old ones were too small for my swollen feet. I'm normally a size 7.5 or 8 in shoes. My new flip flops are a size 9.

3) Finally bought a nursing bra, so that I have at least one at first (and to see if I even like nursing bras, and to see if I'm successful at breastfeeding before buying more). Normally I buy a size 36/38C. The nursing bra is a 40E. SAY WHAT???? That's bordering on vulgar, really.

4) I was going to post photos of what my feet & ankles actually look like when they're swollen - it's quite the sight - but Warren told me the photos were too 'gross' to post. So I hired an artist to paint a picture of them.

Behold: An Artist's Rendition of Amanda's Pregnant Feet & Ankles:


Painting by Fernando Botero.

Seeking Advice:

1) BABY MONITORS:

What features are worth having?
What features do you never use?
What brand names are reliable?
Video vs. Non-Video?
What's a 'good' price range?