I have no idea how we are only three weeks from our due date, but yes…we are now at 37 weeks!

The countdown is on! Our list of prenatal to-do’s is getting shorter each day. Our SUV now has an infant car seat in the back seat, all of BunBun’s clothes and bedding have been laundered, we have hospital bags packed, and we just received our free breast pump through insurance. (Thanks, Obamacare!) One huge, house-related weight was lifted off our shoulders this morning when we found out that our Certificate of Occupancy was finally granted! After four years of trying to get our house up to code, we’ve finally done it–and it feels fantastic!

Development

BunBun is now the size of a tackle box. For anyone not into fishing, that means he’s likely a bit bigger than last week, around 19 inches long and weighs over 6 pounds. BunBun is now considered “near-term” as his systems are developed enough to sustain him outside the womb. We had another OB appointment on Tuesday. My belly measurement was good as was BunBun’s heart rate at 140 beats per minute. He’s still head down, which is likely how he’ll remain until his birthday. =)

My Pregnancy Experience

Swollen feet, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and nighttime heartburn have been present on a consistent basis during the last week. I don’t want to jinx myself, but I haven’t noticed any stretchmarks yet despite the fact that I’ve gained nearly 50 pounds since June. Lots of sources say slathering yourself in lotion doesn’t help because stretchmarks are a result of your genes and the makeup of your deepest layers of skin, but I am still giving all the credit to Burt’s Bees Belly Butter…and to Kurt for rubbing it on every day…and to my sister-in-law for the tip!

I chatted with a few doulas this week to see if it might be worth having one in the delivery room with us. Given my aversion to drugs/pharmaceuticals in general, it won’t surprise many people that I’d like to have a non-medicated birth experience, if possible. From what I’ve heard this week, one of the big benefits to hiring a doula is having access to more “let’s try this first” options. While Kurt and I have learned quite a few methods of natural pain management techniques to get through the roughest part of labor (breathing, focal points, massages, hot compresses, positions, etc.), having someone there to suggest what to do next when we’re both exhausted might be really helpful. We shall see!

Lastly, as promised, here are some of the highlights from our 35-week photo session. It was a sunny, warm day on top of a magical mountain in upstate New York…