Eighth Month Belly!

I can't believe I only blogged once last month. This past month just flew by! I guess it helps that the last few weeks I have been knee deep in a huge social networking project for BlogHer. So between that, my usual work load, school, and getting ready for the baby -- well, life is crazy and time is flying.

And now here we are, entering the last month of pregnancy. The crazy has just begun...

The good news is I think we are pretty set for baby's arrival! We finished our birthing classes last week, with a tour at El Camino Hospital. I can't imagine not doing that dry run. It was great to see exactly where we should go (day or night), and what the birthing rooms look like. We even got to peak at a newborn. I think it was the first time all of this started to feel "real". I know, you would think after 8 months it would all be pretty freakin' real. But it's just so hard to imagine it all when you have no real frame of reference. Like, we love our cats. We love each other. We love our family. But this... this little tiny miracle. This kind of love is so unknown. So seeing that newborn -- literally just a few hours old -- and watching the proud papa with her... well, I probably don't have to tell you the pregnant hormones kicked in and I got a little weepy. "That will be us soon." Wow.

And soon is very soon. You see the floating baby over there on the right -- >> Well floating baby tells us we are 27 DAYS away from our due date. And as my OB reminded me yesterday, only 7 days away from full term. Although she suspects I will go the full 40 weeks (as most first time mommies do), she said we should be prepared for baby to arrive any day now. So the next few days we'll make sure the bag is packed and the car seat is safely in place!

Belly measured 35cm yesterday, so growth has slowed down a tiny bit. But my weight gain continues to be right on track. His heartbeat sounds fantastic, and she said his activity is great. Actually she said, "Sounds like he's having fun in there." Hee hee.

Speaking of being in there... the other day I told Trip that I am really going to miss baby being inside me. I've been so lucky with a such a great pregnancy that, despite some annoying backaches, I really have gotten so used to his constant presence, his movements. Of course Trip responded that he's pretty sure I'll appreciate seeing his little face and holding him more so, but I can't help but think of how I'll miss feeling him in my belly. Sounds kinda crazy, huh.

Okay, enough rambling. I know you all just want to see that belleh. :)

125# and 37.5"

At 36 weeks, baby now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long.

My progress:
One Month: 100# and 24"
Two Months: 101# and 25"
Three Months: 104# and 31
Four Months: 107# and 31.5"
Five Months: 112# and 33" 
Six Months: 117# and 35" 
Seven Months: 120# and 36.5"
Eight Months: 125# and 37.5"