I'm how big?!? (36weeks)

This is actually a picture from my shower on August 23rd.



Last week was a big baby week for us. We met with the Maternity Care Coordinator at the hospital to fill out all of the "pre-paperwork" and let them know our wishes, as far as drugs, rooms, etc goes. Then we interviewed the pediatrician. Everything went great and I think Jordan and I are really happy with our choice of hospital and pediatrician. We also started interviewing babysitters. Oh my! Who knew that finding the right person would be so difficult!?! I wish we lived back home sometimes, so Janet could babysit, or that Betty (who babysat me) lived closer! This is the only thing that I'm concerned and stressing about, hopefully things work themselves out...

I started my weekly Dr. appointments last week also. Yesterday at our appointment I got my medical history to pack in my bag (which isn't packed yet), which kinda made the whole thing seem a little more "real". I am measuring at 35cm and the baby's heart rate was in the 140's, which is pretty much where it's been holding at lately. Last week I learned (per my friend Jill, whose in her 4th year of med school, also) that the baby's head is down (but not "engaged")... that wasn't much of a surprise, b/c since our ultrasound I've thought it's been down (it was then and most of the time I think it's butt has been in my rib cage).

I think the baby "dropped" Sunday night (whatever "dropping" means exactly). I've been having to go to the bathroom more often and I can breathe fairly normally now. I asked my Dr. what that meant (as far as when will we have the baby) and she said "Nothing really, it's just one step closer". She explained that with first time moms it can mean 2-4 weeks out (which is kind of a "duh" thing, since my due date is less than 4 weeks away), but that some moms go into labor without ever dropping. Jordan and I both said quite some time ago that we don't think the baby will come early (watch, I just jinxed myself), and that it just seems really content in there. Next week I will start getting checked for dialation and effacement, which will tell us more. Till then...