37 Weeks- 20 Days to Go? FULL TERM!!

Baby is now as long as a stalk of Swiss chard!

Your baby is now considered "full term," even though your due date is three weeks away. If you go into labor now, his lungs will likely be mature enough to fully adjust to life outside the womb. Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard). 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. Your full-term (yay!) baby is gaining about 1/2 ounce a day and getting his first sticky poop (called meconium) ready. He's also brushing up on skills for the outside world: blinking, sucking, inhaling, exhaling, and gripping (it's getting strong!).

How far along? 37 weeks 1 day
Pregnancy Symptoms: Aaagh! This "little Peanut" is getting heavy. I have problems doing almost anything, and it's a huge effort to get out of bed (which sucks when i have to do it 20 times a night!) I have contractions quite often now. Many times they're painless, just an intense tightening sensation, but there are times when they really hurt like hell. The past couple of days i've had a few that just killed my lower back and i had to get up and walk around. I would compare it to the feeling of a sudden leg cramp...you *have* to move, twitch, or do something to get rid of the pain. Also my nose is stuffy again, and Jake complains of my very lady-like snoring. :P
I Wish I'd Known...: That you don't realize how big your boobs are going to get. Honestly I haven't noticed a huge difference, i was kind of disappointed that i never got pretty pregnancy breasts. However, when i went to get my nursing bra they measured me and said i'm currently measuring a D cup. (That's hugemongous for me!) AND i had to buy an E cup for the hospital because they're going to get even bigger. That's just complete craziness to me; never in a million years would i ever think i'd own an E cup bra. Forget belly pictures, i should have taken before and after boob shots!
Best moment this week: Sarah's wedding! It was soooo gorgeous, and she was so extremely happy. Since i only have a handful of shirts that fit me (and no dresses) i had to wear the same outfit i wear to everything else...my black pants and pink dressy shirt.

Worst moment this week: I also have no shoes that fit me. Since i didn't want to wear flip-flops to a wedding i decided to try to stuff my swollen feet into my boots. That was SO not a good idea. First, i had to leave them completely unzipped. Secondly, the 2 inch heels just about killed me. Next time i'll just wear flip-flops. Besides, it's Georgia and rednecks aren't exactly a spectacle. :) I was only at the wedding for a couple of hours but the combination of heat, killer shoes, and even more killer contractions exhausted me.

Movement: Ryan has found my ribs. Whenever he doesn't like something he kicks them. So if he kicks a lot when i sing...does that mean he loves my singing or wants me to shut up?? Although i'm able to get around less and less each day, i've decided to try walking again. It's supposed to help induce labor. A couple of nights ago i actually did really well and it wasn't very muggy outside like it used to be, it felt really good! We'll see how well i stick to it...
Food cravings: Nothing special. Sometimes i'll be really hungry and other times the thought of food makes me sick. It's really random.
What I miss: Work! Yesterday was officially my first day of bedrest and i'm already soooo bored. It sucks because i know if i were at work i wouldn't be much help. These past few weeks i can barely get off the stool and the long shifts exhaust me. Not to mention all the times i'd have to waddle to the bathroom. And this past week especially i've had some really bad contractions. But i would much rather be at work and not feel like this! The idea of being gone so long really kind of depresses me. :(
What I am looking forward to: Getting things in order before Peanut makes his debut. I've washed a couple loads of baby clothes and i've just about got my hospital bag list finalized. With a bag for me, a bag for Jake, and a bag for Ryan it seems like we're packing the entire house!

In Other News:

  Baby Ryan is up to TWENTY-SIX burgers now! Now that he's full term, little Peanut is only gaining about 1/2 ounce a day. Everything is developed so now he'll just be packing on the pounds. (But hopefully not too many!)
  Last Wednesday my technician Melissa had her baby...and it was almost in the pharmacy! For some silly reason she came to work while having some "mild" contractions. They progressively got worse until Amanda finally called her husband and told him to come get her NOW. Although she was obviously in tons of pain, they went to her doctor's office to get checked out. She was already 9 centimeters!! They had to call an ambulance and rush her to the hospital. My understanding is that the baby was born within 20 minutes of arriving at the hospital. (And less than 2 hours from leaving work) So just to let you guys know...I'M NOT THAT STRONG! I'll be rushing to the hospital at the first little twinge and y'all will probably be getting the first "I'm in labor" text 2 days before the baby is actually born. :P
  Today was our 37 week appointment. Things are progressing! I saw a different doctor than i did last week, and this doctor said i'm about 2 cm dilated and 75% effaced now. He agrees...Ryan is coming before his due date! I was going to start walking every day to help things along but now i'm thinking i may take it easy and hold out for a September birthday (which is in exactly one week). Everything else looked really good too. Blood pressure= 102/62, and iron level is just a little lower at 10.9. They haven't been telling me Peanut's heart rate, just that it sounds good. At home on my doppler it ranges anywhere from 117-148 depending on if he's wiggling around or sleeping. My original guess for the day Ryan will make his appearance was September 6th (Labor Day!) but now i'm really starting to question if i'll even make it to September 1st. Post your guesses in the comments...maybe if i get enough someone will actually be right!

  Here are a few pictures from this week. The first is from Sarah's wedding, and then a few belly pictures (in case they're my last!) And finally: How the belly grows! 13 Weeks vs 20 weeks vs 37 weeks!! (I can't wait to see this in reverse...hopefully) :)

9 Months

We made it!!

At week 37, your pregnancy is considered full term, meaning baby is likely to thrive after birth. Baby spends these last weeks in preparation for the outside world… meaning careful refinement of the blink, suck, inhale and exhale. Meconium, which you’ll probably find in the first diaper, is accumulating in the intestines. If (okay, as) you worry about giving birth, consider what it’s like for the little one. During the journey out of your womb, baby will produce more stress hormones than any other time in life.

36 Weeks- 27 Days to Go?

Baby now weighs as much as a crenshaw melon!

Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. He now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. He's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered his body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected his skin during his nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of his first bowel movement. At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.) Most likely he's in a head-down position. Baby's skin is getting smooth and soft, his gums are rigid, his liver and kidneys are in working order, and his circulation and immune system are basically good to go. His lungs are the only organs that still need to fully mature, but every day he gets a little closer to breathing on his own.

How far along? 36 weeks 1 days
Pregnancy Symptoms: I feel different. I can't really describe how, just different. When i get up in the middle of the night for one of my bathroom runs i feel more pressure going from the lying to standing position than i have before. I don't really seem to be as hungry as i was all of a sudden, yet i'm going to the bathroom twice as much. I've just felt like something is changing...
I Wish I'd Known...: That the internet is an awful, scary place to look up medical advice, especially when you're a hypochondriac. Oh wait, i DID know that. So why did i get myself all freaked out again?! You'd think i'd have learned my lesson during first trimester when i was fretting over all those test results.
Best moment this week: I got an impromptu ultrasound! I have had so many more ultrasounds than is standard...and loved every single one more and more!

Worst moment this week: Stupid cramping and back pain.

Movement: Movements are smaller and less noticeable the more and more squished he gets. Put your hand on your cheek, then run your tongue along the inside of your cheek. That's *exactly* how baby movements feel at this point!
Food cravings: The past 2 days i've been feeling "different" and have also not had much of an appetite or eaten as much as i have been. I get full faster and don't get hungry again for longer it seems. Not sure if this is just a temporary thing or my new norm.
What I miss: Time! All of a sudden since my doctor's appointment things are moving faster than i was expecting. Why did i procrastinate??

What I am looking forward to: Ryan making an early appearance! I was completely shocked at what i was expecting to be a standard check-up today.
In Other News:

  Baby Ryan is up to TWENTY-FOUR burgers now! Little Peanut measured 5 pounds 15 ounces on the ultrasound today. Since he's gaining about an ounce a day that now puts him right about 6 pounds. Grow, Peanut, grow!
  Today was my 36 week check-up. I was expecting it to go as usual: a quick in-and-out where they measure my blood pressure, get a urine sample, torture me with my weight and say "see you next time". But i was in for a surprise. It started off completely normal. Blood pressure =120/62, iron has gone up to 11.3, heartbeat sounds good, belly measurement good. But now since i'm less than a month from my due date i get to have a cervical check every week. Fun times. Since i had *just* had one a week and a half ago after the cramping/pressure started i was expecting the same report. Imagine my surprise when the doctor says "You're 1cm dilated and 70% effaced!" (Effacement is the thinning of your cervix, it has to reach 100% to be completely thinned) I, of course, asked if he was being serious. He said "You're not going to make it to your due date. I expect you'll be having a baby in the next week or two" What?! He was pretty sure Ryan was still head down, but he let me get an impromptu ultrasound just to be sure.
  The ultrasound was so neat! Peanut's head is massive...or at least it seems that way. Right away he was wiggling around. He opened his mouth, stuck out his tongue, and stuffed his fist inside! It was so cute. I asked the tech to check where the umbilical cord was (i'm paranoid about it wrapping around him) and she checked and it's not near his neck. (Whew!) She showed me my bladder. It is, quite literally, smushed like a pancake. On the ultrasound it was just a flat line because Ryan's big 'ole head was pressing down on it. That definitely explains a lot! She did several baby measurements. Ryan's head and belly are both measuring right on at 36 weeks. His heart looks good, still with 4 chambers and valves and things. However, the one concerning thing was that both his leg bone (femur) and arm bone (humerus) are measuring 2-3 weeks behind. The doctor didn't seem concerned by this, but of course i came home and googled it. Short arm and leg bones are markers for things like Down Syndrome, dwarfism, and other bone defects. So i've got myself all worried again and i'm so mad that i did it to myself! I guess since he'll be making his appearance sooner rather than later we'll find out soon enough. Crossing my fingers that he's just a shorty like me. Right now i've got too much to do to get ready to meet Baby Ryan! :)

35 Weeks- 31 Days to Go!

Baby now weighs as much as a honeydew melon!

Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew melon). Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete. From now on, baby's growth is mostly in the plumping up department -- though he won't get much longer, he'll put on a pound or more of baby fat before birth. (He's about 15 percent right now and will be about 30 percent by full-term.) His hearing is totally developed (tip: baby responds best to higher pitches), and his testes have probably completed their descent.

How far along? 35 weeks 4 days
Pregnancy Symptoms: Ouch. What the heck is this crampy pain? It's gotten a lot stronger and more often. And if i'm whining about this i don't want to know what contractions feel like! My leg swelling has gotten infinitely worse. I can't even read aloud without getting out of breath. On the flip side i feel Peanut moving around all the time and that's the best feeling in the world. It's going to be really strange not to feel it anymore after he's born!
I Wish I'd Known...: How uncomfortable and painful pregnancy would be the last month. The doctor wrote me out 2 weeks early and i feel like that should be NOW. I feel like i'm about to pop and this is only week 35. I wonder if the crampy pain may be related to my false contractions? I dunno, but i'll be talking to the doctor about it on Tuesday!

Best moment this week: I got some things accomplished! Jake installed the carseat and put together the stroller. It's really weird seeing a carseat every time i go anywhere. We figured out how to get a sheet on the pack 'n play. Trust me when i say, when they want a tight-fitting sheet it is a TIGHT fitting sheet. Jake cleaned up the house but it's already a mess again. And the fridge (very barely) fit in the kitchen!
Worst moment this week: I woke up a couple nights ago with really bad back pain and the usual cramps. I thought i might be in labor but i got out of bed and walked around a minute and felt a little better so i went back to sleep. I guess i just slept wrong or something.

Movement: Ryan is getting restless and impatient and he's taking it out on me! I'm constantly getting pummeled in the bladder, ribs and lungs.
Food cravings: My appetite has suddenly skyrocketed. Yesterday i decided to have oatmeal with raisins for breakfast. After finishing that i had a pack of crackers. Then i decided i wanted some fruit....so i ate 4 peaches. And i was hungry again just 2 hours later!

What I miss: Being able to finish a task without having to rest. I can't seem to do anything without having to put my feet up because of swelling, sit down because of cramping, or stop moving because i'm out of breath.
What I am looking forward to: Baby Ryan! I'm starting to get very impatient, but i can't believe he'll be here so soon! Shall we start taking bets on when i'm going to pop?
In Other News:

   Baby Ryan is up to TWENTY-TWO burgers now! We're well on the way to 6 pounds (if he's not there already) and he will be considered full-term in just 10 short days!! Is it weird that i still have problems imagining him as a real-life little baby?
  Every night Jake and I read information out of the parenting class books. I was too lazy to actually sign up for and attend any, but luckily Ally wasn't. She went to all the good classes and kept her baby instruction manuals from each of then, so i cheated and borrowed them from her. It's like a whole series of Babies for Dummies. Anyway, did you know that babies eat every 2-3 hours for TWO WHOLE MONTHS? How am i supposed to wake up, feed the baby, put the baby back to sleep, and get some shut-eye myself before the next feeding occurs? That leaves me like 30 minutes of sleep before i have to repeat the process!! So on a completely, totally, in no-way related note....i am now accepting your applications for Peanut Nanny. Don't worry about resumes and qualifications. As long as i'm not sleeping only 30 minutes at a time you're hired. :P
  Between the 10-12 diaper changes, 3-5 outfit changes, and feedings every 2 hours....when am i going to be able to watch my Tivo?! Isn't maternity leave supposed to be this giant vacation where me and Baby Ryan get all kinds of lazy time to go walking and watch our shows and take nice, long, relaxing naps? That was kind of what i was planning on. The internet told me that babies sleep 16 hours a day, they failed to mention it's only 2 hours at a time! Somehow i'm starting to get the impression that babies are NOT just like hairless kittens that sit quietly and watch tv with me.
  I started packing my hospital bag. So far it contains shampoo and conditioner. I can't think of anything else to put in it that i won't be using between now and then! I hope i'm calm enough that i can shower and pack my bag when i go into labor. Jake seems to be completely calm about the whole thing. He acts as if nothing will freak him out. I hope that's true, but i'm really curious to see how he reacts once i'm actually in labor!

  

34 Weeks- 38 Days to Go!

Baby now weighs as much as a cantaloupe!

Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. His fat layers — which will help regulate his body temperature once he's born — are filling him out, making him rounder. His skin is also smoother than ever. His central nervous system is maturing and his lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies. Baby can recognize and react to simple songs...time to start practicing your lullabies! In fact, baby will recognize frequently sung tunes after birth and probably find them soothing. Less cute news: He now urinates about one pint per day. Get the diapers ready!

How far along? 34 weeks 4 days
Pregnancy Symptoms: Swelly, achey and lazy! This week i've also had menstrual-type cramping, pelvic pressure, and more Braxton-Hicks contractions. It sent me on an "emergency" trip to the doctor, but more on that later.
I Wish I'd Known...: Just how much stuff a baby requires. An average of 3-5 outfits and 10-12 diapers PER DAY?! That's crazy!! At least i have an excellent supply thanks to all my awesome friends, family, and co-workers.

Best moment this week: My second baby shower was AMAZING! Robyn and Amanda did such a great job. There was a bunch of yummy food again but this time i brought to-go containers. I've had leftovers all week!
Worst moment this week: A rough week at work (the first week back to school=germy kiddos) coupled with cramps and pressure. Then to top it off my fridge suddenly stopped working and we had to scramble to get a new one. It should be delivered tomorrow, but i'm worried it won't fit through the narrow door.

Movement: Lots of movement this week. Peanut seems to be squirming and rolling and trying his hardest to get comfy. I think his growth spurt is starting to make it a tight fit for him.
Food cravings: Fruits and veggies, particularly peaches and apples.

What I miss: Relaxing and watching my shows without a care in the world. Instead i'm constantly trying to multi-task to get all the stuff done that's been piling up. I feel like there's too much to do "before the baby comes." I'm stressed!
What I am looking forward to: Bedrest....maybe. My doctor has written me out of work and on bedrest starting September 1st. If i have to be on strict bedrest where i can only get up to go to the bathroom i'll be seriously upset. If, on the other hand, i have to put my feet up every hour to help with swelling but can play catch-up on my big to-do list then i'll be happy. Ish. I'm still huge and whiny and don't feel like doing anything. :)
In Other News:

   Baby Ryan is up to TWENTY burgers now! We've reached 5 pounds!! In just a week and half he'll be up to 6 pounds, but i feel like he must be much bigger than that already. I'm pretty sure i'm growing a little elephant. Maybe a teacup elephant?
   I had my 34 week checkup on Monday. As usual i drank a gallon of water before going because they always take a urine sample and i'm supposed to stay extra-hydrated while it's 200F outside. I go check-in and am patiently waiting my turn, legs crossed to keep from leaking, when the office manager announces to the waiting room "We don't have running water because someone hit a hydrant, so all the bathrooms are out of order" I start sweating a little bit. I've held it awhile at work, i can do this! Maybe...if i don't move too much and keep my legs crossed. They finally call me back and do a rush-checkup. Things are still looking pretty decent. Blood pressure is 122/82, iron levels have increased to 10.8, and Peanut's little heart is bopping away at 132bpm. He's still head down and continuing to make my belly bigger. The doctor notices my swelling and plans to start my leave on September 1st. He says we'll re-evaluate at my next appointment and that they will start seeing me every week from now on. I grab my maternity leave paperwork and fly out of the office. I rush to Babies R Us where i'm meeting Ally and waddle as fast as is possible (with a huge belly and my legs tightly crossed) to the bathroom. Sweet relief! At least for the next 15 minutes...
  So things were looking good on Monday. But then i had to work the next 3 days. Kids were back in school and spreading germs like wildfire. We were SLAMMED and it was awful. I was already having some pelvic pressure and cramping, but by Wednesday night it had gotten worse. I was sure i wasn't in labor, but figured since i had Friday off i might as well get checked out. I made the mistake of calling to make an appointment Thursday morning before work. After describing my symptoms the nurse repeatedly *insisted* i come in right away, that i might be in pre-term labor. Now i've never had a baby before, but i'm pretty sure you aren't in labor for 4 days without progressively intense pain, contractions, or babies popping out. Anyhow, although i told her i had to work and couldn't come in until Friday she refused to give me an appointment. Luckily Chandra came to the rescue and covered for me for a couple hours. I hurried to the doctor and they did the usual blood pressure, urine, and weight check. All of those were normal, so the doctor did a cervical check. First of all, OUCH! I don't remember it hurting like that, and i'm sure not looking forward to it being done multiple more times. The doctor said my cervix has softened but i'm not dilated yet. Also, Ryan isn't very deep into my pelvis, which i guess means he hasn't dropped. If that's the case, i'm not looking forward to him dropping because i already feel like he's squishing my bladder to the size of a pancake! An hour later i'm back at work...and bleeding. It's just a little spotting that i attribute to the exam, but it still kinda freaks me out. Luckily it was gone by the next morning.
  So finally, FINALLY Friday rolls around and i'm going to sleep in and catch up on my backlog of to-dos. WRONG. We wake up Friday morning to find that the fridge has quit on us. All the things in the freezer are already melting. We throw on some clothes and rush to the store. After visiting multiple stores and much debating we finally settle on a french-door style fridge and barely make it into the last delivery slot. It will be delivered the next day. By this time it's 6pm and i haven't eaten since the night before. I'm pretty sure i haven't quite starved Ryan to death yet, but just to be on the safe side we head to Casey's (a home-cooking buffet) and i eat 3 plates full of food. Ryan enjoys this immensely, he's kicking like crazy. (Please don't call DFACS on me!) When we get home i go check on our poor old fridge....which is now working just fine. All the stuff in the freezer is frozen again. *sigh* Oh well, i was wanting a new fridge anyway!
  So that was my crazy-busy week and i'm hoping that this week will be the complete opposite. Cross your fingers!

BABY SHOWER!

33 Weeks- 45 Days to Go!

Baby now weighs as much as a pineapple!

This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood. Things are heating up inside as well: Baby may grow up to a full inch this week alone, and his brain is developing like crazy. Pretty soon, he'll be able to coordinate breathing with sucking and swallowing. Also, his bones are hardening, and he's started to keep his eyes open when he's awake.

How far along? 33 weeks 4 days
Pregnancy Symptoms: Everything you can possibly think of. And then quadruple it. And then let me complain about it some more. Swelling, exhaustion, inability to move, stuffy nose, bloody nose, brain cells have all died, inability to sleep more than 2 hours at a time, inability to concentrate or remember anything. There's also some type of gigantic alien moving around in my belly.
I Wish I'd Known...: That my nesting instinct is broken. The house is a mess and i really don't care. I'm sure as heck not going to get off my lazy butt and do anything about it! (Besides, that's what Jake is for)

Best moment this week: More anticipation! I have my work baby shower tomorrow and i'm sooo excited. Aunt Kim, Uncle Michael, and Cousin Michaela are visiting today and we're going out to dinner. Can't wait to see them!
Worst moment this week: At work a couple of days ago i suddenly started feeling light-headed and dizzy. I checked my blood pressure and it had gone up to 130/70 and my pulse was 102. Not crazy numbers, but i felt really weird. Like my heart was racing and i might pass out. I don't know what the heck happened but it wasn't fun! Blood pressure and heart rate have since returned to normal.

Movement: I think Ryan is starting to settle into a sleep cycle. He seems most active around 2-3am (yes i'm almost always still awake) and usually just goes nuts.
Food cravings: Nothing sounds good anymore. I haven't had a craving or particular interest in any foods this whole week.

What I miss: I want to sleep on my stomach soooo badly! I just know that if i could sleep like i used to, if even just for ONE night, that it would be the most awesome, rejuvenating, best sleep of my whole life. I have dreams about sleeping...
What I am looking forward to: The end of Summer! Not only will it be the end to all this awful humid hotness, but it will mean i will have my little baby Ryan! (Which also means no more swelling and giant bellies, but those are just bonuses)
In Other News:

   Baby Ryan is up to EIGHTEEN burgers now! We're approaching 5 pounds, which is the required weight before Peanut can go home from the hospital. He's still gaining over an ounce per day and in just two and a half short weeks he will be over 6 pounds...that's a lot of growing!
   I've been playing with some of the gadgets and baby gear to see how they work. When Amanda was over to watch the Bachelorette we decided to tackle the Pack 'N Play. I have since learned that it is actually just a Play, whoever thunk up the idea to Pack it is just plain crazy. After messing with it a time or two i've learned how to assemble it much faster now, and it will be the perfect bassinet for baby Ryan! And wouldn't you know? It just so happens that the only place that's big enough for a bassinet is Jake's side of the bed. What a strange coincidence... :P
  I'm so behind on my Thank You notes and i feel awful. I'm working on them, but to everyone THANK YOU!!! We've been reading your books for bedtime stories and Peanut always kicks during them.
  Sorry to keep complaining, but i'm hot and tired and miserable! I've had enough of the whole pregnancy thing. I just want to see my little Ryan! My belly button has popped out like the timer on a turkey...i'm done. Can someone make 40 weeks come sooner?

8 Months

Baby's now the size of a honeydew!

Baby’s senses are continuing to improve -- when light peeks in through your (extremely) stretched belly, those tiny eyelids and irises blink and dilate. And, baby can now recognize and react to simple songs… time to start practicing your lullabies! Growth (at least inside your womb) is starting to slow, and you may notice baby descend into your pelvis at the end of this month.

And for all you football fans: Ryan's nursery theme seems to show what's in store for your beloved Bulldogs. Read it and weep. :P

That Gator sure looks happy!!