39 weeks

So close!  And yet so far.  :)  Here was my 39 week pic from yesterday:

So I'm technically due next Saturday.  (Due dates are at 40 weeks gestation, for those who aren't overly-informed about all things pregnancy/baby.)  While I have not done any kind of poll or pool to see what other people think, if I had to pick a day, I'd guess that he's going to come at 41 weeks and 2 days, which would be 4/9/12.  I'll gladly be wrong if he comes earlier than that, not so gladly if he comes later.

I'm not sure that I've mentioned this here, but I am fervently hoping for a med-free, intervention-free birth.  Of course I won't do anything that will jeopardize the baby's health, but if he and I continue to be healthy, I'd like him to come in his own time and with as natural of an experience as possible.  (Yes, I will be giving birth in a hospital, but otherwise I hope it will be without interventions/meds.)

Maybe it's because we needed medical intervention to become pregnant, or maybe it's because I'm a bit crunchy at heart, or maybe it's because I have a penchant for historical stuff and I want to emulate the millions and millions of women who gave birth naturally over thousands and thousands of years before the modern era.  I don't know.  Whatever the reason, it's what I want to do.  If it doesn't happen, it's not the end of the world! I"m just excited to meet this guy.  :)  But, the later he waits to make his appearance, the more likely we'll need some kind of intervention to force the situation.  So please keep us in your thoughts that he doesn't wait too long.  :)

Panda Nursery Photo-bomb

Alrighty.  Here it is.  The "finished" product, the culmination of some 12 or more years of anticipatory planning of having a panda-themed nursery.  The idea was first suggested to me in undergrad as a way to use my panda collection.  After that, I started getting more panda gifts and baby-themed panda stuff.  I didn't keep track of each dollar we spent on the room, but it was definitely a budget project, with lots of hand-me-downs and items that have been gifted over the years.  The big wall decor was our big decorative splurge, and the chair is a gift from my dad.  Hope you like it!  And, I hope the little guy likes it when he makes his arrival sometime in the next month or so.  (I'm 37 weeks today!!!)

View as one enters the room from the hallway:

Corner opposite of the door:

Next corner over:

Wall with the door:

Wall opposite of the chair/crib corners:

 

Baby update

Today I am 36 weeks and 3 days pregnant, and baby is doing great!!

He's been a bit on the small side since our very first ultrasound at less than 6 weeks, so it didn't surprise me at all when he was in the 25th percentile for weight when we had our 20 week scan.  But when we went back for a 32 week checkup and he was in the 16th percentile, my previous doctor got a bit concerned and started talking about induction.  (Grr.)  My new/current doctor wasn't worried because he was still within all the normal parameters for growth, even though he was on the smaller side.  Well, I had a 36 week scan today, and baby is in the 38th percentile!  Yay!!  He is measuring 6lb 2oz as of today.  Hehe, I feel like he just got his first report card with all A's.  Couldn't be prouder.  :)

Baby also had his first NST (fetal non-stress test) today and passed with flying colors.  My blood pressure was only 120/68, so both of us are perfectly healthy.  Can't ask for more than that!!

Here's hoping the next few weeks bring more of the same and this little baby is allowed to make his appearance into the world in his own time in a healthy manner.  I know the hubster and I are both anxious to get to meet him, but I'd rather he find his own time to come than that he need to be induced or delivered via c-section for some medically necessary reason.  I know things can change quickly, but as of right now everything is looking good!!