Week 36

Jason and I are enjoying one last weekend getaway before Madison's arrival. :-) (More to come on that in tomorrow's blog post.)

How far along: 36 weeks, 6 days

Size of Baby S: 18.5 in, 6 lbs

Fruit/vegetable comparison (according to Baby Center): crenshaw melon (what in the world is that?!)

Total weight gain: ? + 22 lbs

Sleep: Good. Still having to get up to use the bathroom, but besides that I am still able to sleep 7-9 hours.

Movement: Tons! She's getting crowded in there and a bit uncomfortable sometimes with her positions. We love feeling her move though and I know I am going to miss it after she arrives. :-)

Unglamorous body changes: Since Madi is pressing on my bladder quite a bit these days, it's becoming very strategic for me to cough or sneeze. Jason no longer panics when I all of a sudden bolt to the bathroom because I feel a sneeze approaching.

Maternity Clothes? Yep! Still going strong with my weekly outfit though, hehe. I think I'll wear this combo until the top turns into a tube top. Then I probably should retire it.

Showing: Yes! I'm started to move a lot slower too, but Jason swears I am not waddling yet.

Food cravings: Nothing really this week.

What I miss: Walking up the stairs without being winded.

Anything making you queasy: Nope.

Strange experiences: Going to the hospital this week. We had our hospital registration Tuesday afternoon and then our birth class toured the hospital Tuesday evening. When we were in the hospital in the afternoon I was kind of freaking out thinking "oh my gosh, is this really happening? are we really going to have one of those small humans in the next few weeks?!" However, when we went back that evening and actually walked around the fødeloft and saw one of the rooms I felt completely different. The atmosphere was calm and relaxing, the rooms are spacious and nice, and I found myself actually being excited to get to go there in a few weeks! We also toured the rooms on the first floor and there was a definite medical-feel distinction between them. We are still praying that we will be able to give birth naturally and remain in the fødeloft. (Not sure what I'm talking about? Get up caught reading my post about the differences between the States and Norway regarding pregnancy/maternity and check out our birth plan.)

Milestones: Madi is shedding most of the downy hair covering her body as well as some of the vernix (waxy substance that covers her skin while she's swimming in amniotic fluid during pregnancy). She's getting closer to being able to breathe on her own and her circulation and immune systems are good to go.

Best moment this week: Mother's Day! :-) Even though I'm not technically a mother yet Jason surprised me with flowers and a beautiful card that he made.

We also finished writing our birth plan and we finished up our birth course with the hospital tour and an evening of breastfeeding information for the moms.

Looking forward to: Spending the rest of the weekend relaxing with Jason! We brought lots of books, cards, blankets, and hot chocolate and plan to just enjoy one another's company and a bit of calm before the Madison storm.

I'm also looking forward to my appointment this week to check on Madi. From now on we will go in every week until she arrives. Eeeek!