Week 37: This Week You are The Size of...

...a stalk of Swiss chard!

Olivia is now considered "full term," even though the due date is still a little less than three weeks away. If I go into labor now, her lungs will likely be mature enough to fully adjust to life outside the womb. Some babies need a bit more time, though.

She weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel. 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 baby's hair isn't the same color as mine or Austin's. 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.

Only 20 days until the due date!

Week 36: This Week You are The Size of...

...a Crenshaw Melon! Baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, which will form the contents of her first bowel movement. How fun!

At the end of this week, 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 she's in a head-down position. But if she isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an "external cephalic version," which is a fancy way of saying she'll try to coax your baby into a head-down position by manipulating her from the outside of your belly. Another fun thought! About 27 days to go!

Shower #5 - Temple Beth David Friends

What a lovely shower at Margo Hunt's home on Saturday, October 16th! Hostesses with the Mostesses: Evie Cherkas, Kathy Greenstein, Margo Hunt, Cindy Ruchin and Colleen Weinkle.

Week 35: This Week You are The Size of...

...a honeydew melon! Olivia doesn't have much room to maneuver now that she's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds. Because it's so snug in the womb, she isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times she kicks should remain about the same.

Her kidneys are fully developed now, and her liver can process some waste products. Most of her basic physical development is now complete — she'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight. About 35 days until her due date!

Shower #4 - 10/3/10 - Friends, Friends, Friends

This shower was held for Olivia by The Skilling Ladies (Nancy, Amanda S. Crane, Melissa (absent due to a bad cold-but there in spirit) and Rachel). More gifts for the lucky Olivia!

Week 34: This Week You are The Size of...

...a cantaloupe! Olivia now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well.

Good news if Olivia decides to make her appearance early....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.

Hopefully she'll stay put until at least the beginning of November.

Shower #3 - 10/2/10 - Babies & Beer

OK--admitedly a "different" name for a baby shower, but SO CUTE! Ali and Austin's good friends, Jessica and Todd, threw a magnificent evening couples shower for Olivia.

A great time was had by ALL, as I'm sure these pictures illustrate.