the big 4-0

That's right, I'm the big 4-0... 40 weeks pregnant that is! Your baby is curled up tightly inside your uterus. She doesn't have much choice—it's pretty crowded in there. Even after she's born, her body will stay curled for a few weeks in this fetal position. She's gotten pretty accustomed to keeping her legs and arms snugly tucked. Your little one has probably reached her final birth weight and length—the average baby is 7.5 pounds and 20.5 inches long (boys are a bit bigger than girls). Because she's been producing fat over the past few months, 15 percent of her body weight is now from fat, which will help her stay warm in the outside world. The rest of her—organs and body systems—is ready for life outside the womb too. She's stored starch in her liver to be made into glucose after birth, and she has extra fluid on board as well. Like a camel, she's well equipped to get through birth and the day after while your breast milk comes in.

We met with our doctor this past Friday and I am effaced but hadn't started dilating yet. We discussed certain procedures that I had questions about (Episotomy, Epidurals and other pain meds, etc.). We also scheduled an induction for March 16th but will probably push it to the following week if she still hasn't made her appearance. My blood pressure is great and her heart beat is strong so I still have the green light for working and light exercise. He did warn me not to "walk myself into labor". I am grateful my doctors and I feel the same about letting her come when she is ready! I don't feel pressure to make this happen.

I've been feeling stronger contractions since Sunday evening but they are inconsistent and only happen when I'm up and walking around. So my body is getting ready... but we're still waiting. She is still active and squirming around. I suppose she is comfy-cozy and just not ready to come into this world.

I got a pedicure today and it felt amazing! At least if she comes soon I'll have pretty toes! I'm still swelling at night and my ankles are very sore from all the pressure. And I think I've been nesting just a tad... I'm a neat freak/cleanaholic anyway but lately I've been baking more (scratch blueberry muffins last night and 3 batches of chocolate chip cookies this weekend) and organizing more... well, more than normal. It's such a gray line it's hard for me to tell if it's really nesting! Jonathan got home from work one night last week to me re-folding her onesies and cleaning her room at midnight... so that's definitely under the nesting category! Either way, I'm still a clean freak!

Jonathan is beyond ready for her to get here. This is definitely stretching his patience! He wants to hold her so bad. I am grateful to have such a loving, supportive husband! He has been an awesome supporter, considerate and constantly checking up on me to make sure I'm okay.

I've finally ordered the rest of her crib bedding but it probably won't get here until after she comes. I still need to find a rug and hang things on the wall... I'm a little behind on it but I figure since she won't be in there right away I still have time! I'll post a nursery update soon.

So here goes the beginning of week 40!