Portrait of a Pregnancy After a Preemie: Being Full-Term

Well, I am officially 36 weeks pregnant, but I measure at 37. Sounds good to me!

I had another check-up with my OB today and everything still looks great. Our (busy) baby's heart rate was in the 140's and my weight and BP are still great. I'm still very comfortable and really have no complaints! While I am certainly excited to be welcoming this new little life just one week from tomorrow, I still feel very patient about it. And I'm determined to cherish these last days with my two older kids too.

Both my kids were along for the check-up today and they were fascinated to hear the baby and, admittedly, to watch me have blood drawn (sadistic little ones! ;)) I signed all the paperwork today and so, at 5:30 in the morning on Friday the 12th, I'll be reporting to the hospital. Still kind of hard to imagine...

We've been very busy around here with "baby prep". There's not actually that much that needs to be set up ahead of time for a newborn (despite what we all seem to think with our first babies...), but there are things that need to be in place. We did a big grocery shopping trip yesterday to make sure we were all set. I wanted some more "convenience-type foods" on hand for my first few days post-op when hubby will likely be handling a good portion of meal prep. The newborn-size clothes are all washed and folded (both colors!) and the cradle is set up in our room. I checked our supply of newborn and size 1 diapers and started packing a hospital bag. The infant car seat is installed in my minivan. We have a good-size stash of food in our freezer to make life easier after baby's arrival.

I can't begin to express how thankful I am for making it so far in this pregnancy. I am utterly delighted to think that my baby is already over six pounds and a foot and a half long. It makes me want to weep with gratitude to know that it is highly unlikely that this child will need to spend any time in the NICU. I have been so incredibly blessed to have a happy, healthy, full-term pregnancy. I didn't realize what a gift that was the first time around. I am appreciative of every single moment this time... every ache in back from being heavy with child, every Braxton-Hicks contraction that makes me lose my breath for a second, every sudden sharp kick that almost brings me to my knees... never in a million years would I trade any of it. You haven't heard me say "I can't wait for it to be over!" and you won't. I promise you that. Because I am blessed. And lucky. And I thank God that I am able to realize those things this time around...