Postcards from the Bump: 37 Weeks

How far along? 37 Weeks + 2 Days !! Our little Alien is fully cooked. He could arrive any day!! Although, I'm content cooking him a bit longer. 

Total weight gain/loss: Well, that's open to argument. According to my calculations about 25 pounds. According to my doctor, 19 pounds. While I like his measurement better, I still want to try to be honest with myself. *Disclaimer:* I reserve the right change my mind when it's time to get back to pre-baby weight. ;)

Baby's size? As of last Friday he was 5.8lbs and his trunk was about 12 inches long. The ultrasound tech predicted that he's going to be a long baby.

Maternity clothes? Nope, I'm still sporting the tube tops and skinny jeans. I kid, I kid, but, in all reality, yes and no. I am wearing Aaron's sweatshirts and my pre-pregnancy yoga pants most of the time.

Stretch Marks? NO! Still No! Crossing my fingers. Hurry up, Toby! (If I avoid them I swear I owe it all to Burt's Bees!)

Sleep: Ugh! Just... ugh.

Best moment this week: Wednesday. We finally announced his name publicly. It felt really good to be able to talk about our son using the name that we picked for him. Although, he will ALWAYS be our Alien.

Movement: Yes. Although, poor little man is crunched up in there he doesn't have a whole lot of space to move around anymore. He lets me know often by punching me as hard as he can... sometimes in the bladder.

Food cravings: 24/7. But, unfortunately, I can't eat any of it. 

Gender: Still a boy!

Labor Signs: I have a doctor's appointment later this morning, so this information might change but, as of last Friday, I was 1+ cm dilated and my cervix was ripening. I continue to have pretty regular contractions and Toby is head down ready to come out!

Belly Button in or out? See for yourself below. I think it's like one of those things in a turkey that indicates when it's fully cooked. My belly button can't really turn out any more so, I think he's cooked ;)

What I miss: The use of my hips and legs in a comfortable manner.  

What I am looking forward to: Holding my baby boy and having control of my body. 

Milestones: I am having a baby in the next couple of weeks (weeks!!)

Other Baby Updates? I have two more days of work; next Monday and Wednesday, then I'm off until August. That's nuts!!

I have to say, I don't like naked belly pictures. I don't care how good someone looks. I think they are entirely too personal and invasive. Aaron begged and begged for me to do the "Demi Moore" picture. I will not confirm or deny if I gave into his relentless begging but, I can assure you that if I did, the picture will NEVER see the light of day. It's far too personal in my opinion.

The above picture, however, I'm so-so okay with. Aaron had a brilliant idea the other night and I was his piece of art work. It took about an hour and it felt like a massage... but with washable markers. See the little heart? Aaron said, "I'm going to put a heart where Toby was conceived." So cute. The rest of the night I couldn't get the song, "I've got the whole world, in my hands" out of my head!