38th Week

Wow!  38 weeks - 2 weeks left until the due date (july 27th).  Hard to believe we're at this point.  It's pretty surreal to think we will have a living, breathing human baby in our arms soon!

The first two photos were actually taken last weekend (37 weeks) at a park here on the Sunshine Coast with giant Fir trees.  Big trees, big belly!!  The next 2 photos are from this last weekend at 38 weeks.   As you can see, the belly is not gigantic, but it's definitely big, and sitting quite low.  

In the last few weeks, my belly has dropped - so the bulk of the belly is sitting lower.  This has been a relief because it has eased the sharp pain I had in my upper abdomen and mid back for the last several months.  This has made moving around, standing and even sitting a lot more comfortable.  On the flip side, because the baby is sitting so low, I have had an increase in pre-labor cramping from the weight of the baby pushing down on my cervix.  Ouch!

Last week we found out from our midwife that the baby's head is "fully engaged" (and ready to go) - which means it's dropped right down into my pelvis.  This is good news.  While it could mean Baby could come at any time, the midwife also said we could still go past our due date - so we still have no clue when the big day will come...  But at least my body is gearing up for the big journey ahead.

So, now it's all about the waiting game....  Waiting and wondering what our little Ricey will be like - how big or small, boy or girl, good or poor sleeper/eater, etc!!  And especially wondering when I'll go into labor!!  Every little pain makes me wonder if "this is it?"!! 

Unless we go into labor sooner rather than later, I hope to get one last batch of belly photos.  Then the next batch will feature Ricey.  So stay tuned!!  Love to all - Danielle, Adam + 1