36 Weeks/9 Months

36 weeks/9 Months

Flashback to 26 weeks

Eli is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. Average babies at this stage weigh between 5 to 6 pounds and are more than 18 1/2 inches long. At the end of this week, he 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.)

We had our weekly doctor appointment on Monday and everything continues to go well. I asked Dr. Ye for her professional estimate for Eli's weight and she said about 5 lbs (just an estimate). My fundal measurement (measurement of my stomach) is about 2 weeks smaller than average, but Dr. Ye said it isn't anything to be concerned about. I am not dilated at all, which is good as he should stay in there at least a couple more weeks.

If you haven't already, please add your predictions below for when Eli will arrive and how big he will be! The winner gets to be the first baby-sitter!

Birthday Predictions

We are a mere 30 days out from our expected due date, but when do YOU think the baby will arrive? How much will Baby weigh? How long will the Baby be? Go ahead and post your predictions now (via the comment option below): birthday, weight, and length.

35 Weeks

Eli is now estimated to be over 18 inches long and tipping the scales at about 5 1/4 pounds. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight (about 1 ounce per day).

He is still head down as he was 2 weeks ago. I have had some major pelvic pressure (ouch!) which is a sign of "dropping" or "lightning". Most first time moms "drop" between 34-36 weeks. It doesn't mean that he is coming early...just that I will be waddling until he arrives!

Happy Birthday, Nick!

Happy 29th Birthday, Nick!

I love you!

Thank you, Everyone!

Saturday, my Aunts (my mom's sisters) put on a Baby Shower at my Aunt Ruth's home. Some of the neighbor ladies, and other Willmar friends stopped by as well. I have to admit, the highlight for me was just playing Group Solitare with my counsins and Aunts. It is a family tradition my Grandma Delores got us hooked on. We played that afternoon and that evening as well at Ruth and Roger's Lake Home where we had a bon-fire and hung out.

(Aunt Cynthia, Aunt Julie, Aunt Deanna, Me, Mom, Aunt Ruth)

Sunday, my mom had a little shower with my Dad's family. It was another beautiful Fall day. We took Hailey to the park where she decided to push Nick and Grandpa on the Merry-go-round.... how many 83 year olds do you know would get on a Merry-go-round? While we were watching Hailey spin Nick and Grandpa, Claire and I experienced the joy of being pooped on by some birds high above....

(Hailey spinning Nick & Grandpa on the Merry-go-round)

Claire & Me... after we cleaned the bird poo out of our hair...yuck!

A big thanks to everyone! It was such a great weekend just hanging out and enjoying the beautiful fall we are having!

A Family Name

One other cool thing about the name Eli... when I told my Grandpa Mac/McLaughlin we picked the name Eli, he told me that his Grandpa's name was Eli Rosera (who would be my Great-Great Grandfather). Eli Rosera was from Wisconsin and worked as a Lumberjack. How cool is that?

34 Weeks/8.5 Months

Eli now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds and is almost 18 inches long (both estimates). His central nervous system is maturing and his lungs are continuing to mature as well. If he were to be born between now and 37 weeks (full term), he would maybe need to stay an extra day in the hospital for observation. Only 3 weeks until we are considered "Full term" and 6 weeks until we are "Due"!

It’s quite amazing how fast time has passed. Sometimes it feels like I have been pregnant forever, then other times it feels like it has not been anywhere near long enough to be giving birth in just 6 weeks!

Nick is doing well. I think he is beyond ready for the little guy's arrival! He has been so wonderful throughout everything, but I am not surprised... he is the best!

P.S. You like my pink pajama pants?

Thank you, Willmar Girls!

My dear friend "Megan P." had Girls weekend at her place last weekend and threw a baby shower in there as well (thank you, thank you!). These are the girls I have know for so long... and no matter how much time passes, it's always like we are little girls again...just having a blast!

We have seen each other through braces, boyfriends, weddings and now babies. Thank you for everything this weekend, Megan! And thank you to everyone for the very thoughtful gifts. I love you all so much!

33 Weeks

Welcome to Week 33... This week my fingers have retained some water (see fat fingers in photo above) ... the doctor said this is completely normal as my blood pressure remains low (thank you Mom & Grandma Delores!).

This week Eli weighs a little over 4 pounds and has passed the 17-inch mark (this is of course an estimate). He continues to give me strong jabs in the ribs, hips and on my sides. The doctor confirmed today that he is head down and that his feet are in my right rib. Only 7 weeks to go until Due-Date-Day and 4 weeks to go until he will be considered "Full term". Whoa!

Damn Squirrels!

One evening I was bringing the recycling to the end of the driveway when this dumb squirrel started barking at me. It was looking right at me, which freaked me out even more... So, I Googled to see if anyone else in the world has heard of a Barking Squirrel and sure enough... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFN_Yfx6fUM This video is exactly the noise the squirrel was making at me. Thank the Lord someone got evidence!

After the barking incident, I decided I needed to take action! So, I did some research on Squirrel repellent. After I learned the best stuff on the market is Fox Urine (gross!) at $30 a gallon; I knew I had to get creative and come up with a more cost effective and less nasty option. One day as I was watering my plants, it dawned on me! My hose with the Super-Power-Jet-Stream attachment! I shared my idea with Nick. I told him the next time one of those rodents even looks at me, I am squirting it! Nick just laughed and told me I need to chill out about the squirrels. Then one day while Nick was outside he noticed the nasty Albino Squirrel that moved into one of our trees. Take a wild guess what he did? Yep, he turns on the hose and shoots the nasty Albino Squirrel right out of the tree! The dumb Squirrel fell out of the tree and ran away! Neither of us have seen it since!

I know some of you people think they are cute...some of you even feed them peanuts off your deck (you know who you are!). If the dumb things wouldn't bark at me, I wouldn't hate them so much. My goal is to simply let them know if they come to The Sundsmo house, they are going to get hosed!

32 Weeks/8 Months

This week Nick and I started our Birthing Class at the Hospital. It runs for 6 weeks on Tuesday nights... Basically we will be covering everything... The laboring process, discussing cesareans, pain management and options, relaxation techniques, etc. Everything rookies need to know!

I am feeling great and Eli seems to be enjoying himself as well. By now, he should weigh around 3.75 pounds and may be about 17 inches long. He will gain a third to half of his birth weight during the next 7 weeks as he fattens up for his big arrival. He continues to give me strong jabs here and there. One of his favorite things to do is punch me in my left hip and kick me in my right rib... at the same time! I am thinking this guy might be a little on the long side... I guess we will find in a matter of weeks!

Month of the Honey Dew Melon