41 Weeks

•Treasure these last few days before your baby's birth. You are now 7 days "late." But realized you'll never be as close to each other again. So I'm enjoying this.
•This week you've most likely been having non-stress tests done. Just to check to make sure your baby is doing good. All that is done is hooking you up to an external fetal monitor, to see how active and responsive your baby is.
•The "average" first baby, is born 4 days after her estimated due date.
•Your baby will enjoy hearing you read the same stories after her birth, that you read to her, before her birth. You may even be able to tell that she recognizes them by calming down and becoming alert as you read.
•The placenta is a temporary organ. It begins to break down and become less effective after its 40 to 42 weeks are up so your care provider will be keeping a close eye on the well-being of your baby.
•She continues to grow; putting on weight more slowly. And her lungs are fully developed.
•The baby now weighs 7.9 lbs and is 20.3 in long.
•Congratulations! Any day now you will be cradling your baby!

Charlotte, you are amazing! I little stubborn. But truly amazing. We've had 3 non-stress test this week. And you are doing really well. I just think you are really comfy in your mommy. And I'm more than OK with that!

This coming week, well it's pretty much the same. Unless you decide it's time to come. Your mommy had her "membranes" scrapped. In hopes that it will start to move things along. I guess we just have to sit and wait. That's the hardest part. Waiting. Because I know, in about a week, we'll finally get to meet! :) H

40 Weeks

•Baby Girl, much of your vernix has vanished. But when you are born, there will still be a little bit on your body.
•15% of your body is fat. You haven't learned how to shiver yet. These fat stores will help regulate your temperature. So the fat is good.
•Between 60-75% of your body is water!
•Your chest is going to stick out a little bit. Almost as if you're ready to strut proudly, over your accomplishment of being born!
•Baby Girl your lungs will continue developing until birth. They are manufacturing large quantities of surfactant, which works to keep your air sacs open. This is good. It will help you breathe.
•You continue to grow. Your hair and nails are longer too. When you are born, we are going to need to trim those fingernails and put on your little mittens. We want to protect your precious face from scratches. I think I'm going to need some help there. But we'll get it done.
•You will have small breast buds when you are born. That is normal.
•Baby Girl, you now weigh 7.6lbs and are 20.2 in long.
•Any day now, I will be cradling you Charlotte! We will cherish these moments, and I learn all that I can about you. I'm so excited to meet you and love you. I hear that you will grow up so fast, and time will just fly by!

Charlotte, you are amazing! I got to see you today. And you look absolutely amazing. I can't wait to hold you! It's still hard to sleep. And to eat. Breathing is easier. But it's all OK. Because I know that this discomfort, only makes things for you easier. And a healthy Baby Girl is all I want!

We're "not at all ready." At least that is what my doctor tells me. We're looking at another week or 2 of pregnancy. And I got "The List" of things to do. You know, to help with labor. Contractions are hit and miss. Some days, I have really strong ones. And then, I go a few days without one. Ugh! My progress has almost stopped too. I was doing good a few weeks ago. You know all the "thinning" and "dilation."

I'm walking a lot too. Trying anything really. I figure if I exhaust myself, I can sleep better at night. Oh, and it's supposed to help Charlotte and our labor. I really hope that it helps. Because I'm ready to meet my Little Girl! But if she needs to stay comfy for another week or 2, I'm happy with that too! H

39 Weeks

•Baby Girl, the lanugo has mostly disappeared> That's the hair you had all over your body. But there is still a little bit on your shoulders, arms and legs. It's in the "protected" creases of your body. And it's supposed to go away on it's own. No need to worry!
•Your little lungs are maturing and surfactant production is increasing. You are now fully prepared to take on the outside world!
•Baby Girl, you don't have much room to move around. I can certainly tell! Things are getting tight in there. I never imagined 8 months ago, that you would be able to use your toe to grab my ribs, while elbowing my bladder. You have grown so much!
•Your body continues to lay on the fat stores, that will help to regulate your body temperature after birth. Not only do you have normal fat, but you are also getting used to a special "brown" fat in the nape of your neck, between your shoulders and around organs. Brown fat cells are important for thermogenesis (generating heat) during his first weeks.
•Baby Girl you weigh about 7.25 lbs and are about 19.9 in long.

Things feel so weird and different this week. Charlotte is definitely "dropping." And I'm feeling very different things this week. New movements. It's difficult to get into good positions to sleep in. And sleep is generally just hard to come by. I've noticed that I've been really tired lately. Everything just exhausts me. But walking around, always makes us feel better.

I can also tell how Charlotte is running out of room in there. I feel her little feet in my ribs all day and night. And I can feel her moving around further down too. It's so weird to get all these movements at once. But it's so comforting to feel Charlotte moving around inside. H

36 Weeks

•Baby girl, you are almost ready. So am I! All we're waiting for is your lungs to mature. That's really important! Because healthy lungs mean you will be able to breathe. :)
•You are definitely beginning to drop! Our doctor says that's a good thing. :) It's been easier to breathe. But it's making walking a whole lot tougher! I'm beyond waddling now!
•I also hear that fat is dimpling your little elbows and knees. Oh how cute! A chubby baby! And you're forming creases in your neck and wrists.
•Your skin is growing smooth and "baby" soft. I can't wait to touch you! :)
•Baby girl, your gums are very rigid. In a few months, you'll get some teeth.
•You have a fully developed pair of kidneys and your liver has begun processing some waste products. That's really good!
•Baby girl you're now 18.66 inches long! And about 5.78 lbs. Between now and your birth date, you will gain about an ounce a day!

This week, the biggest change that I'm feeling is Charlotte dropping. It's so weird! My breathing has gotten so much easier! Now lie. It doesn't feel like I'm out of breath every second of the day. But walking, well I look hilarious walking! It's more like a very slow waddle! But I'm feeling pretty good. Just waiting on my baby girl to fully "cook." H

22 Weeks

• Baby girl you weigh about a pound!
• My doctor says that you can hear me talking more clearly. She tells me, it’s good that I read to you. You can really hear me and understand me!
• You have “real” eyelids and eyebrows now. I bet they’re blond like mine. :)
• Your fingernails have grown to your fingers.
• Your “Nana” tells me to start getting ready for all your questions. Because your brain is growing quickly! I can’t wait to hear all you’ve got to say!
• And this week, your liver is starting to work. The doctor says it’s a good thing.
• Baby girl, you’re about 11 inches long now. And I can’t believe you’re only 1 pound!

The biggest thing I've noticed this week, well besides my growing tummy, is all the movement. I just love feeling my baby girl moving around in there! It still amazes me every single day that I'm going to be a mom. Oh, and my current cravings are all about fruit, ice cream, and french fries! Let's not talk about the crying. Because I've been doing a lot of that lately too! H

21 Weeks

• Baby girl, your white blood cells are now being made. It’s a very good thing! They will help fight infections and diseases.
• Your skin has changed from being almost see through to more opaque. Like regular skin.
• My doctor says that your tongue is fully formed. She sad that you are probably practicing to give me a raspberry!
• It’s been a big week for you little girl! Your womb and vagina are formed. It’s pretty official that you’re a little girl. At this point will have 6 million eggs, it will go down to about 1 million by the time you are born. Believe me, that’s going to be more than enough!
• Baby girl you are swallowing more this week. When you “drink” in the amniotic fluid, your body absorbs the water in the liquid and moves the rest into the large bowel. This is good practice for his digestive system! Your “Nana” tells me that this is really good! And I believe her. Because she takes care of all kinds of mommies and babies. :)
• You’re learning more about sleeping patterns. I hope this is a good thing! You wake up when I get to work and sleep more when we are at home. It’s starting to become a good pattern. My doctor is telling me that you’re setting your “internal” clock. Mostly because of my eating and sleeping.
• Your length is now measured from the crown of your head to your heel.
• And this week, you should be about 10.51 inches long and weigh almost 12.7 ounces. Not even a pound yet!

This week, I've been really tired. I just get tired doing simple things. And by the time work is over, I'm ready to go home and take a nap! I've begun to notice how my Baby Girl wakes up when I get to work. I can definitely feel the movement. And it's a pretty neat feeling! W and I have been spending our evenings outside. Just enjoying the weather. I notice that my Baby Girl settles down a lot. This is usually when I have long talks with my Baby Girl. The doctor tells me, this is probably when she's sleeping. H

20 Weeks

• Baby Girl, we’re half way there!
• Our doctor says that the “rapid growth stage” is almost over. But your next stage of growth is vital to survival.
• Baby Girl your heart is growing stronger. Our doctor had me do something today at our doctor’s appointment. We lay quietly, in the room, I was laying flat on my back. I was able to find my own heartbeat/pulse. Then I laid my hand on my belly. I could feel the 2 different heartbeats. It was really amazing!
• Your little legs are reaching their relative size. Your muscle development is getting stronger too! I’ve noticed that the “flutters” are feeling stronger. More like a real kick!
• My “immunities” are making their way to you. That way, you’ll be protected from sickness until you’re at least 6 months old!
• Your little nerve cells for taste, smell, hearing, seeing, and touch are now developing.
• You’re starting to react more to loud noise. Almost like you’re scared. At work, there was a loud crash this week, I swear you kicked me! But my doctor keeps tell me to play music for you, to read to you, and to talk to you. She says, these will be soothing sounds after you’re born. W is helping out with that too! He’s been sniffing around my belly, and making silly noises. Like he’s talking to you. Yes, you and W will be pals! He’s a good dog.
• Baby Girl, your uterus is also starting to develop. I learned that you have almost 6 million eggs in your ovaries. Only about 1 million will still be there when you’re born.
• This week, Baby girl you are about 6.46 inches long and weigh about 10.58 ounces

This week, well I'm starting to feel really fat. But it's a good thing. Baby Girl is getting bigger and stronger. I'm definitely growing out of all of my clothes. There are now clothes that I can definitely can't wear anymore. I guess I'm going to have to go shopping. :)

I've been napping a lot this week too! 3 times this week, I've fallen asleep early. Really early. But I've noticed that your "kicks" are getting a lot stronger. The feel more like a kick. Before, it was more like a flutter. Like butterflies in my tummy! H

7 Weeks

• Baby you now have elbows. And I hear that you really enjoying bending and flexing in there.
• Your little fingers are starting to develop. Soon you’ll be play with and sucking on all your little fingers. :)
• Your feet are starting to develop too! And the beginnings of your toes are appearing too! Your little feet are less than a half an inch long!
• Your ears, eyes, and nose are starting to appear too! From what I’m reading, you sorta look like an alien. But I still love you! In a few weeks, you’ll start to look more like your Daddy and Mommy!
• Baby your intestines are starting to form in the umbilical cord. I didn’t know that they started outside your body!
• This week your teeth begin to develop under your gums too! I’m just glad I won’t be feeling that!

This week, I've been feeling really sick. I can't eat anything. Everything makes me feel so sick! Even the thought of food! But I've been talking to some friends about how to handle this. So I'm trying to stay hydrated. And I've been napping a lot! I hope this isn't the way my entire pregnancy is going to be. I really miss eating! And feeling human. H

6 Weeks

• Baby your arms and legs are still developing. And you’re stretching out more too!
• Your brain is growing too! This is just the beginning! You are going to develop over a 100 billion neurons before you’re born!
• Your eye lenses developed this week. And I hear that you’re starting to look more like a newborn baby.
• Your nostrils are also formed. And your nose where it’s supposed to be too!
• Your intestines are growing too! Just a few weeks ago, they were outside your body in the umbilical cord.
• Your pancreas is also developed. You can now handle insulin and digestive enzymes. Your body is starting to develop all the important things that are going to help you grow strong!

Well, I have been feeling pretty sick lately. Morning sickness, day and night. I've been really tired. And I thought I was just getting the flu. Now I know, I'm going to be a Mommy! So I'm going to be taking really good care of myself. Making sure I sleep more, get to the doctor, and eat better. I've been taking folic acid and prenatal vitamins since last year. So I think we'll be OK. H