35/35

How far along?  35w0d, and 35 days to go!  Actually, that's not really true, but more on that below.

How big is baby?  Coconut!  17.2-18.7 inches and 4.2-5.8 pounds; he won't get much longer, but he will continue to plump up.  His hearing is fully developed and testes have descended.  (Have I mentioned that I'm not-so-secretly terrified of boy parts??)

Physical differences from last week?  I weighed 138.0 pounds this morning; which is a 3.2 pound gain from last week (what?!?!?!), and an overall gain of 28.4 pounds.  I admit that I've been eating junk food lately, but not THAT much junk food...  And I can't blame the weigh gain on water retention because swelling is minimal.  Really hoping Parker had a growth spurt!  No new stretch marks and my belly button is out.  Still wearing regular pants and shorts with the belly band, maternity tops, dresses and skirts.  I had my first internal exam yesterday and I am 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced.  Parker is head down and low!  All very exciting news!!!

How I'm feeling?  Pretty good!  I seem to have had a burst of energy this week.  And, I even had two nights of blissful sleep (i.e.: no trips to the bathroom).  Having an average of 2-4 contractions per hour, and more in the evenings.  No specific cravings since I've been eating a ton of junk food lately.      

What's been on my mind?  Having this baby.

What I'm looking forward to?  Having this baby.

Best moment this week?  Hearing the words, "You're having a vaginal birth" at my prenatal appointment on Thursday.

I had an interesting (and unexpected) conversation with my doctor yesterday.  About being induced.  Due to my low PAPP-A levels, she will not let me go past 39 weeks.  The most common, and dangerous, complication associated with low PAPP-A is intrauterine growth restriction, and at a certain point it actually becomes detrimental to baby to remain inside.  Another growth ultrasound has been scheduled for next Thursday, and, depending on the results, the induction may need to be sooner.  Fortunately, my cervix is already progressing and we're hopeful that I'll go into labor on my own very soon.  My doctor offered to induce as soon as I reach 3 or 4 cm, if I'm still not in active labor...but I'd prefer to avoid intervention if possible.