My Pregnancy Journal: Week 36

• 36 weeks in. This is what is happening with My Little Loodle:

  
  *I swear I'll post a picture next week!*

  
  

  • Forget your aching back (and everything else!) by trying to focus on your baby  with soft bones and cartilage to allow a safer journey through the exit door. Most of her systems (from circulatory to musculoskeletal) are ready for prime time, though her digestion system — which has done only practice runs so far — will kick into gear as she takes her first suckle at the breast or bottle.She's getting closer and closer to being able to breathe on her own. Her skin is getting smooth and soft and her gums are rigid. Her liver and kidneys are in working order. Circulation and immune systems are basically good to go, too. She's still in the 17.2- to 18.7-inch and 4.2- to 5.8-pound range and continues to beef up.

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  My Symptoms: Waddling like a penguin (it's just so much more comfortable than trying to walk normal :P), fatigue and trouble sleeping (but I do get naps, thank the Lord!), acid reflux... duh, swelling of my hands and feet (Oh! My wedding and engagement rings fit now!... the only good thing that's come from fat fingers), and I just feel overall fat!
  
  
  Maternity clothes?  Oh do I! I keep eyeing those cute summer shorts and tops packed away in my clear plastic bins and it's almost torture. One of these days, though... one of these days... 
  
  Sleep? When Paul doesn't take up the whole bed (he likes to sleep in a diagonally), I get about 2-3 hrs of "uninterrupted by bathroom breaks or acid reflux" sleep :) 
  
  Best moment last week? Easter!! It was a lovely weekend and one that involved family, chocolate, and yummy food (cooked by family). 

  
  
  Movement? This girl makes my stomach dance... it's so weird seeing this and I feel so self conscious as church sometimes because it's just that noticeable!
  
  Weight Gain: 174 lbs... this is getting really depressing. 
  
  Cravings: Easter really tackled that chocolate craving! It was a good weekend :) Nothing interesting to report on the craving front. I'm glad we purchased that big tub of vanilla ice cream just in case, though!
  
  What made me cry this week: "There's no crying in baseball!" I always think of that quote when I answer this question, lol. But honestly, nothing has made me cry... except that Budweiser commercial when the clydesdale runs to his previous owner after a parade (gets me every time!!). I don't know if it's because of the sentiment or the fact that I haven't had a beer in 9 months...
  
  
  Medical Stuff: I do not have preeclampsia! Yippee! My results for the Group B Strep have not come in yet. Other than that, things look normal, I think :)
  
  Something I am excited about: Having everything ready in the next few weeks for baby :D Also, we have friends expecting their first son, like now, so I am super duper excited for them and cannot wait to see pictures! They are a wonderful couple and will be wonderful parents.