Week 36.

Dear Andre the Giant, pineapple, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, crenshaw melon,

Baby, you are still measuring big, but you are a wiggling man and the doctor says that means you're strong and healthy.  For that I am most thankful, even if carrying you around is starting to exhaust me.  :)

There has been a flurry of activity in the last several weeks.  Well, mostly by other people (especially your Dad) because I'm just to darn tired lately.  You now have a nursery!  The furniture all arrived this past weekend.  Your dad had finished painting by then, but also put up new window shades.  Even your Oma and Opa sorry, not Opa, he won't go by that name, Ken! (maybe he'll be a pop-pop or something fun???) got in on the action by helping install a new ceiling fan.  Once the furniture was in we were finally able to unpack all the goodies that we brought home from our two showers.  I *thought* we didn't have that much clothes... boy, was I wrong!

I have been helping where I can.  I've been washing your clothes and prepping the cloth diapers.  Organizing your books on your bookshelf.  I also built your swing and activity mat during my restless evening hours.  Seriously... I don't know what it is about the hours of ~7 pm to 10 pm, but I just canNOT sit still then at all.

We finished up our Bradley classes for labor preparation.  I guess that mean we're as ready as we'll ever be.  :)  I am hopeful that we will get the natural birth that we so desire, but also know that things are unpredictable and that plan could change.  At the very least I hope to avoid induction at all costs and hope that you will make your arrival when you are good and ready.  Both your dad and I feel that we are better educated and better prepared to deal with any situations that may arise.  And that is a good thing.

Last night we took a newborn care class as well.  It was a lot of things that we already knew, but even a few new tidbits of safety and care information made it worth while.  Plus, your Dad got to drive to the hospital to practice one more time before The Big Day.

Halloween 2011 has come and gone.  We did put up decorations, but didn't celebrate/enjoy the season nearly as much as we typically do.  It's our favorite holiday, you see, and I hope it will be your favorite someday as well.  I can't wait until next year when we can pick out a costume for you.  Take you to the pumpkin patch.  Carve pumpkins.  You could even go trick or treating with your cousins!  Oh man, Halloween is just going to get better. 

This Sunday will mark 37 weeks.  You will be officially "full term."  We're ready to meet you, kiddo.  No rush.  But don't make me wait too long... those doctors can get antsy and they might want to evict you.  Until then, take it easy on my bladder, okay?

Keep growing, baby!  Get stronger, baby.