Birthing class and midwife visit

In the past few days, Ryan and I have been very busy with pregnancy-related appointments. We finished up our birthing classes, so now we are fully prepared for labor (or at least as ready as we are going to be). We were given a lot of tools for natural pain management, and we are prepared to labor at home before going to the hospital. We just need to buy a birthing ball. The doula gave us a lot of comfortable positions for me to sit, stand and lay in while I am going through contractions. I feel pretty prepared, but I guess I won't really know until I am actually in labor. Hopefully I still have a few weeks before that happens!

Yesterday, we also went to the midwife for our weekly visit. Yes, now we are in the homestretch with weekly visits. They measured my fundal height (35 1/2 cm, so we are in the "normal" range). The baby's heartbeat is in the 130 beats per minute range, also the "normal" range. I also had my Group Strep B test (not fun, but not terrible either). We will get results next week.

Ryan and I have started packing our bags for the hospital, since we know we could be going at any time. I still need to make a final trip to Target to get some necessities for our bags. Some of the things we are packing are kind of funny...like our "digital fireplace" dvd for pain management/relaxation. I'm just ready to feel a little more settled instead of having my life so up in the air. Hopefully that will come soon...

35 weeks!

Only 5 weeks to go! I was officially 35 weeks yesterday. Baby should weigh about 5 1/4 lbs (the size of a honeydew). She is just fattening up!

I'm trying to get some of my organizing finished. Packing my hospital bag is one of my top priorities. If you have any recommendations of what to bring/what not to bring, please let me know. I have been told to definitely pack my robe. I'm also packing my own toiletries, and going home clothes for me and baby are already in the bag. We will need to pack the camera and Flip video camera for Ryan.

At this point, Sugar and Spice could come at any time...although I'm really hoping she will hold off until December. The heartburn is now an everyday occurrence...I've heard this means the baby probably has hair! I'm also having trouble getting off the couch if I am sitting in a reclining position. I am finding I need 2 pillows behind my back to prop myself up.

Ryan and I have been enjoying 2 snow days at home. We got almost 2 feet of snow in Denver! I haven't left the house since Tuesday. I might normally be getting stir crazy, but since I'm so tired and heavy from the pregnancy I'm not minding staying warm and cozy in the house. It's a good excuse to drink hot tea and cocoa and make my favorite dinner of late...soup and grilled cheese!