Week 36

Abby's packing on the weight as we count down to delivery, at the rate of about an ounce a day. She probably weighs about 6 pounds at this point and is about 19 inches long. The downy skin covering that's protected her while she's floated around in the amniotic fluid for nine months is beginning to shed, and most of it should be gone by the time she's born. She's still in a head down position, so everything seems to be a go for a normal delivery. Now we're just...waitin' on Abby!

Christina, meanwhile, is starting to feel more and more like a boat everyday. On top of the anticipation of wanting to meet her little girl, she's simply ready to not be pregnant anymore. Her appetite continues to increase, but as Abby's growth makes space in her stomach and bladder more and more limited, Christina's finding it necessary to make frequent snack stops in the kitchen. It's true...her eyes really are bigger than her stomach!

The Braxton Hicks (the false contractions that pave the way for the real thing) are getting more intense, which is to be expected at this point in the pregnancy. It often feels as if Abby's trying to crawl out of the front of Christina's belly with all the pressure!

The nesting instinct has kicked in and Christina has spent a considerable amount of time sorting and resorting Abby's clothes by size into individual boxes. Next she plans to take them all out of the boxes and wash them in preparation for Abby's arrival. (We realize this makes little sense--why not wash and then sort?, you may ask. Don't question the pregnant lady, we would answer.)

We completed our birthing class last night, and as Childbirth Preparation 101 graduates, we realize still have no idea what we're getting in to. We've read the books, we've watched the videos, we've talked to parents who have been there, but until the rubber meets the road and we bring our little girl home, they're all just theories. What we know for certain is that this is God's plan for our family, and we are the parents He picked for this little girl. What a tremendous compliment! Please pray for us as we get closer to the reality of parenthood, that we would look to God for the strength and patience and guidance we know we'll need and that we would care for this little girl as one of His own.

Counting down the days,
Justin, Christina and Abby :)