Thirty-Six.

Annnnnd cue contractions.

We started week 36 on Friday, but I've been having preparation contractions (you know, Braxton-Hicks) since Monday night. I woke up (to pee, because Charlie has squished my bladder to what I presume is roughly the size of an acorn!) and when I climbed back in bed I realized I felt like I was having cramps (yuck; haven't missed those for these 9 months). Tuesday the other part of contractions--the weird tummy hardening so my belly feels like a big round rock--started in, too. I called the doctor's office, and they told me to lay down, drink lots of water, and take it easy. The Braxton-Hicks went on, but never close together or consistant, or painful enough to count. Of course, I freaked out because it was so early and I hadn't packed my hospital bag--so that got done immediately.

Wednesday they got even worse. In fact, by around 3pm they were between 12 and 6 minutes apart--mostly 6. I timed for an hour, totally afraid that I would miss my cute baby shower that Suzi had worked so hard on, and then called the doctor. The nurse told me that as long as they weren't consistant to just keep relaxing and go enjoy the shower. The next two days they kept up, but by Saturday morning, almost nothing. Today they're going strong, but--after a big crying jag at poor Steve about how I wasn't ready on Wednesday, followed by days of not having a baby--I'm now readjusting to the idea that I could just contract for days or weeks more. Charlie's not due until December (a little less than 4 weeks), so I'm just trying to get used to one more pre-baby symptom.

Pretty exciting anyway, though... It means he's actually coming soon!

These last few weeks have gone by pretty fast, actually--fast enough that I've missed three weeks of tummy shots. But yesterday I got Steve to take some for me (with the pretty bright red leaves on our tree in the background! Yay Fall!) so here is your 36-week side view.

...and of course the ham shot: