We can see the finish line!

38 weeks: Baby is as long as a leek

Your baby, now as long as a leek, weighs nearly 7 pounds.

(Length: more than 19 1/2 inches, head to heel.)

Do April showers bring May flowers? Let's hope so because that would make all this rain a little more tolerable! We had our weekly doctor's appointment...no progress yet! But let's face it, she is my daughter...there is no way she is coming early! She is probably still working on her hair. We'll meet her when she's ready!

(Please excuse the bare feet but shoes are only worn when absolutely necessary these days!)

The Finish Line is in Sight!

37 weeks: Baby is as long as a stalk of Swiss chard

Your baby is as lofty as a stalk of Swiss chard and weighs 6 1/3 pounds.

(Length: a bit over 19 inches, head to heel.)

I can't believe we have made it to full term status! It seems like just yesterday we were finding out that our family was growing and I had to keep the biggest secret of my life until it was safe to tell every one. Well, as you can see from the picture below I couldn't keep this a secret now if I wanted to! Baby Banks can come any time now and they won't stop labor if it starts. How incredibly exciting and terrifying all at the same time!

Race for the Cure 2011

For the last six years, I have had the privilege of walking in the Susan G. Komen "Race for the Cure" in honor and memory of many brave women and men who have battled an awful disease. One of those great people, is my mom, Grandma Sue. The experience is always a powerful one and this year was no exception. Sadly, the weather this year was AWFUL! Cold, rainy, and muddy is not an enjoyable way to spend a Saturday morning in downtown Indianapolis! Oh well!

Here are a few pics from the Race:

Carrie, Me, and Grandma Sue doing our best to stay warm and dry!

As we were heading toward the start line, we found my friend Linda!

My mom and I near the finish line

And Baby Banks is all set for next year (as long as the weather is nice!)

This (crenshaw) melon is almost ripe!

36 weeks: Baby is the size of a crenshaw melon

Your baby, almost 6 pounds and still packing on the pounds at a rate of about an ounce a day, is comparable to a crenshaw melon in size.

(Length: more than 18 1/2 inches, head to heel.)

We received the official word (confirmed by ultrasound) that Baby Banks is doing a head stand and is now in the correct position! Yay! No need to worry about trying to get her to turn or having to schedule a c-section. Phew! There are still plenty of other things to worry about, but at least this isn't one of them any more!

We are now approaching what I call the "beached whale" phase of pregnancy. Some times, I have to work up some momentum before I can get up off the couch. But, it also makes having a pedicure more of a "need" than just a luxury. (At least that's how I justify it!)

The last road trip

Beginning next Monday I'm on home detention. Don't fret, it's not like there has been any preggo legal trouble! Once you reach 36 weeks, you can no longer fly or travel more than an hour by car. Sigh...

So, today we loaded up the car and headed back to Jeffersonville and Westchester, Ohio to hit my favorite outlet mall and Ikea! The weather was fabulous and it was nice to just be able to spend a day together. Of course, the fact that I have a very generous hubby who spent his hard earned computer money on a new KS for me just added to the fun of the day! What a guy! He cooks, cleans, fixes things, and buys me Kate Spade?!? How did I get so lucky?

The Honeydew (List) Just Keeps Growing...

35 weeks: Baby weighs as much as a honeydew melon

Your baby, now as hefty as a honeydew melon at 5 1/4 pounds, doesn't have much room to maneuver in your belly.

Length: more than 18 inches, head to heel.

It's spring break this week! Usually we head south to Florida, but this year is more of a staycation. The weather looks to be fairly decent, so I might be able to just trick myself into pretending to be somewhere tropical! Yesterday, it was nearly 80 degrees! So, we broke out some summer clothes and headed to Cheeseburger in Paradise with our good friends Matt, Jackie, and Kalman. With a frosty virgin beverage in hand (and I69 behind me), it really did feel like Florida!

The to-do list before Baby Banks arrives seems to be about a mile long (or at least feels like it is!) at this point. We are interviewing a pediatrician and a possible option for day care. Auntie Wendy (aka the queen of organization) is also coming by to help me figure out how to fit all of the generous gifts we have received into the nursery. Of course, I'm sure I'll manage to fit in a little shopping and some relaxation. It will also be nice to sleep in every day as I know that in a little over a month sleep is going to be a precious commodity!

Here is the "official" 35 week pic of the baby bump!