The Baby at Week 36

Week 36: Skulls and Bones

Your baby's skull isn't the only soft structure in his or her little body. Most of your baby's bones and cartilage are quite soft as well (they'll harden over the first few years of life) — allowing for an easier journey as your baby squeezes through the birth canal at delivery (and less prodding and poking for Mom along the way). The skull bones are also not fused together yet so that the head can easily (well, relatively easily) maneuver through the birth canal.

So your little bruiser (who you've now learned won't be bruising you all that much with those soft bones) is now about six pounds in weight and measures slightly more than 20 inches in length. Growth will experience a slowdown now, both so your baby will be able to fit the narrow passageway to the outside and also so he or she can store up all the energy needed for delivery.

By now, many of your baby's systems are pretty mature, at least in baby terms — and just about ready for life on the outside. Blood circulation, for instance, has been perfected and your baby's immune system has matured enough to protect him or her from infections outside the womb. Other systems, however, still need a few finishing touches. Once such notable example: digestion — which actually won't be fully mature until sometime after birth. Why's that? Inside his or her little gestational cocoon, your baby has relied on the umbilical cord for nutrition, meaning that the digestive system — though developed — hasn't been operational. So your baby will take the first year or two to bring that system up to speed.

One Month and Counting ...

Today marks one month until our due date of November 9th. We've been told that technically speaking, the two weeks preceeding and after the due date are what is considered "term" and the baby can come at any point during that four week period.

And then there are the two or three woman who recetnly told me their baby came three weeks before its due date.

Bottom line: the baby will come when he's good and ready.

As for the Lucero household, we're ready with all the gear. Thanks to our baby shower, we have lots of clothing, blankets, and other misc. baby goodies ... including the co-sleeper basinett. And this weekend we bought the travel system (car seat/stroller combo), a "pack and play" (think portable crib with a changing table) for the downstairs, a baby monitor and some other good stuff.

The baby's room has been painted and most of the wallpaper border is up. The blinds arrived yesterday and will be installed soon. I plan to wash all his clothes today.

There are a couple of odds and ends that need tending to, but for the most part, the house is ready.

But are we?

People who have children have warned us what we're in for: sleepless nights, exhausted days, endless laundry, etc. So we try to envision what our lives will be like and while we think we have a pretty good idea (remember, we did foster care for little kids last year ...), we know the changes will come as a total shock to us.

Stay tuned.

Jennifer

The Baby Shower

Not long ago, it seemed like our baby shower was far off into the future. But it has now come and gone and we're one step closer to the big day.

We had a fabulous baby shower and wish to thank all who attended! The food and company were fabulous!

Most of all, we'd like to thank Valerie and Jon, Carrie and Madison and Debby and Amy. Valerie and Jon hosted the event at their home, and Carrie, Madison, Debby and Amy came early to help get everything set up. We are truly blessed to have such great friends!

We'd also like to thank Elisabeth for making the cakes ... and for so much more. She stayed with us for a few days and we were so happy to have her here. Thanks for the hamburger stroganoff, Liz!

Jennifer and Jonathan