Ninety Six: 37 Weeks

37 Weeks according to BabyCenter, with my additions in Red.

How your baby's growing:

Your baby is now considered "full term," so before you finish reading this, take a moment to shout Hallelujah!

Even though your due date is three weeks away (which at this point probably feels like 3 years away), if you go into labor now, his lungs will likely be mature enough to fully adjust to life outside the womb.
Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard**). Many babies have a full head of hair at birth but probably not yours, who will most likely be bald until their 3rd birthday.  But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes.

How your life's changing:
 
Braxton Hicks contractions may be coming more frequently now and may last longer and be more uncomfortable. Try to count the time between contractions in your head, because the minute you even glance in the direction of a clock or a watch, they will inevitably stop.

In case you haven't noticed, it may be harder than ever to get comfortable enough to sleep well at night. If you can, take it easy through the day by avoiding the stairs at all costs  — this may be your last chance to do so for quite a while. Keep monitoring your baby's movements karate kicks to the ribs too, and let your caregiver know immediately if you notice a decrease. Though his quarters are getting cozy, he should still be as active as before doing jumping jacks and using your ribcage as a ladder. Unless of course you are trying to show someone the finesse of his swan kicks, and in that case, he will promptly fall asleep.

** I am so thankful I didn't take Mica up on her advice to take a picture every week with the fruit / vegetable that Babycenter used as a reference point. Can you imagine me every Tuesday night tired, stressed and WADDLING through the aisles of Wal-Mart looking for a stalk of swiss chard? I'm just lucky I can find a can of green beans.