Madison is almost here! Still not nervous! haha. I'm determined not to get nervous until I'm in labor and actually start to feel contractions. I still watch every baby show on Discovery Health Channel and The Learning Channel with no fear. I must have seen over 100 births in every possible situation you can imagine! Its not freaking me out. I feel like I'll be better off if I know.

Fabian has a yucky cold and has had it since Tuesday poor thing. And then Wednesday and Thursday they had to drive out to the range and do their qualifying shooting w/their shotguns and pistols! We're pretty sure he qualified for everything, in 110 degree heat, full gear, with a cold. Thats my baby! Only 4 weeks left until he graduates academy! I'm hoping Maddy will be born so she can be there for daddy. Either way she'll be there whether its in utero or not. haha

Week 37: And we're ready for take off! (From www.baby-gaga.com)

Fetal development in pregnancy week 37:fetus in ninth month It’s the calm before the storm. Changes in your baby's weight have leveled off with only a few ounces of fat added this week. At this point your baby should weigh in at around 7 lbs and 20 inches (with boys somewhat heavier and longer than girls). Happily, as far as internal organs go, they are now developed enough to function in the outside world although the oh-so-important immune system is still developing and will continue to do so after birth. With a large boost of antibodies provided by breast milk when nursing begins. Fighting infection and staying healthy should be well within their physical capacity when your little fighter is born.

And how's mom doing? Your health care provider will assess the likelihood of where you are relative to your upcoming birthing process—seeing as you’ve now arrived at that waiting phase that could turn into labor at any time. Various charming indicators such as loose stools, expelling your mucus plus (along with the bloody show – see week 35), a dilated cervix and increased Braxton-Hicks contractions are all signs that labor is only a few days away. The infamous water breaking may or may not be your first true indicator that labor has commenced. However, water breaks for only 15% of mothers and despite what Hollywood would have us believe, is more frequently just a slow leak rather than a large gush.

Be patient: if labor doesn’t start this week, or even next, keep in mind that only 4-5% of women actual deliver on their predicted due date. What’s more if this is your first pregnancy, you can expect to be anywhere from two days to two weeks late. You can distract yourself by keeping track of fetal movements, mostly to reassure yourself that all is well with your little miracle. In the off chance that movements do start to decrease substantially, try not to freak out and instead, call your doctor of midwife and discuss it with them.

If you still haven’t decided whether to breastfeed or not, here’s a good reason: some experts estimate that mothers excrete between 400-700 calories a day while breastfeeding, and to compensate, you should be eating roughly 500 extra calories a day (mmm that’s like one spoonful of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream).

New Years Slide! We had so much fun, can't wait to go back, miss you Nish! Love Cameron and Owen ; )

What happened on Tuesday....

OMGoodness! Ding Dong, I couldn't even see the poor UPS guys head behind all the boxes! Wow, we are truly blessed, the gifts keep rolling in! Thank you Lesley, Des and Artem! You guys are awesome, our baby is so blessed and she has no idea how much love she is being born into! I can't wait to introduce her to you all!
XOXOXOXOXOXO!!!
Joyce, Fabe and Maddy!!

Dr. Appt. Tuesday night....

36 week check up went well. I'm measuring 35/36 weeks and she is in the head down position and has been since my 34 week checkup. Heartbeat is great, still high 150-160. I gained 24lbs so far in this pregnancy. My goal was 25 total but I just want the baby to be healthy and so it doesn't matter how much more I gain. I heard it levels off around now though and I shouldn't gain much more. I packed my labor bag for the hospital and I hope to install the car seat base this weekend after I get my seat protector.

From my myspace blog regarding our babyshower:

Wow, we had the most awesome baby shower on Saturday! I was amazed that all of our family and close friends showed up to support us in this great milestone in our lives! It was such a great gathering of people who all got along so well. Although some people didn't show up, there was still at least 50 people there. We got everything we wanted and more, and thank you to everyone who got us gift cards, I got everything else we needed with those! I appreciate all the cute outfits, now I am definitely not buying her one more outfit until she is here, her closet is completely packed with every size up to 9 months! She will be stylin'!

I love my girls, thank you Charace, Dayna and Deborah for throwing me the shower. Thank you Leticia & Mary for helping out so much and taking over the games when C had to leave! You guys were awesome! Thank you Mo for coming out only a couple of weeks after having your baby and for bringing him, what a cutie! Same to Nikki, thanks for coming out a couple of weeks after having your baby! Girls, you could have used that "just had a baby, I'm too tired, run down, etc" excuse and I would have been fully understanding! But you didn't, thanks! Thanks for coming Des & Kedren, you girls didn't have to but you did and It means the world to me! Mike & Rebecca, WOW, thats all I can say. Fabian put it together today, its soooo beautiful!!!! And the swing to match, Des its on the way I'm too excited!! Thanks!! Maria & Ryan, thank you for coming, I'm so glad we became friends, and I meant it when I said our daughters will be too! Thanks Nat, your son and nephew are too cute, and polite! Thanks Nephew Dimari for representin' and bringing your little posse with you! Too cute. Thanks Tony & Deb for driving out from Ontario and she is going to love her music groovin table! Thanks Alma, although you couldn't stay long we appreciated your appearance! Rori, you are a sweetheart, I'm keeping BOTH pumps and my girlfriend gave me rave reviews on the one you got me and thats the reason I got it. Let, wow, that is so cute how you got her little nickname in those wooden letters, they are soooo cute, we all oooed and aweeed over them! You're so thoughtful. Thanks Pat, although you couldn't be there, you shipped us that awesome glider!! C.C., love you! I love your gift, you guys and Dayna didn't have to, she did enough by working on the shower! And Deb, thanks for the Denio wear along with everything you did. Thanks to all the boys for all the gift cards, you guys are awesome!! And Serge, super special that you actually shopped for her, you too Bob! And no Rich, we won't be going with Lanersa, I'm so sorry to disappoint ; ) Vee, too cute that your gift card was addressed to "Maddy". Everyone, thank you, thank you and we love you!
Love you all!!! Thanks again for your love and support, we will always be there for you too! If I didn't mention you, don't worry I am sending out thank you cards, writing them as we speak to let you know personally how grateul we are.
Stay Blessed!Joyce