Week 36

Baby Coady is now gaining about an ounce a day. Too bad Mom's stomach, but not appetite, is shrinking. Baby C is shedding most of the downy hair that covered his/her body, as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that protected his/her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Baby C is also getting ready for birth since he/she is getting into a head down position. Speaking of birth, next week the baby will be considered full term.

Mom- and Dad-to-be are upping the pace of house readiness for the baby's arrival. The crib has been assembled (minus mattress and bedding since there will most likely be another dust-creating project very soon...moving the door to the baby's room in preparation for the major dust creating addition/renovations to come), some bedding (thanks Auntie Moe!) has been washed and is waiting to go, and the blankets, hooded towels, onesies, etc... are just looking unbearably cute.

This baby thing has turned into a really good motivational tool. Freecycle.org was our friend last week. It helped find homes for a bunch of items (e.g. blankets, curtains, throw pillows) that have been living in our basement and taking up valuable storage space for years now. Some furniture has been shifted around the house and a few pieces are finding new homes (either temporary or permanent) outside our house.

Melissa took the baby to Church for Palm Sunday today (Russian Orthodox Easter is next weekend...this year). Baby Coady is going to have lots of surrogate grandmothers and aunts, one of whom has a particularly good sense of humor. She overheard someone asking if we knew whether we were having a boy or a girl. She chimed in with "if it's not a boy, I can guarantee it's a girl." Standing in Church all morning definitely took more energy than expected. Melissa arrived home, to be followed by Dan about 5 minutes later. Dan was pretty chilled and tired after a long, windy, cold ride. It all created the perfect setting for a family nap. Dan, Melissa, Scarlett, Itty...and Baby Coady, of course. We probably sacked out for an hour or more. Life is good.