How far along? 35 Weeks. Only 28 more days until the c-section!
(Brennan and I made this paper chain to help him understand how much longer it will be until he meets his sister. He gets very excited to cut a link every night.)
Total weight gain/loss: More than I care to publish on the internet.
Maternity clothes? There are still quite a few shirts hanging in the closet thanks to a friend who just had her baby three weeks ago, but only a few of them actually look okay on this gigantic stomach.
Stretch marks? I'm sure.
Sleep: I've managed to find comfort with a body pillow in front of me and a king-sized heavy pillow behind - and slightly under - me, but I have to get up every two hours to go to the bathroom and reposition everything. (Thank goodness Jim is a heavy sleeper.)
Best moment this week: Having Jim home for Labor Day today. He took Brennan to the zoo, and tonight we had grilled steaks, baked potatoes, tomato pie, and brownies. Yum.
Movement: She moves and hiccups a lot.
Food cravings: Sugar, sugar, sugar!
Labor Signs: Nope 
Belly button in or out? Some days it's half out, and other days it's completely out.
What I miss: All of the things I missed before (hot baths, Diet Coke, Splenda, caffeine, and wine), plus the following:
Being able to do moderate exercise without exhaustion, sleeping for more than 2 - 3 hours at a time, cuddling with and hugging my husband, wearing my wedding and engagement rings.
What I am looking forward to: Meeting our little girl and introducing her to Brennan! Also, I am looking forward to Jim hanging everything in the nursery. I've been patient now for over three weeks!
What I am NOT looking forward to: Getting bigger, enduring the final exams before the birth (moms, you know what I mean!), and enduring 28 more days of physical and emotional misery.
Weekly Wisdom: Think before speaking. Do not tell a woman in her eighth or ninth month of pregnancy that she is "huge" or "sure to go any day" (when she is weeks away from her due date) or that she'll "never make it" until her c-section or due date. Do not act appalled or dismayed when she tells you how much time she has left, comment on her size or how enormous the baby must be for her stomach to stick out so far, or in any other way make her feel like she should apologize for her appearance.
Milestones: I think hitting the ninth month is a pretty huge milestone! We can now count days instead of weeks!
The final belly shot will be taken the day before the c-section (unless she surprises us and comes early)! We're ready when you are, baby!
In a completely rational society, the best of us would aspire to be teachers and the rest of us would have to settle for something less, because passing civilization along from one generation to the next ought to be the highest honor and the highest responsibility anyone could have.
