Heating Pads are the Bomb

With only 4 more weeks (officially 30 days!) until Emma's due date, my body is really taking a beating. I had my 9 month checkup today and all is well. My belly is measuring at 33 cm (I'll be 36 weeks on Friday) so while I am still measuring small, I have caught up a bit. They are still thinking I will have a smaller, but healthy, baby. =) I actually lost 2 pounds since my last appointment, but they said it was normal to plateau around this point, so I'm still hovering around 30 pounds gained so far this pregnancy. Blood pressure was good and baby's heartbeat was nice and strong. She is still head down, getting ready to be born. The weight of her big ol dome down in my pelvis has caused some less than pleasant swelling of the nether regions (see Jenny McCarthy's Belly Laughs for a more vivid description). And P.S. , yes I still think Jenny McCarthy is a moron with all of her autism bulls**t, but her pregnancy book is actually kind of funny. They did the Group B Strep test today and I'll get results at my appointment next week. If it's positive, they just have to give me antibiotics when I am in labor. It's pretty common, not a big deal. I am still thankful to not be exhibiting any swelling in my feet or hands. My belly button is still not sticking out (but it is definitely close to "flat") and I am knocking on wood since I don't have any stretch marks. I know many of my friends did not get them until the last two weeks, so I won't hold my breath to make it through without any.

I have fallen in love with a heating pad at night for my aching lower back and hips, especially after sitting in class last night for 5 hours. I am plagued with poor aching ribs which are probably bruised from all the powerful kicks, but fortunately no cracks or breaks. =) I am definitely slower now and I was told today at work that I definitely have the pregnant waddle going on now. =( This last month will be long, I am sure. I supposedly go on modified work at my job starting next week, which means I will still go to work but be pulled out of the schedule and not working with kids. This will probably be best since my energy level is certainly decreasing. I am trying to wrap everything up early at SDSU so if that goes on schedule, I should have only 3 weeks left of that lovely establishment! =) Larry and I will be attending our Child Birthing classes this weekend from 9-3 on both Saturday and Sunday (yay more sitting for long periods of time). It will be good to do that since I am officially full term now so nothing will be done to stop delivery if Emma decides to come. Man, it is so close! I am very curious to know if the old wives tale about heartburn is true. If it is, Emma should have a TON of hair! =)