35 weeks

We made it to the deadline after which we can deliver at the birth center in our hospital! (They don't have a really high-level NICU at our hospital, so very pre-term labor that would result in a very early preemie has to be transferred to another hospital in our city.)

From here until 40 weeks, our baby's brain increases 50% in size! So, additional time spent internally can be helpful for neurological reasons. Stephanie is taking flax oil and fish oil capsules to get plenty of omega-3 fatty acids, which seem to be helpful for brain development also.

Other than that, our baby is putting on more weight (to regulate body temperature) and putting the final finishing touches on the lungs... but otherwise, all systems are pretty well formed and ready to go. Our baby is roughly the mass of our smaller cat right now (5.5 lbs). It's looking like baby will make its entrance to the world beyond Stephanie without having to be the smallest member of the household. Bigger than Madeleine is definitely good for health, but it would be fine for the baby to be smaller than Priscilla (10.5 lbs).

Stephanie no longer has a belly button and her stomach is itchy from the stretchmarks, but otherwise, things are going well.

The thesis has all committee members signatures of approval, and the powerpoint presentation is taking shape now, so that's also excellent. Plus, Stephanie is about to submit a paper for publication after she hears back from one final coauthor (by Friday). Amazing!

Thanks to everyone for the nice comment about the snapshot where we're cracking up making funny faces! Here's a more formal picture of us four weeks ago at a Young Operagoers club, held in an art gallery with live music by our favorite local band (coincidentally rockabilly, not opera). Happily, 31 weeks turned out not to be too pregnant to dance!

We have to make a list of everything our child has done in utero one of these days - five operas, I think, and a lot of other live music, too!