Almost Full Term

I could give birth at anytime now. At 37 weeks, baby is considered preterm but could survive no problem. However, every additional day spent in the belly is good - baby is gaining about 1/2 oz. a day and practicing for life on the outside with sucking, breathing, moving. For about the last week, I have had a lot of pain in my lower abdomen caused by everything loosening up to get ready for birth and all the extra weight. The baby seems to be in the head down position and I can feel his or her legs and feet (at least that's what I think they are based on how the doc said the baby is positioned).
I attended Baby Care #2 class by myself on Wednesday since Jim was in NY and it was pretty interesting. We covered bathing, crying & soothing, SIDS, sleeping, swaddling, etc. Learned for example, that research shows that babies who spend less time crying alone and the more consistent and faster your response is to their crying in the first 6 months, the less likely they are to cry later on. Babies do not have the logic to manipulate you into picking them up to comfort them, it is a basic need they have so it is not ok to just leave them crying their little eyes out in hopes of them falling asleep, etc. Even if you cannot completely stop them from crying by holding and soothing them, this type of crying is physiologically and psychologically better for babies. Next week we cover breastfeeding and feeding in general.
Last night we both attended our last Birthing Class. We mostly reviewed what we had learned and basically at this point, we should be ready for labor. I'm glad we took this class because I definitely feel like I now understand the labor process and what sorts of things to expect much much better. As each labor is different of course, at least I feel somewhat prepared for what can come. In general, I have very positive feelings toward labor - not to say I am not somewhat anxious of course - and am keeping my eye on the prize: our little baby!