38 Weeks! The end is nigh.

Babycenter:

How your baby's growing:

Your baby has really plumped up. She weighs about 6.8 pounds and she's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). She has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time! Her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.

Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If she's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after she's born, but they usually won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)

How your life's changing:

For many women, the next couple of weeks are a waiting game. Use this time to prepare your baby's nursery or to take care of necessary tasks you may not get around to for a while after your baby's born. Take naps, catch up on your reading, and spend uninterrupted time with your partner while you can.

Some swelling in your feet and ankles is normal during these last weeks, but call your practitioner without delay if you notice excessive or sudden swelling of your feet or ankles, more than slight swelling of your hands, any swelling in your face or puffiness around your eyes, or have a sudden weight gain. Also let her know immediately if have severe or persistent headaches; visual changes (such as double or blurred vision, seeing spots or flashing lights, light sensitivity, or a temporary loss of vision), intense upper abdominal pain or tenderness, or nausea and vomiting. These are symptoms of a serious condition called preeclampsia.

Week 38

by Amalah of Alphamom

Your Baby:

• Is officially a little chunkin, at well over six pounds and 19 1/2 inches long.
• Is also officially considered “full term.” In other words, he or she is STRAIGHT UP FREELOADING from here on out.
• Is practicing making fists and fetal breathing in anticipation of life outside the womb.

You:

• Have probably had enough of this magical special time, thank you very much.
• Backaches, joint aches, heartburn, indigestion, constipation, Braxton-Hicks contractions, painful kicks, bladder pressure, stretch marks, itchy skin, swollen ankles, fatigue, dry mouth, mood swings, did I miss anything else in this cavalcade of late-pregnancy hilarity?
• Are alternating between crazy excitement about finally meeting your baby and crazy panic about oh my God, you’re finally going to meet your baby and they’re going to expect that you take it home and like, keep it alive and stuff.

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Me: Baby Boy Saltine Cracker Tater Tot Cucumber Pumpkin has been spending (ahem...freeloading) his past few weeks finding every last bone structure of mine within his reach and.... using it as a springboard. Resting his head on my bladder. Testing out possible exits. (HERE! HERE! HERE! AND HERE! but really here) Headbanging/Scratching his nose with my pubic bone. Using my pelvis to practice his cannonballs. Weeeeee.......

The car seat and base has finally been installed in my car. We can bring him home! and we won't even have to strap him to the roof! Spoiled already, sheesh. ;)

Besides the many irritating smug personal comments from current parents I've received, I've also received many compliments about how good I look, how I haven't gained much weight, it's all in my belly, not swelling.....which is so nice to hear (to balance out the contrite 'Just you wait!!' comments).

At my last.weekly.appointment yesterday, Dr.Smiley checked me and I am still at 1.5 cm dilated, 70% effaced, cervix soft, baby low, etc. Which is where I have been for the past 3 weeks. Unless something happens between now and this weekend, we have the Induction scheduled for next Tuesday. NEXT TUESDAY, OMG. I think I would prefer it that way; make it through the holiday weekend, have lunch with my parents on Monday, and then stroll into the hospital at 7am on Tuesday.

Dr. Smiley says the Induction process is as follows: no eating or drinking after midnight, check into L & D, get hooked up to Pitocin, break the bag of water and then wait for contractions and progress. I can have the epidural anytime I want it. Nothing is set in stone, but he expects baby boy to be born by mid-afternoon. Sounds so much nicer than my water breaking in the middle of the night.... or in traffic... or in at work.... and then having to get myself to the hospital.

Oh yeah, and this is me:

37 Weeks. Checking off the boxes.

Babycenter:

How your baby's growing:

Your baby is now considered "full term," even though your due date is three weeks away. If you go into labor now, his lungs will likely be mature enough to fully adjust to life outside the womb. (Some babies need a bit more time, though. So if you're planning to have a repeat c-section, for example, your practitioner will schedule it for no earlier than 39 weeks unless there's a medical reason to intervene earlier.)

Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard). Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.

How your life's changing:

Braxton Hicks contractions may be coming more frequently now and may last longer and be more uncomfortable. You might also notice an increase in vaginal discharge. If you see some "bloody show" (mucus tinged with a tiny amount of blood) in the toilet or in your undies, labor is probably a few days away — or less. (If you have heavier spotting or bleeding, call your caregiver immediately.)

Also be sure to ask your caregiver about the results of your Group B strep culture. That way, if the result isn't yet on your chart when you get to the hospital or birth center, you'll be able to give the staff there a timely heads-up if you need antibiotics.

It may be harder than ever to get comfortable enough to sleep well at night. If you can, take it easy through the day — this may be your last chance to do so for quite a while. Keep monitoring your baby's movements, too, and let your caregiver know immediately if you notice a decrease. Though her quarters are getting cozy, she should still be as active as before.

While you're sleeping, you're likely to have some intense dreams. Anxiety both about labor and about becoming a parent can fuel a lot of strange flights of unconscious fancy.

Alphamom:

Week 37

Your Baby:

• Weighs about six and a half pounds, and is 21 inches long — quite possibly the same length he or she will be at birth.
• Is packing on close to a half-pound of pure, unadulterated baby chub every week.

You:

• Are probably dismayed to realize you are STILL outgrowing your maternity clothes. Your shirts ride up to reveal a couple inches of belly (or elastic waistbands), your pants might bulge and pucker weirdly as your uterus drops lower, and some tops might feel especially tight as your ribcage expands to handle all your pushed-up organs.
• Might be having serious trouble getting a good night’s sleep thanks to your size (my limbs keep falling asleep under my body’s crushing weight), your baby’s jolt-you-awake-caliber kicks, bladder calls, Braxton-Hicks contractions, and your brain’s constant buzz of excitement and anxiety and massive to-do lists.

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Me: Nursery: check. Hospital bag: check. Childbirth and BF-ing Classes: check.. Baby Shower: check. Pre-register at hospital: check. Pick a Pediatrician: check. Maternity Leave paperwork: check.

So much crossed off, but why do I feel like there is so much more left to do??

Maybe it's those nagging baby shower thank-you's that I still have to attend to.

Well, put it this way, nothing is stopping this baby coming, nor would I feel unprepared if he arrives, uh, tomorrow. The foyer decoration can wait. And the fan install. And who knows what else. It's just that the more I cross off the list, the more I add to it. And that's just me.

Weekly doctor's appt last week: Yea no Group B Strep. Measuring normal, if not on the 'smallish' side (as per Dr. Smiley, thank yew I'll take that as a compliment). He's predicting a 6-7 lb babe. (!!) 1.5 cm dilated at last appointment.

Did I mention that we think he's dropped?? There seems to be more room between my rib line and the top curvature of my belly, if that makes any sense. It's been easier to breathe (more or less). And my bipple has disappeared from my gaze, looking down, which has been the most astounding thing of all. It was there, and now it's not... it's lower.

Lots more pain and discomfort.... but hard to tell if it's the real deal quite yet.

36 Weeks. Must Buy All the Things.

Babycenter:

How your baby's growing:

Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of her first bowel movement.

At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.) Most likely she's in a head-down position. But if she isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an "external cephalic version," which is a fancy way of saying she'll try to coax your baby into a head-down position by manipulating her from the outside of your belly.

How your life's changing:

Now that your baby is taking up so much room, you may have trouble eating a normal-size meal. Smaller, more frequent meals are often easier to handle at this point. On the other hand, you may have less heartburn and have an easier time breathing when your baby starts to "drop" down into your pelvis. This process — called lightening — often happens a few weeks before labor if this is your first baby. (If you've given birth before, it probably won't happen before labor starts.) If your baby drops, you may also feel increased pressure in your lower abdomen, which may make walking increasingly uncomfortable, and you'll probably find that you have to pee even more frequently. If your baby is very low, you may feel lots of vaginal pressure and discomfort as well. Some women say it feels as though they're carrying a bowling ball between their legs!

You might also notice that your Braxton Hicks contractions are more frequent now. Be sure to review the signs of labor with your practitioner and find out when she wants to hear from you. As a general rule, if you're full-term, your pregnancy is uncomplicated, and your water hasn't broken, she'll probably have you wait to come in until you've been having contractions that last for about a minute each, coming every five minutes for an hour. Of course, you'll want to call right away if you notice a decrease in your baby's activity or think you're leaking amniotic fluid, or if you have any vaginal bleeding, fever, a severe or persistent headache, constant abdominal pain, or vision changes.

Even if you're enjoying an uncomplicated pregnancy, it's best to avoid flying (or any travel far from home) during your final month because you can go into labor at any time. In fact, some airlines won't let women on board who are due to deliver within 30 days of the flight.

Week 36

by Amalah of Alphamom

Your Baby:

• Is six pounds. SIX. POUNDS. You probably have clothes in your house that already fit a six-pound baby.
• Is still not fully cooked yet, even though MOST babies born at this point will do just fine. But the lungs are better off with a couple more weeks of maturity.
• The size of your baby will start displacing amniotic fluid over the final few weeks. As the fluid gets reabsorbed into your body, you may notice that your baby’s movements feel “different.” You might not feel as many kicks as you used to, or the sensations are just…well, “different.” It’s mostly because of the cramped quarters in there and less fluid.

You:

• Are not done yet. I am sorry.
• Have gained 25 to 30 pounds, according to the books, which also say that it’s “not unusual” for your weight to remain unchanged between weekly OB appointments. Say it with me: SHUT UP, BOOKS.

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Me: Time is starting to speed up. I will be a Mother by the END OF THIS MONTH, OMG.

Already into the weekly appointments. Work Baby Shower yesterday. Hair Appt today. Birthin' Babies Class Saturday. Next Doctor's Appt Monday. Bring in Breakfast for Everyone at Work also Monday. You Are About to Be a Food Source-Class Tuesday.

Already dilated 1 cm as of my last appt, and am experiencing early Braxton-Hicks (I think). (Owee). Which could mean something. Or nothing.

Nursery is 99.99999% done, with just the odds and ends left to purchase. Like remaining Registry items (and of course Christmas gifts, will it ever end).

I thought I was going to get away with no stretch marks. I was mistaken.

35 Weeks. Gobble Gobble.

Babycenter:

How your baby's growing:

Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew melon). Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

How your life's changing:

Your uterus — which was entirely tucked away inside your pelvis when you conceived — now reaches up under your rib cage. If you could peek inside your womb, you'd see that there's more baby than amniotic fluid in there now. Your ballooning uterus is crowding your other internal organs, too, which is why you probably have to urinate more often and may be dealing with heartburn and other gastrointestinal distress. If you're not grappling with these annoyances, you're one of the lucky few.

From here on out, you'll start seeing your practitioner every week. Sometime between now and 37 weeks, she'll do a vaginal and rectal culture to check for bacteria called Group B streptococci (GBS). (Don't worry — the swab is the size of a regular cotton swab, and it won't hurt at all.) GBS is usually harmless in adults, but if you have it and pass it on to your baby during birth, it can cause serious complications, such as pneumonia, meningitis, or a blood infection. Because 10 to 30 percent of pregnant women have the bacteria and don't know it, it's vital to be screened. (The bacteria come and go on their own — that's why you weren't screened earlier in pregnancy.) If you're a GBS carrier, you'll get IV antibiotics during labor, which will greatly reduce your baby's risk of infection.

This is also a good time to create a birth plan. Using our form will help you focus on specifics — like who'll be present, what pain management techniques you want to try, and where you want your baby to stay after you deliver. It will give you a starting point to discuss your preferences with your medical team. Childbirth is unpredictable, and chances are you won't follow your plan to the letter, but thinking about your choices ahead of time — and sharing your preferences with your caregiver — should take some of the anxiety out of the process.

Alphamom:

Week 35

Your Baby:

• Is over five pounds now, although these weight guesstimates will start getting very useless very quickly over the next few weeks.
• Since most of your baby’s organs are fully functional and major developmental milestones behind him or her, the next month is all about weight gain. And since “normal” weights for newborns these days can be anything between six and 10 pounds, it’s hard to predict how big YOUR baby will be from here on in.

You:

• Are the very picture of motherly grace and beauty. Also: waddling.
• Fatigue may be a big problem right now. You may need a daily nap, or find yourself crawling into bed by 9 pm. (I can barely make it to my toddler’s 8:30 bedtime most nights.) And while I’ve always seethed at people who love to cheerfully remind pregnant women to “Get some sleep! Once the baby’s here you won’t get any sleep!” I have to say…dude, get some sleep.

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Me: If 'nesting' can come in the form of massive online shopping, well then I Am So There. It's just so darn convenient. I watch the camelcamelcamel deals roll though, and before I know it, its: "The brown minky dot changing pad cover has dropped 4 dollahs with free shipping from Amazon? Must. Buy. Now."

Thanksgiving was fun, with lots of sitting around and eating too much. And got to meet some more California relatives.

I sure miss solid chunks of good ole' fashioned sleep. I'm up at least 3-4 times a night to visit the restroom, after I had taken forever to fall asleep in the first place, with the heartburn, knee RLS and general can'tfallasleep-ness. The next person that tells me to 'Sleep Now while you can!! yuk yuk yuk' will receive a baby shoe upside the head.

34 Weeks! Some fruit.. blahblahblah

Babycenter:

How your baby's growing:

Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.

How your life's changing:

By this week, fatigue has probably set in again, though maybe not with the same coma-like intensity of your first trimester. Your tiredness is perfectly understandable, given the physical strain you're under and the restless nights of frequent pee breaks and tossing and turning, while trying to get comfortable. Now's the time to slow down and save up your energy for labor day (and beyond). If you've been sitting or lying down for a long time, don't jump up too quickly. Blood can pool in your feet and legs, causing a temporary drop in your blood pressure when you get up that can make you feel dizzy.

If you notice itchy red bumps or welts on your belly and possibly your thighs and buttocks as well, you may have a condition called pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP for short). Up to one percent of pregnant women develop PUPPP, which is harmless but can be quite uncomfortable. See your practitioner so she can make sure it's not a more serious problem, provide treatment to make you more comfortable, and refer you to a dermatologist if necessary. Also be sure to call her if you feel intense itchiness all over your body, even if you don't have a rash. It could signal a liver problem.

Alphamom:

Week 34

Your Baby:

• Weighs as much as your average cantaloupe (4.75 pounds-ish) and is almost 18 inches long.
• Reaching the 34-week mark is a big milestone for anyone concerned about pre-term labor, as babies born at this stage usually do just fine (provided they’re otherwise healthy). Other than a slightly longer stay at the hospital, they generally don’t experience any of the long-term health problems that prematurity can cause.
• That said, don’t let your baby go and get any big ideas about escaping just yet. More baby fat and a few more weeks of lung maturity will still make everybody’s lives easier.

You:

• Fatigue, heartburn, nausea, frequent trips to the bathroom. It’s like the Return of the First Trimester, only much bigger and rounder and gruntier.
• Don’t forget to do your Kegel exercises, not only in preparation for childbirth but also to stop the unfortunate peeing-when-you-laugh-or-sneeze phenomenon, which can get pretty out of hand in these final weeks.
• SO NOT KIDDING ABOUT THAT.

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Me:

Things I am looking forward to doing:

1. Bending down without extra effort and grunting
2. Gorging on the 'no-no's': sushi, raw oysters, alcohol, and otherwise dropping this boring diabetic diet ASAP (assuming I'm cleared to do so)
3. Turning over in bed or getting off the couch with ease
4. No more sore knees in the evening (or RLS)
5. No more Fatigue (which I'm sure will be traded in for Sleep Deprivation)
6. Not having to answer dumb, personal questions or comments about myself
7. Pushing a stroller with a brand-new baby around the neighborhood
8. Smelling him
9. Seeing whom he looks like
10. Can I get a whoop whoop for 3 months of Maternity Leave??

33 Weeks! A Pineapple?!

From Babycenter:

How your baby's growing:

This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.

How your life's changing:

As your baby fills out even more of your belly, lots of things might start to change: Whereas before you were sashaying, you may find yourself waddling. Finding an easy position to sit in — let alone sleep — is becoming more of a challenge. And bumping into chairs and counters is par for the course.

You may be feeling some achiness and even numbness in your fingers, wrists, and hands. Like many other tissues in your body, those in your wrist can retain fluid, which can increase pressure in the carpal tunnel, a bony canal in your wrist. Nerves that run through this "tunnel" may end up pinched, creating numbness; tingling, shooting or burning pain; or a dull ache. Try wearing a splint to stabilize your wrist or propping your arm up with a pillow when you sleep. If your work requires repetitive hand movements (at a keyboard or on an assembly line, for instance), remember to stretch your hands when you take breaks — which should be frequently.

Many women are still feeling sexy at this stage — and their partners often agree. You may need to make some adjustments, but for most women, sex during pregnancy is fine right up until their water breaks or their labor starts.

From Alphamom:

Week 33

Your Baby:

• Weighs over four pounds and is 17 inches long.
• The skeleton is hardening, except for the skull, which will remain soft and flexible to allow it to fit through the birth canal, and also to grow and allow adequate space for your baby’s enormously brilliant brain.
• Kicks and movements are practically visible from space now, and you may look down and realize that your belly is no longer round, but pointed, as a knee or elbow stretches out for a few seconds before disappearing beneath the surface again.

You:

• Are big. Yes. And the whole world may suddenly seem like it’s got an opinion about when you’ll go into labor, and it TOTALLY DOESN’T CARE that you aren’t even full-term yet, it thinks you’ve dropped and popped and are going to give birth in like, two weeks. Tell it to shut the hell up with my blessings.
• May be waddling more than walking, and misjudging your circumference as you bump into counters and knock things over on tables.
• A lot of pregnant women start having strange dreams about those pronounced movements — legs and arms stretching out from under your clothes, or the perfect imprint of your baby’s face suddenly appearing next to your belly button. If these dreams creep you out, just remember that it’s your mind starting to wrap itself around the concept that there is, in fact, a actual baby in there rather than some hypothetical concept of a baby.

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Me: It's all just becoming a blur and running together and going by too fast. Occasional heartburn. Must get up and pee a few times a night, which usually includes a minor wrestling match with Peggy the Prego Pillow. But I always win.

In a week or so, it will be Thanksgiving (fried turkey...Mmmmm) and then the month of December will fly by and it will be Christmas. And then HE WILL BE HERE. ZOMG.

Had last Friday off, so I finally bit the bullet and ran around to tour daycare centers. Even had to give myself a little pep-talk in the parking lot before I went in the first one. Cause this is NOT what I had in mind, but hey, life and reality intervenes and.... Here We Are. I think the experience of daycare is a good one for a child, I mean I grew up in daycare and garnered many worthwhile experiences.... but it is also a whole new ballgame when you are handing over your 3 month old to a practical stranger to love and cherish through the hours of 7 -4. Sigh. ONE DAY my goals will be accomplished.

I think I'm leaning towards the daycare center at a church near the house; its the closest, cheapest, no waiting list and seemed the cleanest/newest/brightest out of the three I looked at. I think we will just have to start there and see how he does, and maybe try another one out later. The other church daycare I looked at was a close second.

We got SO MUCH DONE in the nursery last weekend.... it's all finally coming together. Just a few more things on the to-do list....

32 Weeks!

Babycenter:

How your baby's growing:

By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds (pick up a large jicama) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, she'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb. She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth.

How your life's changing:

To accommodate you and your baby's growing needs, your blood volume has increased 40 to 50 percent since you got pregnant. With your uterus pushing up near your diaphragm and crowding your stomach, the consequences may be shortness of breath and heartburn. To help relieve your discomfort, try sleeping propped up with pillows and eating smaller meals more often.

You may have lower-back pain as your pregnancy advances. If you do, let your caregiver know right away, particularly if you haven't had back pain before, since it can be a sign of preterm labor.

Assuming it's not preterm labor that's ailing you, you can probably blame your growing uterus and hormonal changes for your aching back. Your expanding uterus shifts your center of gravity and stretches out and weakens your abdominal muscles, changing your posture and putting a strain on your back. Hormonal changes in pregnancy loosen your joints and the ligaments that attach your pelvic bones to your spine. This can make you feel less stable and cause pain when you walk, stand, sit for long periods, roll over in bed, get out of a low chair or the tub, bend, or lift things.

Alphamom:

Your Baby:

• Is about three pounds, 11 ounces and 16 inches long.
• Is starting to get pretty crowded in there, so you may feel more subtle, rolling-type movements instead of sharp pointy kicks.

You:

• May notice a slight change in your belly shape over the next few weeks — kind of…downward sloping. Not so much of a nice shelf for your bowl of ice cream as you’ve had in the past.
• This change also might signal the retirement of some of your maternity clothes and you’ll need longer shirts instead of just roomy shirts. I can pretty much guarantee that the shirts that no longer fit will be the cutest ones, dammit.
• STAY HYDRATED. KEEP YOUR FEET ELEVATED WHENEVER POSSIBLE. DON’T MAKE ME STOP THIS BLOG AND COME BACK THERE.

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Me: As I sit here typing this (32 weeks, 6 days- Ha! Yes slacker am I), there is a painful tightening of my lower abdomen that kinda comes and goes. Yesterday there were sharp pains to what I can only ascertain to be the inside of my cervix. What does all this mean? Braxton-Hicks? Baby Boy is kicking me and laying hard against a certain area? You got me. I'm new and I don't know what to do...

The cold that didn't want to go away, finally did go away after about a week and a half. And one and three-quarters of bottles of cold medicine. And then I managed to burn the CRAP out of my thumb last night, when I was sauteing up some squash. But Dear Hubs rigged me up a aloe vera ice cream cone for my thumb and I was SO MUCH BETTA.

After about 15 coats of paint each, we have the armoire(s) in the house! The distressing is nearly complete, and may need some touch-up on the insides. The crib is ready to go, the changer-dresser only needs the rails attached, the glider is here and the rug should arrive today! Only 15 more things to accomplish on my To-Do List! Included is interviewing daycares, which I admittedly am kind of stalling (LA LA LA Can't hear you), but since we have Friday off, some of that time will have to be spent checking out future partial caregivers for our child. Sigh. On the bright side of things, I do have my next appointment the same day, as well as a scheduled 80 MINUTE prenatal massage. Courtesy of Dear Sweet Hubs and our one-year anniversary. Has it really been a year? I already had a 55 minute one last week and it was HEAVEN.

I need a good laugh.

This just makes me laugh.

And I need a good laugh, because this cold still lingers on.... Poo.

31 Weeks! A Cold? WTH!

Babycenter:

How your baby's growing:

This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.

How your life's changing:

Have you noticed the muscles in your uterus tightening now and then? Many women feel these random contractions — called Braxton Hicks contractions — in the second half of pregnancy. Often lasting about 30 seconds, they're irregular, and at this point, they should be infrequent and painless. Frequent contractions, on the other hand — even those that don't hurt — may be a sign of preterm labor. Call your practitioner immediately if you have more than four contractions in an hour or any other signs of preterm labor: an increase in vaginal discharge or a change in the type of discharge (if it becomes watery, mucus-like, or bloody — even if it's pink or just tinged with blood); abdominal pain or menstrual-like cramping; an increase in pressure in the pelvic area; or low back pain, especially if you didn't have it before.

You may have noticed some leaking of colostrum, or "premilk," from your breasts lately. If so, try tucking some nursing pads into your bra to protect your clothes. (And if not, it's certainly nothing to worry about; your breasts are making colostrum all the same, even if you don't see any.) If your current bra is too snug, you might also want to pick up a nursing bra. Choose a nursing bra at least one cup size bigger than you need now. When your milk comes in you'll be grateful for that extra room!

If you're having a boy, you and your partner will want to take some time to think about whether or not to have your baby circumcised. Find out the pros and cons from your doctor, and what the procedure involves.

Alphamom:

Your Baby:

• Blah blah blah 3.3 pounds, bag of oranges, sock full of nickels, etc.
• Enjoys yawning, sucking his or her thumb, kicking mom in the diaphragm.
• Turn-offs include: getting the hiccups, really loud noises and you trying to do all that boring “sleeping” at night.

You:

• Can totally round down your answer to “two months” when people ask you how much longer you have to go. DO NOT focus on the crazy week-to-month-ratio math at this point in pregnancy, particularly when there are breakable, smashy objects within reach.
• May be weirdly and inexplicably congested all the time. I, for one, appear to be allergic to my pillow. This is also prime time for pregnancy colds, as the toll on your body and immune system is getting higher by the week. Take it easy, slow down, take your vitamins and try try try to get enough sleep.
• Can now play everybody’s favorite game, Guess The Body Part That’s Sticking Out Next To My Belly Button! Elbow or heel? Head or butt? Did I seriously just maybe feel my baby’s BIG TOE?

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Me: Crankiness has ensued, so hence the lack of timely postings and witty repertoire.

The GD is just a regular thing now, with the having to draw blood numerous times a day and the not too much, not too few carb diet-dance. My next regular appointment is tomorrow, and I am curious to see how Baby Boy is progressing (too big?).

I did just receive my first jab-jab snarky comment, "Are you sure you have 2 months left?". Wink-wink, nudge-nudge. If the coworker wasn't already in the process of doing me a favor (bringing my timesheet upstairs due to our new ridiculous process), I may have thrown a shoe at him.

A cold has set in this week. Which apparently is right on time, according to the weekly updates. So just pile misery on top of misery. Dear Hubs did run out to the store for me last night for pharmaceuticals, after fixing the water heater so that I have an appropriate amount of hot water for my evening baths. Love that man! Feeling a bit better with my cold meds (from the doctor-approved list), but I just really really would like to be napping in the comforts of our master bedroom-cave at this very moment. But due to my razor-thin maternity leave schedule, no more 'mental health', 'I just want to stay home' or 'just have a miserable cold and am 7 months prego' days. Got to save every last hour up. I think I will be thanking myself after wee bebe' is here.

Halloween is right around the corner and maybe we'll try out the Fair this weekend...



Oh yeah, and it's our First Anniversary today! One year ago today we were here: (check out how swanky we are...)
















And just for laughs, I tried on my wedding dress (that has still been hanging from a curtain rod in our master bedroom....it's just SO PRETTY that I can't bear to store it away). If not for the satin band, I coulda-might've been able to zip it back up again... but it was sitting right where the belly bump would be, so that was a No-Go! But you get the general idea...









And today this arrived...












I may have a bowling ball (or 4 navel oranges... ahem.) rolling around in my rapidly-expanding abdomen, but this sure is a nice time in my life. Need to remind myself to take time to appreciate this fleeting time period!

30 Weeks! Prego my Eggo.

Babycenter:

How your baby's growing:

Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)

How your life's changing:

You may be feeling a little tired these days, especially if you're having trouble sleeping. You might also feel clumsier than normal, which is perfectly understandable. Not only are you heavier, but the concentration of weight in your pregnant belly causes a shift in your center of gravity. Plus, thanks to hormonal changes, your ligaments are more lax, so your joints are looser, which may also contribute to your balance being a bit off. Also, this relaxation of your ligaments can actually cause your feet to spread permanently, so you may have to invest in some new shoes in a bigger size.

Remember those mood swings you had earlier in pregnancy? The combination of uncomfortable symptoms and hormonal changes can result in a return of those emotional ups and downs. It's normal to worry about what your labor will be like or whether you'll be a good parent. But if you can't shake the blues or feel increasingly irritable or agitated, talk to your doctor or midwife. You may be among the 1 in 10 expectant women who battle depression during pregnancy. Also let your caregiver know if you're frequently nervous or anxious.

Alphamom:

Week 30

Your Baby:

• Weighs about three pounds and is 17 inches long. Since most full-term babies are between 20 and 22 inches long at 40 weeks’ gestation, your baby will pack on more pounds than inches in the 10 weeks or so.
• Is starting to get a little crowded in there, but still has room to wiggle and roll and punch and kick.
• Despite all the movement, it’s still damn near impossible to tell what position your baby is in for sure (head down, breech, transverse, etc.), but it’s also still too early to be worrying about it. MOST babies settle into a head-down position around 36 weeks, and some still manage to flip themselves around after that.

You:

• May feel like you’re gestating a pissed-off housecat rather than a chubby wittle baby at this point, with some movement and kicks causing ACTUAL PHYSICAL PAIN. Some women experience kicks so sharp and unnerving they mistake them for uterine contractions, even if they’ve already been through pregnancy and labor and should really know better.
• Some of these women may even write pregnancy guides on the Internet.

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Me: So I guess I have settled into Acceptance of what I have to deal with, and that even includes firing a needle at my left index & ring finger(s) four times a day. Weeee!

We accomplished SO MUCH over the weekend in the nursery. It is usable as a room (nursery). It has a crib. It has a changing table! Go us! The armoire(s) have a coat of primer and the insides are painted. It finally feels like we are getting somewhere.

Not much else to say this week, other than TIRED.

29 Weeks. Reality sets in like a deep, dark cloud.

Babycenter:

How your baby's growing:

Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. To meet his increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because his bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day.

How your life's changing:

Your baby's very active now. Your healthcare provider may ask you to spend some time each day counting kicks and will give you specific instructions on how to do this. Let your provider know if you ever notice that your baby is becoming less active. You may need a nonstress test or biophysical profile to check on your baby's condition.

Some old friends — heartburn and constipation — may take center stage now. The pregnancy hormone progesterone relaxes smooth muscle tissue throughout your body, including your gastrointestinal tract. This relaxation, coupled with the crowding in your abdomen, slows digestion. Sluggish digestion can cause gas and heartburn — especially after a big meal — and contribute to constipation.

Your growing uterus may also be contributing to hemorrhoids. These swollen blood vessels in your rectal area are common during pregnancy. Fortunately, they usually clear up in the weeks after giving birth.

If they're itchy or painful, try soaking in a sitz bath or applying cold compresses medicated with witch hazel to the affected area. Avoid sitting or standing for long stretches. Talk with your provider before using any over-the-counter remedies during pregnancy, and let your provider know if you have any rectal bleeding. To prevent constipation, eat a high-fiber diet, drink plenty of water, and get some regular exercise.

Some women get something called "supine hypotensive syndrome" during pregnancy. This happens when lying flat on your back causes a change in heart rate and blood pressure that makes you feel dizzy until you change position. You might notice that you feel lightheaded if you stand up too quickly, too. To avoid "the spins," lie on your side rather than your back, and move slowly as you go from lying down to sitting and then standing.

Alphamom:

by Amalah

Your Baby:

• Is big and strong enough to resemble a sinister alien thrashing around your abdomen, as my husband kindly pointed out recently, upon noticing a rouge pointy elbow jabbing up and down around my belly button.
• Is sucking up every drop of calcium you can provide as his or her bones continue to harden and become more…uh…bone-like.
• DID I MENTION THE POINTY JABBING? WITH THE SHARP LITTLE BONES?

You:

• Might start noticing a resurgence of first-trimester-type symptoms like heartburn and other gastrointestinal issues. Things are getting a BIT crowded in there, and the lack of room means slower digestion and more gas and constipation and woe.
• Are gaining weight. I don’t know or care to look up what the “recommended” amount is at this stage, but most likely you are starting to notice a steady upward movement of that little thingie on your doctor’s scale. If you’ve been using pregnancy as a dietary sweet tooth free-for-all, now might be a good time to start reining it in and focusing on healthy foods and portions instead of “BABY NEEDS CAKE AND A TUB OF FROSTING ON THE SIDE.”

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Me: And Reality has arrived. Thus far I've had my head nicely tucked up in the clouds, harboring fantasies about leaving work and becoming a SAHM after Baby Boy's arrival. It was painful to even consider the possibility of returning to work and putting him in daycare, so I just refused to even think about it.

But, after making myself sit down and face the numbers, it looks like it will just continue to be a fantasy for a while. Dear Hubs agrees that me not working would be for the best, but for now, Mama still gotz billz to pay. Poo. And alot is still riding on my working, namely me carrying health insurance for 4 people (soon to be 5).

So that means working out how much 'maternity leave' I can cobble together. It's looking like 12 weeks total, 6 weeks Paid Leave, 4 weeks Advanced Leave and 2 weeks LWOP. I hate the idea of going that far into the hole with Advanced Leave, with anticipating future baby sick days and doctor appointments, but when you are taking LWOP, you have to pay your insurance premiums. Which are not cheap.

And then there's daycare... I don't even know where to begin. There seems to be one at a church just up the road from us that is $110/week, which seems very reasonable for an infant but I am wondering what the catch is. I'm not opposed to daycare entirely, I mean I grew up in daycare and had a lot of great experiences associated with it; it's more that I just want to me a mother that is around and is there to witness all the milestones and be there. And not just hear about it from the daycare provider. It's soul-crushing, but what can you do? For now, just set a new goal and know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

I had the 1-hr GD test a little over a week ago, and then got the results a few days later that my levels were elevated and I had to go back in for the 3-hr GTT (glucose tolerance test). I took that last friday morning. I had to fast starting at midnight, and then arrive for my 8:30 am appointment, drink the orange goop again, and then they would draw my blood several times over a 3-hour period. This time I had to drink the whole bottle, not just half like before. That was not fun, drinking this pure sugar drink on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. Then they drew my blood for a CBC (still had the bruise on my arm from the previous test) and then did 2 finger sticks. Those weren't so bad, they just felt like hitting your finger really hard with a pencil or something. And then they did more finger sticks every hour for the next 3 hours. Lots of women came and went from the Lab waiting room; I overhead a phone conversation from a young women that was upset because her boyfriend or brother had been arrested several days ago, was released, and now she couldn't locate him.

This 3-Hr GTT wasn't as bad as the 5-Hr GTT that I had had last year when my GP was investigating some strange symptoms in me. That time they actually were drawing blood over several hours, and not just the finger sticks like this time. That time they started running out of veins and I looked like a junkie with all the bruises and bandaids.

So I was hoping the 3-Hr test would rule out that I had GD, and I've read that it usually does. But I just got the call from the nurse, saying that I failed that test too, and that I do, indeed, have Gestational Diabetes. Double poo.

I have to call the Diabetic Center at the hospital tomorrow to set up an appointment to learn all about counting carbs and testing my blood. So looking forward to this.

What is so ironic to me, is that I really haven't had many cravings, don't indulge in sweets all that often, and still consider my diet to be reasonably 'low carb'. Around 100-150 grams of carbs per day, I'd say. And now I'm supposed to be eating less than that?

So now I'm just worried about everything.... having to continue to work at a job that I'm not exactly thrilled with... daycare.... what's going to happen with this diabetes thing.....


Oh well. On the bright side of things:

1. I have no stretch marks and totally was anticipating them.

2. It's supposed to be cooler this week, like highs in the 60's this thursday?

3. Nursery is almost done. Crib arrived today and I need to go pick it up. Crib, crib set, mattress, changing table dresser and two armoires are scattered everywhere, just need to put them all together! One more payment on the glider from BRU and it is mine!

4. He's been kicking less and moving around more, from side to side. I can feel and tell which side he is 'laying' on, but still can't differentiate between a head and a rump. It's still fascinating.

My turn to whine and complain, whereas in real life I will pretend to be the Bigger Person.

I don't think anyone is really listening, so I'm gonna go ahead and say this.

With being pregnant, it generally oscillates between Generally Sucking(GS) and Weeee I'm So Cute and Special(WISCaS). The WISCaS is when I am gingerly strolling the streets of downtown, being greeted with warm smiles of onlookers, and you JUST KNOW they are thinking, Gosh she is so cute. Look at that baby bump. I can hardly stand it. Or strolling around BRU, Gymboree and/or Carter's and admiring all the onesies and obscenely cute matching plaid crib shoes while rubbing my bellae. Or answering non-intrusive, polite questions about due dates, boy or girl, etc.

The GS part is the part that brings you back to reality, with the general getting-larger by the day-ness, the swelling (where the hell did my ankle bones go), random nausea, tiredness and generally being uncomfortable because there just is no comfortable position to sit, lay or stand anymore. I'm become so familiar with this sore spot on my tailbone that I think I will name him Fred or something. Fred is a pain in the azz, literally. Fred is a product of having to lean back partially when seated, due to trying to relieve some of the pressure caused by a burgeoning bellae, but that ends up putting constant pressure on this same spot on my tailbone. Hence, Fred.

And then there's the inappropriate questions. Considering I have a hard enough time retaining female friendships and/or keeping coworkers from plotting against me, I try to refrain from replying with something snarky. But I sure am tired of being asked how I am feeling and being reminded of how much bigger I am getting. Just, please, for once, STFU.

The Second Trimester brought questions as to whether we were hoping for a boy or a girl. What is the point of this question exactly? If we told you (and didn't give the boring standard Just as Long as its Healthy!), and the results end up being something the opposite of what we told you we were 'hoping' for, then you get to snicker and think Ha Ha Suckas. Is this your motivation? If so, we should not be 'friends'.

All of this rambling brings me to the point of this posting. When I announced my pregnancy at work, one of my fellow coworkers informed me that I could get a spot in the parking garage at work (normally reserved for higher-ups, disabled persons, GSA vehicles, etc). I'm sure she was just trying to be helpful, especially being that they didn't give her any trouble at all in requesting a parking space during her pregnancy. So I send off a cheerful email to the pertinent person, asking what I need to do. And I get a snarky email back, saying You don't get a spot just because you are pregnant.

Bitch, please.

And she continues, But if you're doctor thinks so, here's the form for them to fill out.

So fine, I print out the forms, fill out my parts as necessary, like I am filling out Power of Attorney or Home Closing forms (even though this is for a parking spot) and then hand them over to Dr. Smiley at my next appointment, to which he gleefully signs (well maybe not gleefully but I do call him Dr. Smiley for a reason). And then shoot the forms back to the troll in the Building Dept. And then wait. And wait. Finally 2 weeks go by and I send another cheerful email, inquiring to the status of my request. Then another week and I finally get another Oh so Friendly email from the troll, stating that my request has been denied because my doctor said (meaning the troll decided that the signed form wasn't enough and that she needed to verify it with my doctor) that I wasn't High Risk and walking would be good for me.

Oh ho rea-lly.

Now even though I'm tempted, I am NOT storming down to the Building Dept and raising cain. I'm just not. I'm just going to do it here where I can say whatever the hell I damn well please. I'm not going down there and being the crazy prego lady making demands, being that I thought this was just a courtesy extended to the prego ladies of the building. And the prerequisite, that I be 'High Risk'. Um, honeychild, if I was HR, I would be parked at home on bedrest filling my eyeballs with Say Yes to the Dress. And not worried about how far I would have to walk to get from my car to my desk.

It just doesn't seem very fair. I apparently am not friends with the right people, I suppose. It's not the biggest deal in the world, but if I do happen to go into pre-term labor as I waddle my pretty pink princess self into the building, then we may have a problem. Like an employee having had requested their employer to make accommodations for a temporary disability (with Doctor note!) and was DENIED, despite the precedent that was set.

I told that coworker about being denied, and I think she was more upset about it that I was, so she graciously stormed down to the Chief of the Building Dept, and talked with him. He told her that if I filled out the forms again and got my doctor to sign again, and checked the magic amount of the right boxes on the form, that they would re-evaluate the request. But I have a feeling they would just happily deny my request again, so I'm not going through all that again.

But mostly, it's probably because I'm not obese and of a certain color. Doh! Did I just say that out loud?

28 Weeks! A Chinese Cabbage?

From Babycenter:

By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

How your life's changing:

You're in the home stretch! The third and final trimester starts this week. If you're like most women, you'll gain about 11 pounds this trimester.

At this point, you'll likely visit your doctor or midwife every two weeks. Then, at 36 weeks, you'll switch to weekly visits. Depending on your risk factors, your practitioner may recommend repeating blood tests for HIV and syphilis now, as well as doing cultures for chlamydia and gonorrhea, to be certain of your status before delivery. Also, if your glucose screening test result was high and you haven't yet had follow-up testing, you'll soon be given the 3-hour glucose tolerance test. And if the blood work done at your first prenatal visit showed that you're Rh negative, you'll get an injection of Rh immunoglobulin to prevent your body from developing antibodies that could attack your baby's blood. (If your baby is Rh positive, you'll receive another shot of Rh immunoglobulin after you give birth.)

Around this time, some women feel an unpleasant "creepy-crawly" sensation in their lower legs and an irresistible urge to move them while trying to relax or sleep. If this sensation is at least temporarily relieved when you move, you may have what's known as restless legs syndrome (RLS). No one knows for sure what causes RLS, but it's relatively common among expectant mothers. Try stretching or massaging your legs, and cut down on caffeine, which can make the symptoms worse. Ask your caregiver if you should try iron supplements, which can sometimes relieve RLS.

From Alphamom:

Your Baby:

• Continues to get a longer and fatter by the day. Shocking, I know. His or her weight has actually doubled in the past month alone, which is why you’ve probably gotten comments about “popping” recently.
• Weight is around 2.5 pounds right now, which (if you’re like me, gazing in horror and your inside-out belly button and spidery stretch marks) might sound a little frightening, since the baby clearly needs to gain a LOT MORE WEIGHT before he or she is fully cooked, and oh my God, how in the world is anything bigger going to fit in there?

You:

• Are either feeling like this pregnancy will NEVER end, or that 12 more weeks is simply not nearly enough time to prepare. Or you might feel both ways, changing your mind one minute to the next.
• Must move furniture and fold clothes and organize the linen closet and replace the bathroom vanity and finally get rid of that sooty stain on the marble fireplace and yes, DARLING, these are all essential tasks that MUST be completed before the baby gets here, DO NOT ARGUE WITH ME, NOW GO HANG UP SOME SHELVES.

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Me: Who (whom?) turned on the Nausea Valve again? WHO DAMMIT. And unlike First Tri, Oh the Stomach that must constantly purge itself of absolutely nothing, now it's actual meals. And usually meals that were a 'splurge' and I probably shouldn't have had in the first place. Like pizza. Or Doritos. Or Halloween oreos (Hello again!). Or Who the Hell Knows. But hey, I'm prego, we are supposed to indulge occasionally, right? RIGHT? My digestive areas seem to disagree. Back to the greek yogurt and fruit, I guess.

And the Tiredness has returned. This morning, as I sat with my daily ritual of English Breakfast tea, I seriously contemplated calling in to work sick, because I was just so damn tired. Like, arms feel heavy tired. But I still managed to drag myself there. Yesterday I had a glorious day off for Columbus Day and had so many plans (I will sew! I will launder! I will clean! I will decorate pumpkins! I will bake! I will!....). And I woke up TIRED. Oh so Tired. If our diet coke situation hadn't become so dire, I would have skipped the trip to the grocery store entirely, but I persevered anyway. And it kicked my arse. I later lounged on the couch with a bag of Doritos and later was regretting that decision.

It's not melt the sun hot anymore, but it sure isn't really cool yet. Boo. I have a beautiful camel maternity coat from Motherhood Maternity hanging in my closet, that hopefully I will get to use at some point. Maybe even before Baby Boy is born.

The nursery is so.close.to.being.done. And furniture is on its way! The crib, mattress and crib set has been ordered and is in route. The armoire(s) still lounge in the garage, waiting to be painted. Same thing for the changing table/dresser, except it is at the foot of our bed. I have ONE MORE PAYMENT for my glider from BRU. I have a coupon that may get used to purchase the ottoman from BRU as well. Stuff!

Oh yea, and appointments: Doctor's appointment last week, where I had both the gestational diabetes test and the Rhogam shot. The GD test was just drinking the orange goop and having my blood drawn one hour later. No biggie. And had the Rhogam shot at the very end of the appointment. I paid no attention to the size of the actual needle, but there was about an inch and a half of clear liquid in the syringe. Shot to the hip. I jabbered on about my lower-back tattoo that the nurse asked about as she was stabbing me. Also no biggie. Dr. Smiley had a new 'toy' to use this time; instead of just the doppler to listen to the HB, it had a flip screen that was also a mini-sonogram machine. So we got to SEE the HB (but not actually listen, I guess he had the sound turned off). And there it was, flickering away. And he pointed out some of the outline of the head, an arm, a knee, etc. Pretty cool and unexpected.


Me: 28 Weeks!

27 Weeks! A Cauliflower!

From Babycenter:

How your baby's growing:

This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

How your life's changing:

The second trimester is drawing to a close, but as your body gears up for the final lap, you may start noticing some new symptoms. Along with an aching back, for example, you may find that your leg muscles cramp up now and then. They're carrying extra weight, after all, and your expanding uterus is putting pressure on the veins that return blood from your legs to your heart as well as on the nerves leading from your trunk to your legs. Unfortunately, the cramps may get worse as your pregnancy progresses. Leg cramps are more common at night but can also happen during the day. When a cramp strikes, stretching the calf muscle should give you some relief. Straighten your leg and then gently flex your toes back toward your shin. Walking for a few minutes or massaging your calf sometimes helps, too.

It may be the furthest thing from your mind right now, but it's not too soon to think about family planning. You'll want to have made some decisions about postpartum birth control before your baby arrives. If you're considering a tubal ligation, be aware that most states require you to sign a consent form at least 30 days beforehand. So if you'd like the option of having the surgery during your postpartum hospital stay, don't wait too much longer to discuss it with your caregiver. (You can still change your mind later.)

Alphamom:

Your Baby:

• Hey! Remember when I told you your baby was as big as a gummy bear? Oh, about 19 or 20 weeks ago?
• Now imagine a two-pound, 15-inch-long gummy bear. Yep.
• Eyelids (which have been fused since 11 or 12 weeks) can now open and close.

You:

• Are officially in the third trimester! Feel free to celebrate/panic at will.
• May notice more of that pesky round ligament pain as your belly gets harder and bigger and rounder, or as it starts to dip down a little bit, looking a little less perky and cute than it did a few weeks ago.
• Depending on your baby’s position, the kicks and movements might be a little painful. Feet up under your ribcage, jabs to the cervix, random body parts of mystery poking you way off to the side, where you didn’t even think those little appendages were long enough to reach.

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Me: I'm pretty sure I was kicked somewhere in the vicinity of my cervix last night... internally.

Owchee!

The rolls and kicks have thus far been endlessly fascinating and not painful. I've heard this may not always be the case, as he runs out of room in that cushy amniotic sack and starts aiming for internal organs and bone structure(s). Owchee again!

Symptoms that are sticking around: tiredness, nightly Jimmy Legs, occasional sickness. Apparently I can't tolerate tomato sauce anymore, which is a slight tragedy, as I try to put marinara sauce on just about everything, and generally love pizza, spaghetti, eggplant parm, etc. Soreness in the evenings, centered around my abdomen, feeling like I'm being 'stretched'. Soaks in the tub seem to help. And I am now fully embracing my prego pillow, plus a fan on my side of the bed as well. We are up to 4(!) total for the master bedroom now. The pillow is just so darn comfy, but it is a slight wrestling match to turn over or get up to pee the 2-3 times a night.

It's finally turned cool here again, and I could not be happier. Hopefully it's around to stay. Today's wardrobe: pink & grey long sleeve argyle sweater, white maternity tank underneath, grey maxi maternity dress from Old Navy (LOVE. SO COMFY), black hose socks, grey/black Ahnu mary janes and my rice pearl necklace that was my wedding gift from Hubs.



Some of my photography, the Hannah Houses of Mobile. I walk past these everyday, to and fro my parking lot.






The nursery is SO CLOSE to be being done! (structurally anyway). Just the finish work. Doors are in, just need to measure and order the film for the glass on the french doors. Now on to the furniture!

In general, feeling pretty good!