33 Weeks

Size: A pineapple or a durian - 17 inches and about 4+ pounds.

Interesting fact: He keeps his eyes open while awake and starting to coordinate breathing.

Symptoms: Back pain for the first time.  I guess I made it pretty far without it.  Last week's babycenter email said to contact your practitioner if you were having back pain to assure it was not early labor.  So I did and they assured me it was not.  It is hard to figure out what is normal, if you have never done this before!

Maternity clothes: Now that students are back, I need to step it up a bit from my summer attire.  Dislike.

Cravings: Fruit, Greek Yogurt, Ice Cream

Aversions: I had a bad egg sandwich experience last night, so that will probably be the last of eggs for a while.

Fun things: When my students see me, it is so funny to see the look on their faces.  They have been gone since the first week in May, and had no idea I was pregnant.  Now when they see this big ol' belly, they are 100% shocked.  One girl let out an audible, "Whoa!" 

What I miss: Not being super tired.

Misc: Tonight is our last child birth class! So that means we are officially ready, right?  One girl in our class had her baby early, and I expect another one to not show up tonight.  Billy asked if he could skip for his fantasy football draft.  Answer: NO!  

32 Weeks

Size: A squash or jicama? 3.75 pounds and 16.5 inches.

Interesting fact: He is already head-down - after the midwife confirmed, now I can feel it and identify the body parts that are poking out.

Symptoms: Tired - and still have that pulled/stretched muscle in my abdomen.

Maternity clothes: A couple things are too small for me now!  I didn't see that coming!

Cravings: The same - fruit.  I hope peach season doesn't die too soon.

Aversions: I still haven't tried hamburgers, but I'm fine without them. 

Fun things: So many things!  I did finally buy him an outfit - a Steelers jersey onsie - and then we got to go to a game on Sunday!  Melissa had her own personal shower for me - bought me lunch and fun gifts!  I washed all of his clothes and put them away...and there are a lot!  Somehow I have 15 pairs of baby mittens? There are less than 60 days left until the due date...and less than 40 days of work! 

What I miss: Long walks, for sure.

Misc: When I tell people I'm using a midwife, attempting a natural birth, or cloth diapers, it seems that people always need an explanation.  Only 7% of women at the hospital I'll be at choose not to have an epidural, but the number is greater than 50% with the midwives at the hospital(yes, they are practitioners who work full time at the hospital, not a birthing center), and also have a drastically lower percentage of other interventions during birth.  In the beginning, I was terrified of the idea of not having drugs, but the more I learn about it in class, and reading positive birth stories, the more calm I(and Billy!) feel about my decision.  Some women want, and need an epidural and I get that...I wouldn't ask them to tell me why they did it...it's just interesting that I end up explaining away my decisions.  But who knows - babies have their own plans, so we'll see how this one ends up joining us in October!

31 Weeks/7 months

Size: A pineapple or 4 navel oranges - 16 inches and about 3.5 pounds.

Interesting fact: All five of his senses are now in working order.

Symptoms: Just tired.  I pulled a muscle in my abdomen this weekend - not sure how.  Will probably just kicked it!

Maternity clothes: Funny about the shirt I'm wearing below - I have a similar shirt in the same print from Anthropologie a few years ago.  This one is from JCPenney - wish I had known they had such a good, inexpensive maternity section earlier on!

Cravings: Peaches and nectarines.  And grapes.

Aversions: I had more chicken this week - in the form of wings! So maybe now the only food I wouldn't want would be a hamburger.

Fun things: Putting the room together this weekend.  I only watched on Saturday bc Billy was painting, but on Sunday, we were able to get the furniture upstairs(with help of our neighbor) and everything put together.  I went through all of his clothes and put them away- and we have what seems like a ton, especially for the first 3 months...but I guess that depends on how big/small he ends up being!  And I got an email from my SIL that said she has more to send me!  I have not bought one item of clothing for him...even though it has been tempting!!

What I miss: Walking the dog w/o B's supervision.

Misc: Down to the single digits in the weeks countdown - 9 to go!  Work is about to get busy with freshmen moving in next week, so I think time will go by fast!  We only have 3 classes left and we have been learning a lot!

30 Weeks!

Size: A cucumber or head of cabbage - somewhere around 16 inches and 3 pounds.  I can tell in his movements, that he is getting bigger!  No need to touch my belly anymore, you can see him move!

Interesting fact: His eyesight is continuing to develop, and now only has about 20/400 vision.  Even after he is born, he'll keep his eyes closed most of the day.

Symptoms: Oh yeah with the major heartburn.  Tums are a thing of the past - they can no longer handle the job.  My feet aren't fat and swollen, but I feel like they are expanding because all my shoes are tight.  Thank goodness it is sandal season, and I can probably last with open toes shoes until almost my due date.

Maternity clothes: I almost bought a few more dresses from Target last week, but decided not to, since we're nearing the end.  I REALLY prefer dresses to pants though!

Cravings: Yes, again, with the fruit!  I'm just a lot hungrier, in general lately.

Aversions: Actually, this weekend I ate chicken!  I had CFA nuggets, and they were delicious!  I don't think I would want a whole chicken breast though.

Fun things: Instead of counting the weeks I have completed, I'm now counting down the weeks we have left.  So give or take a week, depending on when he wants to join us - there are TEN weeks left.  Does not sound like much at all!  We do still have to put the room together, find a pediatrician, and figure out our birth plan to turn in!

What I miss:  Being able to lay down without my throat feeling like a hole is burning through it!

Misc: I do enjoy the occasional cup of coffee, and Billy tried to get the midwife to tell me that it would cause ADHD.  She told us that it would more likely be caused by him and his genes, than coffee.  Ha - backfire!  

Tuesdays must be khaki pants day...

29 Weeks

Size: Both BabyCenter and The Bump agree that he is the size of a squash.  About 2.5lbs and 15inches.

Interesting fact: Every day, about 200 milligrams of calcium is deposited into his skeleton, which is now hardening.  More ice cream = more calcium?  Yes?

Symptoms:Major acid reflux.  I take a Tums when I get into bed, and then I wake up again to take another one.  Again, with the calcium!  Sometimes I wake up with serious calf cramps too.  The larger this baby gets, the more he is interfering with my normal functioning.  It's ok though - not much longer!

Maternity clothes: Yes, and my non-maternity dresses that I was able to wear a few weeks ago, just don't look appropriate anymore.  For work, at least.  Speaking of clothes...are denim shirts really coming back?

Cravings: Fruit and ice cream.  Peaches and nectarines, specifically. 

Aversions: The same.

Fun things: Appointments every 2 weeks, and class every week.  Last week's first class was a little eye opening for both of us!  We already learned a lot though...like birth laying down is somewhat modern?  There is also snack time during class!  Billy told the class that a) he had not done any reading and b) he was growing a sympathy belly.  So proud, really.  We also got the furniture to our house, but it is going to stay in the garage for a few more weeks.  We don't want to dismantle our office just yet.

What I miss:  Lunch meat!  I did eat at Jimmy John's yesterday for the first time in many months and had the tuna...it was so so so good!

Misc: My cloth diapering mission is now complete!  I have been scouring the internets for months for good deals, and I now have 24, which is a good number to start with.  At first it was very overwhelming, but I feel like I'll know what I'm doing now.  How many diapers have I changed in a lifetime though?  Probably enough to count on one hand...

Edit to post: picture at midwife office: 29 weeks + 1 day. 

28 Weeks/3rd Trimester

Size: Eggplant- around 14 inches, 2.5 lbs

Interesting fact: He is developing more fat and may be able to see light.

Symptoms: Tired.  I fell asleep on the couch when I got home yesterday, but Patton woke me up when he was ready for dinner.  This dog is not one to be ignored!  Major leg cramps and insomnia at times.

Maternity clothes: Yes, but I still haven't had to buy any maternity work out clothes.  I still wear all my shorts and sometimes Billy's tshirts.  Good thing Billy isn't a huge guy.

Cravings: Fruit, ice cream, sometimes cheese.

Aversions: The same.

Fun things: 3rd trimester...there was a time where it seemed eons away!  I hope Will stays in there as long as he needs to, but I wouldn't mind speeding this time up.  We had our shower this weekend and now have most of what we need to get us started.  The shower was fantastic and it was so nice to see how many friends/family came to see us.

 

What I miss:  A normal bladder.

 

Misc: We start our class tomorrow and I'm excited to start learning.  The midwife started asking us questions during the last appt. about our birth plan and Billy and I sort of just had blank stares. It's a 6 week class that covers basically everything from pain management, birth, to infant care.  Hopefully an emphasis on the latter!  

No real belly picture this week either...but one from the shower, which was 27 weeks and 4 days.  Close enough!

Random Friday

-Sorry no weekly update.  There is not much to update anyway. 

-I walked in my bedroom at 8pm last night to a 39'' television.  I promptly had a very calm conversation with my husband.  Ha!  We agreed that we should get a new TV bc ours had a VHS player...but not this monster.  I believe the monster is staying though.

-We haven't unpacked from our fun extended weekend in NC.  Heading to DC tomorrow though!  Summer travel is better than winter travel, so it's pretty bearable.

-My midwife told me that I needed to start coming to see her every two weeks.  ALREADY? 

-I was walking around in F21 last night(browsing the accessories, obv) and I felt extremely out of place!  Not only am I approaching 30, but also pregnant...I'm not really their target audience anymore!

-I got a mani/pedi last night and of course the manicure lasted all of 2 hours.  Why do I even try?  Good thing I had a groupon!

-I was looking forward to seeing The Dark Knight Rises, because it was filmed in Pittsburgh, but now...maybe not.  Or maybe not any other movie, ever.