Week 34

I'm finding that each day at this late in the game of pregnancy is a little unique unto itself. Some days Baby J is very, very high, other days he's shifting back and forth on my hips with each step, and other days, I feel like I'm going to burst. Oh, and sometimes it feels like he is hugging my spine. I'll be honest--that's not my favorite.

I saw my doctor's associate this week for my check-up just in case she ends up delivering our boy. She was very personable and answered a couple of questions I had. She's an Aggie, so she must be good people. She said that I'm right on track, and my next visit at 36 weeks will begin the final countdown if you know what I mean.

I had my first major Braxton-Hicks contraction last Tuesday. I was walking to the ladies room when it hit, and I nearly sat down in the floor where I was because it was just that shocking. I had experienced a few twinges before it, but this one went all the way across my belly. I described it to the doctor just to verify that it was what I thought it was. She confirmed, and I said, "Ok, then I think I'm ready for my epidural." She thought it was funny!

Other than that short check-up, the week held a few other things. My wonderful church friends threw us a beautiful baby shower. It is deserving of a post all of its own--totally blew me away. We are so blessed! Other than that, we worked on finishing Jack's room, which we didn't complete. It's coming together just as I had hoped though, and I will post pics soon. I think the house might be cleaner than it was the day we moved in, so now the task is to keep it that way for a while.

We'll see what week 35 brings!

Week 33

Well, Baby Jack and I have made it through week 33 and an interesting week it was. I'm finding each day a little different than the day before, and I now understand why pregnant ladies waddle (and that's all I'll say about that.) I'm slowing down quite a bit, to the point where I'm considering grabbing my laptop and relocating to an empty cube closer to the ladies' room to save myself some effort. You can call me a wimp. I call me resourceful.

Tuesday night B and I attended an infant care class at the hospital where I'm delivering. We had more fun laughing while we bathed and diapered that giant baby doll. I sent him to pick out our "baby" (there were 3 sizes), and he came back with the biggest. Considering that I'm a bit concerned about how big Jack is going to be at delivery, my eyes got a little wide thinking this might be a standard newborn. Fortunately, the nurse instructor cleared it up: we were practicing on a 3 month old. Thank goodness!



Other than that, we had a good time laughing at the questions people asked (mostly dads.) One in particular that we're still talking about is, "what direction should you wipe the baby's arms during a bath? Shoulder to hand or hand to shoulder?"

And I thought I was detail-oriented.

It was also interesting because the nurse gave us some specifics on how things are done at "our" hospital like what happens to the baby right after delivery (he'll stay close by me) and that his dad will give him his first bath (with a nurse right next to him of course.) In two weeks we go back for a birthing class and tour L&D. Now that should be interesting.

I picked up Jack's baby book this week and began filling it out last night. In a hormonal state, I used an irritating number of exclamation marks in answering most of the questions--to the point that I feel the need to make a note that I am aware of the overuse somewhere in there for my son. I promise, Jack, I am not a valley girl. (But really! We prayed for you! For a long time! God is good!!! His plan is perfect! And you're coming! And! It's all! so! exciting!!!)

This weekend I plan on making big time progress on THE LIST. Carpet cleaning, vacuuming and wiping out my kitchen cabinets (who does that?), organizing the linen closet, and finding a storage solution for Jack's closet are all my targets.

Or who knows, I might put on some yoga pants and lay on the couch all weekend. Either scenario is possible at this point.

There's a bun in that oven.

Week 32

As you can tell, I took a major holiday from the blog over the past few weeks. But now I'm back and actually have quite a bit to share (or not much at all, depending on your taste.)

Thursday was my 32 week check up, and I am measuring exactly 32 weeks. My doc says Jack just needs to hang out for at least a month longer, and then we would begin talking about delivery. What?!? I will now begin working The List with a bit more urgency.

While I'm mentioning my doctor's appointment, I will take the opportunity to give myself a pat on the back. I only gained 3 pounds over the month of December--the Christmas season and New Year's combined. That took a LARGE AMOUNT of self-control. As a whole, so far my weight gain has been textbook for a healthy pregnancy. I know this because my doctor is a stickler for it. I'm sure that the second week of March I will probably appreciate her for that, but for now I will continue to whine about wanting to eat everything in sight, but not do it.

{I celebrated this feat with a #9 combo at Whataburger - sausage taquito and hashbrowns. Just so you know.}

Baby Jack is doing really well--praise the Lord! His heartbeat is great, his kicks are SUPER strong, and he's already head down and feet up. A couple of weeks before Christmas his estimated weight (based on sono) was 3.5 lbs. If he gains half a pound each week from the time of that estimate, it puts him in the high 8's, which is right around what I expected based on our family history. Heaven, help me. I don't know how long he is, but I am convinced that a few days ago he kicked me in the throat.

I have a few pregnancy complaints, but they're minor in comparison to the excitement I'm feeling as we get closer to the finish line of seeing our tiny boy's face. Coming up, we've got baby showers, finishing up his room, birthing and infant care classes, and 3 months of maternity leave. Oh, the blessings--they are many!

Mom friends, I want to hear from you. Do I need anything else for the hospital other than the requisite waterproof mascara (not kidding), hot rollers (also not kidding), hairspray, nightgowns, and slippers?

Please, enlighten me!