Week 33

Here's the blurb from my What to Expect When You're Expecting book for Week 33: "Baby's gaining weight almost as fast as you are these days (averaging out to about a half a pound a week), which puts the grand total so far at more than 4 1/2 pounds. Still, your baby has plenty of growing up (and out) to do. She may grow a full inch this week alone and may come close to doubling in weight by D-day. And with that much baby inside your uterus now, your amniotic fluid level has maxed out (there's no room for more fluid now). Which explains why those pokes and kicks are sometimes extremely uncomfortable: There's less fluid to cushion the blows. Antibodies are also being passed from you to your baby as your little one continues to develop her own immune system. These antibodies will definitely come in handy on the outside and will protect your baby-to-be from many of those playground germs." I still can't believe how quickly this is flying by (at least for now), and I am getting so excited!!! Physically, there's not a whole lot new to report... The only thing I've really noticed in the last few days is that it really is getting harder to reach my feet, like to tie my shoes or paint my toenails. And I'm having a harder time picking things up off the floor, like the many things I clumsily drop or the tennis ball when I'm playing fetch with the pups. Richard is doing well (still in Kuwait) and is getting super excited as well. We get to talk about every other day or so on instant messenger online and through emails, so we're able to pretty well keep each other current on all of life's happenings. Please keep up your thoughts and prayers for this soldier, husband, and daddy-to-be! :) Here's the most recent picture of me (us!) at a full 32 weeks! *8 weeks (give or take) to go!*

30 Week Appointment

Well I just got home from seeing my midwife and everything looks great as usual. My glucose testing results were good (which I knew from the "no news is good news" policy) and my uterus is measuring about the right size for how far along I am. My blood pressure is good, my weight gain is good (another 4 lbs since last appointment) and I'm feeling great! Baby's heart rate was at about 140 bpm today and she seems to be head down. And no stretch marks so far! I am so excited to meet this little girl! I already love her so much! Oh, and I went to a breastfeeding class yesterday. It was very informative and will hopefully help me get off to a great start when Baby arrives.

Daddy update: Richard left Sunday. He called me Monday from Germany and said they were just waiting to fly out again for Kuwait. They're in Kuwait now and will be for about a week and half or two before they go to Iraq for the duration of the 12 months. It feels weird but is settling into a new kind of normal already without him here. I'm so glad to have BB and Pancake around - we play, go for walks (which I need to be doing anyway), go to the park, etc. And of course I have plenty of awesome and supportive ladies around who are in the same boat as me.

Well, here's a "goodbye kiss for baby" picture. Love you all!

29+ weeks!

I can't believe how fast this pregnancy has been flying by since I got past the first trimester of morning sickness! The whole second trimester went by in what felt like a couple weeks and so far the third trimester is ticking right along too. (Though I'm sure time will seem to stop completely when I get down to the last couple weeks, hehe.) I have still been substituting every day I'm needed and have been pretty good at finding ways to keep by body feeling supported and rested enough. I have also been eating really well and hope I haven't been gaining weight as rapidly as I did in my last 4 weeks between midwife appointments. :)

In the Daddy news... Richard has still not left for Iraq. At the end of last week they were saying it would be today or tomorrow. Now yesterday they said it will probably be Saturday or even Monday or Tuesday of next week. While we're obviously grateful for every extra minute we get together right now, it's emotionally wearing to prepare for the separation and then be told 'not quite yet.' That just means we have to breathe easy for another day or two and then prepare again. So we're just in this hurry up and wait pattern. Also, right now Richard is thinking he will try to come home for R&R in March or April. Baby will be about 3 or 4 months old, so that will be a little more interactive time for him to spend with her. I can't wait for them to meet!

Here's my 29 week picture! I have an appointment next Thursday and will update again then!