35/35

We are at 35 weeks today! And that means only 35 days left until my due date. Still keeping those fingers crossed that he comes early. I am SO SO SO uncomfortable. I woke up today and I swear my ankles were twice their normal size. I actually also felt like my legs were swollen. My back and pelvis are also feeling sore. Boy oh boy, I can't wait to get my body back.

From now on, Henry's growth is mostly in the plumping up department - though he won't get much longer, he'll put on a pound or more of baby fat before birth. (He's about 15 percent right now and will be about 30 percent by full-term.) His hearing is totally developed and his testes have completed their descent.

35 Week Bump Picture:

Childbirth Classes

This past Saturday, we had our first childbirth class. It was an all day class (9:00 AM - 5:00 PM) that covered labor and delivery. We learned all about labor signs, how to cope during contractions and we watched three birth videos (a natural delivery, an epidural delivery and a C-section delivery). It was pretty intense but contained a bunch of helpful information. Luke and I are now experts! :) It was helpful to hear about the early signs of labor and to understand what our options are in terms of medication, etc.

During the class, we did an exercise that was supposed to simulate the discomfort of a contraction and how to try to relax through it. We had to squeeze an ice cube in our hand for a minute while our "partner" (Luke) tried to help us relax. It was awful! Holding an ice cube for that long is super painful and it made me realize how low my pain threshold really is. If I can't hold an ice cube in my hand for ONE MINUTE, how the heck am I going to make it through labor?! I am leaning towards getting the epidural for sure.

Luke and I were the only couple from the U.S. in the class. There were couples there from all over the world - Africa, China, India, etc. - very diverse! It was fun to hear the different perspectives on labor and delivery, newborn care, etc.

At the very end of the class, we were given a tour of the childbirth center. It was incredible! The childbirth center was recently renovated and I could not be happier about where we will get to meet little Henry for the first time. All of the rooms are private and include a bed, rocking chair, birthing ball and tub. The lights are dimmed and they have a flat screen TV. I keep thinking about that room and how relaxing it looks. It will be perfect. I plan to labor at home as much as possible before heading to the hospital but it's nice to know that we will enjoy the room once we get there.

Overall, it was a helpful class. We were supposed to have a second class on Sunday to learn about newborn care but I ended up having a family emergency so we are finishing the class on November 30th.

Only about a month to go!

34 Week Appointment

We had our 34 week appointment yesterday and everything is still looking right on track. When the doctor was measuring my stomach he told me that I was having a contraction! I didn't even realize it. These aren't the "real deal" contractions, just practice for the big day. But it's nice to know that my body is starting to prepare itself.

This weekend, Luke and I have our childbirth class. It's from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM on Saturday and 1:00 - 5:00 PM on Sunday. It will be a long weekend! I am excited to learn more about what to expect during labor and delivery and to get a tour of the childbirth facility. It's getting more and more real! :)

34 Weeks!

Only 6 to go! Or as Luke and I keep saying, only 3 weeks to go! We are hoping that the baby comes as soon as possible after I hit full-term, which is at 37 weeks. We have so many reasons for wanting him to be born early. To name a few:

1. Child tax credit for 2011 (booya!)
2. I won't have to meet a new insurance deductible for 2012 ($1,500! Yikes!)
3. My sister will be home from college in December.
4. My mother-in-law will be off work for Christmas break (she works at a high school).
5. We will get to spend Christmas as a family of three.

My to-do list is becoming longer and longer. As soon as I feel like I check something off, I add three more things. I think nesting has definitely kicked in. To name a few:

1. Clean out the garage (yes, it's already messy again)
2. Buy some pads (ugh)
3. Buy a nursing bra
4. Buy the rest of the baby items we need (crib mattress, sheets, first aid kit, etc).
5. Paint touch ups
6. Fix our front door (it's currently almost completely off it's hinges)
7. Deep clean the fridge
8. Deep clean the condo
9. Wash all of Henry's clothes, blankets, etc.
10. Thank you notes for baby showers
11. Install car seat
12. Pack hospital bag

The list goes on and on. And we only have 3 weeks left to do it all! ;)

My wonderful mother threw Henry and I a baby shower this past Sunday with family and friends. It was so great to see everyone and I am once again totally overwhelmed with the generosity of others. We received some really wonderful, thoughtful gifts. Once again, I had a great time trying to find a place for everything in our condo. But I am proud to say that we have more than enough room for everything.

I am definitely getting uncomfortable. Ok, that's an understatement. I am waddling around and I have almost slipped several times. My balance is totally off and I just feel heavy. Sleeping has still been rough, but now getting in and out of bed (or rolling over) has become a challenge. I can't wait for Henry to be born so I can feel somewhat normal again!

In fun baby news, Henry can now recognize and react to simple songs...time to start practicing the lullabies! In fact, he will recognize frequently sung tunes after birth and probably find them soothing. Less cute news: He now urinates about one pint per day. Wowza!

34 Week Bump Picture:

33 Weeks!

Only 7 weeks to go. LESS THAN 50 DAYS! I can't believe it.

This past weekend, my dear friends (Kaley and Taylor) threw Henry and I a baby shower. It was so much fun. We played some fun games and ate delicious food. I feel so blessed to have such wonderful, supportive, generous family and friends. With the generosity that came from this shower, Luke and I were able to purchase our dream stroller and some accessories (cup holder, travel bag, snack tray and car seat adapter). Now I just need a baby to push around in it!

I am getting extremely excited for Henry's arrival. I really hope he comes early. I don't have the patience to wait until the end of December! :)

Henry is now the size of a honeydew! Things are heating up: Henry may grow up to a full inch this week alone, and his brain is developing like crazy. Pretty soon, he'll be able to coordinate breathing with sucking and swallowing. Also, his bones are hardening, and he's started to keep his eyes open when he's awake. Amazing.



33 Week Bump Picture:

32 Weeks!

Only 8 to go! We had our 32 week doctor's appointment yesterday. Everything is still looking perfectly normal and on-track. My regular doctor wasn't in the office yesterday so I had my appointment with a midwife. Although I do like my doctor, I really enjoyed my time with the midwife. She was super attentive and informative and was much more helpful than my normal doctor. I might have to shop around for other doctors or midwives for our next baby. :)

Little Henry is still the size of a squash so I don't have a fun new fruit/vegetable picture to share. But, he is now about 4 pounds and about 19 inches long. And believe it or not, Henry is getting ready to emerge. My midwife confirmed that he is in the head-down position, with his bottom facing up. This is the comfiest way for his body to fit in my increasingly cramped womb and will make his eventual exit in just two short months much easier.

I have been feeling increasingly uncomfortable. It's tough to find a comfortable sitting or sleeping position and most of the time I feel out of breath unless I am still. I am hoping this will ease up when he "drops" but for now I feel like he is cramping my lung capacity. Henry is also moving like CRAZY. Some kicks actually startle me because they come out of nowhere. Other kicks are actually pretty painful. He is so squirmy and active in there that I am sure he will be taking after his dad - never able to sit still! :)

I have a baby shower with my friends this weekend and I am looking forward to seeing what kind of stuff Henry scores. Baby showers are by far the best part of pregnancy. :)

32 Week Bump Picture:

31 Weeks!

Only 9 weeks to go! We are officially in the single digits of weeks remaining in this pregnancy. WOOHOO! I can't wait! I am seriously just so excited I can hardly stand it.

Unfortunately, I am still trying to recover from this cold. I am still not feeling well and just trying to rest as much as possible to get back to 100%.

Henry is going through major brain and nerve development these days. His irises now react to light, and all five senses are in working order. (He won't pick up anything from his nose until after birth, though - smell is transferred through air, not amniotic fluid.) Crazy!

31 Week Bump Picture: