32 weeks!!

8 more weeks.. 56 more days...

Not much new over here. Still having issues with back and crotch pain, and I'll likely be off work now until my maternity leave is over. Sounds nice hey? Lying around and doing nothing for a few months? Ya, that's what I thought too... but now it's been a month and I've discovered that there is an extreme lack of entertaining day-time TV on, and there are only so many movies to watch. At least I don't have to get up at 5am everyday, though it wouldn't be that bad considering I don't really sleep much anymore.



Anyhow, we started our prenatal class a few weeks ago. This week we got to learn all about what to expect during labor, when to go to the hospital etc. etc. Rather than educating me and preparing me for what is inevitably going to come (birth) the class just scared the living shit out of me. I almost got up and left on 3 occassions as I thought I was on the verge of having a panic attack. Poor Kyle! He's going to have to deal with me when the time comes, and I have a feeling I'm not going to cope very well. I'm working on it though, and I know millions of women have given birth and survived (and even had another baby after that) so logically, I am aware that I should be okay. Just like logically, I know that a one-inch spider can't kill me and a bee won't sting me unless I scare it, but I still run and scream everytime I see one. The logic is there, but I can't control my fear. I wonder if they give ativan when in labor? Highly unlikely.



Despite my overwhelming fears of giving birth, I am still ridiculously excited to meet our little girl. I can't wait to see her, and hold her, and take her home!

Here's the weekly update.

"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."

It's funny that our bean is being compared to a different kind of fruit or vegetable everyweek. What is a jicama anyhow?

~Preggo

28, 29, 30, and now 31 weeks (eek!)

You will have to forgive me for neglecting my baby blog.. I have been a very sore and sick mama these days :(

I will preface this by saying that once you become pregnant there is no such thing as too much information anymore. It all started a few weeks ago when I began experiencing what can only be described as agonizing "crotch" pain. If I walked more than a block it felt like a sword was being shoved up my crotch and twisted in 360 degree revolutions. If I sat in a chair for more than 20 minutes my back would start to spasm and shoot pain down my butt and legs. The only thing that provided any relief was lying on my side with a pillow between my legs.

I've been off work since than and had some blood pressure issues, assumably due to the pain. It's gotten better since I've become a serious couch potato but it still flares up if I push myself too hard. It's more difficult than you would imagine - lying on the couch all day, that is. Especially when baby is going to arrive so soon and all I want to do is NEST!

Anyhow.. ya, that's basically all that's new with me.

My darling husband went nuts one weekend and painted and finished the nursery... it's so cute and really makes it feel so much more real. I'll have to put up some pics when I get a chance.

Well.. here are the last 4 weekly updates. It's insane to think that there are only 63 days left.

28 WEEKS...

"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."

29 WEEKS

"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."

30 WEEKS

"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.)"

31 WEEKS

"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."

~Preggo