It’s been exactly twenty weeks (and one day) since I “confessed” that I would spend the fall and winter months sporting a new accessory, in the form of a baby bump. Now, here I am, with just under 6 weeks left. I’ve traded in the nonstop nausea, major mood swings, and crazy cravings for leg cramps, pelvic pressure and Braxton-Hicks contractions. I learned at my last appointment that the baby is head down (which I had already suspected), so I think she’ll be ready to make her debut soon. Speaking of being ready, everyone is impatiently awaiting her arrival, from the proud Daddy to the excited grandparents to the eager Big Brother. But I can guarantee you that no one is as ready for her to get here as much as I am…
My estimated due date is: Thursday, April 5, 2012 (although the baby is measuring about two weeks ahead, my due date is still the same). I am 34 weeks (and one day) pregnant today and have less than 6 weeks (or 41 days) remaining…but I’m fairly certain that I will NOT make it to my due date. We had a baby pool at my baby shower and the guests had their own ideas about when the little one will make her appearance, ranging from March 28 to April 5.
According to WhatToExpect.com, the baby is the size of: a large cantaloupe, at 19 to 22 inches and 5.5 pounds. According to the sonographer at my OB’s office, my baby was measuring 5 pounds 3 ounces at my 33-week appointment last week. I can just imagine how much chubbier she’ll be 6 weeks from now (just look at how fat those cheeks already are!).
So far, I’ve gained: 34 pounds. I’ve been told I’m all belly…and I’m okay with that.
My sleep habits: actually involve sleep most nights, although I do suffer from insomnia here and there. I now sleep with about 12 pillows and I’ve learned how to position them all just right so that I can get a pretty decent night’s sleep. Plus, I manage to nap during the day, which helps with the fatigue. I’ll be honest and say that I’d rather be sleep-deprived from being up all night with a newborn than be sleep-deprived from a swollen abdomen, endless trips to the bathroom, and hard-to-ignore heartburn.
My eating habits: consist of a lot of cilantro-lime rice from Chipotle, endless cups of ice from Sonic (who am I kidding? I’ve graduated to full-size bags now.), and bowl after bowl of cereal. Heartburn has been a beast, so I try to eat smaller meals and avoid eating too close to bedtime. Oh, and I definitely remember to keep Tums on hand—at all times.
My exercise habits: have left me feeling pretty out of shape. Or maybe it’s the fact that my lungs are being squished, in addition to the fact that I’m carrying an extra 34 pounds that has me constantly short of breath.
My wardrobe: consists of oversized jeans, 15-year-old t-shirts (from high school), and hoodies. I really couldn't bring myself to spend money on maternity clothes, so my pregnancy wardrobe has been pretty limited. I’m excited to be having the baby in the spring, though, because I’ll be ready to pull out my skirts and dresses for summer.
The baby’s movements: still manage to fascinate me. I don’t know if it’s her elbows or knees poking me, but it doesn’t matter. Her kicks give me reassurance that all is well with her on the inside. I will admit that her movements cause me to wince in pain several times a day, but hey, it comes with the territory.
Micah: will be attending the Sibling Class in a couple of weeks. He’s excited and never passes up the opportunity to inform me that my “belly is getting bigger.” I just hope he’s not disappointed when she arrives and she can’t walk, run, or play catch right off the bat.
I feel: excited (my due date is fast approaching), exhausted (when will this be over?), nervous (what if I go into labor in public?!), and apprehensive (I’m going to have a daughter to raise!), among other things. My baby shower was last weekend, which made it even more real that my life will be forever changed in less than a month and a half.
One thing I really miss is: blogging. I feel so out of the loop (but I try to stay connected on Twitter). Between sheer exhaustion, prepping for the baby, and feeling like a blue whale, I just haven’t been up to it. I have a ton of ideas that I’m ready to implement and can’t wait to get back to blogging on a regular basis.
One thing I really look forward to is: the upcoming Mother Son Dance with Micah. This will be our third year attending and we both have a blast every time we go (especially last year). Obviously, the baby will require a lot of attention once she arrives so I want to spend as much one-on-one time as I can with him before she comes. But there’s no shortage of people eager to dote on both Micah and the baby, so I’m sure they’ll both get all the love and attention they can handle.
My ‘wee wardrobes’ Want of the Week is: a sonogram picture frame. More specifically, this sonogram picture frame (Images by Ellyn, $25). I have a sonogram frame very similar to this that houses one of Micah’s first sonogram pictures, and I’ve always loved the scripture on it.
