Beginning Week 32

The books say I should be gaining about a pound per week. After all the Christmas cookies, I don't doubt that! Baby should weigh around 4-4.5 lbs by now. Baby is already as big as momma was, so I'm thrilled that baby will pass me up! I have been sleeping about 10 hours each night which is giving me plenty of rest. Kevin has been a trooper around the house with extra chores.

Tomorrow we meet our pediatrician and I also have another doctor's appointment. On Thursday, we will be shopping for our stroller and car seat. Is this what constitutes as a date now? Soon dates will be dinner at our own kitchen table with bibs around our necks.

I'm definitely getting bigger by the day but overall I feel great. We are really getting excited for our new arrival. Grandma LaPean bought me a fantastic book called, "What To Expect The First Year," and it has been very informative so far. I'm really enjoying the read. The only other big topic Kevin and I have to discuss is cord blood banking and I'm really leaning toward yes. This will be a good question for the doctors this week.

Beginning Week 31

I have had a very snowy and lazy week. The relaxation is quite nice I might add. I'm sneaking in naps when I can. With Christmas this week, I'm sure I'll get plenty of rest.

Baby is still kicking lots, which is really good. Today I cleaned the nursery as well. Kevin is going to start working on the crib right after the holidays. With 9 weeks to go, we are starting to realize we need to start getting things in order. This way, when my nesting instincts kick in, the house will be clean and I can relax for the labor to come.

As you can tell, my belly is getting nice and round too...

Week 30 Doctor Visit

My doctor's appointment went smoothly this morning. I passed the diabetes testing with flying colors and my blood count is fantastic! No anemia here. Dr. Lipinski told me to pretty much keep doing what I'm doing. I did not gain any weight these last two weeks (silent, hip hip hooray) but my belly did get larger. She said my belly size is usually what she'd see at 32 weeks, so this may mean that Baby LaPean won't be one to pick a fight with! That or Baby LaPean will be a NCAA Division I hammer throw champion!

I see the doctor in another two weeks, just after the holiday. I think the Christmas Cookies will be catching up with my belly by that point...

Beginning Week 30 - 10 to go!

Baby weighs close to 3lbs. right now and is continuing to absorb all my nutrients in order to keep growing big for these next 10 weeks. I have felt tired lately, trying to sneak in a nap whenever I can. It doesn't seem to help a lot, but something is better than nothing. Overall, I am sleeping great at night but still waking up at 5am each morning. Baby is also as long as baby will be at birth, now baby will just be packing on the pounds.

Our baby class was cancelled last week due to the weather so our second class is tonight. It's hard to believe that in 10 weeks (or LESS!!) we will be having a little baby in the house. Kevin and I are getting really excited for this next change in life. I'm starting to organize the nursery again. For awhile it was the designated storage room. By the New Year, it should look like a baby's room.

Beginning Week 29

Baby's hearing is so good now that baby might even startle at loud noises. Baby also weighs over 2.5 pounds and to think my little sister was only 1.4 pounds at birth. Baby is starting to run out of room in there, so I'm feeling more kicks and elbow jabs.

Alas, I'm reading that fatigue returns and boy, has it ever! I actually took a nap yesterday and today! This is not typical behavior for me at all. I guess the extra 20 pounds is really catching up with me. I have no swelling or backaches; and I can still see my feet very clearly. However, putting socks on and bending over to tie my shoes is a bit more challenging. I'm guessing this is only going to get worse.

Our second baby class is tomorrow. We are watching the birthing video and touring the center, so I'm sure it will be a very eventful night.

Glucose testing

Today I had my 28 week check up at the doctor's office. It went very well except for the fact that I've gained 8 pounds in the last 4 weeks! Yikes! That baby sure is growing quickly. She said I'm still healthy and look great. Baby's heart beat was very strong as well which is a good sign.

I also had to do the glucose testing to see if I have gestational diabetes. I should know in a few days the test results. Secondly I received my shot of Rogham becuase I'm Rh negative. This is needed to keep the baby safe from my blood. Best of all, the nurse took three vials of blood and I didn't pass out! I'm finally making progress in this department.

I also start seeing the doctor every other week, so lots of monitoring and updating to come.

First birthing class

Last night Kevin and I attended out first birthing class at St. Mary's Ozaukee; there were 8 couples. Surprisingly, I was near the end of the line as far as due dates. A good half of the couples were due early February and one even in January! The instructor is very sweet and has five children, so this birthing stuff is something she knows a lot about. The class runs rather late, from 6:30 - 8:30pm, but I managed to stay awake with a few yawns.

I think this class is really going to help out a lot with helping us (me) to understand the terminology and step-by-step procedures of the whole birthing process. We covered the basics of the birthing process last night and also what signs to look for for labor. Next week we will watch the "video" and tour the birthing center. I am really looking forward to the tour!

When we were talking about Braxton-Hicks contractions one girl said she has started feeling them. After listening to her explain what they felt like, it dawned on me, I am fairly sure I had one of those last week! When I was on the couch, I had a rather noticable pain in my abdomen, like where the menstral cramps are. So, I sat back on the couch, waited a moment and it was gone. We'll have to see if that happens again. But, I'm thinking, that was the first Braxton contraction.