Is this a joke? I look like I have a beach ball in my belly (@34weeks):
Aiden is also really prepping to get out of there (I just hope it pays off and he comes a little early) because he LOVES to push his head down as low as he can, and then he sucks on his fingers, so I feel a constant pressure down below, and an occasional tickle from his little fingers.
He also loves to roll around, so we see his feet/knees/elbows quite regularly sticking out of my stomach. His movements seem to stimulate my uterus, sending it into a contraction every time he moves. It just gets EXTREMELY tight, like a basketball (but bigger).
Along with those contractions, I am beginning to feel some cramps in my lower belly--VERY similar to menstrual cramps, which the doctor said is normal for the next few weeks until I go into real labor. Good to know my body is prepping itself! Now lets hope this is coming soon!
Darin and I signed up for a Prenatal class at the Hospital, which has saved our lives. We now know what to do, where to go and WHEN to go to the hospital. No one tells you these things! We also know the nitty gritty about post-birth... which is good to have a heads up on. I have been very curious though about people's stories in the birthing room. Now that it is getting real, I think there is a lot that NO ONE talks about (but are helpful if you know)--if you want to share your nitty gritty details, get in contact with me please!
We are excited to get this boy out asap. We have completed building his crib, got the stroller/car seat combo, got pre-registered at the hospital, called out insurance companies to check what is covered and what is not... diaper bag, some clothes, baby bjorn (from a colleague at work!), a bumbo (from my secretaries at work--LOVE IT!) and everything else we think we need. We were pleasantly surprised by a huge box in our mailbox the other day with a TON of baby formula from Similac. Apparently they found out I was prego--probably from a registry I signed up on or something, and sent us a box of formula--it's a lot for just samples, but we are grateful!
We have now purchased a lot of maternity clothes. I thought I could fit into everything I had (bigger shirts/dresses) but that is no longer the case. In fact--I can't fit into the maternity shirts I bought 2 months ago.... so we had to go big and buy a few shirts. Luckily this will not be the only time I am prego...so hopefully I can re-use them.
We have still been doing Aiden's Non-stress tests weekly. So far he has been doing well. Yesterday the nurse was scared there was WAY TOO MUCH amniotic fluid and had to have another nurse check--but she got a lower percentage and said it was okay. We are borderline I think on the amount that is in there, so they have to check it weekly--along with his heart rate and my contractions. So far he has met the standard he needs to meet so we are keeping him in! Doctors gave us extra iron, because I apparently was slightly anemic -- (maybe because I forgot to take my prenatals with me to Japan--and took the test the day we got back)-- but I have been feeling better now that I take extra Iron supplements.
Well Baby, we are all waiting for ya. Hurry up!
We are going to take some maternity shots soon, so we will post them when we do. Here are the weekly shots for 32-34!
Week 32:
Week 33:
Week 34:
Until next time!
The Brinley's
