Sweep the Leg, Baby

[31w4d]

This week, I definitely hit a new phase in the pregnancy. In combination with the baby's punch/jab/ninja routine, it has started pushing out against my stomach, sometime sweeping its body along my insides. It usually catches me off guard and often it tickles. It's strange that putting my hand where the baby is moving, I can feel whatever is pushing out. Then, I usually start feeling around -- where it's hard, it's baby and where it's not, it's just fluid. I like touching it, though, since it's about as close as I can get to actually touching it before it comes out.

I also have been really tired, which I expected since everything I've been told or read has said the third trimester can be as tiring as the first. Sleeping is just flat out annoying with all the flipping back and forth all night and pillow readjusting. Thankfully, it's only for another couple of weeks.

I went back to the gym this week for the first time in a month. My body felt so good afterward, so I'm planning on returning as frequently as I can.

Back to the doc on Friday and birthing class on Saturday. I'm really looking forward to both.

30 Weeks

[30w2d]

Okay. Don't look directly at the double chin in this picture. I swear my face doesn't really look like that -- it's just that I'm turned and looking down. This is what happens when I take a self-portrait instead of waiting for a time Adam is around. But look at that belly! It's funny to me that in the day to day it doesn't seem to change a whole lot, but some weeks it grows a bunch.

Today was another doctor's appointment. Adam went with me, though we didn't have too many questions. It's good for both of us to hear the heartbeat (my favorite part) and chat with the doctor. Dr. Ives said I'm healthy and everything looks good. My fundal height is right on track and my weight gain is a little high, but he's not worried. So far, I've gained 28 pounds, but he said since I was thin to begin with, I can stand a bit of extra cushioning. Also, he reminded us that we need to find a pediatrician soon.

While I was eating lunch today, the baby was quite literally partying in my belly and Adam could see it moving from across the room. I guess it still has a decent amount of wiggle room in there, even though it now weighs about three pounds. Still, there's two and a half months to go and a lot of growing left to do. Also, it's head down right now, and we're hoping it stays that way.

I often find myself wondering if it's a boy or a girl. Honestly, I have no clue and haven't had any feelings one way or the other. I had a dream two nights ago that it was a girl, but that could just be my subconscious playing tricks on me. I also wonder a lot about who this kid is, what his/her personality will be like. It's strange to be so close to someone, know virtually nothing about them, and still care so much for them. Then again, this whole process is weird. But we'll meet this little goober soon enough.

29 Weeks

[29w]

Between being out of town for a week and then being exhaustingly sick for the past five days, I haven't had a chance to update here. But here it is -- sickly me and my belly at 29 weeks. If you look closely at the closeup, you can see my belly button poking out. It hasn't turned inside out yet, but a lot of what used to be the inside has become part of my belly or a small protrusion. I guess it's cute.

Sleeping has become somewhat of a challenge. My hips hurt a lot during the night, requiring a lot of flipping from one side to the other and a ton of pillows. Thankfully, none of my bedmates seem to mind much, but I can't wait to be able to sleep on my back and stomach again.

I had a nice trip to Rochester and was blessed with many a baby gift -- outfits, board books, bath stuff, and (especially) blankets. We have most of the essentials, I think, and some spending money to buy what we still need (like a breast pump and a diaper bag). And we have our cloth diapers, which I am still so excited about.

My next doctor's appointment is next Friday, then I start seeing him every other week. Also, Adam and I are signed up to take a birthing class at the end of the month, and I'll be going to a breastfeeding class and infant CPR in early April.

Only 11 short weeks to go!