Week 32 - AKA - I can't believe how time is flying by...

How baby's growing:By now, 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, he'll gain a third to half of his birth weight during the next 7 weeks as he fattens up for survival outside the womb. He now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). His skin is becoming soft and smooth as he plumps up in preparation for birth.

How your life's changing:To accommodate you and your baby's growing needs, your blood volume has increased 40 to 50 percent since you got pregnant. With your uterus pushing up near your diaphragm and crowding your stomach, the consequences may be shortness of breath and heartburn. To help relieve your discomfort, try sleeping propped up with pillows and eating smaller meals more often.You may have lower-back pain as your pregnancy advances. If you do, let your caregiver know right away, particularly if you haven't had back pain before, since it can be a sign of preterm labor. Assuming it's not preterm labor that's ailing you, you can probably blame your growing uterus and hormonal changes for your aching back. Your expanding uterus shifts your center of gravity and stretches out and weakens your abdominal muscles, changing your posture and putting a strain on your back. Hormonal changes in pregnancy loosen your joints and the ligaments that attach your pelvic bones to your spine. This can make you feel less stable and cause pain when you walk, stand, sit for long periods, roll over in bed, get out of a low chair or the tub, bend, or lift things.

Baby Shower

Work held a joint baby shower for me and a co-worker who are due just three weeks apart - it was incredible. We had tons of fun and our colleagues were incredibly generous. See below...










PB and I had so much fun putting it all together and couldn't believe how much stuff there was. We went to BabiesRUs over the weekend and got the crib mattress and travel system as well - I finally feel like we have all the basics for whenever the BT decides to arrive!

Updates: Temp,Car and baby quilt

So, I've been quiet for a reason - things at work have been so incredibly hectic lately that I can barely think, let alone update my blog. But, I've been keeping track, so here's the update that should have come last Monday, 4/21.

Let's start with the car. PB was playing in a disk golf tournament on Sunday (which he won by the way - because he's that awesome!) and came back to a man taking cell phone pictures of his car. ...

Turns out the guy hit the car on his bike and caused that damage - ouch! So, PB has been dealing with the guys' homeowners insurance, because believe it or not, the guy came back and gave all the details - it amazes me that there are still honest people out there.

Baby Quilt... I decided a while back that I didn't like any of the baby bedding out there and that I'd make my own... so, the work in progress...

We are focusing on textures, so there is a courderoy, fleece, terry cloth and cotton all included in the blanket - I am just working on finishing the quilting part and then need to put the binding on. Not too shabby - after that I'll tackle the dust ruffle, diaper stacker, bumper pads and the diaper bag for me. I think I still have a little time....

Temp - Work has been crazy but we finally hired a temp for me! Yay! She started last monday (4/21) and has already taken some of the work off my plate - which has been a huge help. It will only continue to get better...

31 weeks and counting

Your pregnancy: 31 weeks

How your baby's growing: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.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

How your life's changing:Have you noticed the muscles in your uterus tightening now and then? Many women feel these random contractions — called Braxton Hicks contractions — in the second half of pregnancy. Often lasting about 30 seconds, they're irregular, and at this point, they should be infrequent and painless. Frequent contractions, on the other hand — even those that don't hurt — may be a sign of preterm labor. Call your practitioner immediately if you have more than four contractions in an hour or any other signs of preterm labor: an increase in vaginal discharge or a change in the type of discharge (if it becomes watery, mucus-like, or bloody — even if it's pink or just tinged with blood); abdominal pain or menstrual-like cramping; an increase in pressure in the pelvic area; or low back pain, especially if you didn't have it before.You may have noticed some leaking of colostrum, or "premilk," from your breasts lately. If so, try tucking some nursing pads into your bra to protect your clothes. (And if not, it's certainly nothing to worry about; your breasts are making colostrum all the same, even if you don't see any.) If your current bra is too snug, you might also want to pick up a nursing bra. Choose a nursing bra at least one cup size bigger than you need now. When your milk comes in you'll be grateful for that extra room!If you're having a boy, you and your partner will want to take some time to think about whether or not to have your baby circumcised. Find out the pros and cons, and what the procedure involves.

Baby - getting closer!

Last night PB and I went to the hospital tour - I can't believe that we are so close to the BT getting here and being a physical part of our lives :) the tour was great and we got a good vibe from the nurse that showed us around the place.

I've truly enjoyed every aspect of being pregnant, including his new game of shoving a heel in mommy's diaphram and lungs so that I have difficulty breathing...it's a fun time...PB and I are talking about doing some maternity pics so we can have a photographic record of this time in our lives.

We have sent the crib we like to my mom - who is generously purchasing it for us as a gift - and I can't wait for it to arrive so we can set it up. I'm in the middle of the quilt for the BT, and would love to see the whole thing together...and we have a baby shower at my work next week, so things are moving along with getting prepared. Next weekend we'll head to Babies R Us to fill in the blanks from our registry and pick up the necessities like the car seat - so we can actually take the BT home with us when he finally gets here :)

Baby's energy is surging, thanks to the formation of white fat deposits beneath the skin. (Have those kicks and jabs to the ribs tipped you off yet?) Baby is also settling into sleep and waking cycles, though -- as you've also probably noticed -- they don't necessarily coincide with your own. Also this month, all five senses are finally functional, and the brain and nervous system are going through major developments.

How your baby's growing: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.

How your life's changing:Your baby's very active now. Your practitioner may ask you to spend some time each day counting kicks and will give you specific instructions on how to do this. Let her know if you ever notice a decrease in activity. You may need a nonstress test or biophysical profile to check on your baby's condition.Some old friends — heartburn and constipation — may take center stage now. The pregnancy hormone progesterone relaxes smooth muscle tissue throughout your body, including your gastrointestinal tract. This relaxation, coupled with the crowding in your abdomen, slows digestion, which in turn can cause gas and heartburn — especially after a big meal — and contribute to constipation as well.Your growing uterus may also be contributing to hemorrhoids. These swollen blood vessels in your rectal area are common during pregnancy and usually clear up in the weeks after giving birth. If they're itchy or painful, try soaking in a sitz bath or applying cold compresses medicated with witch hazel to the affected area. Also avoid sitting or standing for long stretches. Talk with your practitioner before using any over-the counter remedies during pregnancy, and let her know if you have any rectal bleeding. To prevent constipation, eat a high-fiber diet, drink plenty of water, and get some regular exercise.Some women get something called "supine hypotensive syndrome" during pregnancy, where laying flat on your back causes a change in heart rate and blood pressure that makes you feel dizzy until you change position. You might note that you feel lightheaded if you stand up too quickly, too. To avoid "the spins" lie on your side rather than your back, and move slowly as you go from lying down to sitting and then standing.