32.5 weeks

It has been a pretty stable and good last two weeks.  We made some progress on the baby room and in general I feel much less whiny about pregnancy than last time.  A lot of my little problems have been solved (support hose and belly strap really do help!) and I am enjoying that I am not too big and uncomfortable yet.  My arthritis and stomach stuff has been a little worse the last four days, but I hope it is temporary.  I have also been able to get some really good work done (with some breaks), which allows me to feel really good about myself.  I also received my annual review from last year – an outstanding – which helps ease fears of performing well despite complications and missing work.
 
I’ve had two more ultrasounds since my last post.  My mom and dad came to the last one, which was great.  I think I have begun to take for granted how cool it is to get to see my baby weekly and watch him move and practice breathe and watch his little heart beat.  It is quite reassuring.  My parents really enjoyed all the new technological advances and how much they could see of their grandson!
Last week he was rocking out on the way to the ultrasound appointment to Metallica and I think I tired him out so he was totally conked out during the ultrasound and made it take a little longer (they like to count a certain number of kicks).  Back in true form, this week, he enjoyed kicking me and the ultrasound wand throughout the ultrasound.  He still enjoys switching from having both head and feet down (yes it gets quite crowded for my bladder) and having one or both legs up so he can kick me in the ribs.  For once, this week, his body was facing my right side instead of my left, which was interesting.  He unfortunately had his face toward my back so we don’t have any cute pictures. 

I have been reading this hypnobirthing book and it talks about bonding with your baby.  I admit pregnancy and baby preparation is so hectic it is hard to remember to take time to enjoy him.  Today I sat down and played him some of my favorite songs (including some Handel’s Messiah, Rachmaninoff Rhapsody on a Theme from a Paganini, Taylor Swift, and Charles’ and my song).  I enjoyed petting my stomach while he kicked in response to the music!  I can’t wait for all the things we can share with this kid, but when I feel like I want to connect with him now, there is still plenty to do.  I also hope his fondness for music will continue when he is born and maybe he will enjoy band or choir like I did!

Saturday he was crazy active including moving all around last night.  As Charles and I sat on the couch, you could literally watch my stomach rippling and bouncing around.  It seemed like he either was trying to or was flipping back from facing my left to ride side.  I think his head is staying down but he likes to flip over which, given his large size, and my relatively small belly, is a tight squeeze.  Charles and I both feel and odd sense of pride watching our kid move around.  He is strong and active and I couldn’t be happier with that (even if it is uncomfy sometimes)!

The crib is up and looking fantastic and the room is all painted.  We also have the stroller (thanks Tina!) and Charles put that together as well.  It is cute to see him in his daddy-mode where despite being tired, he bucks up to go paint or assemble things.  I love that he is also a perfectionist and will take the 30 minutes to read online about painting tips or thoroughly read the stroller manual before he starts.  It is one of the things I really love about Charles (well that and about a million other things).  I am not sure if it is carrying his baby or the fact that I am always madly in love with him, but I have noticed since my pregnancy started that seeing him across a room or a grocery store will literally make my heart skip.  It is fun to have that crazy-head-over-heels-in-love-feeling magnified by the child we are bringing into this world together!

Saturday was also the all-day baby class at our hospital.  I had heard great things about it but since my arthritis was pretty flared, I have to say I was not looking forward to going in the morning, but the class was worth it and I was able to stay comfortable enough.  Also it was only 6 hours instead of 7 and we were able to take a quick nap in the afternoon before heading to a friend’s pre-thanksgiving party.  The class was well done and I felt like we both learned a lot.  If nothing else, it is good to spend some time thinking about and visualizing life after our son is born.  One lady’s water broke during one of the breakout sessions (not ours), so she’ll have to learn as she goes, haha!

Charles is taking all next week off so it will be nice to have him home.  I plan to still work all but Thursday, but I may take an hour or two off if Charles wants to go on a fieldtrip.  Hopefully we will get the last piece to the dresser early next week and we can put it together, but otherwise, I hope Charles can get some good relaxation time in since he has been working so hard at work and at home!  Once we have the dresser up I can start putting things together in the room and realize what we need and are missing.