32 weeks, 5 days

Coming up on 33 weeks! Belly has grown substantially in the past two weeks, as I’ve had confirmed by everyone I know.  Fundal height measured 30 cm, at the last appointment when I was 32 weeks, which is quite normal.

I often try to figure out what position the baby is in, and usually can’t. It just doesn’t feel like it could be the shape of a human. I try to use the hiccups as a guide to where the head is sometimes, and it still doesn’t always make sense based on where I’m getting kicked. Maybe it’s some other animal instead of a human!

I’ve gained about 23 pounds so far. I am more into smoothies now than any other time in the pregnancy which is fabulous because the Vega powder we use has tons of protein and iron and other stuff, all in one scoop. It’s like extra multi-vitamins in food form.

The more I think about the fact that there are 7 weeks left, the weirder I feel. I am enjoying this last bit, because I have the knowledge that without a doubt, a bomb is soon going to drop on our lives and change it forever. I am of course nothing but excited for this, but am still going to enjoy the last few weeks getting everything ready (I have so much left I want to make!) and resting.

I have been able to cook more during the last few weeks because my iron stores have begun to replenish themselves. The difference I feel since starting the supplement is amazing. Still breathless, but less heart pounding, better sleeps and much higher overall energy.  I have made things like granola bars; Shepard’s Pie with lentils, bulgar, and veggies; vegan mac and cheese;  Miso Soba Noodle Soup; and lots more salads.  It is great that I’ll be finished work at the end of February so I can keep this up while Patrick continues to work like crazy to the finish, so he can have a few weeks off when the babe is born.

I need to get off the computer now, I am making Squash-stuffed Canelloni for dinner! Happy kicking and hammock laying, my precious little baby!

THIRD TRIMESTER

28 weeks

Having reached 28 weeks as of this past Friday, I am officially in the THIRD TRIMESTER! It amazes me to think about the progress this baby has made (and that any baby makes) in such a short time. Since it doesn’t seem so long ago that the presence in my belly was so teeny-tiny I couldn’t even be sure it was there, it’s crazy that a few months later I can’t forget about his presence because he’s made my belly so big. There’s no time now that I don’t feel him in there, either squished way up at the top of my uterus, trying to squeeze under my ribs, or somewhere else, turning around or kicking, or even just resting. I can feel his body by pressing lightly on almost any part of my stomach.

As I know is normal (or am learning so), in the last week or so I have started experiencing breathlessness really frequently. Where a gal’s diaphragm usually needs to go down and expand out for her to breathe in and out properly, the baby is now occupying that space. This makes me feel like there’s just not quite enough air to breathe, and as a result I get head rushes very easily, and a throbbing feeling in my veins, even when I’m lying in bed trying to get to sleep. It’s such a strange feeling, and I know it’ll only get more intense as baby gets bigger. As my mom says, it’s nature’s way of making me want to finally have the baby!

Our prenatal class from last week was cancelled because we had a snowstorm that day. So we start it this Thursday. It’s six weeks in duration so it’ll be the end of February by the time we’re done. At that time I’ll want to have perfected my Kegel routine. I still only do it randomly, and it’s usually at work that I practise, because I have to stand for large amounts of time. With being so easily winded now though I need to take sitting breaks pretty frequently! The hours are great; the standing and lifting 10-15lb baskets of apples, not so much. 

 I've noticed I'm not gaining much weight at all in the past couple of weeks. I'm not particularly worried, but I do want to gain a healthy amount. Since I currently eat tons of healthy food, I don't see how I can gain at a much faster rate. The baby has measured normal at all the appointments we've had, so I assume that's the most important part.

Happy moving, little baby! Enjoy it ‘cause you won’t have that much room to do it soon!