35 Weeks.

Time for the 35 Week Update:

Baby Development:
He is continuing to gain weight (as my bladder feels) and continues to respond to sound since his hearing is developed. It says that they respond best to higher pitches--thinking he is going to become buddies with our dog Mac since he has the highest pitch bark ever. He is probably pretty familiar by now. HAHA.

Dr. Checkup:
Had my 35 week check-up today and doctors were concerned with my weight gain from two weeks ago. Then they looked at my ankles and figured out what is going on. I am retaining water in my joints, but especially in my feet making me feel very uncomfortable these days.  Only five more weeks right??
The doctor was also trying to feel if Mini Bee is still head down. She had a hard time determining his position but after paying attention to his hiccups I think his head seems to be down. (Fingers crossed)
My tummy also is measuring right on track now. Guess that may have been why it was hurting lately. It was stretching out! 

Cravings:

I did discover a wonderful treat at Sonic this past weekend--Strawberry (real fruit) Slushees. Very good however without it here, there isn't even a possibilty that it could become a craving. :( I kind have been on the fruit kick again eating lots of strawberries and watermelon. The sweet tooth has mostly left me.

Mommy Symptoms:

NEED I SAY MORE? :)

Swelling and over all just feeling uncomfortable. My joints are swollen and tight feeling. I also asked the doctor about some symptoms I was experiencing with my wrist and evidentally I have carpal tunnel--pregnancy related. Its funny how all these odd things kick in with being pregnant and will magically disappear as soon as baby comes. At least this is what I am told. Still having problems getting comfortable at night to sleep but managing to get some rest still. So grateful that I have the Summer off because I can't even imagine trying to work all day on my feet. 

Big Accomplishments:
The baby registry purchasing is pretty much complete. I think we have bought all of the baby essentials. Should have enough diapers to get us through the first few weeks (hopefully). Now if only I could buy hours of sleep for that first month, right? 

Here is an update on the to-do list we made:

• Wash baby's laundry
• Pack our hospital bags
• Put together a playlist for the nursery
• Make a labor playlist
• Clean out the cup cupboard to make room for bottles
• Write up our birth plan
• Clean the Garage
• Put up gates
• Finalize baby's middle name--we have a few finalists. This may have been determined!
• Take a babymoon (recently added) Yes. More on that to come in a future post!
•  
• Ok so not too much accomplished this past week but hopefully we will do more this week. With being close to delivery, I will have a lot more weekend time on my hands to do some jobs. 

What i am Excited For:

• I am excited to have the nursery finished and all items in place waiting for him!! 
• MY BIRTHDAY (in less than a week) 
• As always meeting Mini Bee :)

No baby bump picture yet for this week. Will keep you posted.

34 Weeks + Baby Bump Pic.

I missed the update from last week so I will combine the information from weeks 33/34.

I am officially 8 months pregnant as of last week! Can you believe it?!?! Mini Bee will soon be here.
Tomorrow I will be 34 weeks and for weeks 33-36 baby will be the size of a CANTALOUPE!

Baby Development:
Baby's senses are continuing to develop and when light shines through my stretched and thinned out belly, mini bee's eyelids and irises blink and dilate. He can even react and recognize simple songs that he hears.

Dr. Checkup:
Last week I went to the doctor for a checkup. Everything still checked out well. I have another checkup at 35 weeks and then start them every week until Mini Bee arrives! So crazy we are finally getting to that point. It seemed like it would never come.

Cravings:
I still like ice water but lately the sweet tooth has been hitting me in overdrive!!

Mommy Symptoms:
Still experiencing swelling in my legs/toes and now my fingers too when I am up and moving for long hours especially out in that nice warm summer sun.
Having a hard time sleeping. It seems like my belly is at an awkward stage again. Its too big to shove a pillow under and yet it is too big to support itself while laying on my side. Lots of naps are being taken.

Big Accomplishments:
I have taken lots of naps and made lots of goodies HAHA. We finished our class on breastfeeding and Lamaze. We know feel more prepared to take on a new baby in our household and know more about what is headed our way, especially in the hours of labor. It was very reassuring to visit with the nurses and tour the hospital floor that we will be delivering on soon!
I also have managed to put together a short to-do list in preparation for delivery:

• Wash baby's laundry
• Pack our hospital bags
• Put together a playlist for the nursery
• Make a labor playlist
• Clean out the cup cupboard to make room for bottles
• Write up our birth plan
• Clean the Garage
• Put up gates
• Finalize baby's middle name--we have a few finalists.

The planner in me has been wanting to pack our hospital bags for a while but most things that I need to pack are things I will wear over the next few weeks. Will see how long I can put it off....

What i am Excited For:
Mini Bee's arrival... I swear the first several months are just to get you to start thinking about a baby and all the goods you need and life adjustments you need to make. The last 1 -2 are when you start to get really excited! Only now am I starting to actually envision a REAL baby in OUR house! Somedays I just pace around looking for projects trying to stall myself in anticipation for this baby. It might be a long few weeks!
Along with his arrival, I look forward to the first moment Mitch and I get to meet him. That first glance is surely something that I will never forget!
I think mentally I am getting more ready though because I have had several dreams either being pregnant and/or with our new baby. These are changes that have taken place only recently. Most nights I wouldn't dream of being pregnant and would forget until I would try to roll over to get out of bed in the morning... That surely reminded me that I am indeed pregnant. :)

And while I am still officially 33 weeks pregnant for a half an hour more.... :)

31 Weeks + Belly Bump Picture

Here is an update where I am at in my pregnancy...

At 31 Weeks, Mini Bee is still a Squash...

Baby Development:
He is definitely starting to feel a few pounds heavy. He likes to tip and put his bottom up against my belly button and it feels like so much pressure on top of my organs.

Dr Checkup Notes:

• I reassured her that my belly had for sure grown a lot since my last visit and that I probably wasn't measuring under still. Well I guess I was off because it still is measuring under but still no concern. 
• I also asked if we could be sure I am not delivering a 10+ lb baby and could we monitor that HAHA. She said he hasn't been measuring that big and with having part asian in the genes he should be smaller. That made me feel a little better. I have been hearing about so many people delivering giant babies and that terrifies me. 

 Cravings:

It seems somebody turned off the pineapple switch finally. In fact I have a hard time eating it at all. It tastes so tart.

The new cravings...

Too bad they didn't stay as healthy as they had been the whole pregnancy. It seems as though my brain is switching to craving junk food....

Mommy Symptoms:

• I have been experiencing some swelling in my legs, ankles and feet. 
• My feet, especially heels hurt when I stand for any amount of time it feels like...

Big Accomplishments of this past week:

My mom came up to help me finish up some last touches before baby comes. We designed and hung the nursery curtains, wrapped canvases for nursery art, and hauled out all the goodwill stuff I hadn't had the ambition to haul. Mitch and I also did my indoor maternity shoot.

What I am getting excited for:

We start our baby classes this next week. I am excited to learn together with Mitch what we need to know as we go on the final path of preparing for our little one. I am also excited to reveal the nursery and of course to meet our little guy!!

Now what you probably came to the blog post for....