32 Week Bump Update

How Far Along: 32 weeks as of September 7th

Size Of Baby: According to baby center: Baby weighs 3 3/4 pounds, about the size of a large jicama, (don't ask me what that is) and is about 16.7 inches long. I'm gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to my baby. In fact, she'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb. She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth.

Maternity Clothes: Nothing new to report. I'm getting sick of wearing the same outfits.


Weight Gain:  I'm up about 17-18 pounds. I'm starting to feel large and uncomfortable, mostly at night, after I have eaten dinner. She's either getting bigger or has changed positions because I feel like I have less room underneath my breasts than before.

 

Stretch Marks: Good so far.

Sleep:  Ouch, the night before last, I woke up muttering some not-so-nice words, as I attempted to untangle myself from the sheets. I had a leg cramp. Yup, one of the symptoms I dreaded most going into this pregnancy (besides gaining weight and vomiting). They are just SO painful. I didn't get much sleep last night because I was trying to make a conscious effort not to stretch my legs a certain way, for fear that it would happen again.

Best Moment of the Week:  The nursery is almost nearing completion. The pink curtains are up, the toy box is assembled, baby's blankets are washed, and her elephant prints are on the walls. I just can't wait to hold her in my arms and rock her to sleep in the glider.

 

Movement: Lots of kicks and turns, mostly at night while cuddling with John on the couch, or while I'm lying on my side, trying to sleep. I love feeling her in there. ♥

Cravings: So, I've decided that I have had a craving these past few weeks, and it is cottage cheese. Weird, right? But every morning, I look forward to my scoop of cottage cheese that I have on my plate at lunch.

 

Gender: The room is decked out in pink!

Belly Button In or Out: Still in and I think it's staying that way.

Wedding Ring on or Off: Still on. But baby brain kicked in this week big time when I couldn't find my rings. John and I spent a good 45 minutes searching the house for them. Turns out, they were in the pocket of my maternity capris that I wore a few days earlier. I am normally a very organized person and rarely misplace things. John gave me a kiss and said, "What are we going to do about that baby brain of yours?"

What I Miss: Feeling athletic. I just feel so mushy and large. I've walked a few times this week and completed my workout dvd twice, but I feel like I lack the motivation and drive I had last year. I'm afraid it won't come back once the baby gets here. That scares me because running and exercising are a HUGE part of my identity. They make me feel beautiful and confident. John seems to be on board with letting me join my gym again in January for a few months. It's just so expensive. I hope I get my exercising mojo back, though.

Labor Signs: No and No.


Symptoms: That dreaded leg cramp, occasional nightly back pain, getting harder to breathe, lack of energy or motivation to work out.

Emotions: How will I ever survive 8 more weeks of waiting?

Maternity Photos

While we were home for my shower, my brother Joe took some photos of our little family. John and I look a bit tired, because it was a long day of baby showering fun. But I'm glad we got a few snapshots in.

30 and 31 Week Bump Update

Wow! A lot has happened in the last 3 weeks. I keep meaning to update this little blog of mine, but my to-do list just keeps getting in the way. I feel like I have a million things to do, but each individual task is so large that it takes so much effort to check one off my list. But, I love my lists, and keeping track of what needs to be done makes me feel reassured. 

30 weeks!

31 weeks... at home in Lockport for my baby shower.

So, what has been going on in the life of the Cullen family?

 Great Times with Great Friends
Well, at exactly 30 weeks pregnant, on August 24th, two of my high school friends surprised me with a little Momma-to-be outing. Christen had sent me a message on facebook a few weeks prior, telling me that she had to come into RI to visit Brandon's aunt, and she wanted to get together for lunch.

Pedicures!

Well, when the day arrived, I stood waiting for her at Luxe Burger Bar, and when she tapped me on the shoulder and I turned around, I was in for a BIG surprise! My other friend, Ashlie, flew in from NY to visit me and the two of them had planned a girls day for me!!! They took me out to lunch, where we caught up on all the awesome things happening in our lives. 

We found a photobook at the movie theater.. just like we're back in HS!

Pedicures... I was ticklish!

Then we got pedicures and went to see a movie. It was SUCH a great day and I'm so lucky and grateful to have two life-long friends that will always be there for me, no matter how many miles apart we are. The weekend couldn't have come at a better time, because I was feeling down the previous day. *blame the pregnancy hormones*

Movies!

 ER Visit
 The following week, August 29th, I ended up in the ER for a little visit. My tummy had felt weird all night after eating dinner and walking, and I got a severe pain in my right sight that left me leaning against the bathroom door in agony for a minute. It hurt so badly that I got nauseous from the pain. Although the sharp pain went away in a few minutes, I had pain in the same spot ALL night and couldn't sleep. It went away by morning, but the Doctor wanted me to go to the hospital to get it checked out because I hadn't felt my baby girl move in the morning.


I hopped in the car right away and was so scared the entire way that something was wrong with my little one. I felt in my gut, that everything was ok. That's why I didn't go to the hospital at night, but the nurses voice rang through my ears to get to the ER as soon as possible. On the way there, I felt my baby girl kick, reassuring me that everything would be ok. That finally calmed my nerves a bit.

When I arrived, they took me in right away, had me give a urine sample, and found the baby's heart beat. They gave me a pelvis exam, checked my cervix, and gave me an ultrasound to check fluid levels. I had hoped they would confirm that she was a little girl, but they told me they would have to look special for that. I did get to see her precious little face for a second and oh my gosh, it was so perfect. She has a cute little button nose and just looked like the sweetest little thing to me. I have LOVED every single ultrasound I have gotten. I know she is in my belly because I can feel her every day, but seeing her is so magical. It really reminds me that, yea, there sure is a little baby in there and she is yours.

John was just the best husband on this day. He left work and walked across the street to Women and Infants to visit me. He looked so handsome and professional  in his white coat and the nurses thought he was my doctor at first!!! I love seeing him in action. Unfortunately, this has only happened during the times I've been in the hospital, but still. He calms me down and makes me feel so safe.

They couldn't really make any definite conclusions about what caused my pain, but everything looked good, so they sent me on my way. The midwife who gave me the ultrasound said that my baby is transverse, with her head on the left and butt on the right. So her bottom must have been pushing on my belly. She told me to have a talk with my daughter about hurting her mama. hehe.

Baby Shower
We also had our 2nd and final baby shower right on the 31 day mark. It was so wonderful, it deserves it's own post.