Bump Update - Week 34

It's been a roller coaster week here. Half of the week was really lovely with a visit from Dad and Debbie. The other half was a little sad. Everything is ok, but we received some sad family news. The details are not for sharing. But I want to say you absolutely must cherish every happy moment you have and remember how small your day to day annoyances are in the face of other kinds of loss and grief. That's all I want to say about that, so let's talk about the happy part of the week and then the normal baby updates.

Dad and Debbie stopped over for a quick two day visit and enjoyed some curry while Ed was getting his treatment. We essentially had a House Hunters marathon. Curry, family and house hunters? Sounds like my perfect night! :) The second night, they treated us to crabs! They had a practice run with the crabs while they were housesitting for us over Christmas so they knew the ropes. It was hugely fun and delicious. 

Thanks to Debbie for this picture and the delicious glass of sparkling grape juice so I could fit in with the crowd :)

The baby was shy for Dad but did put on a little show for Debbie later in the evening. It was a quick, but lovely visit. Strange to think of how much things will change and how these quiet, adult evenings will be very rare in 40 days or so.

Otherwise, we've been keeping to ourselves. Ed is enjoying being back at work and establishing his routine again. We went out for a food truck night that happens where Ed's shuttle drops him off on Monday evenings.

Delicious meatloaf sandwich - mashed potatoes included!

I'm sleepier than ever. We are still enjoying our childbirth class and our midwifery group. All in all we're both feeling good and very ready for baby. I've started having this feeling lately that baby might come early. Not scary early, but maybe a couple days? I can't explain why, but I just feel like this baby is already anxious to get out and make an appearance. And it's not that I'm eager for this pregnancy to be over - as I've said before, I've been blessed with an easy pregnancy that does not make me shout 'get this baby out' from the rooftops. I'm still enjoying every moment. We'll see how I feel in 40 days :)

Bump Update!



How far along? 34 Weeks

How Big Is Baby? 17.75 in cantaloupe, 4.75 lbs ish

Sleep: More vivid dreams and more nightmares unfortunately. I find myself laying awake and reading on my kindle lots and lots. 

Best moment this week: Eating delicious crabs with Dad and Debbie and facetiming with Mom, Ck and Emilia. Lots of good family time.

Movement: So much! Sometimes I lift up my shirt and just lotion up my belly and let it absorb. Ed gets to watch the baby do a little freak out and jiggle my whole belly. I feel like the movement is stronger, longer and more frequent than ever. Ed's been telling the baby how he/she is not going to be making an exit through my belly a la Alien, despite what he/she seems to be practicing.

Symptoms: New one this week - puffy joints and tingling in my hands. I haven't really had any swelling this pregnancy but it looks like it's starting a little, entirely in my hands. I'm still counting my blessings for how little swelling I've had overall and for how minimal my complaints have been... I feel very lucky.

Food cravings/aversions: None. I really don't want much food anymore. I still eat when I think I should be eating, but I'm only genuinely hungry about once a day and can be sated by a hard boiled egg. 

Gender: Whether it's a boy or a girl, it's an active hellion. I'm a little nervous I won't be able to keep up! I was kinda hoping this baby would inherit my sleepy genes :)

Belly Button in or out? Same situation here... can't believe it hasn't changed over yet!

What I miss: Being hungry. Not having cravings per se, just plain ole hunger. It's no fun feeling 'full' on nothing and knowing you still need to eat.

What I am looking forward to: Transitioning into the 'final weeks' activities. Some of them are not for sharing on here but there's a whole list. New foods to add in, stretches, household prep... Just can't believe we're already staring down the last month-ish. 

Funny moment of the week: It was a small moment, but when we were eating crabs, as you saw in the pictures, I suited up with an apron to protect my sizable self from debris and crab juices. It turned out everyone else at the table needed the apron more because my vigorous claw cracking resulted in everyone (but me) being showered in crab juice. I'm a real gem, I know.

Labor Signs: Just those crazy braxton hicks every now and then. Finally caught one for Ed to feel and he was a little weirded out. 

Weekly Wisdom: Give the people you love a huge hug and tell them over and over again how much you appreciate and love them. Be there for them when they are hurting and try hard to appreciate the little things.

Milestones: I am approximately as far from the end of this pregnancy as I was into the pregnancy when I went to the Dr. Just can't believe how much time has flown by!