Hiccups at 29 Weeks

I still maintain that Deviney moved more - and kicked harder - than this baby. She also seemed to jab and spin much higher (into my ribs, side, etc) while this baby hangs out around my belly button and lower abdomen. He/She still moves around a lot and occasionally does so to the point it hurts but it's quite how I remember it being with #1.

I read a while ago that I would be able to feel hiccups but I didn't really notice anything until this past week. The baby was getting them consistently at night but I did notice them this morning. It makes me giggle every time.

I bought a butternut squash at the grocery store this week, just in time to read that the baby is about the same size around 29 weeks. Of course I had to hold it up to my belly to see. Seemed about right!

I looked at my blog from being pregnant with Deviney and at 28 weeks I had registered for baby items at Target and Babies R Us. While I won't have showers and don't need many things for the baby, I am beginning a running list of things in my head that I will still need to get before December. I have plenty of clothes (but still can't resist looking; plus we will need a "going home outfit"!), diapers are a given (though we almost have Deviney out of them so we should have only one to buy for!), and I need to find a neutral baby book (that I vow to complete). Between the things we need to buy and the things we still need to do, it's probably about time I write the lists down and start working on crossing things off. December is coming fast!

28 Weeks: 12 to Go!

Maybe it's been an "off" week or maybe I am still recovering from a trip to Maine last weekend? All I know is that I have more complaints this week than I remember from my entire first pregnancy. I still maintain that I am very lucky to feel (and have felt) as good as I do and I promise that I still love being pregnant. However, I could live without the following things:

- Swollen ankles (appeared this week)
- Swollen fingers (mostly when it's warm; also appeared this week)
- Acne
- Constant lower back pain
- Heavy pressure in the pelvic area (sorry if that's TMI, but I am pregnant and I think that entitles women to talk about the most disgusting things imaginable)
- Fatigue
- Protruding belly button (it's almost completely there now... sigh)
- Weight gain (okay, that's not a reasonable complaint but I still don't love that part)



I went to the doctor on the 15th. That morning was my glucose test, which came out fine except that my blood work showed low iron. I now need to take a supplement along with the Fish Oil and Prenatal Vitamin I take. What's another pill, right? My weight gain is still climbing but I am hoping it begins to plateau soon. My doctor assured me that I still looked fine and I shouldn't worry much, except that I really shouldn't gain more than 10 or 11 pounds before my due date. My belly measured at around 27 1/2, which was exactly where it should be and the baby's heart rate was 146. Now that I am in my 3rd trimester, I will be back to the doctor every 2 weeks.

While I avoid the pregnant "waddle" and try to ignore the fact that my center of balance is off, no one else can deny that this baby (and I) are growing all the time. Oddly enough, I have people ask both "are you due soon?" and "you must not be that far along yet?". Is black slimming even when you have a giant belly?

Week 27: 3rd Trimester!

Looks like we are in the homestretch! Wow, is this going fast! What an unusual feeling to experience the emotions of complete anticipation and total panic at the same time. When I look at ultrasound pictures, I want to reach in and grab my precious baby to hold it, kiss it, and rock it to sleep. When I look at a calendar, however, I want to find a rewind button to buy myself a few more weeks to prepare.

So is hindsight really 20/20 or was my first pregnancy really a breeze like I think I remember it? Believe me, I don't have much to complain about - at all - but I do feel like I am experiencing a little more discomfort this time than I did the first. I get winded running up the stairs sometimes. Seriously? A flight of stairs? Also, it seems that every day my back aches, regardless of what I am doing/have done. This last week, I started feeling pain in my ribs when I sat for more than 1/2 hour upright. This baby is sitting very low - there should be no reason for that, right?

Don't get me wrong, I still think I have storybook pregnancies. Compared to most, I don't feel like I ever really skip a beat. From first trimester to the end. It's just that every once in a while, I am reminded that I am in fact pregnant. For instance, I think I have finally reached the point that the belly runs into things before I do. I know that means it won't be long before I am knocking things over with a protruding belly button.

Double Digits: 26 Weeks!

We have hit double digits until our due date! Under 100 days until we become a 4-person family.

This week we managed to get Deviney's "big girl bedroom" painted. It's technically called Bathe Blue but Drew claims it is Baby Boy Blue. It looks cute - just lacks accessories and details - but I am certain it will still be perfect for a little girl. That means the nursery will soon be ready (again) for the arrival of baby #2! Phew - I am definitely feeling a little more prepared.

We had an ultrasound this week to check on a few things. Everything looked perfect, including the precious little baby we were able to watch move around and snuggle inside. He/She kept a hand or foot in front of his/her face almost the entire time which made it a little difficult to see face but the ultrasound tech managed to get a few really good pictures. Drew and I both agree that this baby looks like Deviney but we can't see to agree on what gender we think it might be (Drew is certain it's a girl where I lean more towards boy). The heart rate was 136.

No matter what, the baby is growing exactly as he/she should be. Though babycenter.com says the baby at 26 weeks weighs around 1 2/3 lbs, the ultrasound indicated ours weighs a little over 2. Perhaps both baby and I should slow down on weight gain?