34 Week Update

Merry Christmas! It's hard to believe that I am now 34 weeks pregnant. And what's even harder to believe is that Peanut is expected to be here in about six weeks!

Peanut's nursery is just about ready. Doug and I are both off of work until January 5th, so we plan to finish the nursery during these next weeks. Other things we still have to do: install the carseats and get them inspected (research shows that 90% of carseats are installed incorrectly), sterilize all of the pacifiers and bottles, and pack the hospital bag.

We are thrilled to have found a doula who will be with us through childbirth. Danielle, who was also our childbirth instructor, will meet with us during the next couple weeks to discuss our expectations and wishes for birth. She will then be with us through labor and delivery and will assist with breastfeeding both at the hospital and once we come home. I am really excited to have this kind of support, as I hope it will help me achieve the birth experience I desire.

Here is a 34 week picture!

33 Week Update

We went to our childbirth class last weekend. We got a ton of great information and resources. The class confirmed for me that I really hope to have a natural, unmedicated birth. Doug and I agree that a woman's body is designed to give birth. When you start introducing medications and interventions, it interferes with the body's ability to do what it naturally does. We have decided to hire a doula for the birth, which I believe will help with natural means of pain management and will increase the likelihood of having the birth experience I want.

I went to my 33 week doctor's appointment yesterday. The baby is still head down and in birthing position. He/she was not too cooperative with having the doppler used to assess the heartrate. Every time the doctor would place the doppler on my belly, the baby would punch or kick it right off of my belly! By the time the doctor was able to get a reading, the heartrate was 147. Previously, the highest it has been is 134. Apparently the baby was very worked up!

I am still feeling good, although sleeping is getting more and more uncomfortable. I don't think I have any ab muscles left to speak of, so turning over is a chore.

Here is a link to a Monty Python video - this is how I don't want my labor to be!

32 Week Update

Peanut is growing quickly. He/she is about 16 inches long now and nearly four pounds. The doctor said we can expect Peanut to gain about a half pound a week throughout the rest of the pregnancy, which would result in an eight-pound baby. I was 7 pounds, 15 ounces, and Doug was 8 pounds, 1 ounce - so an eight-pound baby seems just about right based on our genes.

At my 31-week doctor's appointment, I found out that Peanut is head down and in position to come out. His/her feet are tucked up under my right rib. I'm lucky that Peanut doesn't kick too hard because bruised ribs would not feel good!

We go to our childbirth classes this weekend and hope to learn a lot of good information.

We went to get our Christmas tree last weekend. We went to a Christmas tree farm that we've been going to for several years now. We found a great tree. We can't wait until next Christmas when Peanut is here to celebrate with us!

Here is a 32 week belly pic!

28 Week Ultrasound Picture

It took us awhile to get this picture in digital format to post. We attempted to go to Target to scan it, but there was a woman in front of us in line who was taking the red-eye out of every eye in 50-some pictures. After waiting for 20 minutes, we gave up.

So, here it is - 28 week ultrasound picture!