33 Weeks

This week baby E should weigh a little over 4 pounds and measure at around 17 inches from head to toe....not our baby boy! We had an ultrasound on Monday that revealed a cooperative, but squirmy, 5 pound baby boy. At first, the ultrasound tech said six-and-a-half pounds. He certainly knows how to scare a pregnant lady - I could not believe my ears, so I made him check again. He went and ran the numbers and measurements in the computer and apologized for frightening me. Baby really weighed about 4 lbs 13 oz (last Monday). Of course, there is some room for inconsistencies when trying to determine weight of baby by ultrasound - but regardless, my belly is still growing and I often have a big baby foot sticking out of my right side and a bum, just to the left of my midline.

Baby is in perfect position for birth (head down facing my back), so hopefully he stays right where he is.

Every night, Pat and I get into bed and watch him - and daddy chats with baby. He squirms and squiggles so much it's incredible. Every evening, Tonka walks around and fluffs his pillow several times to make sure it is comfortable for sleeping - we call it "making his bed"...I think baby E might be doing that in there, too. He also does morning stretches. It's funny, he's woken me up a few times during the night, but for the most part, we wake together...for instance, when I get up to pee (two hours after i've gone to bed) I lay back down and he is squirming. I lay in bed after waking each morning to watch and feel him doing his stretches and then I start my day. If it's a work day, he typically will stay up for about half of the 40-minute car ride (still stretching and sticking his little fit in my side or ribs), then he naps - does some somersaulting, or kickboxing - I can't really tell...and repeat. He is so active - I hope he's a good sleeper once he's born! And the hiccups...goodness - he gets them as little as three and as many as six times per day.

We're eager for him to be here, but know he still needs time to grow and develop - (a week early wouldn't be bad, little one!). Still, it's crazy to think that our due date is just around the corner.

We had our labor and delivery class last weekend. It was great. A bit of the day was focused on relaxation techniques - using pillows, blankets, birthing balls (which I now have - fabulous!) and touch. I can tell that Pat is going to be an awesome support system. He is so caring and supportive and is a really great masseuse when he wants to be. He makes me so relaxed and comfortable - he soothes me more than any other person can without even saying a word. So happy I have him to take care of me. He's going to be such a great Dad.

I'm hoping - when it comes time - to do most of my laboring at home. Though the hospital has every little resource you could possibly need, we've decided that we'd rather wait to check in so that I can be comfortable and relaxed at home (of course, some of this is up to my midwives - and no, I do not want to actually give birth at home).

Typically, we survive the summer without much use of an AC - though this summer, I think it's been on and off every day for a couple of weeks. I really haven't got much to complain about. The days when it is really hot, I go in to work. Then, I take the days off that are more mild and that Pat and I can spend together. This week we went blueberry picking (on the hottest day of the year). But it was great! We picked 5lbs of blueberries before it was "time" to go. I.e. contractions and sweltering heat. Not a great combo.

Stay cool :)