wordless wednesday: 34 week bump

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34 weeks

How far along: 34 weeks

Baby's size: A Honeydew

Ella can now recognize and react to simple songs ... time to start practicing my lullabies! In fact, she will recognize frequently sung tunes after birth and probably find them soothing. Her fingernails now reach the end of her fingertips and may even curl over the tip - sounds like a mother/daughter trip to the salon will be in order! Less cute news: She now urinates about one pint per day. Better get the diapers ready!

Symptoms: Back pain, rib pain, leg cramps, frequent bathroom trips ... I've been to the bathroom 4 times already this morning! Starting to feel more and more uncomfortable the bigger I get. Simply sitting on the couch is even more uncomfortable these days.

Sleep: Still sleeping well, just not all that comfortably. And I never seem to get enough of it!

Total Weight Gain: 25 pounds

Maternity clothes: We had dinner with some friends of ours this weekend who have a 2 month old little girl. She had just packed up all her maternity clothes, so she sent me home with two bins of clothes! She's quite a bit shorter than me, so most of the pants didn't work - but I did score quite a few long sleeve tops that will be great now that it's getting colder!

Best moment this week: Our crib and bassinet arrived! Hubby's mom brought over the bassinet, which was made by her father. And she picked up the crib down in the city - it's now prominently placed in our garage. We won't be putting it up until our new house is finished, but it's so fun just knowing it's there!

Movement: She is getting so big! Her jabs have started to feel slightly uncomfortable. It feels like she's jabbing me in the side with her elbows. And sometimes headbutting me in the bladder. So fun! But thankfully she's stayed away from my ribs so far.

Food cravings: Still none ...

Gender: Girl!

Labor signs: None. Thankfully!

What I miss: Jeans that fit.

What I'm looking forward to: Meeting my baby in 6 weeks! And my first shower this weekend.

Weekly Wisdom (aka what I learned this week): 

Milestone:

Emotions: So much to be done. But I don't even know where to start! This whole building a house thing really complicates the planning process. There is so much that I would normally be doing right now, but I'm waiting until we're in our new house to do. However, I know there are things I should be doing right now to prepare for this baby that I'm just not thinking of! Thankfully my mom is coming this weekend for the shower, hopefully she can help me make a plan!

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freaking out

I kind of broke down to hubby tonight. The realization that I'm going to have to actually 'birth' this child inside of me VERY soon has really been hitting me lately. And, I'll be honest, I'm kind of freaking out!

My whole pregnancy has really been pretty easy. Sure I've had constant pain in my ribs since about 21 weeks, and frequent back pain about as long. I've experienced the round ligament pain and the leg cramps. I've even been feeling my hip joints loosening up lately, which isn't so pleasant either. And you certainly can't ignore the frequent trips to the bathroom! But really, all of that is pretty easy to deal with. And the excitement of it all definitely overshadows any discomfort. I actually feel bad telling other moms that that I feel ok, because I know that not everyone is as fortunate!

But very, very soon, I'm going to have to deliver this little girl (and hopefully she stays little!) I have no idea what to expect. Sure I've done my research, and I've talked to many women who have gone through it. But there are SO many horror stories out there! Including my mother-in-law (both she AND my hubby almost died) and my sister-in-law. It's hard to hear those stories, and not let my mind run wild.

On the completely opposite end of the spectrum is my own mom. She had all of us in about three hours of labor, and never even experienced early labor - just went right into phase two. So she was able to go through three deliveries without ever needing drugs or an epidural. She did have some complications with my younger brother, but that was because he was a footling breach and had his arm caught up over his (very large) head. They simply wouldn't allow that to happen today.

So I'm caught between expecting the worst, and expecting the best. I certainly don't want to dwell on all the things that COULD go wrong. But I also don't want to go in expecting an easy three hour delivery and then have it last for 12 hours!

Tomorrow we start Lamaze / Childbirth Education classes at the hospital. They say knowledge is power, and I'm really hoping that holds true for me. I'm hoping that this 4 week class will help me feel more prepared, and more at ease about the whole thing.

I have such an amazing husband. I really couldn't ask for a better partner in this whole thing. I let him know that I was nervous and really uncertain about everything. He reassured me that he will not only be there for the class, but he'll really be there. I love him so much, and can't wait to go through this experience with him.

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33 weeks

How far along: 33 weeks

Baby's size: A Honeydew

Things are heating up inside! Ella may grow up to a full inch this week alone, and her brain is developing like crazy. Pretty soon, she'll be able to coordinate breathing with sucking and swallowing. Also, her bones are hardening, and she's started to keep her eyes open when she's awake. The level of amniotic fluid in the uterus has reached its maximum this week, making it likely that there's more baby than fluid now. That's just one reason I'm feeling lots of nudges and pushes - there's less liquid to cushion the blows. Ella has reached another important milestone about now as well: the development of her own immune system (along with antibodies).

Symptoms: Back pain, rib pain, leg cramps, frequent bathroom trips ... a new one this week is achy hip joints. I can feel that the ligaments are getting looser!

Sleep: Still sleeping well, just not all that comfortably. And I never seem to get enough of it!

Total Weight Gain: 25 pounds

Maternity clothes: Comfort seems to be key these days. Fewer and fewer things in my closet are fitting. But I'm also loosing interest in buying a ton more maternity clothes; seems like a waste with only 7 weeks to go!

Best moment this week: We found out at last weeks appointment that she's already in a head-down position. Looks like she's just as excited to meet us as we are to meet her!

Movement: She is getting so big, and moving so much!

Food cravings: Starting to think I may never have any ...

Gender: Girl!

Labor signs: None.

What I miss: Not having a constant pain under my ribs. It's getting more severe lately, and extremely uncomfortable!

What I'm looking forward to: Meeting my baby in 7 weeks!

Weekly Wisdom (aka what I learned this week): 

Milestone:

Emotions: Stressed beyond belief with everything that needs to be accomplished in the next 7 weeks!

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love21 maternity

I made a new discovery today. One that I'm VERY excited about! Forever21 has a maternity section! The new line is called love21 maternity. And though it's not very big yet, they have some very cute items for some very great prices! I'm really coveting this little combo, which would look great with my boots for fall! And both pieces combined are under $40!

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32 weeks

How far along: 32 weeks

Baby's size: A Squash

Ella's getting ready for her big debut! The past few weeks it's been all about practice, practice, practice as she hones the skills she'll need to thrive outside the womb - from swallowing and breathing to kicking and sucking. And speaking of sucking, she's been able to suck her thumb for a while now. She's also becoming less transparent and more opaque, as more and more fat accumulates under her skin. She's probably in the head-down position by now, with her bottom facing up. This is the comfiest way for her body to fit in my increasingly cramped womb and will make her eventual exit (only a few months away now!) much easier.

Symptoms: Back pain, rib pain, leg cramps, frequent bathroom trips ... my belly is also getting ichy as my skin is stretching more and more these days.

Sleep: Still sleeping well, just not all that comfortably. And I never seem to get enough of it!

Total Weight Gain: 24 pounds ... though my weight has fluctuated quite a bit this week - which is different than the rest of this pregnancy has been. May need to keep an eye on this. But then again, it may be nothing to be concerned about.

Maternity clothes: Comfort seems to be key these days. Fewer and fewer things in my closet are fitting.

Best moment this week: Finally bought Ella's crib this weekend!

Movement: She is getting so big, and moving so much!

Food cravings: Starting to think I may never have any ...

Gender: Girl!

Labor signs: No labor signs yet, but I have felt a few random pains along my right side. Maybe Braxton hicks? Or maybe just weird cramps.

What I miss: Cuddling with hubby at night, and generally just being comfortable.

What I'm looking forward to: Meeting my baby in 8 weeks!

Weekly Wisdom (aka what I learned this week): 

Milestone:

Emotions: Stressed beyond belief with everything that needs to be accomplished in the next 8 weeks!

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Ella's crib

After what seems like an eternity of research, and shopping, and deliberating ... we have finally picked out Ella's crib. We ordered it yesterday at Babies R Us. I am SO excited, and really happy with our choice. I just think it is so beautiful. Don't you agree?

The Soho Crib from Delta Children's Products converts to toddler bed, day bed and full sized bed. So little Miss Ella just may be in this same bed until she turns 18! It doesn't have a drop side and it's JPMA certified, so it's completely safe and really sturdy. And it's just plain beautiful! It will look so great in her yellow and grey nursery.

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