33 Weeks!

How your baby's growing:This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.

32 Weeks! Start of 8th month!

How your baby's growing:By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds (pick up a large jicama) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, she'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb. She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth.

Childbirth Class III

Last night at class we learned about epidurals. Oh my, did that give me the heebie jeebies or what? I am not a big fan of shots and I despise IVs and this thing seems like a combo deal. The teacher told us that almost everyone who gets an epidural needs a catheter. I've never had one but it sounds awful too. She also told us that women who get epidurals are 6 times more likely to have a cesarean. I think I'm going to give natural a shot without ruling out anything so as not to be disappointed if it doesn't go just as I planned.

We toured the hospital too. Gees, I thought the room was the most depressing place on earth. You have to keep the blinds shut because the Marriott is right next door. The hospital seemed shabby to me.

We did do some more breathing and now I know for sure that Noel and I need to practice at home or we might kill each other when the heat is on.

Enough complaining already. I'll be more upbeat tomorrow I promise.

A New Resident

Check out this fella. He has taken up residence near our cistern. I bet he likes it because it's always a little wet around that area. This morning when I left he was almost completely covered up in mud and grass but you could still see his head sticking out. Truth be known, turtles and tortoises scare me a bit. I don't know why. So I find this guy interesting to look at from the car. Needless to say, Noel took the pictures.

31 Weeks!

How your baby's growing:This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. She weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. She can turn her head from side to side, and her arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath her skin. She's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.

And notice the posting time. Yep, I have terrible insomnia.

Childbirth Class II

Noel and I had our second childbirth class last night. We learned a lot last night, even me, I must admit. I blew up a balloon to feel where to push, but we were told not to actually push! I got a packet to preregister at the hospital. The teacher passed out food and items to show how big the cervix actually is when it starts dilating. We watched videos of birth and simulations of the baby coming down the birth canal. We simulated actually having a contraction with Noel timing and making sure I was loose and calm and with me breathing and focusing. Oh yeah, and the teacher passed around items we might want to pack in a bag to make life more comfortable when I'm going through labor. Noel is primarily in charge of packing that bag and I'm sure he'll do a great job. He needs to remember to pack snacks for himself too for sustenance as he is not as tough as me. haha

I had a Dr. appointment today. I'm as healthy as a horse and all signs indicate Ruby is too. Back to the Dr. in two weeks. Seems like I was just there two weeks ago. My how time flies!

Our First Childbirth Class

Our first class was last Tuesday night. I couldn't believe the class was 2.5 hours long! Noel thoroughly enjoyed the class and learned a lot. He now appreciates the rigors of labor. He didn't realize labor could last so long or be so intense. He learned some things about anatomy and he even learned how to do Kegels. (Men should do them too to prevent prostate problems.)

Oh yeah and the best part--he gets to be Coach Noel! He's going to get a stop watch to hang around his neck to time contractions. haha He's already told me stop and give him ten Kegels. haha

We also learned a valuable lesson about triage--no one comes in there with the Mommy. Good thing we found that out sooner than later. That would have definitely freaked us out!

For your viewing pleasure--me at 30 weeks. Oh my!

30 Weeks!

How your baby's growing:Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)

Just for Daddy

I ordered this sign for Noel and got it in the mail at the end of last week. I made Noel wait for me to get home to open it because I wanted to see the look on his face when he saw it. It was priceless. He got all bleary eyed and was seriously close to tears. Thanks to Kim for turning me on to Etsy. What a wonderful hand painted product and it was shipped and packed so nicely.

In related news, Noel keeps going on and on that he wants to be called Pop. I honestly think he is doing this only to drive me crazy. When he starts his whining I say, "What do you think this is Sanford and Son? Why don't we name her Lamont?"

Tomorrow we have our first childbirth class. I'll be sure to let everyone know how it goes!