Thursday, February 5, 2009

Thirty Three Weeks

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.

We have a lot to update so here’s my attempt at an abbreviated version of my usual posting:

Thirty two week check up w/ Dr. Crane went well. I didn’t gain any weight between 30 and 32 weeks, but I’m sure I made up for it this week. The baby seems to have gone through a growth spurt. Dr. Crane measured my “fundal height” and I’m supposed to measure one centimeter for each week that I’m pregnant. Well, I’m measuring three weeks ahead of schedule. This prompted him to schedule an ultrasound to check on the baby’s size. Of course I had tons of questions about “what if the baby’s too big, or what are my chances for a c-section” and he said we’ll cross that bridge after the ultrasound. Which is fine with me. Why worry or plan ahead now until we know for sure. Blood pressure was fine and Dr. Crane found the baby’s heartbeat right away. Everything looks good! I go back on Feb 13 to have an ultrasound and see Dr. Purdue.

I still have awful swelling in my feet and horrible carpal tunnel/tendonitis pain. I wear splints on my wrists 24/7 and try to keep my feet propped up most of the day. I have been assured that all of this most likely will end once the baby comes… I’m counting down the days. I feel like my hands are useless clubs sometimes! They’re so numb, I can’t even feel the keys right now. I saw my orthopedist who has restricted my typing to 4 hours a day… yeah, like that will happen!

It seems like I’ve had every pregnancy related symptom in the book, 24/7 nausea & vomiting, swelling, sciatic nerve pain, carpal tunnel pain, dizziness, hysterical laughing at in opportune moments, constipation, gall stones – so why not add blurred vision to the list! Don’t get me wrong, I’d be happy to be one of those women who hardly get an upset tummy in the seafood section, or who get light headed when they stand up. Not me – let’s just say this pregnancy has been very challenging. Blurred vision is a result of water retention… So I can’t feel my fingers and can hardly see the screen… I feel like a big pregnant mess.

Pregnant women often say that all the lack of sleep during pregnancy is getting us ready for taking care of a new born. I think it’s a bunch of crap and people say that just to make us feel better about getting up multiple times a night to pee, or turn over or just wide awake for no reason at all. On the weekends, if I’m feeling really sleep deprived, I’ll take two Benadryl. Doc approved of course. And they put me right out until about 10 a.m. the next morning. I think it would help if I could nap during the day, but right now, that’s not an option. I’ve thought about it, but don’t think my work would think highly of me for snoozing the afternoon away.

I’m so happy to report the nursery is painted and the furniture is up – thanks to Frank, his dad, and our neighbor Scott for the extra muscle need to get the dresser upstairs at a moment’s notice. I’ll post pics once I decorate. I’m really happy with the paint color and we still need to find a rug and order shades.

I’m also happy to report I have officially made March 6 my last day of work before I go out on maternity leave. I am looking forward to not having to get up and get showered before the crack of dawn everyday and to spending some time really getting ready for the baby.

My mom and sister-in-law Chrisi are hosting a baby shower for me on Saturday. This will be my third… I have a huge family and we all thought it would be better to have several smaller showers so I can actually spend time with everyone. Chrisi has done an enormous amount of work for the shower on Saturday, despite herself being 31 weeks pregnant and having some early contractions. Thank you so much Chrisi for stepping in and helping my mom throw what I’m sure will be a great shower. I’m looking forward to seeing all of my National Park relatives and my good friend from high school.

My mother-in-law – Mom Mazz, has been really great by washing a few loads of baby cloths for me and last night went with me to ShopRite. Last time I went food shopping I ended up with horrible Braxton hicks contractions – the loading and unloading proved too much. When I asked if she would go with me, she eagerly said of course and it was nice to spend time together.

Sad news – we had to find a new home for our cat Charlie. We have exhausted our efforts in getting him to use the litter box. We surrendered him to the rescue where I adopted him. They willingly took him back with open arms. He really was a great member of our family – the family jokester, always making us laugh! We’ll miss you Charlie!

The to-do list is long, but I’m feeling like I have more energy to get things done around the house. Last Saturday I found myself cleaning the bathroom and kitchen well before Frank was up. Has nesting started? I hope so! I’m still wiped out after work, so maybe I can use this new found energy this weekend.

2 comments:

Lana@The Kids Did WHAT?! said...

I love how "they" always compare babies to food products while they're in the womb!

Sad about your cat. I had to do the same thing a few years ago. I had a wonderful yet stubbron cat for 5 months, who only used the litter box maybe 10 times. Soooo frustrating!!

Unknown said...

Congrats! you are so lucky to be blessed with a child. i hope everyhting goes well and you and your new family do ok.