At 29 weeks

How far along? 29 weeks!  I feel like it's been a long time, but also a short time.  I don't want to rush through the next 11 weeks or so, but I'm excited about getting to the months on the other side of winter; having a baby, planting the garden, more chickens, exercise, mosquitoes, etc. 

Total weight gain? unknown

Maternity Clothes: Getting snugger.  My belly feels huge; I know that I still have a long way to go for belly growth! And my belly button hasn't even popped out yet (belly buttons are so ugly!).

Stretch marks: Yes. I found stretch marks on my boobs this week. It's weird because my boobs haven't grown since the initials 2 cup sizes... so I don't know where the stretch marks came from. A paradox.

Sleep: At the beginning of the week I was getting over a cold and did not sleep well at all. Now I am sleeping well..., and I can thank our new king size bed for that.  Jeff bought it for me as a birthday present, although it is safe to say that it's a present for both of us.  So comfy and roomy!  We wanted to get a king size bed because we are going to try co-sleeping with the baby and want to make sure that there is plenty of room for us, the baby, and the occasional pet or two. 

And I managed to give Jeff my cold, poor guy. He's laying in bed right now, hope to drag him out for fresh air later.

Best moment of the week? Getting the king size bed. Oh and we also bought a new car.  Men prepare for babies differently than women.  I nest by folding clothes, making sure we have the crib ordered, making diapers, preparing my body, etc., Jeff buys a family car. And it's a nice one too.  I'll talk more about it later.

Miss anything? the usual.  exercise, certain foods, and white zinfadel.

Movement: As I type this the baby is having a dance party in my belly.  She's been active this week in a different way than she has in previous weeks. Sort of like more and less. She moves a lot, but nothing has been too dramatic, whereas in the previous weeks when she moves she has more roll to her. I'm not sure if I'm just getting use to all of the kicks and rolls or she has less room in there to move around.

Food cravings: nothing new.

Gender: Girl!

Name? Nope!

Anything make you queasy or sick? Nope!

Symptoms: Occasional Braxton Hicks contractions, achy back, hunger, thirst, and some leg cramping (which may have been caused by the massage I got on Friday).

Exercise: No exercise at all. What a loser!  Today is a gorgeous, windy day, and I hope to get out into the woods for a walk with Carlie and the sick husband. I also received a prenatal massage on Friday. My first massage ever and it was pretty awesome.  I hope to get a few more before the babes here, it helped me relax and it felt good to have my muscles moved around.  My favorite part was having my feet and legs massaged, since starting to run 13 years ago, I haven't ever had anything like that, so it felt good to tenderize my achy joints and muscles.

Mood: Mostly grumpy.  I'm thinking that this is because of my cold. Hope that my mood improves this next week!

Fears: Breech baby, going to the hospital too soon in labor, not having my house clean before I go into labor. The last one seems silly, but it would be really nice to have everything in order before the baby is born.
We went to a birthing class on Saturday and although it was not ground breaking, it was nice to check it off the list.  I was happy to have Jeff there with me so he could get a feel for what is expected of the birth partner and we also saw the labor/delivery floor, which is nice and small. Labor and delivery at the hospital is basically run by midwives and they allow for plenty of movement during and between contractions, there's a birthing tub, private showers in almost every room, and low lighting.  

Looking forward to? The baby shower on the 24th of February. We sent the invitations out and I am meeting with my sister next weekend to discuss the plan for the shower.  Should be a fun time!

Happy Sunday!

shelby g