Week 33

I am officially very uncomfortable.  My belly is stretching a lot and I have Braxton Hicks contractions all the time.  My lower back and pelvic floor are typically hurting.  Doing the dishes is difficult because my belly forces me to have to lean over the sick further from it.  And of course bending down to do anything is next to impossible.  I get up frequently at night and need to pee usually within 10 minutes of going during the day.  I also have a lot of pulling near my pelvic region that wakes me sometimes at night causing me to rearrange.  All these aches and pains are of course making it difficult to play as much with the girls as I'd like to.  I'm definitely ready to meet this little guy, although staying put another 4 weeks at least would be good.

I am getting more stretch marks on my lower belly now.  I think they're the same ones I had with Claire that are showing up again.  Hopefully, they'll fade after pregnancy like they did after delivering Claire.

Our little boy probably weighs about 4.5 pounds and has a crown-to-rump length of about 12 inches.  At this point, the amniotic fluid is at the highest level in the pregnancy. The amount will remain constant until delivery. Rapid brain growth has increased our baby's head size approximately 3/8 of an inch this week. Fat continues to accumulate which turns the baby's skin color from red to pink.

Week 32

I had an appointment with Dr. Gaines on Wednesday.  I was measuring a little ahead (32 weeks when only 31w 5 d) and he's heartbeat was strong at around 150 bpm again.  We talked about the possibility of a VBAC having had two previous c-sections.  Dr. Gaines was not for that idea and encouraged another c-section.  They called today to line up my c-section date:  March 14 at 12:30 p.m.  I had hoped to schedule it for the 13th so all our children were born on a day with a 3 in it (30th, 3rd and 13th) but he'll at least be born in the 3rd month if he stays put till then.  My pre-test appointment will be on the 13th at the hospital and I'll have a pre-op appointment with Dr. Gaines on the 6th.  It's all starting to feel so real with having a c-section date set.

We moved Claire to Natalie's room and got paint samples to pick the blue paint we're going to paint the nursery.  I'm hoping to work this weekend on reorganizing the girls toys and clothes to get the nursery cleared out to start putting back the baby items.  I'm hoping to start feeling like we're getting prepared soon given we have only 7 weeks to go!

Our baby is up to four pounds now and his crown-to-rump length is probably over 11.5 inches.  He has all five senses are functional. The toenails are completely formed and the hair on the head continues to grow. 

Week 31 (and 1 day)

It's shocking how much this little guy kicks and punches me.  It's pretty much a constant feeling.  I don't think he takes a break when he's awake.  A lot of punches to my hips and pelvic bone, and kicks to my gut and lungs.  He's going to keep us busy when he's born with activity if this is any sign of his temperament.

I've gotten a few more stretch marks but not that bad; they look like the some of the same stretch marks I got with Claire just reappearing but so far not nearly as many has I had with Claire.  I've also not yet gotten the linea negra line I got with the girls.  Given I'm already over 30 weeks, I wonder if I'm just going to get it this time.

I am starting to feel like I've been hit in the crotch with a bat more frequently now.  He's definitely starting to put pressure on me with his weight.

Growth is beginning to slow a teeny bit, but the brain is going through a period of rapid development. The only major organ left to fully develop is the lungs. His testes begin to descend from the body cavity to the scrotum. Our little guys weighs about 3.5 pounds with a crown-to-rump length of 11.75".

Week 30 - 7 months

This week has been fairly low key with my pregnancy.  Mostly just a lot of peeing and waddling.  He's still kicking and elbowing me a lot.  I constantly see an elbow, knee or hand moving across my belly.  I think he's more active than Natalie and much more than Claire.  We could have our hands full when he arrives! 

Our little guy is about 3 pounds and has a crown-to-rump length around 10 3/4 inches or so.  The early lanugo is disappearing, the eyelids open and close, and the toenails are growing. The bone marrow is now responsible for red blood cell production.