34 weeks- Butternut Squash!

This has just been a long week! Quite stressful, too, at times. I wasn't feeling well on Tuesday, and Pat, Nathaniel and I went out for dinner at Vito and Nick's. Good pizza and we all ate the same things. Unfortunately, I went downhill pretty quick. I put N to bed around 9:30 (we got home late) and then I went to bed myself. I woke up about 10:30 with the most incredible stomach pains and tightening I have ever felt. I was hoping that it was just gas and went to the bathroom. My stomach was hurting more than I can describe, and I thought "Oh my God, I'm in labor." I sat for a few more minutes on the potty, and then my ass exploded. Even through that, my stomach was still tightened and hurting. Pat brought me a bucket and I started throwing up, just like I did when I was in labor with N. I was terrified!

I kept waiting for either more pain or some relief, and then finally some relief came. I had already thought in my mind how to get to Christ hospital, what to do with Nathaniel, calling my mom and my doctor, and all the possible outcomes. Fortunately, by 11:00 everything had calmed down and I was able to get back to bed.

The next day I had a doctor's appointment, so when I told Dr. A. what had happened, he said it sounded like some sort of bug. I was ok with that explanation... until they went to do the NST. The nurse had to keep moving my uterine monitor, which of course made me worry. My mom met me at the hospital, just in case I was admitted. I wasn't, obviously, but ti was nice to have that reassurance. Once the nurse got the monitors settled, there were no visible contractions noted. With a sigh of relief, they took me off the monitors about 25 minutes later. However, when Dr. A. came in to say goodbye, see you next week, he told me not to have any issues with pre-term labor this weekend because he would be out of town. That made me quite worried. as he ahs never said anything like that before. Then he told me that since another doc would be on call, they would send me to UIC. When the nurse came in with my referral for UIC (for my regular appts) she mentioned that this would cover me up to my post-partum appointment with them. Again I freaked. She said it was jsut a precaution, but twice in one day, and the day after I thought I was in labor? I am hoping that it was just a coincidence.

Thursday, I went to UIC for my regular check up and a growth scan. It was nice to see Veronica again, but I was worried that she was going to be huge. My sugar levels haven't been as tightly controlled as they were with Nathaniel, and I worry (already) about her being a fat girl. Well, the first thing the tech says to me is "She's going to be a big girl." Thanks so much for that. ARGH. Well, she weighs 4 pounds 11 ounces, which is perfect for 34 weeks. But, it would be big for 32 weeks, which is what that office thinks I am. Veronica does have chubby cheeks, and she will be bigger than N was, but she is gorgeous!!! We were able to see some hair on her head, and she has perfectly pouty lips. I get to see her again tomorrow, when I have my next u/s (BPP), and I am feeling pretty good today. Only 35 more days and she will be here!!!

Now, here's what's going on according to the bump. Make sure you read the last one. EWWW!!!!

Watch what you say! Your curious baby is listening in to your conversations at 34 weeks -- and might enjoy a lullaby or two -- so go ahead and sing to him. Some say that baby will recognize songs mom sings while he’s in the womb, and may even be more easily soothed by them if he’s used to them once he’s on the “outside.” At week 34, you might breathe a little easier, since baby may descend lower into your pelvis and give your lungs some space. (Ahh!) Of course, some babies don’t do this until the day they’re born, so we’re not making any guarantees. The pitfall of this descent, of course, is even more pressure on your bladder, so be prepared to make even more trips to the ladies room over the coming weeks.

Your baby's the size of a butternut squash! At less than two months to go, he weighs in at about 4.2 pounds to 5.8 pounds and measures about 17.2 to 18.7 inches.

your baby at 34 weeks He's recognizing and reacting to simple songs, if you're singing them. (If you're not, start! He may find them soothing after birth.) He's also urinating about a pint a day.

33 weeks- Durian Fruit

Nope, I don't know what the hell a durian fruit is. All I know is that it stinks to high heaven (explainng the gas lately) but is supposed to taste wonderful. I think 'll pass anyway.

It has been an eventful week. I went to see Dr. A. on Wednesday. I haven't seen him in quite a while, so it was nice to see him again. I talked with him for quite a while about what's been going on, and about my itchy spots, and about how much I hate the home health care place, and how badly I wanted to schedueld Veronica's c-section. Well, we took care of one of the three. Her c-section is scheduled for June 29th!!!! The day after Nathaniel's birthday. I was so relieved that I didn't have to reschedule his party and that I won't miss his birthday by being in the hospital. (It has been such a huge relief to know when my end date will be that my BP has even come back down a bit since then.) After I was done seeing him and had an NST, which the doc had to do himself because she was moving around so much, I went out and scheduled ALL my appointments until delivery day! I will go every Wednesday to see Dr. A. and then every Saturday to the hospital for a BPP and NST.

SO next week, I go to See Dr. A on Wednesday, UIC on Thursday, and then to the hospital on Saturday. I might only have to go to UIC one more time. What a relief that would be! I have 12 doctor appointments to go until she's born. Just 41 more days to go! I think we're pretty much ready. Nathaniel is sleeping in his own bed at night and his car seat is on the left side of the car now. I have to go get the infant carrier out of the basement and have Pat install it, but the crib is done and we have diapers and bottles (no formula yet, so I have to get some on payday).

I also went to school this week to pack up my classroom. (well, ok, my stuff.) It was nice to see everyone. One of my students saw me in the halyway and went back in the lunchroom and told them I was there. They started screaming! Appaerntly, I've been missed. It was also really good to get to talk to everyone again. But damn, did I come home exhausted! I took a nap when I got home, and then another short one after dinner. SLept all night that night and pretty much all morning Friday morning. Of course, Nathaniel chose Friday night to act like a 3 year old and be a stinker. It was rough, but we did get through it.

So anyway, here's what's going on this week. 41 more days to go.

We’d tell you to take a deep breath and relax, but it’s probably tough to do either of those at 33 weeks. It’s probably tough to be comfortable at all, since you might be feeling overheated on top of your other symptoms, too. But you’re probably getting super excited to meet baby, and we can’t blame you. Week 33 is a good time to make sure you have a safe car seat for baby -- go ahead and install it already. Sure, you might not see baby for another month, but if you have an early surprise arrival, that’s the one thing you really need to have ready.

Your baby's the size of a durian! He weighs about 4.2 to 5.8 pounds and measures about 17.2 to 18.7 inches. And he may grow up to a full inch this week -- amazing. >BR>
He's keeping his eyes open while awake. He's also starting to coordinate breathing with sucking and swallowing. His bones are hardening. And he going through (more) major brain development -- that's one smart baby!

Worst Mother's Day Ever

Today is Mother's Day, not that you'd know it in my house. Unless, of course, you look on the table to see the flowers I bought myself. Yes, I bought them for myself. Because Nathaniel doesn't have a job.

I reminded Pat and told him point blank that I would be pissed if there was no card or flowers for me this monring. That's all I wanted, a card and some flowers. I even told him which ones I wanted and where he could get them. But I didn't get anything but a half assed apology about how he was going to go to the store last night, but fell asleep.

No asshole, you went to bed. You got undressed, got into bed (before me) and we talked for a few minutes before we fell asleep. That is not an accidental fall asleep. He wasn't on the couch, he went to bed.

I woke up at 5 this morning, and Nathaniel woke up shortly thereafter, but who got to sleep in, just like every other weekend day? Yeah. You guessed it. So by 7:45 I was starving and so was Nathaniel. We usually go to breakfast on Sunday morning, so N went to wake up Pat. That's when he came out with that lame ass story. I was furious and have every fucking right to be. (This is not the first time it happened. Every birthday, anniversary and Mother's Day has been like this.) I got dressed while he went back to bed, and left. I cam back a few minutes later, and they were both dressed, and ready to go. (I came back because I was crying so hard and kept wiping my eyes that I ripped a contact.)

We get up to go and Pat decides to tell me that he was "hoping" to take his mom to breakfast. Normally, I wouldn't have cared, but I didn't get a card or anything, why should she? Yes, I know how stupid that sounds. So I picked up Nathaniel and he and I left, but not before I told Pat how hurt I was. He always forgets important days (you know, because they announced yesterday that today was Mother's Day.) He had the balls enough to be pissed at me! I have never let a day go by that he hasn't gotten a card (I mean, Father's day, birthdays, etc) and I was just so hurt that he didn't give a shit.

We went out for breakfast, just the two of us, with a bunch of people looking at me like I must be the biggest piece of shit on the planet. To be obviously pregnant, with an almost 3 year old and no wedding rings on (and more than obviously had been crying), well it was just uncomfortable. Then we went to Jewel to get some groceries.

Nathaniel was looking at the flowes when we drove by them (in the car cart) and picked some out for me. So of course I bought them, since he was so proud of picking them out. We got home, and I got even more pissed off. Pat was home and playing video games.

I have no idea if he took his mom to breakfast or not, but I do know that he didn't give enough of a damn to get me a card. We were gone for an hour and a half. We get home and I put the tulips frok Nathaniel in a vase, and Nathaniel yells at Pat' Look what I got for her." Again, he was so proud. Pat just said "That's nice."

Nothing else. Not an I'm sorry. Not an "I would've bought them for you." Nothing. I can't even try to describe how hurt I am. But hey, lucky me, next year it will hurt twice as much, when i have two kids. SOmething to look forward to, huh?

32 weeks- squash

Well, here we are at 32 weeks, still unscheduled for Veronica's arrival. I am seeing Dr. A next week, on Wednesday, and am really hoping that we will FINALLY get a date for the c-section. I am just so done and can't waait for it to be over. I know that around Christmas, when I am sleeping again, and not quite a functional zombie, that I may miss this time that I have... being the only one spending time with Veronica. But for right now, I am ready.

When I told this to the doctor on Wednesday, she told me I was too early to be done. I felt really defeated after that. I don't want Veronica to be born prematurely, but I am done, dammit, and to invalidate my feelings like that really just took a toll on me. I felt like shit the rest of the day and most of the day yesterday.

Here's the scary thing: in 5 short weeks, she will be full term. That's only 35 more days. I can wait another month, right? I think that once I have the "end date" set, I will feel more able to deal with the waiting time. Because, in all honesty, Dr. A. could look at me and tell me that because of XYZ, he's going to do the c/s at 37 weeks. If he tells me that nect week at the appointment, that will mean waiting just over 4 weeks. That's what keeps me going. Knowing that I have 7 weeks left at most.

SO here's what's going on inside this week.

At 32 weeks, baby’s birth still seems kind of far away, but you and baby are physically ready in a lot of ways, just in case there’s an early arrival. Baby may have turned so she’s in the head-down position by now, poised for her trip down the birth canal. And you may have noticed your nipples looking darker. That’s so a preemie can see them for breastfeeding -- isn't your body so amazing? Intensity might be building in the symptoms department, as heartburn and contractions intensify around week 32. But we’re guessing you’re so excited about baby’s impending arrival, they’re not slowing you down much.

Your baby's the size of a squash! Still growing, your baby weighs in at about 2.5 to 3.8 pounds and measures about 15.2 to 16.7 inches.

She's getting ready for her descent -- she's likely in the head-down position now. And she's probably feeling a even more cramped

31 weeks- Pineapple

Mmmmm. Pineapple. Nathaniel and I hacked one up late last week and promptly devoured it. It was sooooo good. We have 39 days to go until Veronica is full term, and I am hoping that we can make it that long. I had some swelling again last night and this morning, there was a small amount of protein in my pee.

My two wonderful friends, Katharine and Kris, are throwing me a baby shower on June 2nd. I am very excited but if I'm honest, I'm a little scared too. I am afraid that no one will show up. I know my mom will come, and Jess, but what if no one else does? I really do sit in fear of this happeneing. I really don't have a lot of friends, and I'm kind of embarassed by that. I am just not a social person. The invite list was about 8 family members, 10 co-workers (none of whom have called, stopped by, or even emailed to see how we're doing) and 1 friend, other than the hostesses. Looking at the list actually made me very depressed. I feel really alone and forgotten. And I hate feeling like this.

But here's what's going on inside this week, according to the bump.

Welcome to week 31. Can you believe all five of baby’s senses are fully developed? He also keeps getting smarter. That’s probably good to know, since you might actually feel a little dumb. You’re not! It’s just that many moms-to-be find themselves acting absentmindedly during the third trimester. Some say that “pregnancy brain” isn’t a proven physical ailment, but can you think of another time in your life when you’ve had more on your mind than now? We’re guessing no. That right there is enough of a reason to be so forgetful. From 31 weeks on, you’re bound to feel a lot of the same symptoms -- some may get worse, some may become bearable. And you might start to have more trouble getting around as you get heavier and feel more and more short of breath. Remember not to push yourself too much. It’s good for you and baby to get some exercise, but definitely take breaks to rest as much as you need.

Your baby's the size of a pineapple! He's about 15.2 to 16.7 inches long and weighs about 2.5 to 3.8 pounds this month. He's getting so big, he's probably crowding your lungs.

your baby at 31 weeks He's going through major brain and nerve development. Eye development, too. His irises now react to light! All five of his senses are in working order