33 Week L'il Punkin

4 1/4 pounds may seem small, but the weight is going on quickly! I will continue to gain about 1/2 pound or so each week until I reach my final birth weight. With a mom and dad that weighed more than 8 pounds at birth each, it's entirely possible I will also be a big baby (though mom is hoping it's not indicative). At this point, I have surpassed the 17-inch mark (head to toe) and from head to bottom, I am about the length of an average pumpkin. Seems fitting with autumn right around the corner!

My eyes are now able to adjust to bright or dim light, though I don't get a lot of bright light in here. I get the feeling that will come in handy in a few weeks, though. At 33 weeks, too, mom's amniotic fluid has reached its maximum. Unfortunately for her, that means there is less fluid to cushion me and in turn, the kicking and flipping and moving around I am doing may be more and more uncomfortable. I feel a little bad about that since she has found it to be a bit painful already.

This week mom will go back to the doctor and soon, she will be going weekly. I don't think she is excited about that. She has done some more painting in my nursery and dad hung some shelves for me. Though it is not yet equipped with diapers, it is (for the most part) ready for me! Let the countdown continue...

It's Jicama Week 32

That's right, at 32 weeks and nearly 4 pounds, I am about the size of a jicama (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%ADcama). And, at almost 17 inches, my comfortable home seems to be getting smaller and smaller. Don't worry, though, I am still able to kick and move around enough to actually inflict a little bit of pain (sorry, mom!). The good thing about week 32 is that my skin is getting softer and smooth as it fills out more and more in preparation for my arrival.

Mom is having a little bit of trouble sleeping now, but mostly in that she has a lot of dreams and wakes up a few times during the night. She is not necessarily uncomfortable, just easily awaken. Imagine how difficult it is to sleep in a room that is only slightly bigger than your body, though! I still think she's got it good.

It has been an amazing week. My Aunt(s) Amanda, and Sara, and Marit threw a baby shower for me (and mom) on Saturday (http://amandajulca.com/blog/). It was by far the most beautiful shower ever created. The food was incredible, the decor was perfect, and the company was amazing. I know I am loved because people came from as far as Chicago to be there! Everyone brought a book for me - most of them favorites from their childhood. I am so excited to have them read to me. I already have a significant library to choose from. In addition to the books, mom opened a lot of wonderful gifts for me. I now have a handmade blanket, Bumbo, Boppy, bath set, activity center, crib sheets, changing pad and covers, sling rider, Ox (an adorable ugly doll), and some clothes and toys! Mom and dad now have a diaper bag that has been filled already with travel-sized items. I think they are getting closer and closer to being ready for me... at least physically.

Another thing that happened this week is mom was surprised with a shower/dinner from Grandma and Grandpa McMillen's long-time neighborhood friends. They all surprised her at a restaurant with a cake and a gift - my swing! I intend to spend a lot of time in there so it was terribly appreciated.

All in all, it has been a fantastic week. I'll continue working on packing on some pounds and will update you again next week!

I told you I would be growing a lot! This week, I am already at about 16 inches long head to toes, comparable (evidently) to the length of a bunch of bok choy (head to bottom, not counting legs). I weigh over 3 pounds now, too - about the same as the weight of 4 naval oranges. Much like my mom, my arms, legs, and body are beginning to fill out but for me it is needed fat. My reproductive system is continuing to develop, but I refuse to give away the secret by telling you which parts are being worked on. You'll find out soon enough! This week, I am also already able to use all five senses, though I can admit there isn't much to see, smell, or taste in here. I am excited to know what touch is like and I am already looking forward to feeling my soft blankets and sleepers. Bring on the cuddling!

Mom is starting to have a little trouble sleeping. She dreams a lot and wakes up at least once in the middle of the night. I figure it's just practice for after I am born - if she thinks once a night is bad, just wait till my first month at home!

For fun, mom and dad have been looking at various old wives' tales to determine my gender. Some of them seem completely silly but it's fun to watch them guess, nonetheless!

Chinese Lunar Calendar calculates: GIRL
Mom is carrying weight out front: BOY
Mom's feet are not colder than before: GIRL
I am being carried high: GIRL
Maternal Grandmother (Grandma Helmrich) does not have grey hair (dyed or natural): GIRL
Dad is gaining some weight, too: BOY
Mom didn't have any morning sickness: BOY
Mom craves sweets and fruit: GIRL
Mom's nose has not spread during pregnancy: GIRL
Mom has no desire to drink orange juice: BOY
Mom will eat the heel of a loaf of bread: BOY
My heartrate is more than 140 (usually just barely over): GIRL

If you believe in these superstitions (though some of them very odd), you would assume I am a girl. Unfortunately, you will have to wait another 2 months to find out the truth!

Let the Countdown Begin - 30 Weeks

Well, I now weigh about 3 pounds in my 30th week but I don't intend to stay this small for long. I am likely to gain about 1/2 pound a week for the next 7 weeks or so. At almost 16 inches long, I will probably not grow lengthwise much more but will certainly be packing on some pounds. Thanks to my mom's "carbs and sweets" obsession, it shouldn't be a problem. This week, though, just think of me like the head of a cabbage... or don't.

My Great Aunt hosted a baby shower for me this last weekend. Mom opened a lot of great gifts for me to use when I come. I will have a brand new jumparoo, high chair, bibs, bowls, spoons, bathtub and bath toys (yay!), sleepers, a teether, and toys! For as comfortable as it is in here, it sures does seem like fun out there!

Mom and dad took a vacation this week together to Niagara Falls. They did a great deal of walking around which was good for mom, but I think she just started to notice she struggles a little more with walking uphill or up stairs. Dad says it's like carrying two 10-lb dumbbells in front of you all the time. I think all in all, though, they had a great time and seemed to really enjoy their last trip as non-parents (although in way, I was there with them the whole time). What's funny, too, is that they spent a great deal of their time there talking about me! Do you think they might be excited?

If we go the full 40 weeks as expected, that means we have only 10 to go. I am already looking forward to meeting all of you soon. Let the countdown begin!

Week 29 - Take THAT!

Though I am only about 2 and 1/2 lbs and a little over 15 inches, I can sure pack a punch! Imagine how hard I will be able to kick once my size doubles (maybe even triples)! I move a lot during the day but usually wait until later in the evening to really start showing off my martial arts skills. Sometimes it scares my mom but usually she just giggles.

My muscles are continuing to grow (evidenced by the kicking, punching, and moving around) and so are my maturing lungs. Along with that, my head is also getting bigger to make room for my developing brain - so if I am born with a bigger head than most babies, you will know why.

Mom has been able to take daily walks and is keeping active during the day, now that she is not working. She has gotten a lot done around the house in preparation for my arrival but still has a good to-do list of things to go. She seems to be feeling fine and hasn't really been as fatigued in the third trimester as everyone warns. Perhaps September will be a different story. We had another doctor's appointment this week, too. Her weight gain is right where it needs to be and her blood pressure is still very good. The doctor is now measuring her belly to make sure I am growing appropriately. This week, it was 29 cm and the doctor said that was perfect. My proposed birthday remains October 12! And if you are wondering what my heart rate was in order to figure out my gender - good luck. It was again in the 140's, right in the middle of the road.

By the way, if any of you see my dad, please tell him to stop doing zerberts on my mom's belly. It sounds really funny in here. Thanks!

Beginning of the End: 28 Weeks

Hello, third trimester! This marks the beginning of the end - it won't be long before I can meet you all in person. I still have some growing to do, however, since I am now just shy of 15 inches (head to toe) and weigh around 2 and 1/4 lbs. If I am anything like my mom and dad, I still have about 6 more pounds to go. At this point, I am only the size of a Chinese cabbage.

This week, I am able to blink and even have eyelashes! I certainly hope I get those from my dad, whose lashes are much longer than my mom's. Though my eye color has been established, it is possible it will change within the 6 months after I am born. I have a good feeling they will be brown in the end.

This week my mom registered at 2 different stores for upcoming baby showers. I will end up with a lot of green and tan but I think she picked out a lot of cute things! Though I think she found the experience to be a bit overwhelming, she still gets excited when she imagines what it will be like to use it all (once she figures out how).

Ending the 2nd Trimester: 27 Weeks

Imagine if your height tripled in a matter of 15 weeks. It seems crazy, indeed, but it has happened to me - my length has at least tripled from what it was at 12 weeks! It's estimated I am about 14 and 1/2 inches now and weigh nearly 2 pounds. If I were a vegetable, I would be equivalent to the size of a head of cauliflower.

Mom went to the doctor this week and took a glucose screening test. Results should be back next week. Everything else checked out fine - her blood pressure is good (pretty low, in fact), her weight is fine (gained 2 pounds this time for a total of 18), and my growth is in line with where it should be. This is the first time they measured mom's belly! It was especially funny, though, because mom had decided one day this weekend to spell "BABY" on her belly (including an arrow) with sunscreen and spent hours in the sun. It still showed up very clear when the doctor took a look. Fortunately, she has a sense of humor and was only disappointed with the fact she did not have a camera.

Once she finished laughing, the doctor took my heartbeat, which was somewhere in the 140's again. For those of you trying to guess my gender based on this, it's still middle of the road enough that it could go either way. It sure is fun to keep you all guessing!

This week marks the end of the 2nd trimester. I will write next week when I am officially in the 3rd - getting closer to my birthday!