32 Weeks

On Thursday, January 28, 2010 I went to the doctor for my 32 week check-up. Everything was normal and it was a routine exam. I was pretty pleased with my weight gain thus far...until this time! I gained 6 lbs in a month! I'd like to think that some of this weight is due to the swelling that I have begun to experience, but who knows! The nurse said I am measuring at exactly 32 weeks, which is good. Dr. Hernandez asked me my thoughts on inducing and I told him that as long as he thought my body was ready and everything is ok with the baby, then I am fine with it. I definitely am not one of those women that are totally against it, but I also don't want to be 41 weeks pregnant and waiting and waiting! He told me that he won't let me go more than a week past my due date, and he would induce no earlier than about 38 1/2 weeks if we decide to. Basically he gave me the ok to induce the week before my due date, which is over spring break! That would be perfect because I would already be off of work and get those days with the baby without having to use my maternity days since it is a holiday. Plus, mom would be off that week to help out. I know we have some time before this comes, and he may end up coming earlier than that on his own, but it looks like now that we will have our baby boy sometime the week of spring break or before! I'm sure these next 6-7 weeks will FLY by!

Here is a current picture of the belly:

And here are my current stats!

Total Weight Gain so far: 18 lbs

Belly Button: still in, just stretched!

Stretch Marks: None yet!

Cravings: Still craving fruit, but not as much. Lately I have kinda been craving bean burritos with sour cream from Taco Bueno. Not such a healthy craving to have! Maybe this has to do with the 6 lb weight gain...

Sleeping Situation: Getting a little bit worse. I still have no trouble falling asleep, but I do wake up at least 2-3 times a night to go to the bathroom and am usually thirsty and get a drink of water. Most nights I normally wake up needing to use the bathroom around 12:00, again around 2:00/3:00, and on days when I sleep in, I get up again around 7:00.

I miss: Getting my back popped, putting on shoes and socks with ease, and I still miss sleeping on my stomach.

Annoying symptoms: The area around my belly button, especially underneath and on top, is very sore and feels bruised. I am assuming this is just from the stretching, and the baby pushing on those areas. Still having indigestion every now and then, and have now started SWELLING! I noticed last week (when I was 31 weeks) at school that my lower calves and ankles were awfully swollen. I took off my socks and they had left a huge ring around my ankle! The skin around the sock line was very puffy and uncomfortable. My hands have not swollen as much, but I do notice that after a long day at school when I have been on my feet all day I am definitely swelling in the legs. They seemed to be better over the weekend when I am taking it easy. I may just need to start teaching in my rolling chair soon! I asked Dr. Hernandez about it and he said it is normal. He suggested trying to drink more water, putting my feet up, and wearing support hose.

Exciting news this month:

-Our nursery is coming right along! We got the room painted and the furniture came in. Kyle put the crib together last weekend and we arranged the furniture where we want it. I hung Lane's name above the crib and bought a large mirror on sale for $30 at Kirkland's to go above the changing table. The baby bedding came in today and it looks very cute! I will be doing a separate post soon about the nursery that will include pictures. There are still some nursery items that we need that I am sure we will get at the showers coming up!

-On Tuesday, January 26, 2010, Kyle and I had our first childbirth class at the hospital where I will be delivering. There are 6 couples total and we will go on Tuesday nights for 5 weeks. We already had the privilege of watching a live birth on a huge plasma screen TV, and learned a little bit about what to expect when I go into labor. We learned some breathing and relaxing techniques as well as some pregnancy exercises that will help with getting my body ready to go! There were some funny/awkward moments, and Kyle was a trouper and took it more seriously than I thought he would!

-I had my first shower on January 21, 2010 that was given to me by the school. Tara and I had a joint shower and both got lots of great gifts. Then Tara had her big shower last weekend that was held at her mom's house. She got LOTS of good gifts for baby Gage, and it made me so excited for my showers coming up!

-I have still been feeling the baby move a lot each day, but am now able to really tell where he is. I guess since he is getting bigger I can feel larger movements and can see my belly moving all around. I have noticed that when I sit up straight for a while I can really feel him in my lower right ribs. If he has remained in the same position as he was 2 weeks ago, it must be his bottom/and or legs poking them!

I go back for another check-up on Monday, February 8 when I will be 34 weeks.