34 weeks

34 week ultrasound- baby toes; that's ALL he would show us!!

34 week baby "bump"... more like baby hugeness

We are 34 [and a half :)] weeks now! Cannot believe we are almost there (within reason). Last week we had another ultrasound (our 30wk one seen here was for funzies because that's the kind of awesome people we work with!) to assess his growth. My fundal height (size of your uterus) has always measured about 1.5 to 2 weeks behind what it should, so my OB thought we might as well just schedule a quick appointment to make sure he was growing as well as he needs to be. Let's just say he's doing JUST FINE. The kid's head (determined mostly by genetics) measures in the 92nd percentile. NINETY SECOND!! His body (which is what you look at for nutritional status and how they are growing) is just right at 55th percentile. And his little femurs (which often are lagging in gestational age comparatively) are at the 26th percentile. We also found out he is waaaay head down (for now at least... he has enough oomph to turn himself I think but we are hoping he stays put!) and already weighs 5lbs 2oz!! Another very exciting thing was once the ultrasound machine was turned on, she said, "Look there's some hair!" So our little boy has hair! Isn't that so cute?! He looks so much like his Daddy it's finally nice to have SOMETHING from his Mommy in play :) (Brian was bald and I had TONS of black hair when we were born).

Pregnancy thus far is still mostly just what we would have expected! We are very blessed to have had a pretty wonderful experience and especially that compared to other women and those who can't be pregnant at all. We are always mindful of that... that these aches and pains are blessings and some would give anything for them. I haven't had many problems with swelling unless I am working hard at school (i.e. week of night float, etc!) or am working hard at home (i.e. throwing a Christmas party at 34wks pregnant... mayyyybe not my best idea but whatev!). I'm definitely over the back pain... my lordosis (curvature of your back in pregnancy) is starting to feel a little outrageous and this little boy hanging out so low does not seem to help very much. I'm on a psychiatry rotation right now and it's been a blessing to have a much less physically strenuous job right now. After this one I will do a two week radiology rotation which will hopefully be around the same level of physical expectations. We are so blessed to be so supported by the staff here in Michigan!!

Poor baby gets the hiccups all the time. The funny part, though, is when he is throwing a fit in there- kicking and punching and moving all over the place... and then I feel him hiccup, so he stops moving completely and just hiccups for the longest time! It cracks me up every time. I always text Brian and say, "Baby just threw himself a fit into hiccups again." :) Tonight Brian found a used wrapping paper roll made out of cardboard and stuck one end on my stomach and through the other end blasted "Hiiii baby boy." Literally the baby went CRAZY- so much so I got dizzy and tried to calm him down by touching and patting on my belly! I could not believe it! Brian thought it was hilarious and I felt so bad for the kid!

We've got most of the decorative part of Baby Boy's nursery done now :) but are still waiting on his crib to be delivered!!! My dad (Bear) has now FINISHED the crib and it's getting the final coats of sealant on it! I have yet to feel any huge surges of nesting instinct... but today I did finally decide we should at least wash his blankets and onesie that we will be bringing him home in- so Brian did that while I wrapped some presents. As you can see, it was the cutest little load of laundry ever. :) Also- in college I always used to do a load of whites, a load of colors, and a load of maroons (Whoop!). I'm so glad baby boy's first load of laundry was a load of maroons!!

We also washed his "papoose" I call it- the cover that will go around and over his carseat so that he will be prepared for this cold Michigan winter! Poor baby has had to endure 115 degree heat the summer he was started and will end his gestation with freezing and subzero weather! He'll be a tough one, that's for sure!

It should also be noted that we got some boxes from Santa on our doorstep the other day :) and as Brian was opening it tonight... he said "Baby Boy has got more presents in this box than I have gotten from Santa in 4 years!!!" Of course I reminded him that Baby Boy's presents don't exactly cost what Daddy's presents costs... especially when he seems to have very good taste in fine appliances and clothing. :)

We're so excited to integrate you into "real" life, Baby Boy. We are a little nervous too... not knowing anything about parenting or about the person you'll be or how we'll not flip out over every ailment you have knowing full well all the "could be" diagnoses. We also don't know what's to come for our family... how Mom and Dad will make sure they continue their own dreams but make sure to make you a part of that dream without either of them being compromised. It's a lot to think about and on our minds pretty often. I hope and pray we always do what's best for you and that more than anything you know how very much we love you.