Month 9: Weeks 33-36

 

Week 33

I'm doing this journal the silly way - breaking the months into groups of 4 weeks. Of course, as any confused preggo will tell you, that makes 10 months of pregnancy. Most calendar months have 4 and a half weeks, that's just too hard for me.

I've moved into a new office. There you see my crackers, drafting table, and some discarded boxes. How excited you must be for me! As you can also see, my belly is prodigious. The baby has flipped upside down and is kicking me in the ribs, which have not yet spread. I'm very spacious. The baby should weigh about 4 pounds by now. I've gained about 30. I have an appointment this week with our new nurse, since our last one quit. I'm getting tired of meeting new caretakers. I also have the most horrible rash ever on my legs, and I have yet another appointment to get that checked out. It hurts. I demand sympathy. In other news, Mike and I are buying a new used car. My old Ford Festiva is terminally ill, it leaks oil and antifreeze, the ball joints are almost dead, and it needs a new head gasket. For some reason Mike refuses to put an infant in it, so he found a VW Jetta we can afford that is in very good shape. He'll teach me to drive stick (again, for I have forgotten after 6 years) after the baby is out of me. Also, I had a breastfeeding class, and it turns out I'm a natural at nursing a stuffed doll. I'm very tired, and I started to puff up so my mother put me on bedrest for a couple days (I heed her warnings as she was in the hospital for three months with toxemia while pregnant with me). I'm feeling better now.

Week 34

We had an appointment, which went well. The baby is a good size, head down, reacts when poked, and has a good heartrate.

I think my own growth is slowing, while the baby is packing on muscle and chub. The baby is definately stronger this week. I had a dream that it was a boy with reddish-blond hair, then another that it was a girl with red hair. Dreams are usually right, but which one?

Mike and I have set a date! On Sunday, February 16th, we'll finally be getting hitched after 4 years of engagement! Needless to say, a lot of people are relieved that we've finally gotten around to it. After 6,000 miles of road trips, 5 used vehicles, 4 moves, the birth (and 3rd birthday) of Mike's niece, and a baby of our own, we've decided to take the next big step. We're very excited.

Week 35

Halloween! I dressed up as a pumpkin for a party, which I didn't think was such an original idea until I walked in with my big belly hanging out and everyone started laughing. I guess people don't get to see pregnant bellies very much, a sight which I take for granted these days. This week I do not have to go to the doctor, so my mother went and got an ailment that required medical attention. We just love going to the doctor in this household.

Week 36

This is starting to get more difficult. I get worn out easily, and the pressure on my diaphram makes it harder to breathe so I pant a lot. At night I have to wake up every time I roll over so as to heave my giant heavy body over. Midnight bathroom runs are hurried, because as soon as I stand up the baby drops onto my bladder and makes it worse. I have to use leverage to haul myself up from sitting or laying, and I can't pick up anything that falls on the floor. Just riding in the car too long makes me drowsy, and standing too long makes me light headed. Contractions are becoming more frequent and more uncomfortable. The baby jabs my ribs alarmingly, and pushes it's butt out so hard it hurts. My ribs hurt by evening, and the only thing that helps is to lay on my left side. I think that about covers the complaints; all in all I'm doing fine and I'm enjoying things, these are just some of the obstacles that have presented themselves. Only two more weeks until we hit the countdown days.

We had another doctor's appointment, met our new nurse (that makes 4), and everything checks out fine. Hey, look, my belly button is starting to pop. It can't be long now.

This is my Big as a House dress. I love it!