Baby Shower Pictures I have uploaded some pictures from the baby shower for everyone to see. There will definitely be more of them posted soon as more people send pictures to me (I couldn't be bothered with photographing the event ). I need to take some pictures of the nursery too, even though it isn't done yet. Surely it's okay to show the nursery as a work in progress.
Also, the nurse did call me back yesterday and tell me not to worry about the swelling. It is all with in normal ranges. I also lost 2 lbs (of water weight I assume) between yesterday morning and this morning. I can almost wear my rings comfortably again.
I completely forgot to mention that Dean and I visited our pediatrician for the first time on Tuesday. She is really nice and answered many questions for us. We picked her based on who the founder of our firm sends his kids to (a lot of research went into his selection). Even though his pediatrician wasn't available, Dr. Tom Rogers recommended his son or daughter-in-law who also work in the practice. We decided to go with Dr. Audrey Rogers because #1 on of the firm's partners kids go to her and #2 because it will be nice for Sophia and our other children to see women in different roles.
Dr. Rogers has a technique to get babies to sleep 10-11 hours within five weeks. Let's hope it works for us! It would be especially nice for Dean because five weeks is basically the amount of time he will be able to take off once Sophia is born. She also gave us some tips on how to survive that first week since Dean and I are becoming more anxious based on other peoples' stories.
2008-02-20 (32 weeks)
Human Marshmallow Some days I don't have any visible water retention. Other days, like today, I feel like a human marshmallow. I had to take my rings off soon after arriving to work and I had noticed that I had gained 3 lbs between yesterday morning and this morning. My hands look all puffy and feel kind of funny and I hate to think what my ankles must look like. I've put in a call to my doctor's office just in case, though I'm sure this is within the realm of normal.
Of course, I have drunk 80 oz of water so far today and should get in another 24-36 oz before the day is through. I've been keeping my feet propped up on my printer and trying to get away from my desk from time to time. Other than that, I'm not sure what else I should do. I hope that the nurse just calls back soon and lets me know that all is well!
2008-02-19 (32 weeks)
Baby Shower The baby shower was this Saturday and by all accounts was a success. The inclement weather did keep some people away, but I like to think that the people who did come had a good time. There was china for tea brought by my mom and chocolate covered strawberries brought by Dean's mom among other assorted treats.
Dean made 37 hamburgers and many bratwurst. Now I'm not talking about premade hamburger patties, but hamburger patties formed by hand and seasoned as only Dean can. Everyone loved the hamburgers, including me! I do have to give special props to Dean because he was often alone outside in cold damp weather grilling those hamburgers for the rest of us who stayed warm and cozy inside.
The shower started off very traditionally with an afternoon tea and baby shower games. Later, the gentlemen joined us for dinner and the more "youthful" activities of Dance Dance Revolution (momma cut a rug), darts and video games. I want to send out a big "THANK YOU" to everyone who came and to those who helped to make the shower the success that it was, even if from afar. I will post pictures from the party when they get sent to me.
2008-02-15 (31 weeks)
Week 33 The doctor's appointment yesterday went just fine. Sophia is still in the head down position, she is growing perfectly and my weight isn't as bad as I had worried. I also found out more details about the glucose test. Dr. Howell said that I wasn't anywhere close to being even borderline as I did well for each stage of the test. When I asked what was coming up in the future visits, Dr. Howell said that at 35 weeks I'll start doing pelvic exams again and at 36 weeks we'll have an ultrasound. Dean doesn't remember Dr. Howell saying anything about an ultrasound, but I swear that I'm not making it up. I asked Dr. Howell about whether we might be able to see a foot poke out as I have heard other women talk about. He said that for someone as small as me on my first pregnancy it's not as likely because all my muscles are still tight. That in and of itself made me feel good because he called me small and said I had a tight tummy!
The baby shower is tomorrow and I think that we are all ready. Last night I got all of the favors done and Dean did some cleaning. Tonight I need to pick up some things for the shower on the way home and then do some tidying up. I think that it should turn out nicely- if only the weather will cooperate!
We are in the beginning of Week 33 now! According to whattoexpect.com:
This week your baby may be anywhere between 17 to 19 inches in length and weigh more than four and a half pounds. At this stage in fetal development, your baby could grow a full inch more this week alone — especially if he or she has been on the shorter side. Weight gain can range from a third more growth to a full doubling before the big debut.
The level of amniotic fluid in your uterus has reached its maximum, making it likely that you have more baby than fluid now. That's one reason why you're probably feeling lots of nudges and pushes — there's less liquid to cushion the blows. (Of course that means you're even closer to your baby now!)
If your uterine walls had eyes, here's what you'd see: your fetus acting more and more like a baby, with his or her eyes closing during sleep and opening while awake. And because those uterine walls are becoming thinner, more light penetrates the womb, helping your baby differentiate between day and night (now if only baby can remember that difference on the outside!).
And good news! Your baby has reached an important milestone about now: The development of his or her own immune system that (along with antibodies from you) will be able to provide protection from mild infections.
). I need to take some pictures of the nursery too, even though it isn't done yet. Surely it's okay to show the nursery as a work in progress.