33 Weeks

Okay, this is actually my 32 week update--but since I am 33 weeks today, it pretty much counts for this week, too. :)  I forgot to update about my 30 week appt . . . so here is a quick recap!  But first, a picture.  This one was taken last Sunday at 32 weeks, 1 day.  I apologize for how foggy it looks!  It was a hazy day where we had had some rain off and on, and it showed up in the pic more than I expected!

So anyway, on to my updates!  At my 30 week visit, Sherry re-checked my iron levels and they were back up in the normal range.  All that Floradix must have helped!  I am continuing with taking it and will through the end of pregnancy (and beyond if needed).  My b/p was up a little bit, but not so much as to be concerning.  Baby's heart rate was in the 120s-140s. 

My 32 week visit was this past Thursday (which was actually 32 weeks, 5 days).  B/p was up again a little bit, but was back in a normal range when she retested it while I was lying down.  I remember that it varied with position in one or two of my previous pregnancies, so that wasn't really surprising.  Baby's heart rate was mostly in the 130s.  We discussed things like water temperature for the tub, a few other supplies I needed to get, etc.  I bought a few more things today, and I think now I have almost everything I need except diapers and a few other little odds and ends.  

Sherry recommended really working on eating plenty of protein (and I've been working on eating more red meat anyway, for the iron), and getting more exercise to help with any possible blood pressure issues.  It was the motivation I needed, as I've really slacked off on exercise of any kind over the past few months.  So yesterday Julia and I took a mile long walk down the road, and today our whole family went to the bog and walked the trail with some friends, for a 1.5+ mile loop.  I'm going to try to get a mile daily, if possible--or at least 5 days a week.  I've gained about 30 lbs. so far and I'm hoping the exercise might help me not gain TOO much more!  Plus I know it'll help get me into better shape for labor.  

Baby is still super wiggly, and I am curious whether we have another super active girlie in there (like Julia) or just an active boy.  Heart rate is more like what I would think of for a boy, but my other kids' heart rates didn't necessarily follow that "rule," so we will see.  Julia is hoping for a sister and I think it would be fun to have 2 girls and 2 boys . . . and to get to use my girl clothes again . . . but I will obviously be happy either way. :)   

So, my next appt. will be 2 weeks from today, on a Saturday, which is different than usual, but the way it worked out best around some prior commitments that Sherry has.  I'll be exactly 35 weeks then.  Around 36 weeks, she will do a home visit . . . then at 37 weeks I'll be in safe territory for a homebirth, and I'll have weekly appts. until whenever the baby decides to come!  It seems like the time is really going by fast, and I am thankful.  It won't be too long until we get to meet this new little person. :)

What I'm Wearing 7: 29 Weeks

Normally I would have waited a couple weeks to take another picture, but I liked the dress I wore to church on Sunday and wanted to get a pic in it.  This is a sort of unusual style for me, as I mostly prefer longer skirts and dresses.  But a friend passed on this maternity dress to me, and I liked how comfortable it was, and it (barely) passed Jim's knee-length test. :)  So I went with it.  I'm actually thinking it might also be cute with dressy boots and a cardigan in the fall . . . 

As you can tell, little bump is not so little now!  A friend mentioned that I'd really popped out this past week, and I think she was right!!  Some days I feel really huge already, but I still have 11 (or hopefully a little less) weeks to go, so I know I will definitely keep growing for a while!

Outfit details:

Dress: Motherhood (I think), hand-me-down

Cami: Forever 21

Necklace: Kohl's

Sandals: Marshalls (these were a splurge but I LOVE them)

Here's a bit closer belly shot:

I had my 28 week appt. (actually 28 weeks, 5 days :)) with Sherry last Thursday.  This was Jim's first time to go to one of my appts. this pregnancy, plus we took the kids, so that was fun!  My b/p was 114/77, baby's heart rate was in the 120s-140s, and I was measuring right at 28 weeks.  My weight was up exactly 25 lbs. total.  

She did the finger prick to test iron and blood glucose.  My glucose was totally fine--I've never had sugar issues in the past, so wasn't expecting any this time, but still it was nice to know it was normal.  My iron (hemoglobin) count was low, though, so I have ordered some Floradix and am going to be working on bringing up those numbers!  She will do another finger prick at my next appt. (Sept. 8) and if the numbers are still low, she'll draw a vial of blood and get a more accurate lab test done, then take it from there.  I don't remember having low iron during my other pregnancies, although I do remember being slightly anemic after giving birth to Sam.  Anyway, I'm not stressed about it, but I do need to eat more spinach and red meat; that should help, too! :)

We talked about getting birth supplies (something I need to get started on!), childcare for the kids (I'm still debating whether or not to have Julia at the birth), and whether or not to take a refresher childbirth class (not going to bother).  As mentioned above, my next appt. will be on the 8th, so around 30 weeks, and then it is every 2ish weeks for a while, and I forget when it goes to every week. I think that would start around 35/36 weeks, but I keep forgetting to ask.  It really makes the time till baby seem short, when the appts. start getting so close together!  This pregnancy is really speeding by, except for the nights (like tonight) when I am up with a random bout of heartburn. :(

I got a special blessing just over a week ago, when I was able to get the used co-sleeper I had mentioned in my last post.  Only $50, and I was able to meet the lady at our church, right after the service, so we didn't even have to travel anywhere to pick it up!  Can't wait to use it in a few months or less. :)

And I guess that is enough pregnancy news for now!  I'll update again sometime after 30 weeks. :)