32 weeks and feeling good

Ohh Booo, I wrote a whole update, and then it disappeared... here goes again...

How far along? 32 Weeks

How is Mommy Feeling? 

- Still feeling great. Finally loving this pregnancy.

- I love my growing belly and the way that my body looks being pregnant. It is so much more beautiful than I ever imagined it would be. I need to start thinking about a maternity photo shoot with ML. I don't ever want to forget this.

- I love feeling the baby move around. I sometimes wish that it was more constant movement and that it was stronger, but I've been reassured that all is well. 

- Increasingly confident about my ability to give birth to this baby. I was worried, not about my physical ability to do this, but about the emotional experience of labor and delivery. We took our Birthing from Within childbirth class this past weekend and I am feeling more confident about my own ability to ask for the kind of help that I need. I'll do a review of all the childbirth books that I've been reading at some point.

- Crazy silly excited about my baby shower this weekend. My mom and sisters have been planning for months (maybe even for years :) and I know that every detail will be just perfect. There are so many people coming and, well, I am beyond excited.

How is Daddy Feeling? 

- Scared. of a lot of things. Of how our lives are going to change and of the kind of dad that he will be, that he might not like it all among other things. I'd always thought that he was joking when he said things like this, but recently realized that he is quite serious. 

- He was able to hear the baby's heartbeat today just by putting his ear up to my stomach - crazy cool. 

Total weight gain? 

- up 43 lbs to 198 as of this morning. 

- However I've had more than a few people tell me that it looks like I've only gained weight in my belly. I am inclined to believe them, but also have to wonder if they ever paid any attention to what I looked like before I got pregnant.

Symptoms? 

- I am having some serious pain and discomfort on the right side of my rib cage. It is definitely slowing me down. Making it hard to sit in the car for very long, or to lay on my side, or even to sit in a meeting if I can't move around. Laying on my back with an ice pack seems to be the only way to relieve the pain. I don't want to complain, and know that it is temporary, so am inclined to say that I am fine and it is totally manageable. 

- Heartburn is a regular occurrence, and I carry tums with me at all times. A bit of a bother, but totally manageable. 

- My body aches, but I'd expect that with all this extra weight. 

The Belly? 

- No doubt about the baby bumb I'm rawking. 

- I might be crazy, but I think that it might be on the small side for 32 weeks. I am wondering how much more it will grow between now and when the baby comes. 

The Boobies?

- We've got our first stretch marks on my right breast. There are three little marks. I'm actually kind of proud of them, but at the same time I love my breasts and am realizing that they will never be the same again. 

- We've got liquid! Enough to leave a little wet mark if I squeeze my nipple a little. 

- The pain issues have subsided enough that I am no longer terrified of breastfeeding. I'd always planned to bf, but there was a while that the pain was so bad the thought of anything touching my breasts was out of the question. 

What I miss? 

- I'm feeling pretty good these days, not missing much, and really relaxing into the experience. 

Big News this Week? 

- Baby shower is on Sunday. Did I mention that I am over the moon excited? My mom hired a photographer, so I'll have a ton of pictures to share. I really can't wait to see everyone, open my very own sweet baby gifts, and have my belly touched and loved. 

- HBear finished her first quarter with us. We are awaiting the formal report card, but based on our regular communication with each of her teachers expect it to show all passing grades. This is a HUGE accomplishment for her and I am so proud. 

- I found a lady to fill in for me at work while I am out on maternity leave. She is going to be fantastic and I won't have to worry about anything. Secretly I am thrilled that she is headed to grad school in June, so I also don't have to worry about her 'taking' my job! 

- The midwives suggested that I try drinking a bit of wine to take the edge off of the rib pain. I couldn't be more thrilled to have the excuse to have a little drink. Cheers!

love and hugs,