Baby Update -- Week 32, 8 Weeks to Go!

Here we are at week 32, and if I go to full-term, I've got 8 weeks to go. To accommodate me and my baby's growing needs, my blood volume has increased 40 to 50 percent since I got pregnant. And I'm feeling it mostly in my nose when I sleep as the vessels are ever-expanding. I can only sleep on my right side to keep things clear. With my uterus pushing up near my diaphragm and crowding my stomach, I've noticed more shortness of breath and LOT of heartburn. I've had to sleep propped up with pillows and start eating smaller meals more often.

So far, the lower-back pain hasn't started, but I'm sure it will. However, if it's too bad, I'll call my doctor. I don't want it to be a sign of preterm labor.

My expanding uterus shifts my center of gravity and stretches out and weakens my abdominal muscles, changing my posture and putting a strain on my back. I'm doing my best to keep good posture, though. It's working, as far as I know. Still, there are a lot of hormonal changes that are loosening my joints and the ligaments that attach my pelvic bones to my spine. This is making me feel less stable and once in a while, I have some pain when I walk, stand, sit for long periods, roll over in bed, bend, or lift things.

Other than that, my trips to the bathroom have increased tenfold. Guess this baby is liking my bladder as a footstool or headrest. Since I don't know baby's position, I can't say for certain. I only know my bladder is nearing nonexistent land!

All right, all right. I'll concede the floor to my little angel...



...You know, I'm feeling a whole lot heavier these days. I believe I heard I weigh about 4 pounds and am about 16.8 inches long. That means I'm taking up a lot of space in Mommy's tummy. And it's getting cramped in here. She's gaining about a pound a week and half of that goes right to me. The doctor told her last week that I'm going to gain a third to half of my birth weight during the next 7 weeks as I fatten up for survival outside the womb. Ahhh! The outside. That's a scary thought! So glad to know I'm going to have Mommy and Daddy to comfort me and keep me warm and safe.

Speaking of warmth, I have recently discovered a sensitivity to temperature! And I think Mommy knows it too, because I've kicked her when she's placed her warm hands on her belly or when Daddy's cold hands have touched the skin on the outside.

I have toenails, fingernails, and real hair (all right, so at least it's respectable peach fuzz). My skin is becoming soft and smooth as I plump up in preparation for birth. Oh, and I have blue eyes for now. Don't know if I'll be keeping them. I know Daddy has blue eyes, but Mommy has green. It's anybody's guess at this point.

But it's been a long day, and I'm rather tired, so not much to say this time...




I'm feeling the same as baby right now. But, I do have a treat for you. I've uploaded pictures from my first baby shower along with some shots of what our baby's area looks like right now. The walls aren't done and we're still awaiting a 2nd shower here, but things are shaping up!

Take a look! There should be a full album.

Other than that, I did a little nesting in the kitchen today and picked up a special addition. Look over there to the right to see. :) My brand-new canisters for flour, sugar, tea, whatever. I think I did pretty good with the color blend to the cabinets and countertops. Finally, the cabinets above will be free of half-empty bags and tupperware containers. I have space again!

That's all for now...

Tune in next week for the latest. :) And if you want to receive an email each time I post an update, subscribe using the form over there at the top right. Thanks for coming along this journey with me.

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