33 Weeks!!

I can't believe it.... I am 3 weeks from being considered "full term," meaning I could safely go into labor any day after that. Safely is the key word here. I'm starting to be able to relate to what people have been saying about the third trimester. Although I'm finally getting used to getting up in the middle of the night about a million times, I'm really starting to feel the fatigue that our growing baby is placing on me. Every day I feel bigger, and rightfully so, since "Baby" is gaining .5 lb a week. She now is over 4 lbs and measures 17.2 inches from head to toe. Umm..if you've forgotten how LONG that is, just find a tape measure and take a look for yourself. Here' s picture of a 3-D ultrasound of a baby at 33 weeks. This is NOT our baby, but either way, look at that detail in the face! This baby's nose looks squished because SHE IS PRETTY SQUISHED in her mama's tummy. Last Thursday I went to the doctor, and he believes that she's facing head down. Let's just hope that he's right.

Our Bradly Class: So, last week I had to go to our Bradly class alone since Hugh had mid-terms and he truly needed that time to study. It was raining, and I just didn't want to go, but I went knowing that we don't have many weeks left. I need to soak up even the smallest amount of info given to me. I told Hugh he better be thankful that he didn't go last week, because we watched a VERY GRAPHIC video. I even had to glance in another direction a few times. Shew....the Lord be with me in that moment. Mercy alive. When I get uncomfortable in those kinds of moments, I start to giggle/laugh nervously. I happened to see another father-to-be shielding his eyes(he was pretty close to the t.v...haha), peeking through his fingers that were gently folded in front of his eyes. Now, that sight sent me roaring into even more laughter. I coudn't help BUT laugh. It was hilarious. We have a very diverse group of people in our class, which is interesting and entertaining. One couple is from India, another couple having twins is from England, and there are so many cool, different professions of people in there. We have Bradly class tonight...so more stories to come!!!!

EXERCISE: I'm trying very hard to get my walk in daily. I walked 4 days last week, and I have one little walk under my belt this week. I have ALREADY reached my weight gain limit that AI set for myself. Talk about disappointment. I have 7 more weeks to go...maybe a few more if she's born after her due date. I was pretty discouraged last week after our Doctor's appointment, but what can one do at this piont but try to focus on the baby and stay healthy by eating right, stretching and exercising a little bit every day. The Bradly Method REALLy focuses on getting 85-100 grams of protein in daily, to prevent pre-eclampsia and high blood pressure. Studies have shown that in 20 years, women who followed by this Bradly Method High Protein diet, not one of them got pre-eclampsia. If you don't know what that is....trust me....it's B-A-D and dangerous to the mother/baby's health. So, that's a daily goal of mine, along with trying to walk as much as I can. I crave sweets so badly in this third trimester, like never before, so that's like swimming upstream. However, one must get creative in these desperate moments. My new favorite snack is: Dulce de Leche (non-fat, sugar-free (splenda)) pudding. Oh my word.....even Hugh likes it. I steer clear of aspartame products when possible, but splenda is not too bad of an option in moderation.

Well,..I'm off to do my stretches, try to get these jumpy heels of mine to stay on the ground while squatting like a true asian, and to prepare for one of my fav shows: Deal or No Deal!!