Baby Bump: 32 Weeks!

I took these photos the day before my baby shower, and I remember feeling SO huge in them. Now, almost two weeks later, I'm actually much huger, if you can believe it. The baby starts growing half a pound per week in these last few weeks of pregnancy, which is a exciting and terrifying at the same time.

I've run the gamut between trying to plan every single second of labor to willfully ignoring it... and now I'm somewhere in the middle.

You know what did not help? I was at the post office this week, and the lady who works there told me that labor was so painful that she prayed for her own death while it was happening.

So, that stuck in my mind a little bit.

And yet... I'm trying to play it by ear. I figure that if I go in with flexible expectations, I won't be unhappy with the outcome, however it goes (as long as the baby and I make it through safely, of course). In my ideal world, I'd have a med-free, natural birth. In reality? I'll do whatever is healthiest for me and our son. And at the end of the day, however it goes, I'll be thrilled to meet our little guy.

At my last visit, the baby weighed 4.5 pounds according to the ultrasound, and it's crazy how almost-full-size that makes him! Also, I'm a little relieved -- he was in the 85th percentile for size at my last ultrasound (around 22 weeks), but this time, he was around the 40th. Since I'm tiny, this was good news -- it definitely decreases the likelihood that I'll end up needing a c-section, which I'd like to avoid if possible. (Chad was a giant baby, so I've been a little terrified at the idea of a 9+ pounder!)

At the moment, I don't have a birth plan. I haven't packed a hospital bag. Our nursery isn't *quite* done (it's almost there though!) and I definitely need to stock up on a few baby essentials. We are very, very close to being ready... but we're not ready yet.

But I'm slowly chipping things off the list, day by day. Just keep cooking, little guy, and maybe we'll actually be prepared for your arrival!

How far along? 32 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 21 pounds (finally gaining again!).

Maternity clothes? Pants, some tops and dresses.

Stretch marks? Still no!

Symptoms: Lately, lots of cramps, weird pains and Braxton Hicks contractions. Trying not to freak out over every one of them, but they're a little scary!

Sleep: A few days of great sleep, and then a night where I was wide awake until almost four in the morning. I'm not sure why that night was so bad -- it wasn't because of any specific symptom I could identify.

Best moment this week: Getting to see our little guy at the ultrasound appointment! I posted the pic to Instagram here -- I called Chad afterwards and told him how cute the baby was, and he thought I was completely insane. But I think he's adorable!

Worst moment of the week: I think the night where I didn't fall asleep till 4 a.m. qualifies.

Have you told family and friends: Yes!

Miss Anything? Not this week -- I'm trying to enjoy the last few weeks of being pregnant! Eight weeks isn't much longer to wait for sushi and champagne.

Movement: Lots!

Food cravings: 80% of what I eat, pregnant or not, is driven by cravings, so that's probably why I haven't noticed that many of them. This week, though, I was loving dried mango slices, guacamole, cake frosting, and licorice. Not all at the same time, fortunately. :-)

Anything making you queasy or sick: Coffee, once this week. I drink one cup a day, but one morning it made me feel terrible! I was worried that morning sickness was re-emerging, but apparently not.

Have you started to show yet: I am huge!

Labor Signs: Cramps now terrify me. My doctor says not to worry as long as they're painless and not happening regularly, but I still worry. (Obviously.)

Belly Button in or out? In! Maybe it won't pop?

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!

Looking forward to: The arrival of the few last items for our nursery, hopefully this week!