"You Don't Look Malnourished"

Ok, now I am getting really excited. Not because I am 31 weeks along. 9 more weeks is still a long time. But because our little girl turned. She has been breech since before 20 weeks and each appointment they would tell me she is still head up. Last week her head was right up under my ribs and because she feels so big already I was starting to think she wasn't going to be able to turn even if she wanted to. I was a little worried. Like I mentioned before, I can't wait for when they lay her on my tummy for the first time and if I had a c-section that wouldn't happen. But she did it! She turned. And my doc said she is probably head down for good. What a relief. What an answer to prayer and what a blessing that God always takes care of me and my babies and pregnancies. More info from my appointment. Weight 171.8. I have almost gained 13 pounds total. Not much at all but I still have 9 weeks to go. My doctor said 13 pounds is not very much for being 31 weeks along but she isn't worried because I "don't look malnourished." She laughed. I laughed but actually didn't find it that funny. No pregnant woman wants to hear that joke about how she looks. But I know I am not a skinny girl. I never have been and that's ok. I enjoy eating and do plenty of it but just don't gain a ton of weight when I am pregnant. Now that is a blessing!

My blood pressure was great. Like 126/76. My tummy measured exactly 31 cm right on for a 31 week pregnancy. Our girl's heartrate was 143. It was strong and loud. I love hearing it. Wish I had one of those machine's where you can listen to it at home. My doctor said at this point we can start counting movements. Twice a day lay down and see if you can count 10 movements and how long it takes you to feel them. I don't feel the need to do this. "Jamie" moves all the time. Morning, noon and night, she is always moving. Maybe if she slows down I will pay more attention but for now I am positive she moves enough. :)

I had a couple questions for the doctor this week. One was how do we know how big she is? I had this question because she feels so much bigger than Pete did at this stage. I can hardly breathe and as soon as I eat something I can hardly move I am so stuffed. I figured she is large but have no idea. I mean, I have only gained 13 pounds. The doctor said she is not worried she is too big but we will see in a few weeks. I also asked my schedule of appointments from here on out. I go every 2 weeks from now until 36 weeks, then I go every week for the last 4. Getting down to the wire now!

So things are going great. Looking good. Getting close and getting exciting. I felt very blessed after my appointment. I left with a feeling of thankfulness for this pregnancy, this baby and the encouraging doctors appointment.

No pictures this time. Can you believe I haven't taken any since Wednesday? What is wrong with me? And no update on Pete. Just "Jamie" for today. I love you sweet little girl.

Gardening

My boys planting flowers today.

30 Weeks!

Holy cow! 30 weeks! P. and I were talking tonight about what the next few weeks mean for us. It means we need to figure out where she is going to sleep. We need to get a bag packed for the hospital. Finalize a name, make sure we have care for Pete while we are in the hospital, and physically and mentally prepare for a second baby. How do you prepare mentally for a second baby? I admit, I am nervous.

I had a scary dream about her coming early last night. We were on vacation in Lake Tahoe with my parents and she started to come out. We couldn't find a hospital in time to stop my labor and she was born really small and under developed. When I woke up I couldn't even talk about the dream with P. I also had a dream the Lakers lost game two by like 30 points. That one was scary too. :)

What I am looking forward to most is the moment they lay her on my tummy for the first time. In some ways I am even excited about going into labor. Not about going through labor but the knowing "at the end of this" we will have our baby girl. I can't wait to see what she looks like. Will she be the blondie that our son is or will she have darker hair and skin?

We had a fun weekend. Here are a few pictures.

Saturday at the Festival of Arts, Downtown Grand Rapids. We sat here eating food from a mexican food vendor while Pete played in the grass and we people watched. Pete woke up from his afternoon nap and I went and got him. We sat down on the couch and he fell back to sleep. Very uncharacteristic of Pete but I cherished the quiet time with my sleeping baby. What a precious little boy. Dad and Pete played in the backyard yesterday evening. He came in looking like this. So funny. No big plans this week. More rain in the forecast for us. Most weeks we get at least 3 days of rain so it's no surprise. The mosquitoes have been better but he still gets bit once or twice every time he goes outside. P. watched him constantly tonight while he was outside and he still came in with a bite on his arm that was again swollen to the size of a golf ball. My cousin and her husband celebrate their 2 year anniversary Tues. Congrats Colin and Kaela. I have a doctors appt Friday and I can't wait to see how things are going and ask my doctor some questions about the next couple of months. More updates to come. Have a nice week all. Love...