What little man is up to this week:
Baby's movements are slowing down this week. As the your uterus gets more and more cramped, he's curled up, chin resting on his chest and arms and legs cocked. He continues to practice breathing, to open and close his eyes, and to swallow amniotic fluid. In fact, during this last trimester he will be swallowing about 4 cups of amniotic fluid a day! His taste buds have matured now and experts believe that Baby can already distinguish some of the tastes in your amniotic fluid--like onions, garlic, and certain strong spices, like cumin. Some scientists believe this pre-taste is a way to prepare a baby for the different flavors of breast milk, which also changes based on a mom's daily diet.
What I’m up to this week:
Expect to see this same reaction every week: Holy crap! I am 32 weeks pregnant!! This means that if my pregnancy lasts 40 weeks, I am 80% of the way done cooking this little man. However I’m going to be real with myself and set the expectations pretty low – I have a feeling I’m going to be a typical first time mother that goes until 41 weeks and has to be induced. If that’s the case, then Baby A will make an appearance on July 30 or 31. David and I have our eyes on July 17 for this little one to join us on his own though. And yes, I plan on working up until that point. My water could break at work, which I think would be awesome and my coworkers think would be horrible. Which means that I will have to be bringing my hospital bag with me wherever I go come July 1 when I’ll be full term (37 weeks).
Anyone have any good things to bring to the hospital that aren’t on the typical lists online? I’ll take any advice I can get! Also, I plan on breastfeeding so the hospital bag will need that stuff as well. This is what I have so far, please tell me if I am missing something or if anything I have is ridiculous or unnecessary:
- Birth Plan
- Birthing Ball (this is just an exercise ball that came highly recommended from the birthing class teacher RN. Once I sat on one in class and my hip/back pain disappeared immediately, I was sold. It’s supposed to help with labor to relieve pressure and my hospital only has 1 for all their L&D rooms, so I’m bringing my own.)
- Boppy
- Focus Object (I’m bringing the stuffed owl from his nursery. This was another rec from the teacher. If anything it’ll be good for pictures once he’s born.)
- Nightlight (I’ve heard this is good for middle of the night feedings/diaper changes when you don’t want to turn on the obnoxious fluorescent lights.)
- Snacks (Hospital food isn’t the greatest, let’s be honest.)
- Cameras + chargers (including cell phone chargers)
- Kindle + Tablet and chargers + books/magazines + deck of cards + DVD to watch
- Flip flops for showering and/or when your feet are too swollen to put on regular shoes
- Lotion/chapstick/Vaseline (when my mom was in the hospital last year the air was so dry I thought my nose was going to crack and fall off. We’d rub Vaseline in our nostrils just to get some relief.)
- Baby’s Coming Home outfit + blanket + cute hat + mittens + One extra outfit because I’m psycho
- Preemie outfit just in case (in my family we have 5 pound babies, and they don’t fit in “newborn” sized clothing)
- Baby Book – when they stamp his feet for their certificate’s foot prints they will just stamp yours too, all at once.
- Diaper Bag
- Car seat + body support pillow thingy
- Nursing bra + Soothies + Breast Pads + Nipple cream + Nursing Cover (for when company is visiting)
- Change of clothes – something either maternity or stretchy to form to your just-had-a-baby body
- Non-Slip socks and slippers
- Granny Panties
- Pajamas/night gown/Robe (for after birth when you just want your own stuff)
- Pillow + extra blanket for David on the couch
- Patterned pillowcase + own pillow (hospital pillows are crap, and the pattern will cheer you up, I’ve heard. Plus it’ll look cute in pictures)
- Travel Fan (because my husband and I are weirdos that can’t sleep without some white noise)
- iHome to listen to music + aux cord for phone
- Insulated Travel cup
- Tennis Balls (these are amazing for David to rub my back with – another birthing class technique)
- Own bath towel (?)
- “Thank you” for the hospital staff – this is if (and only if) I am bored and standing around staring at my belly willing him to come and feel like baking. There’s a pretty high chance that once I clean the whole house and organize his nursery for the 100th time I’ll feel like making something with sugar in it for me to eat and maybe a little extra for those nice nurses who are going to be cleaning a lot of gross personal stuff of mine.
- Toiletries (yes the hospital provides them but I’ve heard they’re crap)
- Travel shampoo/conditioner
- Soap
- Razor
- Deodorant
- Face wipes
- Toothbrush/Toothpaste
- Hair brush + straightener (in case I have the overwhelming urge to look human)
- Make up (see g. above)
- Dry shampoo (this was another new mom’s rec – in case you can’t shower)
- Hair ties/clips
Things I’ve heard you need but the hospital will provide:
- Onesies
- Diapers
- Pacifiers
- Nipple cream
- Super Duper Sanitary Pads
- Blankets
- Other things that are obvious but I can’t think of right now (real helpful, right?)
This week was pretty awesome. It started with a surprise work baby shower for my friend at work and I. We got surprised with lots of nice gifts! David hid it from me the whole time.
Then this weekend was Memorial Day, and we spent it at the horse race track with our friends and at the pool. There was a whole lotta this:
My hips and back have been killing me lately. I’ve been spending my time with the maternity belt on and bouncing on the birthing ball. It’s very hot, as you can see. Anyone have any relief mechanisms? Tylenol does nothing, and I can’t ice it all day long. I don’t know what else to do but it is MISERABLE. And when he moves I can feel relief for a few minutes, until he moves right back on my sciatic again. Little shit.
Pregnancy is very sexy, ya’ll.
How far along? 32 Weeks.
Total weight gain/loss: 10-11 pounds up (steadily gaining a pound a week it seems).
Maternity clothes? Yes
Cravings: Summer food deviled eggs, watermelon, etc.
Stretch marks? Nope.
Baby is the size of: Baby A weighs about 3.75 pounds and is approximately 16.7 inches long, about the size of a large jicama.
Sleep: I wake up in the middle of the night to movement ALL the time. I don’t really mind anymore, I just put my hand on my belly and feel him moving and fall right back asleep.
Best moment this week: Work shower, and spending the weekend outside. Summer’s finally here!
Miss Anything? A few bud light limes would have been nice while laying by the pool!
Movement: All the time
Anything making you queasy or sick: Not really
Have you started to show yet: Yes
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? Flat
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!
Looking forward to: 3D Ultrasound photos are TOMORROW!! And my baby shower is Saturday… I’m beyond giddy!
Give me advice on hospital bag packing!!
Got to go – my mother-in-law is in town! 3D Ultrasound photos coming this weekend!


























(Week 30)





(My brother and his little girl)
(Baby A’s last plane ride in my belly)












































