34 Weeks

Pregnancy Update October 15, 2012

How far along: 34 weeks! 42 days left... 

Size of baby: 17.75 inches, 4.75 lbs. - An "Average Cantaloupe" (Actually, Bryson weighed in at about 4.25lbs a week and a half ago, so potentially he could be up to 5lbs by now?)

What developed this past week: The waxy protective coating, called vernix, is becoming much thicker this week as the lanugo (fine hair covering his body) continues to shed and may be almost gone by now. His central nervous system and lungs are maturing enough that if he was born, he would likely be fine (with a risk for a short stay in the NICU).

Weight Gain: 29.6 lbs. Somehow I managed to stay about the same as last week. They say you only need about 30 pounds (depending on your starting weight), so I'm hoping to not gain too much more in the coming 6 weeks.

Maternity clothes: All maternity. Got a few new shirts from my sister for my birthday! :) Including the one I'm wearing in the above pics! 

Gender: HE'S ALL BOY! "Bryson Nicholas"
(Bryson means "smart", Nicholas means "winner" or "victory of the people")

Movement: Friday night at dinner, I was telling Caleb how I now picture Bryson's little fully-formed body parts when I feel them moving in me... makes me smile to think about his precious little feet, knees, hands, and squishy tooshy :)...  a couple hours later, we're watching tv together when I feel a JAB in my ribs! Made me nearly jump out of my skin! Then, Bryson had the audacity to do it over and over again! lol Sometimes he'd be moving around already, and other times, the kick came with no forewarning! I started laughing and told Bryson that I was going to take back what I said about his little feet being so precious! :) I ended up keeping my hand over my right ribs in an attempt to guard them from the pain! A few times, he kicked and then slid his foot down my ribs, so the ENTIRE right side of my ribs, from the middle to my side, got to feel that lovely sensation. What a stinker!

Sleep: I did my best to make sure I got enough sleep while in NYC. I didn't do too badly! It's easy to turn down the offer to go out for a drink when you can't drink anyway! :) While others stayed out until midnight or later, I'd be back in my room by 10:30-11. Funny part was that I didn't even miss it because I was so happy to get 7-8 hours of sleep! :) Priorities, people! lol

What I miss: My back not hurting when I sit for long periods of time - especially noticeable this week when I was stuck sitting in conferences and meetings. At work, my back definitely hurts, but I can get up and walk around a lot more often to keep my muscles loose and my rib cage expanded.

Cravings: Nothing.

Best moment this week: Getting our maternity pictures taken! I'm so excited to see how they come out! Hoping a few weeks from now to have at least some samples to share!

Also, My SILs came over for the afternoon on Sunday to help organize and clean our nursery and all the baby clothes & stuff! What a blessing to have family around to help out! I would not have half as much done yet without them! Thank you girls!!

Once the nursery is done, I'll have to take pics and show off every one's hard work!

What I am looking forward to: This week we have another Newborn Care Class about safety. And this weekend, I have a few things to look forward to:
- More maternity pics - done by my aspiring photographer SIL, Kristen! Sure to be FANTASTIC!
- More work done in the nursery.
- And seeing my brother's girlfriend, Laci, whom I haven't seen in TOO long!