Strangers

I had my first encounter with a stranger today! That only took 8 months! And it wasn't bad at all.

We had our lab holiday outing today. Lunch at HuHot Mongolian grill. I was in line at the grill and the lady next to me was way excited and I could immediately tell she was going to talk to me. Turns out, she was really nice. No belly touching. No unsolicited advice. She just wanted to know the normal things (when are you due, boy or girl, names). But since we were in line until our food cooked, it was a pretty long conversation. Long, but nice. She even told me I looked fantastic for almost 34 weeks.

I keep waiting on a stranger to ask if they can touch my belly so that I can ask if I can touch theirs, but this kind of encounter is okay too. :)

Bump Watch 33 Weeks

How far along: 33 weeks
Baby is the size of a: pineapple (>4 pounds and >17 inches)
News: The possibility that he's breech means we get a fourth ultrasound. (Although I don't really think he's breech. But the uncertainty is making me think about it more than I had been.) Also, we cleaned out the car really well and installed the car seat today. Just have to get it checked at the hospital and we'll be good to go.

Doctor

I got manhandled at the doctor this morning! It was just a routine weight, blood pressure, pee in a cup, heartbeat appointment, but at the end they were feeling around to make sure Baby Madren is head down. Mark, our student doctor, couldn't really tell so Dr. Labban poked around as well. He really looks for the head! It kind of hurt. Like I could my stretch marks getting stretchier. Oy. Anyway, Dr. Labban couldn't feel the head either, so we are now scheduled for our FOURTH ultrasound for the day after Christmas. He is definitely vertical, not transverse, because his back is obvious. I'm pretty certain he is head down based on the movements I feel, but they just want to double check. Dr. Labban says that it could just be that his head is already down in the pelvic cavity so that you cannot feel it from the belly anymore. I think that's likely because I feel like he scooted down a little this week. The top part of my belly is flatter now than it was and I've felt more pressure in the southern hemisphere than I had been feeling before. And I didn't tell him because I didn't think about it, but I feel baby hiccups pretty much on my rectum (weirdest feeling ever), so I'm not worried. (Sidenote, this has got to be the most hiccuping baby ever. He gets hiccups like three times a day.) So a second bonus ultrasound of a giant baby. I'm kind of looking forward to seeing how squished he is in there.

Bump Watch 32 Weeks

How far along: 32 weeks
Baby is the size of a: large jicama (about 6.7 inches and approximately 3.75 pounds)
Gender:  Boy
Total weight gain/loss: 28 pounds
Maternity clothes: yep
Sleep: Better this past week than it has been lately.
Best moment this week: Got all our diapers washed! 
Food cravings: plain Ruffle chips with Ranch dip  
Food aversions: I think they're gone! Finally!
Movement: Ninja bursts! Also, this has got to be the most hiccuping baby ever.
Symptoms: Hips still hurt but have been better the last couple nights. Lots of movement.
Labor Signs: I think I've had a few Braxton Hicks contractions, but otherwise, no.
Stretch Marks: Yep.
Swelling: It was bad in my hands and feet last week, but has gone back down in the last couple days.
Belly Button in or out: In, but I can see the bottom of it and it is weird.
What I miss: Sushi. And I'm a little sad that I won't be partaking in any eggnog this year.
What I am looking forward to: Meeting him! Saying Hi for the first time. Baby hugs.  
Milestones: I can't believe there are only 8 weeks left.

Comparison photo:

Swollen

My hands and feet are swollen this week. Not terribly, but enough that I finally took my wedding ring off. Now I'm wearing my rings on the Open Hearts necklace my mom gave me when Seth and I got married. I miss having them on my finger.

Recliner

I slept in the recliner for half the night because it hurt my hips too bad to lay in bed. :-/

Bump Watch 31 Weeks

How far along: 31 weeks
Baby is the size of a: four navel oranges (~3.3 pounds and >16 inches)
News: Single digit weeks left! Also, I ate chocolate, ham, and butter chicken. I think my food aversions are over! And the baby is turning into a super ninja making my belly dance all over the place with his flailings.