38 Weeks

2 weeks to D-Date

Nugget is the size of a pumpkin...or a watermelon! And, feels like it weighs as much as one. He/she is definitely sitting a bit lower. There is lots of pressure on my lower back and bladder. I'm super tired all the time. I have loved being pregnant, but I am ready to meet this little critter.

Welllll Rach is apparently off to a "great start", being 4CM at her appointment today!  Dr Dalton was very impressed.  I felt a bit funny when she looked at me and said "Wow you're lucky".  Reallly think Rach is the lucky one here.  She's still a rock, knew she was in pain but wasn't showing it!

I'm supposed to "relax" but that just does not come naturally to me. We have no plans for this weekend and I've already mapped out in my head my plan of attack for organizing the downstairs closets...sick.  Nesting is relaxing.  Therapeutic.

Nugget's head is the same circumference as his/her abdomen and is busy shedding the white goo.  I feel like this is one of those jokes..."See if your head is the same size as your abdomen."

I've definitely been experiencing some pre-labor. Which, has gotten be very excited and anxious for baby. Of course, further research has said that pre-labor can last anywhere from a few hours before labor to a few weeks. 

"This guy is getting on my NERRRVES"

Symptoms: 

-Lightning Crotch: The name is amazing! Apparently it is when the baby is sitting so low in the pelvis that it hits some nerves...lightning crotch, it's better than fire crotch.  

-Braxton Hicks: When I am active.

-Difficulty sleeping: I wake up constantly, but am successful at going back to sleep. I consider this a win!  And I must say you sleep soundly when I'm up reading or watching TV after you've fallen asleep.  Letting it be known "vocally".

-Vaginal discharge: Isn't this an insult in "Van Wilder"?  "Worrying is like a rocking chair.  Gives you something to do but doesn't really get you anywhere."

-Itchy Belly: Oh my goodness, yes!

-Swollen feet & ankles: Yes, but on a day-to-day basis. Some days they are really bad...my flip flop leaves dents. Other days they are only slightly disturbing to look at.

-Bloody Show: Not yet...

-:Have not had the pleasure...

We spent a lovely weekend on the Vineyard with Jurve and the Cronks. Friday night we watched the OB fireworks from State Beach. We had a great view, easy parking and no traffic to get home.  And picnic table with a Lemony Snicket book.  Everything coming up Milhouse.

Saturday was a glorious day at the beach. 

Olin loves floating in his turtle-dolphin-seal tube (whatever it is). He was not interested in it at one point until Auntie Rach tried to use it to float on. You would have thought I stole it from him.  Still think it looks like a friendly Nessie.  Olin nearly fell asleep on it.  He also met a friend, Patrick.  Olin had Patrick rollin:

We also caught a hermit crab.

He looks huge, but it's this really cool fish bowl thing for the beach. There were lots of bad jellies floating by, but no one was stung luckily! 
On Sunday we walked to the fire station for their annual pancake breakfast. I was impressed. Rather than charging a set price, they just asked for a donation. Pretty cool. The pancakes were tasty. We got to see them use the jaws of life to completely remove the top of a car. I have a video, but its 8 minutes long...

And this bad mamma jamma.  The boat not Ramsey.  Though Ramsey is a bad mamma jamma too:

Did a little fishing off the dock in the afternoon. We caught nothing. Auntie Rach improvised bait with some mussels. 

On Tuesday we celebrated dad-to-be's 33rd birthday! We had a very tasty dinner at Via in Worcester. I would love to go back once the baby arrives. There were some yummy sounding items on the menu. JD is now an avid disc golfer thanks to Tito, so he received some new discs for his birthday and a membership to the local course. I gave him his Daddy hospital bag chock full of mini toiletries, flip flops, snacks and, of course, a celebratory cigar (the finest Honey Farms had to offer). 

Baby Bump: Riding low. Pre-labor in full swing. 

37 Weeks

Well folks here we are...3 weeks away from D-Date.  Annnnnd Dad-to-be is all:

Nugget is the size of a Winter melon  And Winter melon looks like Zours. Remember those? They were soooo goood!   I've heard of Zours, sure.  Winter melons??  Not so much.  What the heck are they?  Do you eat them like watermelons?  Or honeydew melon?  Can you wrap delicious cured Italian meats around winter melon??  Which I suppose you can eat like watermelon.  They look moldy.  Almost like green pumpkins.  I wonder when breakfast was chosen as the meal of choice for honeydew and melon?  But watermelon you can really eat anytime.  And how come there's a space between winter and melon but watermelon is one word??  Free tour of my mind...

Winter melon

Zours

I just googled Mike & Ike's. Apparently, they still make Zours! Upon further searching the Wal-greens in Webster carries them. If you need me I'll be loading the palate of Zours into my car. I'm going to be so pregnant mad if they don't have them...Well luckily there is a CVS and Rite Aid within a 3 wood of the Wallgreens...plus another Walgreens one town over.  We'll find some.  If not I'll buy regular Mike & Ike's and cover them in sour sugar.  Which I'll have to find...

Anyway, from this point on I can have the baby and be considered full term. All critical body functions are developed! My nesting instincts are supposed to be kicking in soon...scrubbing the floors? Probably not going to happen...I don't have to worry about doing that until the baby starts crawling...I kid, or do I?  Kid.

Of course not.  I got that.  You just handle scrubbing the showers, toilets and counters, dusting all the tops and corners, vacuuming, laundry, dishes and I'll scrub floors.

Seriously, I've been pretty nesty for a while. Lots of organizing. I'd love to have the desire to clean the floors though...they need it!  Heyyyy Nesty.  Well, we need some of that nesting power for the closets in bathroom and living room.  Feel free to transfer some of it to me.

Nugget weighs somewhere between 6-9 pounds...I sure hope he/she is less than 8. We have so many cute newborn clothes that we'll never be able to wear otherwise! After learning at my last appointment that I had reached 40 pounds of weight gain I started skipping dessert and trying to eat healthier snacks...that lasted 1 day. 1 day.  

Baby is practicing sucking, inhaling, exhaling, gripping (my bladder) and blinking. He/she is also readying it's first poop...just for dad!  It's called meconium, c'mon Mom.  And I only looked that up to check the spelling.  I swear.  Seriously, though.  I'm so excited for this that I think I'll:

Symptoms:

-Nesting: Is this really a symptom?

-Heartburn: When I'm hungry and a banana just doesn't cut it.  Um, you've lost me with this one sweets.

-Spotting: Not so far.  Oh look, squirrel!

-Stretch Marks: In my love handle region...normal

-Increased pressure on abdomen: I have noticed it is more uncomfortable to lay on my left side. I did notice my belly feels a little different lately, but it could just be that I'm anticipating the drop.  Yea this symptom is going to be filed under "Obvious, Captain".

-Trouble sleeping: Yes, and at this point it is no longer a symptom but a fact of life. I will have trouble sleeping for the next 18 years.

To do's:

-Have sex: Seriously? Seriously. That's the first time I've ever been told to do that...Don't ask questions for the love of God...Doctors know best.  Even if they reside on the internet.

I made granola bars this week. I felt like a supermom. Yea, I make my own granola bars. Jealous?  Hippy's Use Side Door.

But, really I made them to have a healthier snack during the day, because I feel like I'm about to do this to our furniture:  See, tree hugger.

I also made a bangin' Spicy Italian Sausage Alfredo. I had it in my head I wanted alfredo sauce and then I thought, "Ooo sausage". Browned some up, made alfredo from scratch, added some portobello mushrooms and broccoli....it was amazing! 

There was more broccoli, it's just hiding under the fettucini
In actuality JD took out all the broccoli and disappeared out back with pesticide and a 12 gauge.  The broccoli can't hurt anyone any more.

We have the nursery mostly put together except for the illusive changing table...and hanging photos/pictures and the rocking chair that Papa Schoppe is rehabbing.  Momma Rach has done an incredible job putting the finer touches on the room.  It looks so incredible.  Can't wait to throw things on the wall (not pickles) and accent colors depending on what the nugget is.  Sex, not species.  Right?

We did buy out Babies R Us last night. We now have everything we need...just need the baby! Come on Nugget! We are ready to meet you. I, of course, spent most of the night playing with the baby monitor.  It is awesome.  Awesome, so long as it doesn't get hacked...seriously:  http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/14/tech/web/hacked-baby-monitor/index.html?hpt=hp_bn1

On Sunday the boys took down the fence in our front yard. I liked the fence, but it was a P.O.S. It was plastic. The weed whacker took chunks out of it. Lame. So, now I need a landscaper to figure out how to make our front yard cute, on the cheap. Jurve?  Tito tried to tell me there were 2x4s in each fence post.  Olin could have taken these down.  

I am reviving an antique shelf. Cleaned it off, sanded it down (wearing a mask, god knows how many layers of lead paint were on that thing!) and now I just need to paint it. Now the baby has somewhere to put its books. 

I've realized I never really slowed down at all this entire pregnancy. I still prefer to do things myself. I HATE it when people try to carry things for me. I know you are trying to be nice, but I can carry my bag that weighs 8 pounds. I've also managed to move a bureau at 34 weeks (JD found out after the fact). But, I should probably start letting the men do things. I noticed after grocery shopping I was a little sore...probably from carrying all the bags in one trip, on one arm. It's a skill I learned living in the city!

We are heading to MV for one final weekend. Maybe it will be a bumpy ride on the return trip ferry and I will go into labor...or if I go into labor on the way there I'll just have the baby at home since Lex is well trained in home births. Who needs a hospital? JD would prefer this option so our child is born in Massachusetts because it is way better than Connecticut apparently...I disagree.

1. If you are from CT you are a Connecticuter. If you are from MA you are a Masshole.  And?
2. The CT state song is one everyone knows: Yankee Doodle. What the heck does "The Great State of Massachusetts" sound like?  What's a Yankee Doodle?  A drawing of Chuck Knoblauch on a napkin?
3. As long as you are not the driver, you can have an adult beverage in automobiles in CT.  In Mass, it can be the driver.  I think. 
4. I was born in CT. Our baby is going to be a Day Kimball baby like its Mama! (I used to have a T-shirt that said this).
5. CT Little League beat MA Little League.  When I was growing up, we throttled CT.  I think.

However, MA has Martha's Vineyard and Gloucester where we were married.  And where JD and witches were born. 

Seriously, all we need to know:

The Nugget has been bouncing all over the place the last few days. Normally he/she isn't that active during the day. It's making me have to pee more; lots of jabs to the bladder.  You are so beautiful and I cannot wait to see our nugget together soon!

My belly is getting pointier...

36 Weeks

I love my husband. 

While I feel like a blob, feel like I look like a blob, and eat like a blob he is there to tell me how beautiful I look. He is the best! Thank you for being so supportive and understanding.

I am so tired. Sleep is eluding me. Everyone keeps telling me "Sleep as much as possible now before the baby comes"...I'm trying, but it just isn't working. Between my back pain, itchy stretching belly and bladder I am up at least 5 times a night for 30 min or so each. I spent one night awake for at least 5 hours. I definitely need more naps in my life. Those dorm rooms are calling my name after lunchtime. 

This past weekend we had a few friends over. We had tickets to Brewfest at Indian Ranch. I was the designated driver. I lasted an hour. In a non-pregnant state it would have been a lot of fun, but in a pregnant state it got old, real fast. All the breweries there were crammed into a relatively small space with a few hundred people all trying to get their tasting cups filled. I was just in the way. My feet hurt. I decided to go home, put my feet up and let them all have fun without worrying about the pregnant lady. They all had a blast. That's all that matters. 

Photo Credit: Erica G.

Sunday was gorgeous and after traveling to 3 different places to find breakfast (there were 7 of us) we ended up at Panera...not bad in a pinch. The men went disc golfing and the ladies relaxed on the deck. We enjoyed the afternoon on the boat with lunch and fresh fruit. The big kids played some lawn games while this lady relaxed. Great end to the weekend!

Overall this week has been pretty relaxed, which is glorious! First week in a long time that one of us didn't have something planned after work. I've been organizing the baby items. Uncle Tito is going to build us a changing table. I ordered a lamp for the baby's room...thank you leftover wedding gift cards!! 

Amanda came to spend the night Friday on her way to a wedding in Maine. It was glorious. And, since her birthday was this past Monday, I'm made her her favorite cake…ice cream cake! 

We are attending a wedding this weekend as well. I love weddings. This is our only wedding this year! Amazing. 

We are going to get the rest of the items we need for the baby this weekend as well. In case we're surprised, I want to be ready! 

Congratulations to Rachel & Jeff Abke on their little bundle of awesome Wally who arrived 17 days early! (No this doesn't make me nervous…)

We saw the doctor this week. She is not thrilled by my work trip this coming week. JD is very nervous about it. I'm sure there are good hospitals in New Jersey...

This week....

Nugget is the size of a honeydew melon. Or in the "Dad edition" I recently discovered, the size of a ukulele. 

If Nugget decided to come early, it could probably breathe on its own, but maybe not. Otherwise, all other vital organs are up and running. 

Symptoms:

-General Discomfort: Why, yes. I'm generally uncomfortable the majority of the time. 

-Difficulty sleeping: This came in handy last night when there was a fire alarm at the hotel. 

-Ankle and foot swelling: I have never seen my feet like this ever. JD says they are adorable…they're not. 

GIF-less post this week…sorry I'm tired.

Belly: 

35 Weeks

I'd like to start with a big THANK YOU to everyone who came to my shower on the 27th, or sent a gift. (This does not count as a formal thank you note). It was a wonderful day and we feel truly blessed! This little Nugget is so loved. 

June made some ridiculously delicious food, as usual! 

There were cake pops galore! 

And a big thank you to my Advancement family for throwing a joint shower for the Abkes and Rogers' as well. Any excuse to go out to lunch right? Seriously, thank you so much! We can't wait for our future Griffin to arrive.

35 Weeks

The pressure is on! 

5 weeks to go until my due date. For those of you with baby pools, I will probably be late, it runs in the family. However, you never know...I could be the black sheep.

We have LOTS to do before the baby comes. 

-Finish organizing all the baby clothes, toys, supplies

-Finish putting the nursery together 

-Get crack-a-lackin' on a changing table

-Purchase the remaining important items we need for the baby

-Remove our box spring because the bed is 4 feet off the ground and that sounds like a hazard to a tired Mommy trying to get her baby in the middle of the night

Nugget is the size of a coconut this week (or a Honeydew, which are about the same size).

He/she won't get any longer at this point, but will start packing on the pounds. Baby's hearing is completely developed and will respond best to high pitched sounds...like my whimpers of horror that we won't be ready when the baby decides to come.

"Baby won't care if you haven't checked every little detail off your list" - No, but I will! Do you not know me at all??

The pregnancy mood swings have found me. I've been pretty easy going this entire pregnancy, but the last couple weeks I have been on a roller coaster. Little things drive me absolutely nuts! I'm crying at the drop of a hat. I'm worrying, stressing...and if I'm hungry, watch out. 

I was on a rampage after our birthing class this week. JD was cooking dinner and every little annoying thing was finding me. JD just stopped cooking, hugged me and said "We need to feed you". 

It worked. I was a much happier camper. 

Birthing class is over! Now we are totally prepared for the baby and we know exactly what to do and what to expect...

This week we learned about newborns. What they will look like when they come out, the physical characteristics that are worrisome and the basics of breastfeeding. The nurse told us "most babies do this or that...but not all babies. Your baby may do something completely different and unexpected (Good luck)". I know there is a learning curve and at first we will have no idea what to do, I'm just hoping that maternal instinct kicks in sooner than later. 

We picked up our crib this week. I have been so excited about the crib for so long. We drove to New Bedford to pick it up. First we went to the main store and were told we had to go to the outlet store. We arrived at the outlet store and were greeted by 3 ladies. Two were "training" the third. They promptly announced "We're not doing anything, she has to learn". Awesome. After they were searching for our order, we were told we had to drive around to the loading dock.

ME: How do we get there?

Trainee: I hope I can remember...Just drive around and into the alcove.

ME: Around what? Oh the side of the building? On this side? 

Ok, so once we got in the car it was wicked easy to find, but that just makes her directions even more ridiculous. HOW WERE YOU WORRIED YOU WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO REMEMBER THOSE DIRECTIONS? Sheesh!

We made it to the loading dock. I took one look at the box the crib was in and knew we were in trouble. There was no way it was going to fit in the car. The loading dock workers were adamant that we could not open the box. I was adamant that I was not about to drive all the way home to get the pick up truck and drive all the way back. So we opened the box. Got all the pieces home intact and put the crib together. We then realized it was the wrong crib. Wrong is an overstatement...wrong model. I ordered the "Safety-gate" style that made it easier for a shortie like me to place the baby in and out of the crib. It also came with the toddler bed conversion kit included (which saved us $200). This crib did not have the safety-gate or the conversion kit. When I called the store I explained the sitch and said I'm happy to keep the crib I got, but I want the conversion kit. I was told I didn't need the conversion kit. I could just remove the front of the crib and the mattress springs would still hold up the mattress...

...except that when you remove the front of the crib the bed would topple over because the sides of the crib don't reach the floor. I explained this and was told "that's what the guy who puts these things together told me". Well he must be an engineering genius and I must be wrong. I told her that didn't sound right to me, and on top of all of these issues I paid more for the crib I ordered than the crib I got. She had to call me back. After the 4th back and forth phone call they decided they were going to ship me the conversion kit.

See...I am moody.

That was long and ranty...sorry. 

Pregnancy Symptoms at 35 Weeks:

-Frequent urge to pee: Yes. When I get up in the middle of the night JD always asks "What's wrong?" It's the same answer every time...just have to pee.

-Constipation: Fiber...

-Aches and Pains: Mostly when I'm driving in the car. It is horribly uncomfortable and crippling...good thing I don't spend a lot of time in the car. 

-Contractions: Minor, but once in a while I do feel my whole uterus tighten. Or else its the Nugget pushing out from the inside...who knows! 

Adding my own:

-Swollen feet: Seriously ridiculous swollen feet. My hands a little too, but at the end of the day my feet look like Hobbit feet. (Minus the hair)

-Mood swings: Watch out! 

-Panic/Worry: There is so much to do and buy! 

I think I've spent more time looking for gifs than actually typing this blog...

To Dos:

-Pack my hospital bag: I presented JD with my typed checklist of items to pack. We may need to buy a bigger bag.

-Schedule Strep B test: Done (Apparently some women carry the Strep bacterium in their Vajayjay and it can infect the baby during delivery)

-Address birth announcement envelopes: While this is a clever idea, the envelopes for my birth announcements come with the birth announcements and since we don't know what we're having I can't do this ahead of time. PLUS I'm still working on addressing my shower thank you envelopes. 

This weekend we are going to Brewfest at Indian Ranch. It is a pretty impressive beer festival with over 100 breweries. I will be the designated driver, not tasting all the amazing, wonderful beer. Should be a blast! 

I kid, it will be fun to see friends we haven't seen in a while! Hoping the weather stays gorgeous and we can get some boat time (pre-beer tasting) and pool time in. 

Looking forward to Amanda coming to visit next weekend! Even if for one night...

Belly photo: I'm not sure I've gotten any bigger...

34 Weeks

Sorry for the delayed, and what will inevitably be a shorter post…
This past week I spent Sunday-Thursday at a conference for work. It was a lot of fun and I learned a lot. The only downside was sleeping in a dorm room. While the nostalgia of it was magical, being pregnant and sleeping on a crappy twin mattress was not magical. Even having my husband pillow there didn't make a difference. 
It was great to have dinner with friends while I was in Burlington. It had been so long since I had been to Burlington, I didn't remember how big of a city it was. It is such a cute little city. We need to work on getting Webster up to speed…starting with revitalizing downtown. Let's replace the empty storefronts with restaurants! At least one Mexican one please! 

At UVM there is a tunnel connecting the two sides of campus. My guess is it is more due to not having to wait for the walk signal to cross the busy street, but maybe it has to do with the winter weather as well. Anyway, I walked through the tunnel at least twice daily during my visit. Every time I did I expected Willy Wonka to show up on a river of chocolate…very strange. 

So, we are at 34 weeks…6 weeks until my due date! I am so excited to meet this little rascal. I'm just hoping I survive the next 6 weeks…and what could end up being 8 more weeks because apparently I come from a long line of women having their babies at least 2 weeks late…

Nugget is the size of a butternut squash (or honeydew melon) this week. Whatever vegetable Nugget is, he/she is certainly filling up my belly. It is really cool to see my entire belly move when the UFO goes for a swim, or when he/she pushes a foot or hand across my belly from the inside…very UFO like. 

At this point the baby may start descending into my pelvic area which will relieve some pressure on my lungs, but putting more pressure on my bladder. I can't imagine peeing more often than I already do! But, there is no guarantee the baby will descend until labor day. This morning I was out of breath after getting up to use the bathroom…it's not that far away. 

The baby is starting to react to music. It is suggested I start singing or playing some lullabies because the baby will recognize them once born, and the ones I play often may soothe the baby.

Symptoms:
-Blurry Vision: I have actually noticed this while driving. Road signs are a little more blurry than they used to be…Most likely attributed to my lack of sleep.
-Fatigue: If only I could sleep later than 5am these days…
-Constipation: Negativo…fiber is your friend!
-Swollen ankles and feet: Once the heatwave finally broke, so did my cankles.

My shower is today!! I am so excited to see family and friends. God stopped crying so we could have a lovely day by the lake. (Anyone else pretend rain meant God was crying when you were a kid? Thunder was God and the angels bowling?) 

The crib has arrived!! JD and I are picking it up on Sunday. I can't wait to get it put together!! And get the nursery together and ready for Nugget! 

I washed a load of baby clothes yesterday…oh my god they are so cute and tiny! However, it takes longer to fold tiny clothes than adult clothes. What is the best way to fold onesies?? I'm sure there is a Pinterest post for that…

Dr. K says I am looking good! My weight is great, blood pressure is spot on, urine dip is great (whatever they look for). Apparently I'm doing it right. So, unlike when I started driving horribly right before my driver's ed test, I will not slack off these next 6 weeks. Let's finish on a high note! And hopefully not a high weight note! 

Friday was Olin Moss Cronk's 2nd birthday. The little munchkin came over for birthday dinner and presents. He sure loves Uncle JD and Grampa, the ladies in his life other than Mom? Eh. I got a cursory hug and kiss goodbye, JD got a real squeeze. Apparently I need to break his whiffle ball to get a genuine hug too! I kid…
The boy can dance...

Multi-tasker…dancing and baseball

Sorry this week's post is not up to snuff. It was a long and exhausting week and I have to conserve my energy for opening presents and eating lots of food! 

Belly shot…

33 Weeks

Did you guys notice that it's like 100 degrees out this week? I have literally been sweating bullets. I carry a sweat rag with me to sop it all up. I arrived at our birthing class this week with sweat under my boobs that you could see through my dress…wicked attractive.

Mr. Rogers chiming in in red.  The things you can do today...

Yea you have an excuse.  I on the other hand had a back-sweat drenched polo after sitting in traffic for almost 2 hours.  AC on full blast does absolutely nothing.  Anyone want to buy a Subie? Mint condition.

It really is disgusting out.  As always I marvel at the fact people rather this to a beautiful snowy winter's day.  When it's cold, you can snuggle up.  When it's hot there's nothing you can do.  Unless you're this guy...

Speaking of birthing class...this week's class was graphic. We started the class with a video on the different stages of labor. I'd guess the video was made around 1985. It was on VHS...I'm impressed the hospital still has a VHS player. We witnessed various women in the varying stages of labor showcasing the different positions you could labor in. There was a woman in some rad polka dot pajamas laboring in a rocking chair. There was a woman laboring on a birthing ball, also known as an exercise ball. There was a naked lady delivering her baby and she looked like she wanted to die. Very inspirational and reassuring. We then witnessed her birthing the placenta...this made one of the dads have to leave the room. (Not JD)

To be fair, that particular dad is a wuss.  I kid, the poor guy is on pain killers.  It was very graphic and completely against my serene meadow mental image.  I told Rach she should definitely utilize the birthing ball.  That just looked like pure fun and pretty much guarantees our little UFO will be an athlete. 

We then spent an hour going through the different labor positions ourselves. I liked the slow dancing move...but its really just a way to get JD to dance with me. Our teacher also showed us how to relieve tension. Squeezing a certain area when mom takes a deep breath, whether it is your head, shoulders, neck, arms, face, etc and then releasing when she breaths out is supposed to ease some pressure. I did NOT like the squeezing of the face. JD took note. 

Woh woh woh.  "really just a way to get JD to dance with me"???  I'll go all 8th grade slow dance with you any night.  Bumpin and grindin? Loud noise / terrible music?  No thanks.  Again, sweat.

Leave room for the Holy Ghost...Is that Drew Barrymore?

Definitely noted on the face.  I do think while this was specifically speaking about pressure relieving tactics, a cold cloth and even a gentle wash of the face will feel amazing when she's transitioning.

I also did NOT like having someone wave their fingers in front of my face. This is part of the "Take Charge Routine". I can tell you when I'm in labor, working through a contraction, and you are waving your finger in front of my face to make sure I keep breathing, I will bite off your finger. Unless I'm hysterical, do not attempt any part of the Take Charge Routine.
We then did some breathing and relaxation exercises. I enjoyed this part very much. JD and I are adopting it into our night time routine.

I decided the Take Charge Routine will be implemented using a mini flag.  Or maybe an ice cream cone.  Something she won't get mad at.  The "vocalization" was interesting as well.  That high pitched yelps / screams are flexed and tight muscles while low grunts relax all muscles but those Rach wants to be pushing with.  Being the coach, I have to encourage and imitate these productive pain relief sounds so she'll follow suit after falling into:

The final part of class was another video (oh boy!) of one woman's journey through childbirth. This was on a DVD, but I have to imagine it was remastered. If not, Deborah hadn't gone shopping in 25 years. We watched Deborah in her early labor grabbing a bite to eat and taking walks. Her husband never once changed out of his 3 piece suit. Once they decided to go to the hospital Deborah was at 3cm...it took 8 more hours to reach 10cm. We then watched their beautiful little girl come into the world. I definitely got a little teary eyed. This time the nurse warned the queasy dad in our class so he didn't watch the graphic bit. 

Told Rach, I probably will not be in a suit WITH SUSPENDERS for the birth of our child.  Call it "us kids" or "the new world"...He did look sharp.  But I only have two suits and with the chance of one getting VERY dirty...Just can't take the risk.

Aren't you glad I didn't find any gifs to illustrate my points for this section?

Good time for 2 Dumb & Dumber GIFs, sequel confirmed!!

Next week we will learn all about complications that can arise and their solutions. Should be a fun class.

Yes, she mentioned forceps.  I know what I use forceps for when I'm fishing.  I'm not sure I knew forceps had other functions.  Especially on humans.

Now we are at 33 weeks. I can't imagine how I can get any bigger...but I will! The baby is the size of a Durian fruit! What? You don't know what a durian fruit is? Have you been living under a rock? 
Seriously, what the hell is a durian fruit? Thanks to The Bump I know it looks like this:

This looks like something you'd take into medieval battle...

But have you ever seen one in person? Didn't think so...
This is what it looks like on the inside: 

Not that appetizing...

Anyway, the Nugget is opening and closing its eyes, coordinating its breathing with sucking and swallowing (wouldn't want it to choke!), its bones are hardening, and the brain is continuing to develop.

"You've probably been feeling overheated"...Yea, just a tad. After our birthing class this week, and after dinner, we went for a night swim. It was about 9:30/10. The moon was out and it was probably the most refreshed I've felt in a long time. Definitely something to add to our routine as well.

Absolutely.  The pool has gotten up to 87 degrees.  During the day it's really just a matter of "would you rather be wet as a result of bodily function or wet as a result of personal choice."  However, at night when the temp had dropped all the way to upper 70s, this felt very refreshing.  Oh, Rach getting into the pool:

Symptoms this week:
-Overheated: We've established that Bump. I'm sure I'd be much more comfortable if this heat broke.
-Headaches: I have indeed had a few headaches, but I believe they are from the heat and possibly not drinking enough water. 
-Shortness of breath: Walking around in excessive heat and humidity...yes. 
-Baby Brain: Oh yes. I've had major brain farts lately. Sometimes I sound like Sheriff Rottingham.

I'm so glad I found this...

These symptoms and all, Rach handling like a champ.  Much stronger than I...

Must do: 

-"Install the car seat." Really? Seems a bit early...but ok.  Before the crib?  Or is that supposed to be done already?  Figured we'd just live in the hospital for awhile.  The Birthing Center rooms are fantastic.

- Get a new float.  A Schoppe sibling (I won't say which one) broke our deluxe Target special.

Accomplishments this week:

-We managed to get our pool running as it should. This brilliant woman figured out why we were having trouble retaining chlorine. You can now see the bottom of the pool! Whoop whoop!

-My team came in 2nd in the Innaugural Advancement Corn Hole Tournament

I also won "Best Dressed"

I want to start measuring this baby bump. I'd love to know my circumference.  I took this picture from bed.  Go me.  Look at that beautiful Mama to be.  I still say The Chive (for those that know it) should begin instilling pregnant ladies galleries.  Have plenty of photos that would make Rach an inaugural entrant.  

Until next week!!