33 Weeks

About the baby:

By your 33rd week, your baby's lungs are almost completely matured. Just not quite - as the lungs are the last organ to fully form. Fat will continue to be deposited on your baby's body for protection and warmth.

Your little resident is getting quite scrunched in there and gaining weight almost as fast as you are these days - averaging out to about half a pound each week). That puts their approximate total at about 4 pounds, 8 ounces. Amazingly, they still have plenty of growing yet to do. He or she may grow up to a full inch this week alone and may come close to doubling in weight by their birthday. And with that much baby inside your uterus now, your amniotic fluid level has maxed out. With less fluid to cushion to blows, those sweet little punches and kicks could get pretty uncomfortable. 

This is an important prenatal time as antibodies are being passed form you to your baby as your little one continues to develop his or her immune system. 

In these last few weeks before delivery, the billions of developed neurons in your baby's brain are helping him or her to learn about the in-utero environment — your baby can listen, feel, and see. Your baby’s eyes can detect light and the pupils can constrict and dilate in response to light.

Yay, we made it another week, Little Man! Oh my goodness, just 7 more weeks until my estimated due date! Seriously? I so clearly remember being just 7 weeks pregnant. I remember thinking how insane it was that we were actually pregnant, and how hard it was to keep it a secret for just one more week until our chosen announcement day. I remember how surreal it was, like there was no way that I was actually and finally pregnant. Now, here I am with just 7 (ish) weeks to go and I can't believe he's actually and finally about to be here. 

I mentioned in a Facebook status that I love going and sitting in his room. It's true. It's a daily occurrence too. I could easily spend my entire evening in there, not doing anything but sitting there. I'm still wondering at what point this will all feel real. I heard from a friend who recently had twins that it'll be a few days after he arrives ;)

Geez, I love this baby so much it seems crazy. He already feels like my whole world. What will this little boy do to me once he's actually here?

Not too many new developments this week. I've been pleased to feel more baby movement. I'm wondering if he's actually moving more or just getting bigger and having less space so I'm feeling it more. Then again, baby movement is suppose to start slowing down in the last weeks. So who really knows… 

He better be this mellow when he gets here though. We've been having good long talks about it ;)

My lower abdomen has been feeling super tight and also has a very sore/bruised feeling. Doc said it's probably ligaments stretching. 

I've been having a lot more Braxton Hicks this week, but they're so much better than the contractions, so I'll take it. It's such a weird feeling to me though. And my stomach will get so hard and sometimes distorted looking. Very weird.

Over just the last few days I've been having some pretty intense pelvic and hip pain. Of course some of that is normal and expected, but my doc seems to worry that it's a little early and is probably enhanced due to my broken/displaced pelvis. Of all the things going on with this pregnancy, my stupid pelvis is going to be the reason he assigns bed rest. He hasn't yet. But it keeps coming up. Just for the record, I'm not being stubborn in regards to that probability. I'll do what I need to for my baby. Doctor's just aren't as bed-rest happy these days. He said he fears putting me on bed-rest because the lack of activity could cause early swelling. And, to tell the truth, I don't want to be on bed rest. But if he decides it's what's best for Nolan, I'll do it. 

I think my annoyance for the week is parents making parenting out to be horrible. I know I've griped about this before, but I'm flustered by it again. I'm not naive, I know having a baby will drastically change my daily life. But, I'm so willing and eager for all of those changes. I welcome them. I hate it when people comment about something I'm doing with, "Enjoy it while you can" or "You won't be able to do that when the baby gets here." 

It seems like I hear those comments in reference to nearly everything I do too. It just seems so negative. It seems like they're implying their fun life ended with the birth of their children. Even something like watching a movie in my home gets me those comments. Ask me again in 6 months… but I'm pretty sure I'll still get to watch movies in my house after Nolan arrives. 

Maybe I perceive everything entirely wrong. Forgive me if that's the case. Also, someone please totally call me out on it if I ever make those comments to a mom-to-be in the future.

The nursery artwork is up! It looks awesome. I seriously planned to take and post pictures over the weekend, but we started replacing the fan blades in there and decided to be done with that after like two, and some stuff got moved around in that process and hasn't been put back yet. I seriously think as soon as the fan blades are up I'm ready for pictures though. lol Guess we'll see if any more projects come up.

Another non-stress test and doc appointment this Friday, I'll keep ya posted :)