32 weeks and a large jicama

So holy cow, we are 8 months pregnant! This ride has yet to slow down it seems. Jude is now 3.75 pounds and 16.7 inches long, or so. He is roughly the size of a large jicama. (I, for one, am not sure I have ever seen one of these.) I should be gaining a pound a week nowadays, half of which will go to Jude as he starts fattening up. He also now has fingernails, toenails, and adorable little peach fuzz hair. The real question now is will he be born with rock star hair like his daddy?

Other news, I started back to school this week officially, and I am feeling every bit of the 32 weeks and 35 lbs that I've gained. (Yes, I know 35 sounds like a lot, but my mom gained 50 each time so back off!) By the end of the day, I am fairly exhausted as expected. My feet our huge, as also expected. I love my new kids. Second graders are sooo much funnier than 3rd graders. My goal is to write more of this stuff down. I've already forgotten some of their funny pregnancy quotes. However, one of them gave me the quote of the century. Every year, I tell the kids a little about me. This year I was telling them about how I'm going to have a baby. As soon as I said that, this one little boy, Allen, says "So that's why you're so fat!!!" Then proceeds to have this look of relief wash over him. Apparently he was gravely concerned about my concentrated weight. Hilarious!

I had a doctor's appointment this week. Everything seems to be going well. She thinks everything looks good. The heartbeat was 153. (Heartbeats are supposed to be between 120-160 fyi). Jude's was a little bit higher than his normally is because I had just eaten a cookie- ha! She also noticed my fat feet and is suggesting that I get prescription stockings. As if it's not enough I was already suffering from being self conscious about my fat belly, I have to add prescription stockings to my sexy ensemble? Really!? Not excited. Don't expect a picture of THOSE to come anytime soon.... I still haven't dropped that prescription off...

FYI Michael took maternity pics of me in a field (that left us both with chigger bites). Those will get posted sometime this week as soon as he gets done photoshopping them.

8 weeks to go!

DMA and an Indian beat

Last night was both mine and Jude's first trip to the Dallas Museum of Art (DMA). I went there with a couple friends for a girls night out. They have this pretty awesome set up for late summer nights where everything is opened as well as some special attractions such as live music, spoken word/poetry, movies, etc. Very interesting and lots to see, although I confess I would have enjoyed it ever so much more while not pregnant. Too much walking with my swollen feet. Boo.
One of the live music scenes was in a particular gallery that focuses on Indian/Tibetan art. One particular highlight was the free samples of this Indian dip with crackers. Cannot remember what it was called. Regardless, delicious. Jude's favorite part of the Indian experience was surprisingly not the food. He seemed to enjoy the music the most. We were listening to some Indian musicians play music using various folk instruments. During one particular song, there was a lot of percussion. Jude started going nuts inside during this song! From what I read, it is not unreasonable to assume he could hear the music and the beats. He sure seemed to enjoy them.
This isn't the first time he has actively responded to a strong beat. During one of our many weddings this summer, he reacted the same way to a hip hop song with a strong beat. Very interesting. For those of you who don't know, Michael was originially a drummer, so the fact that his son appears to really respond to strong beats in music prenatally is worthy of note. Like father, like son? Possibly. Only time will tell. In the mean time, Michael and I are trying to think of songs to 'experiment' with and see how Jude responds to them. Stay tuned!

31 weeks- 4 navel oranges

We have made it to 31 weeks!!! Unfortunately, there is no fruit to adequately describe Jude this week, so he's four navel oranges. I guess that's one orange for each limb? He is now about 16 inches long and weighs 3.3 pounds. These days, I feel every inch and pound quite clearly!

Most exciting news this week- We are heading into a growth spurt ladies and gents! What a way to jump start the new school year! Perhaps I should do a measurement lesson where the kids and I measure the bump every day and compare. Yikes.

Basically, Jude is going to start plumping out as he gets more fat. This is awesome because it means he's really starting to look like a cute little baby. Everything seems good so far. They say that active babies are healthy babies, and Jude definitely is active! I have a Dr's appt Monday. Hopefully, I will learn even more about his progress then.

9 weeks to go!!!!

Piggy Feet

So I have a water retention problem. It could be a LOT worse. I saw women at childbirth class that looked swollen from head to toe. The fact that it really is just my hands and feet is something to be thankful for. However, it is just insane regardless. I haven't been able to wear my wedding rings for a couple months now probably. (I do always try to remember to wear a larger ring I have just so no one makes the wrong judgement. Silly, I know.) Anyway, today my feet reached the hugest size so far. We have had teacher inservice all week. I'm assuming that has lead to my present state. It will be interesting to see how I fair once school starts and I'm walking around with kiddos!

For your viewing enjoyment----

Here is a picture of my feet (actually Michael and my feet) from 2007 when we were at Venice Beach, CA.

Here is a picture of my feet tonight! Yuck!

Jude kicks butt

Funny story of the day:

Jude has been really active today. He's super active when I am just sitting or laying around. Today was my first teacher day back to school. I just sat around mostly. He jumped around.

Anyway, this evening, back at the apt, Michael was standing at the counter eating chips and salsa. I came up behind him and was hugging him. Jude decided to remind us he was the monkey in the middle when he up and kicked really hard. Hilariously enough, Michael felt it, jumped, and said 'Ahh, he just kicked my butt.' No pun intended. I was laughing to begin with, but when we realized the gravity of Michael's statement, it became loads funnier. Awesome!

Jude kicks butt!

Waddling

Michael made a really sweet and sensitive comment yesterday. "So are you entering that waddling stage, because you are walking funny." Umm, guess so?!

Ever since he mentioned that, I've noticed that he probably is right. When he said that, I attempted to walk in a straight line so to speak. It was insane how it took serious, focused effort to walk 'normal'. Walking has become quite a laborious task. Never mind the energy it now takes to get up from a sitting or worse laying down position. Seriously, getting up off the couch is my workout for the day, although if Michael is around I cheat and have him give me a push. Regardless, carrying 25+ lbs straight out in front of you clearly has an effect on your gait. I have to admit, I probably am waddling a bit. The worst part is that by the end of my waddling trek from one spot to another, I'm usually breathing pretty heavily. (I've been told that this is nothing to worry about. It's just a growing baby jutting himself into my lung/diaphragm area.) Even though it's normal, I just look and sound plain pathetic.

So what's the main idea? Being pregnant is a whole new lesson in humility. My daily life now consists of walking funny and relying on others for help with simple tasks. One of the things Michael has disputed with me throughout our relationship is my need to be self sufficient. Well, there's no room for self sufficiency in pregnancy. It's amazing the ways God finds to teach these basic life lessons. I'm learning. I can rely on people to help with nearly everything, and that's ok. God has put people like Michael in my life for that very purpose. So far, I'm learning not only humility, but also thankfulness, because I really am lucky to have Michael and everyone else pushing me up one couch at a time...

30 weeks - Cabbage Patch Kid

We have officially crossed another milestone in Jude's birth journey. We are now in the 30 week homestretch. I don't know about you, but for some reason 30 weeks sounds so much farther along than 28 or 29. I can't believe how fast this is going by! Here are some interesting facts about week 30:

* He weighs at least 3 lbs now- about like a cabbage.

* He is about 15.7 inches long.

* His eyesight is strengthening, although when he's born he will really only be able to focus on things close to him.

Mommy news at week 30:

* I will be feeling clumsier as my center of gravity changes. Heels might be out of the question :/

* Mood swings return. Poor Michael :(

Most exciting part about this- a REAL countdown can begin. 10 weeks to go!

A Look Back.....

So I've come to realize that belly shots are the most popular thing I can do. That is, of course, until little Jude is here. I found my very first belly shots on the computer today. These are from when I was 16 weeks. When I first took these, I was just excited to actually be showing. For all those weeks before that, I felt like people were probably mistaking me for someone with a jelly doughnut obsession. Anyway, here are a couple of my 16 week (4 months pregnant) bump photos.....

Can you believe how much larger I've gotten in 13 weeks? Scary! It will be interesting to see how things "grow" in the next 10 weeks. Maybe explode would be a better word?

Third Trimester Bump Glory

Here are some pictures of me in my current state. Getting bigger all the time. By the way, these were taken with Michael's iphone. Our real camera is MIA....

Tell me these aren't the hottest pics you've ever seen of me. Please.

The Scoop- Butternut Squash Baby

Here is some info on what is going on with Jude this week: Week 29

He weighs about 2.5 lbs, which is about the same as a butternut squash. He is over 15 inches long. His head is getting bigger because his brain is growing. Yay! His muscles and lungs are also continuing to mature and get ready for their entrance in to the world. He's getting more active now... Finally, his bones are getting harder which means mom needs to be drinking more milk! Do you think ice cream counts?

Childbirth Class

Michael and I went to childbirth class today. It really was not that interesting. The majority of the time was spent answering questions for people that I had researched for myself awhile ago. We only went for the labor and breathing exercises and information. As of right now, our plan is still to attempt to do this naturally. I am open to the use of an epidural. I am hoping Michael will help me throughout the process be realistic about how much pain I really will be able to handle. In the next month, I will talk to my doctor about drinking raspberry leaf tea to prepare. The nurses teaching the class today confirmed that it will in fact help. Hopefully, I'll be able to do it. After listening to the nurse describe it, I feel energized and capable of at least attempting it. If I get there and can't do it, getting an epidural will not be the end of the world. At the end of the day, we'll still have a baby.

The most encouraging tidbit of information learned was the different things we can bring from home to help relax us. I was very excited to hear that there will be a cd player in our room. YES!!! Here's our birthing plan: natural if possible. Bob Marley. I mean seriously, can anyone think of a type of music that would relax you more? Bob Marley is the most relaxing music I can think of. Reggae is island music so it has that calming, ocean effect. It has a nice, steady beat that energizes you without overwhelming you. His voice is peaceful. Plus, you have lyrics like "Oh I gotta keep on moving..." Not actually about childbirth, but a way to remember to keep working through the process. Anyway, I'm set I think. We can do this, and it's going to be good.

11 weeks to go!

Athletic Punches?

As you know, we have entered that final glorious trimester and are counting down the weeks until we meet Jude. This has been a rough week for me because I have had teacher inservice every day. Sitting from 8-3 while 7 months pregnant is NOT comfortable. Talk about back pain! However, Jude has not found these activities quite as tiring. In fact, it appears when I am sitting alllll day, he begins to play. Nowadays, this little kid is packing some heat with these punches and kicks. I was actually almost self conscious while sitting in class that someone would look over and see him having himself a grand ole time in the middle of the lecture. My stomach was a constant montage of vibrations. Punches and kicks left and right and highly visible. Some of them would actually catch me off guard and make me jump a wee bit. I cannot even imagine what I'm going to look like in another month. My kids aren't going to learn anything- they'll be too entranced by my dancing stomach!

Michael has a very different perception on all this. He's just plain proud that his son is that strong already! As amazing as it is to feel and watch this ball of cells completely and miraculously transform, it's equally amazing to watch the guy you fell in love with transform into 'that dad'. You know the one- that's my boy making the touchdown (although with Michael's soccer/hockey obsession it would be the goal). I really didn't expect him to say that, and I still think it's funny.

We'll have to see if this turns out to be any true indication of athletic talent. In the meantime, it's fascinating to watch everything unfold.

Welcome to the End

We are officially in our third trimester as of Friday! Unbelievable! At week 28, Jude is almost 15 inches long and weighs over 2.25 lbs! He can blink and he has eyelashes. He's also beginning to put on more baby fat. Luckily, as the mom, that means I can look forward to gaining more weight too! My favorite.

Speaking of weight, one of my friends came to church with me today and actually said she noticed a weight increase. We hung out 2-3 weeks ago and apparently there is a noticeable difference. Sweet. My mom also said the same thing this weekend when she was up helping us move. Yay to getting the homestretch started with a bang!

For those who are keeping up, please be praying for Jude as he finishes up developing, for me as I start back to school soon with all this extra weight, and for our family as we are trying to trust God to help us find the right house SOON!