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!