33 weeks

Here's a snapshot of The Belly at 33 weeks:

Annnd a closer look:  Oh my!

Baby girl can put on half a pound a week at this point so there's a lot more growing to do...

Kisses for baby

Melissa is simply delighted with the idea of having a little sister.

She is the only one who consistently remembers her in her prayers, "and please bless the baby in my mother's tummy, and bless all the babies in their mother's tummys."

Every day she talks about the baby.  "And someday when she gets big we can share a room!" or "I can teach her to do x, y, or z!"

She tells random strangers that she meets that her mother is having a baby (then her eyes get big) "and it is a sister!"

Every night she requests to give the baby a kiss on my tummy and then she hugs my belly.

I really hope she is as pleased with reality.

Lesson Learned

Monday was a busy, busy day.  I got caught up in the things I needed to do, but neglected other important things.

That evening I dropped 2 meals off for families that were sick and drove the kids to soccer practice.  I chased Isaac and Melissa up and down the soccer field.  Then we walked to a nearby park and played there while Matthew practiced.  I remembered the drinks for the kids, but forgot one for myself.  At the end of practice my belly was a hard ball and I felt pretty crappy.  It'd been a long while since I'd had anything to drink...

Driving home, my belly kept tightening up and it was somewhat painful.  Matthew and Melissa chattered and asked dozens of questions, until I finally told them that they needed to stop talking at me because I felt lousy and needed some quiet. 

We got home.  Dinner was already cooked, so I dished up bowls of soup and whole wheat rolls for the kids.  I told Matthew to help Melissa and Isaac to seconds if they wanted it, and then I lied down on the couch and guzzled water.  As long as I stayed horizontal I felt somewhat better, but as soon as I sat up my belly clamped down uncomfortably. 

I crawled on the floor and up the stairs to put the kids to bed.  Fortunately they went to be bed without too much fuss.  As soon as they were down I started the bath water and just drank and drank and drank.  After soaking in the tub for 30 minutes I felt fine again.  My stomach was nice and soft and the wee one happily thumping around.  Ahh.

I wasn't having contractions, just Braxton Hicks with umph.   Still, lesson learned.  Stay hydrated.

Today Isaac and I went on a short hike and enjoyed the mid 80s weather.  After that we played in the park for another hour.  I brought a big bottle of water and was just fine and dandy.

It's a...

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GIRL!

Rachel made pregnant gingerbread women this year

Rachel made pregnant gingerbread women this year
Originally uploaded by jbellis

It's my mom's recipe. I'm glad I'm almost done eating them because then I can go back to my low-sugar diet.

Flattery

Went to the dentist today for the usual cleaning and checkup. The hygienist I usually see was booked so I had Monica for the first time. I let the office know that I was expecting, so no x-rays this visit. The hygienist gave me advice regarding teeth and pregnancy throughout the cleaning.

At the end of the visit she asked, "So, is this your first?"

I smiled and said, "No, actually this is my fourth."

She looked stunned. "How old is your oldest?"

"He's eight." Her jaw dropped. I could see her mentally trying to calculate how old I must have been for the first.

Before she got the wrong impression I added, "Well, I am in my 30s."

She looked surprised but relieved. "Wow! You age really, really well. Guess you're not a spring chicken anymore."

Thanks, I think.

Ellis Baby # 4

Tonight at dinner Melissa was discussing the new baby. She is very excited. "Maybe I'll have a baby sister!" Then she looked a tad glum, "It's probably another brother, huh?"

I'm sure she'll fall in love with the baby once she sees him or her.

Bouncing Baby, "BB," is due right around the first part of June. So far I've been more tired this pregnancy, but otherwise feel great. Early on I stocked up on a bunch of ginger, but didn't really need it this time. Yippee!