Baby Update--32 weeks

After being harassed by multiple people, I am finally posting a picture of myself. It isn't the best picture. Joel took it last night right before I went to bed, and I look pretty tired. As you can see, I am HUGE. But the strange thing is I have only gained 20 lbs since I got pregnant (which is the least I have ever gained at this point in my past pregnancies). I just hold all of my weight in my belly and since I am short it sticks WAY out.

Currently, at this stage in my pregnancy, I am scarring people. I look so big that people think I am about to go into labor at any minute. The other day I had a pained look on my face while I was out in public, someone actually stopped to make sure that I was OK and didn't need help. But I am only 32 weeks--that means that I have 5-8 weeks more to go (anything between 37-42 weeks is considered full term).

So far the pregnancy is going great. For those of you who didn't know/don't remember, Madeleine was born at 35 weeks because I had HELLP syndrome. Miriam was full term but the doctor actually broke my water at the hospital at 38 weeks because my blood pressure was high. Currently, I have fantastic blood pressure for a pregnant lady--112/80. And everything else is looking great. I am not the least bit swollen. Unfortunately though, this is the stage of pregnancy that I hate--I am just so big that I am NEVER comfortable. At least I feel good and it will only last a few more weeks.

I have been very busy getting all my baby stuff ready. I washed 4 loads of baby stuff--2 loads of blankets, bibs, burb cloths, etc. and 2 loads of baby clothes (this is just my newborn clothes--all the bigger stuff is still in the basement until I need it). See below for a picture of all the baby clothes waiting to be put up. I also had to clean out my dresser (I will use it for my changing table and some of the drawers will be for baby stuff). I still have a lot of work to do--I need to wash all the seat covers on the swings, car seat, bouncy seat, etc. They got a little dusty out in the garage.


I kept EVERYTHING from the other two girls so there is a lot of stuff that I have to clean. But the good thing is that I don't really need anything. I just have to run to the store and get some diapers and I am ready (well, I am ready after I spend 20 hours cleaning stuff :-). The funny thing is that, despite the 10 boxes of clothes the I have, I will eventually need to buy some new clothes--this baby is going to be born in a different season than the other two. But it looks like I won't need anything until later. Most of what I have for newborns up through three months seems like it will work with the weather here in Colorado.

And, by the way, we still haven't chosen a name! For whatever reason we just can't bring ourselves to commit to a name. I will definitely let you know when we do--and it will be before we go to the hospital. Even if I have to tie Joel to a chair and beat him with a baby name book, we will have a name in the next few weeks ;-)