34 weeks

Things aren't much different this week from 33 weeks. I did gain a pound at my last doctor's visit (this past Friday), which is progress, albeit weak. To try and increase that (I should be gaining a pound per week, not month), I'm dedicated to daily protein shakes, and even found some really awesome, non-dairy fruit ones. My belly height measured just a week under (32 cm at 33 weeks), but it's up from the prior reading and still measuring well within the normal range.Little KJ is still acting like a stunt man in the womb, and his movements increase in intensity every week, and I'm peeing even more frequently. I also experienced a cramp the other evening, which lasted for less than a minute and was similar to a normal menstrual cramp, and I sort of didn't know what to think. I'd not experienced any cramps or false contractions up to that point. It wasn't painful, but a little concerning (what's going on with the baby) and yet reassuring at the same time (like my body might actually go into labor in six weeks from now). I had a really, really serious charley horse last week and was nearly in tears struggling to get the pain to subside. I really hope labor is less painful...

I have my local baby shower this weekend, and I look forward to using it as an excuse to just hang out with friends. It's going to be more of a co-ed party with fajitas and beer. And it's an excuse for Kenny to avoid doing man chores for a day...oh, and I've had several people ask about where I'm registered, so here's the website if you need it: www.myregistry.com/public/Stefanie-Kenny-Mikkalson.

I've also got my lactation class tomorrow, which I anticipate will be both informative and awkward. We'll be watching a video on how to nurse so I'm going to see a lot of tiny little newborns contorting strangely on the bare chests of their mothers trying to find where the food is. Kinda weird. But something I need to learn and will duly sit through. And then tomorrow night, we've got the hospital tour which will be extremely helpful to know where to go and how things are actually set up, and it'll probably make things seem more "real."

This week, I feel like my emotions have calmed a bit, and I'm just sort of waiting now for the end of August to get here. I'm sure I'll stress about things at the last minute as the due date approaches, but for now, it's kind of the calm before the storm. I feel rather at ease with everything baby-related, lazy even...this week anyway!

So that's it. Not much to comment on as not much has changed. My groin/ligament pain is ever-present and may be slowly increasing, but it makes sense as my belly grows and further protrudes over my lower abs. The support band helps but I don't get to wear it everywhere (bed, the shower) and I miss it when I have to hoist this torpedo around on my own. I should be grateful KJ's not bigger! (I say that as I watch a Discovery Health program in the background talking about mothers that have given birth to 15 to 17 lb newborns...no thanks).

I'll post more pics soon.