Thirty- Four Weeks.

Little Miss - 

I think that's what I've decided to call you, Little Miss, I think it's pretty cute, but I'm sure once we have a name for you (we're waiting until you're born to make our final decision), you'll have a ton of different nicknames. 

I can't believe how fast time is going - less than 6 weeks until your due date! But I know not to get myself too wrapped up about that date, only 5% of babies are born on their due date. I don't have any feelings whether you'll be early or late, whenever you decide to arrive is good for us. I told my boss that my last day is May 11 - 2 weeks before my due date, so it would be appreciated if you would stay put until at least then. I'd really not prefer to go into labor at work considering it's just my boss and me, he'd be in a panic and wouldn't know what to do, and would probably be super upset if my water broke in his log cabin home with wooden floors. So after May 11 - it's all you, unless you'd like to come on a day I'm not working. I'm okay with that, too. 

Daddy said that each morning when I text him that I'm up, he's waiting for the text message to tell him I'm in labor or my water broke or something. But, another request, Daddy's job isn't the more secure right now, and his health insurance is a little questionable, so let's figure that out first, too. Hopefully that will get figured out this week or so. It's just not the best time, but not to worry, we'll figure it out. 

I feel so much better not worrying about how much weight I'm gaining. When I was at the doctor's last I think I was up 30 lbs. or so, but that's because I was sick and all I was eating was chicken broth. I bet my weight will stay about the same from that appointment for my appointment on Wednesday, assuming we get our insurance figured out and I can go to the doctor's. Daddy's coming to that appointment, too, and we're meeting with a midwife at our hospital. I have really high expectations for this visit, so we'll see how it goes. I'd love to have a midwife deliver you, so I want to ask her exactly how I get a midwife for the delivery. We'll see what she says. 

I also want to ask about my hip pain at night. Holy moly do my hips hurt at night. Sleep is becoming less comfortable each night, I wake up thirsty, then drink my water, wake up in 25 minutes to go to the bathroom, but I'm thirsty again, drink water... you see the pattern. I've been sleeping with my body pillow, and that helps sometimes, but for whatever reason my hips always hurt first thing in the morning. A couple times in the middle of the night I actually have to limp and stumble to the bathroom because I can't walk right. I'm sure it's just my hips widening for delivery, but hopefully the midwife can offer a useful sleeping tip.

So let's see - you should weigh about 4.2 - 5.8 pounds, and be 17.2 - 18.7 inches long. If the size of my belly is any indication, I'd say you're on the big side of that, but who knows. Maybe for whatever reason, you just like a lot of room and you're super petite in there. You're tasting more foods, and can recognize salty and sour foods. Your eyes are open unless you're sleeping and you're putting on more fat.

I'm curious as to which of your "personality traits" will stick around after you're born. You never move in the car, so I'm wondering if you like car rides and they soothe you - that would be awesome. You also don't really respond when I'm listening to music. Granted, it's usually in the car, so you could be just sleeping from that. Even when I was singing in church, you weren't moving a whole bunch. Moving happens most often when I'm sitting and relaxing. I love looking at my belly when you're making it move all over the place, I just can't help but think how amazing it is that you're in there and I'm your house for another 6-ish weeks. Incredible! I want to catch it on video, but it always happens so quickly that I can't get it. And when I do get my phone out, you stop. I think you'll be a bit stubborn, but with parents like us, I don't know where you'd get the genes to not be stubborn.

My eating hasn't been terrible, trying to focus on fruits & veggies, healthy things, but it's hard! With summer produce making a comeback though, it's been easier to pick up fresh produce. I got a huge thing of organic strawberries yesterday, and I have no doubt that I'll eat them all myself this week. And I think my craving of the week is going to be sweet potato fries - at least they're healthy, right?

This weekend is our shower baby girl! It's gonna be pretty small, but I'm excited to see family and get a bunch of stuff for you! Then hopefully Daddy's job is figured out and we can get the rest of the stuff we need for your arrival. I can't wait to wash your clothes and get everything all set up for you. I really should start packing my bag for the hospital, too! We also have our maternity pictures in the next few weeks. I'm thinking either next Sunday, or the following weekend. Hopefully we can take them outside.

I think that's all for this week! Keep moving & growing!

Love,
Mommy