32 weeks

Originally uploaded by JenSmith1

After I went in for my 25 week check up and was put on bed rest for premature dilation, I have been counting down the weeks until I reach 34 weeks gestation. This is when the doctor says Haley could be safely born (no extended stay in the NICU), just that she would be a smaller baby–this is fine with me since Patrick was born at a hefty 10 pounds 12 ounces. God bless his poor mother who decided to go through a natural birth with that Christmas ham (as I affectionately call my husband.) I’m just hoping that Haley weighs a nice 6 1/2-7 pounds like I did when I was born.

I’m now at 33 weeks with one week to go, and the doc’s say that, while I’m still 2 1/2 cm dilated, I’m holding strong and everything looks really good. If I can make it another week, I’ll be able to go back to work again. It’s exciting but still kind of sad. Working at home definitely has its benefits: I have a 5 second commute, I get to wear PJ’s every day, and I’m in a much more comfortable environment. I do need to build up some kind of aerobic stamina again though. All this sitting around has made me completely out of shape–stairs are now the bane of my existance. It’s bad when your heart continues to beat at an accellerated rate 5 minutes after climbing a flight of stairs.

Haley’s definitely enjoying her stay at Hotel McCaffrey–I’ve gotten much rounder in a short period of time lately. Two weeks ago at my doctor’s appointment, I found out that I gained 3 pounds in a week–hello Christmas ham! I blame the Superbowl…there were too many delicious goodies that I couldn’t pass up! That being said, space is running out in her home. She’s taken on a liking to jabbing me in the sides with either her elbows or knees…I can’t decide which it is, but it’s sharp. There will be times when I’m sitting on the couch and she elbows me in the side and it surprises me so much that I gasp and scare Patrick. Of course, he finds this incredibly hilarious. It’s not so much that it hurts (though it’s not the most comfortable feeling) it’s just really strange to have the distinct feeling that someone inside is trying to stretch out and is taking my entire abdomen with her.

Happy 33 weeks! Let’s try to make it at least one more…

I have had the distinct feeling lately that my developing daughter may be a budding gymnast; she’s been using my abdomen as her practice arena.

 It all started probably 3 weeks ago when I began to feel small movements that I can only describe as “twitching” in my abdomen. I have heard lots of stories from many women about how those first movements might feel: butterflies fluttering in your stomach, bubbles, little hiccups. All I can say is that it’s weird. And wonderful. It’s a feeling that can’t be put into words. From even 3 weeks ago, Haley has gotten a lot bigger, and those little twitches have evolved into little kicks and rolls. I even had the strange experience of laying on the bed one night, watching my stomach as my daughter perfected her backflip, and I saw my stomach twitching like something from the movie Aliens. I half expected to see her reach her hand out for a high five. It’s amazing to me that someone that’s only ¾ of a pound can be moving as much as she is. I guess there’s not much else to do in there though J

Pat even felt her kick for the first time about a week and a half ago. I’ve discovered that she moves the most if I’m laying down right after I’ve eaten something. (I guess it’s the sugar rush…she’s definitely like her mom.) I had been travelling for most of the week, which was ironically the time that she began moving more than I’ve ever felt, and I was determined that he had to feel the acrobatics that I was going through on a daily basis. Sure enough, after I had been lying down for a few minutes, Haley began kicking up a storm. Pat looked at me for a second, trying to make sure he hadn’t just felt me digesting my latest snack, and then smiled. It was a great feeling seeing the look on his face as he felt his little girl move for the first time.

As of this past Sunday, I’m halfway through the pregnancy!! I can’t believe it!

Here’s one of the latest pictures I have of her. She looks like me in the morning when I hit snooze 5 times.

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