29 weeks

What in the world is an acorn squash?  I don’t know either, but apparently baby is the size of it this week!

The facts – Baby is about two and a half pounds and about 15-17″ inches tall.  The adrenal glands are producing a chemical which will be made into estriol (a form of estrogen) by the placenta. This estriol is thought to stimulate the production of prolactin by the body, and the prolactin makes you produce milk.  This means if baby comes early, I’ll still be able to breastfeed.

Baby’s brain can detect rhythmic breathing and control body temperature, so he or she is less likely to need breathing assistance should they be born early. Little one is growing eyelashes, adding fat, and developing his or her brain. Because of brain wave activity, researchers have speculated that babies can even dream at this time! This week baby’s head is in proportion with the rest of its body.  Even more so, baby’s eyes can move in the sockets, and the muscles and lungs continue to mature. Bone marrow is now producing red blood cells, and fat continues to develop under baby’s skin. Baby may even begin to settle into the proper birthing position, however, there is still plenty of time (and some room) for them to turn and flip.  Doctor’s typically don’t start being concerned with this until about 34-36 weeks.

Me – I am so behind the ball this week!  I have had a pretty emotional week, but I don’t know if I can attribute it to pregnancy or not.  I’m leaning more towards not, because I just have a lot of external things going on that have me a little stressed right now.  Okay, now to get back on topic.  I have been exhausted, sleepy, unmotivated, and lazy…just being honest.  This baby is starting to pull from me like it did in the first trimester.  I’m also feeling a lot heavier and sleep is more and more uncomfortable and restless.  I can feel all the movements stronger, which gives me so much reassurance.  I still worry and put a lot of pressure on myself, but I’m trying to keep a balance.  I have totally fallen off my protein routine, so I plan to get back on that next week.  I have gotten completely bored with eating breakfast, or eating at all for that matter.  It’s to the point where I pretty much hate eating.  I have to eat when I’m not hungry and when I do I can’t even eat much, which stresses me out.  I do my best to snack and whatnot, but sometimes I still don’t feel like I’m getting enough.  Even more so, when I see my weight at a standstill for two weeks it’s frustrating.  I really feel like I’m just breaking down emotionally and just need a break from the routine and monotony.  My second shower is next weekend and I’m excited about it, but I’m also excited to just have some time off and away from the norm.  My belly hasn’t been as itchy this week, which is a nice break, but I kind like it itchy, because it lets me know its growing.  Speaking of my belly, I’m pretty sure I’m pushing 35″, although in the morning its always smaller. It’s so weird, sometimes I feel like my bump is big and other times I feel like its small.  Nonetheless, I know there’s a baby growing in there, so that’s all that matters.  I still can’t really tell what position baby is in, but I am feeling movements in different areas than previous weeks.  I’m pretty sure baby changed positions, but to what and where, I couldn’t tell you.  I know there is still plenty of time for baby to flip into any position, so I’m not too overly concerned.  Each passing week brings more and more anticipation for this little guy or girl to get here.  I’m really getting stoked to get this kid here, but not for 10ish more weeks!

Hubs – Not much really going on this week.  He is mainly eager like I am for baby to get here.  We are still working out everything job and moving wise, but things are looking up.  We are simply just in a period of transition and I know we will soon have more certainty.  Hubs is interacting more with the baby, and usually gets nudged back by it with he pokes and prods at it.  He is still keeping me moisturized and sends me to bed at night when I try to stay up too late.  I say we both keep each other on track.  As much alike as we were, we are completely different.  In part because he has that Y chromosome that makes him do stuff that just doesn’t make sense to me at times, but I’m pretty sure he feels the same way about me sometimes.

It’s 30 weeks next week folks!  Less than 3 months left and so exciting!  Until then…I’ll see ya ’round.

Happy bumping!

xxoo,