Bump Report - Week 28

*Warning, long post. If you are short on time and don't want to read all of it, skip to the end and there is a recap*

THIRD TRIMESTER!!!!!!!
Oh my, we are in the last third of this pregnancy!!

I'm so stoked...and I have this feeling that Mr. is excited too!! So many things have happened and changed, and so many more things are changing every day.

First, just observations I can make (and other people can make). I am bigger than two weeks ago. Every other Bump Report, I've figured I was and all, but this two week span has been a blossom! I have a belly people!! (and THAT is something I never thought I'd be this proud of) When I am standing straight and I look down, there are no feet, only belly. I can bend and see them, but wow!!

Baby movements are getting stronger and baby is getting bigger. I can tell by the bigger tummy and watching my tummy. Now, not only can I feel the movements and people can feel the movements if they feel my belly ALSO I can WATCH my belly move!! It is WAY better than watching any movie, television show, sports game, concert, you name it! Squirt seems to have a nice sense of rhythm too. I've heard and read about baby hiccups in the womb, and that is not what it feels like, it feels like Squirt is beating on a drum in syncopated rhythm.

Squirt has decided that my bladder is a trampoline. So, I have yet to feel like I have to go to the bathroom all the time (I'm sure that will change soon) but let me tell you, something putting pressure on an empty bladder feels REALLY weird.

I am not wearing my wedding ring anymore, and I have noticed that my shoes are getting tired. So I can see the water weight is there. I probably could still wear my wedding ring, but there would be times when I would NOT be able to get it off, when my hand decides to swell. So instead of having the moments of anxiety about that, I have chosen to have it around my neck. I'm making my list of goals for after baby is born, and that is at the top. I WANT to wear my wedding ring. It bugs me so much not to have it on. So, BRING IT water weight! You have 12 to 13 more weeks to dominate, then it's MY turn!

I'm starting to feel the crunch of only having 12 to 13 more weeks. People have asked me where I'm going to be registered, and that's not quite done yet. Conversations have started about baby showers, and when people can put it on their schedule. Starting to think about the part time job I'm holding right now at the post office. Constantly getting questions about colors. DUDE! I haven't even taken down Christmas decor yet!!!

Lots happening.

There is even more happening beyond what I can observe though, and that's even more exciting! Baby is blinking by now, able to watch the light and shadow show through my belly and clothing. Baby is getting into a sort of sleep schedule. I've read that baby will sleep for bouts of 20 to 30 minutes at a time. Studies have even suggested that their may be dreaming already going on in Baby Troyer's naps. WHAT!! DREAMING!!

One of the first questions I hope to have answered in heaven is, "What do baby's dream about in the womb?" Do they dream about a pretty light pattern and the stomach growling? Does my child hear my voice in their dreams?

Baby's hearing is getting better and better. Squirt can probably hear my conversations with people. If you want Squirt to have a better chance to know your voice early on in life, talk to me! (how's that for a plea for friendship? ;)

Also, this week squirt weighs about 2.5 pounds. 4 more pounds between now and birth day would put baby right about at my weight at birth. So lets shoot for that, kay?!

As far as my weight goes, I'm not exactly positive. The last appointment I had I was about 14 pounds (16 minus boot weight). Bonnie tells me that's about average. Apparently average people don't post their pregnancy stuff online, because every other pregnant blogger that I follow is tiny at 28 weeks and have numbers like 11 and 12. But all of my resources that I've tapped (besides peers) say that between 19 and 25 is the number to shoot for next week, and next week is my next appointment. So YAY! We'll hope for the best (and if you are wondering why I don't just go hop and that scale I have sitting in the bathroom, it's because I NEVER look at the scale. I don't know what weight I was when I started, and I don't want to know what weight I am now. All I want to know is that I'm in a healthy amount of weight GAIN for the pregnancy. I have hopes, dreams, and plans that after this pregnancy I'll be able to put into practice everything that I have been preparing to kick off the baby weight and marriage weight. More on that at a later date)

This upcoming Tuesday is my next appointment. Bonnie will share the results about my Glucose test (which I'm not too worried because they didn't call and I didn't receive a note in the mail saying I needed to start taking extra iron). This is also the first appointment where Chad is not able to go with me. Work schedule didn't work out in our favor this time, but I gotta tell you, I love this man of mine!!! He has gone to EVERY appointment. We have yet to see one other guy there any time, but he still comes with me! Means the world to me!!

Saying that, he probably won't make to many more routine appointments. This week my mom is going with me and will get to hear the heartbeat (and movements) for the first time. But after this appointment, we start going every other week (welcome to the third trimester). Appointments are already short because there really haven't been odd or scary things going on. I thank God for that, for answering our prayers of protection over our child and my health! I can only imagine how much shorter they are going to get as I see the nurses and Bonnie more and more.

In March we have our hospital walk-through and we register so we know what's all going to go on during the labor at the hospital. We've looked online at pictures and descriptions, so I'm excited. Also, I'm very glad that it's the norm for them to preregister us.

We've gone through our Lamaze class DVD, baby care DVD, and I've gone through the breastfeeding DVD. We have one other DVD set to go through. The lady is weird and mostly annoying, but she gives some great ways to cope without medicine. So, I'm bearing through them, but I'm not sure Husband is going to make it through the DVDs with me. ;)

Wow, long post. Here is the recap.

Belly = bigger
Kicks = stronger
Sleeping = longer (the baby's not mine)
Blinking and Breathing = practice
Water Weight = yucky
Weight = average
Appointments = every other week
Classes = almost done

CHECK!!

BT