Week 29

Well, here we are at week 29. Things are progressing smoothly, though baby is measuring BIG at this point. I should measure 29 cm, however I'm at 32 cm (as of a week ago). It's alarming to me, but I guess nothing to be worried about. Heartbeat was good, and everything else has been normal. I've been a bit more sore than normal--a lot of pressure in the nether-regions, but a nurse just said that's normal. I guess I have 2.5 more months of this.

Last Saturday, we went to the wedding of a former Japanese student of mine whose family I got to know in Japan. Emi and Chris married 2.5 years ago, but at a JOP in CA, so this time was in a church in the suburbs. Emi's family came in from Japan--her parents, 2 sisters, and little niece--and I hadn't seen them in about 9 years. It was so awesome! Paul said the thing that stuck with him the most is how each of their faces lit up when they came down the aisle and saw me sitting in the pews. It was like being a celebrity all over again. Emi told me later that they were all looking so forward to seeing me. That was so nice! Her mom gave me a bag full of gifts (including a HUGE package of dried squid skin! MY FAVE!!). Emi had requested they find me a shirt with the most bizarre English on it possible. They did a fantastic job with that, as you can see! ☺

Now that the house swap with my mom is over, I'm starting to get things really cleaned up in the house--basically, rooms put together, including the basement, my office, and the baby's room. I have ideas for a mural (an EASY one!) for the baby's room, but it's getting motivated that's sometimes the hard part. I tire out pretty easily nowadays, mainly because I'm not sleeping all that well at night. But I'll slowly get there! It's different now that I'm not teaching--I don't have that added stress.

Speaking of work, I'm still working at the vet clinic, but not sure for how much longer. Part of me would leave there now if I didn't still need to make some money. They hired my replacement several months ago and have her doing all my duties, so I've been put to work on "projects." I feel very unneeded there these days. I am also tutoring ESL to a young girl from Germany. It's just one day a week for 1.5 hours, but it's a lot of fun! The money is pretty good, but definitely not enough to pay my Discover bill every month.

For those who have been concerned, I've officially retired the Vespa for 2009. I'm sad, but I know it's getting serious now. A few days ago, I was driving in the car and the baby was kicking like crazy. I kind of wondered if it was because my car bounces a lot, which got me thinking about the scooter being bouncy (not much more than my car though), and I decided that, combined with the fact I'm now in the third trimester, was enough to make me put it away for the winter. *sniff*

I have to see my OB every 2 weeks now, plus we have another ultrasound in mid-October. October is so far shaping up to be a busy month with baby showers (one for me, one for my cousin who's due a month after me), IC's Homecoming, birthday parties, etc. I'll have another shower the first of November as well. It's going to be crazy around here!

We're in for a week of rain but warm temps, so I'm happy. Enjoy!

Big babies

When we were trying to get pregnant, I thought I knew what I was getting myself into. Apparently, I was grossly mistaken. In my family, everyone has big babies. BIG. Over 9 lbs is the norm, though a few have managed to avoid that by having babies early (and getting them in the 8 lb range).

I won't be so lucky. Nope. Nosireeeee. This baby's gonna be BIG.

I had an appt on Wednesday. It was one of those 10 minute boring ones where I asked a bunch of silly questions and got a bunch of equally silly answers. YES, I can still ride the scooter. NO, those blemishes are nothing to worry about. YES, you are going to give birth to a kindergartener.

The doctor measured my uterus, and what should be measuring at 26 cm (the same number of weeks I am along), is measuring at 29 cm. Does this mean I can be 29 weeks along? Silly question....

The bump is getting bigger every single day, and more and more uncomfortable. I know this is what I signed up for, but HOOCHIE MAMA. I feel huge. Really huge. No-longer-seeing-my-coochie huge. And there's still 3 more months to go.

Work has been ok. I'm still at the vet clinic, but it's getting harder and harder to do things. Holding animals is tough because the table is right where my uterus is, so I run into it when wrestling an animal. I spend the majority of my time at the front desk, checking people in and out. Not very exciting, but I do enjoy it! I don't know how much longer they'll let me keep doing this--hopefully 'til I pop.

I did manage to get 2 more tutoring jobs! One guy only has 18 hours left on his contract, but the other is an 8 year old girl who has 177 approved hours. I told the woman I spoke with yesterday that I'd need time off for the baby, and they're cool with that. Both jobs are ESL-related, which I really enjoy! Hopefully they work out ok.

Enjoy the beautiful weather this week! I hope it doesn't get too ugly. I'll be out on the scooter today, when I'm not cleaning the house. Paul and I will be swapping houses with my mom next week. She has her 5 college friends coming in and since she's not living in the palatial mansion she'd hoped to by now, they're staying at our house while we stay in the condo. Paul and I are actually looking forward to the condo--cozy, just like old times!