33 weeks!!!

it's been good to be back home after traveling.  i have been sleeping much better in my own bed with my awesome pillow situation and loving my bath tub again!  i was afraid that bowie would regress with sleeping after coming home from vacation, but she has been taking naps like a champ and bed time hasn't been too much of a struggle.  i am so appreciative of this cooperation as my sleep is something i am not willing to sacrifice at this point in the game, i already have a hard time getting comfortable, but i am not at the insomnia point yet.  mama needs her ZzzZZZzzzs!

i am still getting braxton hicks contractions, so we have had a quiet week getting adjusted and back into our routine.  i have decided to slow down physically and probably won't be going to the gym much if at all through the rest of my pregnancy.  i am trying to carry bowie less and definitely not up the stairs anymore.  i find myself getting out of breath just going up and down the stairs and that is without a 35 + pound toddler in my arms.  i am also having a hard time bending over or simple things like putting my shoes on.  people will ask me how i feel and i was telling them "uncomfortable" but that does not accurately describe how i feel anymore and that is my polite answer.  and when i tell them i am not feeling good, they respond, "but you are so small."  as if you are not allowed to feel that way if you don't have a huge belly. 

as far as baby things go, i am feeling ready for this little guy.  of course i have saved all of bowie's baby stuff, but the only thing i can really think of that we NEED is another white noise machine (we still use bowie's for every nap and bedtime), some more diapers (although i have one pack of newborn size) and possibly upgrade our rock n play to the motorized version?  i have plenty of clothes and last week i was gifted two awesome baby items that were on my to buy list.  one was another video baby monitor (i still use bowie's all the time! so a 2nd one was necessary) and another rocking glider chair.  i am in the process of re-upholstering the chair to go in the new space themed room.  i have also been thinking about what i want to put in my hospital bag, i will do that in the next few weeks.

no cravings, but i feel like i can't stop eating this week.  and my weight gain will reflect that!  although i don't feel like i have eaten a lot, because i don't have the room in my belly, and i get uncomfortable if i feel full.  i have no idea how i gained so much this week and i didn't gain much while on vacation???  either way it is a good reminder to make healthy choices and you are not literally eating for 2. 

weight gain this week = 3.5 pounds!!!!!  yikes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
total weight gain = 14 pounds

i had a doctor appointment this morning and baby had a strong heart beat (160's) and was measuring 1.5 weeks ahead.  my doctor said my braxton hicks contractions are normal for a large baby and they are not pre-term labor since they are not painful.  she wants me to up my water intake and change my activity when i get them.  most often i get them when carrying bowie or doing something physical, so i should sit or lay down and put my feet up.  if i get them while sitting or laying down (which i get during long car rides) i need to get up and move around.  i am going to the doctor every 2 weeks now and after my next appointment i will be going weekly.

baby milestones...

~baby is almost at birth height
~continues to put on fat
~bones are hardening
~size of a head of cauliflower
~should be putting on approximately 1/2 pound each week until birth
~starting to keep eyes open while awake
~brain is developing more distinct functions and is capable of controlling breathing, digestive functions and body temp
~baby can tell difference between day and night
~lungs are almost ready to breathing on their own