So, here we are, week 32 out of 40.
With only eight weeks to go, let’s look back a bit before we look forward.
My husband, Steve, and I found out we were expecting our first child when I was only four and a half weeks. At this point, that seems like so long ago, yet at the same time, only yesterday.
At the first ultrasound, they thought I should be about six weeks, putting my due date at Feb. 25, 2011. Once they took a look though, they decided that I was a week later than they thought so my due date would actually be March 6, 2011.
Now we had a date to look at.
We told our families about the pregnancy later that week but decided not to make the announcement to the rest of the world until 12 weeks.
Just before we found out we were expecting, we found out that one of our good friends and her husband were expecting – and she told everyone right away. A little while after we found out, we found out another friend was expecting – and she told everyone right away.
So here I was with my little secret, all while growing and feeling like I was becoming huge – it was only just beginning.
So at 12 weeks we made the announcement and it was no longer a secret.
At 18 weeks, we were able to find out what we were having. They told us we should stick with pink for the nursery. They reiterated that at another ultrasound at week 21.
At both of those ultrasounds, her measurements were all right on target – except for her weight. She was heavy at both of them, though no one seemed particularly concerned.
It only made me wonder because I’m only five feet tall and 120 pounds – pre-baby – so the thought of having a large baby scares me. When I was born, I was only 6 pounds, 14 ounces – and I was the big baby. My siblings were 6 pounds, 10 ounces and 6 pounds, 7 ounces.
My husband’s family on the other hand, is made up of big babies. My husband and his sister were both about eight and a half pounds and most of his family was over nine pounds. His uncle was 9 pounds, 9 ounces, and many of the others were 10 pounds or more.
This is why I keep wondering how big she is. Because I haven’t had an ultrasound in 11 weeks, it’s anyone’s best guess as to how big she is.
Everything that I’ve been reading – my baby book and mom-to-be web sites – say she should be about four pounds now and anywhere from 17 to 19 inches long. Who knows if that’s her actual size though.
I keep feeling like she’s bigger than that. A lot of people have told me that I’m tiny and that I look great – but I always wonder if they’re just being nice, because I feel like I’m huge.
I’ve gained about 20 pounds and it’s pretty much all baby, so that plays into me wondering how big she really is.
All-in-all, I have no real complaints about this pregnancy. Some people are sick and miserable, or uncomfortable throughout, and I’ve had none of that. I was never sick, never had any strange food aversions or cravings, and am still completely comfortable and have no problem sleeping.
We’ve had a few freaky moments during the pregnancy, but everything has worked out been fine.
I’ve had a very active pregnancy. Two weeks before we found out we were expecting, we were in Mexico on an almost five-year belated honeymoon, then when I was 10 weeks, we went on our annual family vacation to Maryland.
I went to several New York Yankees games this summer and just last week went to a New England Patriots game.
I’ve also been going to the gym like normal – five days this week – to stay active. I did a spinning class three days this week and then walked on a treadmill the other two. I’ve been going to the gym for a long time and spinning almost every day for the last two years.
I had no intention of stopping when I got pregnant. I have to tone down my gym routines a little bit, but it still makes me feel good to work out. I’ve heard that it will help with labor and delivery and also with getting back to pre-baby shape. I’m crossing my fingers!
Now going forward, it’s about getting the nursery set up and enjoying these last eight weeks as much as possible. The friend that was a little bit ahead of me just had her this week.
So, it’s my turn next!
