32 weeks....8 more to go

Today I reached the 32 week mark.  The past 4 weeks I've only gained an additional 4-5 pounds (I've stopped being as meticulous in counting the weight since it was driving me crazy) - so no explosion has taken place, thank God.  Although, that's surprising with all the pigging out I've been doing on candy and cookies from "Santa"...hahaha.

And HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my new niece-in-law, Kaedence Larkin Slife, who was born today weighing in at 5 pounds and some odd ounces.  :)

Confirmation

Today Jacob and I chose to get 3D images of our baby.  Since the ultrasound at 18 weeks was not 100% conclusive, I was still uncertain if we were, in fact, having a girl (and I was also convinced that the fetus would be deformed - why, I don't know).  So, with the suggestion from a close friend, I found a place offering a holiday package of 2D and 3D pics, CD, and DVD of our session plus a couple other freebies.  And today, we have a 100% confirmation that we're having a girl (phew - no new name needed), and that she is NOT deformed (double Phew).  Here are a couple pics:

Here her eye is open

Long fingers

Sucking on big toe

This experience has definitely made me more excited to meet her - and appreciate the miracle of human life that develops when two little cells get together.  Amazing.   Today also marks the end of my 7th month.  

suspicions confirmed

Well, my doc confirmed that I did have a varicose vein last week.  Since returning from London, I stopped walking as much and decided to try water aerobics.  That didn't make much difference, but I found that I could do the elliptical and a reclined stationary bike without increased pain. :)  This is HUGE for me as I was starting to feel very down not being able to exercise.  And the best news is that the vein has started to recede or thin out or whatever (get better) since I've cut out the walking and the weight lifting.  YAY!

Other than that, I'm enjoying no schoolwork for the next couple weeks and am looking forward to a quiet Christmas at home this year.  I have plans to make lots of new Christmas cookies, as well as the typical sugar cookies, and a very late Thanksgiving dinner (since neither Jacob or I had it this year).  :-)

We have (dun, dun, duuuuhhhhnnnnn) . . . a NAME.

Yesterday at least 5 people asked me if we had decided on a name.  This morning, over the great technology of instant messaging, we came to a final decision:

Alexandra Eden Slife

For those who like to know the meanings behind names (I am one), Alexandra means "defender of mankind."  And Eden means "pleasure, delight. The biblical paradise home to Adam and Eve."

We chose Eden as a middle name to play on a feminine form of Edward, after my grandfather.

I really think this little one will truly fit that name.  Good for being cute, girlie, sporty, or sophisticated.  And I don't know anyone with that name, so she's original to us. :)

So that's that.  The wondering and contemplating is over.   I can now start thinking of her as a person, rather than a fetus.  This is progress.

6 months, 1 week (28 weeks)

 According to my mom, I begin "exploding" now.  As you can see, I've definitely rounded out over the past 4 weeks.

 But from the side, I still feel like I'm not that large.  It's funny how different perspectives of my stomach look.  It's definitely difficult to reach my toes now, at least without squatting like an aborigine.

Another day, another exciting development

Just when I was giving thanks to God for the last month being clear of queasiness, I have been struck down again.  Yep.  I think God must either be a vengeful god, is punishing me for something, or I'm just simply an unlucky soul.  Thankfully, I felt good while in England this past weekend when I got to see Jacob.  But now, I'm back to feeling queasy and hungry, yet no amount of food will get rid of either sensation.

In addition to this, (and this is another glorious side effect of pregnancy that NO ONE ever tells you about - probably because if they did, less people would be inclined to get pregnant) I have developed a lovely varicose vein (I think - this is me self-diagnosing) in my nether-region.  It is painful with pressure, which means the only source of moderate intensity exercise I could tolerate for more than 30 minutes (stationary bike) can no longer be tolerated.  So now I have pain with walking AND biking.  This is disheartening.  I was hoping to make it through pregnancy without spending money on a gym (especially after seeing how much it costs to join a gym here in Sanford), but it looks like water exercise may be my last and only option to getting a good workout in.  So, now, in the last few months I will have to sport a swimming suit and get my ass to the pool.   Let's hope my body cooperates and allows me to tolerate that, at least.  The good news is that the vein will most likely disappear after birth. The bad news is that it will likely get worse over the following months, and will likely occur earlier and get worse with subsequent pregnancies.  Oh joy!!!!!!!  I DO have to admit, the body is amazing at dealing with the tremendous task of growing a human being.  I just hope that the effort I put in to stay healthy is rewarded.  If not - then I will most likely just get fat next time. (ok - no I wouldn't do that, but it's tempting to think about.)

On a more positive note, the baby is very active and seems to be doing well.  My cats enjoy incubating me (i.e. laying on my stomach) - but that may be just because they are spoiled and love attention. Hahaha.  I hope they adjust well to the new arrival.