Week 33

7/12/2013

Dear Brookelynn,

You are getting bigger by the week and we are getting closer to your birthday everyday.  I'm getting more excited for that day to come but I'm also a little afraid, because we don't know exactly what will happen.  And as you know Mommy is a planner and likes to know what to expect before things happen.  But, that's ok, we will get through it just like we have everything else so far. I truly believe it will be a fairy tale ending to this long and scary baby bump story and it will mark the beginning of our next chapter together...Life with Brookelynn! 

At 33 weeks you should be the size of a pineapple, 17 inches and 4.25 pounds, however, my sweet chunky monkey you are still measuring one week larger which is amazing considering our complications!  So, since you are measuring 34 weeks in size you are the size of an average cantaloupe, 17.75 inches and 4.75 pounds.  But, we will stick to our schedule for now since things can change as we are continued to be watched.  The doctors say you will continue to gain half a pound a week from now until birth if things continue as they are. Your skeleton is also hardening with the exception of your skull, which will not fuse together completely but will overlap to allow you to grow all the way until,early adulthood. 

As for Mommy, the nurses say I'm really tiny but as you grow so will Mommy's weight. I will gain about a pound a week...it's hard to lug around this extra weight for me since I'm not used to it, but I did get a belly band that seems to be helping my muscles a lot!

This week has been entertaining and full of appointments.  Mommy and Daddy took an 8 hour Lamaze, labor and delivery class which was very long, boring, and not very helpful! We tried to make the best of it.  We learned one breathing technique that will work for me if I have to use one, its kind of a game that can be used as distraction. We also learned there are only two birthing positions that can be used with an epidural and once it is inserted you can't have food. Basically, the class focused on natural birth and breast feeding which just isn't Mommy's thing. 

I have been pretty tired this week and my eyes are becoming puffy which is also a normal pregnancy symptom.  I think I just about have or have had all of them. We met with our regularly gynecologist and she said everything looks great and we also had an ultrasound this week, you are so cute.  Even the technician said.  I think you look just like Unkie Jessie when he was a baby.  The specialist said everything looks great but that we will still keep up with our two to three appointments per week. 

After all those appointments I had my first Non Stress Test (NST). Well, you cooperated for five minutes before you went MIA.  Then they tried to find you again but couldn't. So they called a more experienced nurse in who said that I was too small for the straps and they had to cut them (I liked hearing that!). Well, they found you after a while but you only cooperated for another ten minutes.  The nurses then tried to talk to you, I told them that wouldn't work because you stop moving whenever you know anyone other than me is touching my belly. I have to snap my fingers to signal anyone to feel you move to out smart you.  Then they put a vibrating paddle on my belly and that pissed you off royally!  You threw a fit! The doctor luckily didn't make me wait another 20 minutes! And the best part is we get to do this twice a week until you arrive, it should be interesting! 

Well, 49 more days or less until your grand entrance into the world! -XOX!