Jan. 3, 2000 (29 weeks, 4 days) - Well, ever since about New Year's Eve the little one has just been a bundle of activity! It's amazing how strong the movements feel and Frank has been feeling them more often as well. I think I even managed to feel some hiccups over the weekend, which was pretty cool. It's just amazing to know how active this little baby can be inside of there and I'm sure it will just make me worry when the movements slow down as the space becomes limited.

I have my next doctor's appointment on January 5th as I'm now on the 2 week visits. I'm not too worried about my weight gain as I've had a cold since early last week and have had almost no appetite. I've had to force myself to eat for the sake of the little one. Just hope the doctor doesn't get too concerned if I haven't gained weight. I'm sure I'll make up for it soon.

Other than that, not much else to report. Backache is becoming more of a problem now, so I try to pay attention to my posture a little more. Heartburn is still around as well, but I've found that cutting out all drinks except water and milk seems to help. I was drinking iced tea for a while but even that manages to give me heartburn as well. In other news, I imagine we'll venture out sometime this weekend to register for a few baby products that we still need. That should be fun!

Jan. 6, 2000 (30 weeks) - Had our first 2-week doctor visit on Jaan. 5th and it was pretty much the same routine. I guess my weight was fine, she didn't comment on that or my blood pressure (and I never really ask). One interesting thing was that when the doctor measured me I measured at 32 cm. She said that's normal for me, she always deducts a centimeter or two. Of course, I was thinking maybe I'll be early? Nope, she said she's keeping me right on track for March 17th, give or take a week or 2. The sonogram results from Dec. 27th are still indicating that the placenta is a little low. She said they will probably do another sonogram in a few weeks to check it again, so which Frank said "Great! Another chance!" In other words, we'd like to find out the sex. Even the doctor said they are only about 95%, still that's better than 50%. However, I'm pretty sure if the baby was squished in there at 28 weeks it will be even more crowded later. The doctor mentioned doing a 38 week ultrasound, so at this point I'm thinking we'll just have to wait. Other than that, it was another routine visit. Oh, and she did have a heck of a time getting the heart rate. The little one is just so active, that even when she did manage to catch it, the sound kept fading in and out, so this little baby just loves to move and groove in there. It's really very cool. I find it so hard not to just sit here and feel my stomach moving sometimes.

So, that's about it from here. Our next appointment is 1/19 and childbirth classes start on Monday Jan. 10th, so I'm sure the next 2 months will keep us busy as we anxiously await the new arrival. I keep telling him/her, anytime after February is good for me. I'm just looking so forward to meeting this little baby!!

Jan. 11, 2000 (30 weeks, 5 days) - Well, judging from the location of the movements I've been feeling now, the baby has definitely taken a new position. Instead of feeling lots of movement off to my right side, it now seems to be mostly right in the center of my stomach, just a little below my ribs. I'm wondering if those rib kicks I keep hearing about will be happening soon. Baby is still keeping active, which is nice to know and feel. I've only had a few incidents of movement at night, but I'm usually awake anyway so I don't mind too much.

We had our first childbirth class last night. First of all, we showed up at the wrong class, courtesy of me! Didn't realize it until we got home and I checked the schedule. Still, the woman teaching the class was nice about it, and said she had no problem with us staying if that's we wanted to do. The nice thing is she actually works in my doctor's office. During class, we had to interview another couple and it just so happens that the couple next to us is also the only other couple who also has the same doctor that we do. I thought the class was interesting, we finished with some breathing techniques that had both Frank and I laughing, but it was nice. Of course, as I expected Frank felt that the class didn't teach us anything that we couldn't learn ourselves. I fully expected this response, as he went into the class taking everyone else's opinions with him that they were a waste of time. I'm still debating whether or not we will attend the next class. However, we paid for them and at this point I figure they can't hurt. We'll just have to see how I feel next Monday. I have to say that during the class it did start to hit me finally that hey, this thing really is getting closer and closer to happening and I started to feel a little more anxious than usual.

On another note, we did get to visit our friends Marc and Nicki this weekend who have a new little girl born on Dec. 28th. Surprisingly, I didn't feel the need to hold her and coo over her as much as I have with other babies. It's not that she isn't very precious and adorable, I guess just now that I am so close to having my own I just don't feel the same urge with other people's children. It's strange. Oh, and after our visit there we stayed right in baby mode and proceeded to Toys R Us to complete our registry. It's nice to have it complete now and I'm starting to look forward to the shower just so I can then go out and make my final purchases of the things that we don't receive.

Jan. 21, 2000 (32 weeks, 1 day) - Well, I can definitely say that in the last week I've gone from pretty comfortable to a little uncomfortable. My stomach is definitely expanding and I do get a little short of breath at times. Getting in and out of bed is always fun, as I have to resort to using my arms for the most part. I should have some great arm muscles when this is done, which is probably the plan since I'll be using them to hold the baby!!

I had my 32 week appointment on Wednesday. To my surprise, I actually gained 3 pounds since the previous visit 2 weeks ago! The nurse practitioner didn't seem concerned, since the visit before that I had gained hardly any weight. Still measuring fine and the baby's heart rate was 144. As she tried to get the heart rate he/she kicked pretty hard, enough to make the nurse jump a little. It was pretty funny.

Other than that, my only real discomfort is the heartburn. I've noticed the baby's movements are definitely less frequent but the movements are stronger. So far, for the most part they aren't really painful. Had another dream last night, that we had a boy but then the name we used was a girl's name! Ok, I don't get it at all - what's that supposed to mean? Still staying strong to the boy vibes!

Jan. 27, 2000 (33 weeks) - I'm definitely noticing my stomach is expanding now. There's no use even trying to hide the fact that I'm pregnant, it's pretty obvious no matter what I wear. Over the last few days I've noticed more pains in my stomach, probably from stretching as the baby makes more room for himself/herself. I had a sharp pain above my belly button for about 2 days, but it seems to have disappeared today, so maybe the baby has shifted and is no longer putting pressure on that spot. My belly button is getting smaller and smaller, so I don't think I'll have it for too much longer. I also have noticed more hip pain than usual. Today I think I'm waddling a little from that. Baby is still remaining active which is really nice to feel.

We interviewed a home daycare provider on Monday night and we both really like her. The house is in our neighborhood, which is very convenient, and she'll have either 3 or 4 kids, including ours, beginning in September. I know we need to interview some others also, but so far she was the only one who had an opening in September for an infant. I have a feeling we will be going with her.

Our second big step is choosing a pediatrician, and we will meet with the pediatric group on Friday evening to get a tour of the facility and have our questions answered. Hopefully we will like them as well and that will be one less thing to worry about.

Other than that, I have 2 baby showers coming up next month - one from work and another with friends and family. I have my next doctor's appointment on 2/2, then 2 weeks later will be the beginning of the 1 week visits. Time is certainly flying by now. Can't wait for the arrival of our little one!

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