33 weeks

I really would've loved to post an update with a photo every week. I'm planning on making a pregnancy book to show my baby when she gets older, and I really wish I would've been more consistent with taking pictures. Oh well. I do feel like I have captured each stage and size of my belly pretty well.

So far my pregnancy has not been miserably uncomfortable, even with the pelvic pain I've had. I have not been suffering and exhausted and tired of being pregnant. I have really been enjoying it, but today I crossed a threshold into being uncomfortably pregnant. My whole belly feels tight, and the baby's movements are slightly painful. It's hard to get up off the couch, and I'm pretty sure I developed sciatica overnight! Now I know what all those women are talking about when they say that pregnancy is really uncomfortable. I expected it would be that way at some point, though, so I think I can hang in there for six and a half more weeks.

This week the baby is the size of a honeydew. She will soon start gaining about a half a pound a week. Her bones are hardening, and her brain and lungs continue to develop. She is still active, but since she has less room in there the movements have decreased slightly and are different than they were. Lots of wiggling as opposed to big powerful kicks. I can feel where her little foot is, and we play a game where I push on her just a little and she kicks or moves back.

I get more and more excited for the birth every day, although I am slightly nervous that I will be able to fully relax and stay focused in the middle of all that intensity. We finished our Hypnobirthing class and are practicing the relaxation CDs at home. I think Hypnobirthing is a great technique to use during labor, but I am also taking it with a grain of salt. I think it's okay if I'm not silent and zoned out and completely peaceful during the whole experience like a lot of the moms we saw in the videos. Deep down, I believe that I can do it, and I have a great and supportive partner to help me through it. I also know it will be the hardest thing I ever do, but I'm up for the challenge. I'm really glad that we will be able to be alone and have some bonding time with each other and our new little baby. I'm grateful that our families understand and are supportive of us wanting some space on the day she is born. I'm also very excited for them to meet her and to be involved when the time is right.

I can't believe how fast this whole pregnancy has gone, and it blows my mind that we will be meeting our little girl in a matter of weeks!