33 weeks

I definitely feel like my belly is growing each week now. I am still feeling good though and haven't lost too much of my energy as they say happens in the third trimester. A new development is that my belly button has started to pop out! It's weird looking at it, I never thought that would happen to me. I am enjoying feeling Tyler moving in my belly, I think it is something that still surprises me each time it happens and I continue to be amazed by it. I like when I can feel a hand or foot and when I push on it he moves! We tried to get a 4D ultrasound done on Monday but it was unsuccessful. He had a hand, a foot and the umbilical cord all piled up on top of his face! Luckily the place has a guarantee that if they don't get a good picture they will re-do it free of charge. I will go back next week on Tuesday to try to get a good look at him!

Your pregnancy: 33 weeks

How your baby's growing:This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.

All dressed up

My good friends Melissa & Nate got married this weekend. It was a good reason to get all dressed up! I just thought I would post a pic of me and Scott since I have been so bad about taking pictures of myself through the pregnancy.

32 weeks!

I am now only 2 months from the baby's due date! Although I am secretly hoping that he comes a week or two early. Not that I am counting on it since most first babies are late. Scott and I have hired a doula! She will come to our house when active labor starts (once contractions are regular) and be there with us through the birth. I decided to hire her because having a doula present at the birth lowers my chances for having a cesarian and also I think it will be helpful to have someone there for extra support through labor since doctors and nurses aren't there to "hold your hand" so to speak, they are really mostly there to make sure everything is going well medically.

I can't imagine how big my belly is going to get! I feel like it is getting bigger each week now. I have gained about 24 pounds which is on track with normal weight gain. I am really really keeping my fingers crossed that my feet don't spread. Apparently some women's feet spread, ie. get bigger and if this happens, it is a permanent change. So for the sake of my shoe collection I am really hoping that I avoid this one!

Here is the update on the baby:

Your pregnancy: 32 weeks
How your baby's growing:By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds (pick up a large jicama) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, she'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb. She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth.

New doctor & hospital

Today we met our new doctor for the first time. Her name is Dr. Carla Janzen and she is at UCLA medical group. The hospital that we will deliver at is the Ronald Reagan Hospital at UCLA which has only been open for a few months so it is brand new and state of the art. This hospital is also very progressive in its' practice so they do their best to promote natural birth whenever possible. I am keeping my fingers crossed that my doctor will be the one who delivers the baby and that I do not end up having to have a c-section. All of the labor and recovery rooms at this hospital are private rooms (not shared which many other hospitals are) and have their own bathroom. I am very excited to deliver at this hospital!

This is the front of the hospital

Lobby

Labor room

Labor room

Labor room

Recovery room

Recovery room

Second baby shower!

My second baby shower was yesterday! It was hosted by two of my Dad's cousins (Ann and JoAnne) with the help of their families! Ann's daughter Maddie was there helping with all of the food although her other daughter Avery is currently living in Florence, Italy so she wasn't able to be there with us. My cousin Cathy (JoAnne's daughter) was also a big help, as well as Ann's Mother in Law and Sister in Law! They all helped cook an amazing spread of food! They created a very special memory for me. They asked each guest to write any tips, advice or memories of me and put them into a book for me to read and keep. I just read them all this morning and they range from funny stories to great baby advice. I am grateful to have such loving and caring friends and family. I got many more great gifts and I feel very spoiled at this point! I am trying to figure out how to fit all of the baby's things into his new room!

The first pic is my Auntie JoAnne, me and Ann with the cute baby balloon.

This is my Mom, cousin Cathy, me and baby.

These are my grandparents on my Dad's side of the family. My grandpa came and watched the Lakers game in the other room while all of the women were there for the shower.


These are a few of Scott's relatives, Vickie (left) and Robin (right).

First baby shower!

This post is coming a few weeks late.... My first baby shower was about 3 weeks ago. It was hosted by my Mom's sister (Auntie Virginia) and sister in law (Auntie Gail). They had it at the assisted living home where my grandma lives in San Diego so that she was able to attend. My two aunts did an amazing job of decorating the shower! They are both teachers, so fittingly they chose books as a theme for the shower. There were cute little books everywhere as decorations (which I also got to keep!). Also they had a very creative idea to ask everyone to bring a book instead of a card and sign it so now I have books for Tyler from all of the family and family friends who attended the shower. It was a very thoughtful touch, and one that I will always remember! I ate lots of good food and received many many gifts! I feel very lucky to have so many generous people in my life!

This first pic is my two aunts (Gail on the left and Virginia on the right) and my Grandma.

Week 31

I subscribe to an online site that sends me a weekly update of what is going on with the baby. Here is what they say about week 31:

How your baby's growing: This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.

Who will Tyler look like?

I have been wondering a lot lately who Tyler will end up looking like. I can't help but think about this mysterious little person growing in my belly. When I feel him moving around I get more and more curious as time goes on. Since Scott and I have such different features this makes it even more of a mystery what he will come out looking like! Here are some photos of both of us.

This is funny... We both had very similar photos taken of us with a mountain of stuffed animals!

Denise & Mom

Dad was hoping I would end up at USC already!

Denise 1st Birthday

At Sea World

What a cute baby face!

Scott the clown

Indian Guides

Scott started his love of poker early!