32 Weeks

Weeks: 32 weeks! This is the start of month #8!

Weight Gain: +14 lbs from pre-pregnancy weight

This Week's Cravings: No cravings this week. I did want and devour pepperoni pizza on Monday, a sushi roll on Tuesday night, and have been eating a slow but steady stream of Oreos, but it's been quiet on the gastronomic front.

New Maternity / Baby Purchases: Having very few regular summer clothes that fit my very pregnant body, I've just been stocking up on comfortable bras, tank tops, and dresses to get me through these last 8 weeks. We've been lucky to have weather in the 70s and 80s in the daytime and about 50 to almost 70 degrees at night. Needless to say, my pregnancy shorts and trusty yoga pants have been put to good use these past couple of weeks.

Moment of the Week: J and I were laying in bed and watching TV one night and he had his arm around the belly. Out of nowhere, he felt a strong set of the new breed of movements Camden's been making -- a strong, slow motion motion across the entire belly, like a switch of positions or an elbow or knee going across. From what I read, because the amount of amniotic fluid has peaked, there is much less cushion now between her appendages and me, and now even her slow and smaller movements are more noticeable. Sure enough, she makes sure her presence and movements are known. We have also started saying that she is "Shawshanking" -- her constant ticking movements remind us of the character Andy Dufresne from Shawshank Redemption, chiseling his way out of prison. It feels like she is trying to chisel her way to escape the womb!

This Week's Pregnancy Cheat: On Tuesday, I had an unforgiving craving: sushi. Poor J had to go and pick up some for me after dinner that night. 

Things to Look Forward To: We are looking forward to our two year wedding anniversary on Tuesday, the 22nd. No, it's not necessarily baby related, but we are proud to be where we are, two years after getting married. We have been through a lot; we have been through as close to hell as it gets and are back to a place of happiness and excitement. We have a great dinner planned at our favorite restaurant and are looking forward to celebrating this wonderful time together. 

Sleep Pattern: Having consciously increased my water intake the past week, my bathroom breaks seem to have doubled. My sleep has been pelted with about five to eight bathroom trips each night, but surprisingly I have been able to still keep my 8-9 hours of sleep. If I go to bed at midnight, I still wake up at 8 a.m. or 9 a.m. despite my unforgiving trips to the potty. 

Things I'm Really Missing: The amount of discomfort is now unmistakable. You know that feeling when you eat too much and your belly skin is so stretched that it hurts? That's how I constantly feel now. I have noticed a significant change in my breaths -- shorter and shallower -- and my walk is now an unmistakable waddle. {J did point out that I may just now have noticed, but I evidently I have been waddling for several weeks now.} It is also now at the point where I can't stand too long because my legs start to hurt and my upper body starts to ache, and I also can't sit too long anymore, as I get side and back cramps from having to hold up my body weight. I am actually pretty comfortable for a long time laying on my back, but I'm actually not supposed to be doing so, as laying on your back decreases circulation for the baby -- lying on my side is definitely the best position. Suffice it to say, I miss being comfortable, but I am still thankful for where I am. I am thankful for this baby, that she is happy and healthy and obviously growing.

As we enter this 8th month, I have so many more things to be thankful for. I've said it time and time again: each day is a milestone. Each sunrise brings another day of growth and development for our baby to be thankful for and each sunset is another day done and closer to bringing our baby girl into our arms.