Dear Pooh Bear,

Welcome to the 8th month little one! We are almost there! Just yesterday we got to see your little face on screen for the last time before we actually get to meet yo in person. It really is crazy to think that in a few short weeks you will be out of my belly and with us in person. I can’t wait to finally meet you face to face! Will you know your mommy’s and daddy’s voice? The picture at the top is of your profile. You like to keep your hands in front of your face but we still kind of got this shot.

At the sonogram the tech told us what a good boy you were! Your head is down (and will most likely stay that way). Thank goodness! You also posed very well for the camera. You even put on a little show by playing with your feet! See I told everyone you are very busy in there.

Don’t worry if you can’t really tell what the picture is of. I couldn’t either. Most of the time your daddy and I had no idea what we were looking at. But luckily the tech was nice enough to write “caught my toes” on this picture so we know what it is. You kind of can see it right? Well you currently weigh about 4.15 lbs, and are in the 67th percentile. Not too big and not too small. Good job little guy. I am still hoping that you come out around 7 lbs. Too much bigger and I am not sure how you will actually get out of my belly. I am not sure mommy’s body could take a big baby. Right now they say your fluid is good too. We got all good news, and you got much praise at this appointment. I am proud of you already!

These days your mommy is slowing down. In my head I think I can still walk and go all day, but my body says otherwise. I get exhausted easily, and my feet and back start to hurt pretty quickly. The doctor reminded me that it’s only going to get worse. So although I am extremely good at sitting on the couch…I am going to have to get even better at it. Especially on the weekends since recently I’ve been on the go a lot.

Last week the furniture that your Grandma and Grandpa bought you got delivered! I can’t wait for you to see your new room! We are working very hard to get it set up. When you learn to talk be sure to thank your daddy for putting up the pretty vinyl tree. He worked very hard at it. Everything is certainly coming together. I don’t have pictures to share yet because it’s a work in progress, but I think you will be very happy!

Your Nana and Papou  threw us a beautiful shower this past weekend! They even bought you the bassinet that you will be sleeping in for a few months! I hope you like it in there. Your Nana also had made the blanket that you will wear at your christening. It’s very special because it was made out of the wedding dress she wore to marry your Papou!  You got so many great things that you are going to LOVE! People love you so much already and can’t wait to meet you. Your mommy and daddy are a bit overwhelmed with all the stuff, and most likely will have to move to accommodate it all, but you are definitely worth it.

Pooh Bear: 32 Weeks!

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.

To accommodate you and your baby’s growing needs, your blood volume has increased 40 to 50 percent since you got pregnant. With your uterus pushing up near your diaphragm and crowding your stomach, the consequences may be shortness of breath and heartburn. To help relieve your discomfort, try sleeping propped up with pillows and eating smaller meals more often.

You may have lower-back pain as your pregnancy advances. If you do, let your caregiver know right away, particularly if you haven’t had back pain before, since it can be a sign of preterm labor.

Assuming it’s not preterm labor that’s ailing you, you can probably blame your growing uterus and hormonal changes for your aching back. Your expanding uterus shifts your center of gravity and stretches out and weakens your abdominal muscles, changing your posture and putting a strain on your back. Hormonal changes in pregnancy loosen your joints and the ligaments that attach your pelvic bones to your spine. This can make you feel less stable and cause pain when you walk, stand, sit for long periods, roll over in bed, get out of a low chair or the tub, bend, or lift things.

See that little butt in the picture? Well that little thing LOVES to wiggle back and forth across mommy’s belly. And you see that little hand by the ear? Most of the time that little hand likes to jab me in the sides..lol Lot’s more to come little guy!

Love, Mommy