34 Weeks -- Random topics to share

Giving Birth:
We're 34 weeks now!  This weekend we're going to go shopping for the items we need to pack for the hospital.  While I would LOVE it if our son decided to come late, I keep seeing friends have their first baby a couple weeks early -- so I should probably prepare just in case.  He seems pretty content, though, so I don't think he's coming out any time soon :) 

Nursery:
We're still waiting on the 3rd piece of our baby furniture.  I thought the baby room would be completely set up by now so it's been a little frustrating for me.  They say pregnant women have a strong urge to "nest" and I guess that's what's happening.  The last thing I want is to have to set up the room AFTER the baby is here! 

Dentist:
I guess your hormones during pregnancy make your teeth and gums a little more sensitive.  I went into the dentist two days ago to get a cleaning -- MOST PAINFUL CLEANING EVER!  After everything was done, I felt like I got pinched in 1,000 places in my mouth.  Your gums bleed more easily, too, so my mouth was full of blood when she was flossing.  Hopefully there will be no need for another appointment until after I've had the baby. 

Michael:
Michae's getting really excited for the baby ... especially now that he's moved up in the process of becoming a full-time fire fighter.  He's officially a part-time paid fireman now.  He has always had a strong drive to provide for his family financially so knowing he's taken a significant step in the process of becoming full-time and knowing his son is coming is making him so happy!  :) 

Camera:
My parents bought me a camera around the time I graduated high school (maybe my first year of college).  It was one of those fancy SLR camera's with the big lens.  I loved it and used it for years.  Unfortunately, when digital cameras started becoming really popular, it was harder for me to use my camera since it wasn't digital.  I don't even remember the last time I noticed film for sale in a store. 

The summer I met Michael, in 2004, one of my friends had the same camera as me but it was digital.  Ever since then I've wanted that camera!  There is a new feature on it, too, where you can take HD video.  I figured this would be such a practical buy since we have a baby on the way.  The camera is expensive, though, so that's why I haven't bought it in these 6 years of wanting it.

Michael went downstairs last night and wasn't telling me what he was doing.  He came upstairs with a gift .... it was the camera!  He went out and bought it for me :)  Now we can take pictures and videos!!  I guess that's the whole point of this blog anyway -- so friends and family can see pics and videos of the baby.  Now I can make that happen, thanks to Michael!  I love him :)

Appeasing the Masses

I guess it's time to appease the masses ... the long wait is over!  Here are some month-by-month baby bump picks.  Michael had to force me to post these since I was so resistant (my face and thighs are fat -- can you blame me?).

4 months:

5 Months:

6 Months:

7 Months (31 weeks):

7 Months (32 weeks):

31 Week Check-Up

I went to the doctor yesterday for a bi-weekly check-up.  My weight gain, blood pressure, protein levels, glucose levels, and most importantly, iron levels are great!  The doctor said very few women make it through pregnancy without any anemia issues and that I am one of those few!  She was amazed at how well my iron levels were.  "Keep doing what you're doing!" she said. 

This is the second time in my life that my doctors over the years have commented on the "quality" of my blood.  The first one to comment asked me what my diet was like because he was so impressed.  This OB doctor assumed my diet was great since she encouraged me to keep going with it.  The truth is --- it's not so amazing.  I think God just blessed me with some exceptional blood!  :) 

I did ask her about the pregnancy acne that is slowly taking over every square inch of my skin.  She said that's just the way my body responds to hormonal changes and that it'd go away after the baby comes.  I seriously hope so.  I've been having dreams about being thin, tan, and acne-free.  Can you tell what I'm stressing about?  :)