Counting down

I've just seen the count down Mr Punch put up. Crazy to see it at 62 days until the "official" due date. Of course, I'm not counting on being on time. I figure it's probably just as random as my sleep these days: some days I wake up at 6am, and then other days I can sleep until 10 or 11. It doesn't matter what time I fall asleep: anywhere between midnight and 3 am. Likewise, I figure I'll be either early or late, but probably not "right on time." Probably early, if I had to guess. 

Last night after we came back from our third childbirth class I realized that I'm *always* drained physically and emotionally after these things. It doesn't help that they go from 6:45 to 9:15, on school nights. Last night was the heavy duty learn all about medical interventions and procedures class. I kept wincing and squirming as they showed us animated versions of various procedures (I'll spare y'all the gory details). Meanwhile, Mr. Punch is giggling--I thought at my reactions (and those of all the women in the room)but later he said that it was because he knew I was thinking "Oh, no! Poor baby!" and he was thinking "that's a bloody stupid way to do x or y" 

As for updates on my end: I'm now hungry every two hours and while I'm eating a wider range of things now (I can tolerate more than just Cheerios, thank god) I still have to try extra hard to eat my five veg a day. Or more than one or two, really.  Luckily tomatoes count.  But other than that, all is exactly as it should be. I have a new OB, and I think I trust him, not like the first guy who was characterized in my mind by a)his torn lab coat and b)an apparent inability to read the file in front of him and c)complete spaciness about what prescriptions were OK or not.  We heard the sprog's strong little heartbeat on Monday, and he's exactly the right size according to the tape measure.  

I'm convinced the little imp is shifting positions a lot: I swear sometimes he's sideways, sometimes not. I change shape! They told us in class last night that you can get the kid to turn head down sometimes by shining a flashlight at your belly (near the top as his/her head's up there) and slowly moving it down to the bottom. The sprog might actually follow the light. How crazy is that? 

 

Week 30: Baby packs on pounds

Your baby weighs about 3 pounds — but not for long. He or she will gain about 1/2 pound a week until week 37.

Your baby may practice breathing by moving his or her diaphragm in a repeating rhythm. If your baby gets the hiccups, you may feel slight twitches or spasms in your uterus.

Apropos of Week 29

Why yes it does. 

Liza can be toddling along quite happily and then stop and burst out giggling. It's because Eponymous Kid has just decided that he wants to try some kicking/stretching/gymnastics and just has to poke his mummy in the bladder.

Lying down we can see Liza's belly jump from the force.

Week 29: Movement is more forceful

Your baby's bones are fully developed, but they're still soft and pliable. This week, your baby begins storing iron, calcium and phosphorus.

As your baby continues to grow, his or her movements will become more frequent and vigorous. Some of your baby's jabs and punches may even take your breath away.

Week 28: Baby's eyes open

Your baby is about 15 inches long and weighs about 2 to 3 pounds.

Your baby's eyes are beginning to open and close. The color has been established, but the story's not over yet. Eye color may change within the first six months after birth — especially if your baby's eyes are blue or gray-blue at birth.

Your baby is now sleeping for about 20 to 30 minutes at a time. Fetal movement will be most obvious when you're sitting or lying down.

Future Soccer Star?

It's now part of our regular routine to feel our son's kicks. Whenever Liza is relaxed he will generally have a few minutes of kicking (sometimes more) before settling down. So we have a play date several times a day with our kid. Often it seems like he is playing peek-a-boo; Liza will call me over "he's kicking!", but when I get there nothing. As soon as I get up - WHAM! - another kick.

Some of the kicks are pretty strong so my dad is hopeful he will be a soccer star and play for England.

I'm just glad to have the chance to play with my son already. 

Weeks 26 & 27

Week 26: Eyes remain closed

Your baby weighs between 1 1/2 and 2 pounds. The eyebrows and eyelashes are well formed, and the hair on your baby's head is longer and more plentiful. Although your baby's eyes are fully developed, they may not open for another two weeks.

Week 27: Second trimester ends

This week marks the end of the second trimester. Your baby's lungs, liver and immune system are continuing to mature — and he or she has been growing like a weed. At 27 weeks, your baby's length will have tripled or even quadrupled from the 12-week mark.