29 weeks

Best moment of the week:  This isn’t limited to this week, but I need to take a moment to thank Himal for helping out so much around the house and with errands.  It helps so much to know that I can rely on him to pick up the slack when I’m sore or tired, which is often.  He (usually) helps out with minimal grumbling.  Thanks, Himal!

Baby bump status:  Today for the first time, I had a stranger ask me when I’m due.  It was the sandwich maker at a restaurant where I asked for my turkey deli meat to be heated, so that probably had something to do with it.

It is starting to get uncomfortable for me to give myself a pedicure because my belly gets in the way, so I guess I’m going to have to go to the professionals for such pampering soon.

Baby weighs as much as:  A butternut squash

Total weight gain:  18.4 pounds (change from last week: +1)

Days until due date:  77

New this week:  Himal and I found a local pool to join.  After months of just walking and doing prenatal yoga for exercise, it feels like I’m doing something major when I swim a few laps. 

Symptoms:  I’ve noticed the small pains in my lower sides more often this week, so I’m going to ask about those at my doctor’s appointment tomorrow.

Baby’s movement:  Little Man gets the hiccups about 4 times a day.  I never knew before I experienced it that babies could hang out off-center in the womb.  It is such a bizarre sight when Little Man shifts to one side and my whole tummy shifts with him.  Now that he’s getting bigger, it’s actually a little uncomfortable when he stretches me way out to one side, but I love watching him move around.  Here’s a pic where I was lying flat and Baby D was hanging out to the bottom left of my belly button.  It’s way more dramatic and bizarre in person.

Looking forward to:  A week’s beach vacation in the not-so-distant future.  And a shower at Himal’s workplace next week.

Gifts this week:  Our awesome friends from back in the day sent us a Boppy pillow.  Thanks, guys!

Dissertation update:  I submitted the amendment and received IRB approval to move forward with the changes to my aim 3.   I revised the informed consent form and sent an e-mail to set up the start of recruitment.  I’m running out of time!!