Bumpdate: 32 Weeks

I was going to share this on Thursday’s post, but then I realized it technically fit within this week. That’s what I get for getting slightly behind on these bumpdates!

Getting back on Italian time has been pretty rough. I think it’s a combination of jet lag and pregnancy, but I’ve just been exhausted lately. I’ll have decent bursts of energy in the morning and afternoon so I can do things here and there, but for the most part? I’m just plain dog tired. I’m tired from doing nothing and I’m tired when I do things. And I’m soooooo slooooow. I feel like I’m moving at a snail’s pace lately and I still have eight weeks to go! (By the way, the fact that we’re in single digits now is slightly freaking me out!)

My husband will be home soon…really soon (it’s still very close, but I just heard this morning that the date was pushed back *long sigh followed with an exasperated grumble*)…and I’m beyond excited for him to be back. For one, I hope it means I can eat better. When I’m home alone I don’t eat very well, especially since lately I feel the need to eat all. the. time; I basically grab whatever is easiest. My meals are more like snacks lately. I’ve stocked my kitchen with healthier items (clementines, grapes, nuts, string cheese, etc.), but I still somehow manage to veer towards those Oreos every other day. I’m also completely addicted to eating cereal—not the super sugar kind, but I’m in love with a bowl of crunchy flakes with ice cold milk and fresh blueberries. Long story short: I’m excited to make an actual meal for the two (point five) of us.

OH! We also had an interesting development when I went for my 32-week appointment on Thursday. Apparently, since there was the issue of one of my hormones being elevated (read about it here and here), the doctors here want to do extra monitoring on the baby twice a week, every week, until she’s born. 

Basically, twice a week they’ll do a non-stress test (NST) where they’ll strap the heart rate monitors onto my belly and make sure everything looks fine and dandy. Then, once a week (after the NST) they’ll do a quick ultrasound to check the amniotic fluid and make sure it’s within a good range. Thursday was the first time I did all of this (and the first time I heard about it) and they said everything looked perfect. I’m not too worried about it and figure it’ll just be great to see her once a week and know everything is still a-okay. 
 
It’s been several weeks since I’ve included the survey, so today’s your lucky day. Keep on reading for more info about this past week…

click to enlarge. thanks, Amanda, for taking the picture this week!

How far along: 32 weeks (+ 1 day today)

Fun facts: I’m apparently going to start gaining a pound a week, but I don’t think that’ll happen since I haven’t been gaining as much. Basically she’s fattening up and getting ready to survive in the real world. Crazy!! 

How big is the baby: Almost 4 pounds and around 17 inches long (the size of a large jicama or squash).

Sleep: I fall asleep fine, because I’m so exhausted, but I wake up several times for the bathroom. I’m also waking up around 4 am again on some days, but I’m getting around 8 hours of sleep (since I go to bed so early), so that seems pretty good? I also take a nap or two during the day if I’m home. 

 
Best moment of the week: Seeing her on the ultrasound and hearing the tech say, after looking at her heart rate monitoring, that she looks beautiful. She’s also still head down.

Food Cravings: Cereal. Not sure if it’s a craving, but I’m eating it twice a day. Right now I’m eating Special K Red Berries (with fresh blueberries, too), but only because the stupid store has been out of two other favorites for the past week.

Movement: alllll the time. They’re getting so much stronger and bigger. Sometimes she’ll push her little butt out and it’ll make my belly super hard and lopsided. It feels totally weird when that happens. 

Gender: GIRL!

What I really miss: Not feeling congested all the time and not having this cough. I also miss feeling energetic. I know, I know…I should sleep now since I won’t be able to later, but it’s not like you can bank sleep! 

Most worried about: Little Pickles staying put until my husband gets home. 

I’m looking forward to: My husband coming home. I think I’ll be breathing a lot easier once he’s here.

Anything else? It’s blowing my mind that I could have a baby next month. NEXT month. My due date is March 1, but from my LMP it could be the end of Feb. I can’t wrap my head around it.