Week 36

I'm getting down to the last weeks here and I'm still a little stumped as to whether I'm "big" or not.  When I look in the mirror I feel really big.  Just in the last week or so I feel like my belly, boobs and even face are so much rounder than usual.  And my belly is not always contained by some of the maternity shirts I've been wearing for months now.  But yet people keep commenting that I look “so tiny”.  Even at my NST on Tuesday the L&D nurse said that my belly is really small.  I guess it’s all relative.  I look big to ME, but I think for 36 weeks I’m really not looking too big.  So I suppose this is a good thing?  I loved that whole stage of pregnancy where I looked "cute".  Maybe I still look cute?  :)

"Does this baby make me look fat?"

Oh and MERRY CHRISTMAS to all of you who celebrate!!!

How far along: 36 weeks, 2 days
What did baby do this week:  We had a growth ultrasound on Monday and found out that OUR little one weighs 6lbs 11oz!  OMG that sounds SO LEGIT!!  Baby is in the 69th percentile so they're not even super huge compared to other babies at the same age.  I asked the perinatologist how accurate the weight is and she said it's a bit of +/- but our ultrasound tech is one of their better ones, plus they just got these BRAND NEW machines and we were only the 2nd or 3rd couple of the morning to get their U/S on it!  So she thinks that's pretty accurate to true size.  The average baby is the size of a coconut this week at around 6 pounds and 19 inches long.  If you haven't already - you'd start weekly visits with your doctor this week, but I've been doing them since about 32 weeks since I have complications (she wants to measure my amniotic fluid each week.)  Baby just continues to get bigger.  The brain and lungs continue to develop - but in just a few short days our little one will be considered full term!  What a landmark that will be!
Total weight gain: 29.8 pounds - ACK!!  Almost 30!  This means I'm definitely gonna push through that 30 pound ceiling.  Oh well, at least it's just 2-3 more weeks before it will start coming down.
Symptoms:  Ugh - the carpal tunnel I talked about last week.  It's different in each hand.  Left hand isn't painful, but gets tingly/numb if my hand/arm are bent or raised for too long.  Right hand doesn't get tingly/numb, but will get very painful if I don't sleep with a brace on to straighten my wrist.  Crazy...  Feeling a lot of pressure “down there” especially when I sit on the toilet or squat (to get things out of cabinets, pick things up, etc.)  OB said it's just the weight of the baby + all the fluids.  In another pregnancy blog, I read about someone having “lightning crotch” and I think I know what she’s talking about.  It’s sort of like a sharp feeling (not exactly a pain) that suddenly happens from somewhere in my pelvis and down to my vaginal area.  Not sure what that’s about but it can take my breath away.  A good amount more swelling in my feet and maybe hands.  The swelling in my feet was so bad on Wednesday that I ordered some compression socks that arrived today.  I put them on immediately and they're definitely helping.  Plus, they're cute and warm!  Maybe it's worth mentioning that I'm still dealing with constipation even though I'm taking the Colace twice a day.  Sometimes I go 2-3 days without "going" (not even feeling the need to!)  Argh!
Queasy or Sick:  No - feeling great for the most part!
Sleep:  Actually a lot better than last week, after getting the brace for my right wrist.  My wrist no longer wakes me up at night in pain (from the carpal tunnel) and perhaps it's subconscious, but I sleep deeper too.  I think I was worrying about what position I was sleeping in before I got the brace and my body would wake up to reposition as necessary.
Best moment this week: Finishing work!  The first few days of this week were my last and while I didn’t go into the office and it's been super light due to the holidays, it will be nice to start next week off knowing I no longer have to call into any meetings and can just spend each day relaxing, enjoying those lovely days between Christmas and New Years and prepping to meet my baby!  I ordered my breast pump through insurance this week (must be 30 days or less before due date) and am working on slowly crossing things off my list.  (researching life insurance, installing the carseat and base in each of our cars, bought some nursing bras...)

Hardest part of the week: Dealing with the carpal tunnel in my hands/arms.  It was so bad overnight last week - but like I mentioned, I finally got a wrist brace (for my right hand, which was worse) and it’s definitely better.
Looking forward to: All The Things!  So I used our 1-time-use 15% Amazon discount to order all the rest of the items on our registry that I thought we’d need sooner than later (or items that were especially high priced like our stroller and baby monitor).  It was the largest shopping cart I've ever had (30 items) and the most expensive too (esp with a big convertible stroller + baby monitor on there).  But I'm looking forward to having all these items arrive so that I can sort through them and put them in place.
Movement: Lots.  And Baby (who continues to be in the same position they have been for over a month now: head down, body on the right side of my body, butt just under my right ribs and limbs all over on the left side of my torso) seems to be a little booty dancer: that butt is always pushing up into my ribs!  The movements overall are very different than before though.  I would say it feels more like "waves".  Like I can feel these subtle shifts when the baby is repositioning, but they aren't really jabs - more like a slow deliberate movement.  There is less and less space in there so that all makes sense.
Food cravings: More than anything I'm just really ready to be able to eat whatever I want whenever I want.  This GD diagnosis has really put into perspective what it'd be like to have a health-restrictive diet.  I hope it makes me appreciate my youth and ability to eat most things (when I'm not pregnant) and maybe even be a catalyst to eat HEALTHIER than we already eat!
Happy or moody: Happy and feeling very peaceful.  I know I'm going to be having a baby in just a few weeks or less, but with the warmth of the holidays, feeling pretty prepared, and knowing that Baby would be just fine if they were born now - I really do feel at peace.  It's a great feeling.
Labor signs: No
Belly button in or out: In - I'm really wondering if it's gonna pop or even flatten.  It's getting very small but I'm just not sure it'll stretch out all the way!  I guess maybe my belly *is* small, so said the L&D nurse!
Wedding rings on or off: On but I might need to start keeping it off pretty soon.  I take it off before we go for our evening walks since my hands definitely swell then.
Stretch marks: Nothing new
Learnings from the week: I got my Group B Streptococcus [vaginal] swab done last Friday and I found out the results at my appointment this morning: negative!  All women should be tested for GBS which can be passed from mother to infant during childbirth.  While as many as 30% of women carry the group B strep bacteria without showing any symptoms, GBS can lead to life-threatening infections in newborns.  If someone tests positive, then they'd be given antibiotics during labor.  Something else I learned this week was that my OB won’t let me go past ~39-40 weeks because of the gestational diabetes.  She said that the placenta will start to age and not function as well.  So we’ll see where I’m at in 3 weeks and figure out what the plan is…
Final Thoughts: I've started planning out my hospital bag.  I have a list that I created a few weeks ago and have been adding to/taking from, depending on what I read online and in Mommy forums, etc.  In fact, I think I'd like to actually start PACKING it in the next week here.  Obviously there's only so  much I can pack since I use my toiletries every day and will want/need access to my comfy/loungey maternity clothes.  But even just having a list ready is a great step - in case I go into labor and need to start rushing around packing.

Week 35

As I wrote the title of this blog post (Week 35) I couldn't help but remember my first weekly post: Week 6.  It was really scary to me, to start counting weeks.  At that point in time I was so hopeful to (specifically) get to 35 weeks and yet so worried that I might not.  Writing a pregnancy blog, it turns out, is a little bit of a scary prospect since you are documenting a process which travels along a length of time.  It occurs regularly and there is an end goal.  It's not like a travel blog where someone just sits down and writes about France and Thailand and stuff whenever they feel like it.  There is a build-up to something that is going to happen and OMG if I wasn't SO WORRIED that I might not get there when I first started writing these weekly posts.  But here I am!  At 35 weeks and everything seems to be going so well.  I'm just so thankful...and relieved.  I don't get very many comments on the pregnancy portion of this blog - but I do hope that ladies are still reading AND perhaps, still sending me good vibes.  To all of you who do: thank you so much!  We're almost there and my words I've stated all along this journey: that I've been cautious to celebrate any of the small milestones since we will only truly be done with the journey when we're holding our baby in our arms; this will be happening in just a few weeks!  All I care about at this point is coming home safely with Baby and Hubby and starting our life together as a family of 3.

How far along: 35 weeks, 1 day
What did baby do this week:  Baby is about the size of a honeydew melon at around 5 1/2 pounds give or take and 18-18.5" from head to feet.  Obviously these sizes will vary from baby to baby since we know babies (even those at the same gestational age) are born such different sizes.  And all this variation really starts to come into play in these last weeks.  So the sizes I'm quoting are roughly the averages - your baby could easily be smaller or larger.  Baby will start to gain 1/3-1/2 pound for the remainder of being in utero.  Baby's brain is continuing to mature as are his/her lungs but of course most babies born at this stage fare very well.  Whew!
Total weight gain: 28 pounds - almost 2.5 up from last week!  Eeeks!  But at least we're still under that 30 pound mark.
Symptoms:  The latest annoying symptom is pregnancy-related carpal tunnel.  This is due to swelling in my arms.  There is a "tunnel" on the underside of your wrist, which contains the median nerve, which runs from your forearm to your palm.  This tunnel is already very narrow.  So as/if you have swelling in your wrist, the nerve gets pressed on which can lead to tingling, pain or numbness in the hands which can radiate up the arm.  So it's really a lot of fun, you know?  It was really bothering me on Tuesday even during the day, but prior to that I was only bothered in the mornings after waking up.  Because of the annoyance on Tuesday, I ordered a wrist brace for my right hand that should arrive today.  I was reading that if you can keep your wrist straight while you sleep it will help the pain.
Queasy or Sick: Not really
Sleep: I've been waking up a lot through the night to use the restroom and the carpal tunnel has really been bothering me.  I think I'm even subconsciously concerned about trying to keep my wrist straight while I sleep so I wake up worrying about it and then sometimes wake up because my wrist hurts so badly!  Blagh.  Also - I started sleeping with a very flat/thin (old) pillow; I place the lower half of it between my knees while I'm on my side and the top half under my belly - it's way more comfortable to me than those huge body pillows which just made me hot.  Oh and BTW, I had tried this pillow out months ago, before returning it - and not only did it make me way too hot, but the fabric is nowhere near as nice as sheets fabric so it felt rough on my legs compared to my sheets.  I've heard of ladies sewing some pillow cases together as a cover, but it wasn't working for me anyway so...bye-bye body pillow.
Best moment this week: Not sure if this is a “moment” but my blood sugar numbers have been super low this past week.  I’m feeling great about that - and happy that I never had to go on insulin (well, at least not yet).
Hardest part of the week: I guess since I've talked about it so much: the carpal tunnel.  I hope it goes away SO FAST after delivery!
Looking forward to: This last week of work being over so I can just concentrate on what I need to get done to prep for project Baby Arrival (and Christmas!)  There are still a handful of things I want to finish up - but fortunately nothing too huge.  Mostly I need to wash some items (sheets, blankets, burp cloths, clothing, diaper pad cover, etc.) and pack my hospital bag.  The other things on my To-Do list are more nice-to-haves.  Christmas shopping while pregnant has been a bit of a challenge - I can't carry as much as I usually can and don't move quite as fast either.  But I do so much Christmas shopping on Amazon anyway that it's not a significant problem.

Movement:  YES.
Food cravings: Totally craving breakfast carbs.  I can get away with other carbs and even small servings of dessert/Christmas cookies in the afternoon or evenings (that is when my body, and most peoples' bodies actually, are the least insulin resistant - meaning we use the insulin our bodies produce more effectively to absorb the glucose in our bloodstream).  But in the mornings I can basically have very small amounts of carbs or my blood sugar levels are higher than we'd like to see.  Therefore...I am seriously craving pancakes and waffles, French toast, crepes, coffee cake, Danish pastries, even oatmeal and cold cereal with milk!!!
Happy or moody: Pretty happy.  I LOVE the holidays and LOVE anticipating a cozy winter with my little baby to cuddle.
Labor signs: No
Belly button in or out: In
Wedding rings on or off: On
Stretch marks:  No more than the two I sadly discovered a few weeks ago.
Learnings from the week: We got our carseat a couple weeks ago and were going to put it in.  But then I realized that even if Baby came (2 weeks ago was 33 weeks) they likely would not be coming home from the hospital with us and would need to spend a little bit of time in the NICU.  So I didn't rush to put it in, especially since I didn't want it taking up room in my backseat before it really had to.  So fast-forward to now...I just made an appointment at our local police station for next week to check our install.  By 36 weeks, Baby COULD come home with us, so I wanted the seat installed and checked by then just in case.  I was happy to find that not only will they check the install, they'll DO the install for us if we want and show Hubby and me how to do it too.  We're taking the carseat + base, plus the 2nd base, plus both of our cars and should hopefully have EVERYTHING ready for a tiny little passenger in either car, by this time next week.

Final Thoughts:  Yesterday was my last day in the office.  It was such a weird feeling knowing that I won't be back for 5-6 months.  Of course this is the longest I'll have ever been away from my office before.  Those 3 week long vacations I've done in the past look like nothing compared to maternity leave.  And can I just say (no seriously, I don't know why this matters so much to me - I guess 'cuz I just wanted to look like as stylish a pregnant lady as possible!) that I wore heels to work all the way through my entire pregnancy?!  In fairness it wasn't always pumps; yesterday I had on wedge heels: but my heel was still higher than my toes.  I'm also very proud of the fact that I used the stairs every day to get to my desk on the second floor.  Every day I had my computer bag, water bottle and purse and sometimes a bagged lunch.  I was always SUPER careful to hold onto the railing, but this was an important little milestone for me since I've always climbed those stairs (pre-pregnancy) and it's never been a big deal at all whatsoever.  It got harder in the end, but I still did it yesterday.  :)

Week 34

Things are really starting to move along here...  Next week is my last week in the office and I’ve only been going in twice a week right now anyway.  I've been feeling so many emotions: excitement, nervousness and of course OMG-am-I-gonna-finish-everything?  I feel pretty on top of most things though.  The nursery is basically done (tho, I don't know why that matters since Baby will sleep in our room for a couple months at least.)  I have all the clothes our little one will need in the first few weeks.  We've met pediatricians, my maternity leave is all set up, we have the carseat - just need to install it, and have the Pack 'n Play, Fisher-Price Rock 'n Play sleeper and bassinet from our stroller, as sleeping options around the house.  I have a handful of things I do still need to do: buy diapers and wipes, order my breast pump through insurance (I have to wait until 36 weeks), buy some nursing bras and granny panties and a few other preparations for postpartum and pack my hospital bag!  But for the most part - we are READY!  OMG!

Do we have everything we need?!

How far along: 34 weeks, 2 days
What did baby do this week:  Baby is the size of a large cantaloupe (uhh...you mean at week 24 Baby was the size of a small one and now TEN weeks later is the size of a large one?!) at around 5 pounds give or take and 17.5-18.5" head to feet.  The lanugo (that fine hair which has been all over Baby's body) continues to shed this week and might even be completely gone.  The vernix (waxy, white thick protective layer which has also been all over Baby's body) is starting to disappear, but a little will still be left at birth.  Little One's immune system is no longer relying on the antibodies from the placenta and the placenta will start to age this week, even though it is capable of supporting Baby until birth.  I also read that Baby needs additional calcium around this time and they *will* take it from you and your bones if you're not consuming enough.  So get plenty of dairy, leafy greens and legumes!
Total weight gain: 25.6 pounds
Symptoms:  Is it?... I think...I'm pretty sure - that my sciatica isn't bothering me anymore?  Granted I haven't spent too much time standing (which is what would aggravate it before) but I'm pretty happy to report a HUGE reduction in any pain in my left butt muscle!  Still with the numb-ish heels tho - SO WEIRD.
Queasy or Sick: Not really.
Sleep:  Not bad, but getting up so frequently to pee - ugh!
Best moment/Hardest part of this week:  I can't really think of a best moment or hardest part of my week but there were 2 noteworthy items that came and went.  I had my last Prenatal Yoga class (long story with changing instructors) and my last acupuncture appointment this week.  The yoga has been awesome and I'm so glad I stuck with it through the last 2 trimesters.  I've never developed any back pain and have great balance and a strong core.  As for the acupuncture, I really don't know how or if it's helped - but with insurance covering it through this week I didn't have anything to lose in continuing it.  However, I'm not going to pay $80/visit to continue!

A large one - not a small one, like in week 24...

Looking forward to: A friend's bridal shower this weekend!  This even is the last social event before Baby comes.  At least a big one that's been on my calendar.  I'm sure with Christmas and New Years coming up so soon, other impromptu social callings will arise, but I prefer to see how I'm feeling each weekend and play my plans by ear.  Also, after this weekend I don't think I really want to be too far from home without Hubby.  JUST in case I go into labor or something!
Movement: Bigger movements that seem to move my whole belly.  And it seems: a lot of head-butting my bladder!  Argh!!
Food cravings:  I WANT ALL THE COOKIES!  Christmas cookies all over the place - argh!!
Happy or moody:  Happy.  Feeling good about how prepared we are and good about how far along I am (in case Baby shows up early.)
Labor signs: No
Belly button in or out: In, but getting very small.
Wedding rings on or off: On!
Stretch marks: Those 2 I mentioned last week...waaaaah!
Learnings from the week:  I spent a ton of time last week going through all the clothes I have for the baby.  I inventoried everything that was given to us - and was surprised to find that we were basically not given any 0-3 month size clothing!  So many of my friends are moms, I guess they figured they'd buy clothing for the future knowing that typically a couple gets so much "young" stuff.  Well the thought backfired.  So I went out and bought what I hope is enough 0-3 month clothing to feel like our little one will not be naked all the time once they come home!  And to be safe, I also got 3 newborn size outfits JUST in case they're tiny or come early - so I'm not caught off-guard.  I might return them after our 36 week growth ultrasound if we think Baby is looking to be good sized.
Final Thoughts: We went to a Christmas party at a friend’s place on Saturday and while I was there I realized it was my last social gathering with my main group of friends, before I have the baby!!  The shower tomorrow (that I mentioned above) is really an event I'm going to just for the bride.  I don't really know anyone else going.  But the Christmas party this past weekend was ALL my good friends and it was so weird saying bye at the end of the night - not knowing when I'd see them again!  Maybe at our house when they come visit our baby!!

Week 33

I forgot to mention last week that I started twice weekly non-stress-tests (NST).  These started at 32 weeks and will continue for as long as my pregnancy goes.  Since I have not 1, but 2 complications (the pre-pregnancy hypertension and gestational diabetes) these were advised by doctors to monitor the baby as we get down to the last weeks here.  Even if I'd just had 1 complication it would have been advised.  I head to Labor & Delivery twice a week, hang out on a bed while they monitor the baby for 30-60 minutes (depending on what is or isn't going on) and then go home.  When I first heard that I'd need to do this it was a little bit of a disappointment.  I mean...OMG so many doctor appointments (since I'm seeing my OB once a week now also, so that she can measure my amniotic fluid levels).  But now that these NST appointments have started, I find that really there are only positive things here!  1) I get to know the nurses in L&D which will be great when I'm there to deliver 2) I get to know the hospital and the birthing center quite well 3) for the most part I don't need to worry if everything's okay with the baby since I have proof every 3-4 days and 4) it's super relaxing!

Baby kicks!

If you don't feel like clicking on the link up there, I'll try to quickly tell you (who am I kidding? I don't tell anything quickly...)  Non stress tests mean there is no stress put on the baby - no meds or manipulation in any way.  I show up at L&D, empty my bladder and give them a sample to test (for the same reasons my OB needs the sample: checking for protein, sugar, blood/bacteria, ketones which could all mean different things).  Then I go into this little room where I lie on a bed, they use a belly band to hold 2 different monitors which listen for Baby's heartbeat and movement/contractions.  They want to see Baby's heartbeat increase when he/she moves and then want to see their heart-rate come back down when they're resting.  They also put a blood pressure cuff on me which takes my BP about every 10 minutes.  Then I just lie there sipping water, reading magazines and texting with friends.  I like hearing Baby's heartbeat and also hearing the movements.  They make little "booming" sounds on the monitor.  I don't always feel each movement (again, perhaps because of the anterior placenta) so it's interesting to hear the monitor and realize that I might or might not have even felt it.

So this is totally an ultrasound and not NST
- but it's so cute I still wanted to use it!

In the 4 different visits I've made so far, I've had 4 very different experiences.
First NST: Baby fell asleep.  A nurse had to come in and use a buzzer to wake the kid up!  It kinda cracked me up to think how perfectly human this was of the baby.  The nurse was so cute saying "I really hate to do this...but if I don't, you'll be here forever."  Appointment probably lasted an hour cuz we had to get that baby moving!
Second NST: Baby started out with hiccups which kinda messes up their readings (sometimes the heart-rate monitor mistakes the hiccups for heartbeat so they had to basically wait for them to stop before they could really monitor.)  I also ate a granola bar right away in the hopes Baby didn't fall asleep again.  I guess this really overdid it because Little One was moving and grooving like CRAZY!  I had to stay extra long to wait for the heart-rate to drop back to the baseline area.
Third NST: Everything was great with Baby, but they noticed that I was having some contractions.  It turns out I was just a little dehydrated from running around all morning, but they wouldn't let me leave until they talked to my OB.  They gave me some water and noticed that the contractions reduced so everyone felt I was okay to go.  But this was a long appointment waiting for all of this stuff to happen.  Probably over an hour.
Fourth NST, this morning: Finally totally uneventful!  Baby moved just enough.  Heart-rate went up and down just like the nurses wanted to see.  I was hydrated and no concerning contractions.  I was out of there in less than half an hour with an "everything looks perfect today!"  Wonderful!

How far along: 33 weeks, 2 days
What did baby do this week:  Baby is between 4.25-4.75 pounds and between 17-18 inches from head to foot.  Roughly the size of a (stinky) durian fruit.  They are continuing to gain weight and bones are continuing to harden.  The lungs are almost completely ready for breathing on their own and if Baby was born now, they would only need a little medical support - WHEW!  Baby's eyes are usually open when they are awake and they are starting to coordinate breathing with sucking and swallowing.
Total weight gain: 26.4 pounds - been gaining weight the last 3 weeks!!  It was lingering around 23 pounds for so many weeks in a row that I don't like seeing it go up and am not used to it!
Symptoms: OMG peeing SO MUCH.  I'm starting to think that the reason pregnant women "slow down" later in pregnancy is really describing how they don't want to go out in public as much because they're probably ALWAYS searching for a public restroom.  Since I need to stay hydrated to keep the contractions away, I need to pee about every 45 minutes.  Sometimes I have to find a restroom at every store I stop at when I'm running errands (or use the same store restroom twice.)  The baby is sitting very low and not changing positions.  When I use the bathroom and sometimes when I'm going for walks I can feel some pressure in my "lady area", almost like a soreness.  It's not a great feeling, but heck - I'd rather baby's head be low than their feet!  I mentioned before that I have some odd numbness in my heels...it's still there and maybe getting slightly worse.  Before it was JUST the ring of my heels and now it's more like my whole heel.  No doctor seems concerned about it - I'm chalking it up to pressure on nerves.  Maybe sciatica too.  The tops of my feet, and insides of my ankles have been getting a little bit swollen - more my left than my right.  It seems to be worse in the mornings (when I'm mostly at the computer with feet below my body) and not as bad at night (when I can raise my feet while we watch TV or after I've exercised and hydrated all day long.)
Queasy or Sick: Maybe 1-2 times a week I'll feel the slightest bit queasy in the morning, but it passes very quickly.  Sorta like in the 1st trimester how if I just eat something, I can nip it in the bud.  And it's usually something I only notice for a minute or two anyway.  It's not significant.
Sleep:  Fortunately I can fall asleep pretty easily but I'm getting up 3-4 times at night to pee again.  Oh yes I remember this from the 1st trimester too.  I've been sleeping mostly on my sides - for maybe a month or more, now.  Usually falling asleep on my right side, but switching to my left after a bathroom break (or two).  I don't too often wake up on my back, so it seems like I might be able to get away with all of this without a body pillow filling up the bed!
Best moment this week:  My family baby shower was this past Sunday!  It was AMAZING.  I'm so overwhelmed by everyone's generosity.  The decor, the food, the thoughtfulness.  I think I cried 2-3 times...just such an emotional pile of hormones.  But really everything was so touching.  And then on top of that, I was thrown a small baby shower at work on Wednesday.  A cake, some nice words and ANOTHER generous card and gift from a handful of coworkers.  What a wonderfully special time.
Hardest part of the week: I really can't think of anything.  I'm feeling very good about everything right now!
Looking forward to:  At this point I want to get past 35 weeks.  If I go into labor before that point, then I'll have to deliver at a bigger hospital about 13 miles away instead of our super easy, local hospital 1.2 miles away.  The bigger hospital can handle extremely-preterm to late-preterm babies in their NICU, whereas our local hospital is really only ready for a couple weeks prematurity.  Just another couple weeks!

...hopefully not as stinky.

Movement: Baby is still in the same position - I guess it's comfy for them.  I still feel a lot of movement though I think it *is* limited by the anterior placenta (which usually buffers the movement feelings a little.)  Yesterday I was marginally worried that I wasn't feeling Baby move as much but I knew I had a NST this morning, so I was hopeful everything would be fine.  And yes, everything was fine today.  Lots of movement (many that I couldn't even feel!) and great heart rate.  The movement I feel is a little more "rolling" and less "jabby" than before.  Of course this is because Baby is getting bigger so there's less room for big movements.
Food cravings: I have to be honest that with all these baby showers I've been splurging a little more than when I first started the GD diet.  My numbers have still been okay which makes me very happy.  But it also means that I'm not craving QUITE as many things since I've given into a handful of cravings.  Granted, I can't really do this until the afternoon or evening.  Insulin resistance is frequently highest in the mornings and I am very representative of that.
Happy or moody:  Happy - actually feeling very contented, peaceful and not worried.  How is this possible?  I'm going to be pushing a human out of my currently perfectly intact lady parts in the next 5-7 weeks!!
Labor signs:  I'm a little confused if the feelings I sometimes have in my lower pelvic area are Baby moving its head around (we know that they're head down and quite low) or if it's a contraction.  It's a slightly uncomfortable feeling but not very frequent.  I learned recently that contractions are usually felt high in the uterus, like closer to the ribs.  But I've also heard that menstrual-like cramping can be a sign of early labor.  It doesn't become consistent and I usually notice it when I'm out walking/exerting energy.  So far it's not concerning - I just try to stay hydrated and don't push myself.
Belly button in or out: In, still
Wedding rings on or off: On
Stretch marks:  OK so... I think I found a couple stretch on the under-side of my belly.  One on each side.  They've not bad, but I have no idea how long they've been there.  I kept thinking I'd see stretch marks around my belly button so I was convinced that I was smooth sailing through without!  But pretty sure those dark red marks are stretch marks.  Let's just hope there aren't a ton more about to pop up in these last weeks!
Learnings from the week:  This past Saturday, we went to a childbirth class offered by the hospital I plan to deliver at.  It was an all day class, but I preferred that over other ones I've seen (not at our hospital) that are shorter classes for multiple weeks.  Those might offer more opportunities to meet and get to know other couples, but for Hubby and I it's better to just knock it out in 1 long day.  The class was 9am-4:30pm with a 45 minute lunch break and a tour of the Birthing Center afterwards.  Even though I'd started the NSTs at the Birthing Center - I'd certainly never had a tour, so it was still a good thing for us to experience.  For first time mommies (and daddies) I'd certainly recommend a childbirth class.  Even if it all seems straightforward and you know you'll be guided by the nurses once you arrive at the hospital - it's good to at least spend a day thinking about childbirth and about what concerns you may have or certain things you may want/need.  We saw a couple of videos (very short, like no more than 2-3 minutes), talked about epidurals, talked about C-sections, went over the 3 stages of labor, learned when you should head to the hospital (if your water breaks OR follow the 511 rule: contractions are 5 minutes apart from the start of one to the start of the next, 1 minute long and happening like this for 1 hour), discussed postpartum depression, learned/practiced some breathing exercises.  You get the gist.  It was very worthwhile and has made me start thinking about what my ideal childbirth experience would look like if I could have my way.  Of course what is most important to me is that my baby and I come home from the hospital safely and NOT that they're playing Enya (did I just date myself?) in a dimly lit room while I meditate through my entire labor/delivery...or something super specific like that.

Om.

Final Thoughts: This might be really lame or dumb of me but I’ve found myself making little goals through my pregnancy.  And not like I can even really control reaching them - but I’m very relieved when I pass them.  Like I read a blog about a poor woman losing her TWINS at 17 weeks.  That was my first goal (I just want to get past 17 weeks!)  Then I wanted to get past 24 weeks, when I’d heard of a friend’s cousin delivering her baby due to pre-eclampsia (baby is 6 now, with some vision problems but otherwise fine.)  Then I wanted to get past 28 weeks when I knew of an acquaintance who had her now perfectly thriving 6 year old.  Now I’m feeling awesome that I’ve gotten to 33 weeks ‘cuz I have a super good friend who had her baby exactly upon finishing 33 weeks (he is now a perfectly healthy 2 year old).  I suppose my next goal is to match my other friend who delivered at 34 weeks - her son is thriving at 7 months.  I wonder if I’ll stop all of this if I get to 40 weeks!