34 weeks

Baby M now weighs around 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long.  I went to the doctor for a check-up today and everything is still looking good.  The first thing the doctor did when she walked in the door, however, was check out my swollen feet.  We had a good chuckle about the ankles, or lack there of.  Heartbeat sounded good and the doctor felt for baby and confirmed that Madeline is already pretty low...which I assured her I was well aware of.  She likes to push and "punch" down low, which tends to take my breath away when she catches me just right.  The doctor also said that unless I turn into a glutton in my last few weeks, I wouldn't have a big baby.  They can give me a better weight guesstimate around 38 weeks. Which is in 3 weeks....INSANE!

 

It's hard to believe that we're rounding the corner and heading for the finish line.  Its such an emotional time for us right now.  It's becoming reality that our time as "Lindsay & Derek" is slowly coming to an end and that we're about to become "Lindsay, Derek & Madeline."  A wave of emotion hits me almost daily now.  I hope that I will be a great mom to this little girl.  I'm a little nervous about the "unknowns" of motherhood and how life is about to change forever, but at the same time, I'm so ready to hold my daughter and tell her how much we love her - how we've loved her when she was only a prayer and a thought.  I think this emotional roller coaster is prepping me/us mentally for whats to come.


And I'm becoming ready, physically.  I've gained 24 lbs. to date and its getting hard to carry it.  The swelling in my feet and ankles is still hanging around.  Last week, my ankles were so swollen that my right shin was a little numb and tingly. That was just a tad bit scary.  I occasionally have a quick, shooting pain in my pelvis and back which makes it hard to get comfortable, let alone walk. Luckily this doesn't last long. I am beyond thankful for my personal masseuse, Derek, for the back and foot rubs (and for physically pushing me up hills when we go on walks!).  He's so good.  I think by the time M's birthday comes, I'll turn into a labor rockstar - ready to knock out some of the discomfort, all the while moving on to new discomforts and experiences.