33 Weeks!

Aside from being sick this past week, I feel like my body is making some progress towards the eventual goal of delivery. I've noticed lately that I've been having pre-menstrual type cramping. At first I thought it was stomach pains associated with being ill because it has been a while since I've had a period, so I kind of forgot what that felt like. I didn't think much about it assuming that my body is still stretching in all sorts of ways adjusting to Claire's growing size. In talking with my mom on Saturday, she brought to my attention that cramps are what real contractions can feel like at the beginning. Now, some of my Braxton Hicks contractions are coupled with cramping which I find exciting. Since I know it's a sign of labor I'll be looking for in future weeks, I don't mind the preview.

Since the holidays, my weight has maintained around 142 lbs. I've read that I'm supposed to be gaining about a pound a week and that during this time is when the baby gains most of her weight. I'm trying to not be too concerned that I'm not racking up numbers, but it's not easy. I'm still doing my normal routine, but since I've been sick I've been too tired to walk Molly. I continue to eat my requisite 8pm bowl of ice cream (which won't be a luxury once lent starts). At every doctor's appointment there has been a net gain from 0.5 to 2 lbs (over 2 weeks) and they don't seem to be worried. I can tell that Claire is growing because her movements are often off the Richter scale. Isn't this awful though? Months ago I was so worried that I was gaining too much weight and now I'm worried that I'm not gaining enough. I'm sure that when I'm pregnant with Claire's little brother or sister, I'll be much more relaxed about all of these aspects, but right now it's uncharted territory for me, so it's a little unnerving. I only want what is best for Claire.

Today's weight = 142.5 lbs.