33 weeks pregnant

My body: I felt really good this week, overall. Getting up and down (especially from bed) has become more difficult recently. I remain stretch mark free at this point, but know there is still plenty of time. I think my weight gain is still isolated to my belly at this point adn continues to be on track with the recommended guidelines. This heat has made my hands and feet start to swell a little bit. I don’t think anyone would notice at this point, but my rings and shoes are tighter than they used to be. My fingers are crossed that the swelling stays isolated to my hands and feet!

The baby
Weight: 4.5 pounds
Length: 17.5 inches…no, the baby did not shrink. I don’t always pull from the same website when finding this information, so it tends to vary a little.
Interesting facts: The big news this week is lung development—baby's respiratory system is almost completely mature. Baby can now detect light and tell the difference between night and day. Pupils will constrict and dilate in response to light.

What’s going on with us: I had my second baby shower at Gina’s house on Sunday. It was so much fun and I received so many nice things for the baby. I feel much less overwhelmed by all the needed baby items because I have such generous people around me:) I was really touched by all the friends that came to celebrate this special time with me. Jonathan and I had our second childbirth class on Monday, which focused on natural childbirth. The idea is figuring out what makes you relax and then using those strategies during labor. Jonathan thinks he got cheated a little bit because the instructor had the husbands massage the wives for the last 10-15 minutes of class. Her theory is “a relaxed mom is a relaxed baby.” I completely agree. She also recommended 1-2 massages a day from the soon to be dads. No complaints here! In school news, only 1 and a half more days…We will be at school on Friday, then off Monday and return for a half day on Tuesday with the kids. Teachers will be at school on Wednesday for closing day, but then that’s it…I am so ready for summer!

Gina and I at the shower.
Liz, me, Andrea and Mel at the shower.

Erin and Meg at the shower. Courtney, Teresa and Lindsey at the shower.

Me and Abby at the shower.