31 weeks and birthing classes

The baby is giving nice hearty kicks and is also now throwing in these more rhythmic, almost circular movements. Before it felt like little jabs but now it sometimes feels like she's doing Tai Chi in there. They say she's around 3lbs now, the weight of 4 oranges.

Birthing From Within class
We've also started Birthing From Within birthing classes. In the class we've talked about coping strategies like mindful breathing. The instructor had us (moms and dads) practice focusing on our breathing by creating a sensation that might try and distract us...ICE! So for one minute at a time we held a handful of ice and focused on our inhales and exhales. Rising, falling, rising falling. During the last class, we were asked to sync our breathing with the imagine of a light starting from our lower back and rising to the top of our heads during our inhale, then pouring over the front of our body and splashing into a bowl near our bellies during the exhales. I found the imagery to be very helpful in staying focused.

THEN we practiced entrainment, where Mike practice syncing his breathing to mine and then simulated the path of the light using touch. So as I inhaled, he ran his hand up my back to the top of my head, and then down my belly as I exhaled. I had myself a Dirty Dancing moment where I couldn't stop giggling, but then was finally able to focus. All while holding onto ice, mind you.

This is just one strategy we're practicing to build up an arsenal of strategies to refer to once labor starts. It's hard to believe I'll only be holding the baby for another 2 months. Even despite the jabs to my ribs it's been amazing connecting with her.

29 weeks and update on toes

We're halfway into week 29. Went to check up last week. Because of a potentially low-lying placenta, I got another ultrasound to check to see if it moved up on its own, and it did! So we got an extra ultrasound! The perinatologist that did the ultrasound was great and narrated the whole time, letting me know what I was seeing (or trying to see). I got to see the baby move her tongue and the woman said that Baby was swallowing and moving around enough that showed she was strong and calm enough to play around (babies who are distressed don't experiment as much, doc says).

One of the many cool things she shared was that the baby apparently has super long toes! She apparently inherited my Ba Ngoai's feet.

It's a little hard to see, but in the center of the ultrasound you can see her foot with her big piggie on the left, stretched from the rest of the other little piggies. Don't ask me what's on the way left of the ultrasound. Looks like another glowing alien baby.

So the baby is doing well and she is grooowing. After a long day I sometimes feel so...full. But it still feels like a miracle whenever I feel her move.

week 28

Goofy pic, I know. We've entered the 28th week! People now tell me I look pregnant; I take it as a compliment. Im also told I look small for how far along I am; I take that as envy from other pregnant women whose backs are carrying the extra load.
Speaking of backs, that is one thing that is feeling more strain. Yoga never felt so good. Mike's also been very generous with the back rubs.
We signed up for a birthing class which will be informative and helpful, I'm sure. We're taking it through the Harmony Center which leans toward more natural and holistic methods when possible. So we'll get to learn more about what my body will be going through and what to expect.

baby's first sub job

I subbed in a first grade classroom today with the baby. There were 22 little ones that were pretty cutie. I will say baby stayed pretty quiet and at times forgot she was there...in the groove perhaps. The day went by quickly and it wasn't until the kids were dismissed that one asked if I was having a baby.

And now...nap time!