Week 34

Highlights
Size of baby: a honeydew melon.  She could be as tall as 20 inches and weigh in at about 5 pounds. 
What baby is up to: She's recognizing and reacting to simple songs, which we all know that she's only getting a few words of each song, because of my wonderful voice and remembrance of the lyrics!! She's also urinating about a pint a day, which would explain why I am going more and more often too.  Her fingernails have grown to probably reach the tip of her tiny little fingers by now.

Week 33

Highlights
Size of baby: she is the size of a honeydew melon.  She should  weigh about 4.2 to 5.8 pounds and measure about 17.2 to 18.7 inches. And she may grow up to a full inch this week!  She is averaging about a pound a week now. 
What baby is up to: She's keeping her eyes open while awake.  She's also starting to coordinate breathing with sucking and swallowing.  Her bones are hardening and she's going through (more) major brain development-- to make her one smart baby!  Her pokes and kicks are "harder" and much more easier to see and feel.  There is not as much amniotic fluid between the baby and me, so less cushion for the blows.  Antibodies are also being passed from me to her so that she can continue to develop her own immune system.  These antibodies will come in handy to help protect her from all of those playground germs.

Week 32

Highlights
Size of baby: still a squash, but should be weighing in at around 4 pounds and about 19 inches long. 
What baby is up to: She is still growing daily and is busy prepping for her debut!  She is practicing all her skills that she needs in order to survive outside of the womb, from swallowing and breathing to kicking ans sucking.  she has been able to suck on her thumb for a while now.  Another big change this week is that her skin is no longer see-through.  As more and more fat accumulates under the skin, it's finally opaque. She's also getting ready for her descent -- she's likely in the head-down position now.  And she's probably feeling a even more cramped.

I've still been feeling pretty good.  The fatigue has started to set back in.  I am finding that it is very easy for me to fall asleep, even when in the middle of conversation with Josh.  I am waking up more and more throughout the night to go to the bathroom.  She is moving ALL of the time and it is amazing to feel it. :) 

Week 31

Highlights
Size of baby: still a squash, but getting bigger.  She is almost 18 inches long and weighing in at more than 3 pounds. 
What baby is up to:  She's going through major brain and nerve development.  She is developing her brain connection.  She is able to put that complex web of brain connection to good use- she is already processing information, tracking light, and perceiving signals from all five senses.  Eye development, too. Her irises now react to light!  All five of his senses are in working order.  She is also sleeping more, and she stays asleep during the night, so hopefully this will stay true for when she is actually here. 

As she is growing so much bigger inside of me I have been able to feel every little thing she does.  I have gotten a few elbows or legs pushed up under my ribs, which makes it hard to breathe.  There have been a few times that I haven't been able to catch my breathe.  Lying down and pushing on my stomach to push her down has helped.  It did not help with Josh's nerves when I told him I couldn't catch my breathe.  We started taking Lamaze classes on Monday nights.  These have been informative and more than just breathing techniques which is what I thought that was all it was going to be about.  There are 4 other couples in the class and it is interesting to hear their concerns and the questions that they have.  Everyone seems to be so scared of birth and what's going to happen and Josh and I look at each other like "what's the big deal?"  I know we say that now and I'm sure that it will all change when we are actually going through it, but you just do what you have to do.  I don't want to go into thinking about being scared.  I want to enjoy-as much as possible this whole experience.  The classes have been very helpful I think for the dads of the class to really let them know what role they play in the labor and ways they can help the moms out.  I know that makes me feel better that Josh has a specific role and I don't have to worry about him as much. 

Week 30

Highlights
Size of baby: a squash.  She is around 17 inches long and weighing in at about 3 to 3.8 pounds. 
What baby is up to: Her skin is getting smoother, but her brain is getting wrinklier -- to make way for all that essential brain tissue. Due to the fact that her brain is starting to develop she is now able to take on tasks such as temperature regulation.  She is also starting to shed langugo, the downy, soft hair that has been keeping her warm to this point.  She's now strong enough to grasp a finger!
I've started to experience some heartburn; which seems, as I've been told, to mean that she will have a lot of hair.  This doesn't surprise me due to the fact that Josh and I both had a head full of hair and as is started to grow it was locks of curls.  I'm hoping that she will have curly, ringlet hair.  So I can put lots of pretty bows in her hair!!  Sleeping through the night is getting harder and harder and less and less comfortable. 

This past weekend I was given a wonderful baby shower by some of my best friends in Greenville.  We had a great time and the girls really got me some great things for Mackenzie.   She is going to be one lucky girl that has a fabulous extended family and great "aunts" that are going to treat her so well.... and did I mention spoil her all of the time!