32 Weeks

Here we are 8 months down, two months to go. What's that, you say? You're only supposed to be pregnant for 9 months? Well I'm here to tell you, that's not exactly accurate. Pregnancies are considered full term at 40 weeks, and many women (including myself) count four weeks as a month while they are pregnant, making the result a ten month pregnancy. On average there are actually 4.33 weeks in a month, however that a third of a week tends to get lost in the sauce when counting down to full term.

There's actually been a recent study published that changes the definitions of full-term pregnancy. It used to be that doctors would induce pretty much anytime after 37 weeks. However, full term is now going to be considered 39-40 weeks. The reasoning behind this is that babies born even a few weeks early (or late) can have problems that are much less likely after 39 weeks.

So hopefully little Grayson will stay put for at least another 7 weeks. He'll gain a third to a half of his birth weight during that time, depending on what exactly he weighs right now, which should be around 3 3/4 pounds (about the weight of a bushel of apples).

31 Weeks

This week Grayson measures over 16 inches long – the length of a pineapple – and weighs about 3 1/3 pounds. He is heading into a growth spurt and moving around lot. By belly doesn't just bump now, it rolls. Some people, I won't name any names, say it looks straight out of when my tummy rolls around like that. Personally, I'm rather hypnotized by watching him move around. It comforts me to know that he is active and healthy. I think the growth spurt may have already started because I am SO tired. Like ready for bed right now at 8 pm tired.

Couple things before I head to bed. Had such a fun weekend. Went to the Rocky Creek Farm's pumpkin patch with Patrick, my good friend Stacey and her two little girls. Even though the pumpkin selection was rather sparse, we had a blast. Stacey's oldest daughter Dani wanted to try the Haunted Swamp (toned down during the day for little ones). It was mostly spooky decorations and spiderwebs, but at the end a teenager in a clown mask and chain saw popped out. I admit I was a little scared (REALLY don't like clowns). But Dani really didn't like him. The teenager saw that Dani was scared and stopped the chainsaw and pulled off his mask to show he was just a regular person. Stacey was holding her youngest, so Patrick picked up Dani and comforted her. It was so sweet to watch. Just reminded me of what a good dad he is going to be. So overall it was a fun trip. Plus I got some super sweet white pumpkins. Can't wait to carve them!

Then on Sunday, we went out to Stacey's in-law's farm in Belgrade and took maternity photos. I'm a super happy with how they came out! I'm going to wait until I get a few more edited to post the sneak peek but let's just say that the light was perfect and the Bridgers looked amazing, so we had a lot to work with.

30 Weeks

The number 30 is generally scary for someone who has yet to reach that milestone, age-wise. For me, however, it's never really been that scary. I know that I'll turn 30 in a couple years. Meh, no big deal. 

But this morning the number 30 kinda scared the dickens out of me. Our baby boy is now 30 weeks old. That means there are only 10 weeks left until he is born. If he is born exactly on time. There may be less (or possibly a little more, but I don't think so). For those of you not too keen on math, that's a little over two months until he is here. 

I'm not going to lie, that caused a little bit of a panic attack this morning. There is so much left to do. I'm so thankful for our baby shower and all of the wonderful support we received from friends and family. Many of the large items we need are taken care of now, just need to be set up. But I still feel like there a thousand lose ends to get ready. I suppose this is partially (totally?) because I am a first time mom and have never experienced this process before.

But, as a good friend pointed out to me this morning, I am a planner. I like to have schedules and agendas and a good sense of what is going to happen in the near-distant future. And that is difficult, to say the least, when you add a new, completely uncontrollable element (like, for example, a baby). So right now I am focusing on taking deep breaths and TRUSTING that everything will be okay. We’ve talked a lot about trust in our childbirth class (going to blog about that next week after our final class) and I just need to keep reminding myself to do just that. 

In the mean time, here are this weeks stats. Our baby boy is now almost 16" long - the length of a cucumber and weighs in at around 3 pounds.  He responds to light, but his vision won't fully develop until after he is born.

29 Weeks & The Big Reveal

This week's post is a little late and a little long because of all the excitement going on around here. If you follow the blog, you know that last weekend was our baby shower/gender reveal party. And if that wasn't enough, my mom also flew in from Hawaii to surprise me for the shower. I was SO surprised. Here's a little video of me (in my pajamas) realizing that my mom, who had literally cried on the phone with me because she was so sad about not being able to attend the shower, was actually here in Montana.

It was such a good surprise and I had no idea. Patrick had apparently known for months, and my sister had been instrumental in planning the whole surprise. It was amazing to have my whole family together (my dad and sister drove up from Oregon as well).

Next up was the shower/big reveal. My sister Maleea was the main planner extraordinaire for the whole event. There were so many wonderful little creative touches that made the event really fun. For instance people had to pick a “side” when they arrived–either team boy or team girl.

Best sister/shower planner ever.

Then there was the food. So much good stuff.

I, of course, was too nervous to eat. I couldn’t wait to find out what the gender was but at the same time I was scared of how it would change my relationship with the little life growing inside me. It would no longer just be the little baby that kicks me, but my son or daughter. Kinda makes the whole thing more real.

So after some fun games...

The ol' ring over the belly trick.

It was finally time to open the surprise box! I think my sister was planning on waiting until later on in the party to have us open the box, but after the Old Wive’s Tales game, I just couldn’t wait anymore. I had to know!

Finally the reveal! Notice my mom's expression in the background.

 It’s a Boy!!

And we couldn’t be more thrilled. I was anxious about having a boy, seeing as I have more experience with caring for girls than boys but I am so excited about the adventure of a little boy. I was planning on keeping his name secret for the most part, but Patrick was so excited he told everyone at the shower. And everyone on Facebook. And Twitter. So I guess the “secret” is out. Introducing our little boy:

And now finally for the Bumpdate of the week. Our baby boy Grayson is 29 weeks old and weighs about as much as a butternut squash (around 2.5 pounds); he now measures just over 15 inches long from head to heel. Billions of neurons are developing in his growing brain, and his head is increasing in size to accommodate the expanding brain tissue.

And here’s a few more photos, including a very, very special guest star and a couple of happy parents-to-be celebrating the news of their baby boy. 

Whew, that was a long one. Until next week!

28 Weeks - Third Trimester!

Here we are – officially in the third trimester! Baby weighs 2.5 pounds (around the weight of an eggplant) and measures about 15 inches from head to toe. Pumpernickel has eyelashes now and blinks his or her eyes, though it's mostly reflexive at this point.

Only a few days left until lots of great things happen - my sister and dad are coming to town, baby shower on Sunday AND I get to find out what gender pumpernickel is! Yay!!

This week's guest stars - Patrick playing the role of dad and CJ playing the role of baby. Aren't they cute?