34 weeks

34 weeks and I feel huge and quite a bit slower! Bending over is definitely an event. The swollen hands and feet have begun, and when I think I can't get any bigger, I do. We're still measuring 3 weeks early (so 37 weeks), but the plan is still to go with the flow. I go and listen to his heartbeat at the doctor once a week now. As he is in the 90th % for size, so is the amount of amniotic fluid, so the fetal heart monitor gives the doctor a better record of his heartbeat than the doppler thing (that looks like Maria's Sony play microphone from when she was little.)

Work

I made my last trip to Madison for work this past week. No more travel for me/us anymore! The flight attendant said to me, "You better not have that baby on this plane!" I had a doctor's note anyway if needed, but all was fine. He was pretty quiet on this flight as opposed to the one 2 weeks ago when we flew through thunderstorms where he was super active. And at landing the pilot had to abort and pull up again, circle, and re-land due to wind gusts, that got him riled up too (and the lady next to me). When people ask me my due date, and I tell them July 4th, they do a double take at my belly and look back up at me and say questionably, "Really?!" It's kind of funny.
So, no more travel, but I'm working up until the big day. My friend Dave at work is my emergency ride just in case "it's time" at work, and he got a flashing light off ebay for his car! It's like a siren thing without the siren, just the light. Move over! We're ready!

Right now...

Patrick is playing guitar and I absolutely love it....however he keeps asking me if everything is ok. He just said, "Did I play that chord wrong? Do you not like this song?" Apparently, I have a sighing problem. I think it sounds like I'm being super passive aggressive, but it really is just my smushed diaphram. They told us this in baby class too - that your stomach, diaphram, and bladder get really smushed and their capacity is nowhere near what is was pre-pregnancy. So just a note of warning, I'm sighing a lot lately, please don't take it personally!

We've been getting his room ready and putting his things away! It's been a lot of fun, and we are getting excited. I love this picture of Patrick and the little matching shirt my Mom and Maria found in Colorado (not knowing Patrick had one like it too!)

Patrick has been wonderful. As my activity continues to decrease, he has been so helpful and so understanding. I am so lucky. He's going to be a great dad, a fun one too. Just ask him about his recent rocket adventures with his friend Andy.

31.75 weeks - my 31st birthday!

May 7th

I was in Madison on Wednesday, May 7th, my birthday, for a meeting for work. The bonus: I got to drive home to Mom & Dad's and have dinner with them and Sara Rose! Mom made really yummy roasted vegetables with Grandpa & Uncle Marty's homeade Italian Sausage, and a wonderful virgin margarita pie for dessert (it had lots of fruit! yum!) It was so nice to be home and will probably be the last time before baby comes since no more travel is allowed in the last month. I have just one more trip to Madison for work on the 21st (if my doctor ok's it). It's hard to believe that we're getting so close to meeting our little guy. But it is believable as I am at the stage where I think I just can't get any bigger (but probably will). Patrick is hoping to take a few more short motorbike trips and take his mountain bike out on a few trails over the next couple weekends. Maggie is excited that it's spring and has been finding and chasing all of her tennis balls that were lost in the snow over the winter. She loves sunning herself on the deck. I'm looking forward to playing in the dirt (gardening) with our little one.