32 weeks aka 8 months (as of tomorrow)

We had an appointment today with Dr. Roque, one of our high risk obs at maternal fetal medicine.  We had brought the MFM ladies, doctors, and u/s techs cookies for Christmas.  I cannot tell you how much their care and support has meant to us.  The ladies that make the appointments could not be any nicer.  They were packed today because it was the only day this week that they were seeing patients.  Luckily the coffee ladies came by and gave us all coffee or hot chocolate.  Of course as soon as I got my very delicious decaf we got called back in for the ultrasound.  It was still delicious and I still got to drink it as we waited.  

The u/s tech said Emma is weighing 5lb 1oz.  I can't believe we still have 8 weeks to go, but am glad to see Emma will be a healthy sized baby!  And as far as we know she is still a she!  If she ends up being a he, she is going to be a feminine he in a pink room with lots of girl clothes.  lol  And the tech said my cervix measured 3cm (of course each u/s tech could get a different measurement based on how they measure).

And then Dr. Roque came in.  He said I looked wonderful!  I preened a little bit because I do take time to do my hair and make up and actually get dressed to go to appointments and then I realized he meant my cervix.  He was very pleased with how both Emma and I have done and then he broke my heart.  He said today was going to be our last appointment with him at MFM.  I don't really like change and I get very attached to people so the fact that I didn't start bailing hysterical surprised even me.  Paul had tried to warn me on the way to the hospital that it might be our last appointment, but I didn't want to believe him.  Okay, realistically Dr. Roque and Dr. Lim are both leaving MFM to go into private practice at the end of December so I would've had to see a new doctor anyways if I had kept going, but still. 

Dr. Roque said I could start slowly increasing my activity level.  I can't go out and go crazy (or clean or cook elaborate meals or lift heavy things), but what I have been doing has been working great!  I'm still considered on modified bedrest, but now we are preparing me for when the baby gets here because as he pointed out she won't care that I'm tired or out of breath or dizzy...I need to get my stamina back! 

Dr. Roque is so funny and so much the attending doctor at the hospital...every time you ask a question he has a 15 minute long explanation and educational lesson for you.  Today we talked about the baby's movements and my soreness.  I am soooo sore at night that I wake up every time I need to roll over.  My hips hurt so bad as do most of the areas down there (pretty much everywhere my undies touch).  I'll refrain from giving a more in depth explanation to the agony I feel at night...suffice it to say certain areas feel like they are being stabbed with burning knives.  Rolling over takes almost a feat of God and I often end up stuck on back like a turtle, thrashing about, and then have to wiggle like a snake to finish the roll.  It's not a pretty sight and God has truly blessed Paul in that he can sleep through all that.  I am not sure how I haven't bounced him right off the bed yet.  Probably because we have one of those coil less beds that you are supposed to be able to balance a glass of wine and jump on it without spilling the wine.  I haven't tried that experiment yet mostly because I enjoy wine too much to waste a glass if the manufacturer lied and it did spill.  Who wants to waste a good glass of wine??????  Wow, that was quite the tangent.

So, then I had to break the ladies hearts by telling them it was our last appointment and they said they looked up how many weeks I was before I got there and figured it would be.  They are so sad that they won't be seeing us every week cause we are their favorite patients, but I did promise to bring Emma in once she's born and to bring them a picture.  FYI they both said Emma Grace is a beautiful name and of course Paul had to point out it's the most popular name of 2009.  Party pooper! 

So, here we are....32 weeks as of tomorrow and winding down my pregnancy.  We got to see Emma take some practice breaths today courtesy of the u/s tech bouncing the wand thingy on my stomach until Emma was pissed off.  I think Emma is going to be stubborn and feisty.  She has moved a lot today (although I did have a pepsi...I know gasp...and a decaf coffee...and a decaf peppermint mocha from Starbucks).

Paul stayed home from work and after I ran up to the library we both napped on the couch.  Well, he was on the couch while I was sitting in the recliner. 

Tomorrow I go see my PCP (or as they are called in the military PCM) for a referral to the dermatologist.  My friend Rebekah may see more of me than she ever wanted to...the joys of being friends with your PCM!  lol  Good thing I have no shame in my game!

PS  New reality show coming in February called Glamour Bells...not sure when Alabama became the new New Jersey, but I'll check it out for ya!