Starting the 30th Week

Kathryn, you are probably 10-12 weeks away from your birth date!  The last three weeks, especially have seemed pretty fast.  You're 16-17 inches long, and weigh about three pounds.  You'll pack on weight for the next month and a half--about half a pound a week.  The amount of amniotic fluid around you is starting to decrease, and your head and body are now proportioned like a newborn's.  Your eyesight is developing, but your vision at birth will be about 20/400--you'll only be able to make out objects a few inches from your face.  And you will start shedding your lanugo (downy body hair), since you can regulate your own body temperature now.  We love you very much.

I have one day left at my teaching assistant job--mostly sweet, but slightly sad.  There are about twelve ladies that I love working with and will miss very much.  Other than that....I'm good to go!  I have a meeting on Monday morning with a temp agency that I hope will give me a few good assignments before Kathryn arrives. 

I am feeling pretty good--I have a couple of stretch marks (no biggie), a couple varicose veins (they don't hurt and they're small and way up on my thighs), and my ankles and feet get a little swollen during the day.  I am also tired--I sleep fine, I just don't get enough sleep.  And I'm a little irritable, but I think that's mostly due to my work situation and it'll get better very soon. 

 Yesterday, Jared and I fell out of our hammock (it wasn't a weight problem), and I have an angry bruise on my backside.  I wasn't concerned, but then Kathryn didn't move all day today, which is abnormal for her.  I called the Birth Center, and they wanted me to come in today, even if it was after hours.  They hooked me up to a monitor and measured her heartbeat, kicks, and any contractions for 20 minutes.  We both got a stellar report at the end--I wasn't actually worried that something was wrong, but I guess it's nice to have a definite "yes, everything's just fine".  I'm glad that God is taking care of all of us. 

I think our next appointment is still two weeks away.  Our big shower that our mothers are hosting is in a little more than three weeks!  There is still a lot to do, but I believe I'll actually have time and energy for it, starting next week.