34-week Check-up

Yesterday I had my 34-week check-up and everything looks great! I have now officially passed the 200 lb. marker (boo...) and that means that I have gained about 20 lbs. so far. I am told that it is a good, healthy weight gain so I guess I should be happy with that. The most important thing right now is the baby, so if I need to gain some weight for the baby then I can do that! :) As far as everything else, the doctor said things are perfect (belly measurement, blood pressure, etc.). I did have some concerns when I went in though. Recently I had an elevated heart rate (which was difficult to bring down) and some cramping, yet the doctor said these things are very normal and common. The high heart rate was due to the fact that I was trying to do too much after I got out of the shower and the cramping is just my body getting ready for labor. It is a relief to hear good news. My next appointment is in two weeks and then after that I go in every week. I'm in the home stretch now, that's for sure! :)

Enjoying Summer

A few weeks ago Ben decided that he needed to try out the newly dug pond, so he grabbed his snorkel gear and dove in. He seemed to thoroughly enjoy himself, but eventually ditched the snorkel gear because he said it was too difficult to see when he stirred up the water. He also said that it was hard to walk in the water due to the fact that the bottom is currently made of clay (next summer we hope to put in some sand). He had a great time though and said that I needed to try it, too, yet I am still very hesitant on that. Maybe next summer.

Yesterday we had our 32-week doctors appointment where we met with a Nurse Practioner (the picture of me is at 32 weeks) and discussed various important topics related to labor, post partum concerns/needs, breastfeeding, etc. It was great to talk about these things and Ben and I both felt some relief afterwards. The NP was able to figure out how the baby was positioned currently, which was very exciting. All my lab tests are great (she was impressed with my high level of iron! yeah!) and she said that everything is going smoothly. Like my sister said, I hope that this doesn't mean labor is going to be the opposite...keep your fingers crossed!! I didn't gain any weight in the last three weeks (so I am still below the 200 lbs. marker) and they didn't seem concerned about that. My belly now measures 33 inches (they say it should measure the same as the amount of weeks pregnant you are) and the baby kicks all the time. I have a feeling that this baby is going to be awake often and give Ben and me a difficult time at night, but we'll have to wait and see. :)

Last night Ben and I went to see The Steve Miller Band at the Common Ground Festival. It was so much fun! We have Common Cards which mean that we have a pass all week long, so we're going to also see Poison, Styx, the Bangles, Cinderella, Ted Nugent, and possibly some others. It will be a great week and one that we probably won't be able to do again in the near future. We're certainly enjoying these last moments as a twosome! :) 

Baby Shower @ Cabin

Over the Forth of July weekend my family threw Ben and me a baby shower! It was wonderful and everyone was so kind. In the picture I was 30 weeks pregnant and definitely showing a very pregnant belly! :) It was a great weekend with family (earlier in the weekend we spent time with Ben's family, also). We ended the weekend with a fireworks show in Breckenridge. It was a nice long weekend (5 days) and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.