lightening (kendra)

I am amazed at how observant people can be. Last week on Tuesday morning, I was at work and the woman who sits next to me asked me if my baby had dropped. The question took me a bit by surprise and my immediate response was, "No. I don't think so," or something along those lines. She said that it looked to her like my belly was lower. I hadn't noticed any major changes myself, but after our short conversation I began to ponder the possibility that she was right. And the more I thought about it, the more convinced I became that baby had dropped after all. Throughout the day I noticed differences in the way I felt. Baby's movements felt different. I no longer felt his or her butt sticking into my ribs and what I did feel seemed lower. I didn't notice a huge difference in my lung capacity, but I did eat a pretty big dinner that evening without getting stuffed. Before going to bed that night, I read the bit in What to Expect When You're Expecting about what it's like when baby drops and it seemed to match a lot of what I'd noticed. To me, my belly didn't seem to look a whole lot lower, but if it was different enough for my co-worker to notice, it must have lowered!

I also read that in a first pregnancy, the baby generally drops two to four weeks before delivery. Of course, as with just about everything in pregnancy, that is not set in stone. And I already knew that I was only a little over a month away from my due date. But to think about baby coming in two to four weeks really freaked me out! Of course, just the night before I'd had a little breakdown because I was feeling so overwhelmed by all there still to do in preparation for labor and delivery and baby's arrival! I'd had a productive evening that next night and was feeling better. But then I read two to four weeks and that set my mind racing! Needless to say, it took a long time for me to fall asleep that night.

Two days later at work, a woman who I'd seen in passing around the building but had never even talked to asked me when I was due and said that she could tell my baby had dropped! And the following day, another woman who I'd just noticed here and there at work told me that she noticed that my baby had dropped this week. I was so amazed at how observant these women are. Even Jason could barely notice the difference by looking at my belly! I don't know, maybe once you've been pregnant you pay more attention to these things. But I found it impressive.

We had an appointment with the midwife last Friday and she confirmed that my belly looked low and that baby's head is engaged in my pelvis. He or she is already getting ready to meet us! I'm feeling pretty good so I'm still hoping baby will hold out a few more weeks. But we're working on getting ready as soon as possible just in case. It's so crazy to be this close! Our due date is exactly four weeks from today! Here's a new belly shot so you can see if you notice a difference...

parker baby shower (kendra)

Two Saturdays ago, we had another baby shower! Jason's parents hosted a little shower for us at their home in Parker, CO. It was another gorgeous day, and we had a great time catching up with some family and friends. Jason's grandparents were even in town for it! I've included a slideshow of photos below. Check out the sweet cakes that Betsy made for us...they were delicious!!

amazed (kendra)

We went in to the doctor's office last week for a regular appointment and after I left, I found myself pondering how amazingly God has designed our bodies. This whole pregnancy thing really is incredible. At the appointment, the midwife did all the usual checks and then said that my weight gain was right on track, my uterus was measuring perfectly, baby's heartbeat sounded great, etc. And as I drove home I was just awestruck at how well my body knows what it's doing. My body is very much able to grow a baby...with relatively little assistance from me.

I mean, it just seems that in order for my weight gain to be right on track, for example, I would need to be paying close attention to it and being careful to eat just the right amount. But not so. Granted, I do eat a relatively healthy diet. But I still don't feel like I've quite mastered eating the right amounts of food as frequently as I should. And yet, my weight gain is right on track. And then there's the fact that most people who have commented on the size of my belly have said how small I am for how far along I am in my pregnancy. And yet, my uterus is measuring perfectly. Which, of course, I've done absolutely nothing to control.

So anyway, it's all quite amazing...not only what my body is doing, but the fact that there is an actual baby growing inside of me! A baby that likes to stick his or her little butt in my ribs, but a baby all the same! :-)

baby bump - 33 weeks (kendra)

Here's that pic I promised...