34 weeks...

Today I am 34 weeks and one day.  Better than 32 weeks, huh!?!?!

I decided to wait an extra day so I could report back after my first monitoring appointment.  Turns out, I could have posted yesterday.  I was on the monitor a good 20 minutes or more but the machine never picked up Rhys' heartbeat.  I could hear it as could the nurse but it wasn't strong enough for the machine.  He was moving around a whole lot and his position (spine up) makes it harder to hear him really well.  The excessive activity was my fault, probably.  He's normally asleep in the afternoon so I grabbed a Dr. Pepper on my way to make sure he was active for them.  That's what we're looking for, right?  An active baby?  So that plan backfired.  

Now I get to go in on Monday for an ultrasound to see how healthy he is.  

Ask me how sad I am about that?  

I just love seeing him!  

As for how I'm feeling....

Well, I'm tired and sore and really, really, really ready to meet Rhys.  Since he's still breech and another C-section is likely, we'll schedule that for 39 weeks.  Basically, I have five weeks left to go.

It's possible Chris had a small panic attack when I told him that Monday.

The swelling has finally arrived.  Although it's nothing like last time.  I've noticed it a little bit in my legs and ankles but for sure in my hands.  My rings no longer fit so it's back to the plain band I purchased last time.  Feeling pretty good I managed to make it past 33 weeks without swelling.

All in all, I can't tell a big difference in my overall size from last time.  The belly is certainly larger but Rhys is much bigger so that makes sense.  My third trimester maternity clothes fit the same this time as last time.  I'm down with that.  I know it will take a while to lose the weight but I'm okay with what I've gained.

Aubrey Kate has moved into her freshly painted big girl room now.  We just have the wall decor to hang up.  Her room got the lighter grey shade we've used in the bonus room and will use in the rest of the house.  I really like it.  Once we get the stuff on her walls, it's possible I might like this room better than her original nursery.

So that means the nursery is empty and ready to be done.  We're painting it the darker grey that's in the living areas.  I can't wait to see it.  Chris has gotten the prep work done and is ready to paint.  You know, when you paint the ceiling, baseboards, doors, shelves in the closets and the walls it takes a while.  Thinking it'll be done in about two weeks.

Which is fine.  It's not like the bedding or any of his furniture is ready either.

We had to empty the closet of all the baby items to get it painted.  Aubrey Kate loves to play with the baby stuff.  She knows it's Rhys'...because we tell her and she repeats it back...but that doesn't stop her from playing with it.

And thus...

That's her "Cheese!" face.  Precious.  Okay, not.  We're working on the difference between fake smiles and real smiles.  It's a hard concept.  Apparently.  

I've been focusing on what I can do (since painting isn't really physically possible.  The belly already catches too many spills as it is.) to get ready.  Got the windows outside washed while AK played in her pool.  Cleaned out the refrigerator.  Washed, dried and folded all of Rhys' clothes, receiving blankets and various covers (you know, like the boppy).  And I'm almost done with all of the crafts for his wall decor.

My vision is that by the first of July, we'll be done and ready for baby while I spend those last three weeks working on the scrapbooks.  No way I'll finish before he arrives but I'm fairly certain there will be nights awake and I can work on them then.

Now for the belly picture.  Here I am today at 34 weeks, 1 day.  If the swelling of the face will hold off for another five weeks, that would awesome.  Let's not bet on the likelihood of that happening.  See y'all at 36 weeks!