+ 29w0d +
Do you realize we'll be full term in 8 weeks? That's, like, just less than 2 months. Today's one of those days I don't feel as big as I should be. Yesterday I felt too big, so I guess it's a trade-off. You are a squirmy little thing in there. I don't often get the really hard kicks I used to (or maybe I'm just getting used to them?), but I feel you moving around a lot. I still wish I could see you in there and see what you're up to. I'm guessing you're really starting to run out of room. Sometimes when I'm trying to feel you kick (still up high on the right side), just touching you pushes down on my bladder on the other end of my uterus. I think you're probably head-down pretty much all the time, kind of diagonally across. You rotate around, though, just enough to keep me guessing.

Lots of people feel the tummy now, and want to see it, and I have inquiries from strangers all the time about when you're due. Most everyone says I look too small for 7 months, which I suppose is nice, but small comfort when I can't dry off my feet without getting winded like I've run a marathon. Zantac is still doing the trick with the heartburn, THANK GOD! I can tell the hb is coming earlier in the day, sometimes before lunch, but as soon as I start to sense it I pop one Zantac and it kills it for the rest of the day. What a blessing that drug is.

I still don't really have stretch marks, but that's only partly true. I'm not skinny or small, and a couple of years ago when I started to put on a few pounds, I got a couple of stretch marks on each of my hips. They're under my underwear line, so they're not usually noticeable. Well, those have gotten a little bit bigger. I don't mind at all, actually. I'd gotten used to those being there, so if that's the only place that gets them, I'll be euphoric. I don't think I'll be that lucky, but it's a nice idea.

I'm waddling. Not always, but usually. Getting up from sitting on the floor is amusing. Usually I ask for help, but if I'm feeling independent, I can accomplish it with this complex routine of rolling onto my hips, then rolling on to my knees, and stepping up. I did this once in the living room and Daddy just looked at me, incredulously, and said, "Do you have to go through that everytime you stand up?" Yes, I do. Sleeping is an increasing challenge, and I think I'm going to have to find one of those pregnancy wedges. The problem is, I roll in my sleep. I can't just sleep in one position, and I can't really have TWO wedges if I expect daddy and the Princess to sleep in bed too. I might just have to rough it out (which means you will have to, too!).

Well, there's the update. Yesterday was Christmas and we had a blast. Grandma Laurie got you a gorgeous dress we found together a couple of weeks ago. She says it's the most beautiful dress she's ever seen, and she simply had to buy it. Of course, it's so big you literally will not be able to wear it until maybe your first day of Kindergarten. But we'll keep it in a dress bag until then. You'll love it, I'm sure. Daddy gave me a digital camera, too, so I'm sure I'll take some more pictures of me, and then be able to take pictures of you to share with your family online, like your Uncle Paul who's in Kosovo right now. Stay comfy in there. I'm sending you some vitamins (since I've been bad about that lately), and you're definitely already awake!