Getting closer...

We're getting closer to September. Brittany is 29 weeks. Wednesday, she will be 30 weeks! Working in the NICU, I have a pretty solid grasp on how serious things can be if a baby is born under 30 weeks. But after 30, things get alot better. And now it's striking me that we only have one true month until we are on delivery watch. In 4 weeks, at the end of July, Brittany will be 35 weeks pregnant. Full term is 36 weeks and up. I've got butterflies in my stomach just thinking about it! There's so much to think about and so much to do!

Brittany and I have made our pregnancy bag checklist. In fact, Brittany may even be starting to gather the items we will need right now, as I am typing up this post. There's so much to bring! Some of the many items we are packing include: pairs of clothes for Brittany, flip-flops, a massage tool, extra pillow, hair ties, and snacks. For me, I will be bringing several things including money for vending machines, books to read, clothes, and gum. Savannah gets her going home outfit, a receiving blanket, and her carseat w/ a base, amongst several other items. I think I'm just going to have to have this stuff packed away in my car, ready to go!

The nursery is almost done. A couple decorations and we will be completely finished. Brittany just bought a small sign to hang on the outside of the door. "Don't make a peep, baby asleep!" Very cute. Sometimes I wander into Savannah's room without thinking. I'll go look into the crib and imagine what it's like to see her sleeping. It's hard to think I have to wait 2 more months to see her.

More and more I feel my bond growing with Savannah. I'll talk to her every night, just to see if I can get a little kick from her at the sound of my voice. I'll ask her what color her hair is, or if she has enough room in mommy's tummy. Usually I am met with stillness, but occasionally I'll get a strong little kick or jab. She is still very active at night when Brittany falls asleep. She kicks and moves around so much! It's wonderful to feel her little foot or arm slide and move around. I can't help but smile and give her an encouraging whisper.

A little update on how big Savannah is...she is over 2 pounds, and should be pushing into the 3 pound area this week. She is about 14 inches long (curled up of course), and has eyebrows and eyelashes! She can hear us very well now, and can be startled by sudden, loud noises. Brittany hasn't felt her react in that way yet, though. Savannah can see the difference between light and dark, and may even react to a bright light. She is peeing up to a half-liter every day! The lanugo (hair) that is covering her body is disappearing, and she should start turning herself so that her head is pointed down, getting ready for the birthing position. Her body is completely proportionate, and now we just need her to fatten up and continue to let her bones harden. They're cartilege at first, and calcify during the later satges of pregnancy. So much is happening!

This is a really exciting time, and I am really trying to make sure that I do everything I can for Brittany. She is just now starting to feel the true exhaustion and aches of pregnancy. She's wanting foot massages, and her ankles have swollen up a couple times now. She's eating more, just a little of course ;), and definitely needs her rest. Waking her up in the middle of the night is not a pleasant thing! Her belly is just big enough now that her belly button has almost completely popped out! She is such a cute pregnant woman! We have a doctor visit on Monday, so we will see how much she weighs and how our little Savannah is doing! Look for a post soon to find out how the OB visit went!