In less than 9 weeks...

...Baby Brudder should finally be ready to make his debut.  On the one hand, it's hard to believe more than 30 weeks have already gone by (31 weeks & 3 days to be exact).  Yet, these pictures clearly indicate that 30+ weeks have indeed elapsed!  That's the same shirt in both pictures and the change in 15 weeks is quite astounding!

15 weeks

31wks

It really is an amazing, miraculous thing what the body does to accommodate a growing little person, even if uncomfortable at times.  Some of the same "aches" & 3rd trimester "uncomforts" I had with Andrew are just starting to show up--like hip pain, bladder & rib jabs, and a little swelling.  I  actually just noticed the swelling for the first time yesterday and is nothing bad yet, but it is definitely starting.  Unfortunately, that means the rings will likely be coming off sometime in the next few weeks.  The new development this time around is an umbilical hernia (apparently fairly common in pregnancy, but frustrating nonetheless) and the belly button that proudly stayed in with Andrew is oh so very close to becoming an outie!  But, otherwise, all is well.  We had another appointment today (just two more & then the weekly visits begin) and all seems great!  His heartbeat was nice & strong today and he even gave the Dr. a little kick right on the doppler. :) 

Now, we just need to get a bit more prepared for this new little man to arrive.  I am much less nervous about the appointments, the hospital, labor, etc., having been through everything once before.  However, I find myself a bit anxious about other things-- like how we'll handle those sleepless nights & rough first few postpartum weeks with a 3 year old who will need lots of love & attention too; like how to get newbaby's room set-up & all his little baby things ready with moving only 4-5 weeks before his due date; like how to help Andrew adjust to all these BIG changes.  I know we'll figure all that out and everything will fall into place, but they're things we can't help but think about & discuss.  

In the meantime, we are trying to get as much done & purchased now as we can and we continue having the most endearing conversations with Andrew about "baby brudder".   He has taken to even trying to share his food or drink with his brudder through my belly button! :)  A bit awkward, but super cute & sweet to be sure!