For the first time, I’m fairly certain little one has the hiccups. At first, I was trying to figure out what I was feeling in my lower abdomen (kicks are usually higher, as she’s already upside down) — then a pattern of movement started. These are strong hiccups, and would drive me nuts if they were mine!

The past couple of weeks, I’ve become progressively more uncomfortable, even though my rear end has *stopped* expanding (thank you, hiking and weights). My belly self-measures at about 29-30cm, right on track, and when I hold out the tape measure to see what 40cm looks like…YIKES! Do I really have to do this for another 2-1/2 to 3 months?

Backaches, leg cramps, carpal tunnel syndrome, arms numb in the mornings…ah, joy. Some day, before too very long, I’ll get to move gracefully again, wear normal clothing, hike without panting quite so much, and bend down to pick up a pen without a second thought. Until that time, I can just be glad that every week longer she stays with me…we’re closer to a no-complications-no-interventions birth at home.