Week 33

Baby's development: Baby is now about 16 1/2 inches long and about 4 1/2 to 5 lbs. The baby is now putting on weight quickly and developing fat under the skin. This makes the baby less red and more filled out. His bones are also hardening, which makes those little kicks so much more painful (especially in the rib area). His skull bones will remain soft though, so that he can make it through the birth canal.

In the past week, I have developed a pretty serious rash all over my belly and chest. It's hard to tell from the belly pic, but I am covered with small red bumps. I called my doctor and I'm going in on Tuesday to have it checked out. She said that it might be PUPPP ("Pruritic Uticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy"). It's a rash that develops in some women during the third trimester. People are not sure what causes it, but it's usually associated with women who are carrying boys; it could be an allergic reaction to male DNA. It can be so bad that some women have their labor induced early because it goes away once the baby is born. PUPPP is not harmful to the baby, but it is driving me crazy. There are steroid creams that can be used, but I won't see my doctor until Tuesday. I've been trying some home remedies, including using "Grandpa's Pine Tar Soap," a miracle soap that some women claim on the internet blogs. I've used it twice today, so I'm definitely hoping for a miracle. I would seriously consider inducing early if I will continue to be this itchy until week 40. It's pretty unbearable! I don't wish this upon even my worst enemy. I hope I don't go crazy from all this itching!

Other interesting news...we got a rocker as a gift from Sue and Brendan. It's the same rocking chair that they have in Costa Rica. I sat in this rocking chair a lot when Ryan and I were there visiting and they decided to get us one for the nursery. Very thoughtful! It's really comfortable and it's going to be perfect to rock the baby to sleep in.

One last piece of news. Ryan and I are moving back to Boulder August 1. We decided it would be easier for Ryan to commute to Fort Collins twice a week than for me to commute to Boulder once the baby is born. We are moving into Sue and Brendan's house and we rented out our house in Fort Collins already. We signed a lease with our new tenants today. I'm pretty excited at the prospect of being close to the baby when I go back to work. I'll be able to come home for lunch!