Ashley Ruth is 33 weeks today. She has pushing the 4 1/2 lb mark and weighs roughly as much as a pineapple (ummm, might need to send Gary to Publix after class for some of that now). Her skeleton is hardening this week. As she continues to put on weight she is losing the wrinkled look and her skin is looking fuller. While she continues to get oxygen from her umbilical cord until birth, she is practicing breathing in a steady, rhythmic pattern now. She breathes the amniotic fluid which is at it's highest right now, it will decrease as we get closer to her birth day. She is storing up iron in her liver, since she won't be getting much until around 6 to 9 months old. The big thing that she will do from now till her birth is continue to add synapses between her brain cells. Brain growth primarily occurs in the last month and a half before birth.

As for me, I am patiently... or not so much waiting. I'm ready to be done with the being sick, exhausted, and just plain sore all the time. I'm trying to enjoy some one on one time with everyone's favorite stinker, but he just wears a body out. I think he could outlast the Energizer Bunny. Pregnancy with Britt had it's own challenges, but they are nothing compared to this one. Speaking of Britt, he has progressed from kissing Ruth to tackling me around the waist when asked about Ruth. He still pats her and loves on her (rather vigerously I might add), but his hugs now need a running start. I look forward to seeing the two of them together despite all the horror stories, we heard on Sunday about second children. Things are progressing pretty normally however.