34 weeks pregnant

I am now 34 weeks along in my pregnancy.  I am both panicking and getting excited.  We have most everything we need for the baby... but how can you really prepare for the sleepless nights?  I hope LittleBigMan adjusts to the change easily & grows to love his bro/sis quickly.  I think that aside from the sleep issues, the hardest part of having a newborn this time will be making sure our son gets plenty of time and attention from us still.  Any advice on how to make the transition easier???

During my first pregnancy I took a belly pic most every week... but for some reason not at 34 weeks.  So here are 2 pictures of me at 33 weeks during my first pregnancy-

And at 34 weeks along this time-

I have no idea/feeling about the baby's gender.  I have had 2 baby dreams.  The first was very long & detailed, but in it the baby was a girl.  The second dream the baby was a boy.  Here are some old wives tales about gender (I've highlighted the ones I think apply to me)...

It's a boy if: 

• You didn't experience morning sickness in early pregnancy. (I had a little, but it was closer to 12/14 wks)
• Your baby's heart rate is less than 140 beats per minute. (Last appt it was under 140)
• You are carrying the extra weight out front.
• Your belly looks like a basketball.
• You are carrying low. (I think my belly looks high in the pic, but have been told I'm carrying low & by u/s the baby is low in my pelvis)
• You are craving salty or sour foods.
• You are craving protein -- meats and cheese.
• Your feet are colder than they were before pregnancy
• The hair on your legs has grown faster during pregnancy.
• Your hands are very dry.
• Your pillow faces north when you sleep.
• Dad-to-be is gaining weight right along with you.
• Pregnancy has you looking better than ever.
• Your urine is bright yellow in color.
• Your nose is spreading. 
• You hang your wedding ring over your belly and it moves in circles. 
• You are having headaches.
• You add your age at the time of conception and the number for the month you conceived and the sum is an even number.

It's a girl if:

• You had morning sickness early in pregnancy.
• Your baby's heart rate is at least 140 beats per minute.
• You are carrying the weight in your hips and rear.
• Your hair develops red highlights.
• You are carrying high.
• Your belly looks like a watermelon. (I think?)
• You are craving sweets.
• You are craving fruit.
• You crave orange juice.
• You don't look quite as good as normal during pregnancy.
• Your face is round & rosy.  (not sure about round, but told my cheeks are quite rosy)
• You are moodier than usual during pregnancy.
• Your face breaks out more than usual.
• You refuse to eat the heel of a loaf of bread.
• Your pillow faces south when you sleep.
• Your urine is a dull yellow color.
• You hang your wedding ring over your belly and it moves from side.
• You add your age at the time of conception and the number for the month you conceived and the sum is an odd number.

 

I haven't tried the wedding ring trick yet and many of these I'm not sure about.