32 weeks, yo!!

Weekly Info...

How far along are you? 32 weeks today

How I’m feeling: like I'm running out of room haha. Some days, waddling and just barely making it. Some days, like a million bucks. 

Total weight gain: go back to the doc next week. I haven't gotten on the scale this week. 

How big is baby? "By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds (about the size of a large jicama) and is roughly 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, your little one will gain a third to half of his or her birth weight during the next seven weeks as he or she fattens up for survival outside the womb.

Your baby now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). The skin on your baby's body is becoming soft and smooth as he or she plumps up in preparation for birth." -babycenter app

Maternity clothes: today was favorite sports team day. So I wore an Indians jersey from this summer's Omar Vizquel Hall of Fame induction...you'll see in today's pictures why maternity clothes are a necessity now. 

Stretch marks? None. 

Sleep: I was able to get 5 straight hours (no potty breaks) the other night. Man, let me tell you!! It was great. But that was a rarity because we're back to the every couple hour potty breaks. 

Best moment this week: I'd say it all. I'm just so grateful we get to experience this. I complain, sure. But never do I take it for granted. 

Movement: her movements are becoming less comfortable by the day. Sometimes, by the hour. She's starting to run out of room which means she finds the most awkward places to get comfortable. She rolled over on something the other day and it HURT. bad. I had to mash my belly to get her to quit because I was sure she'd really injure my insides. Currently, she's jabbing her foot in my right ribs. I've physically tried moving her a few times now and she insists on going back. 

Food cravings: fluffernutter- thanks Angie! 

Food aversions: back to smells bothering me some. I just try to avoid strong smells altogether now. 

Belly button in or out: in still!!! Yay!!! It becomes more "flat" by the day though. 

What I Miss: seeing my feet and knees. I have to bend at the hips quite a bit before I can see the feet and knees again. Shaving comfortably. I absolutely hate shaving. I'm sure my husband would say I never shaved my legs anyhow, but it's really not comfortable for me to bend to shave. Even side of the tub leg shaving is mashing the big ol' belly. 

What I’m looking forward to: the next 8ish weeks. I've been told I'll miss this stage...being pregnant. And I'm sure I will to some extent. But I just cannot wait to see her wrinkly skin and kiss her cheeks and snuggle with her!! I know the mister is secretly excited too!! He reminds me quite often, just how long we have left. 

Milestone: each week we complete is one more week she's growing and is  healthy. Not much longer and she'll reach the "safe to come out and be okay on the outside without hospital intervention." 

If you overlook the squiggly white lines, I look like I did before pregnant! 

31+ weeks

Weekly Info...

How far along are you? 31 weeks 1 day, today. 

How I’m feeling: phenomenal this morning. Overdone this afternoon/evening. 

Total weight gain: Welp, it's happened. I gain way too much weight the past two weeks. Probably why everyone thought I was due now. Total weight gain is 17 pounds from my lowest during pregnancy til now. Doc isn't worried unless I gain 8 pounds between every 2 week appointment so I'm chalking it up to a fluke. 

How big is baby? "This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long, weighs approximately 3.3 pounds (about the size of a coconut), and is heading into a growth spurt. Your baby can turn his or her head from side to side, and his or her arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath the skin.

Your little one's kicks and somersaults may be keeping you up at night. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy. -from babycenter app

Maternity clothes: shirts are getting too short to cover the belly and the belly stretchy part of my pants. Hopefully no one thinks it's my belly when I wear my pants/skirt with nude belly coverage....😳

Stretch marks? The ones I've had on my hips are white and somewhat visible. 

Sleep: last night was pretty good...only up twice to potty. Let's hope tonight is a good night too 😴

Best moment this week: a decent night's sleep last night. Or the mister seeing the belly move. It's so weird to watch my belly move. One of my two classes is FINISHED!! Maybe I'll get to spend time with the husband this weekend??

Movement: her swift kicks are slowly but surely turning into grazes across one side to the other. I can see my belly change shape pretty much. It's definitely a weird sensation. There have been a few times where I'm sure she believed she was at a disco, living it up on the inside. Felt like my belly was having a seizure of its own. She really likes to leave a foot in my left rib cage. It's not comfortable in case you were wondering. 

Food cravings: none really that I can think of right now. 

Food aversions: also none

Belly button in or out: in. But maybe only for a couple weeks. 

What I Miss: rolling over in one swift movement. It takes at least 3-4 shifts to get from one side to the other withou causing some discomforts. 

What I’m looking forward to: getting to see our baby girl in approximately two months. Two months from tomorrow is our due date. 

Milestone: not a fun one, but I did get a beautiful flu shot and Tdap. Not my idea of fun at all, but glad they are out of the way. Now time to focus on getting everything (or close to everything) finished before her arrival. 

Wanna guess what this convo was like? Haha. 

I'm super stoked to be carrying around a bowling ball. 😜🎳

30 weeks and a little PAIL Awareness

PAIL- this girl's blog post couldn't have said it any better. http://dianawrote.com/2014/10/numb/

One of the toughest questions I have had to answer this pregnancy is "is this your first?" First what...first pregnancy? First baby? Well how do you define baby? First baby on earth or first baby we've conceived (yes I believe they are babies at conception...not birth)?

Some days have become easier to talk about our first three babies. The ones we didn't get to meet. The ones we didn't get to bring home. Some days have become tougher regarding this baby we're currently growing and how she compares to the other three. As I continue to feel her grow and move and kick my insides to shreds, I think of the things I (selfishly) missed out on with babies 1, 2, and 3. 

Today is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day. Today I remember our babies and so many others that aren't here anymore. Whether your baby loss is through pregnancy or infant loss, know that I'm thinking of you today....and many other days. It's not easy. It (loss) will forever be a part of us. But our babies will also forever be a part of us. 

Now to the 30 week part of the post...

Weekly Info...

How far along are you? 30 weeks!! Did you have a mini heart attack like I did? Yeah, 75% done. Well actually over 75% done (if she's one of the some 5% born on their EDD). 

How I’m feeling: overwhelmed but very excited. I cannot believe that after today we'll be down to single digit weeks. 

Total weight gain: no scale. But this belly sure is growing. No clue why I haven't gained 50 lbs because it sure does look like it some days. 

How big is baby? "Your baby's roughly 15.7 inches long now and weighs almost 3 pounds (about the size of a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds your little one, but that volume will shrink as your baby gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus.

Your baby's eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen. Even after birth, your baby will keep those little peepers closed for a good part of the day. He or she will respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision and only make out objects a few inches from his or her face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.) -babycenter app

Maternity clothes: no new outfits anymore. Although one of my really cute dressy tops (not stretchy material) has met it's match I think. I wore it this week and I *may* get one more week out of wearing it - if I'm lucky. 

Stretch marks? None yet. 

Sleep: a few nights have been great sleep. A few, not so much. 

Best moment this week: I can't narrow it down. My kids just love "experiencing" this pregnancy with me as their teacher.....until I told them I'd be out for a while on maternity leave. They thought I'd miss a couple of days. Not 6-8 weeks. 

Movement: she doesn't stop. This one is one I'm thankful for especially. She makes days like today easier to swallow. She lets me know just when I need some reassurance that she's still here and growing. 

Food cravings: I want thanksgiving dinner. I'm talking turkey, all the fixin's, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, etc. the whole shebang! 

Food aversions: chocolate - only because it gives me horrible heartburn. It's so good going down though. 

Belly button in or out: in. But sadly, not for long I don't think. It's evening out more and more I think. 

What I Miss: Sleeping comfortably. 

What I’m looking forward to: holding this little girl; seeing Phil hold this little girl; seeing this little girl wrap us around her little finger. 

Milestone: 75% done. Phew. Another heart attack. 

Some of the awesome onesies made at the baby shower this weekend: 

Yesterday's picture day outfit:

She's really out there. And low. 

Weekly front and profile shots: 

Random Pregnancy Thoughts

Filling out paperwork for maternity leave, now adding in not being able to get comfortable when sitting (laying has been uncomfortable for a while), and feeling her movements in several places at once (between hips and ribs at the same time) makes this whole experience all the more real. Tomorrow we hit 30 weeks. We'll be 75% done. 

I think I've secretly stashed my real feelings and kept thinking I'd wake up from this dream at some point. That this couldn't be real life. I still can't believe we are where we are. Our last couple of years have been tough ones to swallow. One thing I know for sure is I cannot imagine having a different man by my side to help me through my moments of overwhelming stress, moments of amazement when she kicks so forcefully that my entire midsection moves, or moments of sheer panic. Approximately 10 more weeks!!!! 

AG needs this....

29 weeks

Weekly Info...

How far along are you? 29 weeks

How I’m feeling: beat. Third trimester woes have begun. 

Total weight gain: 3lbs from last appt to this appt (4 weeks in between). 

How big is baby? "Your baby now weighs around 2 1/2 pounds (about the size of a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. Muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and your baby's head is growing bigger to make room for that developing brain.

To meet your baby's increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamin C, folic acid, and iron. And because his or her bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day." -babycenter app

Maternity clothes: are getting interesting. There's no hope at feeling skinny anymore. Ha, who am I kidding...skinny fled a long time ago. 

Stretch marks? Thankfully no new ones. 

Sleep: it has fled as well. She's smushed my lungs and other organs. Breathing is quite laborious. 

Best moment this week: seeing our little during the 3D scan even if she was stubborn (what else is new) and didn't want us to see her whole face. 

Movement: nonstop still. Only now I feel her stretched as far as she can...I think she's doing yoga inside. She prefers to punch my hip and wedge a foot in the ribs- at the same time. We did get to see her moving quite a bit during the 3D scan yesterday so that was fun. 

Food cravings: pumpkin. 

Food aversions: anything red is giving me heartburn like no tomorrow. It's not really a food aversion but it does deter me from eating many red foods. 

Belly button in or out: in. 

What I Miss: breathing effortlessly. 

What I’m looking forward to: soaking in the next 11 weeks. 

Milestone: we're almost 3/4 done!!!  

These pics are real life. My expressions and body language are quite revealing of my feelings for sure. 

This morning's bump selfie. 

Momma's tired after three very long days. Up well before the sun and home after the sun... 😑 with very little (restful) sleep between the suns all nights. 

28 weeks!!

Weekly Info...

How far along are you? 28 weeks. 

How I’m feeling: utterly overwhelmed. 

Total weight gain: I go to the doctor next week, I'll let ya know. 

How big is baby? By this week, your baby weighs 2 1/4 pounds (about the size of an eggplant) and measures 14.8 inches from head to heels.

Your baby can blink his or her eyes, which now sport lashes. With increasingly developed eyesight, your baby may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb.

Your baby's also developing billions of neurons in his or her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world. -babycenter app

Maternity clothes: I just bought some maternity tanks. Just going up a size wasn't working anymore....the belly was justa pokin' through the bottom. 

Stretch marks? Nope. 

Sleep: not last night. Probably why today started off sucky. :( 

Best moment this week: deciding to stop in the middle of writing next week's lesson plans to sit and watch my belly move. She wasn't kicking and jerking in there, just sliding around. Seeing my belly roll slightly was freaky but neat. 

Having students that truly care about me and our well being! I couldn't have hand picked a better group of kids this year. Monday, there was some definite Braxton Hicks action in the middle of a lesson. Well my kids assumed it was a swift kick the way I reacted and then realized it wasn't a kick. One by one, they started piping in little things like "it's okay, just breathe!" or "deep breaths!" or "it's okay, you can sit down for a second if you need to!" or "it's okay, we'll wait, don't rush, just calm down!" I loved it. They were such genuinely sweet moments! 

Getting to spend time with the mister, talking about reading books to our little. 

Movement: she loves to move. Thankfully, the bladder has been given a break this week but the ribs and hips are taking a beating. 

Food cravings: macaroni and cheese. I hope she loves it too!! 

Food aversions: cafeteria macaroni and cheese. :( blegh. And if you know me, you know I am the least picky person in the world when it comes to Mac n cheese. 

Belly button in or out: in. Although I think it's finally on its way to flattening. 

What I Miss: walking to my car without beginning to huff and puff. Thank goodness it's getting cooler out and I'll be able to breathe easier. Until she continues to grow haha

What I’m looking forward to: hitting 30 weeks- even though it scares the living daylights outta me. 

Milestone: we're definitely into the third trimester. Glucose test soon. Yay. 

Pictures for you:

Haha!! 

Where did that belly come from?!?

"Quit making fun of my fake smile."

Laughing/smiling to please the mister. 

Yup. Big belly still there. :)

Time to invest in some of those diabetic, elastic-free style, socks. :( I could almost read the name brand imprinted in my feet. 

Tired momma-to-be, teacher, wife.