33 weeks

How I Look - Leading with my belly :)
How I Feel -  Pretty Good!  Occasional pressure in my lower abdominal area in the evenings, it's either round ligament pain or gas.  :P  I dont' think it's Braxton Hicks contractions....though what do I know?
Weight -   +21.5 lbs overall. 
Symptoms -  Another week of little to no back aches.  Yay!  I do think my hip joints are loosening up.  I've noticed that sometimes my legs/hips become tired/sore from walking around and my hips 'pop' when I sit.
Cravings -  Cool ranch Doritos, cheese and cookies.  Plus I've been wanting a Cinnabon all week!  I'm determined to devour one today.  :D
Exercise -  Worked out Monday and Wednesday this week, plus several evening dog walks.
What I'm Looking Forward To -  Meeting our little guy.  Sometimes I'm in absolute awe about meeting this little person I (we) created and other times I'm in shock thinking how much things are going to change.
What I'm Not Looking Forward To -  The 2nd part of our childbirth class this Sat, another 5 hours to endure.  Oh, and the pillows were for us to use in the chairs because they were so uncomfortable.  I thought we'd use them to learn techniques on or something...but no.  I'm hoping this time we'll get to the nursing info, which is why I picked this class in the first place.  Practicing Lamaze made me feel silly.
Odds and Ends - Sleeping on my side is the most comfortable for me now.  Surprisingly enough I haven't needed any extra pillows at night.  I have noticed I'm eating less and less at each meal, there's just not enough room in my stomach to hold a lot of food.  I fare much better eating something small every 2-3 hours.  I also looked at nursing bras this week and found out I shouldn't buy them until 2 weeks before I'm due (just in case I have to return them).  I also found out I'll have to buy a size 38E for nursing!  Holy smokes...not sure I'm on board for the ladies to be THAT big...I rather liked my pre-pregnancy size C's.  And even with how huge they are now (D's), they still don't touch in the middle!  pfft

32 weeks

How I Look - I received a lot of compliments this week on how I look and I'm still able to wear heels.   :D
How I Feel -  I thought I was over my sickness on Thurs, but I was wrong.  It came back with a vengeance over the weekend.  So I finally went to the Doctor Monday morning and found out I had a slight case of bronchitis.  A Z-Pak and nasal spray later and I'm feeling so much better!  Thank goodness for drugs.
Weight -   +18.5 lbs overall.  Holding steady from last week.
Symptoms -  This week the lower back pain has been minimal to non-existent.  What a nice break!  Instead I've been extremely tired even though I'm getting plenty of sleep at night.  By the time I arrive at work all I want to do is crawl under my desk and take a nap.  And of course it sucks getting up to pee every 10 mins.....
Cravings -  Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate.  One day I managed to have a decaf mocha and  slice of choc bread for breakfast from the bistro, GS peanut butter patties (5 of them!) as a snack and then for dessert choc ice cream.  I'm in a chocolate rage!  :Þ
Exercise -  Only made it to the gym once this week since I was still recovering from bronchitis. 
What I'm Looking Forward To -  My baby shower in 2 weeks!  Plus my mommy will be in town and can help me get a few more things ready; perhaps go with me to buy nursing bras, help pack my hospital bag, etc.
What I'm Not Looking Forward To -  Our first childbirth class is this Saturday, and it's 5 hours long!  This should be interesting, they called and told me to bring a pillow for my back.  The 2nd part of this class is on the following Sat for yet another 5 hours.  Ugh!
Odds and Ends - I had a checkup this morning and everything looks great.  Baby's heartbeat is 142 and I'm measuring right on track.  I did ask about my weight and the Dr said I'm doing just fine, that I'm one of the healthiest pregnant ladies they've seen today.  Okey-dokey!  I think baby might be head down (or heading that way)...I've noticed that now most of the kicks are towards the top instead of on the side or down low...so I'm hoping he's moving into position!  Not sure when my next ultrasound will be, they said they would try to get one more in later on to determine the baby's weight.  From here on out I will be going to the Dr every two weeks.  I also can't pick an induction date until week 38.  I won't induce early unless the Dr says I need to because of the baby's weight.  I just want to make sure I don't go late, so I'd like to be able to induce the day after my due date (or close to it) if possible!

32 weeks - 2/18/2011

I just realized the majority of my pictures are taken with me wearing jeans, probably because that's always casual Friday at work.  :)  I'll try to wear a skirt or slacks next time.

31 weeks

How I Look - The same as last week I guess.  Malek keeps commenting on how big Ryland is getting. Thanks Love!  :Þ
How I Feel -  Feeling pretty good, except for coming down with the flu or some sickness on Tues....finally recovered on Thurs.  I blame the crazy weather going on in TX at the moment. One day it's in the 70's...the next in the 20's!
Weight -   +18.5 lbs overall.  I'm down 1.5 lbs from last week...however my thighs would disagree.

Symptoms -  Still experiencing lower back aches and now frequent trips to the restroom.  I am sooo tired of having to relieve myself!  I get up on average 3-4 times a night to go to the restroom...sometimes my trips are only 5 mins apart!  How crazy is that!!?  Can I really go through that much liquid in 5 mins!  My poor bladder.

Cravings -  Still liking sweets and now I seem to be craving milk; enjoying cereal for breakfast and glasses of milk in the evening (to go with the sweets).

Exercise -  Went to the gym on Monday and Friday.  My workout consists of 30 mins on the elliptical followed by light (5 & 8lb) arm weights.

What I'm Looking Forward To -  When I can finally enjoy medium-rare steaks again and a glass of wine!  Plus I'm super excited about my baby shower and finishing off the nursery with the gifts we receive.

What I'm Not Looking Forward To -  I watched "One Born Every Minute" again this week and one of the deliveries had a very scary situation, it looked like the baby wasn't going to survive.  I found myself tearing up.  Now I'm all freaked out about delivery issues and what could happen with my labor and the baby's health.

Odds and Ends - Wow, the baby's hearing is 100% complete!  Guess I better start watching my language.  :-o  We finally went on our hospital tour this past Saturday.  I found it very exciting; gathering all the information, viewing the labor/delivery room (which are really nice, though the viewing mirror freaked me out), and checking out the baby nursery.  The delivery room had swan towels on the bed, like what you'd find at a resort or fancy hotel...somehow I don't think those will be there when I show up.  :Þ  They didn't show us the post delivery rooms, apparently they are much smaller and not as nice as the labor/delivery rooms, but they are supposed to have the nicer bed.  It's hard to believe that I only have 9 more weeks to go, week 31 starts my 8th month!  I also need to have my hospital bag packed by week 35!  I'm going to run myself ragged trying to remember everything.

30 Weeks

How I Look - A and J have both said I look 'huge'!  :Þ  I am happy with my progress.
How I Feel -  Great!  The stitch in my side has finally gone away.  I also haven't had to use the humidifier since I started taking the iron supplements.
Weight -   +20 lbs overall.  Wow....

Symptoms -  Still experiencing lower back aches.  I don't think they will go away until the baby arrives.  And of course stronger fetal activity. 

Cravings -  Cookies, cupcakes, hot cocoa, chocolate....pretty much anything with sugar.  Here's a new one I'm loving - pears!

Exercise -  Went to the gym on Monday and Tuesday.  Then the Arctic blast hit TX and I haven't gone back outside. burrrrr

What I'm Looking Forward To -  Enjoying the quite mornings and remaining 'free' time I have left.

What I'm Not Looking Forward To -  Last night I watched "One Born Every Minute" and now I'm having nightmares about labor/birth.  :-\  Praying for a quick delivery!

Odds and Ends - Yay I've hit 30 weeks!!  Only 10 more to go!  Since my co-workers have realized I'm  pregnant they have started giving me lots of compliments and free food.  I actually received some homemade cookies on Thurs, and another co-worker brought me 2 boxes of GS cookies!  I am still able to bend over (very carefully I might add), however it's becoming increasingly more and more difficult.  Malek had to help me off the couch the other day.

On another note, ATX received 2-3 inches of snow last night!  That means the majority of Texans are freaking out and staying home.  The doggies weren't sure what to make of the fluffy white stuff this morning, but soon Josie was out there running around like a crazy dog...while Sarah said "no thank you!" and preferred to stay inside.  The kids are loving it.



30 weeks - 2/4/2011

 







Snow in TX! - 2/4/2011

29 weeks

Weight -   +16.5 lbs overall.
Symptoms -  Same ol' same ol', my back is usually sore/achy by the end of the day.  I relish long hot showers....though the energy bill begs to differ.  I also have a small annoying stitch in my right side that I'm constantly having to massage.

Cravings -  Girl Scout cookies are here!  I've already managed to polish off a box of caramel delites (my fav!)...I need to break into the Thin Mints (they are in the freezer).  :drool:

Exercise -  Went to the gym on Monday only and made it outside to walk the dogs one evening.  Apparently eating out this week took precedence. 

What I'm Looking Forward To - Hitting the 30+ weeks and the last stretch of my pregnancy.  I'm super excited to arrive at week 37, when I'm considered full term, because that means the baby could come at any time and I'm ready to meet him!  Plus I soooo want to sleep on my stomach again. 

What I'm Not Looking Forward To -  All the symptoms I keep reading about are a bit scary; swelling, hemorrhoids, heartburn, constipation, leg cramps.  Knock on wood that they stay away.  So far so good.

Odds and Ends - Valentines day is coming up and I have no clue what we'll do.  What I'm more interested in is our babymoon/anniversary at the end of March!  We received a code for a free 2 night stay at a hotel and mailed in all our info a couple weeks ago.  I'm hoping we get what we requested, you just never know with those things.  I'm also ready for January to be over with, because there's so much going on in Feb and Mar that time will fly by and Apr will be here before we realize it. :D  I also love feeling the baby kick, and he moves/kicks all the time!  It's quite amazing watching my stomach bounce around like there's a party going on in there.

28 weeks

How I Look - I finally had co-workers start congratulating me at work this week (3 in one day!).  I must admit the shirts I've worn the past few days make me look really pregnant, so they probably felt safe enough now to say something. ;)
How I Feel -  Awesome!

Weight -   +15 lbs overall.  Holding steady from last week.

Symptoms -  Occasional lower back aches.  Posture is key.

Cravings -  Cupcakes!  This week has been all about chocolate cupcakes, I made two different batches.  1st batch was devil's food cake from a box mix with chocolate frosting.  The 2nd batch was a brand new recipe and from scratch, chocolate surprise cupcakes, made with cocoa powder and a cream cheese choc chip filling!

Exercise -  Went to the gym on Monday and Tuesday.

What I'm Looking Forward To -  I ordered a maternity dress from motherhood.com (it was $14 on sale!) and I'm patiently waiting for it to arrive.  It looked super cute online!  I want to wear it for my shower.  :)

What I'm Not Looking Forward To -  From what I read, 28 weeks and on is when some mothers feel leg cramps, itching and swelling.  So far I'm doing OK, fingers crossed going forward!
Odds and Ends - I passed the glucose test!!!  The Doctors want you at a score under 140 and mine was 88.  Woohoo!  However they did say my iron was a bit low, so I get to take iron supplements.  Either way I'm just happy I don't have to retake the glucose test, the 2nd time around is much worse from what I hear (an all day event and 3 different times to draw blood). 

My friends showed me the invitations for the baby shower, they are super cute (I'll post pictures later when they are actually mailed).  I'm so excited and can barely wait!!!  I, actually my friend Amanda, also found a great deal for newborn pictures!  The photographer is melissa q and I've already booked her for the end of April.  Our maternity pictures will be through luxe photography in March, I bought a photo package deal for it off Eversave Austin.  Save where I can right? 

28 weeks - 1/21/2011





Glucose test

Early this morning I had my glucose test.  I was kinda worried how that orange drink would go down, but it was actually pretty good!  Tasted just like orange crush.  :)  I chugged it in 4 mins flat and only suffered one brain freeze.  I should find out my results on Friday or Monday.  Immediately following the test I had a Dr appointment.  Baby is doing great - 140 bpm, and measuring right on track!  He's a feisty little guy!