27 weeks

8/7/2013 - 27 weeks and 4 days 
Last week of my 2nd trimester! 

How I Look -  My belly is large and in charge!  Some of my friends are surprised by how different this pregnancy is from my first.  During my first pregnancy they could barely tell I was pregnant until after 6 months.  This time around they could tell much earlier.  And I'm only gonna get bigger!

Weight :  +13.5 lbs.  

How I Feel -  Lower back aches and increased trips to the bathroom, but otherwise OK.

Symptoms -  Lately my right arm from the shoulder down has been going numb, especially my hand.  It even happens when sleeping, I'm unable to lay on my side without my hand/arm going numb.  I will definitely talk to the Dr about this development at my next appointment next week.

Cravings - Ice cream, chocolate and fruit.

Exercise -  Workouts have been dwindling.  Work has been crazy busy lately which has made it hard for me to work out.  Plus it's so hot (above 100 degrees) that I do not want to venture outside for walks.

What I'm Looking Forward To -  Scheduling maternity pictures, we have a photog friend who offered to take them for us for free!  Super excited for my baby shower in September.  I received the invitation today and they are super cute, awesome job hostesses A, J and Mom!!   Meeting my new baby girl in Oct and finally being able to sleep on my stomach again (Nov)!

Front of invite - on a white background

back of invite

What I'm Not Looking Forward To - Glucose test next week.  Last time I actually liked the orange drink, it tasted like orange crush.  I'm sure the taste won't be an issue this time either, all I'm worried about are the results.

Odds & Ends -  The nursery is painted and staged and I LOVE IT!  It turned out beautifully and I find the room very soothing.  I felt a little guilty that Ry's room is so neutral, so we went out and bought some blue paint to spruce up his room.  Hopefully we'll get to that in the next couple of weeks.  By next week I'll also need to register at the hospital.  I can't believe how quickly time is flying by, third tri here I come!

Bedding from Babies R Us (registry gift) - Nojo Beautiful Butterfly

Futon purple quilt, aqua sheets, ruffle pillow and butterfly pillow from Target

Paint in eggshell

light: valspar Iris Blossom 

dark: valspar Purple Valley

26 weeks

7/31/2013 - 26 weeks and 4 days 

How I Look -  I was referred to as the 'Buddha' the other day...yeah my belly is really out there.

Weight :  +10.5 lbs.  

How I Feel - Pretty good most of the time.  Occasional lower back aches.

Symptoms -  My hands swell in the heat so I've been wearing my wedding ring on a necklace. 

Cravings - Ice cream, brownies and fruit.

Exercise - I've made it to the gym twice this week.  Still walking in the evenings when I can.

What I'm Looking Forward To -  We are painting the nursery this week!  I'm super excited to see how it turns out.  I'll post pictures next week AND I think we might have a name!  I'm not announcing it yet as we are 'trying' it out first.  

What I'm Not Looking Forward To - Same ol' same ol'.  Summer heat, getting bigger, feeling uncomfortable.

Odds & Ends -  We have received the nursery bedding set on our registry!  Can't wait to break it out and set up the nursery, after painting of course.  Thanks Juju!  I also went out and purchased some bedding for the futon that will be in baby girls room.  I'm super excited with how everything is coming together.  Her room is gonna be so cute, I want it!  

Around this time when I was pregnant with Ry we started registering for baby classes.  We've decided it's not necessary this time around, besides I'll be scheduling a c-section so no need to worry about labor.

25 weeks

7/24/2013 - 25 weeks and 4 days 

How I Look -  The same.  People in the gym have either finally noticed or have become brave enough to say something.  Yesterday a fellow gym enthusiast proclaimed "You've got a bun in the oven!".  

Weight :  +11 lbs.  

How I Feel - Pretty good.  I must have been really tired this past weekend as I took 2 hour naps on both Sat and Sun!  At the end of the day my lower back hurts from leaning over my desk.

Symptoms -  Occasional lower back soreness and dry nose.

Cravings - Brownies...at least 2 each night!  And fruit (peaches, cherries, grapes, apples).

Exercise - Work has been so busy that I haven't been able to hit the gym.

What I'm Looking Forward To -  Nailing down a name, seriously we are having a most difficult time agreeing on a name.  We each have a top name which are still in debate...we are still on the lookout for other options.

What I'm Not Looking Forward To - Same ol' same ol'.  Summer heat, getting bigger, feeling uncomfortable.

Odds & Ends -  Baby girl is really kicking and moving.  The other day she wasn't too happy that daddy was poking her and she really kicked him back.  I'm excited to receive my shower invites, I hear they are super cute!  We've also received some of baby girl's first items/gifts from Nana and Juju.

24 weeks

7/17/2013 - 24 weeks and 4 days 

7/16/2013

How I Look -  I saw my profile in the gym mirror...wowza, I'm huge and barely halfway through this pregnancy!  

Weight :  +9.5 lbs. 

How I Feel - Great.  I've even been sleeping better this week (no numb limbs).

Symptoms -  I was reading some symptoms of preterm labor, hmmmm, I have a couple of them.  However I'm not having any contractions so I think it's just normal pregnancy symptoms.  

Cravings - Baked goods, chocolate and fruit.  Bacon is still a no go and recently sausage doesn't sound very appealing.

Exercise -  I normally work out during lunch but this week has been very busy.  So far I've made it to the gym once.  When I miss the gym I usually walk in the evenings, but it's been raining all week!  So I guess I get to take it easy.  :)

What I'm Looking Forward To -  Painting the nursery in 2 weeks!  We have found 2-3 paint colors that work perfectly for the nursery and coordinate with the bedding.  Now to figure out how to paint it; should we do all 4 walls the same, put in a chair rail with a darker color below and a lighter one above, 3 walls the same and 1 accent wall, paint the inside of the closet???  

light: valspar Iris Blossom 

medium: valspar Purple Hills 

dark: valspar Purple Valley

nojo beautiful butterfly

What I'm Not Looking Forward To - Not being able to bend over and pick things up.  It's getting harder and harder and more uncomfortable every time I try.

Odds & Ends -  I had my 24 week Dr's appointment today, just a normal checkup.  Baby is measuring slightly bigger than normal and her heartbeat was around 130 bpm.  They did give me the glucose drink for next time (28 weeks) and a lab sheet for more blood work to check my thyroid.  I loved the orange drink with Ry, so hopefully my taste buds haven't changed.  I'll also be able to register for the hospital at week 28.  Baby girl is super active and squirmy.  I feel her moving all the time.

23 weeks

7/10/2013 - 23 weeks and 4 days 

How I Look -  The same...I think.

Weight :  +8.5 lbs.  Darn all that ice cream.

How I Feel - Good for the most part.  My stomach feels tight all the time, I especially notice it during my evening walks.

Symptoms -  My right shoulder/arm always goes numb at night, no matter which side I'm sleeping on.  Extra pillows aren't helping either.  :(

Cravings - Rocky Road ice cream, EVERY NIGHT, and brownies as of yesterday.  I guess baby is beginning to like chocolate.

Exercise - The same: walking, elliptical, cycling, light arm weights. 

What I'm Looking Forward To -  Figuring out a name, picking out a color to paint the nursery (dusky lavender?), my shower/sprinkle in 2 months.  :)

What I'm Not Looking Forward To - 100 degree days.

Odds & Ends -  This past weekend I cleaned and disinfected the nursery.  Disinfected you say?  Yup, I wiped down all the baseboards, doorknobs, closet shelves and chest of drawers and even dusted the curtain rod.  I can't wait to paint the walls, rearrange the furniture and decorate (with help from the hubby of course).

22 weeks

7/3/2013 - 22 weeks and 4 days 

How I Look -  The same.  Some people say I'm barely showing, others say baby girl is really putting herself out there.  :Þ

Weight :  +6.5 lbs, starting to jump up.  When I hit 23 weeks with Ry I was up 7 lbs.

How I Feel - Good.  Although my belly feels really tight and cumbersome.

Symptoms -  Haven't noticed anything this week.  Whew!  ;)

Cravings - Rocky Road ice cream. EVERY NIGHT.

Exercise - The same: walking, elliptical, cycling, light arm weights.  I try to do something every day of the week.

What I'm Looking Forward To -  Nailing down a name!

What I'm Not Looking Forward To - I really wish I could sleep on my stomach, I miss that.

Odds & Ends -  Baby girl has been kicking up a storm the past two weeks.  She definitely doesn't like it when I put pressure on my belly.  At work the other day I was leaning into my desk and I felt her pushing back against it!  It makes me smile when she moves around during my meetings.

21 weeks

6/26/2013 - 21 weeks and 4 days 

How I Look -  Baby got front.  Check out the 20 week comparison shots from when I was pregnant with Ry and now with baby girl.

Weight :  +4.5 lbs  (currently on the same path as my 1st pregnancy)

How I Feel - Good for the most part.  Although it's already getting hard to bend over and move around.  Some times I feel like a beached whale on the couch.  This does not bode well for me.

Symptoms -  Swelling in my hands.  The past couple of days I've noticed my hands starting to swell.  To counteract the swelling I have to keep my lower arms (from elbow to hand) parallel with the ground.  It's only happened twice; once while out walking (I think due to the heat), the other at work.  Thankfully it didn't last long.  This summer heat is not going to be very forgiving.  I probably need to drink more water as well, I haven't been very good about that this week.  

Cravings - Oreos and really wanting some wine, O'Doul's will just have to do.

Exercise - Walking at night, sometimes with the dogs.  Hitting up the gym 2-3x's a week.

What I'm Looking Forward To -  Figuring out what to add to our baby registry.  Earlier this week I started our registry and added the bedding.  Most of the big ticket items we already have and will reuse (crib, pack n play, swing, etc).  Still gotta figure out the other things we'll need:  I'm drawing a blank as all I can think of are clothes and decor...

Odds & Ends -  One of the employees at the gym noticed my baby bump today.  She said I looked tiny!  That made my day.  :)  I also broke out the Mederma stretch mark cream this week.  I haven't noticed any stretch marks yet but as I'm already showing way more this 2nd time around I don't want to take any chances.  Varicose veins are supposed to start showing up about this time (according to babycenter.com), so far I'm doing everything I need to be doing (legs up, exercising) except sleeping on my left side.  For whatever reason I seem to be more comfortable on my right side.