29 Weeks

Hooray for long weekends!  Ours started with our 28 week appointment (all good!) and then we headed to the Property for a couple of days with Joey's parents and the dogs. The weather was beautiful and the dogs loved exploring and playing outside. We came back on Sunday so we could get some things done around the house and we also attended a BBQ at Gage's house in Maryland. Monday I got a pedicure and shopped around my local Wally world before I ran out of energy and had to lay down for a while.

Baby prep land has somewhat stalled as we (anxiously!) await our baby showers and as most of the big stuff is done.  Just need to finish hanging curtains, hang the gigantor painting, and start washing baby clothes and putting them away.  I've been trying really hard to stay on top of the housework so that we're in good shape when she gets here.  We'll have my Mom here to help us but I don't want to leave her a huge mess! 

Date: May 27, 2014

How far along? 29w2d. Baby is somewhere around 2.5-3 pounds and 15-17 inches long.

How is Mama doing?  Still doing really well.  I'm beginning to notice some of the 3rd trimester fatigue setting in but I'm ignoring it for the time being.

Movement:  Starting to feel like a mini punching bag although right now it's still funny when she kicks me in the ribs.

Maternity Clothes?  Things nobody talks about when you're pregnant: Finding clothes suitable to wear to work/that don't make you look like a hooker with your double F boobs.

Pregnancy Fitness:  I worked out earlier in the week. Took a long walk around the neighborhood (one loop with the dogs, one without) and tried the 3rd trimester strength training workout. Ha... talk about low impact! (Not that I mind.......)

Symptoms: Starting to slow down a little bit.  I still WANT to clean all of the things but I don't have all of the energy :( I also have had some anxiety. Those of you that suffer from anxiety understand when I say that I'm not anxious about any one thing in particular, it's just dealing with the physical symptoms of anxiety. While these things are all annoying, nothing is THAT bad and I'm just going along for the ride.

Belly Button: Still there!

Nutrition/Cravings?   I had an issue this past weekend where I realized I hadn't eaten enough and I felt horrible. I need to pay better attention to what and how much I am eating regardless of whether or not I feel hungry. I don't want to feel that way again.

Sleep: Waking up several times a night to flip over to the other side or go to the bathroom (about 2x/night). 

Looking Forward To:  My family is having a shower for me in Pennsylvania this weekend. I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone!!

What I miss: This gorgeous weather has definitely made me miss sitting out on the deck after dinner with a glass of wine. Something I will surely be doing once little miss arrives.

Doc/Chloe: Are exhausted after such a long weekend. Got plenty more pics of Chlo sleeping with her tongue sticking out but I think you guys have seen enough of those.

29 Week Pic:

Artsy!

28 Weeks

Just as I suspected it would, May is flying by and it's already Memorial Day week!  This past weekend was very productive and I continued my fight against Mt. Laundry and my quest to organize and de-clutter every room in the house.  I even de-cluttered the refridgerator doors. 

Sunday, Joey and his boyfriends had a half marathon and I was excused from going so I got to sleep in and have a lazy morning.  Then we all met up for lunch where it was decided that a trip to the winery was in order.  I had a nice time and served as DD.  The weather was beautiful.  We stopped at 7/11 before we we got there and I got a gigantic cherry slushie so I would have a matching red mouth with everyone drinking the merlot... ;)

I'm continuing to get excited and work on the baby's room and all the details.  Also whoever invented Zulily is a sheer, evil genius.  It's all I can do to not cancel my registries all together and just buy everything from Zulily. I keep reminding myself that there will be more!!

It's been four weeks already so we're slated for another pre-natal massage and a Dr. appointment this week.  From now on, my appointments will be every 2 weeks.  I'm officially in the third tri!

Date: May 19, 2014

How far along? 28 weeks. Baby has a 95% chance of survival if born today. This is very exciting but I obviously want to keep her in there for a couple more months ;)

How is Mama doing?  Doing great!

Movement:  I'm convinced she is head down based on what I've been feeling and where. I *think* they might start looking at that this week at my appointment so I'll let you know if I was right!

Maternity Clothes? Wearing them.  (I don't know if anyone else who has ever done this weekly survey has felt like the questions get kind of silly after a while?)

Pregnancy Fitness:  I got two workouts in this past week. Seems to be the average. Not what I'd like it to be but it's better than nothing. I actually really enjoyed the 2nd trimester strength training vid.  I'll have to check out a new one this week!

Symptoms: More hip pain but nothing unbearable. There were probably more little things but I can't remember them due to pregnancy brain.

Belly Button:  In and squeaky clean! (Having my belly stretched out has provided more than ample opportunities to clean out my belly button.)

Nutrition/Cravings?  I've been into chocolate/bread combinations like choco croissants and chocolate chip muffins. Although I've always like those things.  We just took a little hiatus to the 7/11 because Joey was tired and needed a Red Bull. I wanted ice cream so I got a Snickers ice cream bar. Good thing I can't walk back there to get 6 more.

Sleep: Whenever I wake up to use the bathroom I'm just SO TIRED and I'm so thankful that I can just go back to sleep.  My days are numbered.  It's depressing.

Looking Forward To:   Memorial Day Weekend!!!

What I miss: We were at my favorite winery this weekend, so I did miss drinking their delish wine and all the fun that usually ensues there. I felt like the Mom.  (welp....)

Doc/Chloe:  I just keep getting so sad thinking about how much their lives are going to change. I feel so sorry for them because they have no idea. I know they will be an excellent big bro/big sis and I just hope they know I still love them even when they aren't the main attraction anymore :(

28 Week Pic:
No hiding that bump now!!! :)

Getting the right bra

This is a family-friendly blog, so I don't think this is going to get too uncomfortable.  I just wanted to write out my experience for others who might read this and think "hey, that describes my situation too!" 

Bottom line: I should have done this a long time ago.

One of the first things that happens when you get pregnant is your chest starts to grow. Well, actually it hurts. A lot.  And then it grows.  Somewhere around 9 weeks I grabbed a 36 DD off the shelf at Target or something, and figured it would be "good enough".  It was pretty gappy around the sides since I'm really a 34, and there was room for growth in the cups.  I thought it fit okay and it gave me more support than the other ones I had.

Fast forward several months to a few weeks ago.  Not only was I having serious issues with upper back pain, but one day I looked down and noticed a full inch between where the bra was supposed to sit and where it was sitting on my chest.  It also was leaving painful red marks and indentations. 
5 months had passed and my "good enough" bra was definitely in need of replacing.

I've always been aware that there are specialty stores for bras.  I have family and friends who have shopped at these places and given rave reviews.  So last week I finally decided it was time to bite the bullet (and the money that goes with it) and get fitted.

I looked around locally but the only store I could find that does fittings and has real, womanly sizes was Trousseau in Vienna, VA.  It took me a week or so to get over there because it's nowhere near anything I ever visit, but I finally went on Saturday. 

It's a boutique type store that specializes in "other" sizes, but also lingerie, bridal wear, tiaras, jewelry, etc.  Everyone I worked with was very nice and the woman who fitted me REALLY knew her stuff.  She got my size right on the first try.  And because I'm not ashamed, I'll tell you it's 34FF. 

She was very helpful, did not rush me, got me several different choices and styles, and patiently waited for me to try them on and then helped me adjust them so they fit correctly. They were super busy, but I did not feel like I was in any way being rushed out of there.

In the end, I bought 4 bras- 1 regular, 1 regular in a neutral color, 1 nursing, and 1 for sleeping in(because when you are a 34 with huge cups, regular sports bras don't fit. At all.).

Sunday I woke up, showered, put on my new bra and got to work organizing and cleaning the house for several hours.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE.

Right away, I noticed that my back already felt better.  Not to mention I looked good in the tank top I put on.  ;)

A few days later I am still very happy with my purchases.  (I do have a small sore area where the underwire rubbed my skin a little bit, but I don't think it's going to kill me.)  My back pain has decreased significantly and I look MUCH better in my clothes!

I can't emphasize enough that it's important to go get fitted by a REAL store.  I was fitted at Victoria's Secret long ago but I have since learned that a) they were probably wrong and b) their stuff doesn't fit me right (and now I know why).

If you have any discomfort or even if you just have no clue about what size you are, I'd really recommend getting fitted.  The fitting was free, just had to buy the bras (not free).  But well worth it in my opinion.

27 Weeks

So there are conflicting reports about when the trimesters all start but according to what I understand, the third trimester starts somewhere around the 28th week.  Since that begins tomorrow, and my due date was 3 months from yesterday, I'm going to say HELLO 3RD TRI!

Less than 3 months to go. How terrifying/exciting is that?! Also, I got to celebrate Mothers Day for the first time, even though I haven't actually been initiated yet.  I don't remember if I told you guys (preggo brain) but I read this awesome book that compared becoming a mother to joining a sorority.  Your pregnancy is the pledge period and your labor and delivery are initiation.  I'm not an initiated member yet so I can't wear the letters, but I'm excited to be getting some of the goodies that come with it :)  Joey made me a huge omlette for breakfast, brought me some flowers, and got me a really difficult to find/rare Vera Bradley/Disney pattern backpack.  A VB backpack is an essential Disney touring item, and mine was getting a little worn/faded from too much Florida sun... This one is also bigger and will hold both my and baby's valuables (anything we don't want to leave in the stroller).

I guess now is a good time to admit that we've already planned our first Disney trip as a family of three next year ;)

I also had my first taste of nesting this weekend as I spent the entire day Sunday cleaning out 4 of our upstairs closets, throwing things away, and collecting clothes to donate.  I also organized my own clothes, separated things that I am not currently wearing, and organized my jewelry and accessories.  I was on my feet all day, and I wanted to do more but I kept having to take breaks because my feet were getting sore!
Other fun things that happened this weekend- I finished my certificate classes and I recieved my invitation for my PA baby shower in the mail! Time is FLYING by. 

Date: May 12, 2014

How far along? 27 weeks. Baby is the size of a head of cauliflower.

How is Mama doing?  I'm starting to get really excited. I just want her to get here! I'm nervous for labor and delivery. I absolutely HATE not knowing when it's going to start and how it's going to be.  (Not to mention that it's going to hurt.) But I'm looking past all that because I'm so excited for her to be here, to see what she looks like, and to welcome her into our family.

Weight gain?  I jumped on the scale this morning just for you guys! Actually I jumped on the scale for me because I'm feeling huge, haven't been doing too much cardio, and my sweet tooth has been a little OOC... I'm up 6 pounds and probably more on a doctor's scale.  Baby weighs about ~2 of that.  The weight is coming and I know and realize that.  I'm going to intermittently check in about weight because while I want to track it for later reference, I also don't want to go too far down that road.  I tend to get obsessive and growing a baby is not the time to get obsessive about weight.

Movement:  Baby is getting stronger and longer.  Tons of movement.  I've noticed her schedule has slightly shifted.  She used to be more active in the evenings, now it's around ~3pm. Really, it's all day long though.  She's all over the place in there. 

Maternity Clothes?  I finally went and had a bra fitting! I'll write a whole post about that because it was a great experience. 

Pregnancy Fitness:  I did one strength training workout this week, coupled with walks to/from class and parking in DC and being on my feet all day yesterday.  I didn't do enough.

Symptoms: Same old stuff. Hip pain, a little bit of  heart burn here and there, some uterine stretching/cramping, that's about it.  I have definitely noticed occurrences of the famed "pregnancy brain" lately too.  I've been saying/doing stupid things, forgetting things, etc.  It's really ridiculous.

Belly Button:  Nice and stretched, but still in.

Nutrition/Cravings? I have had more of a sweet tooth as of lately but I feel like that's not really any different than my normal life... I've done ok with eating healthy and need to get back on the veggie bandwagon. I'm eating carrots with lunch today. I hate carrots.  Also are vegetables in Chinese food really vegetables?? 

Sleep: Enjoyed a couple nights of sleeping with the window open this weekend.  If we put the fan in the window, it drowns out the outside noise and keeps the 'boofs' to a minimum.  Also you might not think this is funny, but I do:

Looking Forward To:   Going into the 4th week since I ordered the frame for the painting in the baby's room.  I'm really looking forward to it getting shipped.... I'm going to have to contact them again.

What I miss: We were talking about cruises earlier today.  It's sad knowing it's going to be a REALLY long time before we go on a cruise again :(

Doc/Chloe:  Same stuff- escorts to the bathroom, guarded while in the shower, and snuggles right up against my belly (sometimes, to the protest of baby).

There was also a small incident yesterday where Doc found a lollipop in the closet i was cleaning out and went running through the house with it in his mouth like a little kid.

Oh and this picture I took of Chloe after a full day running around outside. Again, you probably don't find this amusing but I think it's hilarious when she falls asleep with her tongue sticking out like that-

27 Week Pic:
Feeling somewhat gigantic lately.  I say "somewhat" because I know there is more to come.  But the belly has definitely gotten bigger over the last week or two.  It's big enough that I've misjudged my personal space a few times and bumped my belly on the office chair or kitchen table...

I took off my jacket for the picture because with my jacket on, in pictures, it still kind of looks like I ate too much from the front.  However in real life I'm pretty sure it's evident this is not a burrito. 

26 Weeks

Date: CINCO DE MAYO, 2014

How far along? 26 weeks, baby is as long as a green onion.

How is Mama doing?  Same same. I can't believe it's MAY. Looks like our Cinco de Mayo will be pretty tame this year with some lemonade and chips and salsa.  All for a good cause!

Movement: Baby is much bigger (~1.75 lb) and looonger (~14 in). I can feel her moving high up near my ribs and at the same time, low in my pelvis.

Maternity Clothes?  I just discovered Zulily and not throwing 86 things into my shopping cart has been my focus as of late.

Pregnancy Fitness:  I did a good deal of treadmill walking last week (it was rainy) however I ended up regretting that because I had pain both in my torn labrum area (this tends to be aggravated by the treadmill) and in the lower part of my uterus- it feels a little sore when baby kicks.  I'm taking it easy for the next couple of days and probably will focus on strength training this week rather than cardio.

Symptoms: Had more heartburn this week.  It's still not very bad and only moderately bothersome. 2 tums kills it pretty quick.  I mentioned that my lower uterus/ligaments were sore- I'm not sure if that's from too much walking, growing, or a combination of the two. I notice more pain/discomfort when I wear heels, so I guess sayonara to all my heels, wedges, etc. :(  Also I have had hip pain on and off for the past week in the mornings.  None of these symptoms are very bad or getting in the way of daily life.  I'm so thankful.

Belly Button:  My weekly e-mails say that my belly button may start to pop out around now.  However mine is still very "in".  I have noticed I have been a little behind where the e-mails say I should be.  This could, of course, be done on purpose to make women feel like they aren't huge and/or get them prepared for what is coming.

Nutrition/Cravings? We sat down last week and planned dinners for the next two weeks (or at least came up with 2 weeks worth of dinner ideas) before my shopping trip.  A little bit of planning can go a long way.

Sleep: Nothing new. Still sleeping pretty well, waking up once or twice to use the bathroom or flip to the other side. Lately haven't been awake for such long stretches as I was before. I've gotten used to sleeping on my side which is a huge deal.  If I'm leaning too far into my bump, baby usually lets me know with a kick or two... "Mom... I need more room." Feisty thing, that one.

Looking Forward To:  We're touring the Labor and Delivery wing at the hospital tomorrow.  I'm looking forward to this because it will ease my mind about knowing where to go and what it looks like. 

What I miss: Raw meat.  OK not really, but I miss not having to cook everything to a near crisp because I'm worried about bacteria.  I realize this is another one of those crazy paranoid things that not everyone cares about.  I will be really happy when I can go back to eating my steak medium, having runny sunny side up eggs, and eating raw cookie dough :)

Doc/Chloe:  They had a busy weekend barking at the new neighbors moving in across the street. While it would be nice to sleep with the windows open this time of year, that's not an option due to our over-sensitive home security detail.

26 Week Pic: