30 weeks.

Ahhhhhh this feels SO good. I’m smack dab in the middle of break and loving every minute of it. And I’m also officially into the last 10-week {hopefully!!} stretch of this pregnancy; how did THAT happen? But it certainly does feel good to say I’m 30 weeks pregnant.

Bathroom selfie since my photographer is already with his family in Arizona.

How far along: 30 weeks

Symptoms: Things have been nice this week and I’m going to say it’s because I haven’t had to teach a.k.a. be on my feet for any extended period of time. My upper back has only hurt when I lay on one side for too long and my feeties have given me nothing but leisurely walks around the neighborhood. Other than that I’ve been pooped in the evenings but I dare say it’s just jet lag thanks to the three hour time difference.

I haven’t felt super thrilled about eating at various {& random times}; I’ll be hungry and not feel queasy at all but I’ll almost feel ill at the thought of food. But I eat anyway and I’m glad that I do. Oddly enough, I have been feeling super hungry this week. I’m not sure if the little one is growing a bit more or if it’s because I don’t have the lovely dining hall at work for lots of lunching.

I’m still getting this weird tingly feeling at the top of my ribs. It’s an odd sensation and definitely not on my skin so I think, as I mentioned last week, that it has to do with stretching and a possibly tweaked nerve somewhere in there.

Wait gain: So I’m at 160 finally {who’s ever going to enjoy saying THAT?}. But this isn’t on my usual scale and it was after a big dinner so I’m guessing I’m still somewhere around 159. I’m pretty sure I actually lost weight this week {see: no dining hall and we oddly haven’t been eating very many big meals, despite the holiday} and I want to make sure that this bun in the oven gets big and curvy {not for my own personal delivery ease, obviously, I just want her to be a fat and healthy bebé}.

Size of baby: it’s weird this week {isn’t it always?} – a cucumber or a head of cabbage!

Exercise: some easy walks. Not what I had hoped for this break but the days have been busy. Hopefully when I get to Arizona things will slow a bit and we’ll find time for longer constitutionals.

Milestones: I had a beautiful first baby shower last Sunday. It was wonderful and oh-so-nice, thanks to my darling aunt and grandmother. Little bit scored herself some very cute outfits as well as a neat set of alphabet cards – each guest decorated a card with a certain letter on it and my aunt will laminate them.

I also got to see everyone here which is great because the last time I did I didn’t look pregnant at all {though I certainly felt it} and the next time I see most people here there will be an outside baby to pass around.

What I miss: nothing =)

Sex: GIRL!

Movement: she’s still going at it and most everyone at home in California has gotten a change to feel her move.

The weirdest/coolest thing is seeing my belly go up and down; she’ll be so obviously on one side of me and be pushing out while the other side of the tummy dents in a bit. I haven’t seen any body parts yet – I don’t think that necessarily happens to everyone. I can tell you that I can feel either a head or a bum, it’s hard and roundish so I think it must be her noggin.

She still very obviously favors my right side and she most definitely is still in an oblique position {kind of diagonal} which is not what her mama wants. But she has time to move into head-down which is what I do want.

Thoughts/questions/concerns: Last week’s flight went well, though I was just sore the whole time. I fly again tomorrow though it’s a much shorter flight and my dad will be driving to Arizona so the doggy’s hitching a car ride which means I can drink as much water as I want and not worry about dragging a dachshund to the airplane bathroom with me every 25 minutes. Too bad this is the short flight.

I’m also concerned about the baby’s placement; I really do want her in the right position, not in some odd placement like she is now. The midwife seemed completely nonplussed about it and my feelings/concerns are completely self-inflicted so I should take a page out of her book and relax.

I also started thinking about childbirth classes and after some research of what’s available in our next of the woods think that we might end up just reading some books. I’m pretty smitten with Ina May Gaskin’s writings and may add in the Bradley method book or the Hypnobirthing book, but I kind of like the midwife from Tennessee’s words. I just have to hope that Mikey can find some time to sit down and read through them. I felt a bit freaked out realizing that a class probably won’t work in our schedule or budget but I’m really not, I think I feel more at peace about reading up on things and having the midwife/midwives to help.

Sleep: this is sad; it’s been good since my husband left California. The bed we get to sleep in here is a full. It’s great to have a bed! But we’re used to a queen and for me these days, I sleep best when I can stretch spread out. But our bed in Arizona is much bigger PLUS I get my hubby back so I’ll be a happy camper sleeper.

Goals: drink water, eat, walk a lot, rest, enjoy the next week and usher in 2014!

Random: we’ve had SUCH a good time in California. I don’t leave until later tomorrow evening so I still get a full day here, which is lovely. The weather has been unseasonably warm and visiting with family is one of the things I miss most living in DC – I’m really grateful for this time here.

29 weeks.

As of this morning I’m on a lovely two-week vacation…yippee skippee!! I get to go to California tomorrow and then Phoenix next Saturday so we get in a good visit with both families and for that I’m really grateful. On to this week’s update.

How far along: 29 weeks

Symptoms: My upper back still hurts…laying down helps.

The soles of my feet still hurt…being off of them helps.

I get this odd tingly feeling at the top of my rib-cage in the center of my chest and I think that this child is maybe hitting a nerve or that my stretching uterus is affecting a nerve somehow.

I’ve been a bit tired and really thirsty too. I’ve been drinking much more water than I had been, since two weeks ago, and I’m constantly going to the bathroom now which is OK because it’s all good for baby.

I also have some restless legs going on. It’s mostly if I’m sitting on the couch in the evenings and thankfully it’s not too bad in bed {watch it get really bad tonight}. Stretching them out helps a bit.

Wait gain: 158 as of yesterday afternoon. So I’ve really plumped up in general but I’ve gone down one pound since last week? And I haven’t really fluctuated for several weeks so I’m curious about this.

Size of baby: a butternut squash or an acorn squash…it’s squash week!

Exercise: a bit of walking but not much.

Milestones: our daughter has a few more outfits and a great start to her library. I also started going to the birthing center and to my first group session there {see yesterday}.

What I miss: nothing =)

Sex: ¡niña!

Movement: she’s going at it. I’m seeing my tummy move a lot. She also seems to favor my right side. And I can tell that she’s almost sideways. The midwife said that she’ll straighten up soon enough and that can’t be soon enough for me…I want this baby head down!

Thoughts/questions/concerns: I’m flying tomorrow, wish me luck! My plan is to walk up and down the aisle as much as I can and getting my water bottle filled up when I get past security so I can stay hydrated. The trouble is that I will have Guinness with me so I’ll have to hold him and that complicates things. I’m sure I’ll be fine. The midwives cleared me and I trust their judgment. I just hope that my hips or back don’t get too sore sitting on the plane or that my legs get the crazy restless feeling. And I hope I don’t feel crampy or crappy on the plane, but the water I plan to drink should help.

Sleep: good this week, despite waking up every few hours. Mike’s actually been In California since Monday so I get to stretch out and take up the whole bed and that helps. Weird dreams {which I’ve had the whole time}, snoring, and drooling are still persisting. I’m a beast.

Goals: keep drinking water, get past this flight, get ready for Christmas, go to my first baby shower {♥}, and enjoy the holidays.

Random: Guinness and I helped a couple get engaged tonight!!!!! I’ll explain more at a later date.

First group meeting.

Today I had my first group meeting at the Birth Center. They employ somewhat of a group care model for their prenatal patients that starts at around 25 weeks {I came in a couple sessions later than the women who started}.

The women who are due in the same month start to meet once every other week for a check-up with the midwife as well as a class, each one with a different topic. It's hard to picture but each session is two hours and for the first hour a lactation consultant begins the lesson while a midwife takes each of us aside for a quick check up/heartbeat hearing/etc.

I'm really excited about this since I get to meet other women due around the same time who are also interested in a midwife/birth center experience, plus I get this great prenatal curriculum without having to seek it out/pay for it.

Plus there are snacks. And a week where we plaster our bellies and make a cast to paint. You better believe Daddy's gonna be involved in that one.

Today's topic was the mechanics of breastfeeding, part I, circumcision, and the birth center vs. the hospital {they do have admitting rights at a near-by hospital and some women choose/need to give birth there}.

I'm glad I made this transition and am meeting other mamas and learning new things in a small group setting, my preferred method of taking in information.

I also got this folder that explains what size our baby is.

I love the reminiscent of the 80s clothing/earring outline.

28 weeks.

Snow and ice days graced our area in the past week. I’m gearing up for mid-terms at school and Mike’s finishing up his second to last semester of graduate school {way to go sweetie; you’ve been working SO hard!!!} which all bring us to 28 weeks!

It was red and green day at school today.

How far along: 28 weeks

Symptoms: My upper back pain has returned with a vengeance. Oh my goodness. It starts in earnest which at school then the car ride home exacerbates it. Laying on the couch hasn’t been helping…usually laying on my side for a bit seems to let it ease up but man oh man it’s killing me {can you tell it hurts right now?!}.

No more cramping this week; yea! But I’ve been drinking a TON of water.

I’m not as hungry as before but it’s not because I’m feeling full rather I feel kind of queasy. But it’s not the queasiness I’ve felt like pregnant; it’s just a tummy-ache type of yuckiness. So who knows?!

I’m feeling big and leaning down/over isn’t easy.

My feeties feel a bit bigger which isn’t very exciting.

I actually took off my wedding/engagement rings because my hands felt bigger one night but I think I was just having a swollen sort of day since they’ve been totally normal since then. I’m too afraid to put my rings back on, though, because I have a fear of my fingers getting too big and then how would we get off the rings?!!?

Wait gain: 159 still. I actually weighed myself at some point in the week and I was at153 so me thinks it’s because last week {& this week} I stepped on the scale in the afternoon after eating and drinking all day {like a normal [pregnant] person, not in some bacchanalian sort of way}.

Size of baby: apparently I was wrong again?! Both websites say that she’s an eggplant this week.

Exercise: Lots of couch surfing while doing work.

Milestones: little girl now has a place to lay her head; my mom very kindly gifted a pack-and-play {thank you so much Mama!}. Since we’re in a one-bedroom apartment that’s not that big of one-bedroom, we’re holding off on getting a crib for le bebé and the pack-and-play seems to be the best option for now.

What I miss: nothing =)

Sex: girl girl girl…stealing away her mother’s beauty; my skin has not been a good thing this pregnancy but then again I’ve never had a wonderfully clear complexion.

Movement: yup! She’s starting to give me some movement that is stronger and stronger…a few times she almost takes my breath away – it doesn’t quite hurt but it almost does.

Thoughts/questions/concerns: I’m still concerned about the traveling I’ve got ahead of me in the next few weeks. I’ll ask the midwife about it all at my appointment this upcoming week.

Sleep: waking up every few hours for the baño. I’ve also had this gross thing where I wake up with a start because it feels like I’m starting to throw up. Then I wake up and I’m fine because I sit up. Gross gross gross. Another gross thing? {I’m trying to not feel bad but remember that this is a place for me to remember what’s going on during this pregnancy =)} I’m drooling so much at night – I’ve heard that some women have a lot more saliva when pregnant. I’m also snoring some. Sorry Mike.

Goals: continue to drink a lot of water, get my mid terms graded so I don’t have to do that work over break, maybe start to think about the work and plans I can leave for my maternity substitute, get thinking about Christmas gifts.

Random: we’re so excited and happy to go to California and Arizona!!!!!

27 weeks.

We’re lurching forward towards Christmas {19 days to go!} and we’re also moving forward in this pregnancy. I’ve been a bit grumbly about things this week but I’m truly loving this time. It’s so amazing to feel her move around and know that there’s a whole lot of excitement ahead of us.

On to the update!

How far along: 27 weeks

Symptoms: Being able to smell things really strongly came back alluvasudden this week. I’m sitting on the couch and the bowl Mike at his salad out of REEKS of salad dressing.

The bosom feels sore again, I get full really quickly, and I’ve been quite tired this week.

The main symptom I’ve had this week, though, has been that my feet are killing me; it’s the soles of my feet and they start to hurt after about half an hour of being on them, no matter which shoes I wear. The doctor said that this happens to some women and that, unfortunately, it only worsens in breastfeeding. It can be a combination of weight gain {which would alleviate it after giving birth and nursing wouldn’t make it worse}, hormones that cause relaxation {which could very well mean it stays bad/gets worse}, and just the mysteries of pregnancy.

I’ve been quite hungry this week. Like, really hungry. I’m still craving straight meat but several nights this week I’ve had a snack that involves peanut butter since there’s no extra meat laying around and I know my body/our baby is requesting protein.

I don’t like how complainey this sounds but I suppose these are just this week’s symptoms.

Wait gain: 159. And it’s no longer the week after Thanksgiving. BUT! But this is after tonight’s epic water drinking extravaganza {see below} and dinner. But still, that’s almost 35 pounds which is the high end of weight gain recommendations for all of pregnancy. Oh well?

Size of baby: so I was wrong last week…week 27 – a rutabaga and a scallion. Week 28 – an eggplant and a head of cauliflower. These comparisons are ridiculous! And they keep flip-flopping, what one website says one week is what the other will say a week or two later, or vice-versa!

Exercise: I got in a three mile walk earlier this week.

Milestones: we got ourselves a car seat {thanks Grand Bill & Betty}! It’s weird seeing it in the apartment {we live in a one-bedroom apartment and there’s no hiding anything unless it’s clothing}; I keep thinking it’s someone else’s. We need to figure it out, of course, and get it in the car but we hopefully have a long time to do that.  

We also made our first wardrobe purchases for this child; I realized we weren’t ever going to be near a store together {maybe during our time in California or Arizona} and Gap had a really good sale online so I showed Mike a few things to get his OK. When they arrived, he didn’t even remember the exchange. So maybe he won’t be in charge of picking out her outfits.

What I miss: nothing =)

Sex: still Miss Melamed!

Movement: some good kicks and what feels like rolling around. There are also these weird things she does where it feels like the hands of ten little elves tapping up against my insides but what in the world could she be doing to cause this?

Also, I hadn’t written it here before but Mike has been able to feel her kicks for quite a while now. He still says they’re just gas.

Thoughts/questions/concerns: I’ve had some cramping this week, “time-of-the-month” style cramping. It’s all been light and very sporadic but I decided to call the midwives {there’s a BBC reference for you fellow fans!} this evening and was told to drink three glasses of water and rest for an hour; if they were still happening then I should go in. That was a couple of hours ago, I’ve been to the bathroom SO many times, I think they’re gone, and I don’t think I’ll call in again tonight.

I’ll monitor this through the weekend, like the midwife said to, and if it’s still happening sporadically, then I’ll call them back on Monday and hopefully get seen. Also, I’m switched over to the midwives {yippee!} but since I haven’t had my first appointment there yet, I’m in a weird limbo. The one I spoke with was very nice and it’s so nice to be able to call.  

Sleep: not great. I wake up for the bathroom or because my hips hurt really badly. I’m supposed to sleep on my sides, not on my back and the belly is obviously out for now, but if I don’t lay at an angle I get horrible hip pain and almost need to get up and stretch. I haven’t been using my Snoogle very religiously {I normally just prop up myself with my regular pillows} but I may give it a try.

Goals: drink way more water to avoid these cramps. NOT have to go into the hospital because of these cramps.

Random: I’m SO excited for our upcoming baby showers!!! We got an invitation for one today, an extremely adorable invitation {!} and it made me so happy.