Week 30 in Review!

Go Cougs!

How far along? 30 weeks – hey people, we’re in the single digit countdown… HO….LY SMOKES!

Total weight gain/loss: Surprisingly, 35.  Why do I say surprising?  I have been carb-loading like a marathon runner.  Seriously, I cannot get full. I’m sure I’ll be kicking myself next week when I jump up another 20 pounds… 

Maternity clothes? I think I can rock what I’ve got until D-Day.  May need to invest in some shorts if summer ever decides to make an appearance…ha!

Stretch marks? Nothing new, that’s good right? 

Sleep: Sleep has been tough this week.  I wake up sore and stiff and to top it off, I have been having the weirdest dreams!! I’ll be adding a separate post on the dreams, they’re worthy of their own space.

Best moment this week: More progress on the nursery!  Hoping to finish up the painting this week… I also was lucky to have my first baby shower this weekend.  My aunt held it at her house (beautiful view of the Columbia Gorge, I could spend forever there) – it was so great to be around a ton of family!  My Nana also celebrated her 87^th birthday and my cousin with her 28^th – so it was quite the party!  Oh, we also graduated from Baby Class.  Well… we didn’t officially graduate, we didn’t get an award or anything, but we’re all finished with that, I think Brandon is glad it wasn’t a 5 week course, I don’t know if we would have made it!  …you know what I’m disappointed about though?  On the brochure, they showed the guys wearing the sympathy bellies.  There was NO sympathy belly; I was so excited for that part!  I thought about calling “false advertising” and making a stink, but, I didn’t.  One big stink a week should be enough… more on that in it’s own post too... let’s just say, “I went postal.”

Best (non-pregnancy) moment of the week: Hmm…I’ve been pondering and coming back to this one, and I won’t say I didn’t have a great moment that wasn’t baby related…but I can’t think of anything this week that was SO memorable, I remembered to want to write about it.  I even looked back on my calendar to jog my memory, and nothing.  Oh well. 

Anything off this list?  I won’t say that I can’t do things, because I know I can, but I will say that I’ve started accepting a little bit of help now and then.  If someone wants to carry the heavy stuff, ok, fine…if it makes you feel better, I won’t complain. J  If my little back tweak went away, I’m sure I’d be tougher about it, but eh…in the meantime, help away!

Miss Anything? Sleeping on my stomach! Oh how I miss the days where I could flop into bed, head first in the pillow, sprawled on my stomach, and sleep the night away.  I suppose it was more of a stomach/side sleep…but now that it’s strictly side sleeping, I’m not so much of a fan.  I sleep so hard, and don’t move now, I wake up with sheet creases on my shoulder and side…in fact, I about died when I looked in the mirror the other morning and thought that the sheet creases were actually HUGE LONG stretch marks all the way up my side – thankfully, they were not.

Movement: One of my favorite things to do lately has been to wake up in the morning and just spend a few minutes lying down.  My stomach has been getting really hard lately, and I can actually feel part of her body…not sure which part…but it’s like a long hard bump!  If I push it, in a few seconds she’ll start moving like crazy.  I even got B to catch a feel...normally, she’ll play hide and seek with him, as soon as he reaches over to feel her, she hides.  As soon as he leaves, she moves.  I think it’s hilarious.

Food cravings: Lots of watermelon, like, when they say personal size watermelon, I wonder if they mean, in one sitting, because that’s about as long as it lasts.  I’ve also been on a bit of a carb binge this week – we had a team dinner on Tuesday at Olive Garden… I can’t won’t recall how many breadsticks I ate…plus appetizers, plus salad (healthy!) plus ½ my baked ziti, plus dessert. Yikes! 

Anything making you queasy or sick: I’ve been really sensitive to perfumes and lotions this week, more so than before – it’s started giving me headaches!

Have you started to show yet: ………………………….really? I think you know the answer by now!

Gender: We’re having a GIRL!

Belly Button in or out? We’re almost flush at this point.  One little corner is wanting to pop out, but I keep pushing it back in. J

Wedding rings on or off? Ring is still on…need to take it in, need to plan that date, need to get some cheesecake…mmm…banana cheesecake – if I gained weight every time I thought about food, my ring would definitely not fit!!

 Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!  I really can't complain about much!...minus that one little incident at the Post Office. Well...and if I'm being honest, I've noticed myself getting a little more stressed, we've got a lot going on right now!  But, I decided to pick up a yoga book and see if any of those poses/stretched would help...both in preparation of D-Day as well as to calm me down a bit.  I even downloaded some "mamaste" yoga music off iTunes, and call me "granola" but that ish works!  It was so relaxing!  All the yoga stuff also reminds me that I'm incredibly inflexible and super pregnant. Haha!

Week 29 in Review!

It's true.. I measured it! :)

**A little disclaimer...I'm kind of getting bored with comparing baby size to veggie/fruit size... so I've been trying to mix it up.  Mainly, because for 3 out of the next 4 weeks, all the comparisons are variations of squash...which is weird.  So I looked at the estimated measurements, and silly me, decided to google "things that are 15 inches long." .....duh.  I forgot how ridiculous, stupid, and disgusting people are... I mean let's be real for a minute, 15 inches??  What a joke.  So after getting the terrible images/websites off my phone and out of my head, I revised my search... 20 minutes later, still nothing fun.  So I grabbed my tape measurer, pulled it out to 15 inches and was prepared to go around my house and measure stuff...until I decided, "I wonder how long my elbow to my fingertip is, and sure enough, 15 inches! Also, did you know that the elbow to wrist is the size of your foot length?  If you didn't, try it, it's true! Shoe shopping just got easier for you!

How far along? 29 weeks!

Total weight gain/loss: Had another Dr. Appt this morning so I got to get on the trucker scale...so for confidence purposes and less justfication, I will go by my cheap $20 scale and say I'm at 32+ this week. I attribute it to the mass amount of chicken wings I've consumed this week... they really shouldn't have .45 cent wing nights...the cheap ass in me says "I have a coupon for
buy 12 get 6 free AND they're only .45 cents?!  Winning!" ....and then I want to die because I just ate 18 wings. ....but they were totally worth it.

Maternity clothes? I don't know if you knew this, but spandex waists are amazing...and totally in style.  Oh, and I suppose this would be the most appropriate place to share, but I totally rocked the socks this week.  And by socks, I mean the ever so cool, compression nylons.  That's right, don't be too jealous.  They are a pain in the butt to get on, but I will say they've helped on the few occasions my feet have wanted to become Shrek stumps.

Stretch marks? So, I had a dream about this... this part is a true story: when I was little, somewhere I learned that everytime you learn something, you get a wrinkle in your brain.  Knowing this little factoid I came to think that the reason old people had wrinkles on their face was because they were so smart their brains ran out of room.  Makes total sense doesn't it?  Well...back to my dream... I dreamed that Baby Vick was getting so smart that there wasn't any room in her brain for more wrinkles at this time, so I was getting stretch marks because her brain ran out of room.  So, with that, I suppose I will pretend that is true and embrace how smart my child is becoming.

Sleep: Still a little uncomfortable, but I really can't complain.

Best moment this week: We actually made progress on the nursery! (You read that right!) Brandon and I went and picked out paint and started painting the walls!  We've mapped out our weekends and we virtually have no free weekends until D-Day, so we HAD to get started.  Still have some work to do, but we're on our way!  I'll post before and after pictures when it's all done!  Oh, also, it was Brandon's first "Father's Day" or last "not-quite-a-Father's Day" - but regardless I wanted to get him a little something, so take a look:

Want this set? I got it on Etsy!

Best (non-pregnancy) moment of the week: Last night after work I was checking out the ol' Facebook and a friend had commented or liked a local bakery.  It was one that I'd been meaning to check out since they'd moved locations, so I casually clicked on their page to scope it out.  They were having a contest and looking for the 650th fan.  I looked at how close they were and they were at 649 so in a rush I liked them!!  Then I got stupid excited and commented that I thought I'd won and that if it was close that I was "pregnant and craving cupcakes" - shameless, I know.  But I totally won!  Made my night... made my week I suppose too, since I chose to make it my highlight of the week. Ha.

Anything off this list?  Doing anything that involves my laying on my stomach.  It is the weirdest feeling!  Imagine laying on top of one of those four-square balls on your stomach...it's like that.  I feel like I could almost teeter-totter on my belly.  So weird.

Miss Anything? This week, with the sunshine out, and all the BBQ's going on, I so wanted a nice cold beer...we had a hot dog bar dinner with a bunch of friends on Friday - with all the fixings! (Cream cheese, grilled onions, mustard...yum!) and how do you have hot dogs without beer?  A friend brought O'Douls Amber and then I couldn't stop thinking about it! (I sound like I have a problem...)  Anyway, Sunday night we had dinner with the family, and they were barbequing brats... c'mon!  So I totally went to the store and bought a six-pack of O'Douls Amber Ale (non-alcoholic to be clear).  It was amazing... and then I ate a ridiculous amount of watermelon....perfect summer.

Movement:  Holy smokes, I think she must be choreographing a crazy hip hop number...she's been moving like CRAZY.  On Sunday, I kept trying to get Brandon to see and feel, but of course, everytime he's pay attention...nothing.  The second he looked away, boom!  He did however catch a crazy barrel roll movement out of the corner of his eye, and I think it freaked him out!  When I sit at work, I'm kind of bent over (I know, I need better posture) but what I can assume are her little arms - when they get moving, it actually tickles a little bit - so crazy!

Food cravings: I've got to admit that I've realized I don't really have any "crazy unusual pregnancy" cravings...just that I'm totally giving in to pretty much anything that has always sounded good, but I couldn't justify, since I was being concious about my weight.  Overall, I will say, it's been pretty good - lots of fruit, protein, veggies, etc...but like I said, I really didn't need to have a dozen chicken wings with fries... I would have been fine with 6.  Need to reign that in!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Just that nasty cigarette smell.  I can't stand it... oh and I've become really sensitive to heavy perfumes.  C'mon ladies, one squirt is fine...five is a little overboard, what are you trying to cover up?!

Have you started to show yet: Yes, yes I am. 

Gender: We’re having a GIRL!

Belly Button in or out? Still in, trying to even out.  I even showed my best friend, since she wanted to see...(weirdo). Haha!  It is still in, but becoming more and more shallow!

Wedding rings on or off? Ring is on, need to take it in...I still haven't. I'm terrible. 

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy, Happy!  (Especially since it's finally starting to pretend to be summer...at least today!)

Week 28 In Review!

Ha! Speaking of pregnancy brain....I went to journal my Week 29 recap and realized I never actually posted this one....so although a week late, here is my Week 28!

My belly is covering my board!  I like "PB & Js" and "smoothies" if you can't tell!

How far along? 28 weeks!

Total weight gain/loss: Hit the 30 mark.   It's almost like what I imagine turning 30 to be like.... not really wanting to get there, not really being ready to be there...but it happened, and it wasn't so bad.  I guess I should be more specific.... it was really 31.

Maternity clothes? Same 'ol clothes.  I'm really looking forward to getting back in shape, so many fun bright fashions and outfit ideas! We had a dinner fundraiser this week so I went to the store to see if I could find anything to wear, and tried on a bunch of clothes that looked super cute on the rack, and super TERRIBLE on me...funny how a "flowy" bohemian shirt is a tight belly shirt on me right now.

Stretch marks? Yeah, yeah, yeah.. kind of wishing I hadn't made this a weekly check in question. 

Sleep: Trying to get as much sleep as I can, it's starting to be a tad uncomfortable - but I'm still a ridiculously hard sleeper so I don't realize I'm uncomfortable until I wake up.  There were a few days this week where I was crazy exhausted, and not really having a reason to be, but barely keeping my eyes open!

Best moment this week: We've now been to our 2nd of 4 birthing classes and I think it's really helped me focus and get a realistic idea of what it will be like in the next few months.  So that's a relief!  We've practiced different excercises and positions (and although I cannot do the flat footed squat thing...) the rest seems pretty doable...so much so that I honestly think I want to try and go unmedicated.  Sure, you might be thinking I'm crazy, but I also would be going into it not feeling guilty if I got in there and said, "yeah....no.... get me the drugs!!" - But, the instructor put the whole scenario n my kind of terms: she said, why would anyone want to do a marathon? Who even likes the idea of running for that long - crazy people!  People who like to push their body's limits to see if they can.  ---I can relate to that!  I'm competitive, I like to try and push my body, I like to challenge myself, and...people have been having babies for a long time...long before drugs, and if they can do it, I can try!

Best (non-pregnancy) moment of the week: I had a good friend have her bachelorette party this weekend - we had a mini spa day, went to PF Changs (YUM!) and then went out!  It was even "Fleet Week" so all the Navy guys were in town.  I was the designated driver (obviously.) and it was a great time seeing everyone have a good time.  And I think I did pretty good, you know how hard it is to be out all night sober?  I'll admit, at one point, my best friend took a shot of Fireball (cinnamon whiskey) and I had her blow in my face so I could at least smell it.  Weird, I know, oh well... LOL

Oh!  Also great this week?  Finished up the registry!!  What a relief!   It's nice to just make decisions and be done with it, like a big "to-do" I got to check off my list!  Big thanks to my Mother-In-Law for spending so much time with me and helping me out.  Another big thanks to all my Baby Mama friends who sent me their lists of "must haves" - it was SUCH a help!

Anything off this list?  Nothing that comes to mind at this moment...but that could be do to my "pregnancy brain"...see below.

Miss Anything? My brain!!  Seriously, I don't know what it is, but this week "pregnancy brain" has been in full force!!  I can't even explain it, but one minute I'll be on my way to do something, the next... I have no idea what I'm doing.  If I don't write something down, it will not get done.  I'm even frustrated to admit that it legitimately has even effected my work - just completely forgetting about something I'd planned to do.  It's so annoying! (A funny part? - within the last few weeks, I've lost my keys...in the refridgerator and lost my cell phone...in the linen closet.)   

Movement:  You bet!  It's fun to sit/lay on the couch and drink a bunch of water, and then watch my stomach move like crazy.  It's a little weird...but it's really fun.  I swear though, as soon as I tell Brandon to look or feel, she plays hide and seek and doesn't do it.  The second he moves or looks away - there she goes again!

Food cravings: I can't get enough of the Odwalla Strawberry Protein Smoothies.  They are SO. GOOD.  Like those little boxes of strawberry milk - I have to remind myself not to chug it because one second I'll be enjoying it and then it's gone.  And then I get mad it's already gone.  So I have to take little sips to savor it.  That and Chobani greek yogurt...any flavor... delicious!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope, feeling pretty grand!  Getting tired a lot more, but I think I just have to really start pacing myself. 

Have you started to show yet: Are there 26 letters in the alphabet? 

Gender: We’re having a GIRL!

Belly Button in or out? It's still in, but it's trying to pop out... It used to be a deep belly button, now it's more shallow.

Wedding rings on or off? Ring is on and depending on the weather, it will either come off, or be stuck on there pretty good.  Right now, it's snug.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!  I did get slightly annoyed at our birthing class, someone was intentinally pushing my buttons and poking fun at me...take a guess? ...But I blame it completely on lack of sleep...it was the day after bachelorette party day/night (where I only got 6 hours of sleep) then woke up, went to breakfast...(I had biscuits and gravy, hashbrowns and a few pieces of Brandon's french toast...no wonder I packed on a few pounds) and then I went registry shopping all day before going to class...you would have been grumpy too!

Week 27 in Review!

How far along? 27 Weeks complete. Can you believe we’re now in the THIRD trimester?!  Where has the time gone?!

Total weight gain/loss: 29 lbs – but I do attribute most of that to actually baby weight.  Right?  She’s like 2 pounds now, plus all that other junk up in there… I (personally) probably didn’t gain anything! …see how I’m trying to justify it?  Is it working? 

Maternity clothes? No new additions this week, using what I have and starting to feel like I’m wearing the same thing everyday, but oh well.  I try to vary it up in my pictures, so it doesn’t look like I own one outfit.

Stretch marks? Well now that I’ve noticed the little ones, I’m probably just being paranoid – but I think I might have another friend trying to come and pay me a visit on my hip!  Brandon graciously pointed it out actually.  Oh well. 

Sleep: I’m pretty sure the only reason I will say sleep is good is because I don’t remember it.  As soon as I hit my head to the pillow I’m out and I don’t think I move the entire night.  Which… makes me really stiff and sore in the morning!  I sound like an old man all crackly getting out of bed!

Best moment this week: Had another Dr. Appt this week, Baby Girl is measuring 2 weeks bigger than average! So, either we are going to have a healthy athlete on our hands (or a super cute chubby baby) or we might see her sooner than we think!  Which is exciting and kind of terrifying, I have so much to do!!  (At that same appointment I had to get 2 shots, one for the Whooping Cough vaccine, which is an epidemic in Clark County! – and the other was the Rogam shot, because of my blood type – both my arms are still sore…it reminds me of the days when I worked out, sigh…) Oh, I also hit up a huge neighborhood garage sale and walked a million blocks, and ended up with a Baby Bjorn and a side hip sling thing for just a few bucks!  Oh, and I also got a pretty nice stroller for $15 (with cup holders, for my coffee..)!

Best (non-pregnancy) moment of the week: So last week I mentioned that we had some exciting plans this week – well…. We were invited to a lunch with Governor Romney, who is running for President!  I don’t care who you support politically, this was a pretty amazing opportunity! I went through about 20 outfits trying to figure out “what do you wear when nothing fits and you could be meeting out next President?!” – I settled on the orange dress I’ve worn to all my other fancy functions this year (that dress was a great investment!).  We had to be police escorted into the building (Portland protestors) – and on our way out, they hollered and yelled, and snapped pictures of us…ha! Joke’s on them…they think we’re somebody important!

Anything off this list?  I had to close the door on a small chapter in my life drawer in my dresser… I had to start going “full butt” if you know what I mean.  Now some of my friends will be laughing at this because, I, am a HUGE advocate for no panty lines ladies! But, the day has come, where I can’t stand the uncomfortable-ness any longer.  And despite my despise for “granny panties” – they are heavenly.

Miss Anything? I’ve taken things for granted! Like getting in and out of cars with ease.  Bending over to pick up things I drop ALL THE TIME.  Going up and down the stairs… all while breathing easily!  Sometimes I don’t even notice it and Brandon will just start laughing – then I realize it and I laugh too.  It’s pretty ridiculous. 

Movement: She loves to move a lot first thing in the morning and if I’m slouched over bent over and cramping her space, she let’s me know!   

Food cravings: I’m laughing while I’m thinking about this because I’m thinking of last night.  We were cleaning the garage after work (Brandon had guy’s poker, and the garage was a disaster –my fault, I cleaned our house, which means, the garage was messy) –anyway.  SOMEONE was barbequing. It smelled So. Good.  It took over every thought it my mind.  I wanted BBQ so bad!  I was tempted to pay a kid in our neighborhood to find it and see if I could get a plate… you think I’m kidding…I’m not.  I didn’t actually go through with it, but I had the whole conversation in my head.  And on the way to work this morning I had this sudden urge for watermelon.  Something I smelled triggered it, but the entire 20 minute commute all I thought about was watermelon. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not this week, still have remnants of that lame cold I’ve had, and being exhausted, I’m feeling great!

Have you started to show yet: Monday at this luncheon, a (sophisticated, well-to-do) lady asked me when I was due.  I told her, she immediately said, “Oh! You must be having twins!!” …if that doesn’t tell you I’m showing, I don’t know what would.  I also had a gas station attendant want to play the “when are you due” game.  Before he rang me up he wanted 2 guesses.  I played along… 1^st guess “June 20^th!” -----nope.  2^nd guess “July 15^th!” ----nope.  Thanks for playing.  When I told him, he said, “Well that must be why I’m divorced twice.” I laughed at that, he was a nice guy and it was memorable. 

Gender: We’re having a GIRL!

Belly Button in or out? Turkey Timer is in.

Wedding rings on or off? Ring is on!  I even took it off just now to see if it was getting harder, and knock on wood, I’d say it might even fit better now than it did a year ago!

 Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy! Blessed! Excited for all things to come! Proud! Nervous!  Giddy!  And Excited again!

Week 26 In Review!

How far along? 26 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: Up 28

Maternity clothes? I went shopping this weekend!  So happy that I did too, let me tell you, a good fiiting pair of work pants is worth every penny – especially when you’re wearing them for 9+ hours a day.  I had a bit of a trek finding some clothes to begin with – started out at the Old Navy in Jantzen Beach (which doesn’t carry maternity clothes) and then to the Target there…which is moving to a new building so all of their stuff was empty.  I even tried Ross…bad idea (I don’t know how all you Ross shoppers find such cute stuff all the time, I never can!) – I don’t know how I felt about it, but one two separate occasions, when I asked a sales person where their maternity clothes were…they looked down at my belly and then up to me before they answered….like they needed to verify that I was qualified to be asking such questions!  Strange.

Stretch marks? Sad day Sunday… I found my first ones.  Surprisingly not on my belly, but my thigh.  I immediately blamed it on the fact I hadn’t thought about lotioning/oiling up that part of my body…but really, who knows if all that even works?  Anyway, hoping it stays faint.

Sleep: Sleep is still good, I’ve had this stupid cold that keeps me up a bit coughing and blowing my nose, but other than that, I can’t complain.

Best moment this week: This was funny, I thought anyway, but our cat Rosko loves to get up in your lap and do this weird petting thing with his paws, where he literally will do it until you push him down and then he gets all comfy and chills in your lap.  Well, for a while, my lap space has turned into belly space, so he’s been doing the same thing on my stomach and then laying there.  The other night, after  he did his weird paw thing forever, I thought, one of these days’ she’s going to push back at him, since he is getting all up in her space!  Sure enough, last night he gets on my lap, paws around, settles down and POW! - she moves suddenly and he jumps up and runs off!! It was hilarious!

Best (non-pregnancy) moment of the week: I love when Brandon and I go on walks.  Maybe it's just getting away and getting outside, but we have great conversations, fresh air, and a bit of exercise to boot!  We have this trail by our house that leads right to the softball fields, and in the summer there are always tournaments, so I once we make it down there, we'll usually watch a few innings - I pretty much grew up on those fields when I was a kid, so it kind of feels like home when we get there!  Oh also, I got a call while I was shopping for some new clothes this last weekend and the news itself was pretty exciting... it will probably be my best moment of the week next week,  but we have some amazing lunch plans early next week...stay tuned for details!

Anything off this list?  There were a few times this week where I've honestly thought about scratching these posts and taking this off the list, because I feel bad that I'm not staying as on top of them as I should...BUT, it's really important to me, so I need to continue, especially since I'm almost there!  I know it will be great to look back on, and especially with all the new things going on, I'll want a way to keep track of all the memories!  So, no, nothing off the list this week...although, tying my tennis shoes are getting increasingly difficult!

Miss Anything? Nothing that comes to mind...well...wait, I suppose you could say that I had another urge for a tuna or turkey sandwich this week...funny how most of my "miss anythings" involve food.

Movement: Ha! For sure, see best moment!

Food cravings: I'm usually not a huge dessert person, or ice cream person, when I was in middle school/high school I remember my family always having a HUGE bowl of ice cream every night after dinner, every night - I must have burned myself out, but it's never been something I've HAD to have.  But, I have recently enjoyed a scoop of mint chocolate chip ice cream after dinner on occasion...not every night, but more than usual.  I love that ice cream. Mmm....

Anything making you queasy or sick: I've had this stupid cold now for like a week.  Get done with one ailment and then I get another! Come on!  Anyway, the coughing and congestion was so bad that I actually had to go get medicine at the store, (no worries, it was okays by my Dr.! - Baby is ok!) - but it did help calm it down...it's still lingering, but doing better!

Have you started to show yet: Are islands surrounded by water?

Gender: We’re having a GIRL!

Belly Button in or out? Checked this morning, inny is in!

Wedding rings on or off? Ring is on!

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!  And feeling a little more in control - we've nailed down the nursery colors (fabrics and all) - I've started registering - getting a bit organized...and maybe, just maybe, I'll be ready come August!!