Week 28-29 -still growing

Hm, these updates are pretty boring... but for posterity's sake, I'll keep them up. I mean, I've come this far!

Weight: still gaining. Just over 30 lbs now

Maternity clothes: At this point I really should be in all maternity clothes, but I'm still squeaking by with some of my shirts

Stretch marks: Still non-existent (thank goodness).

Baby Movements: He's landed some really good kicks/punches this past week. I've gotten used to most of them, but every now and then it'll be really big and it'll throw me off. We are also probably annoying the crap out of him as Huge and I are prone to poking and prodding him to see if we can identify body parts -and that inevitably get baby G a little riled up. Also I've been having these weird pulsating movements... I don't think they're hiccups b/c they feel different than the baby's movements, so I wonder if they're Braxton Hicks. Guess I can check with the doctor.

Cravings/Aversions: I'm trying to be better about the food I'm eating. I need to start eating a bit less as I get full pretty fast and there isn't a whole lot of space so when I overeat it gets very uncomfortable. I'm also trying to control the sugar input and it seems to be that if I avoid it I do ok, but once I start it kind of just snowballs out of control.

What do you miss: Not having my stomach feel so stretched. It kind of hurts and it's as if I can actually feel my skin stretching.

Other: Heartburn has come back and my tailbone hurts from sitting. It makes working a little uncomfortable. We have an ultrasound tomorrow to check on the little guy's growth and I'm interested to see how he's positioned and to see if we can figure out the body parts that we've been poking and prodding. I have a feeling he's head down, but at an angle or stretched completely horizontally since I feel most of the movements on the sides and sort of at the bottom half of my belly. Hopefully everything will be fine and I can let you know if I was right about his position.

Here's this week's belly -definitely bigger and p.s. belly button is still in :)

In or Out?

Today is the date Huge set for my belly button to pop out. It's definitely getting close, but I'm thinking I still have a little ways to go. However, baby G seems to be on dad's side and I think he's actively trying to kick it out! Sometimes I'll look downa and notice it's halfway out, but for now it's firmly in the "in" side. I'll keep you updated.. who knows, there's a lot more hours left in today.

Week 27/28 -i.e. the week my belly exploded

I'm actually getting this posting out on Monday -look how organized I am! So this is the week that my belly exploded. I'm sure I say this every week (I'm too lazy to go back and look through the archives), but this time I'm being serious. There is an actual noticeable, significant difference between this week's picture and last -heck, I think there's a difference between this morning's belly and yesterday's!

Weight: I officially hit 30lbs... not that I should be so proud of this, but it was inevitable. Hopefully the next few weeks will slow down and I can keep the overall gain to under 40 -here's to hoping!

Maternity clothes: Still the same pants and some shirts. Although the larger shirts I was wearing are starting to creep up on me, which is not an attractive look. So for now I'm getting by with the larger/longer tops, but I'm sure that those days are numbered.

Stretch marks: None... I'm really, really hoping this one passes me by, but at the end of the day, I guess it won't be such a big deal.

Baby Movements: It's now getting to the part where he moves so much that I get nervous when I don't feel him at his regular intervals. We've been using the doppler at night to check on his heartbeat when we can't feel him, but it's also strange b/c sometimes you can see him move from the outside, but I can't feel him internally. I'm blaming it on the anterior placenta buffering some movement, but it could be the extra layer of flab that's coming between him and me. I'm interested to see at our next ultrasound how he's laying. I'm still convinced he's pretty sideways, but at this point I have a feeling he's supposed to be more vertical.

Cravings/Aversions: Still on my sweets kick, which is probably contributing to the weight, but at this point I figure why not. (Someone remind me of this when I'm complaining how hard it is to take off the baby weight!).

What do you miss: I'm definitely off running... any sort of running/brisk walking causes cramps/aches that are not pleasant. The elliptical seems to be ok, but unfortunately running is off the table for good. I ran for the bus last week (2ce) and even in those very short distances got the cramps/aches -it's just not worth it. I'm also starting to get more out of breath. I think I just can't breathe as deeply so I feel more huffy than before.

Other: Nothing else really to report. My tailbone is starting to get sore from sitting too long and I've started to get the leg cramps at night that I've been reading about. My energy levels seem pretty good (not back to the level of first trimester fatigue) and other than the uncomfortableness of my stomach stretching (especially when I eat too much), things seem to be going well. My belly button is still in, but definitely shallow. Huge has 3 more days before he claimed it would pop and I think I'll make it, but we'll see. I've decided that we need to get cracking on getting ready for the baby, so we finally ordered the crib and changing table. I think this weekend we'll be making a trip to Ikea for a dresser and then we can finally start setting up the room. I kind of just want to get it done. Here's the picture for the week -I warned you, it's big!

Week 26/27

I'm a little behind this week on the update, but the pictures is from yesterday. I am getting big... and I'm starting to feel pregnant. Silly considering I'm nearing the end (almost), but up until this point I haven't really felt pregnant. Bending over to put on my socks and tie my shoes is getting to be a little bit harder and I'm trying to learn to maneuver around the belly. I also have to remember to stop eating so much... I'm definitely getting full faster and when I'm really full it is much, much more uncomfortable. By the end of the day my skin feels so stretched out and it hurts. I know if I eat less at one time it'll help, but sometimes I just can't help myself.

So here's the standard questionnaire:

Weight: Hey, good news, I didn't gain full pounds this week. I'm hoping it continues and maybe I did all my weight gaining in the second trimester and it calms down for my third. I'm taking this small victory but I'm not quite chalking it up to be a trend (just yet).

Maternity clothes: Still the same

Stretch marks: none

Baby Movements: He's pretty active, but not continuously throughout the day. I usually feel him in the morning right after breakfast and then in the afternoon and then right around bed time. I can feel him the best when I'm lying down, but I think if I concentrate I can feel him move around more. He's definitely getting stronger and bigger, but I still haven't seen any discernible body parts (although it might still be too early for that).

Cravings/Aversions: Nothing although I'm still eating a lot of sweets.

What do you miss: Being able to walk briskly and/or run. If I do either of those things my stomach/lower abdomen start to really ache and rebel. I've been doing the elliptical a few times a week and that seems to be ok, but running and brisk walking do not mesh well with me.

Other: My belly button is still in, but it's getting quite shallow and wide. Huge has a bet with me that it's going to pop out by January 27th... I'm hoping it stays in a little bit longer, but we'll see. I feel like my stomach is growing every day so it could be sooner rather than later.

Also, I've realized that baby G is going to be here before you know it. I'm trying to prepare myself in case he comes early, so I gave myself a 36 week date -but that's only 9 weeks away. I really need to get cracking on getting things ready. I'm hoping he comes on time or even a little late as 12-15 weeks sounds like a much better time frame for things... because 9 weeks is not a lot of time! (although, considering the size of my belly, maybe shaving a few weeks off will be good...)

Week 25/26

This is week 25/26 -I'm almost done with the second trimester!

Weight: Still gained a bunch this week. I'm blaming it on a growth spurt (the baby's not mine!).
Maternity clothes: Same as before.
Stretch marks: Still nothing (thankfully).
Baby Movements: Baby is still moving a lot, but it kind of comes in waves and isn't very consistent during the day. We usually get a few good minutes of movement right before bedtime so Huge can feel him moving around, but I think my baby's a little lazy and likes to sleep a lot.
Cravings/Aversions: No cravings or aversions to speak of.
What do you miss: I kind of miss wearing button down shirts. I have quite the collection in my closet and I miss them -it made it really easy to get dressed for work!
Other: I'm finally starting to feel pregnant. I know that sounds weird, but up until this point (after I got rid of the morning sickness) I really just felt a little bit heavier, but not really "pregnant". Now, I'm starting to feel it. I sometimes feel a little out of breath when I'm talking and my belly is really starting to stick out now. Also, today my fingers have been swollen and my heels feel a little small. I'm hoping it's just because of all the salt from dinner last night (we had ramen soup) and not a pregnancy symptom that I'm going to keep.



So yah, I'm definitely a lot bigger... and it seems to be growing more and more every day!

This past weekend I was in Boston for one of my best friend's baby shower and while I was in town, my mom had one for me as well. It was a little overwhelming, but a lot of fun. It was nice to see friends and to see family friends that I haven't seen in awhile (some of whom I haven't seen since my wedding 2 1/2 years ago!). Baby G and I were totally spoiled as everyone was incredibly generous -we got lots of stuff... it was totally incredible. I was truly touched and awed by everyone's generosity and support.

Week 24/25

This is week 24/25 -crazy how fast this second trimester is going. I felt like the first dragged on forever, but that might also be because you keep the news a secret for so long.

Weight: Still gaining at a fast pace. I went to the doctor yesterday and was up about 7 pounds (if I remember correctly) from my last appointment. Oops. My doctor commented on how I've "gained some weight", but she didn't seem too concerned. I think if I try to concentrate on not gaining too much between now and my next appointment (Feb 1), I should be back on track(hopefully). Who knows, I'm totally going to gain 50 lbs this pregnancy so I should probably just get used to the idea! I started working out again (sort of). It consists of me doing 30 minutes on the elliptical a few times a week, so I'm definitely not burning off all those extra desserts, but it'll help a little bit and it'll help get my heart/blood pumping. It has also come to my attention this week that my legs are determined to become as sausage like as possible. They are getting bigger and thicker by the minute.
Maternity clothes: No change here. Still wearing maternity pants, but I'm noticing that my thighs are going to outgrow my pants before my belly does (see weight above). This is not a good realization and I'm hoping that the elliptical work outs will help stop this from happening! I'm still getting away with longer/bigger regular tops, but am keeping a few maternity tops in rotation.
Stretch marks: Still nothing, although with the amount of weight I'm gaining you would expect them to start popping up. I have noticed what I think is the beginning of cellulite (on my legs of course)... sigh.
Baby Movements: I talked to my doctor about the baby's movements and she said it made sense that I would only feel him pretty low. The uterus at this point is only slightly above the bellybutton, so most of the movement will be low. I also mostly only feel him on the sides and she said this also makes sense because my placenta is in front muffling the movements. So good news, the extra layer of belly fat I have is not the reason I can't feel baby G in the front (although, let's be honest, it's probably not helping!).
Cravings/Aversions: Still pretty much eating anything and everything... turned into a real human garbage disposal! (again see weight above).

What do you miss: I wish the heartburn would give it up. I get it, pregnant women get heartburn, but I wish I got it from predictable things. I, on the other hand, can get it from anything... white bread, oatmeal, the stupid glucose drink at the doctor's, even sometimes water. Yah, so I miss not having heartburn.
Other: I had my regular doctor's appointment yesterday along with my glucose test. I'm hoping I passed, but to be honest I wouldn't be that surprised if I didn't. I'll find out in a day or two if I have to go back and do the 3 hour test. Also, I find my heart beating faster these days, but according to the doctor my heart rate and blood pressure are good so there's nothing to worry about -must just be all the extra blood pumping for the baby. Other than that, everything is going well. I'm going back to Boston this weekend for a baby shower -the trip was originally so I could attend my best friend's baby shower, but my mom figured since I was home she would throw one for me too. I guess this will probably start to make it feel real -kind of like when you get engaged... the wedding and marriage thing doesn't really seem that real until the wedding shower (or at least that's how I felt. It was the official beginning.). And I'm realizing now that it's 2011, this is the year we get to meet our baby! Crazy. The next few months are probably going to fly by.

The gratuitous belly shots :the belly has grown -I sometimes feel that the pictures I post don't do it justice and in real life it's much bigger. And I think with real clothes on it looks bigger.

So what do you think? Bigger with clothes on? These were taken the same morning.

2010 survey

This is the survey that's going around on the internet -I figured I would jump on the bandwagon:

What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?
There were a lot of things. Got pregnant, travelled to Japan and Napa (even though I couldn’t drink!).
Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I didn’t really keep my new year’s resolutions for 2010 –some of them, but most of them no. I will make more for next year you can see my whole post about it here.
Did anyone close to you give birth?
YES! There was a mini baby boom in 2010! And lots of boys!
Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully, No
What countries did you visit?
I got to go to Japan this year! It was an amazing trip and I wish I blogged about it more since I’m already starting to forget things, but thankfully my husband takes a million pictures so I’ll always have those to jog my memory. I also went to Canada, but that doesn’t count since my husband is from there, his family is still there (and I went to university there).
What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
A happy, healthy baby! Although that’s kind of a cop-out answer since I’m currently pregnant, but I would like to finish off this pregnancy healthy and have a baby.
What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Hm… I don’t have specific dates, but April was our Japan trip, August was my husband’s 3-0 and when we found out we were pregnant, which was great news after a kind of rough summer and October was my big birthday, happened to be 10-10-10!
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I’m not sure I have one… this year was great in many ways and I’m blessed to have a pretty great life, but it’s mostly made up of smaller moments that culminate into my larger happiness.
What was your biggest failure?
I spent some needless time worrying about things that weren’t in my control, which is contrary to my nature. I’m generally laid back about things and believe that you can only control so much –and it is those things that you can control that you should work on and spend your energy on, but some things this year threw me for a loop and kind of knocked me off my game (so to speak).

Did you suffer illness or injury?
Sort of… For the most part (knock on wood) no major illness or injury. I did miscarry over the summer, which required a medical procedure and then I had morning sickness, but in the grand scheme or things, no, I've been very blessed. I hope that this trend continues and that my friends and family are blessed with good health.
What was the best thing you bought?
Hm… That’s tough since I bought a lot of things so I’m not sure I can pinpoint just one thing.
Whose behavior merited celebration?
My family and friends –they are all truly amazing.
Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
No one. I think I surround myself with good people and therefore no appalling or depressing behavior to worry about from them.
Where did most of your money go?
This was a year of big expenses. We spent a bunch of money on our Japan trip and a bunch of money for my husband’s green card. The rest was spent to eat well and travel. We really need to work on saving for next year!
What did you get really excited about?
Having a baby, becoming a mom, starting a family with my husband and seeing my husband as a father. I think 2011 (and beyond) is going to be amazing in so many ways –not to say it won’t be hard, but I’m optimistic about the future.
Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?
a) happier
b) fatter–literally day by day I’m growing
c) richer –maybe my bank account doesn’t agree, but in the cheesy way, my life is richer.
What do you wish you’d done more of?
I wish I travelled more -even just weekend trips, and seeing/talking to friends who live far away. Although I talk to many of my friends online I miss seeing their faces and hanging out.
What do you wish you’d done less of?
Worrying about things I couldn’t control, stressing about our fictitious family budget.
How did you spend Christmas?
We got to see both my husband’s and my families, which was great. We saw a few friends, but not nearly enough of them. Overall it went by way too quickly!
Did you fall in love in 2010?
Fell in love with my (unborn) baby and fell more in love with my current loves (cheesy and cliché as it is)
What was your favorite TV program?
Ugh, I watch way too much tv. Current obsessions… Real Housewives franchise (current fave is Beverly Hills), the Good Wife, NCIS and NCIS: LA, Burn Notice and I’m sure there’s a slew more.
Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I’m not much of a hater, in fact, I’m not sure I really “hate” anyone. Oh, but Rachel and Mr. Shue on Glee are pretty close. Haha.
What was the best book you read?
Hm, I read the Stieg Lawson series and that was good and I’ve read a bunch of other books, but I’m not sure any of them are “must reads”.
What was your greatest musical discovery?
Music isn't my thing. I listen to mostly top 40 radio stations or whatever streams over Pandora. I did re-discover my love for New Kids on the Block though.
What did you want and get?
I got pregnant and my husband got his green card -so I'm getting a baby and he will get a father! haha.

What did you want and not get?
I did not get a baby… or the winning lotto ticket.
What was your favorite film of this year?
Hm. I can’t even remember the last film I saw. I’ll have to pass on this one. (shoot, clearly the arts are not my thing.)
What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 30 this year and we actually didn’t do anything too crazy. Husband and I might have gone to dinner? Oh, we saw Billy Elliot, which we pretended was for my birthday, but I think hubs was actually more excited for it than I was. Oh, our friends and their new baby came over for the day –it started out as just brunch, but ended up being a lazy day hanging out, which was completely marvelous. I don’t usually make a big deal out of my birthday, so I’m not disappointed or anything with what we did (or did not do).
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
If I had won the lotto! Ha, I’m kidding (sort of). I don’t know, I’m not really disappointed with how the year turned out overall.
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?

I'm not sure I have a personal fashion concept. I tend to be mostly east coast prep with a hint of trend. However my pregnancy wardrobe is putting a damper on any sort of concept I may have had.

What kept you sane?

My husband, my family and my friends (who are my family).
What political issue stirred you the most?

Not super political, so I'll pass on this.
Who did you miss?

I miss my friends who live far away and my family (who also live far away).
Who was the best new person you met?

This is tough... I'm not sure I met a new person this year -is that sad? I should probably get out more!
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.

I don't think it's a new lesson, but bad things happen to good people and that some things are just beyond your control.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

Again with the artsy questions...