32+ Weeks

How far along? 32w 4d.

Size of Esme? About 17 inches and weighs about 4.25 lbs.

Movement: She's very active in the morning, late evening, after meals and exercise. When she squirms my tummy looks like an alien is trying to crawl out of my bellybutton!

Miss Anything? Nitrates. I've been craving hotdogs, deli meat and salami. I also miss having a sense of balance (physically and mentally). A strong wind can cause me waver on my feet and my lack of energy/production causes me to feel lazy and inept.

Best moment this week? The days and days of endless sunshine and getting some pigmentation back in my skin! Also, watching David play softball while Reese was bombarded by children (she loved the attention). Yesterday, I attended a going away brunch with some friends in Leeds. We ate at an outdoor cafe and enjoyed the sunshine and great conversation. 

Sleep? Nights-mostly. Nap-almost daily (when I'm not working).

Stretch marks? Grr, yes, boo, hiss.

Food cravings: So many this week! Pretty much all picnic food, such as, grilled meat, fresh squeezed lemonade, and veggies with dip. I've also been the decaf vanilla or caramel iced latte queen this week. I justify this indulgence as getting my dairy for the day.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing makes me queasy or sick but I get really dizzy after sneezing.  I have to make sure I'm sitting down or I have something to lean on so I don't tip over.

Labor Signs: No, but I can feel my body preparing.

Symptoms: Lots of swelling (especially in the heat), numb hands and feet, heartburn, and waddling (that's a symptom right?). 

Wedding rings on or off? On. 

Belly Button in or out? Innie. 

Looking forward to? Daisy birthing class tomorrow night, and open swimming Wednesday night. Next Saturday Kelsey and Paula are throwing a baby shower for me so I'm really excited about that! Also, next Sunday I'm hosting a puppy party. Several of our friends have dogs so we've invited them all over to have a play date and picnic. I hope the weather is great next weekend too!

Happy or Moody most of the time: Super happy and relaxed.

31+ Weeks

How far along? 31w 4d.

Size of Esme? About 16.7 inches and weighs about 3.75 lbs.

Movement: Lots and lots! Sometimes hiccups too. 

Miss Anything? Mobility. 

Best moment this week? The day the sun came out (today) and implementing my new 'pregnant lady' work out plan. 

Sleep? A few great nights and a few horrible nights.

Stretch marks? Despite my best efforts, there are a few.

Food cravings: Cereal, milk, coffee, fruit, and chocolate.

Anything making you queasy or sick: The smell of overripe bananas.

Labor Signs: No. 

Symptoms: Super dry skin, swelling, and heartburn.  

Wedding rings on or off? On. 

Belly Button in or out? Innie. 

Looking forward to? Tuesdays midwife appointment, spending time with David and working on Esme's dresser/changing table (in the sunshine).

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy (unless someone tells me I look like I'm ready to give birth any minute. This has happened several times.).

Woohoo...the BIG 3-0!

Happy Mother's Day! Thank you to all the awesome Mom's who have been there to Support David and I on our journey to become parents. We love and appreciate all that you do. xoxo

How far along? 30w 4d.

Size of Esme? About 16.25 inches and weighs about 3.3 lbs. Lots of growth this week! In the next 7-8 weeks Esme's weight will double. 

Movement: A lot less this week. Up until this week she concentrated on using my bladder as a punching/kicking bag but this week she's been expanding her range of movement to all over the tummy.

Miss Anything? Sweat (aka exercise). I miss being active without needing a nap or tylenol afterwards.

Best moment this week? Girl time and "learning" to sew. We made several parts of Esme's mobile (pictures will come later). We won't be able to put it up until we move back to America but having something to keep busy with (and creatively express myself) has been another remedy for moodiness.   

We had some sun this week so I was able to sit outside with my sunglasses and ice cold sparkling elderflower water and read Bringing Up Bebe. I also planted some flowers in tubs and hanging baskets. All the sunshine this week (all 2 days) has reversed last weeks moodiness and happiness has been abundant!!  

Also, having the house cleaned by someone other than myself or David put my serotonin levels into overdrive (I did a little dance then took a nap).

Sleep? No. 

Stretch marks? Just a few. 

Food cravings: Fruit, cereal, COOKIES.  

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope. 

Labor Signs: No. 

Symptoms:  Swelling, carpal tunnel, and heartburn. 

Wedding rings on or off? On. 

Belly Button in or out? Innie. 

Looking forward to? Doing some refurb on Esme's changing table with David tomorrow (Monday). I also look forward to (possibly) some more sunshine next week.  

Happy or Moody most of the time: Oh so happy (Praise God)!

29+ Weeks

How far along? 29 w 4d. 

Size of Esme? About 15.7 inches and 2.7 lbs. Our (new) midwife took measurements of my tummy on Tuesday at our appointment. I guess Esme is a little bigger than she should be. My bump measured at 32 cm and should be 29cm (one cm for every week). 

Movement: She's busy being a JJB. At night, if I stay on one side for too long it feels like parts of her squirm to become lodged in between my ribs (ouchie!).

Miss Anything? Skinny jeans and fitness. I've also been missing a sunny disposition. Can you have postpartum BEFORE having a baby? It's really irritating which only adds to the depression. Vicious cycle I tell you!  I hope this goes away soon because it is not fun!

Best moment this week? I really enjoyed the new "exercise" prenatal class. It wasn't really much exercise as much as a little gentle stretching, lots of controlled breathing and some really good information. The instructor is awesome so I hope to finish out my pregnancy taking this class. I've also started back at prenatal yoga. Thankfully it's a lot harder then it was 8 weeks ago! I did a class this morning and I'm incredibly sore now. I feel like I actually did something strenuous! Woohoo!

Also, we hired a gentleman to come clean the house every couple of weeks. I became irrationally elated once we struck a deal. The prospect of a sparkly clean house brought back a sunny disposition!

Sleep? Not much. Just a few hours at a time.

Stretch marks? Just the two little ones stretching out into longer ones. No new ones though!

Food cravings: Shrimp, pasta, fruit smoothies, strawberry popsicles, hamburgers (of course), and coffee (seems to work as an anti-depressant).

 This couldn't be more true.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope.

Labor Signs: No.

Symptoms:  Swelling, depression/mood swings, heartburn, and really horrible sharp/shooting back pains. Sciatica maybe?

Wedding rings on or off? On.

Belly Button in or out? Innie.

Looking forward to? Having the house cleaned on Friday!!  I also have some girl time with Kelsey this week (hello shopping/gardening/crafting/baking!). David's working all week so Kelsey is coming to keep me company (and keep me sane).

Happy or Moody most of the time: Mooooooooooody! Yuck.