28+ Weeks

How far along? 28 w 4d. (Third trimester! So, only 10-12 more weeks before we get to meet our little Esme!) I'm so ready to be done with pregnancy. It hasn't been that bad but all the physical restrictions are making me incredibly antsy, especially with the summer coming up. I want to be outside running and playing beach volleyball!

Size of Esme? About 15.25 inches and 2.5 lbs.

Movement: Smaller movements than before but I think it's because she has less room to squirm around. She's still a JJB though!

Miss Anything? Sunshine. Exercise. Sleep and feeling rested...energy.

Best moment this week? My volleyball team winning their finals match! Also, spending time with David and having the wall wheel art turn out so well.

Sleep? I have been incredibly tired but actually sleeping this week has been intermittent.

Stretch marks? Nothing new, thank goodness!

Food cravings: Pasta and other Italian food.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing this week. YAY!

Labor Signs: No.

Symptoms:  More Edema and tingly limbs. Less leg cramps this week but I've increased my iron and potassium intake this week. Also, fatigue and lots of visits to the bathroom.

Wedding rings on or off? On.

Belly Button in or out? Innie.

Looking forward to?  Getting my hair done tomorrow. It's a weird thing to look forward to, I know, but I've felt so gross and unattractive lately that I think getting pampered a little will help me feel better about the next 2 months. I'm also looking forward to getting the rest of the yarn in the mail so I can complete the wheel wall art.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy but oddly moody when I hear whistling. It's like nails on a chalkboard. Very weird. All the rain is also putting a damper on good moods. I can tell a definite difference in my mood when it's sunny and when it's overcast and raining. S.A.D. is in full effect! I'm usually pretty happy at night though!

DIY Wall Art

Many weeks ago while Anne and I were shopping at THE most amazing baby store on earth (Oh Baby), we spotted some of their wall and ceiling decorations that were innovative, interesting and completely doable. Their wheel art is one of the projects I've decided to do for Esme's room. It sounds very odd (David didn't really understand the concept either) but I think once you see the finished product you may be as enamored as I was. 

Essentially, they are yarn covered bicycle, tricycle and wagon wheels. Here are two of the pictures I took while in the store...

Here are some of the wheels I started out with (bought on eBay). I also have 2 large racing bicycle tires and another wagon wheel that aren't pictured. The yarn I bought in a lot also on eBay. I have another lot coming with more colors which is why I'm waiting to do the last few.

Before

After

When the new yarn comes in the mail I will finish the fifth wheel in this set along with the other three described above.

More Pictures of Esme

While we were in California, David and I decided to get one of those freaky 3D sonograms. She's awfully cute already and I must say, I think she has my nose!

 

She likes her fingers!

 

 

Smiley face!

Only 10-12 more weeks to go!

Weeks 26 and 27

Since it's been such a busy few weeks with traveling, working, volleyball and family visits I've had to combine weeks 26 and 27 into one blog. Hopefully it will be back on track for week 28!

How far along? 27 w 4 days.

Size of Esme? About 15 inches long.

Stretch marks? A wee sneaky little mark crept up last week. It's been doused in oil, lotion and cocoa butter for the last 7 days. So far it's no worse...fingers crossed.

Sleep? So much better the last couple of weeks!

Best moment this week? Last week it was having Zack and Olivia visit for a few days, sleeping in my own bed and organizing Esme's clothes and other goodies. She has more clothes than any child should! This week was great because I got to spend some time with David this past Friday and Saturday. We purchased Esme's dresser/changing table from the auction and also some fabric that will be used to make her mobile.

Miss Anything? Warm weather and family.  I'm trying to stave off loneliness by watching all the new baby lambs bounce about in the front garden.  

Movement: Less in week 26 week than the previous weeks. All the books and blogs say it's because she's sleeping more now. Could we possibly end up with a child who sleeps? I won't hold my breath but it would be nice! However, Week 27 she's a bouncy girl again! This week she's following my sleep pattern so she's asleep when I am and awake when I am too. She's particularly jumpy a few minutes after I've eaten.

Food cravings: Red Velvet frozen yogurt with brownie chunks from Sweet Frog. Fruit juice, pasteries and milkshakes.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Stinky body odor and the occasional car ride. 

Labor Signs: No, but I can feel little contractions preparing me for the big day! I've been focusing on staying calm and not tensing up when the shooting pain starts. So far, not so good.

Symptoms:  Edema and tingly limbs. Cramps in my legs at night have started in week 27 also.

Belly Button in or out? Innie.

 Wedding rings on or off? On.


Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy last week. This week my hormones are doing something crazy and I've been a moody, crying mess. Try explaining to high school students why you're crying for no reason! It's very embarrassing.
Looking forward to? Moving into the home stretch (Third trimester). Volleyball finals this weekend! Scheduling an antenatal (prenatal) birthing class and a pregnancy exercise classes because after this weekend I will have my evenings free!

25+ Weeks

How far along? 25w 4d.  
Size of Emse? She is the length of a hothouse cucumber (14 inches) and weights about 1.75 Pounds
Stretch marks? No!
Sleep? Not too much this week. Hip pain started getting bad again so there's been lots of tossing and turning. 

Best moment this week: Too many to count. Lunch with the ladies, outletting. Easter with the fam, corn-hole, delicious food, house-hunting, sunshine and gorgeous weather.

Miss Anything? Still missing alcohol and full caffeine coffee. 
Movement: She's a busy girl. I've started tracking her daily movements sunce they are so often. It will be interesting to see if her sleep patterns (or non-sleep patterns) are the same outside the womb.

Food cravings: Ice cream and frozen yogurt, wine, cocktails, fruit and dill pickles.

Anything making you queasy or sick:  Not this week! YAY!

Labor Signs: No. 
Symptoms: Hip pain, emotional meltdowns and excessive happiness.
Belly Button in or out? Innie.
Wedding rings on or off? Both rings ON! After an emotional meltdown (as referenced above) David finally convinced the conniving jewelry clerk to re-size my ring for free, as stated in our original purchase contract. Emotional crisis resolved and excessive happiness resumed!
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!
Looking forward to? Sleeping in my own bed and seeing my volleyball girls again. Also, lambs, flowers and seeing Olivia and Zack in a week! 

Some extra pictures from the ladies lunch...

24+ Weeks

How far along? 24w 5d (A little late this week, again. Oops). 
Stretch marks? No!
Sleep: Here and there. Several naps and no sleepless nights. No complaints here!   

Best moment this week: Visiting with all the Minnesota peeps and another awesome baby shower! 

Miss Anything? Sunshine.
Movement: Definitely feeling her movements and I even think she had the hiccups one day. Very cool.

Food cravings: Rootbeer floats (which were promptly made and eaten), white wine, and the constant favorite-hamburgers with lots of dill pickles.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Had a nasty stomach flu for about a week. The doctor Rx some meds that tasted like peppermint and didn't seem to work very well. Just now getting over it. Also, the smell of the meat and seafood sections at the grocery store are abominable.

Labor Signs: No. 
Symptoms: Balance problems, carpel tunnel, hip pain, swollen ankles, and mood swings (Grrr, YAY!)
Belly Button in or out? Innie.
Wedding rings on or off? Wedding ring, on. Engagement ring, off. Hopefully that will change this week after resizing.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!
Looking forward to? Visiting our VA family (leaving in a few hours), Easter, outlet shopping and possible house hunting (a naively optimistic activity) :)