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.

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) :)