Pregnancy, Week 26 - Bump Buddies

Physical Symptoms: Nothing really different to report this week in regards to pregnancy. Still having crazy dreams and getting off the couch is continuing to increase in difficulty. Natalie is moving around a lot. Chris has been able to feel her more frequently and sometimes you can even see her move around in my belly.

I got a cold/sinus thing this week. Ugh, I hate being sick in general but being sick while pregnant is rough. There is so many limits to what I can take to combat the illness and its hard to continue to be active (walk, stretch, etc.) when you just feel like laying around.

Food Weirdness: None! But when you are sick it is really weird. I don't have much of an appetite but Natalie does so its like I am disgusted at food/starving at the same time.  Because of this I just choose to eat small meals and snack a lot during the day to continue to nourish her.

Size of little (girl) bug: Butternut Squash

Workout: Walking! Chris and I recently did the Claremont Loop (or part of it) near our town. It is a great little trail that allowed us to get a great workout, in a quiet area away from the cars. We plan to go back often.

Preparation: Chris and I registered at Babies R Us this weekend.  Wow, now that was an adventure. I really had no clue what I was doing, so I was thankful Chris is experienced in baby gear to aid in this process. Also, thankful my stepsons mom recently had a new baby so she was able to give some advice on the newest bottles, etc. I mean really, there is SO much to choose from. Also, I am going to need to get used to the color pink. I kept picking out the blue items and things with footballs on them. Not surprising, since I was the little girl who's favorite toy was a metal replica of a Bobcat Loader. Just watch, Natalie will probably end up being super girly, lol.

Discovery: I discovered there are a millions things you can buy for a baby. Constantly reminding myself that some of these things are nice to have but not always necessary in raising a baby.

Funny Moment: Chris wanted to show me how "easy" it was to set up a pack 'n play. So he took down a already assembled one from the shelf (of a brand name that is not extremely popular) and it took him about 10 minutes to wrestle with that thing (taking it down and putting back up). We had a good laugh at how "easy" it was.  He had much better luck when he chose a popular brand name pack 'n play and was able to prove his point that they can be easy to assemble.

Feelings: I want to take a minute to talk about "bump buddies." These are the ladies who I am blessed to be pregnant with.  I feel very fortunate that many of my good friends, co-workers, even neighbors are also pregnant. For some of them it is their first child and for some others they are adding to their clan.  The wisdom, camaraderie, support and transparency about being pregnant and mommyhood is a priceless gift.  If you are feeling alone in your pregnancy, I encourage you to join a group at your church, community or hospital that may offer support during this time.  It really makes all the difference. Its nice to know you are not alone and can seek encouragement anytime.

But also, with that, it is beneficial to maintain friendships with those who are not pregnant. Remember there is still life going on beyond pregnancy and just a few short months ago you were engaged fully in that life.  With my friends and even with my husband I try to be mindful to not focus on talking about pregnancy and the baby but to remember that there is still a world out there that is important to be present in.

A few of my bump buddies:

Pregnancy, Week 25

Physical Symptoms: CrAzY Dreams! All about the baby and all about my deepest fears. A few nights ago it was my baby being born early, at a crowded hospital, no one could get there in time and my doctor was a teenage intern. The bright part of that dream was that she was born and started speaking real words. Last night it was about me not showering for days because of taking care of the baby, going out on a walk and people making comments about my disheveled look.  This one, I fear and pretty much expect to come true. Ha!

Getting out of bed and off the couch is also interesting. Takes a lot more effort these days. Who knew so much core strength was required to simply get off the couch?

The greatest news this week is that I passed my glucose test! I was super nervous because I love sugar so much!  Everyone kept telling me I had to drink this horrible super sugary drink. Yes, it was super sugary but horrible?? I question that. I loved it. Probably too much. Tasted like a shaved ice without the ice. Though in 20 minutes time I felt like I was going to crawl out of my skin. Way to much sugar pumping through this body. At exactly an hour after drinking the sugary goodness they drew my blood.  By end of day I found out I passed the glucose test with flying colors.  Apparently my body processes sugar very well! I celebrated with ice cream.

Natalie is also kicking up a storm. Woo hoo!

Food Weirdness: Just realized that recently my 8-year old stepson and I can now out eat my husband. Ha! Now that is weird! We are both growing at speedy rates!

Size of little (girl) bug: Holding steady at an eggplant. An eggplant that is gaining weight.

Workout: Walking everyday and fit breaks. Chris and I also started our Fitness Blender videos again. I do what I can. I also call getting up from the couch a good core strengthening exercise.

Preparation: I ordered some books and am reading like crazy.  Currently reading, The Happiest Baby on the Block and The Vaccine Book. Both I recommend.  Happiest Baby, is about the myths of colic and how to soothe a fussy baby. So interesting! Especially since I apparently had colic as a baby. The Vaccine Book teaches you about the vaccines your baby is given. The doctor is pro-vaccine but gives alternative scheduling if that makes you feel more comfortable.

Discovery: Natalie is 2 pounds now! Moving up in weight class!

Funny Moment: Laughing with a pregnant lady at my doctor's office (who had just drank her sugar water for the glucose test) about how we were about to jump out of our skin. We had to sit still waiting for our doctor but wanted to run laps around the office instead.

Feelings: Printed out a blank calender for the next few months so Chris and I can schedule all the things we need to do before Natalie's arrival.  This makes me feel confident and prepared.  We will be talking about it more in depth this week. Excited to have a "plan".

The Sugary Nectar from the Gods...

Pregnancy, Week 24

Physical Symptoms: I have been experiencing some round ligament pain in my lower abdomen. This is due to my body physically stretching out for baby girl.  It just feels like a constant cramping. Lying down seems to help for me though some women say walking around works for them. It's scary the first time this happens but soon you learn what ligament pain feels like and you relax about something really bad happening.

One of the best things about pregnancy for me is I have the most incredible skin! I have always had problem skin/hormonal outbreaks but now my face is completely clear. Maybe its my pre-natal vitamins, or the increased production of blood running through my body, who knows! But I am enjoying while it lasts.

Speaking of blood. Did you know that a woman increases her blood volume by 50% during pregnancy.It can add almost a pound to your body weight! CRAZY!

Food Weirdness: None. Love food.

Size of little (girl) bug: Still an Eggplant

Workout: Now that break is over I am back in action.  My coworker and I walk around 2 miles a day and we do "fit breaks" together.  UCLA has this great program where for 15 min 2x a day a trainer will come to the office and do strength training, dance, stretching, etc. Chris and I hope to get back into working out at home too.

Preparation:  Just been researching some stuff online. Crib vs. Bassinet, Pacifier vs. No Pacifier, etc.,etc.

Discovery: My uterus is now the size of a soccer ball. Umm what?

Funny Moment: I just realized I had left funny moments off the past few posts. Probably the funniest thing that has happened regarding pregnancy is, how big you look is totally dependent on what you wear.  On Monday, someone said "you are so tiny!" the next day "wow, you are getting so big."

Life tip: For what its worth, never tell a woman she is big. Pregnant or not pregnant.

Feelings: I am feeling much more positive this week.  After having a nice long talk with my hubby I am feeling much better. Many of my fears lie in how will he and I keep our marriage a priority in midst of baby land. I'm sure we wont be perfect but I am glad we are already talking about it and implementing practical ways to make our marriage a priority. Love my hubs!

Pregnancy, Week 23

Physical Symptoms: Weird random pains.  I contribute this to my body making room for baby girl. Natalie is kicking up a storm. My hubs and step-son have now both felt her. She kicks hard too. It is so weird.  It's like an alien has invaded my body! I also am starting to feel quite large...and this is just the beginning of the major growth stage.

Food Weirdness: At this point eating ice cream every night is not weird. Its just normal.

Size of little (girl) bug: Eggplant

Workout: Well... I was on break from work last week due to the holidays so I did not do anything consistent except sit on the couch and watch college bowl games.  I did walk a few times which included about a 4+ mile walk when we went to the Rose Bowl Game.

Now that I am back at work my pregnant friend and I are back on track.  In fact, we walked close to 3 miles during our break yesterday.

Preparation: Bought some Belly Buds so Natalie can listen to music/our recorded voices, etc.  Does this really help with brain development? I have no idea but why not try, right? Also, realizing we need to be more prepared, like going to make a registry/setting up the baby corner/etc. The year turning to 2015 has made me much more aware that this train is coming...fast.

Discovery: She can hear now! Hello there little babe!

Feelings: This past week was pretty hard if I am completely honest.  Spent a lot of time thinking about how things will change; relationships, time, priorities, home life and it got me down. I am really content at how life is moving right now, anticipating the change makes me a little (or a lot) emotional. Luckily, I have a lot of support around me to build me back up when I am feeling down.

In other news, I got an Iphone 6, so hopefully you wont have to endure terrible quality photos like the ones I posted last week. Lordy.

Pregnancy, Week 22

I have been on Christmas Break so sorry for the lack of updating but here is my Week 22/23 belly picture.