Pregnancy, Week 34 - Stuck in a room with hundreds of pregnant women!

Physical Symptoms: Check the past two week's blogs and add on some headaches. Now this one I am not sure is pregnancy related or because the Santa Ana winds are whipping everything around and causing my allergies to go crazy but I have had a few headaches.  I talked to my doctor and she said if a headache lasts for longer than a day and medicine doesn't help to call the office because it could signal blood pressure issues.  For now, unless that scenario happens, I am thinking its allergies.

As of Wednesday (technically 35 weeks along) I have gained 32.8 pounds. I should only be gaining 1-2 pds a week now. I'll be happy if I end up at or below 40 pds by the end.

Around week 34/35 be prepared to take a Group B strep test. I passed but had no idea this test was coming. So if you are wondering what it is, google it. Just know its a routine test in late pregnancy.

Food Weirdness: All good in the food department and my acid reflux is happening less and less.

Size of little (girl) bug: Honeydew Melon

Workout: Walking and fit breaks. I actually did a walking tour of the UCLA Mildred E. Mathias Botantical Garden one day during work.  Seven acres of UCLA's campus is dedicated to this garden for medical/scientific research. It was really cool to learn about all these different plants.  I totally geeked out on Chris about it when I got home that night.

Preparation: We organized a lot this past weekend. We hung black out curtains in our room and then wished we would have done that a year ago! Wow! We feel like we are in a hotel room. Also, I washed Natalie's clothes and organized them in drawers by size and type. We organized her changing table, started putting together her diaper bag and set up her swing (thanks Mike and Roshan) and co-sleeper. The house finally looks like a baby is coming to live there.

Discovery: Natalie kicks hard! The other night Chris was feeling my belly and she gave out a wallop that surprised him and I both and honestly even hurt a little bit. She is a strong little one!

Funny Moment: There were a few funny moments this past week:

• Dancing at Mike & Taryn's wedding had to be funny looking. I danced until my feet couldn't handle it any longer but I had to bust some moves!
• My friend Brandee and I went to a event called Big City Moms Biggest Baby Shower LA (more on that in a minute) on Tuesday. They had photographers there and one guy could not stop taking pictures of my baby bump. There were TONS of pregnant women there but he just thought my belly was the cream of the crop, even telling me he thought it was perfectly round. So here I am trying to talk to vendor and this guy is all up on my belly taking close ups. Awkward. Did I mention this was after I spilled chocolate ice cream down by dress that left a big brown stain? Yeah, that happened. 

Feelings: My feelings are going to be about the event Brandee and I went to because it was so great to be around so many pregnant ladies, learn about the newest baby gear and let's be honest, get free stuff.

The Big City Moms Biggest Baby Shower LA was an event held at the Skirball Center that was a fun and informative offering vendors, seminars, games, treats and PRIZES. Brandee told me about it and it was so much fun going together. We arrived and immediately grabbed our mocktails and were on a mission to collect our 25 signatures from vendors so we could be eligible for the raffle. We discovered a lot of new (to us) brands of car seats, strollers, organic food, baby lotions, baby services, etc. Many of the brands were European which basically meant "expensive" to me but it was great to learn about them and they are ahead of their game when it comes to functionality and style. 

We also took part in some seminars. There were a few celebrities that spoke including Ali Landry and Jaime Pressley. All were informative and covered topics like fitness and wellness, the ups and downs of being a mom, navigating the first year, etc. At the end of the seminar you were eligible to receive a larger raffle prize if your ticket was pulled out of a bag. Well... I WON! I couldn't believe it! I won the Sage Spoonfuls Let's Get Started Pack which is a homemade baby food system. The recipes that came with the package seems simple enough. We will see how this mama will handle making her own baby food but I am willing to give it a try (when its time) even if it's not for every meal.

Whew, long post today! Its been busy!

PS: Chris and I also celebrated our ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY this past week. We took J and had yummy Italian food and the best lemon cake ever. It was a great way to celebrate.


Learning about the original rose at the Botantical Gardens where I completely had a geek moment.

Mike & Taryn Got Married!!!! 

We celebrated One Year of Marriage! Best year of my life!! This is us at M & T's wedding.

Jaime Pressley speaking about the ups and downs on motherhood.

Brandee and I at the event! Love her!

Pregnancy, Week 33 - Showered with Blessings

Physical Symptoms: I'll spare you the long laundry list I gave you last week. But rest assure they are still happening. The only things I will add this week is losing my breath and being hotter than the surface of the sun.

• Losing my breath: One night I really wanted to lay on my back on the couch. So I did for a while and then when I got up I was breathing so hard trying to catch my breath. I was breathing as hard as when I used to run 10 miles. Ha! Once I laid on my side I started breathing normally again but I now realize why doctors warn you about laying on your back while pregnant.
• Being hotter than the surface of the sun: Dramatic, I know. But I'm hot all the time. It doesn't help that SoCal decided to climb to almost 90 degrees in March. But even at work I have my desk fan on all the time.

Food Weirdness: The acid reflux is getting somewhat better. Eating smaller meals help. 

Size of little (girl) bug: Cauliflower Blossom (can I have that curried please?)

Workout: So thankful for fit breaks at work. I have even increased tone in my arms! And still walking.

Preparation: We are super prepared since I had my shower over the weekend.  Goodness, we were blessed with so many useful items for Natalie. It will take a while to organize but we are incredibly humbled by our friends and families love and generosity for our growing household.

Discovery: Janell gave us the NoseFrida Nasal Aspirator which is apparently all the rage! It is made in Sweden and unlike regular aspirators with the big bulb at the end that provides suction, mama or daddy uses their own breath to suck through a tube that provides relief for baby nasal congestion. Hard to imagine? Here is the link to the NoseFrida. Apparently babies like it much more than a regular aspirator. 

Funny Moment: Seeing all the baby pictures of Chris and I that our parents provided for the baby shower. It's amazing to see us as tiny babies and kids. My favorite picture is Chris dressed up like a cowboy on a pony (see below).  Both sets of parents provided pictures of us potty training too (also below). Ha ha!

Feelings: Feeling very blessed by friends and family at my baby shower. Everything was amazing. The decorations were so cute, the food was delicious, the stories/pictures our parents provided were very meaningful and the people there (many who drove a long way) made the day just perfect. I couldn't ask for more!

PS: Another east coast friend had her baby this week! So excited for my lovely friend Mel and her husband Mark!


Such amazing food!

Meaningful and cute decor!!

One of my finer moments.... potty training.

I love this lil cowboy because he grew up to be my husband!

Great Friends!

Family!

More Awesome Friends!

The hostesses with the mostesses ;)

Mama and Natalie!

Pregnancy, Week 32 - Counting Sheep

Physical Symptoms: Well folks the late stages of pregnancy symptoms have started to set in. Though overall I feel well here is the ever increasing list:

• Leg Cramps: The ones you get in the middle of the night where you feel like someone is ripping the muscle off your bone. This usually involves a lot of flailing around and waking up Chris. Not that he can really do anything but more so someone can commiserate with me. 
• Acid Reflux: Pretty much anything with give me acid reflux these days. My doctor said it is okay for me to take an antacid so I will probably start doing that.
• Lightning in the ummm...baby area: I want to be truthful in this blog but not gross you out. Let's just say sometimes it feels like lightning is striking my lower half. Doctor says it's totally normal.
• Rib Pain: Someone likes to stick her foot in my ribs.
• Baby Hiccups: This is the one symptom I like. Natalie gets the hiccups all the time. It's pretty cute.
• Sleeping: I am sleeping terribly. I am starting to build my fortress of pillows around me. I will fall asleep fine but then wake up about 2 hours later so uncomfortable. It takes so much effort to roll over because my entourage of pillows have to come with me. Also, imagine holding a bowling ball in front of you and then rolling over with it without the help of your core. It takes a lot of effort.

Food Weirdness: Food and I have a love hate relationship right now. I love to eat but hate the acid reflux it gives me after.

Size of little (girl) bug: Florida Pomelo?!?!? This food size comparison is getting weird. 

Workout: Walking and fit breaks!

Preparation: We had a busy weekend so I really didn't do too much preparing. Just keeping up with some light reading, continuing to scour Pinterest for helpful hints and talking to new mama's to know what to be expecting in the near future.

Discovery: My doctor said that baby hiccups are a sign that she is happy in the womb. Not sure how they could scientifically know that but i'll take it!

Funny Moment: Chris and I had the privilege of attending the Gordon's wedding this weekend and we had a great time. While conversing with our friends there I pretty much found everything funny. Like things that were mildly funny I would lose it in laughter. I am thankful that on days my body is feeling good I have typically been very joyful during pregnancy. Also, thankful for good times with friends!

Feelings: This week, the youth group that I have been volunteering at for many years gave my friend Janell and I a baby shower. All the kids stated a wish for the babies and it was such a blessing to hear their hopes and dreams for our little ones. We also had a lot of fun. We played silly games and they gave us sweet baby gifts. The kid's moms played a huge part in planning the party and Janell and I were both very blessed and honored. Love my kiddos!

Stephen and Stephanie Gordon! Such a lovely couple!

My Love and I

Had a lot of laughs with these folks!

Youth Group Girls: Who can dress the baby the fastest!

Youth Group Boys: Who can dress the baby the fastest!

Youth Group Moms! They are the best!

Janell and I. So blessed to be sharing this pregnancy experience with her. Cant wait for the arrival of her baby boy at the end of this month!

Pregnancy, Week 31- My hips dont lie

Physical Symptoms: This week, for the first time, I have said, "I'm over being pregnant." Most days I am feeling good. Some days are harder. One day this week my belly was feeling overly tight, my back was hurting and I just could not get comfortable sitting, standing nor lying down. I think Natalie may of been positioned against my back because the next day I was back to normal.  Today I am having some hip discomfort. My narrow hips are probably starting to stretch out in preparation for labor. I have been waking up more during the night trying to get comfortable. Basically, the last stretch of pregnancy is starting to happen. The more uncomfortable, body beating, preparation for labor part. I just keep reminding myself 1) this is only going to get worse, lol, 2) this is only temporary. So am I glass half full or half empty? Ha!

Tiredness. How dare Netflix release House of Cards during my third trimester when I can't keep my eyes open at night. Chris has had to turn off the show multiple time because he catches me sleeping. So for two people who can usually average 3-4 shows a night, we are down to around 1 and 1/2. Ha!

Food Weirdness: My friend gave me a tip that eating an apple can help with heartburn.  Over the weekend I could not deny a pepperoni pizza even thought those little guys give me major heartburn. I ate an apple right after and had zero heartburn! Interesting, huh?

Size of little (girl) bug: Romaine Lettuce? Umm Okay.

Workout: More walking, fit breaks and yoga. I enjoy yoga because it also trains my breathing. Hopefully it will help me remember to breathe during labor.

Preparation: I went into MAJOR nesting mode over the weekend. Deep cleaned the kitchen and bathrooms. (Chris cleaned the shower which I refuse to do! Thanks babe!) Hung pictures on the walls & put some things in the garage. I am very happy I had the energy to get all of that done. Soon we will be making space (aka. a wall in our room) for Natalie's things. I am looking forward to that.

I also got in touch with the pediatricians office that will be seeing Natalie after she is born. One more thing off the list!

Discovery: Natalie has reached the length she will be at birth. Now she is just packing on the pounds.

Funny Moment: Watching me get up off the ground is pretty funny. There is a method. Roll, breathe, get on all fours, breathe, hope there is something you can grab on to nearby, breathe, pull yourself up, grunt, breath, come to a standing position, breathe, tell yourself you will never sit on the floor again while pregnant. breathe.

Feelings: Our household is getting excited for the baby to arrive.  We know not everything is perfectly in place yet but I can tell there is an excitement and anticipation building. Thankful for Chris, he has been very attentive and even more sweet to me than usual. I love when he refers to Natalie as "our daughter". I haven't used that term often, I still say "baby" or "Natalie" but I am going to start. It's hard to explain but the term daughter seems much more unique and personal and I like that. Our daughter is uniquely a product of us. Pretty dang cool.

Week 32 pic: