Bumpdate: 29 weeks

Already?!  I'm just going to warn you that it's kind of been a week.

We had our 29 week appointment on Thursday morning.  I finally completed my glucose tolerance test - the one where you have to drink the super sweet drink then get your blood drawn an hour later to see what your blood sugar does and from that determine whether or not you have gestational diabetes.  I have heard A LOT of pregnant women complain and worry about this test, so yeah, I was a little nervous about it.  Dude.  The drink was no big deal.  It was actually kind of tasty!  I just wish it had more bubbles.  So, I drank the drink on my way to my appointment, checked in with the lab, had my appointment (I'll to that in a minute), and got my blood drawn afterwards.  No.  Big.  Deal.  I did eat a high protein lunch afterwards as recommended by our midwife, Jane, to combat nausea and fatigue.  I did get a bit tired in the afternoon, but overall, it went great.  Oh, and I passed!  No gestational diabetes here!  YAY!

OK, so our appointment.  Poor Louie was so tired that he ran late, and I was already back in the room when he showed up.  He joined me just as Jane came in, and all was well.  We started discussing a birth plan and routine procedures baby goes through after delivery.  Louie and I have decided to talk things through a bit on our own (and hopefully with our doula... you know... when we get around to hiring one) and bringing it back up with Jane at our next appointment.  Jane was great letting us know that everything is optional and not pressuring us.

Sprout was not very cooperative when Jane pulled out the doppler.  It is so funny to listen to Sproutster "hiding" from that thing.  We finally got a good solid heartbeat in the 150s.

I have been super emotional this week with multiple meltdowns.  Hopefully, I can get it all out of my system and feel more normal next week.  I'm getting so frustrated because I am always late, I forget everything, and I can't seem to carry on a normal conversation.  The baby is eating my brain!  I've been really uncomfortable, too - sciatic nerve pain, rib pain, hip pain.  After shopping on Sunday for a few hours I pretty much couldn't walk for the rest of the day.  I have NOT been feeling attractive at all, and I have no idea where the rest of this baby is going to go.  My belly feels huge, but I know it's going to get bigger!  Then, of course, I get upset at myself for complaining because I've had an easy pregnancy with  minimal symptoms and zero complications.  *sigh*

Louie has been great helping me with my exercises and giving me massages when I need them.  I'm truly grateful to have his help and support.  Pregnancy is a lot harder than I thought it would be.

30 weeks tomorrow!

Bumpdate: 28 Weeks

Ah, 28 weeks.  This was a good week full of bumps and kicks and Sprout making me giggle.

On Monday, I went and hung out with my mom who is recovering from a minor medical procedure.  It was nice to get to relax around the house all day and chat.  I got to see the kitties (Weezey and Merlin), and they were both very happy to see me.  I don't actually think I've been to my mom's house since... January?  Yikes!  I need to get out there more!

The best part was that my mom finally got to feel Sprout move.  Typically, when I have anyone besides myself put their hand on my belly, Sprout just stops.  However, this time, there was lots of squirming.  It was fun to see the look on my mom's face when she felt the little baby.

The 3rd tri sleepies are definitely upon me.  I've been so lazy and sleepy this week it's not even funny.  Hopefully, it's just a baby growth spurt, and I'll get some energy back next week.

I've also got this ridiculous pain in my right side which I thought was a knot in my back, but upon speaking with my midwife seems like it may be related to my gall bladder.  We'll see.  I've got a call into the midwife line, and I'm waiting to hear back to see if I need to come in for an ultra sound or something.  Hopefully, it's nothing and it will go away.

Louie and I have been working on our Bradley exercises.  It's been tough since I've been so sleepy, but we've been pretty consistent with it.  We need to step up our game, though, because the amount of exercise for this week has increased, and we need to set a better schedule to keep up with it.  I have noticed a difference in how I feel since starting them.  They're just simple exercises like pelvic rocks and squatting (to name a few), but it definitely has helped me feel more flexible and more comfortable.

I'm 29 weeks and 2 days today, so I'll need to update about that soon :)

For your viewing pleasure...

Bumpdate: 27 weeks

How ridiculous is it that I actually have to look at my calendar to remember what happened in week 27?

There's been a lot of puttering going on this past week.  I'm trying to get back into the swing of things and do more volunteering at the shelter.  I did make it my full two hours!  I'm not walking dogs at the moment due to icy trails.  Instead, I'm just visiting and cuddling and working on basic commands.  Someone needs to tell the dogs that my bump is not an appropriate place to flop down.

On Saturday we had my aunt, uncle, and baby cousin over for dinner.  That was really fun!  The baby was hungry.  She kept walking around my house as I was cooking going "Mmmmmm, mmmmm".  I gave her some stuff to set the table and that seemed to keep her busy for a bit.  They brought over a lovely cake for dessert!  It said, "Baby Sprout" on it which I hadn't been expecting at all.  They also brought us a couple of cute outfits :)  I'll have to upload those pictures... note to self...

Other than that, I've just been alternatively starving and exhausted.  I think the 3rd tri sleepies are starting to sneak up on me.  I need to get some new maternity shirts because by shirts are getting too tight, and I may have put an pen through the dryer with a bunch of them...

This week at 27 w 6 d with husband participation!  "Ringing the doorbell"

Bumpdate: 26 weeks!

It's really hard for me to remember what happened last week!  I'm currently 27 w 2 d, and everything is just blending together.

OK, 26 weeks, what happened...

I had my first prenatal massage on Thursday, right when I turned 26 weeks!  I've been meaning to go since I hit 2nd tri, but my schedule was too crammed.  It was pretty stinking amazing.  I'm going back!

We had a very busy weekend last week!  First, we had lunch with my aunt and uncle who I haven't seen in many years.  They were in town, and wanted to meet up.  My brother, Pete, and sister-in-law, Sandy, came along as did one of my other uncles who lives locally-ish.  We met at the Jolly Pumpkin in Ann Arbor.  If you've never been there, OMG, you must go!  The food is amazing.  They are known for their pizza, but the other stuff is great, too!  I had a BLT - oh my gosh.  SO good!  They also serve a variety of beers, which much of our group enjoyed.  However, they also have this amazing non-alcoholic berry mojito consisting of muddled blackberries, ginger, lime, mint, and basil.  I got one because my blood sugar was SO low when we got there, and I needed a pick me up.  It's like drinking a garden.

So, after that, we got coffee with Pete and Sandy and walked around downtown a bit since none of us had to be anywhere for a while.  Then, Lou and I headed off to Clinton Township to visit his sister, Adrian, and his mom and step-dad.

Grandma was very excited to show us what she's been working on for the baby shower.  It's all amazing!  She also gave us an early present of a coin bank for Sproutster - filled to the brim!  It's in the shape of 3 donuts stacked on top of each other - very Simpson-esk!  We ate some pizza, wings, and salad, and watched a movie.  It was a really fun night!

I woke up Monday morning SUPER uncomfortable.  It did not help that it was Monday, and, as a result, I was in a really horrible mood - like, the worst mood I've been in so far this pregnancy.  Sprout either grew overnight or flipped into a weird position.  My belly felt incredibly strained and tight.  My hips were killing me, and my legs were cramping.  Bleh.  I barely managed to make it through the day, but I did, then I came home and slept.

The following days, things got better.  I've started doing more stretches and sitting on my yoga ball more frequently, which has helped.  I'm pretty relieved the worst of the pain went away.  I was kind of scared that that's how the rest of this pregnancy was going to go, but I've actually felt pretty good the last few days.

OH!  We had a major snowstorm on Tuesday night.  Our power went out for about 24 hours.  Luckily, with lots of blankets and snuggling we were all able to keep warm, but I did end up rigging a make-shift fish tank in my office at work so my poor little fishies wouldn't freeze!  That was a long 24 hours.  I've never been so thankful to have power!

For your entertainment, here is a video I took last Saturday.  Enjoy!

And this was taken on Wednesday at 26 w 6 d (first day of the 3rd trimester!).  Yes, I took it at work.  Our power was out so I really didn't spend that much time in our house that day.