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.

Bumpdate: 25 weeks!

Week 25 has been a fun one full of kicks, wiggles, and squirms!  Everything is start to feel so much more real now that I can actually feel little arms and legs sticking out of my belly and knowing that my little one is nearing 2 lbs!

There's not too much to report on this week.  I've been busy, but mostly with work, socializing, and sleeping.  No real big news on the baby front.  Although, I did buy this for my little goober to wear home from the hospital (probably with some stripey pants and hat)...

And this...
 ... for next winter :)

And, here I am at 25 weeks!

Bumpdate: 24 weeks!

Last Tuesday, Louie and I set out for Orlando, Florida for a "baby-moon" - one last trip with just the two of us before Sproutster makes an appearance.  We had a great time!  Here's a summary of what we did...

Day 1: Lounging around the hotel...

Day 2: Islands of Adventure!

Riding a tiger! 

Running from a T-rex!

Enrolling Spout in school.
 (that's Hogwarts in the background if you can't tell)

Day 3: Universal Studios!

Looking at houses.

Adopting a new pet.

Taking sexy maternity photos!

 Presents for Sprout

Hanging out with Homer :)

Day 4: Another lounging day.  Look who met us for dinner - feral cats Felix and Ginger!

Other things to note about week 24 - 

I am happy to announce that we have officially hit viability day!  This means that if I were to have Sprout early, there is a chance, though small at this point, that Sprout would survive.  Each week after week 24, the chances of life outside the womb increase.  Although, this does not guarantee anything, it leaves me with a feeling of hope that if something were to go wrong at this point, Sproutster has a chance.

I also experienced my first Braxton Hicks contractions.  Weird!  I'm more than happy if more of those wait until well into the third trimester.  While they are totally normal at this point, they are a bit freaky.

I'm also starting to get a bit uncomfortable.  Long periods on my feet cause back aches and, obviously, sore feet.  I have some sciatic nerve pain that comes and goes.  Falling asleep can be challenging.  It's not easy to find the right position to lay in!  I know this will only get more exaggerated as time goes on.  Thank goodness at this point it is all intermittent and not constant discomfort!

Overall, things are going very well!  Sprout loves to wiggle around, and I love feeling Sprout!  I can't believe there are only 16 more weeks (give or take) until I meet this awesome little person!!!

Bumpdate: 21/22 Weeks

I'm combining these last two weeks since I forgot/didn't have time/was too lazy to update last week.

The most amazing thing about these past two weeks has been all of the movement.  I'm noticing patterns in Sprout's movement.  It's really fun to know when to expect some kicks and rolls.  When I wake up first thing in the morning, I'm always greeted with lots of kicks and bumps.  It's my favorite time of day :)  The kicks usually continue until mid morning and then die back down until after dinner in the evening when I lay down to relax before bed.  Then, they start right back up.  My belly twitches and sometimes even shifts!  It's pretty fun to watch.  Louie can feel the kicks regularly now, and the look on his face when he feels Sprout banging around is my favorite :)

People I don't even know are able to tell I'm pregnant now.  I was at a bridal show last weekend, and both a photographer and a DJ noticed (and gave me their cards in case I had any needs)!  

We've signed up to take The Bradley Method classes.  Those start in March, so we've got some time.  A friend let me borrow a book, and I'm enjoying the preview to what we'll be learning.  I think that having Louie there to support and coach me will bring us closer together.  I'm very excited to spend this time with him learning about labor and birth.

I'm setting up an interview with a highly recommended doula for when we come back from vacation.  I'm not sure if we'll need one, but I she will provide excellent support for both Louie and I in the delivery room and be able to act as a liaison for us both between the medical staff and family.  Our midwife says she loves working with doulas, so it's nice to have that extra support from the medical.  Birth can go so many ways; it will be nice to have another knowledgeable individual present.  

Until next week, my friends!