33 weeks + bumpdate

Baby's size: Around the size of a 4.5lb pineapple. From here on out, the baby gains about 0.5lb/week!

Total weight gain: 21lb. No swelling in my hands or feet so far!

How do you feel? Physically? Kinnnnda uncomfortable. Right when I hit 32 weeks, my low back started aching every evening and even the heated blanket doesn't really relieve the pain. My belly feels heavy, acid reflux is becoming a little more frequent, and I feel faint at times. I think the baby is head down because I can always feel hiccups really low, and we can often see a large round bulge off to the lower right side. It's crazy feeling low punches and high kicks simultaneously! 

 

Mentally? Hormonal. I had a pregnant moment last week where I found myself crying over Christmas cards. I'd spent 2 hrs working on the cards and settled on a final product I was less than thrilled with.

Mathias hadn't seen the proof before I ordered them, so when he also voiced his disappointment in them not turning out a certain way, I told him I wasn't re-doing it and that what he wanted was impossible (which I later found out wasn't true at all). So I called the company and cancelled my order, telling them I needed to make more edits. After realizing I couldn't make the edits I wanted with that particular card, I called BACK 3 minutes later and asked her to un-cancel them (mind you, she's standing at the printer already trying to cancel them in the queue).  I took some calming breaths and created a completely new card in under 5 minutes, one that I was happy with, that Mathias could be happy with, AND was half the price of my original order.

So I called her back. Again. And told her to cancel my first order. Again.

That poor girl- if she didn't see I was pregnant in the Christmas photo, I feel like I sure did make it obvious that day.

Moment of the week: I have a few actually! Last Monday's maternity photography session with the very talented Kelly Conley, this past weekend's baby shower...

...and getting some henna work on my belly!

It's crazy to think about all the "Last Childless" holidays we're celebrating this month. We went to cut down our own tree this year and I realized this is the last Christmas there will be no mini to watch tear open presents on Christmas morning. Yesterday, I celebrated my last childless birthday (yea so I'm 31 now, not sure how I feel about that yet). And later this month will be our last New Years just the two of us. Our house is anything but quiet now, so it's not like we're giving up the tranquil, non-hectic life. That ended for me the day Mathias moved in lol. But we are eager to start celebrating as a family of 3!

31 weeks

I normally post my "Moment of the week" answer at the end of each post, but I think I'll start with it today!

While we were in WV for Thanksgiving, Mathias was given his great grandmother's wedding set. A gorgeous gold solitaire and matching band from the early 1900's. He had plans to give the set to me but apparently 2 rings was not enough for his lovely lady! And he gave me a 3rd band to perfectly blend old with new. I LOVE them together!! We've been etching out the details for a summer wedding on his parents' property for a while now, and plan on having one of our good friends marry us. Scrum, the ordained minister. Anyone who knows him would agree this sounds like a pretty good title ;-)

Nursery progress: We've done very little to the nursery since my last update. Work is keeping us busy but I plan on cleaning it up a bit before next weekend's baby shower when people are sure to want to take a peek!

Total weight gain: 17lb - I'm surprised it's not more given the damage I did over 2 Thanksgiving celebrations

Baby's size: A little over 3lb and around 17in long (woah!)

How do you feel? Honestly, it feels like the 3lb / 17in long size feels exactly like it sounds. Movements are getting much stronger, hiccups are becoming more frequent, and my back feels like a marshmallow, always a bit puffy with dull pain daily. My love-hate relationship with maternity pants continues and it's grown to a physically uncomfortable level. And I'm hot now. I've never felt hot in the cold weather months before and it makes me wonder how pregnant women survive the summer! I have a heated blanket Mathias gave to me that's lasted through 2 winters already, and now that I am my own personal heater, I've been just laying on it each night to ease the back pain.

But you know what? As much as it sounds like I am complaining, I'm reaching. I am still loving every minute of my pregnancy and knock on wood future pregnancies go this smoothly. I love feeling movements because it's reassuring and means the baby's healthy. I love feeling hiccups because I'm still in awe that something so tiny can still experience the must mundane of human experiences. I don't mind the dull pain I walk around with because it means my body is strong and my muscles are working for a greater good. I seldom complain out loud, reminding myself that carrying this child is an honor and a privilege I wouldn't trade for anything.