How far along? 32 weeks

Weight Gained: 23 lbs

Symptoms: Well, I cry a lot, but that’s nothing new. Small hills or sometimes just sitting up leaves me completely out of breath. In fact, I just sat up and Greg said, “well those were a lot of noises…” I’m a grunting, huffing, lady of grace these days.

Movement: I was sure she was gone this week cause all her little kicks seemed to disappear :( I must say I miss them. But, she does seem to have arranged herself in a new position – the one where her entire self is resting on my bladder – so maybe I just can’t feel them as easily as before. I miss that little foot sticking out throughout the day!

Food cravings: Rice

Food aversions: None that I know of

Sleep: Pretty good!

Stretch marks? I swear I saw some – I even showed my mom and she agreed! But now they are gone again so, no.

Belly button in or out? Kinda in but mostly flat and oh so tiny. I forget what my original belly button looked like, it’s morphed so many times..

Miss anything? Having a routine… I’m so thankful to be back here and be around family and friends again but it just takes me so very long to get adjusted whenever we move and I’ve felt so very off since we’ve been here. Bentley has a routine and has been so good and patient in the mornings for which I’m so so thankful. Greg’s got his routine down… it just seems to be me. I feel like I’m all over the place. But, just taking it day by day and realizing we are still in our transition phase helps me not completely freak out but it’s certainly an effort. I’m hopeful for whatever the future holds :)

Mood? I get overwhelmed pretty easily these days :/ I sure hope this isn’t who I am nowadays… Other than that, pretty happy! :D

Maternity Clothes? My dear husband bought me some sweaters this weekend that, for the most part, cover this bump. I love him.

New baby items: Well, I ordered them a while ago but a pile of leggings came in the mail this week! She got so many cute onesies and dresses at her shower but I think only two bottoms so, in a moment of “oh no! it’ll be winter and her little legs will be cold!” I got her a couple more bottoms…. Now I’m thinking, she’ll probably be swaddled up when she’s real tiny and my, these are small… she’ll be able to wear them for all of a week… I should have gotten the 3-6 month sizes…. ah well. Live and learn.

Exercise: My midwife went over pregnancy exercises at our last meeting and man was that a relief. Most of them just seemed like different positions of relaxing, so hey! I think I’m doing pretty good ;) Why yes, I DO spend at least 20 minutes a day with my feet up – who knew this was considered exercise!

Best moment of the week: This week seemed to be filled with good foods! Greg mentioned something about missing making good cocktails so naturally I thought OH! if you make a good cocktail, I should make a good meal to go with it! Somehow I got beef wellington on the brain so off we went with our experiments. Mine obviously ended in tears but his made me definitely look forward to a couple more months when I can have my very own of his delicious drinks. He’s a wizard I tell you. And Little got to hear her Papi’s band for *I think* the first time at the crab feed this weekend! And my mom made a killer Thomas Keller meal and my dad made an incredible German meal with his very own homemade spätzle! Have I mentioned we love food? It was a good week.

Looking forward to: Thanksgiving is coming! Thanksgiving is coming!!

How far along? 31 weeks! If we are pretending, as all baby sites do, that a baby takes exactly 40 weeks to develop, we have now reached single digits, folks!

Weight Gained: 22.5 lbs… well going down is a first.

Symptoms: It seems all my first trimester symptoms seem to be saying hello again. They must’ve missed me! Still super tired all the time, slightly nauseous, everything smells oh so strong, these boobs of mine have earned their right to be called breasts (my word do I feel very, umm, human. I’m like a walking textbook and I hear I have more exciting symptoms to come from these parts.. oh the joys.) etc.

Movement: I love that I can feel her almost all the time now. I used to only be able to if I was lying down or sitting still but now I’ll be walking around and be like, “whaaa!? oh ya, my offspring..” I have a hunch this little girl is going to have the best, most kissable little footsies cause right now, I’m kinda in love with them and their poky goodness.

Food cravings: All forms of potatoes :)

Food aversions: I still don’t think there is anything I wouldn’t eat. at. this. very. moment.

Sleep: I found a way to sleep on my stomach again! I’m a pregnancy master.

Stretch marks? I don’t think so.

Belly button in or out? In, but rather flat and shallow ;)

Miss anything? Not being exhausted all the time.

Mood? Oh :/ I’ve lost track of how many times this week I’ve told Greg I’m SO sorry for being such a, how do you say, basketcase. I cry over everything. I’m not kidding. It’s sad. And scary. And needs to stop. Preferably now. Luckily I have the sweetest most patient husband in all of the world who just chuckles when the song that plays when Beth dies in Little Women randomly comes on Pandora and he looks over to find his mega emotional wife sobbing over such things.

Maternity Clothes? Same same same.

New baby items: Ok, I finally feel like if she were to come right now we would be relatively ready for her! I still wonder who that car seat is for and why we have a changing pad in our room, not to mention all these… diapers? I’m having a really, really hard time wrapping my head around the fact that this is our child and she will be with us for probably forever. And then I feel her little kick and my heart grows about 10x bigger and I think, get outta me baby! I want to hold you! And all is right in the world. Here’s a peak at her little corner. I have visions of making it more cute but realistically, it’ll probably stay like this until we move ;) And below that is her sweet little basket my parents got her. It’s kinda perfect because it’s called the Sausalito Moses Basket which is obviously one of her parents favorite places, not to mention the happy place where we spent our first year(ish) as married peoples. And then below that is all her adorable little clothes that I keep having nightmares about her not fitting into any of them because she comes out as a three year old or something. They are beyond precious and oh so soft and ya there’s a lot of white but really did you expect anything else? I have some colorful things coming in the mail ok? I just love babies in white :)

Exercise: I watched a birth video my midwife loaned me the other day, and the girl was like, “we hiked every day to prepare my body for labor!” Well, if that doesn’t give you an oh crap sorta feeling… But! I’m so thankful for my mom and her urging to walk every day. Seriously, my motivation is at an all time low so having someone to do these things with is a HUGE blessing.

Best moment of the week: Christmas day!!!! My family has had this tradition that you can’t listen to Christmas music until after Thanksgiving :'( EXCEPT!!!! the day after Halloween is a free for all and you can listen to your heart’s content! Naturally, I couldn’t get enough …aaaand Greg is already sick of it. But he put it on first thing in the morning and it was rainy outside and there was a fire and glowy candle goodness and I don’t think I had anything to say except smile. It was a very good day.

Also, and this is probably pretty lame but definitely made me go shrieking into Greg’s work zone room with my happiness but!!! you know how I have a problem leaving my plants behind when we move? Like I actually dig them up and take them with me because I love them so? It’s weird, I know, but I get attached and have spent countless hours watering them and caring for them and talking to them etc and no way am I about to let them just die at the hands of the next person who moves in who doesn’t have the same weird attachment! Anyways, I had this beautiful white bougainvillea at our last place and 1) I have never seen a white bougainvillea anywhere except in Capri a couple years ago and I made a pact with my gardener self to find such a plant one day and have it at my own house and 2) I found it sooner than expected and loved it so and obviously couldn’t just leave it behind – plus our last lease said we had to return everything to its original condition (rocks, ugh) so I was its only hope! But, you know, bougainvilleas have super sensitive roots so I set out to carefully and meticulously excavate them little by little – fully intending to spend all day on such a task if need be. But then… well, I think I’ve mentioned Pasadena is hot and oh my gosh was it hot that day. It was just beating down and I was so gross and sweaty all over and those stupid maternity shorts didn’t help at. all. I may have gotten a little irritable and used a couple choice words coupled with some angry, hasty movements and all of a sudden after already spending a good chunk of time being careful, I found myself ripping that precious plant from those stubborn roots and *pop pop* there went the two big roots. I may have cried. In fact I know I did. And then I hyperventilated a bit and possibly called Greg, sobbing about some plant. I can’t quite remember. Anyways, all that to say, I had already gotten the pot to bring it home in, so I just decided to plant it and pray and pray and pray that it would make it, water it with all the love I could muster up, and talk to it each day, reminding it of its beautifulness and how it’s not going to die, it’s going to live a long and lovely life etc. Well, I watched it lose all of its leaves and wither into the saddest little thing you ever did see… but I kept scraping the base and it was still green! So I just kept talking to it and watering it and begging Greg to let us use precious space in our moving truck to bring my dead plant with us AND TODAYYYYYY!!!!!!! I went to water it again and it has its first!!!! green!!!! new!!!! shoot coming off of it. I am BEYOND giddy, if you couldn’t tell. This almost trumps Christmas. I am a happy lady.

Looking forward to: More bougainvillea growth!! :D oh and the holidays!

How far along? 29 weeks

Weight Gained: 22.5 lbs

Symptoms: Sciatica!!! It usually comes and goes but last weekend, it stayed and I turned into an old old OLD woman. Greg had to help me out of cars and each thing. I was a fun date. As embarrassing as that is, it kinda makes me oh so excited that I get to grow old with that guy :) :)

Movement: Lots of hiccups this week. Have I mentioned she’s adorable?

Food cravings: Milk. Apparently she’s stealing all my calcium ;) Oh and steak sounds oh so good.

Food aversions: Still no

Sleep: Ugh. Greg and I are on the 3am wakeup and be up cycle.

Stretch marks? Not that I know of

Belly button in or out? In

Miss anything? Not really

Mood? Depends what day :) and possibly what time..

Maternity Clothes? Oh fashion sense, where have you gone? I basically cycle through three outfits each week… I am ashamed.

New baby items: I did mention my daddy’s adorable contributions :):) and my sweet mother in law brought us a baby ornament for our tree and a lovely nursing nightgown and robe. I can easily whip them boobies out with ease now! Oh, OHHHH, oh. AND my husband got me the most gorgeous (yes it is possible) diaper bag that I now carry around proudly as my main purse. I’m such a mom.

Exercise: Has a week already gone by? Exercise will happen next week perhaps..

Best moment of the week: On my birthday, I looked around the table and noticed everyone was sipping non alcoholic drinks on that festive day. I was so touched, I burst into tears (as I am prone to do). It still makes me feel outrageously special when I think about it : )

Looking forward to: Our shower! Our shower! Our shower!!!!!

Okay baby site people. This girl was the size of an eggplant two weeks ago. Are we running out of food items here? Also, I told everyone I could that I was in my third trimester last week but then I read lots of people only count it at 28 weeks so now IT’S OFFICIAL. We are on the homestretch!!!! Also, I’ve been saying “on homestretch” for as long as I can remember and Greg just corrected me this week that it is “on the homestretch.” Sigh. I’m clearly not a sports person. Also, and this is exciting… ALSO!!!! she has AT LEAST a 90% chance of surviving outside of the womb now. Put on your party hats cause that news makes this momma giddy.

How far along? 28 weeks

Weight Gained: Oh :/ 21 lbs…. I have 5.5 lbs to go before I make the French women turn away in shame and disgust ;) Luckily we live in America where the motto is “go ahead and pile it on!” I’m hoping for a happy medium between these countries.

Symptoms: Got some more of the leggy cramps. Also, I like to alternate between happy and crying. Also, I think I take more naps than a newborn. My parents must be so proud.

Movement: Oh this girl. Sometimes I want to somehow scoop up my belly and just hold her. It’s the most surreal thing when she plays back with me when I poke her or talk to her. It kinda freaks me out and makes me incredibly excited at the same time. It’s a person, people! A real person in there! I kinda can’t wrap my head around that. But boy do I love her.

Food cravings: Seriously. Nothing changes. I like sugar these days. I also can’t get enough milk.

Food aversions: Nope

Sleep: Alright. I make up for bad nights with naps. Oh and I make up for good nights with naps too.

Stretch marks? Not that I know of although I did have a dream I got a horrible rash all over my belly. I was shocked it wasn’t there when I woke up so we’ll count that as my skin symptom for the week ; )

Belly button in or out? In

Miss anything? Not really

Mood? Oh all over the freakin place

Maternity Clothes? I finally get to wear my long sleeved shirts! Hallelujah. That added like a whole two more items to my wardrobe.  

New baby items: I got a stand for the lovely basket my parents got us. I’ll show you them both, one day.

Exercise: Ugh. I tried to workout today but mostly just sat on the floor so bored and discouraged. I may have even cried. I’m cool like that these days.

Best moment of the week: I met a kitty named Pepper at the pet store the other day. I’m still thinking about her :):):) and then I remember we live in a one room studio with a dog considered large even though he’s small and a baby on the way. But in other happy news, my sweet sister sat for me so I could paint someone from life. Do you know how hard it is to find people that will sit still for hours? My little heart was oh so happy. Thank you thank you thank you Taywhad!

Looking forward to: That husband of mine mentioned something about a pumpkin patch this weekend :D

How far along? 27 weeks

Weight Gained: 19.5 lbs still…. actually if I was being honest, it’d be 19.6

Symptoms: Got my first case of the good ol leg cramps! Those woke me up : ) And are plugged ears a symptom? I’ve been getting those a lot too. Only hearing your own voice is just so much fun.

Movement: She’s certainly making up for her lack of movement last week. Oh my, she must be excited about something – I’d go ahead and say baseball cause that’s when she’s really been going wild. I think she may have eight limbs. She’s making it very hard to use a laptop at this very moment. She also responds to poking now which is kinda ridiculously adorable.

Food cravings: Sweets. What else is new?

Food aversions: I am a fan of all of the foods

Sleep: Good. Definitely can’t make it through the day without a nap again though. How do people do this when they have full time jobs/already have children?? I salute you, women.

Stretch marks? Not that I know of

Belly button in or out? Still in

Miss anything? Well being back at my parents house sure makes me miss a lovely glass of wine every now and then. Three more months. Three more months.

Mood? Happy happy happy. I mean, it’s fall. How can you not be happy?

Maternity Clothes? Are hot on hot days. So much for moving to a cooler place… we had three days in the high 90s/100s which made pants that go up to your boobs real fun. Real fun.

New baby items: Yes yes yes! Agh I forgot to take a picture and they are way far away from me right now and the sciatica has kicked in again and the fatigue and it’s just not going to happen tonight but they are oh so adorable and I shall show you soon. My momma and daddy got us the most beautiful moses basket and my sweet Aunt Sarah dropped by and gave us the softest polka dot baby blanket and the most adorable little hat. I feel so spoiled!

Exercise: Yes, I have been exercising my dog.

Best moment of the week: Oh! So many! Lunch dates with my love and my sister, getting to see lots of my family, dinner dates with my cousin, pool days, beach days, nights with fires and fall smells and of course, feeling Little really find her feet and start to become borderline obnoxious in a good way :)

Looking forward to: One of my best friends is having her baby shower this weekend! And I get to go. Cause I live here. Big smile.