Week 36

I'm getting down to the last weeks here and I'm still a little stumped as to whether I'm "big" or not.  When I look in the mirror I feel really big.  Just in the last week or so I feel like my belly, boobs and even face are so much rounder than usual.  And my belly is not always contained by some of the maternity shirts I've been wearing for months now.  But yet people keep commenting that I look “so tiny”.  Even at my NST on Tuesday the L&D nurse said that my belly is really small.  I guess it’s all relative.  I look big to ME, but I think for 36 weeks I’m really not looking too big.  So I suppose this is a good thing?  I loved that whole stage of pregnancy where I looked "cute".  Maybe I still look cute?  :)

"Does this baby make me look fat?"

Oh and MERRY CHRISTMAS to all of you who celebrate!!!

How far along: 36 weeks, 2 days
What did baby do this week:  We had a growth ultrasound on Monday and found out that OUR little one weighs 6lbs 11oz!  OMG that sounds SO LEGIT!!  Baby is in the 69th percentile so they're not even super huge compared to other babies at the same age.  I asked the perinatologist how accurate the weight is and she said it's a bit of +/- but our ultrasound tech is one of their better ones, plus they just got these BRAND NEW machines and we were only the 2nd or 3rd couple of the morning to get their U/S on it!  So she thinks that's pretty accurate to true size.  The average baby is the size of a coconut this week at around 6 pounds and 19 inches long.  If you haven't already - you'd start weekly visits with your doctor this week, but I've been doing them since about 32 weeks since I have complications (she wants to measure my amniotic fluid each week.)  Baby just continues to get bigger.  The brain and lungs continue to develop - but in just a few short days our little one will be considered full term!  What a landmark that will be!
Total weight gain: 29.8 pounds - ACK!!  Almost 30!  This means I'm definitely gonna push through that 30 pound ceiling.  Oh well, at least it's just 2-3 more weeks before it will start coming down.
Symptoms:  Ugh - the carpal tunnel I talked about last week.  It's different in each hand.  Left hand isn't painful, but gets tingly/numb if my hand/arm are bent or raised for too long.  Right hand doesn't get tingly/numb, but will get very painful if I don't sleep with a brace on to straighten my wrist.  Crazy...  Feeling a lot of pressure “down there” especially when I sit on the toilet or squat (to get things out of cabinets, pick things up, etc.)  OB said it's just the weight of the baby + all the fluids.  In another pregnancy blog, I read about someone having “lightning crotch” and I think I know what she’s talking about.  It’s sort of like a sharp feeling (not exactly a pain) that suddenly happens from somewhere in my pelvis and down to my vaginal area.  Not sure what that’s about but it can take my breath away.  A good amount more swelling in my feet and maybe hands.  The swelling in my feet was so bad on Wednesday that I ordered some compression socks that arrived today.  I put them on immediately and they're definitely helping.  Plus, they're cute and warm!  Maybe it's worth mentioning that I'm still dealing with constipation even though I'm taking the Colace twice a day.  Sometimes I go 2-3 days without "going" (not even feeling the need to!)  Argh!
Queasy or Sick:  No - feeling great for the most part!
Sleep:  Actually a lot better than last week, after getting the brace for my right wrist.  My wrist no longer wakes me up at night in pain (from the carpal tunnel) and perhaps it's subconscious, but I sleep deeper too.  I think I was worrying about what position I was sleeping in before I got the brace and my body would wake up to reposition as necessary.
Best moment this week: Finishing work!  The first few days of this week were my last and while I didn’t go into the office and it's been super light due to the holidays, it will be nice to start next week off knowing I no longer have to call into any meetings and can just spend each day relaxing, enjoying those lovely days between Christmas and New Years and prepping to meet my baby!  I ordered my breast pump through insurance this week (must be 30 days or less before due date) and am working on slowly crossing things off my list.  (researching life insurance, installing the carseat and base in each of our cars, bought some nursing bras...)

Hardest part of the week: Dealing with the carpal tunnel in my hands/arms.  It was so bad overnight last week - but like I mentioned, I finally got a wrist brace (for my right hand, which was worse) and it’s definitely better.
Looking forward to: All The Things!  So I used our 1-time-use 15% Amazon discount to order all the rest of the items on our registry that I thought we’d need sooner than later (or items that were especially high priced like our stroller and baby monitor).  It was the largest shopping cart I've ever had (30 items) and the most expensive too (esp with a big convertible stroller + baby monitor on there).  But I'm looking forward to having all these items arrive so that I can sort through them and put them in place.
Movement: Lots.  And Baby (who continues to be in the same position they have been for over a month now: head down, body on the right side of my body, butt just under my right ribs and limbs all over on the left side of my torso) seems to be a little booty dancer: that butt is always pushing up into my ribs!  The movements overall are very different than before though.  I would say it feels more like "waves".  Like I can feel these subtle shifts when the baby is repositioning, but they aren't really jabs - more like a slow deliberate movement.  There is less and less space in there so that all makes sense.
Food cravings: More than anything I'm just really ready to be able to eat whatever I want whenever I want.  This GD diagnosis has really put into perspective what it'd be like to have a health-restrictive diet.  I hope it makes me appreciate my youth and ability to eat most things (when I'm not pregnant) and maybe even be a catalyst to eat HEALTHIER than we already eat!
Happy or moody: Happy and feeling very peaceful.  I know I'm going to be having a baby in just a few weeks or less, but with the warmth of the holidays, feeling pretty prepared, and knowing that Baby would be just fine if they were born now - I really do feel at peace.  It's a great feeling.
Labor signs: No
Belly button in or out: In - I'm really wondering if it's gonna pop or even flatten.  It's getting very small but I'm just not sure it'll stretch out all the way!  I guess maybe my belly *is* small, so said the L&D nurse!
Wedding rings on or off: On but I might need to start keeping it off pretty soon.  I take it off before we go for our evening walks since my hands definitely swell then.
Stretch marks: Nothing new
Learnings from the week: I got my Group B Streptococcus [vaginal] swab done last Friday and I found out the results at my appointment this morning: negative!  All women should be tested for GBS which can be passed from mother to infant during childbirth.  While as many as 30% of women carry the group B strep bacteria without showing any symptoms, GBS can lead to life-threatening infections in newborns.  If someone tests positive, then they'd be given antibiotics during labor.  Something else I learned this week was that my OB won’t let me go past ~39-40 weeks because of the gestational diabetes.  She said that the placenta will start to age and not function as well.  So we’ll see where I’m at in 3 weeks and figure out what the plan is…
Final Thoughts: I've started planning out my hospital bag.  I have a list that I created a few weeks ago and have been adding to/taking from, depending on what I read online and in Mommy forums, etc.  In fact, I think I'd like to actually start PACKING it in the next week here.  Obviously there's only so  much I can pack since I use my toiletries every day and will want/need access to my comfy/loungey maternity clothes.  But even just having a list ready is a great step - in case I go into labor and need to start rushing around packing.

Week 35

As I wrote the title of this blog post (Week 35) I couldn't help but remember my first weekly post: Week 6.  It was really scary to me, to start counting weeks.  At that point in time I was so hopeful to (specifically) get to 35 weeks and yet so worried that I might not.  Writing a pregnancy blog, it turns out, is a little bit of a scary prospect since you are documenting a process which travels along a length of time.  It occurs regularly and there is an end goal.  It's not like a travel blog where someone just sits down and writes about France and Thailand and stuff whenever they feel like it.  There is a build-up to something that is going to happen and OMG if I wasn't SO WORRIED that I might not get there when I first started writing these weekly posts.  But here I am!  At 35 weeks and everything seems to be going so well.  I'm just so thankful...and relieved.  I don't get very many comments on the pregnancy portion of this blog - but I do hope that ladies are still reading AND perhaps, still sending me good vibes.  To all of you who do: thank you so much!  We're almost there and my words I've stated all along this journey: that I've been cautious to celebrate any of the small milestones since we will only truly be done with the journey when we're holding our baby in our arms; this will be happening in just a few weeks!  All I care about at this point is coming home safely with Baby and Hubby and starting our life together as a family of 3.

How far along: 35 weeks, 1 day
What did baby do this week:  Baby is about the size of a honeydew melon at around 5 1/2 pounds give or take and 18-18.5" from head to feet.  Obviously these sizes will vary from baby to baby since we know babies (even those at the same gestational age) are born such different sizes.  And all this variation really starts to come into play in these last weeks.  So the sizes I'm quoting are roughly the averages - your baby could easily be smaller or larger.  Baby will start to gain 1/3-1/2 pound for the remainder of being in utero.  Baby's brain is continuing to mature as are his/her lungs but of course most babies born at this stage fare very well.  Whew!
Total weight gain: 28 pounds - almost 2.5 up from last week!  Eeeks!  But at least we're still under that 30 pound mark.
Symptoms:  The latest annoying symptom is pregnancy-related carpal tunnel.  This is due to swelling in my arms.  There is a "tunnel" on the underside of your wrist, which contains the median nerve, which runs from your forearm to your palm.  This tunnel is already very narrow.  So as/if you have swelling in your wrist, the nerve gets pressed on which can lead to tingling, pain or numbness in the hands which can radiate up the arm.  So it's really a lot of fun, you know?  It was really bothering me on Tuesday even during the day, but prior to that I was only bothered in the mornings after waking up.  Because of the annoyance on Tuesday, I ordered a wrist brace for my right hand that should arrive today.  I was reading that if you can keep your wrist straight while you sleep it will help the pain.
Queasy or Sick: Not really
Sleep: I've been waking up a lot through the night to use the restroom and the carpal tunnel has really been bothering me.  I think I'm even subconsciously concerned about trying to keep my wrist straight while I sleep so I wake up worrying about it and then sometimes wake up because my wrist hurts so badly!  Blagh.  Also - I started sleeping with a very flat/thin (old) pillow; I place the lower half of it between my knees while I'm on my side and the top half under my belly - it's way more comfortable to me than those huge body pillows which just made me hot.  Oh and BTW, I had tried this pillow out months ago, before returning it - and not only did it make me way too hot, but the fabric is nowhere near as nice as sheets fabric so it felt rough on my legs compared to my sheets.  I've heard of ladies sewing some pillow cases together as a cover, but it wasn't working for me anyway so...bye-bye body pillow.
Best moment this week: Not sure if this is a “moment” but my blood sugar numbers have been super low this past week.  I’m feeling great about that - and happy that I never had to go on insulin (well, at least not yet).
Hardest part of the week: I guess since I've talked about it so much: the carpal tunnel.  I hope it goes away SO FAST after delivery!
Looking forward to: This last week of work being over so I can just concentrate on what I need to get done to prep for project Baby Arrival (and Christmas!)  There are still a handful of things I want to finish up - but fortunately nothing too huge.  Mostly I need to wash some items (sheets, blankets, burp cloths, clothing, diaper pad cover, etc.) and pack my hospital bag.  The other things on my To-Do list are more nice-to-haves.  Christmas shopping while pregnant has been a bit of a challenge - I can't carry as much as I usually can and don't move quite as fast either.  But I do so much Christmas shopping on Amazon anyway that it's not a significant problem.

Movement:  YES.
Food cravings: Totally craving breakfast carbs.  I can get away with other carbs and even small servings of dessert/Christmas cookies in the afternoon or evenings (that is when my body, and most peoples' bodies actually, are the least insulin resistant - meaning we use the insulin our bodies produce more effectively to absorb the glucose in our bloodstream).  But in the mornings I can basically have very small amounts of carbs or my blood sugar levels are higher than we'd like to see.  Therefore...I am seriously craving pancakes and waffles, French toast, crepes, coffee cake, Danish pastries, even oatmeal and cold cereal with milk!!!
Happy or moody: Pretty happy.  I LOVE the holidays and LOVE anticipating a cozy winter with my little baby to cuddle.
Labor signs: No
Belly button in or out: In
Wedding rings on or off: On
Stretch marks:  No more than the two I sadly discovered a few weeks ago.
Learnings from the week: We got our carseat a couple weeks ago and were going to put it in.  But then I realized that even if Baby came (2 weeks ago was 33 weeks) they likely would not be coming home from the hospital with us and would need to spend a little bit of time in the NICU.  So I didn't rush to put it in, especially since I didn't want it taking up room in my backseat before it really had to.  So fast-forward to now...I just made an appointment at our local police station for next week to check our install.  By 36 weeks, Baby COULD come home with us, so I wanted the seat installed and checked by then just in case.  I was happy to find that not only will they check the install, they'll DO the install for us if we want and show Hubby and me how to do it too.  We're taking the carseat + base, plus the 2nd base, plus both of our cars and should hopefully have EVERYTHING ready for a tiny little passenger in either car, by this time next week.

Final Thoughts:  Yesterday was my last day in the office.  It was such a weird feeling knowing that I won't be back for 5-6 months.  Of course this is the longest I'll have ever been away from my office before.  Those 3 week long vacations I've done in the past look like nothing compared to maternity leave.  And can I just say (no seriously, I don't know why this matters so much to me - I guess 'cuz I just wanted to look like as stylish a pregnant lady as possible!) that I wore heels to work all the way through my entire pregnancy?!  In fairness it wasn't always pumps; yesterday I had on wedge heels: but my heel was still higher than my toes.  I'm also very proud of the fact that I used the stairs every day to get to my desk on the second floor.  Every day I had my computer bag, water bottle and purse and sometimes a bagged lunch.  I was always SUPER careful to hold onto the railing, but this was an important little milestone for me since I've always climbed those stairs (pre-pregnancy) and it's never been a big deal at all whatsoever.  It got harder in the end, but I still did it yesterday.  :)

Week 34

Things are really starting to move along here...  Next week is my last week in the office and I’ve only been going in twice a week right now anyway.  I've been feeling so many emotions: excitement, nervousness and of course OMG-am-I-gonna-finish-everything?  I feel pretty on top of most things though.  The nursery is basically done (tho, I don't know why that matters since Baby will sleep in our room for a couple months at least.)  I have all the clothes our little one will need in the first few weeks.  We've met pediatricians, my maternity leave is all set up, we have the carseat - just need to install it, and have the Pack 'n Play, Fisher-Price Rock 'n Play sleeper and bassinet from our stroller, as sleeping options around the house.  I have a handful of things I do still need to do: buy diapers and wipes, order my breast pump through insurance (I have to wait until 36 weeks), buy some nursing bras and granny panties and a few other preparations for postpartum and pack my hospital bag!  But for the most part - we are READY!  OMG!

Do we have everything we need?!

How far along: 34 weeks, 2 days
What did baby do this week:  Baby is the size of a large cantaloupe (uhh...you mean at week 24 Baby was the size of a small one and now TEN weeks later is the size of a large one?!) at around 5 pounds give or take and 17.5-18.5" head to feet.  The lanugo (that fine hair which has been all over Baby's body) continues to shed this week and might even be completely gone.  The vernix (waxy, white thick protective layer which has also been all over Baby's body) is starting to disappear, but a little will still be left at birth.  Little One's immune system is no longer relying on the antibodies from the placenta and the placenta will start to age this week, even though it is capable of supporting Baby until birth.  I also read that Baby needs additional calcium around this time and they *will* take it from you and your bones if you're not consuming enough.  So get plenty of dairy, leafy greens and legumes!
Total weight gain: 25.6 pounds
Symptoms:  Is it?... I think...I'm pretty sure - that my sciatica isn't bothering me anymore?  Granted I haven't spent too much time standing (which is what would aggravate it before) but I'm pretty happy to report a HUGE reduction in any pain in my left butt muscle!  Still with the numb-ish heels tho - SO WEIRD.
Queasy or Sick: Not really.
Sleep:  Not bad, but getting up so frequently to pee - ugh!
Best moment/Hardest part of this week:  I can't really think of a best moment or hardest part of my week but there were 2 noteworthy items that came and went.  I had my last Prenatal Yoga class (long story with changing instructors) and my last acupuncture appointment this week.  The yoga has been awesome and I'm so glad I stuck with it through the last 2 trimesters.  I've never developed any back pain and have great balance and a strong core.  As for the acupuncture, I really don't know how or if it's helped - but with insurance covering it through this week I didn't have anything to lose in continuing it.  However, I'm not going to pay $80/visit to continue!

A large one - not a small one, like in week 24...

Looking forward to: A friend's bridal shower this weekend!  This even is the last social event before Baby comes.  At least a big one that's been on my calendar.  I'm sure with Christmas and New Years coming up so soon, other impromptu social callings will arise, but I prefer to see how I'm feeling each weekend and play my plans by ear.  Also, after this weekend I don't think I really want to be too far from home without Hubby.  JUST in case I go into labor or something!
Movement: Bigger movements that seem to move my whole belly.  And it seems: a lot of head-butting my bladder!  Argh!!
Food cravings:  I WANT ALL THE COOKIES!  Christmas cookies all over the place - argh!!
Happy or moody:  Happy.  Feeling good about how prepared we are and good about how far along I am (in case Baby shows up early.)
Labor signs: No
Belly button in or out: In, but getting very small.
Wedding rings on or off: On!
Stretch marks: Those 2 I mentioned last week...waaaaah!
Learnings from the week:  I spent a ton of time last week going through all the clothes I have for the baby.  I inventoried everything that was given to us - and was surprised to find that we were basically not given any 0-3 month size clothing!  So many of my friends are moms, I guess they figured they'd buy clothing for the future knowing that typically a couple gets so much "young" stuff.  Well the thought backfired.  So I went out and bought what I hope is enough 0-3 month clothing to feel like our little one will not be naked all the time once they come home!  And to be safe, I also got 3 newborn size outfits JUST in case they're tiny or come early - so I'm not caught off-guard.  I might return them after our 36 week growth ultrasound if we think Baby is looking to be good sized.
Final Thoughts: We went to a Christmas party at a friend’s place on Saturday and while I was there I realized it was my last social gathering with my main group of friends, before I have the baby!!  The shower tomorrow (that I mentioned above) is really an event I'm going to just for the bride.  I don't really know anyone else going.  But the Christmas party this past weekend was ALL my good friends and it was so weird saying bye at the end of the night - not knowing when I'd see them again!  Maybe at our house when they come visit our baby!!

Week 33

I forgot to mention last week that I started twice weekly non-stress-tests (NST).  These started at 32 weeks and will continue for as long as my pregnancy goes.  Since I have not 1, but 2 complications (the pre-pregnancy hypertension and gestational diabetes) these were advised by doctors to monitor the baby as we get down to the last weeks here.  Even if I'd just had 1 complication it would have been advised.  I head to Labor & Delivery twice a week, hang out on a bed while they monitor the baby for 30-60 minutes (depending on what is or isn't going on) and then go home.  When I first heard that I'd need to do this it was a little bit of a disappointment.  I mean...OMG so many doctor appointments (since I'm seeing my OB once a week now also, so that she can measure my amniotic fluid levels).  But now that these NST appointments have started, I find that really there are only positive things here!  1) I get to know the nurses in L&D which will be great when I'm there to deliver 2) I get to know the hospital and the birthing center quite well 3) for the most part I don't need to worry if everything's okay with the baby since I have proof every 3-4 days and 4) it's super relaxing!

Baby kicks!

If you don't feel like clicking on the link up there, I'll try to quickly tell you (who am I kidding? I don't tell anything quickly...)  Non stress tests mean there is no stress put on the baby - no meds or manipulation in any way.  I show up at L&D, empty my bladder and give them a sample to test (for the same reasons my OB needs the sample: checking for protein, sugar, blood/bacteria, ketones which could all mean different things).  Then I go into this little room where I lie on a bed, they use a belly band to hold 2 different monitors which listen for Baby's heartbeat and movement/contractions.  They want to see Baby's heartbeat increase when he/she moves and then want to see their heart-rate come back down when they're resting.  They also put a blood pressure cuff on me which takes my BP about every 10 minutes.  Then I just lie there sipping water, reading magazines and texting with friends.  I like hearing Baby's heartbeat and also hearing the movements.  They make little "booming" sounds on the monitor.  I don't always feel each movement (again, perhaps because of the anterior placenta) so it's interesting to hear the monitor and realize that I might or might not have even felt it.

So this is totally an ultrasound and not NST
- but it's so cute I still wanted to use it!

In the 4 different visits I've made so far, I've had 4 very different experiences.
First NST: Baby fell asleep.  A nurse had to come in and use a buzzer to wake the kid up!  It kinda cracked me up to think how perfectly human this was of the baby.  The nurse was so cute saying "I really hate to do this...but if I don't, you'll be here forever."  Appointment probably lasted an hour cuz we had to get that baby moving!
Second NST: Baby started out with hiccups which kinda messes up their readings (sometimes the heart-rate monitor mistakes the hiccups for heartbeat so they had to basically wait for them to stop before they could really monitor.)  I also ate a granola bar right away in the hopes Baby didn't fall asleep again.  I guess this really overdid it because Little One was moving and grooving like CRAZY!  I had to stay extra long to wait for the heart-rate to drop back to the baseline area.
Third NST: Everything was great with Baby, but they noticed that I was having some contractions.  It turns out I was just a little dehydrated from running around all morning, but they wouldn't let me leave until they talked to my OB.  They gave me some water and noticed that the contractions reduced so everyone felt I was okay to go.  But this was a long appointment waiting for all of this stuff to happen.  Probably over an hour.
Fourth NST, this morning: Finally totally uneventful!  Baby moved just enough.  Heart-rate went up and down just like the nurses wanted to see.  I was hydrated and no concerning contractions.  I was out of there in less than half an hour with an "everything looks perfect today!"  Wonderful!

How far along: 33 weeks, 2 days
What did baby do this week:  Baby is between 4.25-4.75 pounds and between 17-18 inches from head to foot.  Roughly the size of a (stinky) durian fruit.  They are continuing to gain weight and bones are continuing to harden.  The lungs are almost completely ready for breathing on their own and if Baby was born now, they would only need a little medical support - WHEW!  Baby's eyes are usually open when they are awake and they are starting to coordinate breathing with sucking and swallowing.
Total weight gain: 26.4 pounds - been gaining weight the last 3 weeks!!  It was lingering around 23 pounds for so many weeks in a row that I don't like seeing it go up and am not used to it!
Symptoms: OMG peeing SO MUCH.  I'm starting to think that the reason pregnant women "slow down" later in pregnancy is really describing how they don't want to go out in public as much because they're probably ALWAYS searching for a public restroom.  Since I need to stay hydrated to keep the contractions away, I need to pee about every 45 minutes.  Sometimes I have to find a restroom at every store I stop at when I'm running errands (or use the same store restroom twice.)  The baby is sitting very low and not changing positions.  When I use the bathroom and sometimes when I'm going for walks I can feel some pressure in my "lady area", almost like a soreness.  It's not a great feeling, but heck - I'd rather baby's head be low than their feet!  I mentioned before that I have some odd numbness in my heels...it's still there and maybe getting slightly worse.  Before it was JUST the ring of my heels and now it's more like my whole heel.  No doctor seems concerned about it - I'm chalking it up to pressure on nerves.  Maybe sciatica too.  The tops of my feet, and insides of my ankles have been getting a little bit swollen - more my left than my right.  It seems to be worse in the mornings (when I'm mostly at the computer with feet below my body) and not as bad at night (when I can raise my feet while we watch TV or after I've exercised and hydrated all day long.)
Queasy or Sick: Maybe 1-2 times a week I'll feel the slightest bit queasy in the morning, but it passes very quickly.  Sorta like in the 1st trimester how if I just eat something, I can nip it in the bud.  And it's usually something I only notice for a minute or two anyway.  It's not significant.
Sleep:  Fortunately I can fall asleep pretty easily but I'm getting up 3-4 times at night to pee again.  Oh yes I remember this from the 1st trimester too.  I've been sleeping mostly on my sides - for maybe a month or more, now.  Usually falling asleep on my right side, but switching to my left after a bathroom break (or two).  I don't too often wake up on my back, so it seems like I might be able to get away with all of this without a body pillow filling up the bed!
Best moment this week:  My family baby shower was this past Sunday!  It was AMAZING.  I'm so overwhelmed by everyone's generosity.  The decor, the food, the thoughtfulness.  I think I cried 2-3 times...just such an emotional pile of hormones.  But really everything was so touching.  And then on top of that, I was thrown a small baby shower at work on Wednesday.  A cake, some nice words and ANOTHER generous card and gift from a handful of coworkers.  What a wonderfully special time.
Hardest part of the week: I really can't think of anything.  I'm feeling very good about everything right now!
Looking forward to:  At this point I want to get past 35 weeks.  If I go into labor before that point, then I'll have to deliver at a bigger hospital about 13 miles away instead of our super easy, local hospital 1.2 miles away.  The bigger hospital can handle extremely-preterm to late-preterm babies in their NICU, whereas our local hospital is really only ready for a couple weeks prematurity.  Just another couple weeks!

...hopefully not as stinky.

Movement: Baby is still in the same position - I guess it's comfy for them.  I still feel a lot of movement though I think it *is* limited by the anterior placenta (which usually buffers the movement feelings a little.)  Yesterday I was marginally worried that I wasn't feeling Baby move as much but I knew I had a NST this morning, so I was hopeful everything would be fine.  And yes, everything was fine today.  Lots of movement (many that I couldn't even feel!) and great heart rate.  The movement I feel is a little more "rolling" and less "jabby" than before.  Of course this is because Baby is getting bigger so there's less room for big movements.
Food cravings: I have to be honest that with all these baby showers I've been splurging a little more than when I first started the GD diet.  My numbers have still been okay which makes me very happy.  But it also means that I'm not craving QUITE as many things since I've given into a handful of cravings.  Granted, I can't really do this until the afternoon or evening.  Insulin resistance is frequently highest in the mornings and I am very representative of that.
Happy or moody:  Happy - actually feeling very contented, peaceful and not worried.  How is this possible?  I'm going to be pushing a human out of my currently perfectly intact lady parts in the next 5-7 weeks!!
Labor signs:  I'm a little confused if the feelings I sometimes have in my lower pelvic area are Baby moving its head around (we know that they're head down and quite low) or if it's a contraction.  It's a slightly uncomfortable feeling but not very frequent.  I learned recently that contractions are usually felt high in the uterus, like closer to the ribs.  But I've also heard that menstrual-like cramping can be a sign of early labor.  It doesn't become consistent and I usually notice it when I'm out walking/exerting energy.  So far it's not concerning - I just try to stay hydrated and don't push myself.
Belly button in or out: In, still
Wedding rings on or off: On
Stretch marks:  OK so... I think I found a couple stretch on the under-side of my belly.  One on each side.  They've not bad, but I have no idea how long they've been there.  I kept thinking I'd see stretch marks around my belly button so I was convinced that I was smooth sailing through without!  But pretty sure those dark red marks are stretch marks.  Let's just hope there aren't a ton more about to pop up in these last weeks!
Learnings from the week:  This past Saturday, we went to a childbirth class offered by the hospital I plan to deliver at.  It was an all day class, but I preferred that over other ones I've seen (not at our hospital) that are shorter classes for multiple weeks.  Those might offer more opportunities to meet and get to know other couples, but for Hubby and I it's better to just knock it out in 1 long day.  The class was 9am-4:30pm with a 45 minute lunch break and a tour of the Birthing Center afterwards.  Even though I'd started the NSTs at the Birthing Center - I'd certainly never had a tour, so it was still a good thing for us to experience.  For first time mommies (and daddies) I'd certainly recommend a childbirth class.  Even if it all seems straightforward and you know you'll be guided by the nurses once you arrive at the hospital - it's good to at least spend a day thinking about childbirth and about what concerns you may have or certain things you may want/need.  We saw a couple of videos (very short, like no more than 2-3 minutes), talked about epidurals, talked about C-sections, went over the 3 stages of labor, learned when you should head to the hospital (if your water breaks OR follow the 511 rule: contractions are 5 minutes apart from the start of one to the start of the next, 1 minute long and happening like this for 1 hour), discussed postpartum depression, learned/practiced some breathing exercises.  You get the gist.  It was very worthwhile and has made me start thinking about what my ideal childbirth experience would look like if I could have my way.  Of course what is most important to me is that my baby and I come home from the hospital safely and NOT that they're playing Enya (did I just date myself?) in a dimly lit room while I meditate through my entire labor/delivery...or something super specific like that.

Om.

Final Thoughts: This might be really lame or dumb of me but I’ve found myself making little goals through my pregnancy.  And not like I can even really control reaching them - but I’m very relieved when I pass them.  Like I read a blog about a poor woman losing her TWINS at 17 weeks.  That was my first goal (I just want to get past 17 weeks!)  Then I wanted to get past 24 weeks, when I’d heard of a friend’s cousin delivering her baby due to pre-eclampsia (baby is 6 now, with some vision problems but otherwise fine.)  Then I wanted to get past 28 weeks when I knew of an acquaintance who had her now perfectly thriving 6 year old.  Now I’m feeling awesome that I’ve gotten to 33 weeks ‘cuz I have a super good friend who had her baby exactly upon finishing 33 weeks (he is now a perfectly healthy 2 year old).  I suppose my next goal is to match my other friend who delivered at 34 weeks - her son is thriving at 7 months.  I wonder if I’ll stop all of this if I get to 40 weeks!

Week 32

Welp, I guess there's likely one in every pregnancy.  And I'm happy to have it behind me and now I can just look back and say "that sucked, but glad it's over and everyone is fine..."  My first (and hopefully only) SCARE.  Ergh!  Last Thurs night I was doing some decorating in the nursery.  It didn't feel like it at the time, but maybe I pulled something in my back; I'm not sure?  I was sore from the work I'd been doing, so I did some stretches before bed.  I mean, maybe I pulled something stretching?  But these were my typical yoga stretches I do every week - I figured I know them by now!  I went to bed and found that I really couldn’t sleep in any position.  If any position, maybe only on my back.  But I was just so uncomfortable - I think I slept MAYBE 3 hours total.  Sometime around the middle of the night the left side of my back wrapping around to the front of my stomach was just aching/spasming and it seemed to get worse as the night went on.  By the morning the pain was so bad and my mind got the best of me - I started wondering if could be early labor, esp cuz I was having Braxton-Hicks contractions sporadically too.  I found that I was nauseous when I'd get up to go to the bathroom.  And then I surprisingly threw up!  Just water from brushing my teeth, but it was still alarming to me.  I was contemplating calling the doctor's overnight service, but wanted to make sure I was fully awake and thinking clearly so I got up and showered.  I had an appointment with my OB later that morning anyway, so I was hoping I could just wait until that appointment instead of calling all stressed out at 6am.

I made it to the appointment but felt SO uncomfortable there - it didn't help that I had to wait about half an hour for my appointment.  I almost threw up again while I was waiting.  I finally was in front of my doctor and she decided that I must’ve pulled my back because labor wouldn’t just be on one side like that.  She also said the nausea could be from the pain.  She wanted me to just rest and if it didn't get better in a day to definitely call her.  So I came home, I tried eating some breakfast but I couldn’t even sit to finish.  I went to lie down upstairs for maybe 15 mins and when I got back up I felt like a new person…?  Huh?  What just happened here?  Perhaps my back had been spasming non-stop and with that short amount of rest I managed to get it to stop.  Um and why couldn't my resting all overnight last night have done the trick?  None of it makes any sense, but I'm just happy it went away and that Baby is safe and sound, still baking away.

How far along: 32 weeks, 2 days -- sorry a little late this week, Thanksgiving plans kinda got in the way!
What did baby do this week:  We had our monthly growth ultrasound on Monday so I know that our baby weighs 4 pounds 6 ounces, which puts them in the 58th percentile compared to babies of the same gestational age.  This is perfect since we do these growth ultrasounds to make sure Baby isn't either too big or too little.  One funny bit of knowledge we got is that our Little One's legs are long - at the 87th percentile!  But note, the doctor didn't say Baby is tall - just the legs are long.  I think this tells me that Baby is going to take after Daddy...very cute.  I'm getting a little tired of the fruit/vegetable size comparisons because I feel like the further we get along here, the less they make sense.  But since I've been doing it for 30 or so weeks already, I'll just keep going.  Apparently this week Baby is roughly the size of a golden nugget squash.  This squash looks a lot like a pumpkin, but pumpkin comes further along the path - so let's pretend my picture this week is a golden nugget squash and not a pumpkin.  Baby is starting to shed the lanugo hair and continuing to fatten up.  Some babies will gain as much as a half pound a week from now until birth (um - if ours does, I sure hope we don't go to 40+ weeks!  That'd be a big baby!!)
Total weight gain: 25.2 pounds (not that I enjoy this - but I'm finally up a little from where I've been hovering back and forth that past couple months!)
Symptoms: I think the sciatica is back.  I thought it went away after my acupuncture appointment last week, but I spent a couple days doing a lot of walking and standing this week and it's definitely not gone.  The weird numbness around the edge of my heels is annoying too.  My constipation that I complained about a few weeks ago is nonexistent now, but I have been taking Colace twice a day.  A TINY bit of swelling on the tops of my feet and inside of my ankles but it's very slight and only after I've been on my feet a lot.  No leg cramps or even much back pain.  No acne, no hemorrhoids, no heartburn (but our perinatologist said Baby has hair!  I've read that heartburn and hair on the baby are related...)  Speaking of hair - OK, my hair is definitely about as good as it's ever been.  I do not have enviable hair when I'm not pregnant.  It's fine and kinda thin and oily.  I spend a lot of time to make it look marginally presentable.  But here we are finally in the 3rd trimester and my hair is awesome (for me).  It's not oily - I can go a day without washing it.  It's thicker than it's been in many years.  It makes soft waves around my shoulders after sleeping on it.  Really - I'm so happy to finally have hair I like.  I will absolutely enjoy this for the next couple months and mourn it when it starts to fall out.

Queasy or Sick: I could be wrong about this but I do OCCASIONALLY feel the slightest bit queasy on some mornings.  It's nothing that stops me from doing anything and I usually just put it in the back of my head and carry on.  But I've noticed it maybe 1-2 days a week for the past couple weeks.  I've heard that morning sickness can sometimes come back in the 3rd trimester so while I hope that's not what it is, it might explain it.
Sleep: I still have no complaints.  I'm definitely up once or twice a night to use the bathroom now, but I can fall back asleep most of the time.  Though there's been a lot of excitement (friend baby shower last weekend, family baby shower this weekend, Thanksgiving in between) so I sometimes find myself waking up and staying awake at a time I'd consider pretty early in the morning.
Best moment this week: My friend baby shower which was this past weekend!  Even though I feel big - I guess I don’t look it.  All my friends at the shower kept saying that I don’t look that big.  That I don’t look [almost 32 weeks pregnant] and that I look fantastic overall.  This is JUST what every pregnant woman wants to hear!  Woohoo!  Especially since I know our baby is right on target in terms of size (and therefore not too small.)
Hardest part of the week: Obviously last Thurs night - I was so worried and uncomfortable.  When I took my fasting blood sugar level Friday morning it was higher than it's ever been (it's not usually very high) but my dietician said stress and pain can raise your blood sugar levels.
Looking forward to:  The family baby shower this weekend!
Movement: We learned in our ultrasound that if you are looking at me straight on, and imagine my belly to be a clock: Baby's head is at around 4-5, spine and back are along 6-9, butt is around 10-11, and limbs are over about 2-4.  When I lie on my right side (maybe because then Baby is upright?) I would swear to God there is a dolphin in my belly.  SO ACTIVE!!  But I like the feeling of course because then I know everything is good in there.  I've mentioned that we sing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and "The Alphabet Song" to the baby every night and almost without fail there is some movement during "Twinkle Twinkle".  We're wondering if they're recognizing (and liking?) the song.  Or maybe it's more like "OMG shut up out there - I can't stand when you guys sing this one!!!"  ;)
Food cravings:  I was happy to get through Thanksgiving dinner without my blood sugar numbers going too crazy.  I just avoided the mashed potatoes (carbs), not too much cranberry sauce (sugar) and of course I went easy on the pumpkin pie (carbs and sugar!!)  I was up walking around a lot too which really helps.  I also splurged at my baby shower last weekend and finally had my piece of chocolate cake with AMAZINGLY thick chocolate frosting.  I have no regrets.  I even brought some home and ate small bits in moderation the first few days of the week.  And my blood sugar levels were fine.  After being on the GD diet for a month, it's gotten easier in some regards (like how it's become routine) but harder also (because I REALLY miss certain foods).  But with under 2 months to go, I know I can hang in here.

Happy or moody:  Mostly happy!
Labor signs: No.  However, do I count Braxton-Hicks contractions?  I've definitely felt some.  Not a lot, but some.
Belly button in or out: In, but seems to be getting smaller.  I wonder if it'll pop before all is said and done here?
Wedding rings on or off: On
Stretch marks: No
Learnings from the week: If you are in labor (and having contractions) my perinatologist said that your belly will feel like your forehead: hard.  Otherwise it should feel soft, like your nose.
Final Thoughts: I don’t know if every pregnant woman feels this way - but I frequently still feel like all of this is fake.  Like even appointment after appointment and seeing multiple doctors and ultrasound pictures and feeling the baby move - I wonder is there REALLY a baby in there?  Are they REALLY going to come out and become my CHILD?  Since I just had my first baby shower, I noticed myself thinking at times - OMG, what if I find out there’s really no baby in there and I’ve tricked all my friends?!  It’s seriously crazy talk but I think very hard to imagine the truly miraculous thing that is going on inside my body.  I guess it really won't become real until we hold that little baby and look at their face.  I really can't imagine it!

Week 31

Sometime this last week I seem to have gotten a lot bigger.  I feel bigger.  And I spent one day running errands and found that almost everywhere I went I got some pregnancy comment or other: from a nurse at a (non pregnancy related) doctor's appointment, the clerk at the post office and then a friend I hadn't seen in about 3 weeks said I looked like I'd "popped".  I don't think that I look HUGE - just very obviously pregnant now so it brings up conversation.  But this is good - I want Baby to grow, and if they're growing, then I'm gonna look bigger!  So I'll take the comments.  At least no one has said the dreaded "you're HUGE!!" or "are you having twins?" or "any day now, huh?"  At least they haven't yet...

How far along: 31 weeks, 1 day
What did baby do this week:  Baby is about the size of a pineapple at around 3.75 pounds and 15.2-16.7" head to heel.  Baby's not doing a whole lot more than just gaining weight, turning more pink (less red) and hardening their bones.  In these remaining weeks, Baby's brain and body will get bigger and lungs will become more and more developed.  Our little one is practicing their breathing 30-40% of the time.
Total weight gain: 23.8 pounds (my weight is all over the place - last week I was up 24, two weeks ago I was up 23.8 so it seems the GD diet is really keeping my weight at roughly the same place.)
Symptoms:  I finally realized that what I thought were some funny feeling Baby movements are actually Braxton-Hicks contractions.  My belly gets hard in one area while it remains soft in other areas.  These don't feel like what I thought they’d feel like, but when people describe it as if your belly is making a fist - yes, that is accurate.  I guess I thought they'd be painful, but my OB said as long as they're NOT painful I can have a lot of them without being concerned (I'd previously read that you should call your doctor if you have more than 4 in an hour, but she said only if they're painful).  I should probably knock on some wood, but OMG I think my sciatic pain went away after acupuncture last Thurs?!  Awesome!!  I've had some tingling in hands when driving for a while and when holding a book while I read in bed.  I guess this has been going on for a couple months (or more) but I thought I'd just mention it since I'd brought up the sciatica.  All these weird nerve side effects!
Queasy or Sick: Nope
Sleep:  Fine.
Best moment this week: We did our maternity photoshoot on Sunday morning!  It was a lot of fun, but tiring (we started at 8am, which if you work backwards to the time it took me to doll myself up - it meant getting up before 6am!!!)  I feel like the photographer captured so much variety; we did 5 outfit changes!  And photos were taken both in a local garden as well as in our home.  I can't wait to see them.
Hardest part of the week: Realizing that I just can’t do as much - and I won’t be able to for a long time!  I am a very busy, independent person and I've been noticing that it's taking me just the slightest bit longer to do things: run errands, get household chores done, make dinner.  Standing for [what I would not have previously considered a long period of time] kills my feet.  I keep thinking about how it'll be better once I'm not pregnant anymore - but then it hits me that it'll probably be WORSE!  Cuz then I'll have a little baby to lug around and tend to! Oh this motherhood thing is gonna be fun, huh?  :)

Looking forward to: My first baby shower this weekend - the one for my friends (thrown by my amazing friends.)  And I seriously can't believe Thanksgiving is next week.  Once these holidays pass we will be facing our little baby's birthday!  And we all know how quickly the holidays pass.  Eeeks!!
Movement: OMG SO MUCH.  I was sitting in a Dr’s waiting room the other day and almost wanted to hide my belly thinking people might be able to see it slightly moving on its own!  (that might be an exaggeration, but it felt like it to me!)
Food cravings: Really been craving flavored drinks.  Like lemonade or juice or even soda!  But of course I don't give in...
Happy or moody: Quite happy I'd have to say.
Labor signs: No
Maternity clothes:  I think next week I'm gonna remove this category.  I mean we all know I couldn't really wear non-maternity if I tried!  However, I did put on a non-maternity cardigan the other day, but just to wear to work.  I couldn't button it or anything.  It was just for my arms.
Belly button in or out: In
Wedding rings on or off: On
Stretch marks: No
Learnings from the week:  I had this realization earlier this week that is kind of odd, but not surprising.  All the rest of my life - when I repeatedly do an exercise week after week, it becomes easier.  This makes sense since your body gets stronger and more adept at completing the task.  But when you're pregnant, I've started noticing that doing an exercise week after week starts to get more difficult!  Not because I'm more "out of shape" but because my belly is growing, my lungs are losing some air capacity, I'm just not as flexible around my midsection, and my body/feet get more sore/swollen as I exercise.  Argh!!  But I still keep it up.  I really think it's done wonders to get me to where I am right now!
Final Thoughts:  A couple days ago Baby was having a very active morning.  Hubby not only felt Baby’s hiccups for the first time, but saw my belly jump on its own - something I’d been trying to show him, but hard it's always hard to get his attention at the right moment.

Week 30

I've complained before about how it's so hard to find maternity clothing (not a lot available in stores to try on - it's mostly online.)  Well add to this joyous reality - a maternity photoshoot.  Photos (for most ladies) at their heaviest weight, and perhaps their least attractive feeling, so you really just want to find some pretty clothes which will flatter you and your belly without making you look like a behemoth wearing a tent.  AND you really can't go try on that many outfits in person at the mall so if you're like me - you start ordering stuff online AS IF YOUR LIFE DEPENDED ON IT!!

SHOPPING!!!

Unless you are highly self-disciplined and organized (I tend to be this way to an annoying level some might call "anal retentive") I'm not sure I would recommend this, but as of this writing I have perhaps $600-worth of clothing in my possession which will need to be returned to some online store or other.  And this is AFTER I already returned $1000 worth of clothes I ordered off asos.com.  Man, I was sweating a little as I threw those return packages into the bin at the local USPS and worried about them getting lost.  So after shopping at asos.com, Motherhood online, Macy's online and LOFT online (because none of the local stores had the sizes/colors I was looking for), and buying probably 30-40 pieces of clothing (different colors, different sizes), I came away with 2 dresses that fit, were the style I was looking for and will work overall (even maybe to be reused for a baby shower.)  OMG what an exhausting exercise.  I don't know that I would recommend it.  But I'm READY for my photoshoot and feeling very confident that I'll look halfway decent - so there is a lot of comfort in that.

Yes, yes, you are allowed to call me bat-shit crazy nuts.  I'm really not that high-maintenance of a person, I promise.  I just have to work REALLY hard to look good... :-/

How far along: 30 weeks, 2 days
What did baby do this week: Baby is the size of cucumber (ok, hold the phone here - in whose world is a cucumber larger than a head of lettuce?  I'm onto you, pregnancy apps and websites!!!  You're just pulling this stuff out of your butt each week!)  I'm going to rephrase that to say a LARGE, likely English cucumber - those tend to be much longer, so maybe somehow the baby is roughly the length of a large English cucumber?  Around 16" from head to heel and close to 3 pounds.  Baby is very conscious of its environment as all of its senses are working.  I also read that Baby is strong enough to grasp a finger at this point - how cute!!
Total weight gain: 24 pounds (which is still down .2 pounds from week 28 which is awesome!)
Symptoms: I do believe that the annoying symptoms are starting to catch up to me.  For the past month or so, in my weekly yoga class, I've noticed a tightness in my left butt-cheek/leg and I also sometimes notice it when I'm out walking in the evenings.  It suddenly dawned on me that I'm pretty sure this is sciatic nerve pain!  This is very common during pregnancy because as the baby gets bigger they can press on this nerve which runs from your back, through each side of your butt and down each leg to your feet.  Fortunately I'm mostly just noticing it on my left side and it's not that bad - more annoying than anything.   However, I've also noticed something very odd for the past month or maybe more: faint numbness on my heels.  I did a little Googling tonight and it SEEMS to be related to the sciatica.  I'll check in with my doctor on that next week.  I do have some ever so slight edema (swelling/water retention) in my ankles and just a bit along the top of my feet - also worse on the left side.  So I'm wondering if the numbness has anything to do with that.  But my online "research" seems to point to the sciatic nerve.  And that makes a lot of sense - if it's painful in my butt/hamstring, it's probably affecting other points along its path too.  Joyous.
Queasy or Sick: Nope
Sleep: For the first time in a very long time I got up twice in the night to use the bathroom a few days ago…Oh boy I wonder if this means we're back to getting up multiple times a night again?
Best moment this week: Working on the nursery!  Furniture was delivered last week so I've been filling in the gaps with curtains, pillows, bedding, etc.  We've been getting hand-me-downs and those registry gifts which started arriving last week are slowly finding places to live in the nursery.  It's SO HARD to believe a little baby will sleep in this room some day.  But it'll be here before we know it!
Hardest part of the week: Feeling like all those “symptoms” I mentioned up above are catching up with me.  I feel like I had so few things to complain about the first 2/3rds of my pregnancy - but I had this feeling the third trimester would start to get more uncomfortable and here it starts!

Looking forward to: Our maternity photoshoot this weekend!  I was so happy to find a photographer who does GREAT newborn photography and she offered a deal on a maternity package once you book her for newborn.  It'll will be mostly outdoor photos but she'll also be coming to our house to take a few in the nursery and some other spots.
Movement: More and more all the time.  I love feeling Baby move - but sometimes the kicks/punches (esp those hits to the bladder) seriously make my eyes bug out of my head!  Movements are still mostly along the middle part of my belly - like if I was to draw a line along the sides of my belly from where my belly button is - and lower.  No jabs to the ribs yet.  And I definitely notice the most movements on my right side so I wonder if baby is still transverse like they were in our last ultrasound...and kicking little legs and feet on the right side of my belly?
Food cravings: I'm really not a big chocolate person (said no woman ever.)  But no seriously, I'm not.  However I really have been finding myself craving rich, dense, moist chocolate cake with thick chocolate frosting.  OMG - having just typed that I might need to go out and find a piece of cake and splurge for ONCE!  But I'll refrain since I think some splurging will be happening at my baby showers...  My OB actually told me that they give out chocolate cake in the hospital to all the new moms.  Plus a sandwich with tons of bread!  That'll probably be the worst chocolate cake I've ever eaten and yet it will taste like the best!  #&%^@*$ gestational diabetes!!!!!
Happy or moody: Happy for the most part.  Feeling well prepared so I'm not anxious or nervous - YET.
Labor signs: No
Maternity clothes: Um, see my opening paragraphs...do I even need this category anymore?
Belly button in or out: In
Wedding rings on or off: On but nowhere near as loose as it usually is.
Stretch marks: No - whew!
Learnings from the week: I've been reading Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth which is a VERY interesting perspective if you are used to thinking about childbirth strictly happening in a hospital.  I am a fairly conservative person - try to be healthy but I don't go overboard eating organic or buying natural/green products.  We recycle, but I probably put the wrong things in the bin...  Before picking this book up, I was pretty sure I'd be asking the hospital for an epidural as I was checking in, but this book has really made me think about what I want to do and why - not necessarily changing my mind, but helped to open it a little.  The book is a bit "natural" or even "hippie" - but it is well worth reading.  It puts a very interesting spin on labor and delivery and the power a woman has over her body just by going into childbirth with an open and unafraid attitude.  It also talks about the stages of labor and really at the end of the day has made me think about what I'd LIKE my birth experience to be like.  We all know these plans often change quickly in the heat of the moment - but I'll still be so glad to have read the book.
Final Thoughts:  We took a breastfeeding class at the local hospital last night.  This is the second class Hubby and I have taken (Newborn Care was a few weeks back and Childbirth is two weeks away.)  I have to say that the breastfeeding class was WELL WORTH the time and I think we both took a lot more learnings away from it than we did the Newborn Care class.  Or maybe we just didn't know very much about breastfeeding (um yah - that is definitely true for Hubby) compared to taking care of babies.  If you are at all interested in breastfeeding your baby I'd highly recommend looking for a class at your hospital or even reaching out to your local La Leche League for tips/pointers.  Breastfeeding is very important to me and I'd definitely rather start learning about it now rather than when I'm in the hospital about to take my little one home.  This book was suggested to us at the class, and while I haven't yet gotten it I thought I'd still throw it out there to you.

Week 29

It's another one of those weeks where I feel a little bored with my pregnancy (as if it hasn't thrown me for enough loops though, right?) and don't really have a whole lot to talk about...  I know what you're thinking:

*GASP!!!!!!*

"Kristin, there are actually weeks where you DON'T have much to say??"  No really, it's true.  Come on now, you don't really want to read a big huge blog post this week after the doozies I turned out the last couple weeks, do you?  Plus, you're still slothenly reveling in that pile of Halloween candy that I didn't get to touch (ok maybe I snuck 1-2 pieces, but I kept track of it in my Food Journal!)

How far along: 29 weeks, 1 day
What did baby do this week: Baby is the size of a butternut squash at between 15"-16" from head to heel.  Really the main thing Baby is doing is putting on fat and continuing to grow.  Skin is looking less wrinkled and all the internal organs are continuing to mature in preparation for functioning on their own after birth.
Total weight gain: 23.8 pounds.  This is down .4 from last week so perhaps I'll be able to stick to the 3/4 pound weight gain per week for the remainder of my pregnancy (which my diabetes dietician requested last week.)  Ahh the silver lining of the diabetes diet: the only person gaining weight around here is my little baby and that's just fine with me!
Symptoms: OK so maybe I've been noticing my nails growing longer and stronger again...and I think I've concluded that it *IS* due to my prenatal vitamins...since I had to change them yet AGAIN.  I talked about this in Week 25 - that I went from one type of Stuart prenatals, to another kind and just about a month ago switched to Nature Made.  So I think the Nature Made vitamins must be similar to the first Stuart since my nails are growing super long and strong again.  Maybe I'll keep these vitamins up after pregnancy!
Queasy or Sick: Not really.  I have noticed an occasional, very faint, doesn't last very long feeling of nausea.  It's not at any particular time of day nor can I connect it to anything like a meal or activity.  So it could just be my imagination.
Sleep: Still doing pretty well here.  The last few weeks I've been trying to fall asleep lying on my side, and (as my OB said) not being too concerned if I wake up on my back.  It's working for me.  I don't get dizzy or lightheaded lying on my back, which means it shouldn't be a problem.  I've definitely been getting up a bit more at night to use the bathroom - but typically only once.
Best moment this week: Watching all the baby registry gifts show up at our door!  Since I've had 2 sets of baby shower invitations go out (1 for friends and 1 for family) and our biggest registry is on Amazon, we're getting a lot of gifts shipped to the house.  It's so convenient - but also means we have a TON of cardboard to dispose of each week!
Hardest part of the week: Continuing to deal with the GD diagnosis - though it's getting very manageable and I really do love that my weight gain has screeched to a super slow pace.  Really, I complain about this - but it's very doable - especially knowing it only has to go on like this for another 2 or so months.  And now that I've identified some good breakfast ideas (2 slices of whole wheat toast with 1 T peanut butter on each, 2 eggs and 2 slices whole wheat toast, 2 slices Sprouts whole wheat raisin toast and 3/4 cup of cottage cheese) and some good snack ideas (3 cups of popcorn, Kind bars - my fave is Dark Chocolate Nut & Sea Salt, string cheese, a bowl of cherry tomatoes, 6-10 whole wheat crackers with goat cheese, 1/4 cup of pistachios, Chobani Simply 100 yogurt, 1/2 cup of grapes) I'm feeling a lot better about grabbing some food.

Looking forward to: My 2 baby showers are coming up in just a few weeks!  And then the Holidays follow right after!
Movement:  Lots of movement.  Sometimes I feel such a big movement it's like someone poked me from behind.  I feel my whole body move!  For some reason it seems like when I'm lying on my side to fall asleep, Baby is more active when I'm on my left than on my right.
Food cravings:  I think this will continue until the end of my pregnancy now: all desserts and carbs!!!
Happy or moody: Happy - feeling good.
Labor signs: No.  Waiting for Braxton-Hicks contractions, but don't think I've felt any.
Maternity clothes:  Um, yes.  Oh this belly of mine.  But as big as I feel like it is, it's not as big as some of my fellow 29-weekers in my babycenter.com Birth Club.  Wow!!
Belly button in or out: In, but stretching.  Maybe I *will* get an outie before the end of this pregnancy?
Wedding rings on or off: On, but more snug.
Stretch marks: No
Learnings from the week: We met with a potential pediatrician on Tuesday.  We have another meet and greet in about a month with a different pediatrician and then I think we'll decide between the two.  It was great to just get to sit and chat with a pediatrician - especially since I had a couple questions about items on my registry (like my bassinet.)  Very handy to chat with them.
Final Thoughts:  At my OB appointment last week, I got my necessary TDaP vaccination.  It is suggested that pregnant women get this booster shot between 27-36 weeks, but the earlier, the better.  TDaP stands for Tetanus, Diphtheria, Acelluar Pertussis but really the big scare these days is the Pertussis (whooping cough).  Whooping cough has made a huge resurgence lately which could be stemming from fewer parents vaccinating their kids, but it's also been suggested that there could be limitations in the vaccination.  Either way, I got the vax and Hubby will be getting vaccinated soon as well.  In fact, the pediatrician suggested anyone who will be spending a lot of time holding our baby (all grandparents, even those who do not live close by but might be visiting for a few days) should get the TDaP booster.  For what it's worth - MAKE SURE you really massage the medicine into your arm after you get the shot.  I didn't do this and it was super painful the next day (More painful than the flu shot I get every year...and I'm really not a sissy when it comes to shots either.)  Then perhaps even another day later it almost looked/felt like a big bug bite: slightly red, raised welt, itchy... fun times!  But it faded within a few days and I don't even feel anything now, almost a week later.

Week 28

So I'm feeling a lot better overall this week.  The bad news of my Gestational Diabetes diagnosis has settled over me and I'm proactively changing what I need to change to keep everything controlled (hopefully).  I'm moving forward with my head up and embracing whatever I need to do!  It also helps that we had our monthly growth ultrasound with our perinatologist this morning and everything looks GREAT with our little one.  Whew!

How far along: 28 weeks, 1 day
What did baby do this week:  Baby is about the size of a large eggplant at roughly 14.8” from head to heel.  Our baby measured in at 2 pounds 11 ounces this morning, which puts them at the 55th percentile compared to other babies of the same gestational age.  The brain continues to develop and baby is adding layers of fat to its body.  Muscle tone is also improving so kicks and movement might be getting stronger.  And Baby can blink his or her eyes!  Today our little one was sideways (not really head down or up) and the Dr. said that they'll keep moving around until close to 36 weeks.  By that point we hope the head is down and the feet are up, 'cuz if not - it could likely mean a C-section.  But these days they can move up and down multiple times a day.  And I think this particular afternoon my baby IS moving back and forth - cuz my entire midsection keeps feeling giant jolts!
Total weight gain: 24.2 pounds.  My Diabetes dietician said she wants me to gain 30 pounds total this pregnancy...um - we shall see about that.  I hope she was rounding down.  That's only a half pound a week for the next 12 weeks!  However, I have only gained a pound over the last month...
Symptoms: Super thirsty all the time - this is a symptom of gestational diabetes though.  I *think* my feet might be getting a tiny bit bigger?  Or maybe just a little swollen?  But I'm still wearing all the same shoes and making it work.  I've mentioned before that I was pretty sure I was losing hair at the same rate I was pre-pregnancy, but for the last month or so there's definitely a lot less hair coming out when I shower.  Like maybe only 1-2 strands!  My hair doesn't feel incredibly thick and lustrous, but it's pretty fine and thin to begin with so...I think I won't get THAT lucky.  It's definitely thicker overall.
Queasy or Sick: Nope
Sleep:  Still sleeping very well, but it seems like the middle of the night/super early morning bathroom visits are returning.  I was sleeping all the way through the night for a long time but if I remember correctly, I've gotten up in the middle of the night to pee, the last 2-3 nights.  Oh Little Baby, thank you for taking up more space! (but no really, it's okay - I WANT you to get bigger!)
Best moment this week: How about moments: plural?!  For sure seeing our baby on ultrasound this morning and getting word that all is GREAT.  A good friend who was 10 weeks ahead of me had her baby this week too!  That was exciting - but means we're up next!!  It's also been nice seeing that my blood sugar levels are within the right range since I started testing a couple days ago - it means that the diet changes I've made are HOPEFULLY going to work okay.  I just hope they continue to stay that way and I don't have to start insulin shots.  However if that happens, I'm okay with it.  Shots in the belly with a tiny needle?  Oh, I think I can handle that... ;)
Hardest part of the week:  Tracking my food, meals and finding the time to test my blood sugar (1 hour after a meal is not always a convenient time.  I tested at a long stoplight this morning on my way to the Dr's office!)  Coming up with meal and snack ideas is also a little challenging, but I know this will all get easier as I go and I'll start getting used to it.
Looking forward to: Starting to assemble the nursery.  I remember Week 16, when I felt like I was buying the nursery furniture too early.  But I'm NOT complaining now.  The furniture should be ready for delivery next week and I'm more than happy to start getting that room set up in the first part of my 3rd trimester as opposed to the end of it!  By the way, the store told me 6-8 weeks for delivery and by next week it will be 13.  Yes indeed, glad I ordered when I did.

Movement: There were a couple days where I felt like there wasn't a lot of movement and it worried me a little bit.  But there was definitely SOME movement, even if it was small, so I didn't start banging on the emergency room door or anything.  Usually a day or two of low movement (which could also be attributed to my moving around too much and not noticing) is followed by a day or two of LOTS of movement.  So I've gotten a little used to this pattern and don't freak out too much.  There are times when my belly seriously jolts.  I find myself staring at my midsection sometimes and holding my breath - to see if I can see my belly moving.  And I usually can!!  It's so nutty!  Today specifically the little one is moving A TON.  Maybe it's cuz we prodded them so much at the ultrasound this morning that they can't settle down.
Food cravings: Other than carbs and desserts, nothing really specific.
Happy or moody: Feeling much happier this week
Labor signs: No
Maternity clothes: All the time.  Bummed that most of my order from asos.com (last week) isn't gonna work out for our maternity photo shoot.  But I have some new items coming from Motherhood that might work.  Whew - maternity clothing almost all has to be ordered, tried on at home and then sent back since so few stores have a large inventory.  What a chore!
Belly button in or out: In, but looking more "pulled" on at the edges.
Wedding rings on or off: On, but it's snugger for sure
Stretch marks: No
Learnings from the week:  I've been thinking a lot about all the stuff we're trying to have on hand before the baby is born - the items I've registered for.  A lot of these things we may not even end up using depending on how well Baby likes them, how well I like them, or how quickly Baby may change their mind about liking something.  Like a baby sling/carrier or swing or bouncer, etc.  The more I think about how much everything is going to cost, the more I've been thinking about (ssshhhh!  don't tell any of my friends and family coming to my showers) looking for these items for sale on Craigslist and if I find a good buy on a gently used item I received for my shower, buying that and returning the gift we got.  Yes, it's a bit more work but could really save us a ton of money - which I'm going to need for things like...college around the year 2032.  :-|
Final Thoughts:  So to sum up where I'm at right now (in addition to avoiding Halloween candy tomorrow night.)  I think I've mentioned in passing before (most recently in Week 24), but I had elevated blood pressure going into my pregnancy (thanks to my mom).  My blood pressure would average around 115/92 where the lower number (diastolic) is on the high side.  Not high enough for my regular doctor to ever feel the need to put me on medication though.  Especially since I'm quite healthy overall (I was a runner before pregnancy, pretty active overall, ate healthily...)  But the tolerance for blood pressure when pregnant, is lower.  They don't want to see your diastolic higher than the 80's.  So for this reason, I've been taking a very low dose of Methyldopa (250mg twice a day) and my blood pressure has been very low all through pregnancy.  This is also the reason we've been doing the monthly growth ultrasounds with the perinatologist.  They want to track Baby's size since high blood pressure can sometimes cause the small blood vessels in the placenta to tighten, which allows less blood and nutrients to get to the baby, leading to smaller sized babies.

HOWEVER... I now have this joyous gestational diabetes to deal with as well (thanks to my dad - sheesh THANK YOU PARENTS!!!)  So I have the double whammy!

Gestational diabetes also requires monthly growth ultrasounds, but for the opposite reason.  Due to those lovely pregnancy hormones (and in my case, a healthy dose of genetics) a woman with gestational diabetes requires A LOT more insulin to regulate sugar than a non-pregnant woman.  The pancreas works overtime to produce more insulin, but the insulin just can't lower the blood sugars.  This causes glucose to build up and it does not leave the blood (to be changed to energy), as it should.  This extra glucose can go through the placenta to give the baby high blood glucose levels, which causes the baby's pancreas to make extra insulin to get rid of the blood glucose.  Since the baby is getting more energy than it needs to grow and develop, the extra energy is stored as fat, leading to larger sized babies.

small baby

LARGE BABY

Whew!  Just what I always wanted - complications!  Fortunately, I truly believe that I'll be able to control both the hypertension and the GD.  My perinatologist also commented that since both of these items are due to genetics as opposed to my leading a very unhealthy lifestyle (poor diet, obesity, no exercise, etc.) that we will be just fine as long as we continue to monitor and do what we need to do.  I'm feeling good about everything.  And Baby looked so good today!  Yay!  Happy Halloween to all of you - will you please eat some candy for me?  :)