Week 32

I'm 8 months pregnant, people!!






Sweater: Gap Maternity
Pants: Gap Maternity
Shoes: Nine West

I took a side shot of the belly today too:



Isn't it crazy how you can see the indentions around the edges of the bump where it starts to stick out? That part of the baby bump fascinates me. Also, I think I may be getting a faint linea nigra and you can sorta see that in the pic.

Now for some comparison shots. First, 12 weeks vs. 22 weeks vs. 32 weeks



Crazy right? I mean, I really was showing at 22 weeks, but looking at that comparison, all I can think is how skinny I looked at 22 weeks, LOL!

And do you remember how I said in my 27 week post that I felt like the belly growth had stagnated a bit, which I thought meant I was in for a growth spurt? Uhhh...I was right.

28 weeks vs. 32 weeks:



That is some serious growth for just 4 short weeks. I definitely feel like I've entered into giant territory with the bump. Not in a bad way. I don't dislike it at all, it's just shocking how big it is. I'm constantly caught off guard at how big it looks when I'm walking by mirrors or windows. And I think Chad is too, because he's been making comments about my "big pregnant belly" numerous times a day. And to think, I've still got 8 weeks to go.

At this point, Bug weighs almost 4 pounds. She's now basically a just like real baby - fingernails, toenails, hair, soft skin. Her main goals from here on out are to gain weight and develop her lungs.

I had a doctor's appointment today...I've gained 4 pounds since my last appointment. 4 pounds in two weeks. Ugh. On one hand, I was expecting it. I was well aware that my belly had grown quite a bit in the last few weeks, and I knew that had to show up sometime on the scale. But at the same time, seeing that much gain in 2 short weeks is not easy to swallow. I think the worst part is that those 4 pounds put me into a new 10 category on the scale. (Does that make sense? As in 30's, 40's, 50's, etc.) I'm definitely in uncharted territory now. I know I shouldn't complain considering I've only gained 10 pounds thus far, but still...I'm seriously hoping that I don't see another jump like that in two more weeks. Oh, and speaking of two week appointments, my next one is my last one. After that, it's every week. Ack!!

Regarding me and pregnancy, things are great. No real complaints and I still don't feel like I'm really uncomfortable. Regarding me, sans pregnancy...I'm miserable. I have the most awful cold. For those counting, this would be cold #3 since I've been pregnant. And I seriously do not think I have ever been this miserable with a cold. Congestion doesn't even begin to describe what I'm dealing with. I can't breath sitting down, much less laying down, which has meant no sleep for the past few nights. My sinuses feel like they are about to burst with pressure and I'm even starting to feel like I'm getting an earache. I've done every natural remedy I can think of...hot tea, lemon and honey, hot showers, salt water gargles, lathering on Vicks VaporRub - nothing is working. I finally broke down and took some Sudafed, but I really haven't gotten much relief from it, either. Per doctor's orders, I'm taking my temperature a few times a day just to make sure I don't start spiking a fever, because if I do, he wants me on Tamiflu immediately. Yuck. So here's hoping I wake up feeling 100% better tomorrow...

What I Wore

Top: NY&CO
Pants: Gap Maternity
Shoes: Delman






Dress: Motherhood Maternity
Sweater: Forever 21
Leggings: Liz Lange Maternity for Target
Boots: Target






Dress: A Pea in the Pod
Shirt: Gap Maternity
Boots: Target






Top: NY&CO
Jeans: JCPenney Maternity
Boots: Target






Top: Forever 21
Jeans: JCPenney Maternity
Boots: Target



Top: NY&CO
Jeans: JCPenney Maternity
Boots: Target

In The Spirit

In my house, the day after Thanksgiving = the first day of the Christmas season. Which means we spend the day putting up the Christmas decor!

The tree:



And a few favorite ornaments. Right now, we have one tree and it's mostly a theme tree - red and gold ornaments. We only have a few ornaments that hold any special meaning, mostly because we've only been married for two years, and it takes awhile to build up a collection. Eventually, I want two trees. One theme tree and one for our special ornaments.

From our anniversary trip California last year:



From our family vacation to Florida this year:






An ornament from my mom:



The rest of the house...






























I stole this idea from Christy:







Our bedroom got in on the action too. And FYI, these are the best sheets ever. They are flannel sheets from Target. We've got two different sets and we heart them. If you like flannel sheets, you need to run to your nearest Target and pick up a set!






Even Bug's room got the Christmas treatment:












And the outside:















The window boxes during the day:






Merry Christmas!!

Ripples

The number one thing I'm thankful for this Thanksgiving is my healthy baby.

I've been trying to capture her movements on film for weeks, but I wasn't successful until Tuesday night. It's still not the best video, but you can definitely see the waving, rippling movements my belly makes as she moves around. Oh, and halfway through I take a huge breath - I was trying to breath shallowly so my breathing wouldn't look like movement, but I quickly got out of breath, LOL!

Ripples from Kristal on Vimeo.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

31 Weeks

The Bump:



(Please ignore the slippers and the wild hair. That is slightly embarrassing!)



Top: NY&CO
Pants: Gap Maternity
Shoes: Delman

And just because I like the close up shots:






Chad told me this week that he thinks my boobs have gotten smaller. I told him no, it's just that my belly has gotten bigger. What a dork!

Still the size of a squash, Bug's brain and nervous system are developing quickly. All five of her senses are now in working order. She's also fully mobile - she can move her head from side to side, and her arms, legs and body are all pumping very often!

As far as I'm concerned, things are pretty boring, which is the way I like it. I'm getting more to the achy stage of pregnancy, but it's nothing I can't deal with yet. Heartburn is starting to come back more often (which, outside of morning sickness, is the worst part of pregnancy) and my lower back is getting pretty sore. I've been noticing that I can't spend the whole day cleaning the house like I used to be able to. I just don't have the energy and my back can't take it. Even splitting it over two days proved to be rough this past weekend, especially when I had to give both the dogs baths. Leaning over them and struggling with them in the bathtub is never an easy task, but it literally got to the point where I would have to support myself with my arms on the sides of the tub because my back would not support me anymore. After that, I laid down with my corn bag on my back (if you don't know what that is, you need to find out. And then get one.) and the doggies made up for their trouble by cuddling with me. Charley horses are one thing that I've heard lots of pregnant women complain about, but so far, I've been lucky to avoid them. Twice, I've woken up right before one started and was able to stretch my leg out to prevent it. Outside of those two incidents, I haven't had any. I drink water like it's going out of style and eat a banana every morning in my smoothie (two things known to help prevent them), so maybe that's why? Sleep comes and goes...some nights I sleep great and others I toss and turn all night. I've found it makes no difference to my day, though. It doesn't matter how rested (or not) I am each morning, I'm still practically falling asleep at my desk by lunchtime. But, just one added perk of being this pregnant through the holidays is all extra days off you get to sleep in and take naps!

I thought I found a stretch mark on Sunday, but it was a false alarm. I was changing out of my pajamas in front of a mirror when I noticed a red mark on the side of my belly. After inspecting it from every possible angle in every possible light, I bathed it in cocoa butter and then proceeded to check on it obsessively as the day went on. I started noticing that it seemed to be fading each time I would look at it until it got to the point where I didn't think I could see anything anymore. But to make sure my eyes weren't playing tricks on me, I made Chad look when he got home from work. He confirmed that there was nothing there. At which point I realized that the stretch mark was actually a sleep line from sleeping on my side.

So, 31 weeks and still no stretch marks.

Have a great Thanksgiving!!

What I Wore

Top: Banana Republic
Pants: Gap Maternity
Shoes: Nine West
Scarf: H&M






Tank: Old Navy Maternity
Cardigan: NY&CO
Pants: Gap Maternity
Shoes: Delman






Top: Old Navy Maternity
Sweater: Target
Pants: JCPenney Maternity (and as a side note, I hate them. I've only worn them twice this entire pregnancy. The material is funky and they feel weird against my legs. I sorta hate that I bought them.)
Shoes: Nine West






Sweater: Victoria's Secret
Jeans: JCPenney Maternity
Shoes: Target
Scarf: H&M






Top: Michael Stars Maternity
Jeans: Gap Maternity
Shoes: Target

Baby Miscellany

1. Chad and I had our first childbirth class last night. It was something that I dreaded all day because the class was scheduled to go until 9:45PM. Considering my bed time is 9PM, I wasn't real thrilled about that. But one of the first things the doula told us was that no way would the class go that late and that she wasn't sure whose brilliant idea it was to keep a group of pregnant women up until 9:45, but she wasn't gonna do that to us. Then, she dedicated 20 minutes of the class to "helping mommy relax". Which meant she passed out massage tools, all the pregnant ladies sat on birthing balls or bean bags, and their partners massaged their back and hands. She also told us that we will do that at every class. Love her. :) The only scary thing about the class was the birthing videos. Let's just say that knowing a baby comes out of where it does and actually seeing it happen are two very different things. I will not be one of those ladies with a mirror down below to watch the process, that's for sure.

2. And speaking of giving birth, I had the most amazing birth dream last night. Anyone who has been pregnant knows how vivid dreams are during pregnancy. And while most are crazy, this one was not at all - it was completely realistic. This will make me sound like a loon, but I seriously feel like I've watched myself give birth now. And it wasn't like it was this non-painful, idealistic birth. It was perfect, but not in a no pain and I looked amazing type of way. Labor hurt and I was scared. I specifically remember when it came time to push, I was crying and saying that I was too scared and I couldn't do it. But then my body just sorta took over and the baby came out and he or she (the dream didn't clarify, LOL) was so amazing and perfect and the only way it could have been better would have been if it was real, rather than a dream. Again, it may sound weird, but it was so comforting. Labor does scare me, but it's like I now have a tiny taste of how worth it the whole thing will be and that makes it not quite so intimidating.

Anyway, moving on from the crazy train...

3. We officially have no names picked out for the baby. We started talking about it last night and we just aren't sold on any of the names. I love Will but I don't love William and I much prefer Violet over Eleanor, but I just don't know if I can deal with the whole "violently" thing. So, we're back to square one. And I really don't think we'll make a decision until we see the baby. We'll have a few top contenders, but obviously, committing to a name beforehand isn't working for us, haha.

4. I think we've found a doctor for the baby. I still have to meet with her, but considering the fact that she's sort of our only option, I think she's the winner. I had three criteria when searching for a doctor. First, I wanted a family practitioner rather than a pediatrician. Second, I wanted someone who will support an alternative vaccine schedule. And third, I wanted someone who is open to some alternative and holistic medicine choices - in other words, I don't want someone who is going to hand me an antibiotic for every little sniffle. I've found three doctors that fit that profile. One doesn't accept any insurance at all (weird, right?) and one doesn't accept the insurance that we will have once the baby is born. So that leaves us with option #3. Let's hope it works out!

I hope you all have a great weekend. Chad and I will be at our Infant Care class tomorrow morning - among other things, we'll both learn baby CPR and Chad will learn how to change a diaper. I'm prepared for lots of laughter watching Chad try to figure it all out.