Yea!!! It's Saturday! I'm literally living for the weekends right now. I plan on cleaning up the designated nursery room some more and then lounging to my heart's content.

I finally completed my gift registries- the links are to the right. Just type in mine name (or Miller's) to see the online lists. Also, I'm hoping to add those prego pictures to Miller's web space today. Stay tuned.
- posted by Ma @ 7:56 AM

 
The weather is finally cooler. Thank goodness. I'm sure it won't last long.

I feel very heavy, slow, and clumsy. I slept for over 11 hours Thursday night. At work, my heart beats way too fast at times and I'm constantly sweating. Oh, and the traffic almost made me cry on the way home tonight.

31 weeks, 9? to go.
- posted by Ma @ 7:56 PM

 
Just got back from my first pregnant camping trip! We went up to the northwest part of Michigan (Sleeping Bear Dunes/ Luddington/ Interlochen) with several pals. The weather in Chicago was a mess (100+ all weekend), but we were quite comfy in MI. We had some storms Saturday night, but managed to stay dry and cozy in our tent. Considering we were sleeping on the ground I slept quite well. We did a lot of swimming and walking/ hiking during the day, so I was pooped by nighttime. The fresh air felt fantastic. I'm glad we got at least one more camping trip in before the new arrival takes over our lives. (But, I can't wait until he'll be old enough to appreciate the experience himself.)
- posted by Ma @ 9:22 PM

 
Week 30

Appt. Update: Had ANOTHER ultrasound today to check on ye 'ol placenta.

Good news: the placenta has moved up past the 3cm mark (away from the cervix). In other words, we don't have to schedule an ultrasound!!! Woo hoo! The little guy was sleeping this time, but we got some great views of his face. So sweet. Anyway, this will be our last u/s until the delivery day. See you in a couple of months kido!
- posted by Ma @ 7:15 PM

 
My preferred prego books:

- Belly Laughs by Jenny McCarthy
- The Girlfriends Guide to Pregnancy by Vicki Iovine
- The Everything Pregnancy Book by Ford-Martin, et al
- The Pregnancy Journal by A. Christine Harris
- Mother's Nature by Gosline et al


What was SHE thinking?
- posted by Ma @ 9:53 PM

 
29 weeks have passed; expected arrival in only 2-1/2 months

Everything is starting to get more difficult now. By big, heavy belly won't allow me to bend over. So...I can no longer do simple things like tying my shoes or picking things up off the floor without some tricky manuevering. I can't even pee in a cup at the doctor's office right. Normally I can at least see where the pee is landing, but since I can't see "down there" anymore, I just have to listen and hope that at least something is landing in the cup. Sometimes when I'm sitting on the floor or a big comfy couch, I literally get stuck (unless there is something akin to arm rails nearby). I have to rely on a (strong) helping hand to pull me up or else roll onto my side and push myself up like a big hippopotomaus rolling in the mud. And as promised by everyone I know who's been pregnant, my precious sleep is getting harder to hold on to. The nights are feeling longer, and my hours of sleep are being replaced by me turning over and over and over, trying to find a comfy position. As a result, each workday is beginning to feel like two smushed into one. I'm going to keep working as long as possible, but my job is very physical and becomming increasingly difficult.

Besides the physical factors, my emotions have been ALL OVER THE PLACE. I'm generally happy most of the time and excited for the big day to arrive. However, those big, ugly hormones like to sneak up and attack without warning. Out of nowhere I'll be ready to snap...either with utter annoyance or full-on emotional-overload crying spells...over the tiniest things. My coworkers get the brunt of it, but luckilly my teammates are all sympathetic been-there-done-that types. Miller is learning along with me and being super supportive as well.

Despite all of this temporary insanity, baby is still hopping and kicking away, hopefully oblivious to my discomfort and preparing for his arrival.
- posted by Ma @ 7:37 AM

 
The prenatal checkup went smoothly today. I weighed in at 182.5 pounds on the "official scale". Although I'm at 28 weeks, the baby's size was up to par with most babies at 30 weeks. Again, the little dude is big for his "age". This makes mommy a bit nervous about the delivery, but my doc said no need to worry. The heartbeat was loud and strong and he wiggled and kicked all over while doc was checking me out. She said that he seems to be very healthy and happy. I give that diagnosis a big thumbs up.

The only minor concern was a bit of protein in my urine sample. Doc said this is often due to dehydration. I hadn't had much water to drink before the appt this morning, so she asked that I come back to the lab to provide another sample tomorrow. On my TO DO LIST: pee in cup.
- posted by Ma @ 7:10 PM

 
So, I haven't quite got this big belly thing down yet. I've been doing a whole lot of bumping into people and knocking things over. Lately I've been losing my balance more than usual as well. Tonight, for the second time, I accidentally burned my tummy. The first time it happened I freaked out and worried about the baby. Considering it was minor and only at the surface of my skin, it probably didn't have any impact at all. The first burn occurred when I was leaning over the stove to reach a cookbook in the cupboard above. My tummy touched a small pot of boiling water. Tonight, I carried a hot pizza on a pizza stone to the table a bit too close to my belly. This burn got me right next to my belly button. Jr. often sticks his fists in that zone- I hope the heat didn't get to him!

Next Dr. appt in two days (Wednesday).
- posted by Ma @ 8:21 PM

 
Oh yeah, I now weigh 181 pounds!! Regardless, my coworkers and the parents at the Center insist that I am small for my date. I think they need to get their eyes checked. Maybe my tall stature helps throw them off. My aching legs and back, and the shock I get everytime I catch a glimpse of my reflection in a store window tells me otherwise.
- posted by Ma @ 7:34 PM

 
Lately when I try to go to sleep at night, I get this jittery feeling in my body like I need to move. It feels as if I'm going to explode if I don't move- quickly. I figured it was nothing- just in my head or some little hormonal thing or something. Then, ah-ha! I got my weekly pregnancy newsletter with a comment about this very matter. It even has a name: Restless legs syndrome (very scientific, eh?). No one is really sure what causes it, but some suggest it could be due to lack of iron or folate, too much caffeine, or hormonal or circulatory changes. Regardless, they suggest only laying down to sleep when you are really ready to fall asleep. The longer you lie still, the more likely the symptoms will pop up. Guess I'd better be more persistant about the pre-sleep yoga routine.

Favorite baby position: Every once in a while he sticks a little fist into my belly button zone. I can push his little hand back out and then he'll move it back a short time later. The kicks and hick-ups get stronger everyday. I love the kicks so much because it makes me feel that he is strong and healthy. He woke me up with his kicks this morning. I didn't consider it a rude awakening in the slightest.
- posted by Ma @ 7:11 PM

 
Just got back from watching Sin City at Brew and View (woah- good thing I watched this before Jr. was able to watch movies too!) Anyway, I got the "dumb comment of the week" on the way back to the train with Fran. A guy had a cigarette hanging out of his mouth and asked us if we had a light. The question seemed to be directed more to Fran, but then he looked/ gestured to me as if he we waiting for me to answer as well. I just waved my hand and shook my head as if to say, "Use your head genius." Grrr...smoking...it irks me to no end.
- posted by Ma @ 10:34 PM

 
28 weeks, month 7...the third trimester is now OFFICIALLY here!
- posted by Ma @ 7:17 AM

 
4th of July weekend was delightful for Mommy and Jr. We (Miller, our friend Fran, and the "2 of us") drove over to the Detroit area for the 3rd Annual Pool Party at our friend Kara's parents house. A bunch of other friends from Chicago, etc. made the journey out as well. Floating in the pool for hours at a time and grazing on food all weekend was fantastic. I missed the usual old drinking shenanigans, but my fake margaritas and n/a beer pulled me through. It was fun to share my big ol' belly with my friends. Since I decided to ditch the prego swimsuit and put together my own modified tankini/ bikini number, I was very comfortable. My friends were awed by the moving in my tummy as I floated around on a raft in the water. The little guy did a lot of bumping around over the weekend. I slept very well thanks to our very accomodating hosts- they made sure Miller and I had a bed (rather that the usual floor/couch options) to sleep in. Best sleep in days!
- posted by Ma @ 8:25 PM