35 Weeks

How far along: 35 weeks

Weight gain/loss: Haven't checked and next appt is 12/7

Maternity clothes: No purchases and I'm just trying to make do with what I have

Stretch marks: Staying strong!

Symptoms: Braxton Hicks contractions, pressure like feeling down low, not easy to get up out of bed and just generally uncomfortable.  

Sleep:  Steve has been snoring like every night and I have to pee all the time so I've been getting up and sleeping in the other room.  I get so thirsty too at night so I get up to use the bathroom and drink a lot of water which just continues the cycle.

Best moment this week: Seeing my mom after her surgery.  She had it on Monday and my sister and I went to visit Tuesday after work.  It was hard to see her like that but she is doing very well.

Gender: It continues to be a mystery.  And I somewhat wish we had found out and either a)didn't announce the name or b)didn't tell anyone the gender.  It's tough!

Belly button in or out: Still in so far

Food cravings:  This pregnancy continues to be like my first in that I really don't have crazy or strong cravings.  I still love yogurt and frozen blueberries, homemade granola and really anything fruit.  But that's me pregnant or not.  My appetite is a little better than it was but I still am not very hungry overall and get full pretty easily.

Movement: I think this little one is going through a growth spurt because I can feel a jab on my left side near my ribs at the same time as another jab to my right hip.  It can be pretty uncomfortable at times.  

What I miss: Having more energy and ability to do more.  I struggle spending a full day with Joey because he's going through a phase where he just lets loose with only me.  He can be happy and easy going with everyone, except me.  Of course we have a lot of good times but the 'bad' times really are tougher for me now.  And maybe it's just the hormones and all that are making it seem worse but I hope he gets through this phase or whatever it is, quickly.

What I'm looking forward to: Seeing my mom this weekend.  She should be coming home either Friday or Saturday.  It's hard not being able to see or talk to her when we pretty much communicate in some way every day.

34 Weeks and Dr Appointment

How far along: 34 weeks

Weight gain/loss: Scale says up 18.5lbs, gained 1lb since last appointment which is perfect

Maternity clothes: Haven't bought anything and trying to wait until after baby now.  

Stretch marks: Hoping to avoid these again....time will tell!

Symptoms: Nothing unusually different.  I have more soreness/pressure down below especially when I stand up or start walking around.  I'm trying to do some stretching and ab exercises every day but it doesn't always happen.  I also think my stomach has dropped a little.  I still feel full a lot but not nearly as out of breath as I had been.

Sleep:  Not much has changed since last week.  Except turning over from side to side is getting a little more difficult.

Best moment this week: My parents took Joey out on Saturday morning so I had a couple hours to get some things done.  Steve and I also went to the mall to do some Christmas shopping on Sunday while Joey stayed at the Lozens and visited with Baba and Dedo from Ohio.  I missed being with Joey as much this weekend but it was nice to get some time to myself and with Steve.

Gender: Not as many people guessing this time around however since I'm carrying the same and there isn't a ton different this time around, most of the family say boy.  But not everyone has really weighed in.  I am getting super anxious to know now though.

Belly button in or out: Weird looking but still in

Food cravings:  Nothing really ever sounds good except yogurt with frozen blueberries.  I've also been eating bread with Baba's peppers and some feta cheese.  But really I never am very hungry or excited to really eat anything.

Movement: Baby has active and quiet moments.  Movements don't seem as intense as with Joey.  I remember him jabbing my ribs regularly and it would actually hurt.  I feel this little one more on my left side and occasionally my right hip.  Literally it feels like he or she is hitting or kicking my hip bone.  Little one also gets hiccups all the time and I always feel them on my lower left side.

What I miss: Being able to do more especially with Joey.  It takes a lot out of me after being with him all day.

What I'm looking forward to: I'm off until next Monday and we are spending Thanksgiving Day with my mom's side and then Friday with the Lozens.  

I saw the midwife today (Wednesday) and everything was good.  I forgot to ask her how I was measuring but I'm guessing I've grown since last appointment.  My ultrasound last week was fine which she told me and also my thyroid results were within range.  It was 1.64 which is great.  So I'm continuing to take that until my first postpartum visit.  Hopefully I'll be able to get off of them after that.  The baby was pretty quiet at the appointment but the heartbeat was 140bpm.  The midwife told me the baby was measuring in the 43rd percentile and if I went full term it would mean a 7lb baby which is good.  Joey was 7lb 7oz and I delivered him 6 days early which makes me think this little one might be a little smaller.  She said she wants to do another ultrasound at my next appointment on 12/7.  I'm going to call and ask if this is truly necessary because they aren't cheap and my insurance doesn't cover the total cost.  Obviously if she thinks it is a good idea, I will have one but if it's just to see, then I might forgo it.

33 Weeks

How far along: 33 weeks

Weight gain/loss: Gained 1lb, my scale says up 17-18lbs

Maternity clothes: No new purchases.  Haven't gone clothes shopping in ages!

Stretch marks: Continue to use the oil at night and cocoa butter cream during the day

Symptoms: I think I have more round ligament pain this time around.  But nothing really 'new' or different going on.  Of course I continue to have to pee a lot but that's not going to change anytime soon!

Sleep:  Pretty good.  I seem to fall asleep well but when I wake up to pee I have a harder time falling back to sleep.  I feel more awake at night too but I still make myself go to bed by 11pm at the latest.

Best moment this week: Seeing baby on the big screen last Friday.  Had a growth ultrasound since I hadn't grown since the last appointment (still measuring 28-29 weeks).  I measured small with Joey so it didn't surprise me.

Gender: I keep seeing the name Alexandria in odd places.  But it could very well be a little boy in there!

Belly button in or out: Weird looking but still in

Food cravings:  Red/black grapes, yogurt with frozen blueberries and homemade granola.  I found a recipe and have made a couple batches so far.  I've been struggling to eat most days.  I'm just not hungry and it doesn't take much to fill me up.  I seem to do okay with breakfast but after that I could go until dinner without really eating much.

Movement: I can definitely tell baby is getting bigger/running out of space.  I feel more kicks and jabs.

What I miss: Wearing cute clothes and not feeling so out of shape.  I just struggle doing as much.  I don't miss alcohol as much this pregnancy but wouldn't mind if I could have a sip here and there when everyone else is having something.  

What I'm looking forward to: Next week is Thanksgiving and it will be nice to celebrate and be around family.  Baba and Dedo are coming into town and we haven't seen them since July.  

Dr Appointment and Growth Ultrasound

I had my check up on Friday (11/9) which on my calendar makes me about 32.5 weeks but the doctor says my due date is 3 days earlier so they say I'm 33 weeks.  I know it's really not that big of a deal and I'm just being detailed for my sake.  Either way it was my last monthly check up and now I go back in 2 weeks.  I finally got to meet with one of the midwives, Kathy, which was nice.  I really like the midwives.  I was weighed (gained 1lb) and then the lab came to draw blood to check my thyroid levels.  Since I've been on the thyroid medication for about 5 weeks now, they want to make sure it's working properly and my levels are normal.

32 Weeks

How far along: 32 weeks

Weight gain/loss: Next appointment is on Friday the 9th.

Maternity clothes: Haven't bought anything.  I miss shopping and actually finding cute things too.

Stretch marks: Continue to use the oil at night and cocoa butter cream during the day

Symptoms: Nothing out of the ordinary.  Braxton Hicks contractions are more noticeable but they don't hurt or come regularly.  I feel like my hair, skin and nails this time around are much drier and brittle.  I've been trying to grow my nails out at least a little and they just seem to be less healthy.  Could also be the cooler weather, who knows!  I don't think I'm as emotional as I was with Joey either.  There are times I think "oh no here come the waterworks" and I'm kind of surprised when it doesn't happen.

Sleep:  About the same as last week.  Some nights I have a tough time getting comfortable.

Best moment this week: Spending a Sunday just Steve, Joey and I.  It was a nice relaxing day and all of us had fun.  

Gender: Still a mystery!

Belly button in or out: In

Food cravings:  Grapes and yogurt with frozen blueberries.  I wouldn't even call those cravings, although the grapes is something I don't normally really like.  I've been buying them every week at the grocery store and was slightly disappointed when they only had organic green grapes this past weekend.  I bought them anyways but they weren't as satisfying as the red or black grapes.

Movement: Baby has quiet and active days.  I actually noticed more movement last night than usual.  I remember just about every night Joey would be rocking and rolling in my stomach when I was reading in bed before turning the lights out.  This one doesn't seem to be as active at that time.

What I miss: Having more patience and ability to do more.  Joey had a rough day on Saturday which made me more impatient and frustrated with him.  He loves to be held while I'm trying to do something so he can see/help too.  But sometimes it's just too hard or I need a break and he does not like that.  He wouldn't nap without sleeping on my chest and although I love that, I needed to get some things done while he slept and needed a mental break.  So he got about a 20 minute nap (normally 1.5-2 hours) and cried in his crib for about 45 minutes.  Steve got home and I just burst into tears.  I felt better afterwards.

What I'm looking forward to: My appointment on Friday which is with one of my favorite midwives and I get to hear little one's heartbeat :)