Bumpdate: 30 Weeks

How far along: 30 weeks/seven months.  So close to meeting our baby girl!

How big is baby: About 3 pounds.  Almost the size of a head of cabbage.

Weight gain: Still doing okay I guess.  Haven't weighed myself in a week or so, but I know I am getting bigger because the other day the secretary at my school told me I am looking "Cuter and cuter" and my mother in law said that I am "really blossoming".  I do appreciate people trying to think of nice ways to say "You are getting to be freakin' huge, when is that baby coming again?".  

 Sleeping: I had one morning when I woke up at 3:30 am and couldn't go back to sleep, so I just started doing school work.  Other than that, aside from several bathroom trips a night, sleep has been going okay.

Food cravings: Icecream!!!!

Food aversions: Still potato salad. Ugh.

Other symptoms: The usuals--  mood swings, crying, waddling.    I also just feel a lot larger and it has been taking it's toll on my lower back.  I beg Ryan every night for a massage.

Miss Anything? Being able to bend over.  When I drop something, if no one is around it just stays there.

Doctor’s appointment: Tomorrow!  I am hoping they will give me a birthday for this little girl.

Wedding Rings: Off.  I am scared to put them on now.  

Clothes: My mom bought me a great pair of maternity khakis.  I think I will be wearing them at least once a week.  

Movement: Lots! The other night was the first time all of her movement kept me from going to sleep.  That is one thing I remember so vividly from when I was pregnant with Isaac-- being woken up at night from being kicked and prodded.

Best moment of the week: Not a personal best moment, but Isaac had two parties this weekend.  I have really been worried for him socially, so it has been nice for him to have some extra opportunities to some play time with friends.  I also got a little bit of Christmas shopping done with my friend Jami while he was at Saturday's party, which is good too.  I want to square away gifts for Isaac's teachers, my coworkers, day care workers, etc early this year, since things will be extra crazy around the holiday with me getting ready to go on leave. 

What I’m looking forward to: My birthday!

What I did / Got for baby:   Ryan picked up our travel system that my Aunt Kathy and Uncle Darsono sent out for us.  We were so excited and grateful!  We haven't set it up yet.  I also organized all the baby clothes we have.  Lots of 6-12 months, so I am excited to look for a few more newborn and 3 month outfits to round out baby H's wardrobe. 

updates

So what if I am typing this while I eat a huge bowl of icecream?  And so what if I benevolently told Ryan I didn't need ice cream when we were grocery shopping and then he gave me a get real sort of look and said "We may as well get it while we are here at the grocery store and you can get two half gallons for five bucks, rather than having me stop at Wawa and get a pint for five bucks."  True.  So I had to buy two half gallons.  It just made economic sense.  *Wink*

Isaac has developed a ridiculous fear of spiders, which is a shame, because this time of year they full on invade the first floor of my house.  It can be a tiny little spider the size of an eraser head and it sends him into a full on panic until I squish it.  I was giving him a bit of a hard time about it today when he turned to me and said, "Mom, it's just that I am scared of spiders, like you are scared of parallel parking." I had to laugh about that.

So, we have been loving the fall TV line up.  Isaac loves The Voice, so I have been watching that with him.I am becoming a fan of CeeLo Green, oddly.  And of course, The Biggest Loser is on now. I am loving The Mindy Project and Super Fun Night.  Both shows feature quirky single girl heroines who remind me a lot of myself.  I highly recommend both of them if you are looking for a lighthearted comedy.

My Aunt Kathy called me today to let me know she and my uncle had bought us the travel system we wanted and we just had to go to our local Babies R Us to pick it up.  What a fun phone call!  We are so grateful and excited to go and pick it up.  It is a big check mark on the Important Things Left to Buy for Baby.

Happy Wednesday!

Bumpdate: 29 weeks

Self timer app in the classroom after work, just so I can include a photo with today's post.

How far along: 29 weeks/seven months.  So close to meeting our baby girl!

How big is baby: 2 1/2 pounds and 15 inches long from head to heel - about the size of a butternut squash.

Weight gain: Still doing okay I guess.  Haven't weighed myself in a week or so.

 Sleeping: I keep having terrible leg cramps.  Ryan started off rubbing them and walking around with me and by the third night in a row he stayed laying down and said "I am supporting you from over here in the bed." I can't say I really blame him.

Food cravings: Icecream!!!!

Food aversions: Still potato salad. Ugh.

Other symptoms: The usuals-- leg cramps, mood swings, crying, waddling.    I also just feel a lot larger and it has been taking it's toll on my lower back.

Miss Anything? The energy level of the second trimester! I've been dragging!

Doctor’s appointment: None this week or last week.

Wedding Rings: Off.  I am scared to put them on now.  

Clothes: I don't have that many maternity pieces (money is tight and it is just hard to justify).   I am already tired of the same old same old, but I'm making it work.   I would rather buy stuff for baby or for Isaac than more stuff for me.

Movement: Lots! Especially at night and way down low where her head *should* be.  

Best moment of the week: I met up with two of my girlfriends Saturday and had a nice day of lunch and windowshopping.  Her baby is six months and is ADORABLE.

What I’m looking forward to: Thanksgiving break...

What I did / Got for baby:   Another pack of newborn diapers from a friend whose baby had outgrown them.  We should be totally set for newborn size disposable diapers.  I also got a few onesies and a Bumbo for free at the church swap.  Free is my favorite!!  And I can finally say that the front room is done being painted, although we are waiting to steam clean the carpets before we load all the furniture back in (hopefully Wednesday).  

Life Update

That was what things came to this week.  I have been SLAMMED with work, and can't seem to get my head above water to get caught up.  My work laptop has been on the fritz, so I couldn't work from home.  My mother so sweetly agreed to drive in and watch Isaac so I could work late.  Thank goodness for moms.

Things have been good around here but so busy.  Ryan and I surprised Isaac with tickets to a WWE event in Philadelphia.  Isaac is obsessed with professional wrestling.  I have tried and tried to squash his interest in it, to no avail, so I finally figured, if I can't beat him, join him.  I tried to convince Ryan to just take him, but Ryan insisted on making it a family event, since we don't get very many evenings together.

Ryan got us box seats, so we had our own bathroom, which I enjoyed.  Isaac was proud to bring his wallet with his allowance and bought himself a t-shirt from a random parking lot guy (Ryan helped him haggle the price down to 10 bucks).  He has changed into that shirt every day after school since. 

Ryan wanted to document that I actually came.  I tried to be somewhat open minded, but I was unimpressed.  Professional wrestling is not for me.

He was excited to see one of his favorite wrestlers, C.M. Punk.  I think he really enjoyed himself and I loved that I was finally able to scrape together enough money this time to take him, even though Ryan and I probably won't be able to afford a date night or anything fun until November. 

In other family news, we also spent quite a bit of last weekend at a soccer tournament.  Due to rainy weather earlier in the week, what was supposed to be a two day tournament got smooshed into one super long day.  The weather was chilly and overcast and I was reduced to tears because I had no choice but to use a portapotty.  Isaac played really well though and kept his team alive in the tournament when he got close lined earning his team a penalty shot and he was able to follow up with a goal of his own.  I honestly love to watch him play.

We also finally found time to cross something major off of our to-do list-- taking my mother's tour.  She gives tours of historic downtown Lancaster and she is one of their most popular tour guides. 

 

I was actually surprised by how much I enjoyed the tour and how much we learned.  Although it needs to be noted that my mom sets a brisk pace.  Ryan and I were chasing after my mom up a stairwell in the convention center when he turned to me and said that we should have signed up for the tour for asthmatics and pregnant people.  When we were done the tour, we met up with my Dad and Isaac to take a ride on the Strasburg Railroad, another Lancaster "to do".  

It was a really lovely day to spend in Lancaster with my folks.  So life continues to be insanely hectic around here with Ryan working long hours, my heavy workload and being basically exhausted by the time I get home from work, and a variety of family commitments (soccer, scouts, soccer, soccer).  But things are also going well.  Only a few more months until we meet our little girl! 

Bumpdate: 28 Weeks

How far along: 27weeks!  Third trimester is officially here.

How big is baby: Fruit and veggie scale says baby is about the size of an eggplant.

Weight gain: I weigh six pounds more than I did before I got pregnant.  I think I actually lost weight in the first trimester because all food was repulsive to me.  I am happy with that weight though and so is my doctor.

 Sleeping: Hit or miss.  I have found myself up in the middle of the night with my mind racing.  Also it is getting harder and harder to roll over.  I wish I could rest easier because I am soo exhausted at the end of the day now.

Food cravings: Sweets.  As always.

Food aversions: Nothing really. 
 
Other symptoms: Lower back pain.  Especially at the end of the day or when I have been sitting or standing for a long time.  I am cranky and moody as all get out.  I seriously hate everyone besides my mother.  The lady at soccer who decided to stand in front of my chair for half the game today was the latest victim of my wrath.

Miss Anything?  Feeling emotionally stable.  I'm either plotting your death, or bursting into tears.

Doctor’s appointment: I had one earlier in the week.  Heartbeat is good.  My blood pressure is good (100/70).  That was the first appointment where they used the little tape measure on me and it came out right at 28 weeks.  I also found out I passed my glucola test.  Yay!

Wedding Rings: Off.  Two womps.  They were getting harder to take off and I was getting freaked out. 

Clothes: My mom got me two new pairs of maternity pants which I am so excited about!  

Movement: Baby is still moving and grooving.  I am starting to feel hard little lumps where she is sticking body parts out.  
 

Best moment of the week: Ryan had the whole weekend off and we had some nice family time.

Have a great day!

Random Thursday: Inspiring Art Edition

Wahoo! It's

I love me a random Thursday. Friday is just around the corner!

Today's topic is

I have blogged about this in the past, but I have always loved the painting Two Fridas by Frida Kahlo. It is hung up in my living room (even though it terrified Isaac when it was younger and Ryan keeps trying to make it go away).

There was a Frida Kahlo exhibit at the Philadelphia Art Museum. I was really moved by the story behind this and how it represents Frida's loneliness. It was the only time a piece of artwork has brought me to tears.

I am lucky enough to live in the suburbs of Philadelphia, the city with the most murals in the whole world! They are used to beautify empty lots and to combat graffiti. I love that you can just round a corner in a semi-sketchy neighborhood and then be surprised by a beautiful work of art on the side of an abandoned building. Many honor Philadelphia natives and are painted by everyday people or school children who work with the mural arts program. If you are ever in Philadelphia, there are a few different mural tours you can take. My sister and I did a walking one that was exhausting but really informative. Here are a few murals.

Hang in there! Friday is coming!!

Random Thursday

Hey there,

It's time for another

Today's topic is

I love me an unscheduled rainy Saturday. Bonus points if Isaac is at his dad's and Ryan is working.

1. A marathon of a TV on demand, on the DVR or from Netflix. There is something so satisfying about devouring a season of a great show in an weekend.

2. A giant mug of hot chocolate or hot tea.

3. Calling and having a long chat with an old friend (or sister who lives across the world).

4. Bake something yummy. Try out a decadent pinterest recipe.

I have a nice weekend ahead of me of soccer, soccer and more soccer. I say it like I'm grumbling but I actually enjoy it. Ryan works all weekend but my mom is coming in Saturday to do a little shopping before Isaac's game, so that should be quite fun. I'm also trying to get a repair guy out to the house since both the washer AND the dryer decided to crap out on us during the past week. Praying it is an easy fix and we don't need to buy two huge new appliances we can't afford. In the mean time, we have been getting buy sending laundry back and forth with my mom, but that can't go on forever.

Happy Friday!

Bumpdate: 26 weeks

How far along: 26 weeks!  On the one hand it feels so close to the end, but on the other hand, January feels so far away!

How big is baby: Fruit and veggie scale says baby is about the size of a head of lettuce.

Weight gain: Not too sure.  I feel like I am starting to get more swollen.  And the bump is definitely getting bigger.

 Sleeping: Hit or miss.  I have been trying to wiggle my toes and roll my ankles a lot before bed.  I don't know if it is a coincidence or not but since I have started that my Charliehorse cramps have gotten better.  I feel like I am always exhausted.  

Food cravings: Sweets.  Isaac asked for cinnamon rolls and Sunday I finally humored him and made them.  They were soo good.

Food aversions: Nothing really.
 
Other symptoms: My back is starting to sort of lock up when I sit or stand or lay in a position for too long.  It's not painful but it is uncomfortable and makes walking or changing position hard.  I am also starting to waddle a bit which I feel like it's too early for waddling...

Miss Anything?  Being upset about something and having people take you seriously, instead of just writing you off as the emotional pregnant person.

I mean, the moods swings and weepiness have been really, really intense.  Like, sometimes I feel like bursting into tears for really no reason.  And sometimes something totally insignificant makes me feel homicidal.  I don't remember the emotional side effects being so intense when I was pregnant with Isaac.  But sometimes (especially at work) I feel like I have a right to be upset about things and I am just being dismissed as hormonal. 

Doctor’s appointment: not this week.

Wedding Rings: Still on! But last night it was a little bit of a struggle to get them off.

Clothes: I felt cute today in my sweater dress that my mom picked up for me.  It could have probably used a belt or cardigan but the weather has been very schizo and today felt more like summer, so, no jacket.  I did finally find a pair of greyish blueish work pants for 15 dollars at Motherhood Maternity which was exciting.  They need to be hemmed about four inches but then they should be good to go.  In the meantime, I just keep hoping I will open my closet and somehow discover some previously overlooked inspiration to rework the same old tops and bottoms.  So far, that hasn't happened.

Movement: Baby has been moving a lot.  Not yet to the point of waking me up at night or anything but you can definitely see my stomach shaking and wiggling while she is getting down in there.
 

Best moment of the week: Lots of good ones.  We had a fun night out with my mom and dad this past week.  The school board officially approved my maternity leave request.  Isaac cracks me  up on a regular basis.  Saturday was a relatively unscheduled day which was long overdue.  Life is good at 26 weeks!

Happy Tuesday!