39

I can't believe I'm 39 weeks pregnant today! Only one week from my due date, and it could be any time now. I'm really hoping I don't go to 41 or 42 weeks, but I'm mentally prepared that it could definitely happen. I have my OB appointment tomorrow morning, and I'm anxious to see if I've made any more progress. Weeks 36 and 37 I was dilated 0.5 cm and 50% effaced, and at 38 weeks 1 cm and 50% effaced. With all the pressure I've been feeling the past few days, I'm hoping for at least another centimeter and a little more effacement!

Baby's size: about 7 pounds and 20 inches, or about the size of a mini watermelon.
Cravings: Veggies, sweets, milk, cereal. Pretty much the same for quite a while now, but I'm also eating more fruits again the past few weeks.
Maternity clothes: Still a mix of my regular clothes and maternity clothes. I did finally get a big hole in my maternity jeans on Saturday. I noticed a small spot that was worn pretty thin, and it happened. :( I was hoping to make it with that one pair to the end, and possibly have them for the next time, but oh well. I guess lesson learned that I should have a couple pair to rotate.
Movement: lots of movement, but way less room! Baby really likes to kick into my ribs on my right side, which I don't love, but I do love seeing my whole belly move, or feeling the outline of a limb that pushing out. Totally weird, but so cool!
Best moment this week: Well, it's been another 5 weeks, so I have a few things again. ;) Mark booked a pregnancy massage for me a few weeks ago and it was heavenly! Then, this past week, he let me get a pedicure. It felt so good having those moments of pampering as I get more achy and uncomfortable. He has also given me some foot/shoulder rubs on his own accord, which make me feel loved and spoiled. We also got a glider and book shelf for the nursery, so everything is set up. I love just looking into the room, and can't wait to sit in there and rock our baby!
What I miss: bending over easily and being able to get in and out of bed easily. Had this one down from last time, and it's even more difficult now. Putting my socks and shoes on is quite the feat these days!
What I am looking forward to: enjoying these last few days and/or weeks as a family of two, but also so looking forward to finally meeting our sweet babe and finding out if it's a he or a she!

34

Well, I let this go a little longer than I wanted to. I can hardly believe I'm halfway through week 34, and that this baby will be here before we know it!

I thoroughly enjoyed our Christmas vacation in Ohio with my side of the family. The bonus was that my mom planned my baby shower for the weekend after Christmas, so we got to see Mark's parents and some other family on his side as well. I feel like we were so spoiled! This was baby shower number two, so I got pretty much everything we'll need starting out. We have been incredibly blessed!

Baby's size: about 4 3/4 pounds, or the size of a cantaloupe, and about 18 inches long
Cravings: Veggies, sweets, milk, cereal
Maternity clothes: a mix of my regular clothes and maternity clothes. Some of my shirts are definitely too short now. I also scored a pretty maternity coat that gives me enough room to grow, and I will still be able to button it. ;)
Movement: lots of movement still, which is reassuring. I feel like baby is extra squirmy in the evenings when I start winding down.
Best moment this week: Well, we'll say over the past 6 weeks, since I haven't updated. Getting to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas in Ohio (although Thanksgiving wasn't planned), having two baby showers to celebrate this little one, and a great 34 week appointment! :)
What I miss: bending over easily and being able to get in and out of bed easily.
What I am looking forward to: getting everything put away in the nursery now that I got everything washed and folded. It's gettin' real up in here!

28

We've made it to the third trimester! My appointment with the doctor went well. I've gained 16 pounds so far and am measuring 29 cm which is good. Baby's heartbeat was 142 which has been pretty consistent each visit.

Baby's size: about 2 1/4 pounds, or the size of a large eggplant, and about 13.6-14.8 inches long
Cravings: Salads, sweets, milk
Maternity clothes: same as before, but noticing certain shirts are getting a little shorter in the front haha.
Movement: lots of movement throughout the day, which I love! I love when Mark can feel the baby too. :)
Best moment this week: Having another good appointment, and reading this. I pray I keep this perspective throughout marriage and parenting, and model/teach my children the importance of this type of love.
What I miss: bending over easily lol
What I am looking forward to: hopefully not getting backaches so frequently once this kid is on the outside! ;)

end of the second...

trimester, that is. Can't believe I'm 27 weeks already. Pregnancy is a strange thing in that it goes so slowly and so quickly at the same time. Feels like I've been pregnant forever, but how am so close to having this kid already?!

So, just a few things...

Baby's size: 13.5-14.5 inches or 1.5-2.5 pounds. The comparison was to a rutabaga...which is a type of turnip. I wish I knew how they came up with these things. ;)
Cravings: vegetables and sweets (mostly chocolate)
Maternity clothes: I did break down and buy maternity jeans shortly after my 20 week post. It was the best idea ever. Jeans with a stretchy belly band and no buttons are a win! Otherwise I am able to wear regular shirts if they are long enough, although I do have a few maternity shirts.
Movement: Lots! It really started a couple weeks ago that I was able to feel some movement from the outside, and it's happening more often. It's a weird but amazing feeling!
Best moment this week: Well since I haven't updated for seven weeks, there is more than one. Hearing my doctor say that the ultrasound looked good. When Mark got to feel the baby kick while we were on vacation in Boston. Vacation in Boston! Eating yummy mussels and lobster roll. The morning last week that the baby was moving like crazy for a few hours (I think I ate a turnover for breakfast lol). Finally finishing the paint in the nursery! I'm sure there are more, but that's all I can remember at the moment.
What I miss: Sushi. I've had sushi, but obviously eat the stuff that has cooked seafood. I miss being able to eat whatever kinds I want. It's not a big deal, but that's something I get really hungry for every few weeks.
I also miss bending over easily...and it's only going to get worse!
What I am looking forward to: being in the third trimester next week! Can't believe we are already so close to the end! I also have my 28 week appointment which is always exciting. I feel like they are "milestone markers" in a way.

half

It's official...I've hit the halfway mark! I am 20 weeks today and can hardly believe that this baby is half cooked!

Some things about week 20:

Baby's size: 6.5 inches (10 inches from head to heel), or the size of a banana

Cravings: It's more like, "wow, I can eat almost anything again!" So happy that I have a lot more variety in my diet now. 

Maternity clothes: not yet, but I may have to break down and buy some maternity jeans soon.

Movement: flutters/rolling-type feelings more often. The ultrasound tech said that it may be taking longer to feel more since the placenta is anterior (sitting at the front of my belly) and baby has more to push through. 

Best moment this week: the "big" ultrasound! Even though we didn't find out the sex, it was amazing to see all the limbs, organs, heartbeat, and movement now that baby has grown even more. There was even some thumb sucking going on.

What I miss: Being able to button my jeans. And not having to get up during the night to pee.

What I am looking forward to: my 20 week appointment on Tuesday so I can hear from my OB about the official reading of the ultrasound. Also, getting the nursery done...gotta get on that! 

week 19

I'm almost at the halfway mark, which seems crazy! 

Here's the rundown:

Baby's size: about 6 inches long, or the size of a mango
Cravings: the same as before. Not "cravings" so much as things that I don't have an aversion to.
Maternity clothes: not yet, but I am drawn to anything stretchy/comfy! I'm still able to wear my regular jeans, but have been using an elastic hair tie at the button. Otherwise, it's digging into my stomach when I sit, and the waist feels a little too snug.
Movement: still nothing consistent, but little flutters here and there, and sometimes I'll feel a bit of pressure against an area of my stomach where the baby must be pressing into.
Best moment this week: actually being pretty sure I felt the baby move, and also for a couple of really good days this weekend that I felt really well and could eat more!
What I miss: Enjoying a large variety of foods.
What I am looking forward to: Our ultrasound at the end of the week! I can't wait to see our baby again now that he or she is bigger. 

On pregnancy

I am so incredibly grateful that we have been blessed with this baby growing inside of me. It's still so hard to wrap my head around the fact that something so miraculous is happening within my body.

I still worry (what mom doesn't), but I know it's not up to me.
It was a daily battle for me even before this pregnancy. Would I be able to get pregnant again? Would it take a long time? Would I be someone who has multiple miscarriages like others I had read about? All of these normal thoughts, I think, but I had to learn to not let them consume me.
Only God knows what will happen with this little one from the time he or she came into existence, and only He knows his or her future.

I am grateful for the now. I am grateful for every doctor appointment that lets us know things are okay at this moment. I am grateful for my slowly growing belly that tells me this little one is also growing.

With all that being said; do I love pregnancy? If I am completely honest, the answer is 'no.' Do I love that I'm pregnant? Yes. It's a strange thing, but it's true. I think because I still feel sick a lot is to blame, but I do love that I'm pregnant and that God has given us this amazing blessing.

Week: 17
Baby's size: about 5 inches, or the size of an onion or turnip
Cravings: Fruit, anything sour/tart (green olives, dill pickles, etc.), tomatoes with salt
Maternity Clothes: Not yet, but my jeans are getting a little tighter on my belly.
Movement: Nothing positive yet. I've felt a few quivers that could be, but still too early to tell for sure.
Best moment this week? Hearing baby's heartbeat at my 16 week appointment!
What I miss: Feeling good, energy
What I am looking forward to: Getting the nursery ready :)