38 week bumpdate

How far along: 38 weeks 2 days

How big is baby: My guess if I were to have him right now is 7 pounds

Weight gained: 24 pounds

Maternity clothes: Mostly. It depends on the clothes for non maternity. Right now I'm in fold over shorts and non maternity tank top and they fit fine. Yesterday I wore a non-maternity shirt while walking in the neighborhood with my mom and she told me I looked like a person of walmart because an inch of my belly was poking out. Whoops!

Stretch marks: Same, just the linea negra. Unless they are hidden and I can't see!

Miss anything?: Sleep. Not that I expect to sleep for the next several months anyway, but it would be nice if I could before I've even had the baby. My issue is that I'll wake up to pee and not be able to go back to sleep. Last night I woke up twice and then again at 330 and stayed up until 730. Thank goodness I don't have a 9 am showtime for work and I could sleep from 730-930.

Movement: He still favors the right side and and it feels like a contraction only on that side because it will get hard. If I am having a contraction I have to feel my whole belly since I just don't know anymore if it's him poking or a contraction. Weird. Although the last day or day and half the contractions are getting a tiny bit cramp which is giving me hope, so I can kind of tell. 

Cravings: I made freezer meals on Sunday and have been craving the lasagna ever since. I haven't had it though. Jaren, if you feel like making me a lasagna I won't argue..... Also, fruit, smoothies, kiwi and pineapple. Surprised?

Aversions:  Does laying on my back count as an aversion? Or going up stairs? Nothing really in terms of food unless my heartburn is bad.

Other symptoms: Heartburn is controlled unless I forgot my prilosec/pepcid combo in the morning. Which I did twice this week. My own fault but I felt miserable. I've had some sciatic pain in the back of my hips randomly but stretching seems to help. I've had mild cramping that I thought would lead somewhere, and yesterday I was having a few more noticeable contractions. At my appointment today I was dilated a "fingertip" so it's progress but not even 1 cm. Booooo.

Best moment this week: I really enjoyed making freezer meals on Sunday with my friend Jen who I teach with at the synagogue. It was so much more fun than doing it by myself! I went to the mall and met Jaren there yesterday for a bridesmaids dress from Nordstrom (for Caroline's wedding, eeeeeeeh) and we were at a store and Elsie saw me and ran to me squealing with open arms. It is one of my happiest moments because it took her so long to love anybody but her momma! Also, my friend Leslie who I ALWAYS love seeing was on this side of town and came and kept me company today during my monitoring appointment! It's always fun having company while I sit strapped to a chair lol.

Most looking forward to: We have dinner plans tonight at China Poblano and I'm sad I won't have their famous salt air margarita, but I am so excited for the mushroom tacos! Also, if it's not obvious enough, I am most looking forward to meeting our baby!

37 week bumpdate

How far along: 37 weeks 2 days

How big is baby: according to sites he is anywhere from 6 1/4 pounds to 6-9 pounds. I feel like he's probably right around 6-6.5 right now.

Weight gained: I haven't weighed myself the last few days and have somehow managed to not get weighed at the doctor this week at both appointments!!! Hehehe. But I have been starving this week and able to eat larger quantities than when I threw up a protein bar, so I am assuming I'm up around 23-24 pounds.

Maternity clothes: Yes and no. Jeans obviously. Some shirts are totally fine and some shirts are totally not fine. Today I wore a pair of short that weren't maternity because I AM SO HOT I had to change out of my pants. They were a little tight but honestly more on my legs than my tummy haha!

Stretch marks: Same linea negra. And my belly button is getting flatter. Still an innie but much "shallower".

Miss anything?: Being able to recline even slightly and not get out of breath!

Movement: Still has his feet in my right side and under ribs. According to the last two ultrasounds his head is really low, but his feet are still high. I'm just hiding him in there well! It's also getting a little hard to distinguish braxton hicks contractions with him moving around, for example if his bottom is pressed against me it feels super hard/tight. I have to feel the rest of my stomach to tell if it's just him moving or if it's a contraction (if it is a contraction my whole stomach is that hard).

Cravings: Fruit and smoothies. Fruit smoothies. I want tropical smoothie now. Yes I have a vitamix upstairs. But still.

Aversions:  Not that I would drink wine but my mom offered me a sip of her wine at dinner and the thought revolted me with the heartburn. Oh, and in the ultrasound today they confirmed he still has hair! I seriously think he is gonna be born with a mullet because at a few ultrasounds all the hair they've pointed out has been on top of his neck. Oy! I'll birth a teeny tiny redneck Jewish baby - Billy Bob Shmulik.

Other symptoms: I'm feeling pretty good this week honestly! I am more impatient/anxious to meet him, than miserably uncomfortable. Yes I am uncomfortable, but it's very expected at 9 months pregnant. At my appointment today they offered to do a check and I wasn't dilated at all but was 25% effaced. My cousin Bridget said that it has to start somewhere! True that.

Best moment this week: I got to have an Aggie-Elsie day today! Jaren's mom had surgery and she decided to take Clara to go home to Montana and be with her, so I got to bond with Els-smels all day while Roger was at work. It was SO MUCH FUN.

 I also got to hang out with Aunt Nancy's granddaughter Maddie. Maddie was supposed to be flower girls with Clara but her naughty brother Charlie decided to put his mommy on bedrest while he was still an "inside baby" and she couldn't make it. Maddie loved Lee, as opposed to Elsie who feared him.

 Yes little tiny Lee who is the most mellow dog in the world scared Elsie, but Maya, the most cloying dog in the world, was her favorite. So funny. Oh Smels. 

I think I will write a separate blogpost on this.

Most looking forward to: Having a baby. 

36 weeks

Darn it - wrote this yesterday (one day late) and forgot to post. Two days late, but whose counting?

How far along?: 36 weeks 3 days. One day late! Today's picture brought to you by the letter g, for gala. 

How big is baby: big enough to wake me up because I'm uncomfortable. Probably almost 6 pounds, and he's gaining like, half a pound a week or so!

Weight gained: back up to 20-21 pounds. 

Maternity clothes: same

Stretch marks: Same.

Miss anything?: Comfort and mobility.

Movement: Yes, and he pokes limbs into my right side below my ribs. So not fun. 

Cravings: Fruit - pineapple, clementines, mango, all of it. Smoothies too! And even though I have a vitamix and make smoothies, I've been craving tropical smoothie smoothies! I think it's just the thought that it's made for me.

Aversions:  Nothing strong this week. 

Other symptoms: Have I mentioned on the blog that I'm always hot? I somehow don't think I've mentioned that. Poor Charlie is freezing, and I am still so hot. He said I am never allowed to be pregnant in the summer. I probably will come home from the hospital and be like, oh my gosh how have we had it so cold in the house? But right now I am just so hot.

Also, my belly button is getting a little flatter. I hope it stays an innie in the next few weeks! The baby is definitely in a position that it's getting hard to bend forward and move around. Maybe tmi (but I don't really care) but it's hard to wipe when I pee! Hahaha! I mean I am doing it just fine (don't be concerned) but it's uncomfortable. Heartburn is still in full force. 

Since yesterday I've been having dull cramps. Actually yesterday I just woke up flat uncomfortable. Not pain per se, but sooooo uncomfortable and by last night the cramps were just yucky. I wanted a heating pad when we came home from the gala, but we didn't know where it was (turns out in my mom's house). I'm hoping this is a sign labor is coming soon!

Best moment this week: This week was so busy! I was just go-go-go! I had a lot to do around the house that I didn't really get to until the end of the week/weekend because I just had all these errands to do, and I couldn't even tell you what they are at this point. I got my sunglasses fixed (they snapped in half when we were in Boston, while IN THE CASE), we got a new tenant at the LR house and I went and organized it etc, I had some sewing to do, and I don't even know what else, but it was busy! We did get a lazy boy chair for the nursery that I love, and we'll be able to use it forever, not just for the nursery. So just a busy week, no real best moment.

And because in proud, some sewing pics:

I also made a moose shirt for baby Edward and forgot to snap a pic. :-(

Most looking forward to: I'm getting a prenatal massage this week, so definitely that. But I'm most looking forward to having this baby! I guess I really should pack my hospital bag....like today. 

And for fun - some pics from last night:

I hate the angle of that pic and just feel like I look fat instead of pregnant. But we get so few pics together due to camera shy Charlie. Here's one hiding the belly with my purse:

35 week bumpdate

How far along?: 35 weeks 2 days. Hello on time blog post, it's nice to see you again!

How big is baby: I was born at 35 weeks and I think I weighed just under 5 pounds. Or maybe just over 5 pounds? Two different baby apps have compared him to a honeydew melon and a coconut. Now I want melon. And pineapple. And clementines. But baby probably weighs 5 ish pounds, maybe just over. Weird!!!!

Weight gained: Ok hope this makes sense. I'm down to being up 18 pounds from being up 21. But my doctor doesn't seem concerned since I'm hydrated etc. Silly baby squishing my stomach and not letting me eat. 

Maternity clothes: I tried a non maternity shirt with some of my low cut pregnancy jeans and had to change because the bottom of my belly officially showed. The green shirt in the pic above isn't maternity but it's longer than normal I guess. 

Stretch marks: Same.

Miss anything?: Being able to move around more easily and not feeling like my arms/hands are heavy. Also really miss not getting short of breath and tightness in my chest/neck when I am even slightly reclined on my back. 

Movement: Yes, at my monitoring visit on Tuesday I had to be hooked up for a while because he was moving the entire first half hour and they couldn't get anything accurate. 

Cravings: Clementines. I could eat a dozen in a sitting. Also cupcakes. Hint hint Stacy Vaughn! 

Aversions:  Nothing strong this week. 

Other symptoms: I've been getting full fast still, but it's fine some days and comes back the next. I have had a couple more throwing up incidents but not many, just have no room in my stomach I guess! Trying to eat very small portions and often to reduce it. 

Earlier in the week I went for a loooooong walk with my friend and neighbor Tracey, and was exhausted and contracting after. Poor Charlie had to keep getting up to get me things because all I wanted to do was have my feet up. I did manage to still make dinner that night though :-) But holy moly it was like I had ran a marathon.

Lastly, I've had a couple nights of period like cramps, nothing severe at all, but it's getting me excited that things may be happening and he may come between 38-39 weeks unlike first time moms who go past their due dates. Wishful thinking right? I want him to cook long enough and that seems like a perfect amount of time to me!

Best moment this week: I got my sewing machine out and set up and made some bibs for baby Leah:

Lots more projects to come now that it's all set up again.

We also got the car seat base installed in my car and I learned how to use it. I am seriously obsessed with this car seat. Not only does it have the MOST advanced safety technology (air and gcell and all this fancy stuff) but it's so beautiful, and the fabric is so nice and high quality. I love how sleek it looks. At first I wanted the green color so it could be gender neutral but future girls will just have to use a blue one because I love this color. 

Thank you, Theodore, for modeling proper car seat safety. I've been able to trust you for over 20 years :-)

Most looking forward to: this weekend I'm hoping to finish getting the nursery put together (we need some shelves and a recliner). Also installing the video monitor and getting swings/bouncers set up in the house. My friend Dana told me I'm nesting. Yay!

34 week bumpdate

How far along?: 34 weeks 6 days. Okay I know I'm 35 weeks tomorrow, but considering I win to post these on Fridays and it's Tuesday, I'm not that late.....

This was the day I turned 34 weeks:

Pay attention kind friends. Avigail has an unmade bed in the above pic. Blasphemy. But really, my covers are heavy and I had no energy that day so I waited til Charlie was home to help me make it. But then he napped instead so I skipped a day of bed making. I'm still having anxiety over it. 

How big is baby: I asked if they could guesstimate his weight at my appointment on Friday and they did a very rough estimate of 5 pounds 11 ounces. I know it's inaccurate because they didn't take all his measurements (like arms etc) and I know his head was biggest. Also, the abdomen measurement they took they told me wasn't accurately straight across. I wasn't supposed to get a growth scan at all so I'm just glad they did that for me! His head only measured 1.5 weeks ahead instead of 3.5 like last time. I'm guessing last estimate was a low one, and this estimate was a high. It I had to guess, he's probably just under 5 pounds. 

Weight gained: I was up to about 21 pounds but I've been getting full so fast that I lost two pounds the last few days. First time in my life I didn't like seeing a lower number!!!! So yesterday and today I was at 19 pounds. 

Maternity clothes: same as last week. 

Stretch marks: Same as last week. 

Miss anything?: Making the bed easily.

Movement: Yes, and I've gotten this weird bulging several times on my right side, like I can push it back in. An actual foot or something sticks out. Sadly Charlie hasn't been quick enough, he always pulls the limb back in when Charlie puts his hand. I've also had a few times where I'll feel taps on both my sides at the same time. I feel like he's doing a jumping jack and hitting them both!

Cravings: Bland food (plane rice for example) and smoothies. I've also been really thirsty. 

Aversions:  Salty food. Stupid swelling affecting my tastebuds. 

Other symptoms: I've been getting full really fast. I'm trying not to confuse this weeks symptoms with last weeks! 

Best moment this week: I got to have lunch with my good friend Leslie and I did a wine and canvas (sans wine, boo), with Jill, our other friend Jill, and my mom. 

We very randomly decided to do a peacock theme in our powder room so this was perfect!

I also go to babysit this little future girlfriend of my son, and hang out with her momma when she came back. 

Sweetest picture ever because Dana didn't realize she was laying just like Leah!

Most looking forward to: We've been working on organizing the nursery and in super excited to keep going, and also pack our hospital bags. I typically abhor packing, but am excited for this. 

33 week bumpdate (whoops I wrote this on time and forgot to publish it!!!)

So I just saw this was in my drafts and never published!!!! Oh my gosh. The one week I was on time, I didn't actually post it. Well I came on here to write last weeks post but I guess I owed you two weeks ago's post as well! My bad my bad. 

How far along: 33 weeks

How big is baby: 4-4.5 pounds I'm guessing 

Weight gained: 20 pounds

Maternity clothes: Yes. And no, same as last week.

Stretch marks: just the linea negra still

Miss anything?: Energy, and a beer would be nice

Movement: Yup, still has his feet at my ribs. Thanks baby. 

Cravings: nothing in particular

Aversions:  Not that I can think of either. Boring week!

Other symptoms: I had pretty bad hand swelling a few days but I think from eating too much sodium. It's also getting hard to pull on my uggs. On a more serious note, at my monitoring appointment yesterday, that I am doing twice a week now, I was having contractions and ended up being at the office for 3 hours. They gave me a pill to stop them which worked. 

That's my belly twice a week now. Poor Eden had to arrive in Vegas and go to a three hour doctor appointment with me. As much as I know you wanna meet your nephew I hope you won't until yor next trip!

Best moment this week: Eden arrived yesterday and Jaren took her out while Charlie and I went to a birthing class. We went and joined them later and even though I couldn't have a drink with them it was amazing to spend time with two of my closest friends (and hubby) getting along so well. 

This just makes my heart happy.

Most looking forward to: Our shower/housewarming/welcome home Charlie trifecta party is in two days. 

32 week bumpdate

How far along: 32 weeks two days 

How big is baby: big enough to hurt my ribs! Probably almost 4 pounds

Weight gained: 18 pounds

Maternity clothes: Yes. I tried to wear a non maternity shirt today and it fit but it looked really weird

Stretch marks: Same, but I had a dream during a nap that I woke up and had AWFUL stretch marks. Like, dried scabby ones. And they showed up while I napped. In the dream. But then I actually woke up and was fine.

Miss anything?: Nope

Movement: Yes, and it's been hurting a bit this week! His feet are under my ribs on the right side, but I also had a bit of a stomach ache which made all his movements feel sensitive.

Cravings: Fruit - grapes and clementines. And still Thai food. 

Aversions:  Nope

Other symptoms: I've been hot and sometimes waking up sweating. I'm definitely peeing when I sneeze hard (it's happened twice now, UGH).  Also my hormones have totally taken over and out of nowhere I'll go from calm to like, raging mad and then I want to cry. I would say for no reason, but I create tiny insignificant reasons if that makes sense. But really no reason. Heartburn still loves me. It's not a reciprocated relationship. And going up the stairs has gotten HARD! I feel like I am just complaining but really it's nothing that bad or that I can't handle, just expected third trimester stuff.

Best moment this week: I got to have a girls night out with Jaren and see Mamma Mia. Also we had a 3d ultrasound that charlie could actually attend which was really nice but his hand was in his face the ENTIRE time (little stinker has kept his hand at his face this entire pregnancy). I get a redo because they couldn't get a face shot so fingers crossed!

Most looking forward to: Eden coming next Thursday!!!

31 week bumpdate

How far along: 31 weeks and 5 days - this picture was taken yesterday. 

And yes I am late again. Let's just assume that will happen for a while now. The move has been crazy and then I got a yucky cold. So yucky I cancelled my Disney trip (waaaaaa!!!).

How big is baby: Last Monday he was 3 and a quarter pounds, so maybe 3.5 pounds today? He measured in the normal range, but on the smaller side of things, which is totally fine. HOWEVER, at 30 weeks and 5 days his head measured 34 weeks. Instant delivery fear!

Weight gained: about 17-18 pounds.

Maternity clothes: Yes. The leggings I'm wearing in the pic above aren't maternity, but they are fold over. I wore pj bottoms that weren't maternity and they fit but weren't my most comfortable. Definitely can't do jeans. I can still do non maternity shirts as long as they aren't super short.

Stretch marks: No but I haven't really been seeing my stomach because the mirrors in our house were installed really high up - I had to stand on a step stool to get the pic above. I can only see from like, my rib cage or chest and up in our bathroom. We ordered a full length stand mirror for our bedroom that just arrived, but for some reason it's not the same as vein gin front of the mirror every time I brush my teeth and hair and put on face cream etc. We are trying to come up with a mirror solution though.

Miss anything?: Mirrors that go down to counter height? Lol. And beer - I would have loved a beer the other night. Charlie ordered a fat tire at dinner and I had a small sip. He wouldn't let me have a second sip though.

Movement: Yup! Mostly when I am sitting and laying down.

Cravings: Peanut butter. And just overall hungry.

Aversions:  Haven't really wanted coffee because of heartburn.

Other symptoms: I had a cold that crept up a few days before new years but I attributed it to dust in the house. Nope, definitely a cold, and so not fun when pregnant. I finally feel better today. Other symptoms are the same - pretty bad heartburn but a combination of prilosec and pepcid in the morning helps, and then tums if I need it later in the day. I haven't really been sore which is great, but I am definitely getting out of breath going up stairs, which is just weird to me! 

Best moment this week: We had a good doctors appointment and Charlie got to actually come to an ultrasound. They tried to go to 3d but his hand was over his face the whole time so we didn't see anything. We have a 3d ultrasound on Wednesday and I can't wait for Charlie to be there while it's happening instead of just seeing a couple pictures after. Also, we had our very first New Years together - he has been working or deployed every other year! One year he called me RIGHT at midnight and we saw each other at around 1 am, but this was our first midnight kiss/fireworks together new years :-)

Most looking forward to: The 3d ultrasound on Wednesday, and getting more settled with the move. Baby shower in 2 weeks and Eden comes to visit in a week and a half!!!! Eeeeeeh!

29 and 30 week bump dates

Um whoops I actually wrote this yesterday and forgot to publish it!

Yes, I skipped 29 weeks. But I have a good excuse. First, this happened:

And then we came home and moved 36 hours later. And we didn't have wifi for a couple of days. And blogging from my phone is just not fun. So I will account for the last two weeks.

How far along: 30 weeks and 2 days

And 29 weeks and 3 days (taken at the airport)

The weird thing is that this is 29 weeks 1 day (another airport selfie)

How big is baby: Probably about 3 pounds. We find out on Monday at my growth scan :-)

Weight gained: Last week it was 15 pounds and this week it's around 16. "Goal" is to keep it within 25, but really I am just eating when I'm hungry and if that means more it'll mean more.

Maternity clothes: Yup. I have been living in one pair of leggings and one pair of jeans since Monday. Both maternity. Love them both. I have more but I haven't found the boxes of my maternity clothes yet, lol!

Stretch marks: Not that I can see! Just that stupid linea negra.

Miss anything?: Sleeping through the night, and laying down without heartburn. But I don't even care because Charlie's home. The dogs have been with the dog sitter since Monday with the move so I miss them terribly.
A couple weeks ago Lee tried on the baby's coming home outfit:

Movement: Yup! Charlie got to feel it on our flight from Baltimore to Boston. I was super tired and slept on his lap (we had the row to ourselves) and he had his hand on my tummy the whole time.  He still moves to the right ALL the time. I love it. Last night I was eating grapes in bed and the bowl was on my belly smack in the middle. Look how lopsided it got when he moved!

Cravings: Nothing in particular. Just super hungry.

Aversions:  Anything I think may worsen my heartburn.

Other symptoms: Well I mentioned heartburn and waking up to pee. My ribs and back started kind of hurting, back is just a little uncomfortable, and the right part of my ribs go through phases, and it's just a little sore. The plane ride home from Boston was pretty awful. I was so uncomfortable the entire time, even though I got up several times to pee and walk around. Oh, I've also been peeing a lot, lol! Today we ran a bunch of errands and my feet are really sore. I am also starting to get a little tired from going up stairs etc. Also, I've sporadically been having restless leg at night and it's pretty yucky. I just can't relax because I feel like I have to shake my legs super fast. If I don't move them when this happens I feel sooooo tense.

Best moment this week: Well, for 29 weeks it was this one:

And this one:

And for 30 weeks it was moving into here:

This is actually from the backyard (or the golf course which it is on). The Maddox resident is on the right and the Eisenberg residence is on the left. Their's is actually a tiny bit bigger than ours even though it looks the opposite in the picture. And if we're saying best moment, this is probably a roller coaster of best and worst moments because I hate moving and being unsettled and I've definitely had some hissy fits about not being settled. Um, hormones? Sorry Charlie and family.

I found this and texted it to my mom: 

But then we woke up at 6 am to this out our floor to ceiling bedroom window and felt a bit better:

The view actually isn't even in that picture. I was taking it straight on, but if you turn to the left a tiny bit, it's the entire strip.

Most looking forward to: Being settled, getting the baby's room ready, and in a few months, joining Charlie in on one of these:

28 week bumpdate

How far along: 28 weeks 2 days. Officially 3rd trimester by all means of calculating! (there are slight discrepancies as to what weeks are which trimester).

How big is baby: Probably between 2-2.5 pounds! He is a little taller than a foot from heel to head, and he is gaining some cute baby fat now!

Weight gained: I'm out of town but I weighed myself before I left and it was right around 15 pounds.

Maternity clothes: The dress in the pic above is not maternity, and fit fine, but it's a stretchy material. There's no way I would fit into regular non maternity jeans. I wouldn't even want to try!

Stretch marks: Same - none yet, just that stupid linea negra.

Miss anything?: Were in the gas lamp district in san diego and some drinks would be awesome.

Movement: Yes! The last few days have been big movement days. My mom and I were watching something on my laptop yesterday, and I had the laptop rested on my belly while we were laying on our back. He was kicking and we could see the laptop move up and down about 5-6 times in a row. I also felt him a bit higher than I have before. Lastly, at one point he was kicking and I put my hand in the spot and put some pressure on it, and he tapped back. It was like he was saying "hey yup thats me mommy!"

Cravings: Nothing in particular. Just hungry a lot. I won't be hungry and out of nowhere I will be starving. Like, I need two tablespoons of peanut butter kind of hunger.

Aversions:  Not really, although I realized I haven't had beets in a while and I normally like them - I've picked them out of my salad lately if it comes with them and when we had them at big dinners I didn't take any.

Other symptoms: I must have had some bug or fever the last couple of days because yesterday during the conference I was SO HOT and could not cool down. We went to dinner with a bunch of people from Vegas and it was cold outside and I didn't even take a sweater because I was so hot. When I woke up today I was drenched in sweat so I must have had a fever that broke. I feel fine, kind of under the weather but not sick if that makes sense. Mostly tired. 

Also, we've been walking around for the conference and when I walk I will get braxton hicks, or this cramp on my right side. It's not very painful or anything, but I'm aware. I also have had to pee like, a million times. I will literally pee, go back to my session, and already have to pee again. I think it's gravity because when I am laying on my back that feeling subsides.

Best moment this week: For the first time a stranger recognized I was pregnant - I have popped! It really depends on what I am wearing, but for the most part people can FINALLY tell. I also had a great time at this conference and it was so powerful being with 5000 other URJ members for Shabbat this evening. Lastly, Charlie is officially on his "way home" aka, he is in a safer location in the middle east for about a week before a plane picks him up and brings him back. Shabbat Shalom indeed for him and our family.

Most looking forward to: Moving more stuff to the Ridges house, and starting to cook and bake things for Charlie's homecoming!

27 week (and 6 day) bumpdate

Last week (and this week) have been non stop. I feel so bad that I have fallen off the face of the earth for many of my friends. Hey guys, I neglected my once a week blogpost too. Recipes I promised to post? I promise it's not an empty promise :-)

I'll try to do this as much through last friday, and keep this week for Friday's 28 week post. Yes, 28 weeks - officially 3rd trimester by ALL standards.

How far along: 27 weeks and 6 days. And here are pics from earlier last week when I had just turned 27 weeks - one is holding my stomach tight (not sucking in) and one is completely sucking out. Regular is somewhere in between but I didn't get a pic. 

I feel like I popped over the weekend since then though!

How big is baby: At my appointment last Monday they didn't measure the baby but the doctor pointed on my belly where his feet where, and they were much higher up than i realized! probably halfway between the top of my ribs and my belly button. I am assuming he is about 2 pounds and something.

Weight gained: I didn't weigh myself last Friday. I was scared to. I weighed myself yesterday and it was about 13 pounds total, but I'm guessing by next week I'll be at 15.

Maternity clothes: Same. Can get away with most non maternity shirts but am just wearing the maternity shirts for fun.

Stretch marks: Still just the linea negra. I hope that fades eventually.

Miss anything?: Being able to sleep, and not having heartburn.

Movement: Yup, he still loves moving all the way to the right and I still absolutely love seeing my belly completely lopsided.

Kicks are still there but they aren't painful or that strong yet, just feel like movement and taps inside.

Cravings: Um, everything in sight? Lol! 

Aversions:  Nothing strong.

Other symptoms: I mentioned heartburn but ick, go away. Doctor said I could take tums, pepcid, and prilosec, and take all three if I need to. Also, just having bad sleep. Which I also mentioned. But I feel like complaining.

Best moment this week: Last Saturday was a good friend's son's bar mitzvah and I had an aliyah - I told the Rabbi on the bimah that it was the baby's first aliyah! He told me how good the baby's accent was :-) I also had a med student come with my doctor to my appointment on Monday and he was showing her things on the ultrasound (he just peeked, not an official check or anything). He asked if she knew what something was and she had no idea, and it was my aorta! He then said that "because I am so thin" you can see my aorta through ultrasound and it's not typical. Not sure if he says that to all his regular weight patients (he is high risk so who knows what his patient population is) but it made me feel great! Lol.

Most looking forward to: Charlie coming home, duh!

26 week bumpdate

How far along: 26 weeks 2 days

How big is baby: on Monday at my 3d ultrasound he was 1 pound 12 ounces. Getting close to 2 whole pounds!

Weight gained: 11 pounds. My belly is definitely different sizes at different points in the day. Not necessarily bigger at night, but just varies. It goes in and out.

Maternity clothes: Still getting away with non maternity shirts, but enjoying my new wardrobe :-)

Stretch marks: My linea negra has darkened a bit but is still from belly button down

Miss anything?: Nope, not this week!

Movement: Yup, about the same. Still waking up with him completely on the right side at time, and I love it. It feels so weird and it's my favorite because I'm so aware of him!

Cravings: Fruit. Last night I came home from the Smith Center (we saw Evita) and I seriously could have just sat there and eaten an entire can of mandarin oranges. 

Aversions:  Nothing in particular, but I am not loving the smell of all the deep fried goodness for Chanukah - the smell that lingers in the house. There's also a brisket in the oven right now and I know I will hate the smell in the morning. Last Chanukah is when I found out I was pregnant (when I miscarried) and I remember after I took the test I was like, "Ooooh, that's why I smell the oil from several rooms away several days later".

Other symptoms: Heartburn still. Yesterday (Thanksgiving) my stomach just felt weird. Just like, lots of pressure and uncomfortable, but it passed today. We went for a walk and I had to slow down. Lee felt bad for me and decided to give up as well:

Best moment this week: A few really good ones! First of all, I got to see this face at my 3d ultrasound on Monday!

My mom got teary eyed and said he looks just like me. Charlie's sister and mom said he looks just like Charlie - what do you think? Haha!

Also, we had an AMAZING Thanksgiving yesterday. My dad was working so we went to the country club with the Rabes and had the nicest time and such good food. I'll post about it (do you guys still believe me when I say I'll post about things? At least I'm sticking to these weekly updates!)

Most looking forward to: We got an official date Charlie should be leaving Afghanistan. Nothing is set in stone and sometimes they get delayed for a while. But still, it SHOULD BE less than a month away!