Cleared for Take Off

I had my 29 week check up today and my doctor cleared me to fly to California this Friday! Even though I still have a ways to go in my pregnancy, I was still a little nervous since I am in my third trimester. However, now I can just concentrate on how much fun it is going to be! It is just my mom and I that are going - and we are going for two very fun reasons: (1) go to one of my best friends bridal shower and (2) have a baby shower for me. I cant wait! It is going to be so much fun to see all of our friends. I will definitely be sharing some pics when I get back :).

p.s. I had to do my Glucose test today at my check up (which checks for gestational diabetes). Let me tell you - not fun. First, they take your blood (which I am not a big fan of anyway). Then, you have to drink this nasty sugar drink and wait an hour. Finally I have to go back and give blood again. I find out the results within the next couple of days. I understand why the test is done and I'm glad to know - but really, its disgusting.

Oh, and here is a 29 week preggo pic:

28 Weeks

How Far Along: 28 Weeks - I cant believe I am now in my 3rd trimester!

Size of baby: Chinese cabbage (weighs 2 1/4 pounds and measures 14.8 inches from the top of the head to the heels)

Maternity Clothes: most definitely. My belly button has also started to pop a little and in some outfits you can see it. Its so weird. I keep wondering if it will pop all the way out. Jason says that's when we will know when he is done :)

Gender: Boy!

Movement: I feel him all the time but for some reason he moves the most when I am at work and once I get home from work. I don't feel him too much in the morning. Maybe he is not a morning person like his momma?! I can only hope!

Sleep: Still getting up a couple times a night but other than that, I sleep pretty good.

What I miss: I went to a tapas wine bar last Saturday night with a girlfriend and I didn't realize how many items off the menu I could not eat! Obviously, I knew I wouldn't be drinking wine but most all of the items had soft cheeses in them. All my favs, goat cheese, blue cheese, gorgonzola cheese, brie, etc. I guess it was not very smart on my part to suggest the place but I wound up finding a few items on the menu I could order. Needless to say, I am ready for my soft cheeses once my little guy arrives!
Cravings: I still crave fruit and sweets. For some reason, lately I have been obsessed with this strawberry liquorice that I found at Target. They are so soft and yummy! Would definitely recommend. 

Aversions: None

Symptoms: Frequent bathroom breaks, still breaking out, swelling of my hands and feet and my back has really been killing me lately. It usually doesn't really start hurting until the end of the day though. I have been trying to stretch more because I have heard that helps but sometimes I forget.
Best Moment this week: Last Saturday, a total stranger at the Lowe's check out lane asked me when I was due! That is the first time a stranger has asked me that. I feel like my belly is huge but I'm just glad that other people can now start to realize that I am actually pregnant and not one who has just ate too many doughnuts :).

Updated Artwork

I decided to order additional artwork because I wasn't loving the flow of the way it looked on the wall. Here is what I ordered (they are all from an awesome shop on Etsy called trafalgarssquare. I just think they are so simplistic and cute):

And here is what the changing station/dresser looks like ... for now:

I also got a new book shelf to put in the corner of the room. So far, I only have a few books on the bottom shelf but I cant wait to start filling it with more! :).

26 Weeks

How Far Along: 26 Weeks (and a couple days)

Size of baby:  English hothouse cucumber -where do they come up with this stuff? (14 inches and about 1 2/3 pounds)
Maternity Clothes: most definitely 
Gender: Boy!

Movement: I still feel him all the time - but it isn't always like clockwork. I read in my What to Expect When Expecting book that you really don't need to worry about the consistency of the kicks until after 28 weeks (the third trimester). So, I am not too worried about his inconsistency ... yet.
Sleep: Still getting up a couple times a night but other than that, I sleep pretty good.

What I miss: Nothing really.
Cravings: I made Ghiradelli dark chocolate brownies for a 4th of July party last weekend and LOVED them. However, I think I had a couple too many because my stomach didn't feel too hot the next day. It also probably didn't help that there was mostly snack foods at the party and I never ate an actual meal. Regardless, it seems my body craves healthier foods when I am pregnant because I ate a salad for lunch the next day and a balanced dinner and felt fine. I think my little guy just prefers the healthier stuff :)

Aversions: None

Symptoms: Frequent bathroom breaks, still breaking out, sore back, and lately I have noticed some swelling in my hands and feet. It probably doesn't help that the weather has been over 100 degrees the last few weeks but I stopped wearing my wedding ring and band because a couple times after work I had trouble taking them off. So I went out a bought a costume wedding band and ring and have been wearing them instead, and let me tell you, I am digging the bigger bling! Jason said he would gladly sell my real ring so we could use the money and I could just use the $20 ring but I told him I was kidding and I would way rather have my real ring ... but I am definitely not minding the fake upgrade in size for now because I don't think anyone can really tell :).

Best Moment this week: I bought a Groupon for a prenatal massage last February (knowing that I will probably want to use it when I get further along) and I wound up using it on the 4th of July because I had the day off. It was AMAZING! I would recommend a prenatal massage to all pregnant women. My back has been so achy lately and it really helped relieve some stress. Then afterwards, I went shopping with my mom. So, I had a very relaxing and fun day off ... which is what I have been needing.

The Mobile

So, I have been trying to be crafty with a lot of things in the nursery because I havent been loving the options in the stores but, so far, I am most proud of how our mobile turned out! I found an example of one I liked on Etsy and then tried to mimic it.

Here is what I found on Etsy:

And here is what I made (I know its not quite as good as the Etsy one but I am still happy with the results):

To make it, I used the following:
- Two small square cardboard box lids (Found around the house) 
- Blue ribbon ($2 at Michaels)
- Fishing line (Found around the house. Thanks, honey!)
- Needle (Found around the house)
- Cardstock paper ($3 from Michaels)
- Circle cutter ($10 from Michaels but I could use it for future projects, scrapbooking, etc.)

First, I cut the middle out of the cardboard lids and wrapped the lids in blue ribbon. One lid is for the first tier, and the other is for the second tier. I know you cant see the second tier very well in my pics but I think it helps with dimesion ... and when our baby is lying on his changing table looking up.

I started with the first tier and strung three separate fishing lines on each side of the cardboard lid. Then, I took a needle and tied it to the end of the fishing line. Once I had all my different colors and sizes cut with my circle cutter, I started sewing the needle through the circles and then tied off the end.

Once both tiers had all of the circles attached, I took more fishing line and tied the two together about 6" apart. Lastly, I used more fishing line to hang the mobile from the ceiling and VOILA! A brand new mobile for less than $15!

Just a Check Up

I went to the doctors today to have my regular check up (I am at 25 weeks). I have been going every 4 weeks since we found out we were pregnant. However, once I get closer to my due date (around 33 weeks), I will go every week. The doctor said everything is normal. His heartbeat is at 148 and apparently he is facing down. I dont really understand how the doctor can tell just by feeling around ... but I guess that is why she is the expert :).

I have gained 4 pounds since my last appointment, so I am on track with gaining just about a pound a week. My total weight gain is 13 pounds (I have gained most of my weight in the second trimester - which my doctor said is normal as well).

I just noticed I have been typing the word "normal" a lot in this post but I LOVE normal during pregnancy! I have been so nervous about our little guy that I love hearing my doctor say we going at an average rate. Lets just hope that everything keeps progressing normally!

Here is a pic of my 25 week belly:

24 Weeks

How Far Along: 24 Weeks

Size of baby:  Ear of corn (almost 12 inches and a little over a pound)
Maternity Clothes: I wear mostly skirts with elastic waists, stretchy pants or my maternity shorts. I wear maternity tops but I also bought some regular long tank tops from Old Navy and love them! Especially for my walks because my old work out tops were riding up all the time - and I don't want to stretch out my regular clothes either.
Gender: Boy!

Movement: Oh, I definitely feel movement now! I was so unsure for a while but a couple of days after my 22 week post I was at the lake with my friends and I woke up to my little guy kicking me. I was so stunned that I put my hand on my stomach to double check ... and sure enough, he kicked again! It was one of the best feelings. I now feel him all the time. I smile every time it happens. It seems he likes to kick really early in the morning (which sometimes wakes me up), in the middle of the day when I am at work, and always at night when I am trying to fall asleep. I love my little kicker!

Sleep: Still getting up a couple times a night but other than that, I sleep pretty good.
What I miss: Nothing really.
Cravings: I made oatmeal cookies last weekend for Father's Day and have LOVED eating them as a treat each night. Also, watermelon is my new favorite fruit. They are so delicious right now!

Aversions: None

Symptoms: Frequent bathroom breaks, still breaking out, and lately my stomach has been itching a lot and I've heard it is because you skin is stretching. However, I have been putting on this lotion called "Oh Baby! Belly Butter" by Mambino Organics and it seems to be helping. Plus, it is also supposed to help with preventing stretch marks but who knows.

Best Moment this week: Last Saturday, when Jason was able to feel the baby kick. He has really wanted to feel it but every time I tell him to put his hand on my belly the baby stops. It is so frustrating! I guess our little guy is just a little shy :). But last Saturday morning, while we were still lying in bed, I was able to get Jason to quickly feel my belly while our little guy was doing some serious kicking and Jason was finally able to feel it. Jason was so happy and I'm glad he was able to connect with our little miracle.