Bump Update - Week 29

This week? Packing and shopping and preparing for our visit to the east coast. It might be a good long while before we're back again so we're determined to enjoy this trip as much as we can. Christmas music, family and good times out the wazoo!

Ed is maintaining (therapy, treatments, stretches and now some light regular walking), and I am doing the same (walking, swimming, stretching and maybe back to yoga after this vacation). I just can't believe how quickly time is going by. He's been showing off his gourmet skills - homemade pasta for lasagna and roasted duck. I know, I'm spoiled. :) I didn't get a chance to take a picture of the duck but that turned out really well. Nothing like the fireball that happened the first time we tried to make duck several years ago...

One for me and... two for me? I think Ed probably only got half of one :)

In our group prenatal session this week we discussed what surprised us about our pregnancies. My surprise? How great this experience has been. I do not feel like I've been 'pregnant forever.' I'm grateful for that. Another thing I'm grateful for is my determination at the start of the year to get in better shape for this big life change. I am currently about 10 lbs lighter than I was a year ago. 10 lbs lighter! Isn't that crazy? There are some articles of clothing I was wearing a year ago that fit me up until last month. Put another way, a year ago I was as large as a woman 7 months pregnant. That boggles my mind. Scale numbers don't mean everything, but you guys saw my other numbers and how much has changed. I am hugely proud of myself for finding the motivation to finally get a grip on my health so I could have this enjoyable experience. I can't even imagine how much worse my back problems or endurance would be... let's not even speak about blood sugars and cholesterol! Thank you for all of you that cheered me on before, liking my runs on Facebook and sending me encouraging messages. Look at how much you've helped me accomplish! :)

I do miss working out and breaking a serious sweat. We received our bib numbers for the 12k on Angel Island that would be this past weekend. Sadsville. Hopefully next year! I don't miss running per se - It's more that I miss being able to really exert myself. Being winded from a flight of stairs or doing a load of laundry does not feel as awesome.

Tomorrow we fly and I could not be more excited to see all those lovely faces :) Fingers crossed for an easy flight and a wonderful trip. I'll try to post when we're back on the west coast, if not right away, certainly by the normal Tuesday bump time. In the meantime Dad and Debbie are coming to keep an eye on the house and the cats. We're deeply appreciative. I'm sure they'll be partying here the whole time we're away! Hell, I went swimming yesterday. Outside. I don't think that will be happening in MD. I'll be a bit envious of them in the pool and hot tub!

Bump Time...

Running around packing and cleaning today so this selfie will have to do for now!

How far along? 29 Weeks

How Big Is Baby? 15.25 inch butternut squash... I'm starting to feel pretty big!

Sleep: I'm waking up about every 2 hours. It's not so bad, at least the times I'm out are restful. Still having crazy dreams, and tossing and turning, but it could be worse. 

Best moment this week: Sending off a couple in our prenatal group at the midwifery. The mother is from Towson, MD and it was so exciting seeing them off, knowing that any day now they'll have a brand new addition to their family. Hope to keep in touch with them.

Movement: Still training for the Olympics! I feel it most at the top of my belly and my right side. This baby isn't much of a 'flipper'... more of a kicker and puncher.

Symptoms: Heartburn, round ligament pain, fatigue... Nothing new here. A greater feeling of readiness? I have aches and pains but I really do feel pretty amazing overall.

Food cravings/aversions: Oddly not as hungry these days. I was just noting to Ed how I around the midpoint of pregnancy I was eating two breakfasts - one when I woke up because I was ravenous, and then a second breakfast about an hour and a half later. I'm back down to a bowl of cereal or an egg on toast and not feeling nearly as crazed.

Gender: Should we start taking bets? Maybe we should start working on names for future kid #2... I still like Duncan Donat Mitchell but I don't have anything as amusing for a girl! :)

Belly Button in or out? When standing or sitting, it's still in, but if I lay down, we're talking full on poking out.

What I miss: Less frequent aches and pains and life without heartburn. I never had that problem before so I'm hoping to go back to that status after this baby arrives.

What I am looking forward to: Seeing friends and family so ridiculously soon!

Funny moment of the week: 

Labor Signs: nah

Weekly Wisdom:  Cherish sleep. It's been elusive to me lately despite my fatigue! One trick I've been using lately to fall back asleep - trying to remember the floor plan and my walking route at every home or apartment I've lived in AND every school. Next task will be trying to revive my memories of my class schedules for each year of middle and high school. 

Milestones:  My first big trip as a much rounder pregnant lady! Fingers crossed it goes smoothly!

I get to see this face so soon!!!!