Pregnancy Flashback

Wow!  I honestly didn't think something could make me have warm-fuzzies about 35 weeks pregnant, but...my friend Kelle did!  I had asked for this wonderful non-photographer, but game friend to take some pictures of me, since I didn't really have any good ones, and OHHHHH am I so glad that she did!  They are wonderful!  Even if I'm only seeing them now for the first time.  ;)  It actually is almost nicer this way, since it's fun to look back now that it really seems like a distant memory.  We went to Valley Forge Park, wandered around, and I did a bunch of things that scared her.  Ha!

Anyway, with little commentary...35 weeks pregnant with the Lion

(yes, I was rock-climbing, she was horrified)

 THANK YOU, KELLE!!!

Nine months to put it on...

To be perfectly honest, my post with the down and dirty on what had changed (or not changed) after having a baby has been one of the most frequent posts that people land on after googling.  I thought it was only fair to comment on the often-heard saying, "It takes nine months to put it on, give it nine months to take it off."  If you're interested in my original post on body 4 months post-baby it is here.

At the time, I had lost all the weight, but there were still distinct differences in appearance.  Today, I would say that my body is LARGELY what it was when I started.  Only a couple things have changed.  Let's begin.

Above are at my wedding (May 2010), 5 weeks pregnant (September 2010), 4 months after giving birth (September 2011), and now (April 2012).  I missed doing this at 9 months post-partum, so this is, in reality 10 months.  Though I'd say I'm at pretty much the same place.  I am not running nearly as much as I did pre-pregnancy, so there is certainly a difference in muscle tone.

Weight

At my wedding, I weighed 130.  At 5 weeks pregnant, I weighed 135.  In the 4-month shot, I weighed 136.5.  Currently, I weigh 130.  Ideally, I plan to get back into the 120's before I stop nursing.  Obviously, this is doable, very close, and I actually was there before Easter brunch.  ;)

Joint Size

I lamented having to cut my rings off my newly gigantic hands when I went from a size 3.75 ring to needing a 5.25.  I don't know for sure where I'm at today, but I do know my rings are so loose that I never wear them, and they're practically falling off.  So, I would recommend not wearing them for AWHILE before you bother resizing them.  And, obviously don't force them on at 6 weeks and get them cut off in the emergency room.

The Girls

Still nursing.  I went from a 36C pre-pregnancy, up to a 38F during, down to 36DD at 4 months, and I'm at 36D today.  I don't know if I'll continue to drop, but I REALLY don't mind that I have!  My husband was saying that he missed the crazy stripper boobs from pregnancy, but I cannot say that I agree!

My Hips

In the 4 month update, I talked about how my hips were INCREDIBLY painful.  I had a lot of trouble moving, and I'd get shooting pains in my legs.  I went to a chiropractor, and he worked WONDERS.  PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE anyone who is experiencing the same thing, do not put it off, and go get readjusted.  I am completely pain free now, and was after only a couple of sessions.  I cannot say it enough.  Just because you gave birth does NOT mean that hip pain is normal, or that it needs to be part of your life.  Go get it taken care of.

My Stomach

April 2010 (pre-preg) vs. today

I AM LUCKY.  I know this.  Largely, my stomach looks almost as good as it did pre-pregnancy.  I did not get any stretch marks, and while there is some loose skin that you can see when I sit down, it's not so visible standing up.  The only thing that looks a little funny is where I had an old belly button piercing.  That just is never going to look right again.  Oh well.  Please ignore that I was wearing pajamas.      

Today (those aren't stretch marks, those are elastic waist-band marks) vs. 4 months post.

Obviously, the skin has tightened up a fair amount.  I hope this will continue.

Any other permanent changes? 

- My feet went up a 1/2 size and never went down.
- I still don't like the same foods as pre-pregnancy, though it's a little different than during pregnancy.
- Lots of spider veins on my legs.
- That's about it.

So, I would say, by and large, LISTEN to the people that say "give it 9 months to take it off".  While my weight was gone almost immediately, I did not feel like the same person.  Now, I do.  So, there's the good news!  Hoping everyone else can feel the same!

Friday 5: Body Changes After Baby

Here is a very scary comparison picture to put up.  I know I stopped doing body-after-baby posts when it started to feel like bragging, but this is more than just weight, it's the details that sometimes fail to get mentioned.  And, I apologize that the angles are just different enough to make it somewhat trippy.  These pictures were taken on September 15, 2010 (5 weeks pregnant, but still the same body), and September 29, 2011 (now, 4 months post-baby).

In the interest of full disclosure, I will be giving numbers, so if you don't want to know, I suggest stopping.

1)  Weight
I am really darn lucky.  I know this.  I had no trouble losing the weight.  I have been a lazy bum that eats a lot of crap, though, so my weight actually did go back up after it had dropped BELOW pre-pregnancy weight.  On the left, I weighed 135 lbs.  On the right I weigh 136.5.  They are the same clothes, but because I took a lot of monthly update pictures in them, they are pretty stretched out now.  Also, I'm not running right now, so there is a distinct difference in muscle tone.

2)  Joint size
I know this sounds strange, but with all the swelling, joints expand.  My feet went from a 7.5 to between an 8/8.5 and I've had to purchase a lot of new shoes.  Now, that's not really a bad thing, other than it's not in the budget.  Also, you may recall that I tried to jam my wedding rings on my fingers 6 weeks post-partum, and had to have them cut off in the emergency room.  My fingers grew MUCH larger.  My rings were previously 3.75, and now are 5.25.  I understand that that still means that I have abnormally skinny fingers, but they are gigantic to me.  Again, this is mostly the joints, and not the part in between.

3)  The Girls
Yes, I'm still nursing.  Therefore, this is likely to change again, but not always.  I went from a 36C pre-pregnancy, up to a 38F during, and down now to a 36DD.  Again, a slightly non-traditional route.  I was terrified that everyone kept telling me that they were going to get bigger once the milk came in.  Thank goodness that was not the case, and they, in fact, went down in size.  I have spoken to many women where this was a permanent change, but I really wouldn't mind going back down.  Who knows.  I have been blessed that nursing has not been problematic at all.

4)  My Hips
OHHHHH my hips.  Now, I know some of you are looking at the picture trying to figure out what I'm talking about.  No, I'm not talking about size, or appearing any different.  They are PAINFUL.  This is part of my excuse for not running right now.  I always had bad hips.  A drunk guy fell on me when I was 18, and I was in a car accident at 20, so they've always hurt.  Even before I gave birth Chris tried to get me to go see his chiropractor.  I never did.  After giving birth?  Multiple times a day I will turn, and a stabbing pain will shoot through my hip.  I feel it in my knees and ankles, as well, as the whole alignment is off.  I can barely walk sometimes, and going down the stairs in the middle of the night to get the baby is my own version of hell.  I have finally given in and scheduled a chiropractor appointment for this afternoon.  I'll let you know how it goes.  I'm really hoping that I can get some relief!

SCARY PICTURE #2.  PERHAPS MORE SCARY THAN #1!!!

This, folks, is my stomach.  Which, ok, really isn't too scary, again, lucky.

5)  My Stomach

Yes, I know people are looking at that hating me.  There are no stretch marks.  None.  How?  God was kind.  I have a lot of spider veins on my legs, but that's it.  The linea negra has not totally disappeared, and I'm not sure when it will.  Obviously, I had been wearing a different bra and pants, and those are the marks.  Try and ignore those.  

The excess skin.  It bothers me, but I continue to hope it will shrink over time.  Everyone tells me it will.  You can still see that bulge, and it is easy to grab handfuls.  Sorry for the graphic imagery.  All I can tell you is that as of 4 months?  Still there.  

You may notice that my stomach is broken out, which may seem odd.  It is.  Certain babies (hmm hmm LION, talking to you!) dribble a lot of milk while they're eating.  I try and clean it off, but it never seems to be good enough.  So I have teenage skin...on my stomach.  Joy.  

Bonus #6 - A quick run-down of other changes, or lack there-of

- Hair: Lost a bunch, but it seems to have stopped, and hasn't really been an issue, other than disgusting the husband who cleans the drains.  It's as curly as ever.

- Skin: It was much better while I was pregnant.  Back to breaking out.

- Internally: Digestion is back to being problematic.  Lactose intolerance has returned.

- Smell: I'm back to being unable to smell anything.

***UPDATE as of 10 months HERE***

Are there other changes people have dealt with?  Or are there things you thought you would face and didn't?

39 Weeks...and all is well

I might be sitting here tearing my hair out if everyone hadn't told me how I'd lose so much of it after the Lion was born.  Joking.  Kinda.  I thought after how much my body had been "prepping" this past week, that I'd have major news to report.  Even the doctor in anesthesia (I had to go pre-register at the hospital) thought he'd see me back there after my ob/gyn appointment.  BUT....BIG NEWS HERE....NOTHING CHANGED.  I am still fully effaced.  His head is still engaged.  The doctors still thought it was a great idea to say, "See?  I'm pushing back and forth on his head!"  Which, by the way, is really, really, painful, and I'd rather they didn't have that bit of fun.  But...still dilated just under a centimeter.  BAH.

I've been feeling pretty good, though, which has led me to rant at my father and co-worker (both male) who said, "That's great!  I hope you keep feeling good."  Um, no.  I want to feel crappy.  I want to meet the lil dude already.  As for stats?  I LOST 2 lbs this week, so we're BACK to a 30 pound gain (woo hoo!), and the blood pressure dropped (again), so it's back to normal, too.  Swelling's still bad, sleeping's still tough, still wearing out quickly.  I enjoy the movement a little more now that the Lion's more confined.  He still has moments where he presses really hard or swiftly in a given spot that doesn't feel so great, but more and more often, I can just play the "what body part is that sticking out of me" game.  He's still an active lil bugger!  That's been a blessing.  I have never had to wonder how he was doing in there, or do a kick count, or monitor the heartrate or anything like that, because he's so obviously enjoying himself!

Below is the same outfit on May 5th (37 weeks) and today (39 weeks).  I'm apparently still growing.  And getting lazier, as my hair is sopping wet today.  Man that's a horrible picture.  What am I thinking?  Oh well.  Here's to hoping this could be my final pregnancy update?  Please?!?! 

Our Weekend - Incredibly exciting or boring?

I don't really have time for an extensive post, but I thought I'd run through what went down this weekend.  Those of you that follow me on twitter have a pretty good clue. 

Friday night, we went over to Tim & Cathy's to ogle Baby Dean and eat some delicious pulled pork.  Cathy made the comment that she hoped it'd put me into labor so she could have a famous labor-inducing recipe.  Ah...foreshadowing.  I had a couple of contractions while I was there, but that's pretty normal.  Cathy was thoroughly entertained by how hard my stomach got, as she had an entirely different birth experience, in that she ended up being induced many weeks after her due date because her body didn't decide to do all of this lovely "prep work" as she put it.  And, as I said, I'd like a little less "prep" and a little more "action".  Ok, I had to steal a picture from Cathy's facebook page because her smiley boy is so friggin adorable right now.  And I'm psyched that he and the Lion will be in the same grade together.

 
So...Cathy in her infinite wisdom really does have some powerful pulled pork.  Go ask her for her recipe.  Starting at 9:30 pm I was having contractions every 5 minutes.  They were never particularly painful, though.  Just like really bad period cramping, but I could still talk.  Our doctor had said to only call if my water broke, or the contractions got within 2-3 minutes, so...I just sat around at home.  And did not sleep much or well.  And was exhausted.  They kept up this annoying "almost" there habit until 1 pm on Saturday...and then stopped.  GRRR.  Chris was still nervous to leave me alone, and ended up missing our friend's bachelor party that night, though.  Which I feel bad about.  Guess that's not REALLY my fault.     

They've continued to come and go as they had previously, but not consistently since.  Yesterday, I even started to try some of the labor tricks to try and get them to turn into SOMETHING, but was unsuccessful.  Chris, Harper and I walked, I don't know, 3 or 4 miles in Valley Forge Park, I ate my standard 1/2 a pineapple (ok, probably not going to induce labor if I've been doing it the entire pregnancy), and even made some spicy cuban-esque pork for dinner.  Still nutin.  Therefore, this was either a very eventful, or very uneventful weekend depending on your perspective.  At least it finally got me to finish packing the hospital bag.

Week 38...Still hanging in there

Now that my parents are back in the continental United States, I am delivering an official eviction notice to the Lion.  Any time now, bud!  And, it does still look like I'll be going early, although it doesn't seem like there was as much progress this week.  Certainly, there are more contractions, even regular ones, but never close enough to mean anything, and they always end up stopping.

And, generally, I'm feeling pretty good.  I wear out quickly, and there's a ton of pressure, and all that, but it's not too bad.  Also, for all the commentary (hmm...hmm...), I still feel like I look pretty good.  Sadly, we did break the 30 pound goal this week, with a 2 lb gain, so I'm up to having gained 31.5, but I still think, at least from the front, I don't look it.

Now, from the side...that's a different story.  I take up the whole doorway.  Sheesh!  But you know what?  And this will make many people hate me, and I may be cursing myself...I still have no stretch marks.  Hoping that status remains the same for the brief time I have left.

Guess I'll answer a few questions:

What was the result of this week's doctor visit?  I am now fully effaced and just about 1 cm dilated.  Moving along.

How do you feel?  Generally pretty good.  I get achy pretty fast, and the swelling is still nuts (which is why under NO circumstances should you be looking at my legs in those photos), but alright.

How's the Lion?  He's run out of room.  No full-out kicks, though he's still moving a TON.  It's just stretching at this point, though.

Are you ready?  Yup!  Mentally there, physically there, we've set up everything...  Just waiting for him to roar his way into the world!

37 Weeks and FULL TERM

Look what I learned to do!  I took a picture with a timer!  My face still looks funny, and it's not great quality since my fancy camera has been sent away for repairs AGAIN, but yay!  (Btw, CANON, the possibility that I won't have the camera for my son's birth?  REALLY doesn't make me happy.  And REALLY makes me want to not ever buy a Canon product again.)

I am 37 weeks pregnant, which means that I'm full term, ya'll!  The Lion could come tomorrow and, in theory, he'd be just peachy.  I'm going to ask that he waits until at least next Wednesday, though, so that my parents can get home from their cruise.  That'd just be considerate. 

BUT, we shall see if that happens.  I didn't think things were progressing at all, since I've actually had LESS contractions this week.  I thought my water had broken on Sunday, but I'll just leave it at that I was wrong.  Other than that?  Things had seemed pretty quiet.  So, when I went in for my doctor's appointment yesterday, I told her not to expect much.

You know what?  I was blissfully wrong!  I'm not dialated, but 80% effaced and at 0 station (meaning the head is locked and loaded).  That's actually pretty far along for a first timer!  I think Chris might've felt a little bit like fainting at that point.  But, then the appointment continued with even better news!  1)  I am negative for group B strep.  Woo!  2)  My blood pressure DROPPED by 20 points back to its more normal 100/60.  3)  My weight remained the same for the THIRD WEEK IN A ROW, which means I am still hanging in there at 29.5 pounds, and it looks like I have a chance of sticking with my "gaining less than 30" goal!

Ok, couple questions:

How are you feeling?  Not too bad.  LOTS of lower pressure, so walking's tougher, but not impossible.  The swelling is still around, but at least it's a bit cooler this week. 

How's the Lion?  Seemingly, great.  He still KICKS as much as ever.  Yes, you read that right.  None of that just "pushing" feeling.  Lil dude still full out uses me as a punching bag.  And he is STRONG.  You can see feet popping out.

How are the animals?  Not as good.  Monster's pretty much the same, but Harper has finally figured out that I'm pregnant and is making a brat of herself.  For instance, one night she peed on TWO OUT OF THREE beds in the house.  She just might be a little stressed. 

Alright, I've got to run, but things are looking great, and looking like they're going to happen soon!

Happy Easter...a little late

Easter was largely uneventful, other than the whole resurrection thing... ;)  However, I did at least manage to pull off two pictures.  The day started surprisingly late as the animals let us sleep til 7.  Man, talk about lazy!  We still ended up worried about making it to church on time, because you KNOW that I was not going to be ok with standing for the entire service.  We fortunately made it with a few spaces to spare, which turned out to be even more necessary than we thought.  It was H O T.  They didn't have the air on, it hit 80-something that day, and hundreds of people were packed into our little church.  I managed to not leave, but the pregnant woman a couple rows in front of me had to step out for a bit.  

My sweet mother insisted that since we wouldn't be seeing any family, and this would be one of the last chances that we had to dress up and go out as just the two of us, that we go to an Easter brunch.  We ended up at the Radnor Hotel, and it was DELICIOUS.  Which of course meant that we ate entirely too much.  That did not stop us from hitting the dessert bar, though!

And, can you believe it?  I got Chris to take a picture.  Well, there may also be some of my back on the camera, but this one is pretty decent.  Even if I had to change dresses after church because I decided the other was too tight, and consequently, too short.  The wardrobe is very limited these days, folks!  Enjoy the whale watching known as 35 weeks:

There are more and more bets going around that I'm not making it to 40 weeks.  And...I honestly wouldn't mind.  We are ONE WEEK from full term, and then the Lion is welcome to make an appearance any time he wants.  I'm up to having a few contractions a day, but it's still the swelling that is killing me.  Just because I'm pregnant, Chris's opinion of air conditioning has not changed, so the 80-something temps this week has made life rafts of my feet.  I don't know if I can take it.  I understand that I'm usually all environmentally (and fiscally) conscious, but I may need some air conditioning in my life very soon.

Hope everyone's Easter was great! 

1 out of 5 ain't bad, right?

I said I was going to talk about all of the pregnancy surprises last week, and I have failed miserably.  But I'll write about the one that has been on my mind the most...

SWELLING

It actually isn't as bad this week as it was 2 weeks ago, but it still isn't much fun.  Although I'd like to pretend that I'm having abnormal amounts, so that I can justify all of my recent weight gain.  It's not pretty folks.  We have now hit that 30 pounds that I was hoping would be the total...and we still have 5 weeks to go.  

Admittedly, I don't look particularly swollen, and my co-worker (God bless her), even as of yesterday swears that you can't tell that I'm pregnant from the back.  However, my shoes that don't fit, the achy joints, and my wedding rings that I wear on a chain all tell a different story.  

It doesn't help that my rings were TINY to begin with.  All of a 3.75 I believe.  They have been on a chain for awhile because I did not want to have to get them cut off my fingers.  The idea of it terrified me!  I don't want any sort of blade going that close to my hand for the sake of jewelry!  The fact that most pregnant women don't wear their rings on their hands by the end doesn't seem to sink in to everyone, though.  A girl I know recently had a little old lady mumble under her breath "Don't you think you should have gotten married first?"  1) How RUDE.  2) She was married, but was swollen.  Way to assume.  I don't know if I would have been able to keep my mouth shut.  But it's why I still try and remember to wear the necklace, so that I don't get any of those nasty comments.  Though, even if she HADN'T been married, it shouldn't have been any of the old lady's beeswax. 

The swelling had actually made me really nervous, though.  I had convinced myself that I had preeclampsia.  I had 1) Sudden onset of swelling, 2) 5 pound weight gain in 2 weeks, 3) JUMP in blood pressure, 4) Blurred vision, and 5) Nausea.  Wouldn't you be scared?  The doctor wasn't because my huge blood pressure jump was from 100/54 to 119/79.  High for me, but not high for the rest of the world.  He did make me go see an eye doctor, though.  And...that told me nothing.  The eye doctor said I still have 20/20 vision, good pressure, and no indication that hypertension is affecting the optic nerves.  So...I get to still be a paranoid first time mom.     

Beyond that, I woke up this morning with a non-functioning finger.  It was a little odd.  Eventually it started painfully moving, and now it's almost normal, but I didn't expect the freezing up!  In an effort to combat this, I have looked for remedies and...found very little.  Yes, I HIGHLY recommend the Neti pot for sinus trouble (congestion, nose bleeds, allergy pressure), but how do you do that to your fingers?

 

Pretty much all I've got is that they say to keep hydrating as much as possible.  And that don't assume just because you're retaining water that you don't need more!  I will now end this disturbing obsession with my puffy self, and return to my water bottle. 

Anyone have any tricks I'm missing?

Friday Five: Pregnancy Surprises

Since I have been so bad about posting, I figured I'd do a preview of what I'll talk about next week.  5 things that have surprised me about pregnancy...and link into Kat's Friday Five.

1.  Animal reactions

Harper didn't care for a long time.  Other than she thought I smelled funny.  Recently, all the changes in the house and working on the nursery has sent her EPI into a tailspin.

Monster has been VERY aware from very early on.  He's been much more in to laying on me, and will do odd things like sleep lying against my stomach, even while the Lion is kicking him.

2.  EVERYTHING swells

Early on, it was my nasal passages.  The neti pot became my best friend. 

Now?  It's everywhere.  My hands may not look huge to you, but I usually have scrawny, boney hands.  Not these marshmellows-stuck-in-a-microwave.  And, even more surprising?  The swelling HURTS!  I have had serious trouble holding a screwdriver or typing in the past week.

3.  There's more than one size of maternity clothes.  And you will NEED more than one size of maternity clothes.

It's a little hard to tell from this picture.  I thought it would be more impressive.  On the left, are a pair of size 4 non-maternity skinny jeans.  In the middle is a pair of size 4 maternity skinny jeans with a full-panel belly.  On the right are my current skinny jeans.  Size 8 maternity and sit below the belly.

4.  How much I would miss my husband

Don't get me wrong, hormones make me incredibly AGGRAVATED with him, but because I get up approximately 50 times a night, I usually sleep on the futon in the nursery.  Boo.

5.  What I'd actually crave

No...it's not pickles and ice cream around here.  

Do Tums count as a craving?  I'm almost through 3 of these big bottles.

CITRUS.  I alone eat about a pineapple and 4 oranges a week.

And even put lemons in my water.

Now go look at cute pictures of Kat's baby. 

Baby Shower: PA Version

 I was very lucky that the moms decided to throw the shower at our house, even if it meant a lot of cleaning, and a semi-awkward scenerio where Chris and I weren't present at the beginning because we were at the animal hospital, but otherwise?  I'd highly recommend your own house.  You don't have to transport the gifts, or travel, and it's just generally a lot less taxing...during the shower.

I now have quite a few pictures, but they are the ones my father selected to send me.  Which means there will be no "belly pic".  He only sent me the one with a bare belly that my mom and sister-in-law insisted I take, and sorry.  Love ya'll, but I'm not posting any bare bellies on here.  Even if it continues to be stretch-mark free (everyone please knock on wood now).

Chris's relatives.  4 aunts, a neighbor, and a cousin.  They all traveled a lot to be there and I appreciate it so much!  And most of them were part of getting our crib, which obviously makes them some of the most useful gift-givers ever!  Thank you, ladies!

This must have been early on because it's missing a lot of the food.  I was mystified where all the tables came from until I realized that I was missing a dining room table.  It might be the one in the back of the photo.  ;)

My amazing haul thanks to some very generous friends and family!

Notre Dame girls from my dorm.  Also known as "Phoxy Ladies".  I actually think I've managed to forget the cheers, though.  Anyone remember?  Shannon and Katie both came up from DC during one of their few weekends in the country!  So lucky!

Apparently we have some big-ole sheets of toilet paper.  I was a lot fewer than anyone anticipated...which I of course can't remember the number now.  But it was low.  Smaller than Cathy's at her shower, and she was only 6 months (and tiny!)

Though some people tried to claim it wasn't the toilet paper's fault, and rather where Happy measured.  But I think that this picture proves she did a good job.  So, take that sore losers!  

The quilt that my mother-in-law made for the baby.  MANY people continued to push her to start an Etsy site, but she's still laughing it off.  She even finished this large, complicated quilt BY HAND in only 3 weeks.  She could easily knock some out on a regular basis.  But, up to her.  I'll just leave it at I think she's talented enough to do it.

Competition of the mothers.  Not really.  But there's the diaper cake you've seen before that my mother made, and the basket of onesie "flowers" that my mother-in-law did.

And my brother showing his enthusiasm toward being an uncle in the most manly of ways...gift assembly!  (Well, and he also gave us the stroller.  Which is incredibly nice of him.)  We already joked that he and my sister-in-law can use it in a couple years since it's her school colors.  (Clemson Tigers)  Though we WERE the ones to register for it.  We just like orange.

And...fine.  I may regret this.  Here's the belly from later that night.  Ugh.  I'll be 34 weeks tomorrow.

Thank you everyone!  It was so great to see you all!  (Even the many of you that aren't pictured.  I still love ya, I just don't have the images.)

Week 32 Update

As you all requested, I made Chris take the photos last night.  And it made for such a pleasant evening that it may never happen again.  Here is what I initially got:

Yes, I was as thrilled as I looked.  And there were many others in this flip-book series.  But pictures that work for an update?  Here's pretty much the only half-decent one where I have a head and you can see the gut:

How am I feeling?  DANGEROUS question today.  I'm exhausted because I was up approximately 15 times last night going to the bathroom and having abdominal pain.  I'm very nauseous because I dared to eat an entire bowl of cereal in a sitting.  I'm wishing I had a husband that could at least tell you what week I was on. 

What am I wearing?  The outfit above comes to you thanks to Megan...again.  I got complimented on it at the doctor last night, and I said, "Well, it's a hand-me-down that I have to return."  They laughed and said they'd never heard that one before, but I'm betting that's pretty standard in the sharing world of the pregnant belly.  Very little still fits.  Particularly my lower half.  Although, there are certainly shirts that don't cover anymore, either.  From starting at a size 4, we are now up to squeezing in size 8 maternity.

How's the Lion?  I finally got the nerve to force a doctor to stay in the room more than 30 seconds.  So I have some answers!  He is head down and is measuring at 31.5 weeks.  So...pretty much perfect and I was entirely right about what was a butt, a foot, a hand, and a head.

How much have I gained?  This was wonderful.  Only 1/2 a pound in the past 2 weeks, so I'm at 24 pounds (according to the doctor, 22 according to me because I had lost weight before my first appointment...same explanation as always).  This means I have a prayer of my goal of staying under 30!  Though, the kiddo is supposed to gain 4 more pounds himself before birth, so that doesn't leave a lot of wiggle room.

Any symptoms/problems?  Well, as I hinted, I'm now re-visiting any meal that is larger than my fist.  It's very frustrating.  Also, my blood pressure was extremely LOW at this appointment:104/52.  I asked if I should be concerned, and they said it was still in an acceptable range, and they worry more with it getting high, so...guess I'll just let it ride.  

Sorry for the grouchiness...I'm now going to head to work and try to stay awake without coffee.  Can't wait for the day when I can grab a cup of Joe without guilt!!!