i can't see my feet when i stand up!

How far along?: 28 weeks and I'm not gonna lie i am a bit bummed. I though i was either 29 or 30 weeks today and it turns out i was wrong. i was reading ahead in my week by week book.

How big is baby?: quite large by the looks of me. i have turned into a nice basketball (in MOST clothes, some just make me look large). People keep asking me when i am gonna "pop" and i always get frustrated because i still have ALL summer to go. I know I'm big but i am baffled how, i have officially gained 2lbs in 2 weeks, which is not much compared to how big i am. Total i lost 35lbs and gained 8... i am still -27lbs! not sure how baby is so big if i am not gaining, but I'll take it.

Stretch marks?: they actually have gotten lighter and less itchy this week. i put on special lotion daily and i got a new soap, so i am hoping that keeps them away!

 Sleep?: irregular, but i am pretty sure that i less pregnancy related and more "my husband now works overnights 2-3 nights a week" related. It's weird sleeping in a bed without him, but when he does sleep in the bed with me i think it's too crowded (and sorry hun, but the pillows WIN!)

Food cravings? buffalo wings, i am OBSESSED! i eat them without any ranch now (i used to SMOTHER then in ranch) and i eat spicier ones that usual.

 

Movement?: lots, always. and they are now borderline violent.

 Gender?: GIRL!

Belly button?: it is a little closer to the surface, but definitely still an innie! Kel has some weird fascination with it (i claim it will never pop out and he says it definitely will, so the bet is on!) and checks ti everyday to make sure it is getting closer to popping.

What are you looking forward to this week? i have a doctor's appointment this week and the baby's godmother is coming with to see her on the "big screen" and i also have to do my sugar test (yuck). But this is the first time we have gone the recomended amount of time between visits and not had to have an extra one. Since there have been so many concerns i have been going every 2 weeks when i should have been going every 4, but this time i will be 4 weeks between appointments (three and a half technically). Just in time for me to start going every 2 weeks again *sigh*. but it has all been worth it. i just can't wait until she is HERE, I'm more antsy than i was 12 weeks before my wedding!

Starting to feel real

How far along?: 27 weeks! Officially Third Trimester!

How big is baby?:  over 2lbs

Stretch marks?: they aren't as bad as i anticipated!

 Sleep?: well i am usually so exhausted by the end of the day i fall asleep around 8-9pm and i wake up between 5-6a so i would say i'm getting some pretty good sleep!

Food cravings? nothing really. i'm eating and that's all i really care about most days!

 
Movement?: most of the time! and her kicks are getting even stronger!

 Gender?: GIRL!

Belly button?: still hidden!

What are you looking forward to this week?Well it's kinda unreal now, kel and i have been saying we are going to take this one trimester at a time, which turned out to be REALLY perfect for us. I was so sick we have been focused on ME staying healthy for baby. However now that we are third trimester it's time to do/think about all those things we have been neglecting. We need to find a pediatrician. we signed up for classes, we need to go back through our registries, we are garage sailing to see if we find anything good that will come in handy. Pretty much we've hit crunch time and instead of figuring out how to live pregnant we are trying to figure out how to live with a BABY!

Hearing what a mom-to-be never wants to hear

How far along?: 26 weeks!

How big is baby?:  she's big, but could be a little bigger!

Stretch marks?:yup! my stomach is FAR from attractive

 Sleep?: not very well lately, but i think that is more from Kel's new overnight position than from the pregnancy.

Food cravings? nothing... i've been really really sick again this week and have barely eaten anything at all. however every time i see chicken wings i get really excited, so i am eating out with my little sister who is finally home from Spain at BWW today.... we will see how that goes

Movement?: she always seems to be moving UNLESS there is someone around who is really excited to feel her kick... then she gets shy!

 Gender?: GIRL!

Belly button?: still hidden!

What are you looking forward to this week? First i can say what i am NOT looking forward to this week:

I had a doctor's appointment yesterday. Learned A LOT about what has been going on for the past 20 weeks. Turns out that there was a tear in the placenta as it was forming around week 15, that's what put me in the ER with bleeding. since then i have had ultrasounds and doctor's appointments every two weeks because they needed to monitor the tear. After 20 week the baby stops receiving nutrients directly from the mother and starts receiving them through the placenta (sorry if this is TMI for some people). Well now that i am 26 weeks the doctor measured and said that structurally baby is an appropriate size. She was VERY concerned through to hear that i am still sick and can't keep down any nutrients. I don't eat meat at all like i should (protein) and other than cheese and chocolate i am pretty much anti-food right now. for four weeks i only gained 1.5 pounds. The doctor is definitely concerned because at this gestation period the placenta gets nutrients DIRECTLY from what i eat- to simplify my food detours through the placenta before getting into my small intestine for me to receive nutrients. Baby takes what she needs and i get the rest, except i have nothing left in reserves and i am not eating enough (good or bad) to support us both. This means that even if Baby is 8lb (very possible) she will be all structure and no substance and will not be nourished like she should. This could lead to her being premature, very sick at birth, unable to gain weight after birth, breastfeeding issues, complications during birth, and finally this could affect EVERYTHING developing, brain, liver, lungs, etc.

However, there is some hope... The doctor has me on a special diet. I am supposed to be VERY VERY careful with foods all pregnant women are supposed to avoid, hot dogs, lunch meat, undercooked eggs, caffeine, etc. I also am on protein shakes that have extra vitamins in them. Along with that i am on a "nut" diet. since there's no risk of baby having a peanut allergy i am supposed to be eating cashews, almonds, peanuts (yes peanut butter DOES count!) and other nuts to help me get protein. a handful of EACH KIND possible a day! Not only that but since i am having a hard time keeping down fruit she told me to try and hide it in things... make homemade ice cream with TONS of fresh fruit in it, sherbert, cut it up and put it in ANYTHING i can stomach! Fruit Juice! basically anything at all. And on top of that i am to be eating very small slow meals ALL DAY! If i eat a large fast meal i risk upsetting my stomach, which i having a very hard time keeping up as it is, so i need to munch on food all day long as much as possible. This also means caffeine is a big no-no. She said i can drink no more than 12 ounces when needed to keep off headaches, but i am supposed to be weening myself off caffeine, especially if i am going to try breastfeeding... however chocolate is still allowed in small doses.

It's a lot to take in, and it's really scary to be reading about the possible effects of a malnourished baby. i would be lying if i said i didn't feel like a failure. It is all kind of ironic because eating has always been a strong point for me. The number one thing i have to do is make sure i keep up good exercise and healthy eating, two things i have never been good at keeping up with! however Cecelia is MORE than worth it and if it means we have to spend extra on our food budget and less on gas just to buy 8 different kinds of nuts each week, then that's what we will have to do!

Does anyone have any recipes that are yummy, low fat, high fiber, protein and vitamins???????

still not so big

So we got a new nurse at work and she was asking me when i was due, she thought i was 4 or 5 months. I told her in august, i just hit 6 month and her jaw dropped. She laughed and said I'm not nearly as big as i should/could be! She then asked if this was my 2nd or 3rd, and i responded that it was my first. she just sighed and said it wasn't fair, while the other nurse in the room exclaimed "i wish i had stayed moderate sized and not gained 75lbs for my first!"  This was a very weird conversation for me because i feel HUGE and like i double in size everyday, but then i will see someone else who is 6 months and i suddenly don't feel so big. However this came at a HUGE cost keeping my weight gain to a minimum (negative)!

How far along?: 25 weeks!

How big is baby?:  not sure, but we get to see her again next week!

 Stretch marks?:yup! my stomach is FAR from attractive

 Sleep?: much better. for a whole week i have slept all through the night, not even getting up to pee!

Food cravings? ice cream... it's been really bad! but i think it's because it's been 85+ degree outside.

 

Movement?:always! there is literally a party in my tummy going on 24/7

 Gender?: GIRL!

Belly button?: still hidden!

What are you looking forward to this week? seeing her at the doc appointment!