31 Weeks

Only 9 more left! And I'm over the moon to meet our little girl and am really really missing my pre-pregnancy belly (mostly because I used to be able to tie my shoes and shave my legs). Made a quick trip down to so-cal to visit hubby, take maternity pictures and get some sun last weekend. He surprised me with a card (he knows how much I love them, but rarely get them...I suppose it makes me appreciate them that much more) and an adorable onsie for baby girl :).  My 31 week picture was taken on a set of eco-conscious steps next to my husband's cafe. I tried to get just the words "Making a better world for you and me", but I was too lazy to use photo shop (pregnancy is starting to get really exhausting).

How far along? 31 weeks!

How is she growing: About the size of 5 large oranges...or 3lbs of my husband's favorite blend of philz coffee :).

Weight gain so far: After my 30 week scare, I've avoided scales entirely. However, I imagine I'm somewhere between last week's "I've really eaten a balanced diet" 25 lbs to this week's "I really can't stay away from the ice cream in the freezer" 30 lbs.

Stretch marks? None so far, but she sure is trying hard to give me a few.

Belly button in or out: Ack! Almost an outie!

Wardrobe situation: I've now gotten to the place where I am only willing to wear clothing items that I don't have to iron, which brings my maternity wardrobe down to only two pants and a skirt. I think by Thursday I may have to force myself to pull out the ironing board.

Sleep: Last night I slept almost 8 hours (not straight of course)--only 4 bathroom breaks! I've become quite skilled at sleep walking my way into and out of the bathroom, so much that I'm able to snuggle back into my bed to pick up where my dream left off. Though the labor nightmares have really taken a turn for the worst.

Best moment this week: Seeing joon and taking maternity pictures on the Pier in Santa Monica with my favorite photographer, Ayumi! Oh, and eating spring rolls with jasmine lime iced tea and chicken salad in bánh tiêu (sweet sesame pocket bread) from EB...mmmm.

Movement: I honestly don't think she slept all day...she's been kicking, punching, stretching non-stop since 7am. She's getting so big now that there's not much to cushion her blows and sometimes they really hurt. But I love you, my little ninja.

Food cravings/aversions: Egg salad sandwiches...I know, kind of stinky and gross, but they sound so good! And any fruit I can get my hands on. This week, it was mangoes and kiwis...thank you farmer's market.

What I miss: Really missing having my husband around, especially at this point in the pregnancy. Although at times it feels pretty empowering to do it all on my own, it would be nice to have my baby there to indulge me in my cravings for pound cake, tie my shoes in the morning, and look me in the eye and say "baby, everyday that you get bigger and bigger I love you even more."

Mood: Happy, but a total emotional basket-case.  The other night I cried for about an hour out of no where. I realize now that next time that happens, I should not face-time my husband.

What I'm looking forward to: My baby shower and getting ready for our little girl to come into the world in just a few short weeks!

29 & 30 Weeks

Forgive me. The past two weeks I've been living in a cubicle, hunched over my computer ferociously typing a 65 page grant while consuming large amounts of joe joe's cookies and dried mango slices. I found that baby girl has picked up on this poor habit quickly and if I am overdue for one of these indulgences she lets me know...either with a strong punch to the kidney or a kick to my left lung. Though I've tried to be good about integrating a large helping of Greek yogurt and granola, often with a banana or apple on the side, her stubborn personality shines through and her kicking storm does not quiet until she gets her fair share of a joe-joe. I can see the terrible twos almost too vividly...darling joon, we really are in for it. Hope you're ready.

How far along? 30 weeks!

How is she growing: rapidly...

Weight gain so far: At my 30 week doctor's appointment last Friday, I stepped nonchalantly onto the scale only to be shocked by the increasing numbers ticking in front of me...4...5....6....7...12 lbs! How did I gain 12 lbs in two weeks?! My calm was suddenly transformed into hysteria with thoughts of a world record sized baby exiting a pathway I feared would never be the same again. As the perplexed MA wrote down the new numbers to alert my physician of this rapid weight gain, I felt heaviness on my body and looking down I found the true culprit...a 10 lb computer bag hanging silently from my left shoulder. 

Stretch marks? I thought I found one on my right side yesterday, but turns out it was the stretched scar of an incident involving my older sister and a fork...I believe the incident took place directly following the realization that she was no longer an only child.

Belly button in or out: Flat and very odd looking.

Wardrobe situation: 100% maternity (in public that is)...as you can see above, the only non maternity wear are my sweet new sunglasses and my new baby g from my baby c.

Sleep: Not great this past week, partly because of grant writing until the wee small hours of the morning. Leg cramps are still unwelcomingly present along with frequent trips to the bathroom. And as if that wasn't the worst of it, I've suddenly become Manny Pacquiao (or his opponent more likely), waking up with 2 to 3 nosebleeds a night! I do hope these go away soon..

Best moment this week: Besides getting new sunglasses?? ...maybe realizing, truly, that I am going to be a mother.

Movement: Lots of jabs, kicks, punches, squirms. I started noticing hiccups and stretches last week, seems like she is really getting cramped in there.

Food cravings/aversions: Still pound cake, but today I really really wanted a large bowl of cocoa krispies...so I went to the store. And bought grape-nuts.

What I miss: My darling joon and tying my shoes in less than 10 minutes.

Mood: Happy and very anxious to meet our baby girl. Ahhh...I can't believe joon and I are going to be parents!

What I'm looking forward to: The baby shower :), seeing joon on Thursday, and finishing this grant!

28 Weeks

And gravity is starting to get the best of me. I'm surprised I haven't plopped over, belly first, in the middle of the grocery store check out line. It sure is easy to gain weight pregnant, so I've been trying to stay active. Joon took this picture while out on a walk the day he left. I am smiling in the photo, but I was pretty upset about him leaving. I also need to admit that, seriously, the hoodie does not fit anymore.

How far along? 28 weeks!

How is she growing: She feels like a 10 lb bag of potatoes, but think she's more like an x-large chipotle burrito. okay, maybe two x-large chipotle burritos.

Weight gain so far: hmm, between the freshly baked biscuits and the midday cookie breaks, I've hit almost 22 lbs! Oh little girl, why oh why don't you like broccoli?!

Stretch marks? So far so good...the real test will be over the coming weeks.

Belly button in or out: Flat. Totally flat.

Wardrobe situation: So first it was my jeans that were becoming inappropriate and I fixed that problem by finally hemming my maternity pants. Now, as is clearly illustrated in above picture, my tops and sweatshirts are creeping up my belly and exposing what my 9th grade Algebra teacher would consider "far too much skin for a girl my age." So, now I must give up my little tees and tanks that so cutely hugged my 5th - 7th month bump for the real deal maternity tops. Thank goodness fashion has finally caught up with the 21st century mom and I do not have to resort to my grandmother's maternity closet:

Sleep: Baby girl still keeps me up like crazy...almost as much as trips to the bathroom and leg cramps.

Best moment this week: Ooo...this one is tough since I have hardly seen the light of day with so much grant writing. I suppose getting our first baby gift in the mail from my cousin...it's really starting to feel like the birth of our daughter is right around the corner.

Movement: She is still moving around like crazy, but I can tell things are getting a little cramped in there.

Food cravings/aversions: Pound cake. pound cake. pound cake. And fresh strawberries.

What I miss: My husband! And my abs...long, long, gone. I do hope they decide to return someday.

Mood: Pretty happy most days...well, the days I have pound cake.

What I'm looking forward to: Finishing this grant, seeing Joon next week, and taking maternity pictures with my favorite photographer, Ayumi!