number 2 [week 38]

Symptoms: My belly looks so low. I tried to pose for my belly picture in a way that it would be noticeable, but it's not as clear in a photo when covered. My energy level spiked a bit at the end of the week after a few days of sluggishness at the beginning. Everything else is pretty much the same; I'm still pregnant. I'm officially the most pregnant that I've ever been!

Cravings: Tacos! I've had them 4 times this week. Thankfully they're low in carbs!

Aversions: Nada. This mama's been hangry.

Missing: My hunger has led me to recent daydreaming about all the things I'm going to eat once this kiddo is out: Subway's Cold Cut Combo, sushi, corndogs, and Olive Garden are at the top of the list.

Mood: More and more irritable the longer I remain pregnant. I'm way over it at this point.

Sleep: It's back and forth. Cramps haven't been prevalent, but insomnia wrecked my Saturday night. My wonderful husband let me take a nap the next day. Oh, how I wish I could sleep on my tummy or on my back.

Dreams: I finally had a dream related to my pregnancy! Of course I can't remember the details, but it was cool to dream about something realistic. I do recall that I was this far along and not in labor... VERY realistic, eh?

Movement: Wesley continues to wiggle about his womb. I wish he'd wiggle his way on out of it!

Best Moment: Simon knows that we are waiting on Wesley's arrival, and he continues to be supportive and excited. While tucking him in the other night and struggling to bend down to hug him, Simon offered to sit up to reach me and I thanked him and assured him that his brother would be coming out of my tummy soon and then I wouldn't have trouble bending over anymore. Simon lit up with happiness, and then asked me how Wesley would be coming out of my belly. I decided to answer honestly but briefly and simply said that I'll have to push him out. Simon looked at me with worry and asked, "Does that mean my brother will break your belly?" Smiling out of awe and hilarity, I reassured him that Wesley would not break my belly and sidestepped further questions of how exactly Wesley would be coming out by telling Simon we'd talk more in the morning. I'm just amazed by his little mind and never want to forget the wonder and intrigue Simon experienced while waiting for his brother to come.

Pregnancy Purchases: I found a new nursing bra at Motherhood Maternity while at the mall with Simon, Jen, and Bliss yesterday. I spent more than I wanted, but I really needed a new one in my correct size which is hard to find.

Other News: Over the weekend Eric and I organized our garage storage room and cleared out over half a dozen boxes of junk that mostly went to Goodwill or in the garbage. Today I prepped the house for Thanksgiving with lots of cleaning, dishes, laundry, and reorganization of the kitchen. Clearly nesting is back in full force, but I am beginning to run out of things to do. My head and my heart are ready for this baby, I wish my body would hurry and catch up.

Looking Forward To: Thanksgiving dinner. Grocery shopping is done, and our plans are set for Thursday. We'll see if everything goes according to schedule!

number 2 [week 37]

Symptoms: Still pregnant over here! My contractions continue to be next to nonexistent. Heartburn is still prevalent in the morning, except for when I substitute my regular fried egg muffin with cheese for a small bowl of Pumpkin Cheerios. I've noticed that my hands and feet have hardly been swollen at all throughout this entire pregnancy, which is such a difference from when I carried Simon. I don't think I'll have to take off my wedding ring this time around!

Cravings: My sweet tooth is still in full force.

Aversions: Honestly, nothing, I want to eat everything, even the stuff I can't have.

Missing: Comfortable sleep, which has just become a cruel joke at this point.

Mood: Up and down. I keep thinking that this baby is coming any day now, and yet here he still gestates. My positivity toward claiming that Boyfriend will come early has turned into negativity in believing that this kiddo is staying in utero until college.

Sleep: As mentioned above, it's not been so great. Restless leg syndrome is back, and foot cramps have returned two nights in a row after an approximate two-week hiatus. Everything is just so uncomfortable. Insomnia has been an issue, too.

Dreams: I'm daydreaming about going into labor everyday, that's for dang sure!

Movement: Wesley's frequency in movements are less, which is completely normal as he is following longer patterns of sleep and less waking time. When he is awake I'm rattled by either his super strong hiccups or his super strong, stretching kicks and rolls that leap in all different directions. He also sometimes feels sideways, which makes no sense, and it's expectantly uncomfortable. I'm reminding myself through the discomfort that all movement is good movement.

Best Moment: Jen and I got "prego pampered" last weekend. We met for a belly date for manicures and pedicures. It felt wonderful doing something special and relaxing for myself while hanging out with Jen. She is due with her fourth--a second girl--about a week before me, so we'll see whose baby makes an appearance first!

Baby Buys: I found curtains for Wesley's room, and now the nursery is officially complete. I can't stop walking in there to enjoy the sight! Photos to come soon.

Other News: My official 38-week prenatal appointment was on Tuesday. I wasn't super excited having to be there, but Eric and I were eager to find out what kind of progress I'd made in the last two weeks. My doctor's exam found that I am dilated 3 cm, effaced 70%, and carrying an approximate 7 lb. bundle of joy. She was surprised that my contractions have slowed down so much, but assured me that it won't be too much longer (because ya know, he HAS TO come out). Even though I've experienced so little swelling, my doctor suggested that I take off my toe ring to avoid the possibility of needing it cut off due to potential swelling in my feet during active labor. I'd forgotten all about my toe ring since it hasn't caused me any discomfort thus far, but with Eric's reminder I obediently took it off that night just to be safe.

Looking Forward To: Do I have to say it? MEETING WESLEY! I'm so ready for you, darling. Please, just come on out to meet us. 

school's out!

Well, I made it all the way to Thanksgiving break. This last week was filled with, "You're still here?" comments which, believe me, I was asking myself as well.

I wrapped up as much work as I could before leaving for break. Part of me feels so pessimistic about when I go into labor that I'm expecting to be back at work on the 28th, only to be met with more loving harassment and maybe some voodoo chants to get this kid out of me. I'll take whatever I can get at this point.

I know I'm not late yet, but after my 36-week prenatal appointment I didn't think I had this long left to go. Clearly, Wesley is rocking to his own beat instead of Mommy's time clock. We had a feeling this child was going to be stubborn.

number 2 [week 36]

Symptoms: This baby has gotten lower, and I've upped my waddling game. I know it's not possible, but sometimes it feels like he could fall straight out. Bonuses to my dropping belling include more ease in bending and moving, as well as the ability to walk faster when it doesn't feel like he's so deep down in my pelvis. My contractions have slowed waaaay down, and my energy level has been extremely high over the course of the last 5 days. Don't quite know what to think of that.

Cravings: I have been all over Simon's Halloween candy like white on rice (or brown, I should say, since I've switched due to its lower glycemic index).

Aversions: The junky candy, of course.

Missing: Non-maternity clothes, specifically jeans. By means of some kind of witchcraft, they all feel too big now.

Mood: I've been really hormonal lately, especially toward my poor husband. Maybe because I've been stressing to get everything packed and ready, and he's been joking and silly. I feel bad, but it's hard to control my whirlwind of emotions.

Sleep: Some nights I don't move an inch, others I wake with insomnia. I'd love to just sleep comfortably for an entire day before this baby comes.

Dreams: I had another sort-of break up dream, but it didn't follow its regular pattern. It was dumb regardless.

Movement: Wesley has dropped so much that now he kicks me in my elbow when my right arm is down at my side. He's also traveled inches away from my ribs, thank goodness. It's so strange feeling his movements so much lower in my belly!

Best Moment: Getting labor ready! We got both car seat bases installed in both cars (the infant seat went into my car), and I packed my hospital and diaper bags. I also pulled out all of Simon's newborn size and 0-3 month size clothing, receiving blankets, towels, and wash cloths and got them laundered and put away in Wesley's room along with all of his new items. My dad finished painting and installing the shelves and bedroom door of the nursery, and I began decorating and organizing. All that's left is to put up the curtain rod and the replacement trim piece over the top of the shelves. It's almost all finally together!

Baby Buys: Over the weekend I made some exchanges and got clothing in different sizes, purchased diapers, ordered the rest of the linens needed, and bought all of my postpartum care items for my hospital bag. Shopping is so fun, and I even got to get out of the house on my own!

Other News: I went to my 36-week prenatal appointment on Thursday, and my doctor performed a physical exam to see if this show has gotten started. Wesley was head down, and I was dilated 1 cm and effaced 50%! At 36 weeks with Simon I was also dilated 1 cm but didn't mention anything about effacement, so I'm taking this as a sign that maybe I'm a little further ahead with Wesley. I also had my Group B strep test done and already found out that I'm negative. And, to my astonishment, I learned that I've only gained 0.6 lbs. in the last 4 weeks. I was dumbfounded since I have been a lot less stressed out about carbs but still eating healthy, but my doctor wasn't concerned about Wesley gaining weight. Maybe I'm actually still losing weight with my new diet, and Wesley's taking it all?

Looking Forward To: Going into labor. Wait, did I just say that? I did. I'm ready for Wesley to be here! 36 weeks was as far as I got in documenting my pregnancy with Simon, as I went into labor at 38 weeks before I was able to write my week 37 post. We'll see what lies ahead from here!

number 2 [week 35]

Symptoms: It's difficult to tell from the picture, but my belly has dropped. It wasn't until others began pointing it out to me that I examined my unclothed belly in the mirror at home and found my bump resting in a lower position. I didn't notice it myself because I haven't felt like I'm breathing easier or experiencing less heartburn, but gravity has made an effect. I'm trying to stay active--doing as much as I can around the house and even sometimes walking a little bit during the end of my lunch break.

Cravings: French fries. I did indulge. It was amazing.

Aversions: Salads and I still aren't friends. I don't think Eric believed me when I told him I was done.

Missing: NOT having heartburn!

Mood: I'm still happy as a clam, excited, a little hormonal, and tired. A pretty good mix of normal pregnancy emotions.

Sleep: It's been rough here and there some nights. I've woken with horrible cramps and not gotten enough rest. I'm craving naps.

Dreams: I don't know if I've even slept well enough to dream. There was probably something random about work or friends, but my brain is too jelly to remember.

Movement: This little boy continues to feel bigger. He's all over the place, quite literally. Kick counts remain solid.

Best Moment: So many to choose from; I was showered with gifts and love at my work baby shower, Eric and I spent a wonderful night away for our belated anniversary celebration in Lake Tahoe, and Simon enjoyed his 4th Halloween dressed as Rocky from Paw Patrol. It was such a busy week, no wonder I'm exhausted!

Baby Buys: My generous coworkers gifted us an Arm's Reach Co-Sleeper. It wasn't the exact co-sleeper that I wanted, but we're going to try it out and hopefully make it work. I am so thankful for their kindness!

Other News: Eric and I attended our Preparing for Childbirth class offered by Kaiser. We were the only second-time parents there, but there was still a lot of valuable information to be reminded of and learn about. We never took classes when I was pregnant with Simon since I planned to ask for an epidural. Ending up with basically a non-medicated delivery left me with no idea what to do or how to breathe and a serious lack of control. In the class we found a lot of value in learning the different labor positions that can be used during a non-medicated labor, as well as several different types of massages that Eric can perform to ease discomfort and relax me. We feel much more prepared, and I am so glad we attended the class.

Looking Forward To: The end! I want this babe to fully cook, but I don't think we're going a full 40 weeks. We shall see!

my work baby shower

our Tahoe getaway

Clark Kent, Winnie the Pooh, & Rocky

eeek

This is harder than I expected. Not only am I exhausted, but my pregnancy brain is firing on all cylinders. I think about what I'm going to blog about for the day, and then my booty hits the bed and I am done for.

My weekly pregnancy posts have also been a challenge. I like to wait until progressing to the next week before writing about the previous one. I also like to read the newsletters to Eric that I receive from Baby Center and Kaiser before sitting down to blog. Depending on how our evenings go, this can take up to several days, pushing out the completion of a previous week's post until I'm over halfway through the next week. There have also been weeks that I've had to double up on posts just days apart because I'm that far behind. How do you think that memory works with less brain cells?

Maybe committing to daily posts during my final month of pregnancy was a silly idea, but I still want to attempt to stick with it as best as possible. If I could find a more reliable app to use for Blogger, I'd have more convenience in posting via mobile. I'll try to do some research on that and report back tomorrow... at least that takes care of my next blog topic!

almost fail

It's only Day 2, and I already almost forgot to post!

My mind is so consumed with other to-do tasks. Install car seat bases. Wash newborn laundry. Pack hospital bag. Organize items for exchange. Fold Simon's laundry. Pack up Halloween decorations. Clean the toilets. The list is never-ending.

I'm trying to accept that my house just might be a complete wreck when I go into labor. And that'll mean that I'll be bringing my newborn son home from the hospital to a house that's a complete wreck. It'll be chaotic, but of course chaos will ensue with a brand new baby regardless of the state of my house. I'm a control freak, and it's hard to let some things go; at least I know that about myself.

All I can do is try to prioritize as much as possible in the time I have left. It would also be super nice to just nap a bunch, but then nothing would get done. I'd maybe be less tired though, and that's enticing.

As my eyes begin to feel heavy, I think I'll head toward Sleep Town just this once.

number 2 [week 34]

Symptoms: My mind definitely has more energy than my body. I'm tiring out fast again, but still feeling like there are so many things needed to do. With busy weekends still ahead, plus Halloween, plus putting the finishing touches on Wesley's room, I've got a lot on my plate. I'm thankful for the moments I can move faster. I'm not so grateful for my continuing daily dose of morning heartburn, nightly back pain, and all day contractions.

Cravings: I've had a MAJOR sweet tooth. It's like your body is programmed to want treats during this time of year.

Aversions: Nothing's turned me off recently. Still highly limiting carbs.

Missing: Pasta, bread, starch, oh my!

Mood: Really happy and loving this growing baby. A touch stressed about everything that needs to be done before his debut.

Sleep: It's still been better since my massage. Last night was the first time I started to feel leg/foot cramps again for the first time since my appointment. Back pain has made some nights uncomfortable, but not horrible.

Dreams: I experienced another graphic and upsetting nightmare about an immediate family member. It was awful and kept me awake for a while in the middle of the night while I tried to erase the terrible images from my head. I was even still a little scarred from it the next morning. Why can't I just happily dream about my Wesley?

Movement: This boy continues his uterine parade. He's getting higher into my ribs and has given me a few good, painful jabs right into those delicate bones. I love him and all, but that totally isn't cool.

Best Moment: The new carpet was finally installed! Wesley's room has been completely transformed and looks nothing like the crap hole it used to be. We found baseboards at Lowe's that are almost a perfect match to those in the rest of the house, and my dad was a huge help with painting, cutting, and installing them after the carpet came. Eric brought in the crib and put it together last night, and I just can't get over how much it looks like an actual room now. I've gone in there and just sat on the new floor, daydreaming about Wesley being here and watching him grow in his room.

Baby Buys: I went back to the chiropractor for a second adjustment and went to my second prenatal yoga class with Briana. My adjustment, just 30 minutes before class, really helped me stretch better in some of the poses where my belly being in the way wasn't an issue. I do, however, fear that I was only able to make it a couple days before the back pain returned. I don't want to have to get adjusted too frequently, but this big bump isn't going to make things any easier or more comfortable while it continues to grow. We'll see how I make it through this next weekend.

Other News: We went to our 3rd and final October wedding on Saturday. Eric and I attended the adults-only affair at Gold Hill Gardens in Newcastle. Our friends, Sara and Levi, got married outside in the afternoon, and the outdoor reception followed and continued on into what became quite a brisk evening. I spent a lot of time sitting with my achy back, but did manage to get in a little dancing with my handsome hubby. It was nice being out with just adults and a large group of our friends. We took Simon to The Pumpkin Farm the next morning where we played, fed the farm animals, picked out pumpkins, and treated ourselves to some really yummy kettle corn. The boy seriously had the time of his life and made me feel like the luckiest mom in the world.

Looking Forward To: Our night away for our anniversary! Eric and I leave tomorrow evening for Tahoe. I can't believe this will be our first trip out of town together without Simon. The mommy part of me is sad to leave him, but the prego part of me is really excited to relax!

nursery paint, carpet, and baseboards completed

at Sara and Levi's wedding

with our monkey at The Pumpkin Farm

number 2 [week 33]

Symptoms: Heartburn has been pretty prevalent lately, especially first thing in the morning. I know it's because my enormous uterus is cramming all of my internal organs together and leaving me with digestion pain with the limited amount of space that's leftover. I'm still experiencing my daily Braxton Hicks and practicing my labor breathing from prenatal yoga. It really helps!

Cravings: Pizza. It's never anything I'm actually supposed to have.

Aversions: I'm completely 100% over my regular lunchtime salads. I desperately need to find something new.

Missing: Not being pregnant. Life was so easy!

Mood: Everything's great, though. I've been getting even more excited for Wesley's arrival, I'm convinced that the days are numbered!

Sleep: I had one really, really bad night of cramps. Not only in my feet and toes and in my calves, but in my ankles, too! It seriously felt like someone was trying to rip my feet off of my body. The only thing I could do besides keeping myself from screaming in order to not wake Eric (which happened anyway), was to get completely out of bed and walk out the pain. And to have it happen twice in one night's sleep did not make for a well-rested mommy the next morning.

Dreams: Still not remembering anything, must not be noteworthy dreams.

Movement: One night during bedtime, Simon was resting his head on my belly while we sang his bedtime songs. I've noticed that Wesley sometimes wiggles around when I sing to Simon, which warms my heart because it makes me feel like I'm singing to both of my boys. This particular night was no exception, and Simon giggled with delight when he felt his baby brother pound on the side of his head. I cannot wait to cuddle both of my littles in my arms and sing to them together.

Best Moment: Exactly 11 months ago, Jenny and I bought tickets for Maroon 5 at the brand new Golden 1 Center. Eric and I had already been trying to get pregnant at the time so I was expecting to have a 3-month old at the time of the concert, much less to be 8 months pregnant. Things obviously didn't go according to plan, but I didn't let this belly get in my way of having fun and enjoying this concert. We rode the light rail there for free and met our friend, Kristen, and her friend, Ellie, when we went up to sit down. My dad had also bought me Maroon 5 tickets last Christmas, so Kristen and Ellie bought the tickets I had initially bought and were luckily able to sit with Jenny and me in the closer seats when the couple next to us left and never returned. It was seriously such a great show, and I was super comfortable getting to sit in the front row of the upper balcony (I did stand for the last two songs of the encore, though). I had lots of energy the whole night and even stayed up for a while after getting home super late. It was cool not feeling like a super old, married, pregnant lady!

Pregnancy Purchases: I went to my prenatal massage that I had scheduled at my new chiropractor's office. My appointment just so happened to be the morning after the terrible ankle cramps, and I explained the experience to the masseuse when she asked if there were specific areas on which I wanted her to focus. She did a great job of stretching out my ankles and working on my feet, and she also noted that my calves felt really tight. She also stretched out my hips (I had added that they sometimes hurt in my sleep and cause me to need to turn over) and worked on my back, arms and hands, and neck. The massage was so wonderfully relaxing, and I went home all moisturized and waiting to curl up in bed for a nap. Amazingly, I have not had cramps in my calves, ankles, and feet since getting massaged!

Other News: Our second October wedding was in the afternoon, just hours before the Maroon 5 concert. This wedding was for our friend, Renee, whom kindly gave us Simon's big brother bed. I was able to stay for the ceremony and partway through the reception until the bride and groom were introduced before it was time for Jenny to pick me up for the show. Eric stayed for the rest of the event and hung out with hockey friends and enjoyed himself.

Looking Forward To: Finishing the nursery... we're getting there!

at Renee's wedding

Adam Levine!

Kristen, Jenny, and me at Maroon 5

number 2 [week 32]

Symptoms: The magic from the chiropractor started to wear off this week. The familiar weakness in my lower back began to slowly make its return. I've also battled what seems like a small cold with a heavier running nose and scratchy throat than what's typical with my allergies. Trying to keep tissue close and imbibe hot tea is about all that can be done without the ability to take cold meds. On the positive side, I've had much worse colds than this little one.

Cravings: Chips sound good. I miss chips.

Aversions: Still not ready for any zucchini. I also think I'm done with strawberries for the season, even though I see them selling for cheap in grocery stores.

Missing: Sushi never leaves my mind for too long.

Mood: Everything is still really great. I'm feeling a little stressed about having to continue to wait for the carpet install in Wesley's room, worrying that we won't get everything done in time. I don't care so much about my Halloween deadline anymore; I just want to be ready when Wesley gets here, because I think this kid is coming early!

Sleep: There are good nights and not-so-good nights. I've been falling asleep early, really taking advantage of the opportunities while I still have them.

Dreams: My schedule's been so chaotic, I can't remember any!

Movement: Wesley's hiccups now vibrate my entire belly. I remember when Eric couldn't feel the hiccups from the outside, and now my whole stomach leaps with the repetitive hiccuping motion. Wesley feels huge, again making me think we're not going all the way to 40 weeks.

Best Moment: This was an exciting week with Eric's 31st birthday and our 6th wedding anniversary! On the night of his birthday, Simon and I surprised Eric with delicious Ciro's Pizza for dinner. That Friday night, we were able to have an adults-only date night with dinner at Sammy's inside Stones Gambling Hall and a round of arcade games at Dave and Buster's. Our meal was absolutely fabulous, and we really enjoyed sitting outside at the end of what was a gorgeous evening, chatting and just taking some time for ourselves. On our anniversary, Eric brought home a bouquet of beautiful flowers for me, and we took Simon out to eat with us for a casual meal at Applebee's. Our real celebration will be at the end of the month when we plan to spend a night away in Tahoe. This will be a first for us since becoming parents!

Pregnancy Purchases: My friend, Briana, from work just recently announced her first pregnancy and invited me to try out a prenatal yoga class with her. She found a studio called Herself Moms, which offers health and fitness and educational classes that support the prenatal and postpartum journey. The workout felt really great on my slowly, re-tightening back, and it felt really good to stretch out certain joints that I've been slacking on doing on my own. My favorite part was learning a pose called the frog, which is a really comfortable labor pose used with labor breathing. Briana and I really enjoyed the class, and I'd like to commit to going once a week until Wesley graces us with his presence.

Other News: We attended the first of 3 (that's right, I said three) weddings we've been invited to during the month of October. My friend, Cristin, from high school had a lovely wedding ceremony at Monte Verde Inn in Foresthill where we were able to visit with many close friends as well as some I don't see often. Simon was a little bit of a handful having not taken a proper nap that afternoon, but he received many compliments on how handsome he looked and was whisked away to dance by some of our helpful friends.We surprisingly stayed until the end of the wedding and were so grateful to be included in this lovely affair.

Looking Forward To: More October events to come, stay tuned!

the birthday boy with his COMPLIMENTARY dessert

our family at Cristin's wedding

photo booth fun

number 2 [week 31]

Symptoms: Contractions have become a daily part of life. We got really close to calling Labor and Delivery, since my doctor advised at last month's appointment to call in if I had 6 in an hour. On one night I had a total of 15 contractions in a 2.5 hour period, varying in length and frequency. Eric helped me walk around the house and got me a small snack, which helped slow the Braxton Hicks until they eventually stopped. I knew I wasn't actually in preterm labor, but the idea of calling into Labor and Delivery really scared me in case there was really something wrong. Contractions have continued to occur, less consistently, in the days since.

Cravings: Ice cream has sounded heavenly.

Aversions: We ate a TON of zucchini over the course of the last week. I finally had to tell Eric that I needed a break!

Missing: The ability to break into a jog haha.

Mood: My mood has actually been really great. My emotions and attitude toward my new diet are better and more relaxed. My back is still pain-free. I'm feeling pretty good and focusing on positivity!

Sleep: We were out and about this weekend, so there were no opportunities for naps. Nights have been fine for the most part, with the exception of crampy legs and trips to the potty.

Dreams: Nothing horrific or emotional to report this week! I did have a really random dream, but I don't remember enough of the details to retell it.

Movement: I feel like I'm gestating a linebacker. 'Nuff said.

Best Moment: I attended what was technically my 32-week prenatal appointment (based on my first EDD of November 29th), and Simon joined Eric and me for the first time. Simon was excited to come and was looking forward to hearing Wesley's heartbeat. He asked lots of curious and intriguing questions, like where the doctor would sit, if I would lie back on the table, and "Why is there a sink in here?" Eric had to keep the boy entertained with magazines while my doctor and I ran through the boring stuff of reviewing my birth plan, and we almost struggled to redirect Simon's attention when it was time to use the doppler. I wish I had recorded Simon's expression when he heard Wesley's healthy beating heart; he smiled with wonder and was clearly enthralled with the fascinating sound of his brother's life. The moment was so touching and created an even deeper connection between my two boys.

Baby Buys: I'm gearing up to buy Wesley's Christmas stocking and artwork for his room. Trying to get organized!

Other News: With the change in my diet, I discovered during my doctor appointment that I've lost a pound since my last visit. I wasn't too surprised since I'd noticed my stomach looking tighter in a different way, and two pairs of pants seemed looser in the waist. My doctor wasn't concerned about the lost pound and reassured me that my weight gain has been on track thus far. She did, however, apologize for unintentionally scaring me with my blood sugar results after I explained how emotional the news and changing my diet has been. She complimented me for doing such a great job in taking care of my health and reassured me that eating carbs is fine--and healthy--in moderation as long as they're not simple carbs and are included with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. I realized that I honestly freaked myself out on my own, but I felt so much better after talking with my doctor. My appetite continues to still be kind of small, but I am no longer completely afraid of what to eat.

Looking Forward To: Celebrating the Fall festivities of October!

number 2 [week 30]

Symptoms: The big 3-0! Celebrating this sort-of milestone has included the onset of Braxton-Hicks contractions. It's funny because at my 28-week prenatal appointment, my doctor asked if I had been having any practice contractions and explained that I was probably having a bunch that I couldn't feel and that it was totally normal. I'm feeling these ones now; they're not really painful, but rather feel just like pressure as my uterus and stomach tighten. Not completely comfortable, but not agony either. Just a taste of what's to come, I suppose!

Cravings: It's hard not eating carbs, for real. Cheesecake sounds good.

Aversions: I've been scared to eat the wrong thing, probably avoiding more than I should.

Missing: A carefree diet. And chocolate.

Mood: Changing my eating habits has been extremely emotional. I was concerning myself over every carb, constantly worrying about my blood sugar and how it's affecting Wesley. Hopefully I'm done crying about it for now and can just focus on being healthy. I didn't anticipate this whole thing being so scary.

Sleep: It's been difficult lately with the combination of leg and feet cramps, waking to go to the bathroom, dreams, and overall discomfort. Not having a restful night's sleep is obviously hard on me in the morning and later in the day.

Dreams: Another bad one, but not involving Eric leaving me. (Yay?) I dreamed that we were in a car accident; Eric had been driving erratically through a parking lot and lost control, resulting in hitting a parked car. We weren't injured at all, but the damage to the other vehicle was pretty extreme. I was furious with Eric for driving so irresponsibly and for how the accident would affect our finances. Simon was with us in the car when it happened, so I was terribly worried about him even though he seemed visibly fine. This dream had me awake for a while afterward, the adrenaline from the anger toward Eric and the concern over Simon rushing through me. This is the first dream I can remember that's involved something "bad" happening to Simon, and it was completely nerve-wracking.

Movement: My little bear has been busy, beating on me all week. He sure is a strong one!

Best Moment: I finally had it with the constant back pain and discomfort and looked into chiropractic options provided by my insurance. I found out that I can see Complementary Care providers (chiropractors, massage therapists, acupuncturists, nutritionists) at a discounted rate under my health insurance plan. My friend, Kristen, recommended her new chiropractor to me, whom just so happened to be on the list of eligible providers. I was able to make a same-day appointment and went in to meet the chiropractor and get an adjustment. Oh. My. Goodness. I felt a million times better! And not only was my adjustment successful, but the doctor was amazingly nice and knowledgeable about the causes of misalignment related to pregnancy and gave me some great tips for my labor experience. His office also offers prenatal massage, so of course I booked an appointment for one and plan to schedule another adjustment when I feel like it's needed. So far, I'm still feeling really great and love not having my entire spine crack when I get out of bed in the morning. I've seriously been on a chiropractic high!

Baby Buys: Simon and I went to Once Upon A Child looking for items to put together his Halloween costume. We came up empty, but did manage to find some newborn jammies for Wesley. There just so happened to be a sale, and I scored 3 for the price of 4, including some adorable Christmas pjs! My little babe will definitely be snug as a bug in all of his warm, fleecy footies this Winter.

Other News: Nothing much else to report; I'm still impatiently waiting for the carpet install for Wesley's room. I've received no word for an earlier available appointment. His closet still needs to be cleaned out and repainted, and I need to start thinking about wall decor. We'll see where we land with my Halloween deadline of having a finished nursery.

Looking Forward To: Relaxing before gearing up for our full calendar of festivities for October!

number 2 [week 29]

Symptoms: This week has been a bad combination of charlie horses and foot cramps and what apparently is called restless leg syndrome (RLS). I've been waking during the night with horribly achy legs, looking for comfort in rolling onto my opposite side and/or changing my leg position. One particularly bad charlie horse woke me in near-screaming pain, frightening poor Eric awake as well. According to the information in the link, iron deficiency may be a cause for RLS. I just started taking iron supplements twice a week since my blood count from my last prenatal appointment was low, so we'll see if those help with both issues over time.

Cravings: The Olive Garden. When doesn't that sound good?

Aversions: I'm trying to eat more protein in the morning, and of course eggs come to mind. And of course, fully cooked eggs are still kind of blah.

Missing: Those dang runny eggs. Eric makes the best fried egg sandwiches! Wah!

Mood: I've been quite emotionally hormonal lately. The water works have been present, as has the 'tude. Oops.

Sleep: Lots of napping occurred over the weekend. I had a week of 2-hour trainings after school Monday through Thursday, which left me feeling super tired on some days. Luckily I had that Friday off and enjoyed a 3-day weekend complete with 3 days of naps. I would've loved to sleep in on one of those days, but that just wasn't in the cards.

Dreams: The break-up dream returned again with an ugly vengeance, visiting this week 2-3 times. The last dream was the absolute worst, causing me to wake up at 4:00 am and leaving me awake for what felt like almost an hour. It was so emotional that I laid in bed and cried, a reaction I've never had before. These nightmares can really just go away and jump off a cliff any time now. I'm so done with them.

Movement: I've been routinely tracking Wesley's kicks and filling out my Kick Count Card as instructed by my doctor. Baby Boy is doing great and making his 10 movements in well under 10 minutes most nights. His rolls and jabs are getting stronger and stronger, making my belly look like a science experiment. Simon and I played with Wesley before bedtime one night, poking at the hard spots where Wesley was parked so that Simon could feel his brother nudge back in response. Those sweet moments make me look forward to the days our boys will spend playing (and no doubt roughhousing) together as best friends.

Best Moment: The week felt like it dragged with extra hours at work, so nothing of noticeable delight really happened. I think I was just super happy to have Eric home over the weekend. I was absolutely fine with him being gone in Tahoe the weekend before and had a lot of fun spending time with family, but for some reason I just missed him so much. Maybe it was just that emotionally hormonal side that I've been experiencing or my subconscious feeling partially insecure with him being so far away while being so pregnant. Whatever the reason, I'm relaxed in knowing that we won't be spending any more nights apart again before Wesley comes--and for a long time after, too. It was comforting having Eric home, and he happily took excellent care of Simon and me.

Baby Buys: Our extra car seat base for daycare came in the mail from my dear friend, Kerry! She wasn't able to make it to my baby shower, but kindly sent a gift from my registry. This will be greatly needed when I return to work, so I appreciate Kerry's sweet gesture so much.

Other News: I've mentioned my low blood count and eating more protein for a reason. Along with my CBC results, my glucose test numbers came back and showed my blood sugar tolerance higher than the normal range. My doctor recommended me for the 3-hour glucose screening test, which required fasting for 8-10 hours and a total of 4 blood draws, one upon arriving at the lab and 3 at the 1-hour, 2-hour, and 3-hour marks after drinking the delicious glucose beverage. My results all came back within the normal range, but my numbers after ingesting the drink were at the high end of 'normal.' As a precaution, my doctor suggested I follow a gestational diabetes diet to help my body in keeping my blood sugar steady. It sucks to be limiting delicious carbohydrates in my diet, but it's better than having to poke my finger to check my blood sugar several times a day. It's been most surprising to me because my sugar levels were completely normal with Simon, but of course every pregnancy is different.

Looking Forward To: Just thinking about meeting my dear Wesley. I catch myself rubbing my belly where he makes his bigger movements, imagining that I'm rubbing his back while holding him in my arms. I know I've still got a considerable time left to wait, but this mommy is growing anxiously excited.

number 2 [week 28]

Hello 3rd trimester! 

I can't believe we've already made it this far!

Symptoms: Tired? Check. Back aches? Check. Reflux? Check. Anxious to meet this boy? Check!

Cravings: Carbs. I'm convinced it's because I'm trying to not eat them. 

Aversions: I wish it were carbs. 

Missing: Energy. Not feeling tired so easily. Moscato. 

Mood: Hanging in there. This past week just flew by, but it was a good one. I really have nothing to complain about and am thankful for life.

Sleep: I grabbed my prego pillow and what do you know--I'm sleeping heavier. I forgot how cozy it was and still have no idea why I stopped using it for a few weeks. Nothing I do makes sense.

Dreams: I dreamed that I was walking around with Wesley, pushing him in a carriage-like stroller. He was wrapped in a swaddling blanket and I couldn't see his face. As I walked, people stopped at my stroller and commented on how adorable Wesley was and that he was the cutest baby they'd ever seen. After several comments I finally reached down to adjust the blanket and see his face. He looked exactly like my dad, but without a beard; and I mean as if my dad shaved off all of his facial hair today. My newborn baby resembled his 59-year-old, bald-faced grandfather. Weird to say the least.

Movement: While catching up on the new season of Dancing with the Stars, Mr. Wesley was shaking his groove thang during the entire 90-minute episode. It was hysterical. Maybe I'll have a little dancer on my hands?

Best Moment: Remember last week when I alluded to knowing a secret? There was a big one that I was keeping: Eric's Aunt Sam flew in to town last Thursday to surprise Ashley for her birthday. The surprise was unveiled at Ashley's birthday dinner, which she was unaware that we were attending. The surprise was a huge hit, and we enjoyed a great night at Red Lobster. Eric was gone at Levi's bachelor party that Friday and Saturday, and Simon and I enjoyed more family dinners, shopping, and having Ashley and Sam spend the night at our house. Eric returned home around lunchtime on Sunday and was able to visit more with Sam and made delicious burgers for dinner. We had a lovely time and are looking forward to her next trip out here for Christmas!

Baby Buys: Sam wanted to get me a baby shower gift, so we went to Buy Buy Baby and she generously bought us our new changing pad for Wesley's room. She also insisted on getting a present for Simon and let him pick out an Octonauts toy at Babies"R"Us. He was over the moon.

Other News: Eric and I went to my 28-week prenatal appointment where I took my routine glucose test and received the whooping cough booster and RhoGAM shot. My doctor also gave me the Kick Count Card to start and a birth plan worksheet to begin thinking about. This trimester marks the final round of this pregnancy journey, and I cannot believe that we are already to this point.

Looking Forward To: Moments of relaxation, wherever I can find them!

walking after dinner with Aunt Sami & Auntie

number 2 [week 27]

Symptoms: I can't believe this was the last week of my 2nd trimester! I feel like my pregnancy has just been flying by, even though I also feel like I've been pregnant forever. This week was just another week full of back pain, leg cramps, fatigue, heartburn and acid reflux, and cute baby hiccups. And for additional fun, I've also had worse nearsided vision (from what my doctor says is extra fluid in my eyes due to pregnancy - why am I even surprised) and caught the return of the linea nigra. I'm grateful for it all, but sometimes I feel like the medical conditions are just piling on top of each other one after another!

Cravings: Chocolate and pizza. Wesley is seriously undermining my attempt at healthy eating habits.

Aversions: I'm over chicken. This mama wants steak.

Missing: It's all the same! Alcohol, sushi, cold meat. I'm counting down the weeks.

Mood: Still happy. Looking forward to meeting my baby bear and already way too excited for Christmas. It'll be our first as a family of four and I'm super giddy!

Sleep: It's been rough the last few nights. I've been tossing and turning more often and feeling uncomfortable. I'm not using my pregnancy pillow and I have no idea why. The more frequent cramps in my legs make it all worse every time I change positions.

Dreams: I had this odd dream that Simon was swimming laps in his bath tub like a little Olympic swimmer. The odd thing was that even though he was swimming underwater, he wasn't holding his breath and was instead breathing in water. It scared me that he was swallowing so much water, but he didn't act bothered one bit. In reality, Wesley is the child of mine who is currently breathing in watery amniotic fluid and flipping laps in my uterus. I wonder if my subconscious transposed my two boys?

Movement: On Saturday, Wesley was seriously a constant wiggle worm ALL. DAY. LONG. He barely slept at all and repeatedly beat on my belly hour after hour. It's wasn't painful, but instead cracked me up as I couldn't believe he was so full of energy. My tummy continued to go crazy well into the evening and even tickled Daddy's face as Eric rested his head upon my bump to talk to his little boy. Wesley's movement has been back to normal since, but Saturday was quite the exciting day for some silly reason.

Best Moment: We made our annual "Fall" trip to Apple Hill on Sunday. While we're still a few weeks out from the first official day of Autumn, it is already officially Apple Hill season with most growers open. We brought my dad along with us as a thank you for all of his help around the house, and Jen and her family also met us up there for fun and treats. We packed a lunch and visited 4 different apple growers, indulging only in fudge, apple donuts, and fresh Early Fuji apples for home. My dad bought an apple crisp to share, and we were barely able to make a dent in it. The weather was so beautiful and breezy, a preview of the Fall temperatures for which I cannot wait. We had so much fun, and Simon had a blast running around with Bliss and Brydon.

Pregnancy Purchases/Baby Buys: Still nada, but I did sell the last of the maternity clothes that I didn't want to keep and the owl wall decals I had framed in Simon's old nursery (sad to see them go, but he's outgrown them). It's great clearing things out and getting some cash back!

Other News: Eric will be out of town in Tahoe this upcoming weekend for Levi's bachelor party. He'll be gone two nights, Friday and Saturday, returning Sunday. I'm not worried about being on my own with Simon, but I do see myself being quite tired by the time Eric gets home.

Looking Forward To: It's a secret, so I can't tell. There is something exciting happening that I'll get to share next week!

Brydon, Bliss, & Simon

our family of almost 4

silly poses with Cho-Cho

number 2 [week 26]

Symptoms: Feeling as well as I possibly can. I haven't noticed any major changes since last week. Wesley's started having hiccups, almost daily, which is just so incredibly adorable and funny. I feel super large and waddly and am trying to keep hydrated and moisturized as much as possible.

Cravings: Momma finally got some Oreos! I may have been feeling particularly stressed after a long day and sent my darling, loving husband out to the store at 9:30 pm. He returned with a package of Double Stuffed sweetness. That man is truly my soulmate.

Aversions: Not really an aversion, but recently I had been eating too much snacky food before lunch and was becoming too full to finish my lunchtime salad a few days in a row. I felt guilty and asked Eric to make me smaller salads in better hopes of finishing them. So far it's been a success.

Missing: Sushi. I've probably already mentioned that, but come on... it's SUSHI.

Mood: Still really happy and eager to meet my next boy. I feel pretty crummy in the evenings when my energy has peaked out and my back can no longer tolerate being upright. That part's a bummer.

Sleep: I fell asleep early a few nights this week. I think I'm still sleeping pretty hard. Cramps have been giving me a break!

Dreams: Before my baby shower I dreamed that Erica RSVP'd "no" to the event, which makes no sense in real life because she was one of the hosts. It was super silly, and I almost didn't realize in the morning that the memory wasn't real!

Movement: Wesley has been moving higher and higher. It's uncomfortable sometimes if he's in a particular spot, squishing my internal organs. He pushes my belly out in odd directions more often and continues to dance every time I eat.

Best Moment: My baby shower was this past weekend! Jenny and Erica hosted it at our house. It was penguin themed, after Wesley's nursery, and included cute touches like penguin cupcakes and a waddling diaper toss relay. My hosts, along with additional helping hands, did a great job putting everything together for what was a fun event. Wesley was loved on with many wonderful gifts, for which I am so thankful.

Baby Buys: I made a few exchanges from the shower, and I've also got some gift card money to spend. I'm going to hold off for the time being.

Other News: I was so mad to find out that the soonest available installation appointment for the carpet in Wesley's room is OCTOBER 21. I can't fully set up the nursery if we're just going to have to move all of the furniture out again for the install. The inside of the closet still needs to be painted and can be organized once finished, and I guess I can hang stuff on the walls as well. This just puts stress on my Halloween deadline for the nursery being done. Hopefully I can still meet it!

Looking Forward To: The upcoming 3-day weekend! Eric doesn't have to work, and we've got nothing planned. Hello relaxation and fun!

penguin cupcakes

my hosts, Erica and Jenny

Wesley's sign

number 2 [week 25]

and...

my 100th post!

Symptoms: My hair is getting so long! I've basically been growing it since the A-line cut I had when pregnant with Simon, but lately it's felt super long. Can I attribute it to my daily intake of prenatal vitamins? I don't know; my hair has always grown very fast. 

Cravings: Remember how I said I was craving Oreos? I decided to hold out until this past weekend's camping trip to give in to my craving. I love to use Fudge Creams for s'mores in place of Hershey's chocolate, but my regular grocery store (where I've purchased them before) did not have them on the shelf! I didn't have time to look anywhere else after buying our camping groceries, so I did not enjoy my favorite campfire treat. So my craving continues!

Aversions: My dad mentioned mayonnaise the other night and my stomach flipped. Which is weird, because I have no issues with mayo.

Missing: The ease at which I used to be able to move. Getting dressed inside a tent was quite interesting!

Mood: Still feeling really upbeat! I decided that every time someone asks me how I'm feeling, I'd respond and ask them the same question in return. I thought it was funny. How you're feeling is just as important, too!

Sleep: Still having some mid-slumber cramps and charlie horses. Luckily, I was able to sleep pretty comfortably while camping with my pregnancy pillow in tow. We usually stack our two air mattresses on top of each other, so comfort isn't normally an issue when we camp.

Dreams: I had the break-up dream again. I was at my baby shower, which was co-ed, and several male friends/guests asked where Eric was. I knew he was gone playing hockey instead of being at our baby shower, and our guests had no idea that he wasn't there because he wanted to leave me. I was quite upset and keeping the news to myself, thus being completely miserable and not enjoying myself at all. Stupid dream.

Movement: Simon got to feel his brother move! He was sitting in bed with us for his bedtime story and had an arm resting across my belly. Suddenly Wesley kicked, and we both looked at each other with surprise! Simon was so excited to feel his brother, who kicked a second time and left Simon smiling and proud. We've been waiting for the two to make contact, and hopefully it will happen again soon. 

Best Moment: CAMPING! We spent two nights up near French Meadows Reservoir for the birthdays of our friends Levi and Jeff. Simon was a big boy and slept on his own in a sleeping bag at the end of our air mattress. Eric and I were so proud of him for sleeping through both nights independently. He was pretty tuckered out at night (even with naps!), so sleep came very easy for him. We were lucky with warm weather during the day and tolerably cold temperatures at night. It was so nice to relax and visit with friends. Eric was a huge help with Simon since I'm not moving too fast these days and took on most of the loading and lifting without letting me help much. I do most of the packing anyway, so I guess it evened out!

Baby Buys: Shower gifts are starting to arrive! I'm trying to hold off on purchases until after my baby shower.

Other News: My dad has been over helping out big time with house projects. Since my baby shower will be at our house, there were a few things that I wanted to do before hosting a house full of people. Along with putting the finishing paint touches on Wesley's room, I wanted Simon's bathroom and the playroom wall painted. Hopefully we'll have enough time for everything to be finished before the shower. Eric and I have appreciated my dad's help so much since he's been busy at work and I can't tolerate the smell of the paint/lift anything heavy/climb a ladder safely to help.

Looking Forward To: My baby shower this weekend!

French Meadows Reservoir

our camping cutie

view at the campsite

number 2 [week 24]

Symptoms: Still having lower back and hamstring pain after periods of sitting. Both are becoming a part of temporary daily life. I think my hands have swelled a little bit since my wedding rings are still fitting tighter at times. At this point in my pregnancy with Simon I had removed my toe ring, but I don't think I'm quite there yet this time around.

Cravings: CHOCOLATE!

Aversions: Still not put off by anything. *Yes!*

Missing: I feel like it's just going to be deli meat again and again and again for the next 16ish weeks.

Mood: Really actually feeling fantastic!

Sleep: I got my first middle-of-the-night charlie horses this week, wooot! (Not.) I also had some cramps in my toes the other night before bed. When I have to roll over at night I end up completely waking so I can readjust my body pillow.

Dreams: There hasn't been anything exciting enough for me to remember when I wake up. I have, however, completely daydreamed about salami. No joke.

Movement: Wesley is still a busy little bee. He might be starting to get used to our back-to-school schedule, as I'm feeling him a little earlier in the mornings now.

Best Moment: Thanks to our wonderful friend, Renee, Simon now has his "big brother" bed! There is officially no longer a baby in the house, especially with no crib currently in use! For now, the crib is broken down and hanging out in the living room so it's out of the way for carpet measuring in the nursery. Simon's new bedding and sheets look great on his new-to-him twin size bed, although I still need to find a mattress cover and bed skirt. His room just became way more grown up, and I cannot believe how big my first baby is becoming right before my eyes.

Pregnancy Purchases: Nothing exciting this week, except for a refill on my prenatal vitamins. Yippee.

Other News: I had my 24-week prenatal appointment. My doctor and I discussed birth control options for after Wesley is born and my options and different choices for my childbirth experience this time around. I don't remember if I mentioned that Eric and I signed up for the 'Preparing for Childbirth' class offered by Kaiser. I'm looking forward to learning some breathing and relaxation techniques to ease labor and delivery and my different options for pain management. I would like to deliver naturally this time without an epidural and as little medical intervention as possible, and I really want to have more control over this birthing experience.

Looking Forward To: Sharing about this summer's camping trip! Our last one as a family of three!

first night in his "big brother" bed!

number 2 [week 23]

Symptoms: Although Eric says he doesn't notice a difference, I think I've had a little bit of swelling in my feet. It's completely normal at this stage of pregnancy, and they already hurt all the time. My hands also sometimes feel tingly, and I've noticed my ring sometimes feels a little tighter, but that might also be attributed to the heat. Pregnancy-induced carpel tunnel is a thing, and I'm wondering if I'm in the beginning stages of experiencing it.

Cravings: Still thinking about Oreos nonstop...

Aversions: Nada!

Missing: Eating whatever I want. I can't stop talking about everything I want to eat after giving birth.

Mood: I've been a little hormonal and emotional lately; we've been busy bees with a lot going on.

Sleep: It's still been really great in our luxurious bed. Being able to make it through the work day back at school has been a worry of mine!

Dreams: Really random mixes of totally weird stuff. Nothing stands out, except that food has been recently prevalent in my non-waking thoughts.

Movement: Wesley remains totally active. There are times that he moves so suddenly and powerfully that I yelp out loud or make a funny expression in response. It's been entertaining to those around me.

Best Moment: PAINTING IN WESLEY'S ROOM OFFICIALLY BEGAN! On Saturday Eric and I moved the last of the furniture and boxes out of the room, he removed nails and patched the countless holes and dings we found in the walls, and I removed the outlet and light switch covers. My dad and Ashley came over on Sunday and helped Eric paint the ceiling and walls. Simon got to help paint a special section of wall under the window and was so excited to help. The shelving unit needed lots of sanding before paint, so my dad has been working on that during the last few days. So far I am absolutely in love with the color I picked out, and the room already looks completely transformed. The door, door frame, closet, and closet doors still need paint, and unfortunately carpet orders are backed up and we won't be able to get an install for 3-4 weeks. On the bright side, we're having measurements taken next week and will have plenty of time to paint and install new baseboards since the old ones were no good. It's slowly coming together!

Pregnancy Purchases: Do our maternity photos count? We got them done with Jamie of Jamie Scobee Photography, a close family friend of our friend, Brett. Simon was a ham the whole morning, but we had a great time with Jamie and felt really comfortable during the shoot. I've already seen a few teasers and can't wait to see the rest!

Other News: Summer is pretty much over for me. I had my back to school training on Tuesday and got a taste of what it will be like going back to work for the next 3 months. It was nice to see coworkers and colleagues and have delicious In-N-Out for lunch (another craving). We'll see how I fare after the first week back.

Looking Forward To: I am helping out with a co-ed baby shower for our friends Jordon and Brianna. They are expecting their first child, a daughter they're naming Allison. The shower is this Sunday and it should be a lot of fun!

Wesley's room empty and prepped for paint

Big brother helper!

teaser from our maternity session