31 Weeks...single digit weeks left, this is getting real

How far along?  31weeks

Total weight gain: 20-22 as of last appt.

Maternity clothes? Yes, all pants. Some of my regular shirts still fit, sort of

Stretch marks? No new ones

Sleep: up  3+ times a night and waking up very early 

Best moment this week: Seeing progress made on our home, thanks to the wonderful friends and family that we have. Also, ice cream for dinner, hanging out with friends, and being so very blessed to have a friend like Nora.

Miss Anything? Tim, so much. This week has been incredibly tough.

Movement: Yes! Lots of flopping around. Pretty sure he or she got my ribs the other day.

Food cravings: Pizza, fruit, not really any crazy cravings lately

Food aversions: OJ and tea

Gender: Don't know, and won't know until the day the bean arrives!

Labor Signs: Nope, thankfully 

Symptoms: Really tired, heartburn again, very emotional, getting out of breath more easily, stomach feels heavy when I go for a walk

Belly Button in or out? In...getting flatter though

Wedding rings on or off? On.

Looking forward to: Heading to Oneonta this weekend for the family reunion, and hanging out with Sarah and Miriam.

Feelings: Crazy stressed - between our house getting worked on and crazy nesting mode starting, McKinley flat out refusing to eat (pretty sure because of Lyme/antibiotics), and missing Tim all the time it has just been a really tough emotional battle constantly these days - all this is the same from last week. Poor pup still isn't eating. 

I heard a new song by Laura Story called I Can Just Be Me which was really helpful to hear.

I have also made the decision, after much thought, to switch to a different practice for the remainder of my pregnancy. As much as I love my OB, I really dislike one of the other OBs in the practice, and there is no guarantee I will not have her when I'm in labor. Also, and perhaps more importantly, they never ever read my chart before talking to me - which is frustrating to say the least and heartbreaking at its worst. I'm tired of being asked questions that would be very easily explained by reading the bright green highlighted sentence at the top of my chart. 

Yesterday, I met with the midwives practice that Nora delivered with. Tey are a much smaller practice, and work closely with OBs if the need should arise for them to be present. I can also still deliver at the hospital (which is still the plan). I think the more personal approach of a midwife, and the fact that they will stay with you throughout your labor, seems like a better fit for me. I'm pretty excited!

31 Weeks

30 Weeks, 7 months!

How far along?  30 weeks, 7 months! 

Total weight gain: 20-22 as of last appt.

Maternity clothes? Yes, all pants. Some of my regular shirts still fit, sort of

Stretch marks? No new ones

Sleep: 3+ times a night and waking up very early 

Best moment this week: Hanging out at Waters Edge with the Burke clan

Miss Anything? Tim, so much.

Movement: Yes! And the movement is very, very low most of the time

Food cravings: Pizza, peaches, bananas and peanut butter

Food aversions: OJ, tea, veggies (depending on the day)

Gender: Don't know, and won't know until the day the bean arrives!

Labor Signs: Nope, thankfully 

Symptoms: Really tired, heartburn again, very emotional, starting to get out of breath more easily

Belly Button in or out? In...getting flatter though

Wedding rings on or off? On.

Looking forward to: seeing my cousins, seeing Sarah and Miriam, and bringing food and beverages to the wonderful men that are working on my house!

Feelings: Crazy stressed - between our house getting worked on and crazy nesting mode starting, McKinley flat out refusing to eat (pretty sure because of Lyme/antibiotics), and missing Tim all the time it has just been a really tough emotional battle constantly these days. Desperately holding on to the truth that God never leaves us nor forsakes us.

30 weeks

From the front - 29 Weeks, 6 days

29 weeks

How far along?  29 Weeks

Total weight gain: 20-22 lbs

Maternity clothes? Yes, all pants. Some of my regular shirts still fit.

Stretch marks? No new ones

Sleep: waking up a lot, and waking up very early 

Best moment this week: Lobster bake in RI, seeing Emma and Adam, hanging out with the Burke ladies, dinner with my old team, and hearing little ones heartbeat 

Miss Anything? Tim. So very much, all the time.

Movement: Yes! This is an active little one!!! Some days are more active than others. Getting more consistent now.

Food cravings: ice cream, summer foods like corn on the cob, fruit (loving watermelon and peaches) Still mostly into carbs, but can eat a more balanced diet lately! :)

Food aversions: OJ, tea, veggies (depending on the day)

Gender: Don't know, and won't know until the day the bean arrives!

Labor Signs: Nope, thankfully 

Symptoms: Really tired, heartburn again, very emotional - and had to have a non stress test today to check things out, thankfully all is well!

Belly Button in or out? In...getting flatter though

Wedding rings on or off? On.

Looking forward to: Going to Waters Edge for a day to two with the Burkes, work getting done at our house!

Feelings: Emotional, a lot has happened this week. Had to move a bunch of stuff (including our clothes) downstairs so that work could be done on our upstairs. My brother came home. Had to have a non stress test. Have been busy hanging out with people. Poor McKinley had a terrible limp, that I couldn't figure out how it happened. Ended up taking her to the vet because it got worse and she was whimpering like crazy, and she was diagnosed with Lyme. I'm so grateful I took her in, and to another vet instead of our regular - so was limping about 2 months ago and I asked our vet if it could be Lyme and they said no...turns out they were wrong. Needless to say, we will be switching!

28 weeks, 1 day. Dayle's photo shoot

29 Weeks

28 Weeks, 3rd Trimester!

How far along?  28 Weeks, can't believe there are only 12 weeks left!

Total weight gain: 20 lbs....eek

Maternity clothes? Yes, all pants. Some of my regular shirts still fit. Belly is still growing!

Stretch marks? No new ones

Sleep: Not great, waking up 3/4 times a night, and waking up early. 

Best moment this week: Going to the beach with the Perreaults, hearing Bean's heartbeat, passing my glucose test, and staying at our house. Also seeing the work that has been done so far, thanks to Peter!

Miss Anything? Tim. So very much, all the time.

Movement: Yes! This is an active little one!!! Some days are more active than others. 

Food cravings: This week, it was a Cinnabon cinnamon roll. Weird.

Food aversions: OJ, tea, not a fan of chicken or veggies, will eat them though

Gender: Don't know, and won't know until the day the bean arrives!

Labor Signs: Nope, thankfully 

Symptoms: Really tired, sore, and starting to feel like moving is getting more difficult,very emotional

Belly Button in or out? In...getting a lot flatter though

Wedding rings on or off? On.

Looking forward to: Taking some maternity pictures, seeing friends I don't normally get to see, and going to RI with my family for a lobster bake!

Feelings: It was an emotional week, with it being four months since Tim went to Heaven and our four year engagement anniversary falling on the same day. I went to the beach with Nora and Joe, because that is what I did 4 years ago with Tim. I also stayed at our house with the pup by ourselves for the first time, and while it was not easy I think it was really important and good for me to do. I missed being at the house because we love this place. 

28 Weeks, in Ridgefield 

At the beach on 8/7/13

27 Weeks

How far along?  27 Weeks

Total weight gain: 15 lbs as of last appt.

Maternity clothes? Yes, all pants. Some of my regular shirts still fit. Belly is growing for sure in the last week!

Stretch marks? No new ones

Sleep: Ok, waking up 2/3 times a night

Best moment this week: Amy's wedding (What a gorgeous bride!), Church w/ the Burke clan, Rich's with Katie, hiking with McKinley, and making another big decision (more on that later!)

Miss Anything? Tim. So very much, all the time.

Movement: Yes! This is an active little one!!! Some days are more active than others. Getting more consistent now.

Food cravings: Goldfish, ice cream, Fage with fresh peaches, honey, and an oatmeal crumble.

Food aversions: OJ, tea, not a fan of chicken or veggies, will eat them though

Gender: Don't know, and won't know until the day the bean arrives!

Labor Signs: Nope, thankfully 

Symptoms: Really tired, heartburn again, very emotional

Belly Button in or out? In...getting a lot flatter though

Wedding rings on or off? On.

Looking forward to: My next appt for Baby Hine on Tuesday and going to the beach with the Perreaults

Feelings: Been very emotional still, and think about Tim constantly. I so wish he was here to experience this life with me still.

And the big decision!

I've decided to cloth diaper the bean! I had done a ton of research on cloth diapering in March, and Tim and I decided that it was something that we were interested in trying. After everything happened with Tim, I kind of got cold feet in trying something like that on my own - but it never really left my head as something that I would like to try (and I like it was something we had actually talked about together). Fast forward to now, and the fact that this baby will be here in 3ish months, and I started thinking again. I have done more research and also consulted with some people who cloth diaper. At the end of the day, I feel like it is something I want to try, so I am going to go for it. Now that I have made the decision I am actually very excited, and am looking forward to getting everything and trying it out once little one arrives!

Having a bit of insomnia the past several nights...hence the very tired eyes