31 Weeks Pregnant Update

31 Weeks Pregnancy Update:

How far along: 31 Weeks (almost 8 months!)

Weight: i think im still around 17-18 lbs gained ( i havent stepped on the scale since 30 wks and 4 days and i was at 17.2 lbs gained..that was 4 days ago so im guessing its gone up)

Symptoms: Frequent bathroom trips even more so, babies head is right on my bladder! Still having annoying heaviness in my right leg when i work out or sometimes even just from walking or going up stairs.  Braxton hicks allllllll thhhheee tiiiiimme. I guess thats just my weird uterus (:

Cravings: nothing new really

Movement: hes been SOOO active this week. He hasn't stopped moving these past few days, its like he never sleeps! Or his sleep cycle is shorter and hes awake more often now.  My nurse told me id feel less movement (less kicks) and more random rolling around as he gets more cramped in the belly as he grows bigger and bigger.  He'll have less space to move around so she warned me not to be worried if his movement slows a bit. That has yet to happen (:  His movements are starting to hurt a little and are frequently uncomfortable. Its really crazy to watch him move from the outside of my tummy, we can certainly feel little feet sticking out and his butt..its been fun to try to figure out what different body parts are.

Exercise: I havent exercised in a couple days because I AM SICK AGAIN! (third time being sick during this pregnancy and second time in this past month!).. my husbands long hours at work and school are causing him to feel warn down and thus he is getting sick repeatedly and keeps passing it along to me.. not. fun. at. all.!   This week i did light light weights (getting lighter and lighter the bigger this belly gets) one day this week, and did mild cardio  4 days.  I can still breathe and havent had any trouble breathing while working out (ppl say this tends to happen as your lung get more and more cramped in there).

Feeling: Im feeling great aside from being sick. I havent had any emotional moments lately, i feel pretty stable and happy. Im so so so eager to get everything ready for him as much as i can, and so excited to meet him!

Excited for: 4D ultrasound TOMORROW!!! stay tuned for a post on his cute little face... we havent had an ultrasound since week 21 .. when our US technician surprised us with a quick sneak of a 4D glimpse of his precious face.. i cried, so i know im going to be a hot mess tomorrow! He will actually have some fat on his little cheeks and his face will have matured so much since then! Im so so so eager to see if we can tell what hes going to look like..we are praying for a great picture and that he is in a good position!

Babys progress: Hes around 4 lbs and 16-18 inches! Hes the size of a cabbage or 4 navel oranges side by side. He's now processing information, tracking light, and perceiving signals from all five senses. He's also putting in longer stretches of sleep, which is why most moms start noticing more defined patterns of wakefulness (and movement) and rest (when he’s pretty still).

Missing: nothing really... i've actually really loved being pregnant this past trimester and the start of the third. Feeling really good and really thankful!

Additional update: We went to our second Birthing class this past wednesday and learned some new breathing techniques, watched a couple videos (O M Gsh.. i have watched plenty of births both live and on video and i must say, they truly picked some of the worst labor and delivery videos they could have possibly chosen..poor hubbies).  We learned different positions to labor in and talked all about natural methods, epidurals, and narcotic shot options.. The class made me really on the fence about getting an epidural. Id say before this class i was 80% sure id get one, but i did want to wait as long as i could without getting it so Labor could progress naturally and much more quickly then it tends to once you get the epidural (so ive heard/experience w family).  Now im thinking i would like to try to do without one.. i know i will most likely change my mind and could be one of those women screaming at 2cm dilated, "GET ME THE EPIDURAL AND SOME IMMEDIATE RELIEF ASAP!!!!!". But we will just see how it goes, ill take it one contraction at a time.  The most discouraging information i learned about epidurals is that they can lower the moms blood pressure, thus resulting in the babies heart rate dropping, and risking a potential emergency C-section. Id like to birth vaginally, so ill do whatever i can to not have to go through getting a c-section, and i want whats best for our little boy.  I guess im just leaving it up to how i feel the day of.  (: Im not going to stress it

Wedding rings: On

Belly Button: OUT

Clothing: mostly wearing just comfy dresses and maxi skirts or leggings. .. its too hot for jeans. Not really wearing anything maternity and havent botten anything in a long time. My shirts are definitely much shorter this week so i may need to invest in a couple longer ones that wont show my belly but that i can wear after pregnancy as well.

60 days or less left!!!! We have 6-9 weeks until he could be here. Im full term in 6 weeks and due in 9!

30 Weeks Pregnant, Bump UPDATE

30 Weeks Pregnancy Update:

30 Week Baby bump

How far along: 30 weeks (and 3 days now) 7 1/2 months pregnant

Symptoms: A little acid reflux 2 days this week but not bad.  Definitely feeling more full after meals now.  My dad says im waddling now a little bit but no one else sees it? haha. Still not really any new swelling (i think i retained a little bit of water in my legs and hips in the beginning of the second trimester but nothing new). Its 102 degrees today so im hoping that if i stay inside and drink lots of water and continue to get some movement each day that i can ward of any real swelling (a common pregnancy complaint in the third trimester). 

Cravings: none.. Actually finding it more difficult to find something i want to eat. Eggs are still a turn off for me.

Sleep: Still difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. Uncomfortable.

Exercise: Still keeping up my routine,  i did 5 days (4 days of cardio, 1 day of light weights) this week. Its getting difficult to get myself to the gym and to want to complete a full work out, so im taking it slow and modifying each week to how my body feels.  I've been doing lighter weights listening to my body and finding the bigger it gets the harder it is to do anything.

New this week: We had our first "Preparation for Birth" class on Wednesday last week.  It went really well. I'd say i knew 80% of it and my husband even knew a good portion of the information already as well.  We have two more classes and hoping thats when they talk about all the good stuff and show us breathing techniques etc.  Our baby showers these past two weeks have been so much fun and such a blessing feeling so much love being poured onto our little boy. It was great to see all of our friend and family and made this little boys coming so much more real. Our home is filled with baby stuff and i've already put most of it away and sorted it out into piles of what needs to go into storage, the clothes and blankets that need to be washed, and a pile of necessities that need to be put together and built before he arrives (stroller, car seat, swing, etc). 

Missing: nothing really

Wedding Rings On/Off:  On

Belly button in/out: Out

Dr visit: We went to the doctor today (monday) and the babys heart be is perfect, my uterus is measuring on time, but my weight hasnt really changed in 3 weeks so we are scheduled for an ultrasound at our next visit in 2 weeks just to see where the babies growth is..the Dr. was not concerned but just wants to be on the safe side.  I read online that alot of women plateau for a bit from 30-31 weeks and dont gain and then start to gain again once the baby starts to go through its last growth spurt.   I wanted to do a 3 D ultrasound this week but not sure when we will get any time! My hubby has been so busy with school and work but we are determined to do one.  Results came back from our glucose test and I have nothing to worry about, also found out im not anemic. YAY!

Babys progress: He is now 3-4 lbs, 15.7 inches! He is the size of a head of cabbage.  He is surrounded by a pint and a half of amniotic fluid, that volume will derease the bigger he gets as he takes up more room in my uterus.

My mood: My mood has been pretty normal, good lately! No mood swings this week (:

Weight gain: 17 lbs.  Weight gain has slowed a i mentioned above. I was gaining a little less than a lb a week in the second trimester pretty consistently but it seems to have slowed the past few weeks that i've begun the third trimester. I never expected that to happen, since everyone i know told me you gain the most in the latter part of the 2nd and the 3rd trimester.  I guess everyone is different. We will see in  weeks how he is growing (: CANT WAIT TO SEE HIM!

Looking forward to: our next dr.'s visit. I look forward to hearing his little heart beat, being able to ask questions, and being reassured he is growing at a healthy rate.  I also look forward to our classes this week on Wednesday and what more we will learn!

I cannot believe i've hit 30 weeks! I never thought this day would come. Its been a long haul but such a beautiful one! Its going to be surreal when we finally meet this little boy my bodies done all this hard work and changing for.  Our whole lives are going to change. And it will be so weird not having him inside my womb anymore and not being pregnant.. people have continuously told me to "enjoy it now because i will miss it" and i never believe them, but im starting to really become attached to his little movements and the connection we have, there will probably come a time when i really do miss this baby belly and being pregnant.

Later this week ill post on our baby shower.. also im waiting for my sis to send me more maternity photos to share with you all!

29 Weeks Pregnant Update

29 Weeks Pregnancy Update:

Belly shot

 Pregnancy Progression: 9 weeks, 19 weeks, and 29 weeks... cant wait to see what it looks like at 39 weeks! Amazing what our bodies are capable of isnt it?! I am loving this time, seeing my belly actually look pregnant is seriously surreal. I glance at pictures and I cant even believe its me and that theres a baby in there! This is such an incredible moment in my life, I hope I never forget how this feels.

And just a cute little shot of our little girl.. she is so excited to meet her brother so soon! This precious little kitty is smitten with this belly! This was taken this week after I woke up and found her cuddling with me (which she does every morning). Shes the sweetest!

How far along: 29 weeks, (7 months pregnant and 1 week)

Weight gain: almost 17 lbs (it fluctuates between 16 and 17 recently)

How many weeks to go: 8 weeks until full term, 11 weeks until due date (76 days from today!)

Due date: July 19th 2013

Symptoms: Well, I dont know if its just been a crazy stressful week or if its this third trimester finally hitting me, but ive been so so much more tired this week. Its been so hard to get myself to work out (i skipped a couple days in there) but i've been managing to at least get in a little activity and push myself even though i dont feel like going to the gym much.  A couple days i had a little acid reflux late at night after i had ice cream, i think my belly is finally getting to the stage where im going to be getting full quickly and have to look out for that dreaded heart burn! ugh! Leg has that numb heavy feeling once in a while during exercise or sometimes even when im walking. 

New updates: its getting difficult to bend over but I can still do it, it just feels weird now.  My shirts are all getting pretty short (its hilarious when i still wear them to the gym haha).  I am committing to hopefully not buying any more maternity clothes because i only have 11 weeks or less left.  I am definitely getting the itch to start nesting! Oh and i tried on my pre prego pants and they all still fit and i can button them again (baby moved up a little), although they fit i  am most certainly not wearing them because they are not comfortable when i sit as well as its been SO HOT lately! I just want to be able to remember that i was still able to fit in them at this point so i can compare with our next pregnancy in the future. Thats part of the fun of keeping track of all of this stuff, it will be so neat to see the differences with our next baby!

Cravings: not really anything this week..i've actually been having a difficult time finding things that i want to eat, not that i dont have an appetite or that im not hungry, just not desiring anything specific lately.

Adversions: Im not really grossed out by any food anymore like the first trimester but i still cant eat eggs (for like a month or two now) I think its because i ate them for a few weeks almost every morning and i just got sick of them.

Looking forward to: BABY SHOWER!! I have my first baby shower TOMORROW that my mother in law is hosting, i cannnnot wait! And then this wednesday we have our first labor and delivery birthing class.  Next saturday we have our second baby shower that my mama is throwing us.  I am so so excited to start nesting and cleaning and finding a place in our home for all of his stuff! Oh and the 3D ultrasound we will probably do next weekend!

Missing: being able to sleep like a normal person. Having easier work outs. Summer clothes that i cant wear right now.  Cold weather (its been like 100 degrees these past few days.. really hoping i dont swell, ive managed to stay away from any real swelling so far.

Wedding Rings On/Off:  On, still lose actually

Belly button: OUT.. its so cute and funny looking now

Baby: He is the size of a butternut squash, around 3+ lbs, 17 inches long! 

Feeling: im feeling really great! Im really enjoying this season of life. I havent had any real complications during this pregnancy and cant complain about how its going so far. I thank GOD that my nausea only lasted 15 weeks and that ive been healthy and happy. THis is just the best gift and such a blessing and im really enjoying it right now (i hope i can say this in a few weeks when i cant see my feet, lol).  I just feel really thankful and im so so excited to have our baby boy with us for the rest of our lives together. I cant even wrap my head around it! 

Movement: hes not as wild as he was weeks ago, hes slowed down a bit, especially during the day. Sometimes i get nervous thinking to myself "why is he not moving as much" but i guess its normal as the run out of room in there. He moves mostly at night and i feel low low deep little pokes in my pelvic area at work or while im sitting driving sometimes.  But mostly feeling him while laying down watchin tv at night or in bed.

Sleep: Same, its hard to fall asleep, i wake up 2-3 times for bathroom breaks, and its difficult to fall back asleep and get comfortable or shut my mind off in the morning when i wake up too early. My body must be preparing me for this little boy and his nursing schedule.

Exercise: doing the same thing, cardio, light weights (only got to do weights once this week...aiming for two times a week but this week was a tough exhausting one). Im proud ive been able to maintain my activity level at this stage, it feels good to keep my blood circulating and moving my body. I feel like Im not as fragile as people make pregnant women seem like, it feels empowering..i feel strong and yet feminine. 

HAve a great week! I'll be 30 weeks next week, home stretch, cannot believe it!

Sneak Peak Maternity Shoot

Maternity Shoot Sneak Peak:

If you are following me on instagram: tessa_ray_armstrong, im sure you already saw this little sneak peak my sister (our photographer: www.kelseysteindler.blogspot.com) took from her IPHONE...   I cannot wait to see the actual pics she took w/ her camera! She is an amazing photographer, so gifted and skilled, with such a beautiful heart. She can make anyone smile and it so wonderfully her goofy sweet self that you instantly feel comfortable in front of the lens (great for people like my hubs who hate taking professional photos).  

Her instagram is "thesteinz" if you'd like to follow her work.  Im so grateful for her giving heart and that she is always open to do a shoot <3.  Since we are family she brought along her hubby and their sweet 6 month old baby boy, my darling nephew Canaan (pronounced cay- nan). Her husband took the baby and their dog for a stroll while we got down to business.  Heres a couple photos of me with my nephew after we were done shooting. He was out past his bed time for auntie so he was a bit crabby but I love to kiss and squeeze him anyhow!

Before we shot w/ my sis we were sitting around waiting so i stole a quick kiss at sunset.

We finished off the night at Savannah's Steakhouse. We love to get in as many date nights as we can these days knowing that pretty soon we'll have our little guy here and not be able to do as much with just the two of us.  My husbands schedule is INTENSE and BUSY to say the least right now. For the next 2 1/2 months hes working and going to school (finishing his hours) and on top of that doing work for the band. Hes a busy man and im so proud of him for all his hard work for our family. <3

Cant wait to post more maternity pics for you when my sis gets a chance to edit!