Belly Bump Update!

I promised a belly bump photo weeks ago and FINALLY got around to it!

I wanted to take it in the same shirt because what you wear really does effect how pregnant you look. 

This is one of 3 shirts that I can wear without totally exposing my underbelly! Everything else rides up *awkward.

You can tell I got a new phone within the past 4 months. 22 weeks was taken with my Droid RAZR and now I have a Samsung LG G2. HUGE difference! I got the Samsung because it's the best camera phone on the market. So proud of myself for knowing what I wanted and going for it!

Notice anything different in these pictures? Besides the basketball I swallowed...

I can no longer where my engagement or wedding ring (SO SAD!) and I can't even wear my watch! The swelling in my hands and feet is unnoticeable to everyone but me.

I have a few more blog posts sitting in "draft" mode. Hopefully I can get those published this week for you. 

37 weeks - in the home stretch!

How far along? 37 weeks

Baby is the size of Swiss Chard (source)

Total weight gain/loss: I've gained 22 lbs. I gained those 10 at Christmas which put me at 22 but since then I haven't gained any more. That's good in my eyes. It really feels like all baby now.

Maternity Clothes? Nothing else fits! 

Stretch marks?  A few on my lower abdomen, under the belly button. But they are very light and Hubby refused to feed my fear. So I'll go with "not really".

Sleep? Sleep is good. Sleep is my best friend! As I anticipate being in labor for over 6, 10, or even 24 hours all I can think is "but when will I sleep?!" I'm trying to sleep as much as I can now. I fell asleep on the couch yesterday as Hubby warmed up the shower for me. It was awesome! I'm always tired after I eat, I think this baby sucks the life out of me as he digests our food.

Best moment this week:  It feels like my belly is all baby now. So I feel every movement. It's very cool. Kinda sad that it's at the end of my pregnancy and I only get to enjoy this for a few more weeks (days?). But he is very very active! I'm sure I will miss that.

Miss Anything?  Definitely food items. Sushi, wine, rare steaks, and any over indulgence in sweets. I've wanted ice cream every day, but I can't remember the last time I had ice cream. 

Movement:  Lots of movement! Especially after eating and after taking my vitamins. I can feel him burrowing down south when I wake up in the morning and when I walk for long periods of time.

I will try and take a belly photo this weekend! Sorry these are all I have

Food cravings:  Nothing but I'm not saying "no" to as many things as I was in the beginning. I did crave and go buy orange juice and milk the other day. It was yummy.

Anything making your queasy or sick?  Just heartburn after a big meal. 

Have you started to show yet? Oh ya!

Symptoms: Sciatic pain in hip is the worst. Still have indigestion, heart burn, numbness in hands, swollen ankles, very very congested. But as I prepare for an unmedicated birth I am putting all of this into perspective and I think "this is nothing to complain about" whenever I feel like complaining.

Super Sexy right? This is after a 3 day weekend in Dallas with PLENTY of walking and not enough sitting.
The 'after' picture is thanks to my LOVING husband who kept reminding me to elevate my feet and he wrapped them in ACE bandages for a night. Back to normal! (4 days later!)

Gender:  BOY!

Labor signs:  A few cramps here and there. Doctor said I was a fingertip dilated at today's appointment. I think he was lying to make the nurse and my doula feel excited.

Belly button in or out?  Hanging IN there!

Wedding rings on or off?  Off. Still wearing that size 8 ring (1 size up)

Happy or Moody most of the time?  Happy. No complaints here. I think I have a great 'tribe' to help me through the birthing process. Loving my doula! So I'm just waiting for the big day. Trying not to think too much about it so I don't get depressed if it doesn't happen soon.

Looking forward to: My baby shower this weekend, organizing (nesting) and my BFF getting married in two weeks! Can't wait for her big day!!