Bumpdate Weeks 34-35

I can’t stop saying it – time is flying and we’re getting close. While I have no indication that our baby girl will show up anytime in the next week or two, anything is possible at this point. The good news is that she is almost full term and would still do very well on her own if she were to arrive now. Mike and I are doing our best to soak up all the moments that we have left as a family of two, so we’ve been spending even more quality time together and also taking advantage of weekends for precious naps.

Mike and I had a coffee date before work this week which was a fun treat and in general we’ve been lingering before work to enjoy our coffee together while we have the luxury of free time before work.  We plan to do it once a week from now on until baby arrives, on top of our Sunday night fish taco date night ritual. While I’m very excited for our family to expand to three, it’s hard to say goodbye to the life that Mike and I share as a family of two.

How Many Weeks: This covers weeks 34-35

Baby’s Size: About the size of a honeydew melon, 5 1/4 pounds (!!!) and over 18 inches long! She’s certainly grown a ton in the last month (and so has my belly).

Weight Gain: 35 pounds (more on that topic here).

Movement: I’ve been feeling her more than ever lately, especially on my right side. Sometimes its so sudden and strong that it startles me and almost hurts! The doctor said she thinks she is head down with her back mostly toward my front and her legs/arms on my right side. That sounds about right based on the movement I feel. I tend to feel her several times throughout the day and then a lot at night, specially when I’m trying to sleep. There have been a few times that I’ve woken up in the middle of the night and felt her so I’m wondering if she’s the one that woke me up (there will be plenty of time for her to wake me up soon, so I wish she would stop this now!).

Symptoms: Easily winded, slower walk/waddle, bleeding gums while flossing/brushing (this has actually been happening for a while), weird appetite (can’t eat a lot in one sitting and then will be ravenous an hour or two later). Somehow I don’t have any heart burn and I don’t seem to have to go to the bathroom any more often than normal yet.

I’ve had some new red spots (called cherry angiomas) on my chest and arms since about June, one of which was big and noticeable on my arm. I went to the dermatologist last week and he told me although it’s totally harmless, it won’t go away on its own so I had to have it removed (ouchie!). Skin changes in general are common in pregnancy – I’ve also noticed a couple moles seem to have changed but those are apparently OK according to the dermatologist.

Also, as far as I know, I’ve had no braxton hicks contractions…but apparently (according to google that is) often first time moms don’t even feel them/know they’re happening. It may be a sign that I have a while to go (I have told my doctor I do not want any cervical checks leading up to birth so I will have no idea how dilated/effaced I am) but only time will tell!

Purchasing: I actually didn’t buy all that much in the last 2 weeks. I’m waiting for a few things before using my final registry completion discount (I also added a bunch of post-natal care items on there). The biggest purchases were a special mattress protector for the crib which has shown to reduce SIDS when using a non-organic mattress and more prenatal DHA supplements.

Maternity Clothes: At this point I feel like I’m rotating the same few outfits over and over again. Dresses and skirts are by far the most comfortable in this heat, so I take advantage of that as much as possible. I only have about 6 workout tops that work for me now and even a couple of those are starting to get inappropriate in the cleavage department. I’m looking forward to some new outfits once I can fit back into my old clothes.

Exercise: Still going strong w/ Xtend Barre 2x/week, yoga 2-3x/week and lots of walking/hiking. I even made it to spin at Rhythm and Power twice this past week. My last “run” (3.1 miles of running alternated with walking/hiking) was on August 8th and it very well may have been my last during pregnancy. It’s been hot and running doesn’t feel great so I never really have the motivation to do it. I’ve noticed a slight decrease in my motivation in general, especially on the squats! I am still doing them but definitely not as religiously as I was before.

Cravings/Aversions: I’ve been LOVING water with crushed ice in it. It has replaced my soda craving completely (which is a great thing) and luckily there is a crushed ice machine at work so I pretty much am in heaven all day long. I drink at least 5-6 of my 16 oz water bottles a day at work plus several glasses of cold water before and after work.

Interesting Moments:  At the wedding we attended last weekend I had a man approach me to ask about the pregnancy and then when I told him how far along I am, he said “oh you’re not going to get very big at all!” After the conversation ended, another man approached and proceeded to tell me how huge I am (he did preface saying he hasn’t been around a pregnant woman in years)! Hah. Just goes to show that how “big” you are is totally dependent on the person’s personal perspective had has little to do with reality!

Best Moments: Sometimes I just look at Mike and feel so lucky that our daughter will grow up with such an incredible father. He gave an absolutely amazing speech at the wedding last weekend (he was Best Man) and I couldn’t have been more proud to call him my husband. He has been so supportive in this pregnancy and I know it would be so much harder without him!

Another special moment was when Mike discovered that he can hear Siena’s heart beat when he puts his ear to my belly! He was pretty excited and amazed by it and now he wants to listen every day.

Missing: Running. While taking a walk on the boardwalk in Manhattan Beach last weekend I couldn’t help but feel serious envy of the runners out and about. It was hot but I still wished I could be running with them! I’ve also found myself day dreaming about my running comeback and thinking about which races I’ll sign up for post-baby. Of course, I’ll wait to sign up until after she’s here but the first race on my radar is the Encinitas Turkey Trot. I figured I can always just walk it with Siena in the stroller if nothing else!

Looking Forward To: Rocking my 36 week bump at the Taylor Swift concert next weekend!