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Tuesday, July 20, 2010

33.5 weeks

How far along: 34 weeks on Thursday

Total weight gain: 32lbs since the start

Maternity clothes: haven't been able to wear any non-pregnancy purchased clothes anymore... But I have to say I've finally stopped buying any more clothes for the pregnancy. The other day I saw a pretty dress, and had to remind myself I have only a little over a month to go. Isn't it hard to see all the gorgeous regular summer stuff and not be able to buy anything? I wish I could say being pregnant has put a stop to my shopping but it really hasn't- between the new collection of flat shoes and low-heeled wedges, and empire waisted dresses, I've bought as much as I normally do any season... oi! Wasn't expecting that.

Stretch marks: no!!

Sleep: past few days has been hard. I've had a really hard time getting comfortable. And when I try changing sides, I can actually feel the weight of little one shifted in my belly. It's painful. Also have noticed I have to get up to pee more frequently all of a sudden... perhaps she's lowered herself on my bladder again?

Movement: it had been constant for a while there. Especially with all the cold water I've been drinking to combat the heat wave. But past few days I'm also noticing slightly less movement (she has less space to move the OB said) but I'm feeling more Braxton-Hicks contractions... I didn't realise that was what I was feeling because I thought I'd read somewhere B-H were accompanied with cramps? Apparently not... it's this weird sensation that usually happens when I'm walking and all of a sudden my tummy goes rock-hard and I feel this weird tightening...Fun.

Best moment this week: all of our interactions, me and baby girl. I find myself talking to her pretty often. It's hilarious to my husband but I feel like we've bonded so much recently.

Food cravings: cold things... popsicles... cold watermelon... still have the heartburn and odd return of nausea

What I miss: walking normal... not having constant back ache... a good night's sleep

What I'm looking forward to next: finishing up her nursery and getting together the many items we still have left on our to-purchase list. I want to be finished with all of this by the following weekend max, at which point I'll be 35 weeks.

we have a diva in utero

I am fire. Husband is ice.

I am ever hyper/bothered by small things/impatient. He is eternally calm/thinks things over/doesn't sweat the small stuff.

This is also why we're such a good pair.

Lately when I think of baby girl's personality I was really hoping she'd have more of his personality. My husband's nickname for me is "firecracker" so you can imagine why having a calm daughter may be a better idea. But lately as we've bonded, I'm more and more convinced she's a mini-me.

This happened the other night:

I was dead tired after work. I lay down on the bed with one of the heavy Steig Larsson books, it semi resting on my belly. She gave a fierce kick right to the book. I shifted it thinking I'd bothered her. She proceeded to give another kick and do her squirming dance of displeasure. I commenced to have a verbal argument with her, telling her I'd do with my belly as I pleased (trust me I was tired!). At precisely this point, husband walked into the room and asked who I was talking to. And witnessed our first (and I'm sure not last) mother-daughter fight. I showed him what was going on, and let me tell you the little one did not back down. So I had to concede defeat and read a magazine.

She is this mother's daughter.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

32 weeks and 31 years of age

3-1

Earlier this week I turned 31. To celebrate husband and I both took the day off from work- quite a feat for workaholic us.

We went to our favorite brunch spot, and ordered the whole menu it seemed like. In between bits of waffles, chorizo, and fluffy as can be pancakes, we reflected on the past year for me.

A trip down memory lane... we took last July off from fertility treatments. We'd just started seeing the specialist, who had outlined a seemingly overwhelming number of tests and possible treatment plans. July was the month I was turning 30, so we decided we'd enjoy life that month. Drink.. eat... be merry. And tackle it all in August. My 30th year started with a horrid month with the HSG... SIS... and start of harsher medication and it seemed never ending visits to the doctors. September... October... November... December were much the same. Now in retrospect it was 5 months of my life, but those months were the hardest I've ever encountered, taking us both to the lowest levels of despair.

Come end of December, we found ourselves with the good news that maybe our prayers had been answered. The following 3 months were full of anxiety and constant feelings of fear of it all being taken away. It was only once April rolled around that I started relaxing and enjoying my little one. Believing our little miracle was really true.

How much changes in a year. I started 30 on such a low note, not knowing if I had the strength in me to keep hoping. And now I start 31 full of amazement of what my body is capable of... excited for the future... and believing that dreams do come true.

So we left the brunch spot, our bellies full. Deep in conversation with the person who knows me best in the world... with our little daughter kicking wildly in my belly.

You have those rare moments in life, where everything feels exactly as it should be. And this was one of those.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

time... how it's flying

So much has been going on lately and time has just been flying.

Last week, husband and I celebrated 6 years of wedded happiness. Last year we did a grand trip to the Big Sur coastline to celebrate 5 years and as much as we had fun and celebrated us, we'd still both felt the nagging reminder of what was missing. This year, celebrating our anniversary was a poignant moment. Our last as solely the two of us, and we cherished that and also celebrated what was to come.

Last weekend also was my baby shower. My sister organized it and a big group of my girlfriends gathered for a fun afternoon. We played silly games, ate yummy Mediterranean tapas, and topped it off with a yummy chocolate cake with a pram on it. Fun. Lots of neccessary items for baby girl were gifted and it's sinking in... baby girl's on her way :)

We decided to spend this long weekend here in NY with few plans. Work has been absolutely insane for me with a huge deadline next week so some rest has been badly needed. Today, with termperatures threatening to hit 100F, we cancelled plans to attend a July 4th picnic, and instead had our own picnic indoors in the comfort of constant hydration, proximity to the loo and air conditioning. Not to mention, we put the crib together, emptied out alot of stuff from the guest/nursery room and it now looks closer to the room it should be. We still are waiting for the mattress/and need to do the "decor" but atleast the crib is up!

Also finally got around to reading the labor and delivery part of the baby books. So far I'd only gotten so far as following the weekly updates... Next: need to get some books on breast feeding. Any reccomendations?