Quick OB visit.

This week has been hell. I've only made it through one full day of work (the rest were halves), have been relatively lifeless when I'm at home, and have had many emotional breakdowns this week. Due to an unbearable back and multiple symptoms resulting from said back pain, I went to see the doctor today. I have my monthly appointment scheduled for next week, but really needed the peace of mind that everything was okay. They say the baby feels what the mom feels, so the thought of my little one suffering as much as I have been was very worrisome to me. So I went for a quick check-up.

And, as expected, Baby Reeder is fine, with a heartbeat in the 140's. On paper, I'm also the picture of health. My doctor gave me some tips for relieving the back pain and told me to continue getting a lot of rest. I've had trouble breathing this week, and she assumes this is due to changing hormones rather than my back. I've been asking around about chiropractors lately thinking this may be helpful, but she's not convinced I would benefit very much from this (as I don't appear to have a slipped disk or anything.) She actually recommended I look into getting more supportive bras and shoes (sorry, flip flops, but you're done for the year).

She wanted me to keep my appt for Wednesday, so I'll have my regular check-up then and we'll see how things are going. My goals for this weekend are to try to relax, get as much sleep as possible, and do some light shopping for supportive (i.e. ugly) shoes.

Trampoline.

Baby Reeder,

Mommy's bladder is NOT a trampoline. It is just barely past noon and I have already had to pee 6, yes 6, times today. My back hurts way too much to keep getting up and down for bathroom breaks. So please simmer down. Thanks.

Love,
Your Mama

3rd trimester.

Baby Reeder at 26w4d

Ah, Florida. You were a little slice of heaven. Baby Reeder and I have returned from a lovely long weekend in FL with 2 of his aunts. Our days consisted of beach, pool, sun, repeat :) I coated my body with spf 50 to keep from burning, as my pregnant skin is super-sensitive, and managed to escape with a little bit of a tan to get me through the fall. The girls were incredibly helpful in keeping me comfortable, and I had a rather blissful few days down there.

And then we tried to come home. 12 hours of travelling, and only about 2.5 of those were actual flight time. Needless to say, I became very familiar with the various airport bathrooms. The 3 of us managed to stay happy and entertained for I'd say the first 9 hours - after that, I was done (despite the girls' every effort to make me comfortable - thanks again!) When I finally got home at 2 a.m., I burst into tears the second I sat down on my bed - a combination of utter exhaustion, a sore back, and relief to finally be home. I'm still recovering today, but hoping I can make it through a full work day (unlike yesterday.)

How far along?: 27 weeks, 0 days.
Total weight gain/loss: +2 this week, +10.5 overall.
How big is baby?: 2 lbs. and 14 inches long? Really? Good growing, baby!
Maternity clothes?: The baby loves to punch the waistband of my pants, which isn't super comfortable. I wish I could wear drawstring pants all the time, since they lovingly sit below the belly.
Sleep: Ouch. I still haven't found a comfortable position, now that my back hates me and the belly is so heavy. The back and hip pain I wake up with every morning has me dreading getting in bed.
Movement: Getting very intense - no more nice little kicks. This little man is feisty (like his mama). Yesterday, he simultaneously elbowed me in the cervix and kicked me in the rib. At least he's still head-down, as his daily hiccups are nice and low. Hopefully he'll stay that way, because I don't want to have to play the breech/transverse baby-turning game.
Labor signs: None, though I've had a few moments where I've experienced some tightening/cramping that might be the start of Braxton Hicks (after "booking it" through the Atlanta airport, for example). I guess we'll see...
Food cravings: Baked goods. Anything made with sugar, really.
Gender: Well if Juan the waiter from the Ft. Myers Carrabba's is as accurate as he claims, it's a girl. But he was a bit of a creeper, so who knows...
Belly button in or out?: I think it's slowly surfacing.
What I miss: Thinking of my bed as an oasis.
What I am looking forward to: Next week's OB appointment.
Best moment this week: Swimming! I haven't been in a pool in years and it was heavenly.
Weekly Wisdom: Don't fly through Atlanta when you're 26+ weeks pregnant.
Milestones: Two-thirds of the way there, kids. I still wouldn't say time is "flying" by any means, but September has been as helpful as I thought it would be in keeping time moving.

Proof that I own a bathing suit! (And it's hard to see, but it says "27 weeks" in the sand)

Double Digits :)

How far along?: 26 weeks, 0 days - creeping up on the 3rd trimester :)
Total weight gain/loss: +0.5 this week, +8.5 overall.
How big is baby?: Roughly the size of an eggplant, apparently.
Maternity clothes?: Oh yes.
Sleep: I'm pretty sure my days of getting "good nights' sleep" are over. For at least the next 18 years + 3 months. sigh.
Movement: This child is all over the place. And I'm not gonna lie, it hurts sometimes. Oh yeah, and baby hiccups are crazy!
Labor signs: No, but I had a dream that I had preeclampsia and had to deliver at 37 weeks. Highly irrational, considering pre-e is typically brought on by high blood pressure, and mine is always, and I quote, "perfect" (I'm not bragging, it's the truth. Who would brag about having good blood pressure?)
Food cravings: I really wanted DQ this week for some reason.
Gender: There were moments this week when I wished I knew. But don't worry, it passed.
Belly button in or out?: Still in.
What I miss: Never having to take off my wedding rings. I've been sleeping/working out without them since early in the pregnancy due to major swelling. They still fit fine during the day most days, though, so I guess I should keep counting my blessings...
What I am looking forward to: FLORIDA! Plane leaves tomorrow at 6 a.m. I'm sad to be leaving the husband (no really, I am, I've never enjoyed leaving him) but soooo looking forward to 5 relaxing days on the beach with the ladies :)
Best moment this week: Receiving my baby shower invitation in the mail! Only a few more weeks :)
Weekly Wisdom: My before-bed snack must be substantial or I will wake up 100% ravenous. I'm not kidding, I have the worst pit in my stomach when I roll out of bed in the morning. And unfortunately, I usually don't eat my breakfast until almost 2 hours later at work. (I know what you're thinking, "Sarah, why don't you eat something at home before you leave?" Why? Because I'm an idiot and a creature of habit.)
Milestones: We're under 100, which means double digits from here on out! And I'm entering my last week in the 2nd trimester. Guess the "honeymoon period" (total lie, my 2nd tri was not any easier than the 1st) is over.

100 DAYS!!!

Unbelievable.

We've made it to 100 days!

Of course, this is assuming Baby Reeder makes his appearance on my due date. Lately I've been feeling like he'll come a little early (which almost definitely means he'll be late...) So we could really be under 100 days at this point! Hallelujah!

I've never been so excited for something in my life. I'm thrilled for fall this year and downright ecstatic for winter. The sun is setting earlier and earlier these days, which usually depresses me - "It's only 8:00 and the sun is already down.", "It's only 7:30 and look how dark it is already!", etc. But not this year!! Darkness at 5:00 = baby time :)

Now, if only I could get a handle on this back pain, because the thought of 100 more days of this is incredibly disheartening...

Hiccups.

Baby Reeder had the hiccups yesterday! May not have been her first time, but it was the first time I've felt it. It was adorable (if feeling baby hiccups can be adorable...)

I'm in love.

My back hurts.

Sorry, that's all I could come up with for a title as I sit in my uncomfortable work chair, longing for my heating pad...

How far along?: 25 weeks, 0 days
Total weight gain/loss: +1 this week, +8 overall.
How big is baby?: A pound and a half and 13 inches from head to heel. Get out a yard stick and take a look at what 13 in. looks like. Holy cow!
Maternity clothes?: Just about full time.
Sleep: We are not friends anymore.
Movement: Might we have a little soccer player in there? (Coincidentally, my uterus is now the size of a soccer ball.) I'm actually thinking a rugby player like his uncle, as he loves to forcefully ram into my belly.
Labor signs: Ditto last week.
Food cravings: Oreos, though not the donut-fried ones we had in Frankenmuth. Too awkward.
Gender: Team Green.
Belly button in or out?: Still in.
What I miss: Feeling well-rested.
What I am looking forward to: It's birthday season in the Vonderhaar family. Happy to know Baby Reeder and his new cousin will be extending birthday season all the way into Christmas season from now on! Hooray!
Best moment this week: A tie between the big surprise at the lake and going to the World's Largest Christmas Store. After all, Christmastime = baby time :)
Weekly Wisdom: Don't leave home without the heating pad.
Milestones: Hmmm. Belly looks much bigger to me this week, but that's not really a milestone. I survived road trip #3 of 4 of the pregnancy- does that count? Speaking of road trips, my stomach now looks like a road map - the blue and purple veins are out of control. Totally fascinates me. Boy am I random today.