weight: 160lbs - up 18 pounds.
maternity clothes? Mostly! My regular shorts from last summer still fit (wow, I guess I didn't realize how big I was)
stretch marks? I don't think so, but I can't see under my belly button haha
cravings? SUGAR. It's so bad! really kicked in high gear along with a hefty appetite about two weeks ago.
rings on & belly button still in
symptoms: Here we go - :) TON of movement, which is good, but baby has grown SO much the past month it is already getting uncomfortable. My midwife could tell when I lied down for her to measure fundal height that baby had grown a lot since the last appointment only two weeks prior. Occasional round ligament pain. FATIGUE. I usually nap while Marilyn naps or at least lie down to rest. I sleep better alone, so occasionally I sleep in the guest room when I want to go to sleep especially early and am especially grumpy. I sleep lightly and get up often to use the restroom. normal discharge, same as my entire pregnancy with Marilyn... itchy stomach and feeling like my skin is going to rip apart in the evening. I snore now. Lots of gas. Definitely not the beautiful side of pregnancy, lol. It's hard to get comfortable sitting, so I often lean. I would LOVE to recline but I know that's not a good posture for keeping baby in the best birthing position so I try to avoid it. She's a good little babe and has been head down last two prenatal visits! :) <3 My skin has been pretty awful the entire pregnancy, I have some little red splotches on my face that have been there for months, and usually have bags under my eyes. I have mild, occasional heart burn now - still able to control with smaller portions, not drinking a lot of water with food, watching what I eat. When I finally hit third trimester the extreme stomach pain and indigestion let up a lot. I'm not sure if it was hormone related or baby's position? But I don't miss that at all! I wonder if that is why I want to eat so much more. I get overheated and start to feel sick easily, so unless I'm swimming I pretty much stay inside as much as possible. It's hard to shave my legs and especially bikini line. Occasionally my right hip may bother me, but repositioning myself or stretching helps quickly. Shortness of breath. Brittle nails. Congestion.
exercise: random. I will go the gym maybe once or twice a week, mostly to let Marilyn run around and play with other children for an hour while I walk on the treadmill. It's often too hot to walk outdoors when I've felt up to it. Occasional youtube workouts, specifically third trimester pilates, yoga, or strength workouts. I did lift arms at the gym on Tuesday and felt awful the rest of the day, so as much as I'd love to keep some sort of muscle, it's just not worth it right now. I forget to do squats daily. I have no routine and need one. Marilyn and I have swam a lot since we do have a pool, but I usually just chill with her and enjoy being in the water and sun more than I actually exercise and swim ha! I wish I was doing some sort of more regular "exercise" but I have just felt so bad this entire pregnancy and every day grow more tired.
Life & extra thoughts:
I am thankful for this baby. But I do not like being pregnant. I cannot wait to push this girl OUT OF ME.
Being tired all the time is mentally challenging for me. I cannot unpack like I want to, clean, play with Marilyn, cook healthier meals, etc.
Most days when I exercise enough to break a sweat, I actually regret it. I feel miserable the rest of the day, am absolutely worthless around the house, and have to lie down while playing with Marilyn. Mom fail. So it's a super low priority - which is hard, because I'm packing on pounds now quickly. I also worry I won't be as physically "ready" for labor as I was with Marilyn's labor and wonder how that will play a part in it all.
My dietary goals are centered around the Brewer diet - new this pregnancy. It's a high protein diet, pretty much. I like that it has me focussing on what TO eat instead of what NOT to eat. I find myself replacing what I crave with what I and baby need knowing I just don't have the room in my belly for both. lol ;) I did not bleed too much with Marilyn, but for whatever reason I'm a little more worried about it this time and want to do what I can to prevent it. Honestly, though, the amount of protein has me concerned I'll grow an even bigger baby. Completely selfish of me if baby is healthy, I know.
Steve keeps asking if I've named the baby yet. Nope. The same hour I think of a name I like the sound and feel of, I remember a reason I can't use the name- which is usually another person with that name. Ha.
Marilyn is showing more and more signs of being ready to potty train and also transition from crib to toddler bed. Because of safety, I'll do big girl bed first and see how long that takes first... Hunting for a bed sounds tiring. I think I'll nap now before M wakes up.<3
