Week 34 Updates

I think my bump had a growth spurt this week. I look much bigger in this week’s picture than last week. And I love how awkward my smile is here, haha...I think Tyler took this while he was on the phone so I wasn't ready for the picture.
Weekly Questions How far along? 34 weeks!

How Big Is The Baby? BabyCenter says he weighs about 4 ¾ pounds and is about 18 inches long.

Total weight gain: Today I am 159.6, so that was only a 1 pound gain this week, which is good since last week was so awful! So I've gained 18.6 pounds so far in this pregnancy...6 more weeks to go, I really, really hope I can keep it at 25 pounds but that is looking a little bit harder. Guess it's time to lay off those late night ice cream snacks huh?

Maternity Clothes: Same as always—I’m mixing maternity with non-maternity clothes. I wear a lot of cardigans that I don’t button all the way up with maternity tank tops, or just long tank tops. Luckily, maternity tops haven’t been a huge necessity this entire pregnancy, although I wish I could fit a couple of non-maternity skirts. The outfit in the picture is all maternity though. Everything I'm wearing is stretchy, elastic paneled, longer in the front than the back, and tied to emphasize the bump and avoid looking like a tent. Yep, fits all of the maternity rules.

Sleep: Definitely better this week. I get sleepy really fast, but when I sleep, it’s fantastic.

Food cravings: Eh, no real cravings this week but turns out I looooved egg salad sandwiches. It wasn’t really a craving, just happened to be there, and I ate one and loved it. So, I ate 2 more. Classy huh?

What I miss: Clothes. Haha, I’m bored of my wardrobe and cannot wait to get back into my non-maternity clothes. That alone will be my motivation to quickly drop the weight after the birth. Well, that and Youth Congress and being with 17,000 other people who I want to look fantastic for. I sure have my priorities in order.

What I am looking forward to: We have our first shower this weekend! It’s being thrown by my coworkers and I’m a little excited. It’ll be cool to start getting our baby gear together!

Milestones: I get a lot of belly comments now. They range from “Wow, you look so small for being this far” to “Ooohhhh sister, you are HUGE” (thank you, little old lady at church, thank you for that comment). I guess the belly is growing and people are noticing, so everyone has something to say. Not really a milestone, I know, but still had to write about it. Also, Braxton Hicks contractions have been very, very there this week. They don't hurt, aren't really timeable, and aren't consistent, so it's nothing to worry about, but man they can get annoying sometimes.

Letter To My Little Bun

Dear Baby Cohen,

I haven’t written to you in a couple of weeks and I’m oh so sorry.

Mommy loves you so much and I cannot wait to hold you. I even pretended to hold you in my belly and your Mimi thought it was funny. She did not think it was quite as funny when I started rocking you, and clearly you didn’t either, because you started kicking around like a little crazy baby.

I love your little movements and I love your stretches and wiggles. I’m convinced you're claustrophobic and that’s why every once in awhile you flip out and start moving and kicking and elbowing like crazy. I imagine you’re yelling “Get me out, get me out, get me out!!”

Soon little boy, only 6 more weeks, and you’ll be out! You’ll be here with all of us, getting so much love that your little heart will be full. Everyone is very excited to meet you, and I don’t blame them, you’re going to be a pretty awesome little boy.

I wish I had lots of time to write to you, but I’m working right now so I can’t. But just know that I’m counting down the days when I get to hold you in my arms for the first time! And if I’m crying, it’s not because I’m sad, it’s because I’m so insanely in love with this little boy who I’ve been trying to patiently wait to meet and it’s going to be one of the best days of my life.

I love you my sweet, sweet little boy!

Love, Mommy

Week 33 Updates

Okay, this picture is kind of funny because of the shirt I’m wearing. It’s a ruffled shirt and I didn’t realize that when I took the weekly picture in it, the ruffles would block where my belly starts. But still, my belly is undeniably large and constantly growing.

Again, there’s no letter this week. I’m one lazy and tired mama and I’ll hopefully get one written for next week.

Weekly Questions

How far along? 33 weeks!

How Big Is The Baby? BabyCenter says he weighs about 4 pounds and is about 17 inches long. He totally feels like he’s run out of room because I can feel every movement he makes. It scares me to know that I still have 7 weeks and that he has to fit somewhere!

Total weight gain: Today I’m at 158.6. Yep, I had a huge weight gain this week. I would love to say it’s because the baby has gotten so much bigger and not take any of the blame, but honestly, I’ve eaten like a crazy person this week so I have no one to blame but myself. I guess this week I really should try to eat something a little more nutritious than just Gushers and potato chips for a late night snack. Anyways, that puts my total weight gain at 17.6 pounds.

Maternity Clothes: That shirt I’m wearing in this week’s picture is so not maternity and it was super uncomfortable. Haha, I can still wear some non-maternity tops, but I should really avoid the ones that are too short and have to keep pulling down. So my wardrobe is mixed with maternity and non-maternity tops. And of course, when I get bored of what I have, I go shoe shopping, thus the fantastic red shoes in the picture above (thanks Mom for shoe shopping with me J)

Sleep: This wasn’t the best week. I had a little more back pain, and with Cohen’s constant movements I’ve been pretty sleepy. Plus, I want to be in bed every night by 9 and even then I still take constant naps. Maybe next week I’ll find my energy again!

Food cravings: Eh, no real cravings this week. It’s nice.

What I miss: Buckling my own shoes. It’s finally warm enough to break out the wedges and sandals again but man, putting them on is a pain. I don’t even try to do it…So far Mom and Tyler have been my shoe people. And Amanda was a sweetheart and gave me a much needed pedicure (French tipped and everything)—I don’t have dragon toes anymore!!

What I am looking forward to: There’s nothing big happening this week in the baby world for us. I guess I should take a look at the list of pediatricians that my doctor wants me to choose from and if I actually did that, that would be something to look forward to.

Milestones: I had my 33 week check-up. Everything went well but I can’t be in any stressful situations for the next 7 weeks-turns out I’m having mini panic attacks and really, that’s not good for anyone. Cohen has finally reached my ribs. So now when he’s doing these adorable rolls that I can feel near my belly button, I also get these nudges up near my ribs on the side (according to the ultrasound it has to be his feet kicking my bones). But it’s fun to watch him roll around in there. Poor baby, all squished up, nowhere to kick.

32 Weeks

No letter this week...I'm not even busy. Just really, really lazy.

Weekly Questions

How far along? 32 weeks!

How Big Is The Baby? BabyCenter says he weighs almost 3.75 pounds and is 16.7 inches long.

Total weight gain: Today I’m at 155.2. Eeshkkk that’s a 1 ½ pound gain this week, and overall gain of 14.2 lbs. It almost hurts to type that haha…

Maternity Clothes: I’m wearing a maternity dress in this week’s picture. And I basically wear maternity clothes all of the time. Unless I can wear long maternity tank tops and non-maternity button up shirts/cardigans and just leave it unbuttoned over my belly…

Sleep: No real complaints. Food cravings: Not real cravings, just when I want to eat something, I’m really specific how I want it. For example-cooked, sliced black olives seem disgusting, but eating them straight out of the jar seems like a fantastic idea (and they have to be whole). I’m just being weird now.

What I miss: Rolling without grunting, and bending over to pick things up and not look hilarious doing it. Oh, and not having foot cramps…Holy cow, those are not good.

What I am looking forward to: Nothing huge to look forward to this week, I have an appointment Monday, but that’s going to be a quick appointment so nothing huge there…

Milestones: This week I feel his stretches even more and he sticks his little butt (or back, who really knows) up a lot now making my stomach lopsided, it’s fun. Otherwise, no huge milestones this week either.

Letter To My Little Bun

Dear Cohen-

How're you sweet little boy? I know Mommy hasn't been super consistent with these letters the past few weeks and I'm very, very sorry. But turns out, the further I am in the pregnancy, and the busier I get, the more tired I am too!! I wanted to you have a letter each week, and for the most part you do, so ignore the weeks that you don't.

Last night we got to see you sweet tiny little face. Oh boy, do you have a chubby little face!! I LOVE it. I love your chubby little cheeks (or as our ultrasound tech called them-chubeeks). I cannot wait to kiss your nose that looks just like your daddy's and your thin little lips. You're a sweet little boy!!

You're already head down and according to the ultrasound your head is pressed against my cervix and putting way too much pressure on my bladder. Of course, I didn't need him to tell me that, I feel you all day pushing as hard as you can against my poor bladder. Haha, it's okay though, I suppose if you're comfortable, then stay there.

Only 9 more weeks until I get to hold you little Mister. I'm literally counting down the days, I cannot wait!!

I love you a million times over and it may sound weird, but I miss you. I know that's hard to imagine because you're in me right now and I've never held you, but it's true. My heart is so filled with love for you that it's so hard that I can't hug you and kiss you and take care of you just yet. But very soon I will. You'll see.

I love you little boy--

Love,
Mommy

Week 31 Updates

Weekly Questions

How far along? 31 weeks! Only 9 more to go. I’m in the single digits now…so weird!

How Big Is The Baby? BabyCenter says he weighs almost 3.3 pounds and is 16 inches long.

Total weight gain: Today I’m at 153.8. So that's 12.8 pounds so far.

Maternity Clothes: Well I’m bored of them. And I still have forever to go to wear them. There just aren’t enough options unless I’m willing to go broke….and I’m not. So I’m not buying anymore. The shirt above is actually from the junior department at Wal-Mart and it’s perfect because it’s all flowy around my belly. Perfect space for baby! Plus, it’s cute so I can wear it when I’m done with maternity clothes too.

Sleep: It’s been a fairly good sleep week. No actual complaints. Food cravings: I still crave those stupid Cheese Cup of Noodles. And red meat.

What I miss: Walking around while we’re out shopping and not feeling exhausted as if I ran a marathon. Haha, I’m winded pretty much all of the time.

What I am looking forward to: This weekend we’re celebrating my birthday. It’s my last birthday before I have a little one to take care of so that’s pretty exciting!!

Milestones: My doctor appointments are now every 2 weeks and very uneventful. I met my new nephew Casey and he is just so sweet and cute. It made me want to meet our little boy so much more! We had our 3D/4D ultrasound last night and my word, this little boy is oh so cute. I cannot wait to kiss those little lips...I'll end this survey with a picture of his cute face: