I never got around to posting last week because we had some very special visitors! My mom and sis Kristi flew in to help out before the baby shower and then the big event was yesterday. I hope to put together a post once I go through pictures. It was such a great day filled with good vibes, support, great food, and lots of love. And the cute clothes! I just die.
Today marks 31 weeks. I can’t believe I only have 9-ish weeks to go! I was looking forward to resting after the baby shower, but not much rest is happening right now because our kitchen reno starts today. Eric is ripping out the cupboards as I type this post. I’m sure I’ll have some kind of hormonal breakdown by the end of it all…hah. Deep breaths! We spent Sunday night emptying the cupboards and moving all the dishes to the dining room where they will sit for 6-ish weeks. The only thing keeping me going right now is knowing that we’re getting this done before the baby arrives (knock on wood). I can’t imagine doing a major reno with a new baby so that’s why we decided just to hunker down and get ‘er done. I’m not promising to stay sane though…
I’m at that stage in pregnancy where people love to ask me about my due date and chat about pregnancy. It always seems to be in check-out lines. One woman asked me if I was going to have a natural birth. Quite the topic for a check out line wouldn’t you say? lol. I wish I was clairvoyant, I really do. A month ago we were in a furniture store twice in one weekend and the second time we went back to the store the salesman said, “Geeze, you still haven’t popped that baby out yet??” He yelled this from 30 feet away and about 10 people stopped to look. I was only about 26 weeks pregnant at the time so I’m sure my expression was priceless. Oh the things people say.
Food loves: I had my first juicy, deep purple organic plum of the season a couple weeks ago. Followed by many more. I’m buying them a dozen at a time. I know people like baking them into crisps and such, but I just can’t imagine these plums tasting any better than they do fresh. I’m also loving pink lemonade popsicles and French press coffee with almond milk first thing in the morning. Still loving green monsters every morning for breakfast (here is my current go-to recipe filled with protein, healthy fats, and more). Dark chocolate and homemade coconut oil dark chocolate are sweet treats of choice.
Currently reading: The Baby Name Wizard, Revised 3rd Edition (on Kindle) – We hadn’t purchased any baby name books before last week, but after scouring the internet far and wide for baby names I decided to buy one baby name book “just to be sure”. I’m still reading the books I mentioned last week too. Well, technically I haven’t had much time for reading over the past week, but I hope to get back into them soon!
I’ve been into reading birth stories lately too. It’s funny – before I got pregnant I had no interest in reading them (they basically terrified me), but now that I’m getting close to my due date I find myself reading lots. I’m reading a real mix of stories from the super positive to the challenging/scary ones. I like to learn about the many different ways labour could go, rather than focusing on just one “ideal” outcome. With that being said, I’m still cultivating a positive mindset about it all. Knowing that I get to meet her at the end of it will be the ultimate motivation. I’m really happy my doula will be there to support us too.
How I’m feeling: Overall, I feel pretty great. My left sacrum pain is still bothering me and limits my bending movements, but my rib pain has gone down probably by 50%. Progress! I will take whatever I can get. I can even wear underwire bras again on some days. My energy levels are solid and I’m still going for my hour long brisk walks each morning. I think a healthy diet has helped me feel my best! I really notice a dip in energy levels and mood when I have too many sugary things.
Sleep: This is probably going to implode now that I’m writing it out, but my sleep has been so much better the past two weeks. I went from waking up to pee 2-3 times per night and then not being able to fall back asleep, to waking up just once to pee and sleeping pretty solid otherwise. I’ve been sleeping 5 hour stretches at a time which is a-m-a-z-i-n-g. I feel like my body just needs more sleep lately. I’m sure it’s related to baby’s growth spurts. I tried out a pregnancy pillow I ordered from Walmart.ca (it was a Sealy brand) and I really didn’t like it. The pillow was too firm and high and I could barely get my leg around it! So I switched back to my small pillow and I’ve been using that between my legs when I’m sleeping on my side. I’m actually finding it very comfortable now and I’m even getting used to my belly in bed.
Belly moves: Over the past two weeks, the baby’s movements have gone from jabs and pokes to full out “rolling hill” movements where I can see my entire belly rolling/rippling across as she shifts positions in my stomach. I think she’s getting pretty squished in there! Even though it will be amazing to have her in my arms in a few weeks, I just know I’m going to miss feeling these kicks and movements all day long. It’s such an incredible feeling.
Birth weights/lengths: Eric and I have been comparing birth weight/lengths and baby/child photos lately just for kicks. I was 7 pounds 8 ounces and 21 inches long at birth and he was 7 pounds 4 ounces and 21 inches long at birth. Pretty close! edited to add: My mom just corrected me that I was 8 pounds and 8 oz at birth – oops, preggo brain! She says, “I would’ve loved a 7 pounder!” haha. I had a full head of brown hair at birth + blue eyes and Eric had a bit of blonde hair and hazel eyes. We shall see!
Instagram account: I started a new Instagram account a few weeks ago and I forgot to mention it on here. It features pictures of pregnancy, home renos, life stuff, and everything else non-food related. I decided to keep my @ohsheglows Instagram account for mostly food-related content so that’s why I started this new one. You can follow my new account @theglowspot.
Ok, tell me how you’re doing…love hearing from you!
xo