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
Pregnancy definitely makes you glow, you look beautiful!
I have three children – 13 months, 2.5 and almost 4. It’s the best thing in the world and you are going to love it. I had all three of mine naturally, drug-free and in a private hospital (with a high epidural and c-section rate), and I think positive thinking, a supportive OB, and a lot of luck helped. All the very best, it’s such a wonderful time of life.
Good luck with your little girl! My daughter is 6 months old now and there is truly nothing more special then a mother daughter bond :) Keep up the great work, almost to the finish line! You look amazing!!
As of Friday I’m 33 weeks (my baby shower was on Saturday too!) and I’m more uncomfortable than ever. I never had any sickness and honestly felt perfectly fine for the first 30 weeks but now I have rib pain any time I’m sitting (which is most of the day since I work in an office) which is sometimes accompanied by back pain. While I haven’t been sick at all there are still foods that hold no interest for me – like vegetables! I has such high hopes for continuing my healthy eating while pregnant, and I really have not been doing too bad, but it’s not as good as I’d like. Veggies just don’t sound good to me, ever. You look amazing and I can’t wait to see pictures of your little girl while I’m snuggling my little boy :)
I just love reading your updates!! At the moment I’m anxiously waiting for my little boy, I’m in week 42!! (calculated date was already 9 days ago) Thanks for sharing your story!! ;-) Best wishes from Austria!
Wishing you all the best, it has to be any day now!
If you’re really into reading birth stories, I am OBSESSED with the Birth Without Fear birth stories. There are such a great variety, and no matter what, I always feel super empowered after reading them. I’m about a week behind you with my second, so I spend a lot of time there. http://birthwithoutfearblog.com/
Thanks Amanda, I will check it out!
You are the cutest preggo person ever!! This is awesome – somehow I’ve missed all your pregnancy posts so happy to have come visit the blog today to see them (I just read your posts in my email!)
So great – I loved the anticipation at this point! My little guy is 17 months already – I cannot believe how fast it all goes!!
Best wishes for you guys!
Thanks Jessica! I can’t believe your boy is 17 months already…wow! I think the last pic I saw of him on your blog was from 6 months. I’m sure he’s as cute as ever!
Just thought I’d suggest a great facebook page (if you don’t already know it), Birth Without Fear. It has great birth stories, and is all about empowering and supporting whatever kind of birth you have. I’m a doula and I recommend it to all of my clients and expectant friends:)
https://www.facebook.com/birthwithoutfear
Blessings!
You are looking so beautiful!! Thank you for sharing your journey with us :)
I’m so happy to read your blog regularly again. Been following your journey since your online bakery days! :) Just wanted to say you look fantastic (hope that doesn’t make me a creeper…). And I just had my second son (successful vbac) one week ago and can’t agree more on the Birth Without Fear blog. Congratulations on your baby girl, and thank you for sharing this with your readers!