Can my stomach really get any bigger?

We went to Long Beach, WA this past week for several days of relaxation. While we were there, Wendel did a little photo shoot with me. Here I am at 29 1/2 weeks.

Last week, my supervisor at work asked me if I'm sure that I'm not having twins. She told me my stomach was a lot bigger than just a couple of days prior. I was kind of surprised that she said that - I know my stomach is big but does it look that big? It certainly feels big. My back aches all the time from the extra weight of this little guy. (Luckily, Wendel got me a massage chair overlay that I can put over my office chair as one of my Christmas gifts, which has been so nice. I am also determined to start doing yoga and exercising in some way. It has been very difficult to find the time up to this point and with starting grad school on Tuesday, I'm not sure how these goals are going to fit in, but I really want to try.)

Also, I'm loosing my mind. I am experiencing the "pregnancy brain" I've heard about. Here's an example: The other morning I could not find my keys. I was running late for work and was so frustrated. I spent about fifteen minutes searching before I realized that they were in the car - I had turned on the car to warm it up and forgot about them. I have done many other similar things but of course I can't remember them now. Typical.

I'm also having a difficult time getting up (out of bed, off the couch, out of the car, etc.) It's kind of funny to watch, I'm sure.

Other than that, time is going by quickly and things are going well. I'm glad Christmas is over though - there were so many sugary temptations. I put a bunch of candy and treats in a big bag this morning and sent them with Wendel to work to distribute. My doctor doesn't even want me to drink much juice, let alone eat candy. It's hard being pregnant during the holidays and trying to eat healthy without wavering (homemade caramels are so divine).

My next doctor's appointment is on January 12th. This is the one where I have to take the glucose test. I've heard it's not too fun. Wish me luck!

28 weeks | 7 months

I'm just stopping in to add a current picture. Can you believe how big my stomach is getting? (It's the is getting part that scares me...it's only going to get bigger.)

Lately I have been dreaming about him. The other night I dreamed that I could feel each one of his toes through my stomach and I was counting them (weird, I know) and the night before that, we were in the hospital room and the nurse handed him to us - I didn't have to go through labor or anything, they just handed him over. I heard that it's common to start dreaming about the baby more once you enter the third trimester (it was instantaneous for me, it seems).

I am starting to envision what his nursery will look like and get excited about that. The colors are going to be green and white with an accent of brown (the green is the color of my office walls - I am moving my office out and putting his nursery in here instead). I guess things are starting to seem a little more real now. I'm so excited to meet him and see who he looks like and what his little personality is like.

Almost 28 weeks

I am totally exhausted. Carrying this extra weight around is tiring! I get backaches a lot, my feet hurt if I stand on them too long, I get leg cramps and tendencies of foot cramps (which is one of my worst fears - I hate foot cramps so much) and getting up or turning over in bed is a huge effort. That being said, I love that I am pregnant. I love knowing there is a baby boy in there, and I can't help but smile when I feel his little kicks. Even though I am still really not ready at all, I am excited to meet him. I want to know what he looks like - who he looks like more and what his little features are like. I'm curious about his temperament and his personality. I know being a parent will be much more exhausting than any tiredness I've experienced during my pregnancy but I still can't help but be excited for his arrival.

Tonight I bought some cute little clothes for him. We have been looking online at cute furniture for his nursery. I am anxious to put his nursery together and I'm trying to be patient until January (when our roommate moves out).

Still no solutions with names. I really like traditional names - classic, old-school names that are timeless. I'm not really a fan of super trendy names or traditional names with crazy spellings. I'm sure we will think of the perfect name that we both agree on as the time gets closer...right?

I'm not really sure how my stomach can stretch much more. It feels like it has stretched to its capacity (I think I said that earlier in my pregnancy). The baby actually had a big growth spurt last month. When I went to my appointment, my doctor was very surprised at how much weight I had gained (so was I). I had only gained a couple of pounds in the beginning, then at my appointment a couple of month ago, I gained four pounds (whereas many women gain ten by then). But this time I gained 11 pounds. My doctor wanted to know what I ate for Thanksgiving dinner (vegan food - small portions - I don't think that was it) and told me to cut extra calories out, to not drink juice, eat sugar, etc. That is really difficult to do at this time of year. Really hard. I'm trying to not eat as much sugar but I can't cut all sweets out entirely. My next appointment I take the glucose test, so we'll see how that goes.

Speaking of being self-conscious about my weight, someone at church on Sunday told me she didn't recognize me. "Yeah, I look a little different with my big belly." "No, it's not that. It's your face. It looks so different!" Oh, man. That can't be good, right? I think I am just being too sensitive, but now I am analyzing my face everyday to see if I'm gaining weight there. So silly.

This is such an exciting time in our lives. Our last few months as just the two of us, with a great deal of anticipation (and a little nervousness) for what lies ahead. I feel very blessed and happy. And tired.