26 Week Check In

… and we are officially in double digits!!  As of today, our due date is only 98 short days away.  We have made a lot of progress this past week.  We decided on a stroller and car seat (what a fiasco THAT was) and also the crib.  My mom offered to buy the car seat and stroller for us (she kinda loves me, I think) and Kevin and I ordered our crib last night.  I am so excited to start buying baby things and see our little one’s nursery come to life.

How Big Is Baby?
 

• A head of lettuce now!  Bigger every day!

Baby’s Development

• At week 26, baby may be interfering with my sleep, messing with my brain (forget much?), and even be giving me a stress headache or two. It’s normal to be experiencing some mild swelling, but around this week, it’s important to watch out for swelling severe or sudden -- it could be the sign of a dangerous condition called preeclampsia.

How Big Is Mommy?

•  My bump is growing!!  I can totally see it now!  :)

How Am I feeling?

• Physically:  Pretty good.  My back and neck have started aching at night and I wake up very stiff, but I’m sure that’s normal.  I am going to experiment with a few different pillows and hopefully find something that helps a little bit, but it’s really not super painful yet.
• Emotionally:  Well, aside from the fact that my OB made me feel like a fat cow… I am feeling great.  I feel a huge relief now that we have decided on some of the major baby purchases and have a few things already taken care of.  I am getting more excited by the day and can’t wait to have everything in the nursery set up and ready for show time.

Any new developments, milestones?  Anything new?

• I had my glucose test on Monday.  I had heard horror stories, but it really wasn’t bad at all.  The drink just tasted like sugary flat orange soda and getting blood drawn never really bothers me.  However, when I went in to see the OB, they weighed me and told me I had gained 9 pounds over the past month.  Now if you remember last month… they told me I needed to gain weight.  So I gained weight.  Well, the OB said “So I guess you took my eat lots of cake and ice cream advice to heart”… I wanted to crawl under the table and hide.  I was mortified.  And the worst part is… I don’t really feel like I gained 9 pounds and everyone I run into tells me how “tiny” I look for being 6 months pregnant.  Sigh… there is no middle ground I guess.  I know part of the problem is that the weather has still been quite cool (with the exception of Monday being 89 degrees) and I just haven’t been as active as usual.  I eat very healthy (salads and wraps) and actually have not eaten any ice cream in months because it makes me sick (fruit sorbets are another story)… so I don’t know what the deal is, but it was very upsetting to have my first “fat talk”.  She did say that overall, my weight gain is on the low end of average for this point in the pregnancy… but that I should aim to gain no more than 1-2 pounds per week.  Hopefully next month will be better.

 Love/Hate:

• Love:  Mocktails.  I have been making lots of new mocktails (non-alcoholic cocktails) and have come up with some delicious concoctions.
• Hate:  Feeling like a pork chop.  I know I am supposed to gain weight with a baby.  I don’t feel like I am overindulging, but having someone tell you to “slow it down a bit” stings.  I know there are many people who struggle with their weight on a daily basis and I am fortunate to have never had this issue before, but I can’t even begin to describe how shocked and hurt I was to have my doctor lecture me about my weight.  Never again.

Any upcoming developments, milestones?  What's next?

• Next doctor’s appointment is in 3 more weeks, so cruise control until then, I hope.  The next one will be the last of my regular monthly check ups.  After that, I will be 30 weeks along and the appointments will increase to every 2 weeks.  Getting closer.
• Also, we are patiently (ha!) waiting for the crib to arrive so we can continue working on the nursery.  I have decided on some quotes that I want to have made into prints to hang on the wall… now to just get those done.

Y3W: Boom Boom's Open!!!

Wow... it's been a while since I have done a Y3W check in.  So strange.

So... Syracuse isn't exactly known nationally for many things (besides, of course, a kick @ss basketball team and a ridiculous scandal with the coach that wasn't even a scandal)... however, we do have a few little local secrets that are pretty special to us CNYers.

One of them is a teeny tiny little restaurant called Boom Boom Mex Mex.  I just found out that they are now open for the season and I am super excited.  This place is crazy good and just too cool not to write about.

First off, the owner is from Mexico... like real, south of the border, tequila and sombreros, Mexico (not Mexico, NY which isn't far from here).  She and her husband only come up to Syracuse and open their restaurant for the summer, while the weather is nice.  Once it starts to get frosty, they pack up shop and head south.  I am totally jealous of this lifestyle, by the way.  I was shocked to hear that they are open so early, but we have had an unseasonably mild winter and spring.

Next, the restaurant itself is in what looks like a little house.  The tables are mismatched plastic picnic tables and card tables with those cheap outdoor table cloths taped or stapled to them.  The chairs are mismatched folding chairs and plastic chairs.  The decor inside is a random array of pictures, paintings, souvenirs and nick nacks from all over Mexico.  They also have a bunch of picnic tables scattered outside... such a great place to enjoy lunch in the summer.

The food is nothing short of amazing.  Real deal Mexican made the right way with fresh ingredients.  Absolutely delicious!!  They always have a variety of fresh salsas too which I love to experiment with.

And the best part... the prices are out of this world.  Kevin and I can go enjoy a full meal for under $15.  Oh... and another cute quirky little aspect... it's BYOB... so people walk in with coolers or 6 packs and just hang out on the weekends.

It's such a great place, it's been way too long (over the winter) since I last enjoyed some good Mexican home cooking and I am super excited to head over that way for lunch!

 Bon apetit!

25 Week Check In

According to all of the know-it-all pregnancy books, my uterus is now approximately the size of a soccer ball... and coincidentally, I look like I have swallowed a soccer ball.  :)

How Big Is Baby?

• An eggplant and pushing 2 pounds... wow!

Baby’s Development

• Maybe it's because I'm getting nervous about delivery, or maybe it’s my haywire hormones, but I might start to have trouble sleeping around week 25. This is a common complaint of many moms-to-be. Experiment with different strategies for getting some sleep.

 

How Big Is Mommy?

• We're making progress with this little bump and I am super excited!  I have finally had a few strangers congratulate me or ask when I am due... Love it!

How Am I feeling?

• Physically:  Still pretty great, although finding a comfortable position to sleep in is becoming a little more difficult.  I usually like to curl up in a little ball with my knees up to my chest... but since my belly is about the size of a soccer ball, that's not really an option.  After some tossing and turning, I can usually settle in and I am very thankful for that... I know in the months to come it will only get worse so I am enjoying any sleep while I can.
• Emotionally:  Great!  Baby is moving quite a bit and I am loving it!  Also, I have had a few random strangers offer "Congratulations!" so I guess I really am starting to show.  Exciting!

Any new developments, milestones?  Anything new?

• Not much this week, but I do have my glucose test coming up on Monday.  I have heard horror stories about the sugary orange drink, but I am hoping all will go well.

 Love/Hate:

• Love:  Still loving smoothies, although I loved them pre-pregnancy too, so I don't know if this counts... but I love love LOVE them anyway. 
• Hate:  That heavy dairy still makes me sick.  I bought mac-n-cheese from Panera yesterday (which I LOVE)... then remember when I got home that it would make me sick.  I ended up giving it to Kevin because I didn't want to feel crappy at work all night... but man, I miss my mac-n-cheese.

Any upcoming developments, milestones?  What's next?

• Glucose test on Monday... wish me luck!!!

He Is Risen! Happy Easter!

This will be short and sweet today as I am already behind on the zillion things I need to do today... but I wanted to wish everyone a blessed Easter.  Whether you are working, slaving away at the stove or getting ready to celebrate with family and friends, remember the meaning of the day today. 

This Means War

Before I begin my rant, let me just say that we have had an incredibly light winter this year.  Barely any snow, only a handful of days below 0 and overall warmer temperatures than normal.  That said, it is now April and I am ready for some sunshine and warm weather.

Begin rant:
So a few weeks ago, our weather warmed up considerably... we enjoyed a week or so of gorgeous 70-80 degree weather.  I happily packed away all of my Eskimo crap and broke out the tank tops, flip flops, shorts and coconut scented lotion.  I started running or walking with Lucy every morning before work and spent hours lounging outside on my back deck soaking up the sun.  I was one happy little beach bum in Syracuse, NY.

No sonner did I completely change over my wardrobe than the temperature started to drop... I, however, continued to wear my flip flops in pure defiance (with jeans and long sleeves instead of shorts and tank tops though because I am not a complete lunatic.

Well now the weather man has predicted snow for Monday... SNOW?!?!?!

I am so not ok with this.  The last thing I want to do is complete the walk of shame to my basement to drag out my winter attire that I so gleefully packed away.  I am done with winter, done with snow and done with freezing my butt off every time I go outside.  I am ready for summer, heat, playing outside and sweating ym butt off when I run.

Mother Nature and Evil Weather Man...
If you don't get your act together and send some sunshine and 80 degree weather my way, we are going to fight.  I am in desperate need of some Vitamin D here!!

24 Week Check In

Today is known as "V-Day" or Viability day.  Today is the very first day that it would be possible, with much assistance from medicine and technology, for this little baby to survive outside of the womb.  Obviously, I would love for this little one to keep cooking for another 16 weeks or so, but it does allow me to breathe a sigh of relief knowing that we have made it this far.  So... Happy V-Day, little one!  :)

How Big Is Baby?

 

• The size of a  grapefruit and growing bigger every day.... over a pound now.  :) 

Baby’s Development

• At week 24, baby’s progress isn’t just about internal stuff, it’s about his/her looks too. With pinker, more opaque skin, my baby is looking more and more, well, like a baby. I might be experiencing some of the discomforts of the later months of pregnancy like leg cramps, backaches and swollen feet.

How Big Is Mommy?

• Although I still fit into most of my normal clothes, I am finally feeling and looking pregnant... or so I think at least.  :)  It's pretty amazing to watch this little bump grow.

How Am I feeling?

• Physically:   Pretty great actually.  Aside from getting up to pee a dozen times a night, I am feeling well rested and energetic.  I a feeling the baby move on a pretty consistent basis and the kicks and jabs are getting stronger.  Kevin is also able to feel the baby moving and grooving in there, which is wonderful to share with him.
• Emotionally:  I think it is starting to sink in a little more each day.  Everyone at work knows, so talking about the baby, birth, nursery, etc seems normal now.  It was nice to have the pregnancy kept quiet for a while, but now it is nice to be able to share our joy and excitement with others.

Any new developments, milestones?  Anything new?

• Like I said at the top, V-Day is a pretty wonderful milestone for any expectant mother.  We still have a long way to go, but it is nice to know that we have finally crossed the date that means that the odds are on our side, if something were to go awry at this point.
• Easter is coming up this weekend.  It is strange to think that this time next year we will be celebrating with a little one all dolled up for Easter mass.

Love/Hate:

• Love:  Fresh fruit and veggies.  I have been making a salad almost every day and/or enjoying fresh fruit for snacks or a smoothie.  This isn't exactly helping in my weight gain department, but this time of year everything is so fresh and tastes so good, I just can't get enough of it.
• Hate:  The fact that we don't have a Rita's near here.  Apparently it is a shop that sells sno-cone type treats in lots of different flavors (even custard topped with marshmallow... yum!!).  I have never been to a Rita's nor tasted their delicious treats, but the girls I chat with online talk about it constantly and it drives me crazy that I don't have one

Any upcoming developments, milestones?  What's next?

• We are working on the nursery this week... trying to finalize all of the "big items" for our registry... crib, stroller, car seat, etc... I never realized how much work and research went into making these decisions.  I will be glad once we have everything finalized.
• Appointment wise, just waiting for my glucose test on Monday 4/16... after that it will be hello 3rd tri... the home stretch.  Hard to believe it's right around the corner!