Weekly Belly Picture - Week 37

How far along? 37 and full term yay!

Total weight gain? 36lbs

Body changes? Just getting bigger overall. Skin is better. Sensitive nipples.

Sleep: Better. Sleeping ok, just waking up a lot to go to the bathroom. I had two nights last week where I felt cramps in the middle of the night but they went away really quickly. It's harder to switch over in bed especially if I've been in one position for a while. I have to do it very slowly otherwise it hurts a little.

Best moment this week: Defending my dissertation proposal and passing! Wohooo!

Gender: GIRL :)

Food Cravings / Aversions: Craving ice cream, cereal, and peanut butter. Slight aversion to meat. I had my first tuna salad sandwich in 9.5 months and it was delicious!!! Can't wait for my next one.

What I miss? Having a lot of energy. Sushi, tuna tartare, and wine.

Symptoms: Squatting is becoming harder. More pressure on my bladder. Tired.

Movement: Yes. It used to be more when I laid down, now it's any time really, often

when I'm hungry or after I've eaten.

What I am looking forward to? Completing my edits and IRB, and of course the birth of my girl!

Milestones: Getting back in shape and eating less sweets!

Thought of the week: I love my family!

21 days to go until my due date!

It's crazy to think that in less than one month our baby girl will be born. I'm truly in the home stretch now. I feel surprisingly good but definitely more tired in the afternoons now. Though last weekend I spent the entire day outside at the Ericsson Open watching tennis and it was so much fun. I thought I would only make it an hour or so because it was so hot but we ended up staying all day, watching great matches. We tried to be in the shade as much as possible and hydrate drinking lots of water. The next two days I was exhausted. My feet and legs felt heavy. I was also drained because I presented my dissertation proposal two days after and passed! It's such an amazing feeling knowing that I'm half way there to my Ph.D and that I got a big chunk out of my way. After my presentation I took a few days off, ran lots of errands, did some shopping and lots of naps :). Today we went to Christina and Corey's engagement party which was wonderful. The food was delicious and the people so nice. We had a really good time. When we got back, the biggest storm hit us and brad, lucky and I snuggled up on the couch and took a long nap. Wonderful. I know those days are coming to an end soon. Naps won't be happening too much so I'm trying to get in as many as possible now. I have three more weeks until my date, possibly four if she's late. I will try to do as many edits as I can on my first three chapters and get my IRB in shape before I go into labor. It will be good, I can stay at home, don't have to walk too much and just focus on my computer. It would be great to get as much done as possible so I can enjoy the next couple of months without having to worry about my dissertation. So lets see what my little baby girl has in store for us...in terms of when she wants to make her presence known! I'm so curious to know how I will go into labor. Will it be in the middle of the night when I'm sleeping..or during the day? Will my water break? How much is it going to hurt? Ohhhh I can't wait to find out. I haven't had any braxton hicks contractions yet though there were two nights last week where I woke up with some cramping in my lower abdomen. I wasn't sure what it was, it worried me for a second but then in the morning I realized her but was sticking out pretty strongly and she had moved around a bit. Her foot was kicking me in my upper rib cage for almost the entire day - it was not comfortable. Right now she's in a good position and it feels comfortable again (except the constant pushing on my bladder). Phew. So you know ever, I just can't wait to find out how it's all going to go down. Brad thinks she is going to come a week early and I think she will come the week after my due date. Until then I will continue to enjoy the daily kicks, the kind words from everyone, and eating without watching my calories haha!

Ultrasound at 36 Weeks!

weekly Belly Picture - Week 36

How far along? 36 weeks.

Total weight gain? 33

Body changes? Still feeling numbness and tickling sensation between breasts.

Sleep: Terrible. Cannot get comfortable. Constantly waking up and tossing and turning. Peeing a lot during the night.

Best moment this week: Having my last ultra sound and seeing our little munchkin in 3D. Also so happy knowing everything is ok and that she is head down and in the right position

getting closer to labor.

Gender: GIRL :)

Food Cravings / Aversions: Craving ice cream and sweets. No aversions really although I've been staying away from meats lately.

What I miss? Good sleep!!

Symptoms: Breasts changing form, getting pointier. Belly is bigger. Veins are showing more on belly and breasts. Feeling heavy, can't move around so well. Squatting is becoming more and more uncomfortable. I also have a cold so I'm not feeling great at all.

Movement: Yes. At times I can tell she's a bit crowded in there and she'll move around like crazy!

What I am looking forward to? Getting my dissertation proposal done next week and submitting my IRB before baby girl arrives.

Milestones: Getting back in shape and eating less sweets!

Thought of the week: I need a good nights rest!

weekly Belly Picture - Week 35

How far along? 35 weeks.

Total weight gain? 29lbs

Body changes? numbness and tickling feeling between breasts (I think from baby pushing into my rib cage). Slightly swollen fingers but not ankles.

Sleep: Better. Back is suddenly not bothering me at night anymore. Thank goodness.

Best moment this week: Spending the day with Brad at the mall getting my bday present, push and in replacement of a baby moon present..all in one.

Gender: GIRL :)

Food Cravings / Aversions: Still craving ice cream! And pretty much anything sweet. I just love sweetness! I also have an enormous appetite when I eat. Food is delicious! Also loving

yoghurt, apples, bread, and pizza!

What I miss? My old body! Working out and sweating. Certain foods and to be able to do stuff around the house that I just can't do now (getting handy around the house, lots of gardening etc.)

Symptoms: Feeling great! Occasional tiredness in afternoon...a 20 minute nap does wonders! Thirsty a lot.

Movement: Yes. But she seems quite comfortable in my belly. For some reason I think she

is laying sideways right now...I will find out more next Friday at my last ultra sound. So curious to see where she's at and how things are progressing.

What I am looking forward to? Getting my dissertation proposal done and getting my IRB completed. Meeting my baby girl!

Milestones: Getting back in shape and eating less sweets!

Thought of the week: Trying to fully take in my last few weeks of freedom and life that revolves around "just" me....big changes ahead!

Nursery Complete!

weekly Belly Picture - Week 34

How far along? 34 weeks.

Total weight gain? 29lbs

Body changes? growing belly! A little swelling in fingers..with the weather getting warmer, I decided to put my wedding ring in our safe for the time being. Nice thick hair.

Sleep: Still not good. I've now gotten used to waking up with a very tight and sore back pretty much every day. I got a massage yesterday but my back was hurting in the middle of the night again and it was tight for the first 15 minutes after waking up. During the day I'm always fine, no back pain at all, but at night it's a different story.

Best moment this week: Getting approval from my committee and planning to set a date for my dissertation proposal defense..looks like it's going to be March 27th or April 2.

Gender: GIRL :)

Food Cravings / Aversions: ICE CREAM GALORE! I just can't get enough of ice cream. I crave it every night. Last night we went to art walk but all the food trucks were spread out

instead of on the usual lot all together because of permitting issues. So, I was so bummed

when we couldn't find a dessert truck. We looked everywhere and my feet were getting so sore

and I was getting cranky. When we left, I made Brad go to Wendy's so I could get my ice

cream fix. haha. No aversions or other cravings...

What I miss? Tuna tartare with avocado. Wine and a cold beer. Being able to put on socks without feeling like I'm going to pull out my back or squash my girl in my belly.

Symptoms: Lower and middle back pain, and strange dreams. Feeling pretty good otherwise!

Movement: Yes. But I have to say she's pretty chill. I wouldn't say she's a crazy kicker. She has her moments and when she kicks a lot during one day it's like a party...the next day she's

tired and more quiet.

What I am looking forward to? Getting my dissertation proposal over with and getting my IRB completed.

Milestones: Getting back in shape...especially my legs are going to need some major work.

Thought of the week: Enjoy every moment.

My Baby Shower 2/25/2012

The day after my 31st birthday last week I had my second baby shower! It was amazing. It was so wonderful to have so many of my friends and family there. Beryl Leifer along with my step mom Linda hosted the shower at her apartment in Miami Beach. Her home is especially special to me because it is where I lived when I first moved to Miami in 2004. I lived in her and Roger's apartment for over 3 months, studying for my real estate license and looking for my own place to live. South Beach and Miami in general were so foreign and big to me after coming from little St. Augustine. But it grew on me so quickly and I began to love life in my new city. The Leifer's home was also the first time I (re)met one of my favorite girls in the world..Nicole from Switzerland. I invited her over for a drink before we headed to sushi samba and we just hit off from the first minute. She was my side kick for 3 or 4 years before she moved back to Switzerland. Then in 2010 Beryl and Roger hosted a wedding cocktail party for Brad and I. So it's been a special place for me since the beginning so it was the perfect place to have my baby shower.

The food at the shower was delicious! Linda found the most amazing caterer and he showered us with waffles and an omelette station, along with burratta, quiches, tarts, cakes, muffins, croissants etc. I wish I could have eaten more food but I was so busy talking to everyone that the food fell a bit short for me. Though more importantly I hope everyone else enjoyed it, which I think they all did. I received soooo many wonderful gifts, I was blown away! The cards were so meaningful and after I was done opening all the gifts I was overwhelmed and exhausted. Even people that couldn't make it to the shower sent me wonderful gifts. My baby girl is one lucky fish receiving so many gifts. She will definitely be the cutest dressed girl ever - the clothes she got are just too sweet. Noelle planned some fun games and kept the energy going throughout the shower. It was great! I felt so lucky and simply had the best day.

My whole weekend was amazing. My birthday was the day before my shower and I spent it with my mother in law Deb and my sister. We had brunch at the Raleigh, then did some shopping on Lincoln and ended the afternoon with Mani/Pedis. Then we had a big family dinner at Michaels that was delicious. By the time the weekend was over I was utterly exhausted. The evening after my shower, I couldn't even make it out anymore, I just wanted to relax on the couch. That's pregnancy for ya I guess!

The nursery is pretty much completed and I am only waiting for a few more items to be delivered that I ordered. I feel such a relief and much more prepared than I did weeks ago. Now I can relax and count the days, weeks until my little munchkin arrives. I still can't believe my due date is next month..only 7 weeks away..wow!

weekly Belly Picture - Week 33

How far along? 33 weeks.

Total weight gain? not sure maybe 29 pounds.

Body changes? Belly popped even more! I am officially very pregnant haha.

Sleep: Not good at all. My back is tight and I get very uncomfortable being in one position for too long. I am constantly tossing and turning and wake up many times throughout the night.

Best moment this week: Getting all my errands done and pretty much completing the nursery. Only a few things are left to do and purchase.

Gender: GIRL :)

Food Cravings / Aversions: Craving ice cream and pizza. I've forgotten to mention in all my past entries that pizza is actually something I've eaten ALOT of throughout my pregnancy. Also, because it's easy to order in (and requires no cooking time - which I love these days) and we have a great pizza place right by our house.

What I miss? My body pre pregnancy. Last week I looked at my honeymoon photos and wondered/dreamed if I will ever look like that again haha!

Symptoms: lack of energy, lower and middle back pain, and strange dreams. Yesterday I got a bad sun burn from laying out at the pool. I haven't been in the sun in forever and I was annoyed with being so pale so I didn't put much sunscreen on and boom I got burnt (see pics). I wasn't out for long but the sun was so strong it didn't matter. I've been putting on cooling aloe gel which is helping and drinking lots of water to stay hydrated. Argghhh...

Movement: Yes. Definitely feeling her kick and move around more and more...

What I am looking forward to? Meeting my baby girl!

Milestones: Yup still the same...losing all the weight I've gained and getting back into shape.

Thought of the week: Enjoy every moment.