Belly Diaries: Weeks 24-33

(If I post this today, I make my goal of posting for the month, so here we go.)

Oh, hi, blog. I haven't gotten on here in forever. And I'm still getting a ton of page hits a day (thank you readers & blog stalkers), which makes me feel bad. BUT I swam a mile at the gym yesterday in 45 minutes (at 33 weeks!!), so that exercise high made me feel better that I chose exercise over blogging.

Where to even begin? How about how crazy I am for starting back up a mini career in broadcasting while pregnant with my second child? Doing my hair and make up for so many photo shoots that I want to throw my hairdryer out (and with two more in the next two weeks, I would like to put a moratorium on wearing make-up for at least a year).

Beautiful maternity photos from the fantastic Jen Hampton

Isla getting the stomach flu and giving it to me (NOT FUN. Losing 7 lbs in two days is horrible. Especially when you still have major pregnancy cravings and can't keep anything down!!). Family time, Halloween, Thanksgiving, trying to clean, trying to sleep, trying to eat healthy, trying to still exercise daily. And when I have a little time left during the day, I prefer to curl up on the couch with Netflix (and/or Harry Potter) & an ice-cream cone instead of write. At least I still Instagram photos?

Modeled again for Milan Maternity! LOVE my new clothes!

And the most stressful part so far: baby girl turned upside down yesterday to head-up (MAJOR OUCH) and now I'm freaking out about her getting too big to turn back head-down. I love my OB. I completely trust my OB. I love that we have c-sections as a completely viable & safe option. But I still can't help but get grossed out by the very thought of my stomach getting sliced open. It just kind of freaks me out, even though I am in NO way against c-sections. The rational part of me understands and supports and cheers for the reasons of a c-section for a breech baby. But the irrational part of me can't get over the idea of my intestinal contents being open & moved around (weak stomach here). And if baby stays in breech position, I will get one, no (major) complaints here. The main goal is to deliver a healthy baby girl, whatever means necessary. I just wish she could go back to being head-down, like she has been for the past 8 weeks. The nurse assured me on the phone today that baby still has plenty of time to turn back around, so I'll try to put this major-minor freak-out on the back burner for a few more weeks.

How many weeks?:  33 weeks 
Countdown: 49 DAYS

Total weight gain/loss: By now I'm up 18 lbs. Was more, but lost a lot due to stomach flu.
Exercise Habits: HAHA. Exercise in the third trimester?? Actually, I've had a little energy and make it to the gym about twice a week to swim laps & do deep-water jogging (which is way harder than it sounds) and try to walk or ride my stationary bike twice a week. And I still do my arm/shoulder/back exercises every other day.
Physical Therapy: All done! I feel so much better knowing how to manage my hip pain. I can exercise without pain. And turn over in bed at night without wanting to pass out.
Sleeping?: Attack of the Pregnancy Insomnia. So, no.
Worst Moment in the past 10 weeks: Stomach flu. Stomach flu, hands down. I haven't been that sick in YEARS. Didn't even compare to morning sickness. There was no relief after being sick to my stomach. Coming in second place: Lakers season start. Glad it's looking better for us. (This really upped my stress levels for some reason. Pregnancy hormones apparently amplify when the Lakers lose and get a new head coach).
Best Moment in the past 10 weeks: Teaching Isla three new words.
Isla's Reactions: E taught her to kiss my belly!

I miss...: Laying on my stomach to sleep. 7 more weeks until I can do that again.
Movement: Having a 3ish lb baby turn upside down in your stomach is really painful. I AM grateful she is healthy and moving, though. Little blessings.
Morning Sickness?: Strangely the nausea is coming back. I don't remember this last time.
Food Cravings: Tillamook's Chocolate Peanut Butter ice cream in a wafer cone. Cheese quesadillas. Graham crackers w/ milk. That's about it.
Food Aversions: Most anything in our fridge, freezer & pantry.
Labor signs: STRONG Braxton hicks contractions, espeically when I don't drink enough water. A few have been painful but they haven't been consistent at all.
Moods: Pregnancy Anti-Socialitis is in full force. Sorry, dear friends.
Not Looking Forward to: Being up all night with a newborn while recovering from L&D.
Looking Forward To: Meeting our new baby girl. I can't wait to see who she looks like!!




Coming up: Sneak Peek at our family photos: Anatomy of a Family Photo Session (E is SO glad these are over!)