35 weeks...almost a month away!

How's momma feeling: I'm grateful that I am still feeling well. My appetite has gone down a bit, and sometimes food (or something) hasn't seemed to settle all that well, but it is short-lived and definitely tolerable. I still have energy too! I did pretty well in the car going back and forth to Niagara. I learned that I don't really have a desire to sit in the car for 10 hours at this point in pregnancy; my traveling days are now over for a few months, but I am completely ok with that. I didn't work as many crazy hours this week, and I really think that helped...physically and energy-wise. I'm been emotional, too - emotional in the sense that a good or sad story just makes me tear up...I know; I know...it's only the beginning!
Size of baby: Around 5-6 pounds and about 18-20 inches long (about the size of a coconut). Her kidneys are completely developed; her liver is beginning to produce waste. Now, we're in the "plumping up" stage!
Cravings: White specialty bread...for example, a breadstick. Weird, I know, but just plain GOOD bread sounded good.
Aversions: Nothing that I can remember.
Sleep: Still sleeping well! My back has been aching a bit more when I wake up, but I don't really feel like that's related to pregnancy...just a "me" thing. Occasionally, I have to get up once to go to the bathroom still but not every night. It's been cool here in the evenings - great sleeping weather!
Clothes: Tried wearing my summer dresses again this week...not too much longer of wearing those. Also, I wore a dress that I wasn't sure would fit, and it did (non-maternity). I feel like some of my dresses have expanded with me; I kind of like it. 
Exercise: Wasn't able to make it to Zumba this week but still was able to work out. We also did some good walking at Niagara Falls, so I definitely kept moving. A couple days, I wasn't able to squeeze in a workout, and I feel like I could tell that was body was lacking from the consistency. At this point, I think it's good just to keep moving; otherwise, my body is just going to want to chill. Finished the book "Sacred Parenting". I'm now on to a baby signing book and "On Becoming Baby Wise".
Looking forward to: My best friend is coming this week! YAY!! I can't wait! This will be her first time to Ithaca. She's coming to help us get ready for baby...so amazing...right? I'm hoping to take a few days off of work, too (can't wait for a few days off). 
Church baby shower on Saturday; it will be super special (and to have a friend from home here will be even more special)!
Something fun: Our family came to stay with us Saturday night, and Sunday we spent the day at Niagara Falls with family (Tom's mom, dad, brother, and sister-in-law). It was so fun! The best part was just seeing family and getting to spend a few days with them. Niagara was beautiful; it wasn't what I had expected it to me...smaller or shorter maybe?!? But it was super cool and definitely worth seeing!
FYI: We had a break from birthing class, but we started back up this week. I really am enjoying it (Tom wasn't able to make it this week due to the rotation that he is in). I just love feeling my "toolbox" with more tools. I may not use any of them, but at least we have tried. 
One of my friends sent me a link to a nursing/infinity scarf, so I talked with a friend about making some, and she made me one! Since the weather has gotten cooler this week, I've worn it a few times! I love it!
This week is out last week for an "every 2 week appointment". Then we start weekly ones! WOW!
We had a grad picnic last Friday for work. I had to work it which I loved! Through it, though, I was able to meet some young moms and connect with them. Grateful for this!
Thank you, Lord, for: Time with family...especially since our little one will be here soon. It was special to be able to share her with them one last time before she's here in person. That I haven't gotten sick. With students back, lots of things are being spread around. I'm grateful I haven't picked up anything!!

34 week pictures!!

34 weeks

Before Zumba class...33 weeks and 1 day!

34 weeks...Now I can say "I'm due next month"...on my goodness!

How's momma feeling: I've had a super great week! My legs and feet held up well (didn't work as long of days this week); it wasn't hot; still no swelling. We had an appointment this week. I love when the midwife feels my belly to see what position she is in. I just like knowing, and it makes it seem even more real. On Wednesday, we were measuring between 33 and 34 inches, so we're still on track! Got to hear her heartbeat again, and it's around 140.
Size of baby: About 5 pounds and 20 inches long (about the size of a butternut squash). I still don't feel her as "heavy". It will be interesting to see what it feels like once she's here, and I'm not carrying her any longer. 
Cravings: Smells lead to wanting things...
 - I walked past someone with a pizza last Friday night; I bought one the following night for us while grocery shopping (of course, this was after a long day of running errands, and I wasn't exactly up to cooking when I got home).
- I hit the grilled smell while on a walk talking to my mom last weekend. Oh, I just love and crave that smell. Probably the weirdest thing about this pregnancy. YUM!!!
I also got some key lime Greek yogurt this week (Mom introduced me to this when she and Nate were visiting). YUM, again!!
Aversions: Again, nothing stands out, but something I was reminded about last week is that since being pregnant, I don't really like orange juice any more. I like oranges but not orange juice. I had a cup last Friday; it didn't make me sick, but I definitely did not enjoy it like I did pre-pregnancy. WEIRD!?!
Sleep: Slept great this week! I haven't been longing to sleep on my back which helps a lot!! Tom and I also switched which end of the bed we sleep on. We now put our heads where our feet used to be and our feet where our heads use to be...seems to help as well! Haven't had to get up to go to the bathroom that much either.
Funny...last night I didn't sleep so well, but I think that was due to my dreams. I was dreaming about listservs at work, I think...haha! The dreams were almost too real!
Clothes: Some items (shirts and dresses) are slowly getting too small. Nothing too new on this front. I'm waiting a few more weeks to see if I need a few "bigger bigger" items, but we're good for now. 
Exercise:  Got to go to Zumba this week!! I went to a new class on Saturday with a new instructor (it was her first class). It was fun; I think it wasn't as high intensity which I think was good for me and my legs!
I also still enjoy the stair step because it's good for my legs as well...not as much pressure on them, and doing the stair step allows me to continue reading "Sacred Parenting"...over half way there!
Looking forward to: Family will be here tomorrow, and we get to meet up with more family at Niagara Falls on Sunday! It will be a fun weekend!
Also, in terms of our little one, I'm looking forward to seeing what she looks like. I haven't thought too much about it yet, but this week I did a little. Hmmm....My nose? Tom's eyes? Hair? We'll found out all too soon!
Something fun: Last night, my stomach was shifting back and forth, up and down, and all around. Not sure what she was doing to entertain herself in there. It's not the first time it's done that, but I just love the movement. I've taken a few videos of her moving but can't seem to get them to post on the blog...sorry!
We got to go over to some of our friends' place last Sunday night for dinner and games. We learned a new game - 500 (played with cards). We had a great time!!
FYI: Baby's head is down (she hasn't dropped yet), but the position she is in right now they are "pretty sure" (they don't have to be so sure for another couple of weeks) is head down, back over to my right side, butt in the upper right corner, and then her legs wrap around back down toward her head. I'm cool with this!! It definitely makes sense in terms of the movement I feel. 
Got lots done this past weekend. Still lots to do, but I worked on a "pile" I've needed to go through since removing our desk from our apartment, and made progress on it. FEELS GOOD! We've also been working on email lists/phone trees/packing lists/birth announcement/etc. in prep for her arrival...so me, right? 
While the midwife was feeling my tummy this week, she said my uterus was contracting, so it was too tight to feel anything. She took a quick break and came back and could then feel what she needed to. I didn't feel a thing!!
Thank you, Lord, for: Good sleep this week. I'm so grateful. I know that helps tremendously!! Also grateful for sweet students and colleagues who take good care of me an watch out for me....make sure I eat, carry/move stuff for me, check in on me. They are wonderful!!

Pictures from week 33!

33 weeks!!

One of my new "bigger" shirts:)

32 weeks and 2 days!!!

Funny thing...this isn't even a maternity dress...not sure if it hung low in the front before being pregnant or not?!
Maybe it's just a magical dress:)

YAY for our new "patio"!!!

Apples are getting ready!!  We have three trees outside our apartment. 

33 weeks!!

How's momma feeling: Bigger:). It was warmer and more humid this week. It really didn't seem all that miserable though...maybe I've just learned to deal with it (don't get me wrong; I definitely prefer the cooler weather we've been having:)). It just didn't seem as difficult this week as it did those few weeks this summer where it was super hot. She doesn't seem heavy, but I think my legs and feet feel the pressure of the extra weight.
Size of baby: Over four pounds and 17-19 inches (about the size of a pineapple). She may even grow a whole inch just this week! There's less room in there now, so she might be starting to really curl up into the fetal position. 
Cravings: One day this week, I was craving chocolate/candy. Thankfully, I remembered that someone had left 2 mini Fastbreaks in her desk for me before she left for vacation. These were perfect for a craving momma!
Aversions: No major aversions this week, although I did kind of get tired of peanut butter. Brushing my teeth can still sometimes lead to gagging, and I still struggle with "plain" water in the mornings.
Sleep: Slept soundly this week(especially last Saturday night)! I'm not sure if that was due to longer days at work or not, but I'm grateful!! She still doesn't wake me up with her movements or kicking, and I didn't have to get up to go to the bathroom very often either. 
Clothes: Pulled out one of my new "bigger" shirts this week (I've been saving a few for when I'm toward the end), and it didn't feel so big any more. I might have to resort to "bigger bigger" soon...haha! 
Exercise: I did some videos at home (always feel like those give me a good workout), and I found that the stair step works well for my growing body. My legs and feet do well with that kind of motion. I've been incorporating some little exercises that we learned from birthing class, too, during my time of legs or abs on the mat. I still enjoy stretching; it's just a little harder to bend over:). 
Looking forward to: Seeing family next weekend and going to Niagara Falls for the first time!! My in-laws and Tom's brother and sister-in-law are spending some time in Niagara starting this weekend, so we'll have company on Saturday night and then head up to Niagara on Sunday to spend a day with them! It will be so special!!
Something fun: Tom's stethescope is getting repaired, so he has had to borrow one from a friend. Apparently, this borrowed one is a cardiology type stethescope, and we were actually able to hear her heartbeat for the first time on our own (this could also be in combination with the fact that she is bigger now). It was so cool and so special for us!! 
School has started back up, and our CVF (Christian Veterinary Fellowship) group started back up this week. It was nice to see some of our friends and meet some of the first year vet students. 
FYI: Our landlord put in a new "patio" this week (right outside of our apartment)...more like just a concrete slab, but the goal of it is to help prevent any more flooding in our apartment. It's so nice!! We hope it helps!!
The apples on the apple trees outside our apartment are growing! I hope to have time to turn them into applesauce/apple pie to store for the next year. We'll see how that works out with pregnancy/baby. 
Thank you, Lord, for: A few weekends to get caught up on some things!! It's been nice to work on little tasks and to be at home together. We are grateful!

32 week pictures and maternity pictures!!

A dear friend of ours from church took these for us...she did such a grrreat job!!

Cute...right?

Don't worry...I washed the boots already!!

I just love the cow in this picture!!

32 weeks!!

Stroller in the car!!

Not sure why this one is rotated weird..but we got some more cloth diaper "things" this week from a friend. Here's the start of our collection!!

32 weeks (less than 2 months to go!)

How's momma feeling: Still chucking along! We had another appointment this week. We got to hear baby's heart beat (around 140), and I was measuring 31 cm, so we're doing good! It's been busy at work - long days, but that means more time saved up for Dr. appts., a few days off before baby, or more time after baby:). I've gotten back into the routine of cooking on the weekends recently, so it's nice to only warm up things once we get home and not have to cook a whole meal. It helps a lot! I also can't be on my feet for hours on end without taking a break to sit. A couple hours only at a time; otherwise, my feet and back start to ache a bit. 
Size of baby: About 3.75-4 lbs. and 16-19 inches long. She's about the size of a jicama (no clue what this thing is) or a small watermelon (now this I understand). She now has hair (or peach fuzz) and might be practicing opening and closer her eyes, swallowing, sucking, and breathing!
Cravings: Whole milk. I've been buying 1%, but I broke down last week and bought one 1% and one 2% (we go through a lot of milk). We opened the 1% first, and I was just waiting all week to get my hands on the 2%. Also, the week before, stuffing was sounding good...weird, right? I made some, and it was yummy!!
Aversions: Nothing this week.
Sleep: Better this week! If I sleep diagonal in the bed, I seem to sleep better, and when I use my full body pillow all the way down to my feet, that seems to help a bit too. Potty breaks are still off and on, but if I do have to get up to go, it's only once. I had a few leg cramps during the night this week; following, I've just made sure that I get plenty of calcium and haven't had them when I do (maybe why I'm craving milk?!?!:)). 
Clothes: Still no luck on the comfy shoes. I put on a dress this week that I haven't worn in quite a few weeks/months, and I couldn't pull it off (not maternity but just a flowing dress). Guess I'll have to store that one away for a while:). This week, I also enjoyed a pair of new yoga pants my mom brought for me when they visited. COMFY!! 
Exercise: No Zumba this week:(. Our students come back soon, so the fitness class schedule is changing. I hope to still be able to go to a class or two this fall...maybe even something different than Zumba. Still had some nice workouts at the gym though.  
Looking forward to: A couple weekends with no plans!! 
Something fun: Another fun week!
Saturday...maternity pictures (so much fun!), parenting/mentoring class, and a wedding reception. Sunday...we got to meet up with our Honduras team for dinner!! It was so nice to see all of them and to catch up on everyone's summers/lives. I miss them!! 
We started a new birthing class this week. We had a make-up class on Monday night and the real class on Thursday night (that's a lot of birthing "stuff" in one week:)). Our instructor is super sweet, and we appreciate what we are taking away from it. The class definitely has an "Ithaca" flair to it, but it's good for us, and we've gotten to meet some community people too! I also got to catch up with one of my friends from the vet school this week. We met up at Starbucks and had a nice time together. It was great to see her (now that Tom is in rotations, it's harder to see our vet friends on a consistent basis because everyone's schedules are so different). It was nice that we got to see so many this week!
FYI: Did anyone notice that I think I've been putting inches rather than cm for my measurements?!? Oops! Ha! Ha! When I stop to think of it, it makes complete sense...not sure why I didn't realize that before. 
The stroller is in the back of the car now! It looks so cute back there:). 
 Thank you, Lord, for: A supportive husband. He is so good to me and is going to be such a wonderful dad. He drops me off and picks me up from work. He runs errands, helps with dinner/lunches/laundry, rubs my back, and is going to all the appointments/classes/sessions that he is able to go to. Isn't he just wonderful?