Little Lentil : 31 Weeks

It's week 31, and I'm getting excited to meet this little bean! I feel as though they have a personality already. They're pretty feisty - they haven't made this journey an easy one, so I think that they're going to be a little rebel rouser. Our family could use a bit of excitement! :) I don't have a belly picture this week, since I'm sitting here in my pyjamas and I'd rather that not be an image made public, lol. As comfy as I am in stretchy pants and a tunic tee, I don't think that the rest of the world would appreciate it.

image via pinapplestreetstudios.com

Here's what's new for this week:

Week: Thirty-one

What's going on inside: The baby can turn their head easily from side to side now, and they're plumping up their arms, legs and torso. When they move around, it feels a lot more aggressive, since they have less room to move. Ouch! A few times this week I let out a yelp. 

What's going on outside: Other than it being a serious mission to roll over once I'm in bed, I've been feeling pretty good! I'm back to my tired ways, feeling pretty sluggish in the evenings, but I'm sleeping much better. My sister-in-law suggested getting a massage, which I was always under the assumption that not all therapists are willing to do prenatal massages. I haven't gone since I found out that I was pregnant for that reason, but now I sure am going to give my massage therapist a call this week!

How big is that lentil? The baby weighs around 3.3 pounds at the point, roughly about the size of a pineapple or the weight of four large oranges. Their approximate length is the same as last week, 16 inches.

Total weight loss/gain: When I was weighed at my doctor's appointment last week, I was up two pounds from my previous appointment two weeks earlier. Finally starting to put on regular weight! I'm still about 5-10 pounds under my pre-pregnancy weight, so it would be nice if I was able to lose the weight quickly after birth and be smaller than I weighed before becoming pregnant. Here's to hoping!

Food cravings: None. I did get to have a delicious Pakistani meal that a classmate brought in to share this week. Right now, I am sitting down with a delicious cinnamon roll from a local bakery and a tall glass of orange juice for breakfast. Not the healthiest option first thing in the morning, but it sure is tasty.

Best moment this week: There were lots of fun little moments this week. Yesterday, Dan texted me to give my belly a little pat for him, and when I did, the baby kicked back. We sat together in front of the computer and typed out our name options with our last name, and then wrote them with our names: Dan, Katie and _____________. So adorable to see the names listed together! We also went shopping together this week and picked out a rocking chair and a cute grey crib sheet with little white elephants.

Happy Friday, and have a great weekend!

A Cozy Day at Home

Do you ever have those days that start off slow and you just can't seem to get it rolling? Today was one of those day for me. I had decided last night to work from home today, since one of my classes was to be a "work class", which to me works better if I'm in the comfort of my own space. Since I had made that decision last night, it was a struggle to get up in the morning. I eventually got up around 8:30 and plodded around for a few hours, doing virtually nothing until mid-morning. Sometimes those slow starts are refreshing, and other times you end up just feeling sorry for yourself. I was of the mopey sort today. 

My mom dropped in for a visit late morning, and then we ran a few errands together and went for lunch. Once I returned home, I got cracking on assignments and household chores. I wrote up my usual little to-do list and started checking off the boxes. I guess I just needed some company and a change of scenery in order to get motivated! 

Here are a few things that made me smile today and helped to lift the sleepy, mopey, cranky, unmotivated fog...

My magazine subscription to Style at Home arrived and the cover alone is a healthy dose of colour!

I went to the post office to pick up a package from an Etsy seller in Lithuania for our nursery. So cool!

After I tidied up our kitchen and did the dishes, I was able to appreciate the little doses of colour here and there.

My happiest kitchen cupboard, filled with cheery bowls and well-loved cookbooks

I documented some of my creative process for an assignment that I have due on Monday. Adorable veggies for the win!

What about you? How was your day? Do share... I hope I'm not the only one that has days that feel a little off.

Happy Thursday!

Fifty Things About Me

My mom and I, many moons ago

One of my favourite posts on any blog is when the blogger shares "things about me". It's a fun way to get to know their idiosyncrasies and little known facts. Often if I'm discovering a blog for the first time and notice a fun facts page, it will be my first stop. Knowing special little details about someone's life helps to establish a connection with them, to want to read more, learn more, get to know them. I hope that this post does that for you!

There's a certain number of items that hit the sweet spot when it comes to list length, and for me, it's 50.  Not too many, and yet enough to keep you intrigued. If you've ever wondered about me, here are 50 fun facts that make me who I am.

1 - I want to visit every provincial capital: so far, I've been to six.
2 - I could eat cantaloupe every day.
3 - I used to be an Etsy seller... now I'm just an Etsy shopper.
4 - I've never had glasses or braces.
5 - I'd rather sit in conversation with a group of middle-aged men than middle-aged women.
6 - Belly buttons weird me out.
7 - I bite my fingernails, although not as much as I used to.
8 - My favourite colour is constantly evolving, depending on my mood.
9 - ...and so is my favourite Bible verse.
10 - I don't wear socks to bed.
11 - Fresh flowers make me giddy.
12 - I love polka dots to pieces.
13 - My wisdom teeth haven't finished coming through yet.
14 - My favourite doll's name was Popcorn Missy Ollie.
15 - I had a bunny named Hoppist - can you tell that I liked to make up names?
16 - I cried when my brother was born: I wanted a baby sister... or twins.
17 - My mom is/was the best, most dedicated and loving stay-at-home mother that I've ever met.
18 - I used to have a booth at a farmers market.
19 - I'm a baker by trade, and almost a graphic designer.
20 - I have never traveled outside of North America (yet!)
21 - I married my high school sweetheart at the age of 20.
22 - Thrifting is one of my favourite hobbies.
23 - I had my hair braided for over three months when I was 17.
24 - I'm pretty "green", but I don't think I'll ever be able to give up paper towels.
25 - I took horseback riding lessons for several years.
26 - I'm allergic to bee stings and carry an Epi-pen with me.
27 - The smell of metal zippers and chains makes me nauseous.
28 - I broke my femur at 18 months old.
29 - My middle name is after my grandmother.
30 - I learned to drive a standard transmission in 2012.
31 - Chocolate is my fix.
32 - I'm a lefty.
33 - I planned on taking interior design, criminology or cytology after graduating high school, but stayed home for a year instead.
34 - I've never had a tattoo or piercing.
35 - A nightgown that my Nanny gave me has been in my pyjamas drawer at every place that I've lived since the 8th grade when she passed away.
36 - I was a ginger until I was six or seven.
37 - Peas are the only vegetable that I don't like.
38 - I'm the oldest of three children, and the only girl.
39 - I was my high school yearbook co-editor.
40 - I trusted Christ as my saviour in 1999.
41 - I had a tiny strawberry birthmark beside my bellybutton until I was school-aged.
42 - I feel fiercely protective of my little brothers, even though they're much bigger than me now.
43 - My dad and I are the only ones in my family with the same eye colour.
44 - I was one of the tallest people in my class until grade eight, then I stopped growing.
45 - Snow Patrol is my favourite band.
46 - ...and I listened to "Set Fire to the Third Bar" on repeat for the entire drive to my wedding.
47 - ...I can listen to a song that I love on repeat for a rediculously long time.
48 - I don't drink coffee, but I'd love a herbal tea.
49 - I was a farm-girl until I was 17.
50 - Old school photo booth pictures are my jam.

Scenic Newfoundland : Road Trip Photos, Part 2

Well, the snow's still here, so let's reflect back on the warm summer months again. This is my second post on my trip to Newfoundland in August; if you'd like to see the photos from the first post, click here. Dan and I had a total blast on our road trip around the province, covering much of the western coast as well as the opposite (St. John's) coastline. If you've never been to "the rock", I would highly recommend taking the time to visit the lovely province. Such rugged beauty, and friendly residents in almost every town! 

Most of these photos were taken during the second half of our road trip, mostly in St. John's and the trip to and from the city. A friendly piece of advice: if you can avoid the trip across central Newfoundland, do so. It took hours and hours to get from one coast to the other; we used up almost two days in total, traveling to and from St. John's. Since we drove, we did get to explore some of the communities that weren't directly on the highway, which was a lot of fun.

A little coastal community right inside the city of St. John's / Fish drying on racks in the sunlight

Gorgeous street art everywhere in St. John's / The view from a tower on Signal Hill

Two scenes from one of our favourite communities, Little Harbour: we stayed in those cabins for a night.

Signal Hill, Newfoundland

Another coastal scene in Little Harbour

So many picturesque lighthouses

Cape Spear, the easternmost point of Canada / A few of the houses on Jellybean Row in St. John's

A beautiful river scene on the side of the highway in central Newfoundland

The view from the tower on Signal Hill

The water and coastlines were gorgeous at every stop

I hope to have a third post next week with a few more pictures from our road trip: mostly little snapshots that I took to capture small details and moments. We had so many great laughs and funny experiences on our trip. Taking our time and traveling through Newfoundland was one of my favourite vacations that Dan and I have taken together so far!

Happy Tuesday!

Multitude Monday : February 24, 2014

One of our beautiful Cape Breton winter sunsets

What do you know? Two Multitude Monday weeks in a row! If you're new to the Multitude Monday jam, I try to post ten things that I'm thankful for on Mondays in an effort to start the week off right. It's such a great exercise to take the time to focus on all of the things that are going right, instead of being bogged down by the negatives in our lives. Feel free to join in through the comments, on your own blog, or in a journal or quick note to stick on your refrigerator for the week. If you're joining us this week from Dream Big Cape Breton, welcome!

Today, I'm thankful for:

A free drive-thru treat from a stranger! (And a peek at the baby bump, which can't avoid being photographed anymore)

711 - a fun but busy weekend that included a delicious mediterranean meal, couch snuggling, rocking chair shopping, laughing with furniture salesmen over awkward customer moments, a pay-it-forward moment in the Tim Horton's drive-thru and time with friends.
712 - a luxuriously long hot shower this morning. So many mornings feel rushed with only enough time to dash in and out of the bathroom, but taking those extra few moments under the hot water are such a treat!
713 - spending time with a pen and pencil, doodling illustrations for upcoming design projects. It's so refreshing to step away from the computer and have a hands-on approach to design and illustration.
714 - finding a new-to-me translation of a special Bible verse. I think I'll paint a tiny canvas for our baby's nook with the verse and share it after I've finished.
715 - the warmer, sunnier days that we've had lately. I think that spring may be right around the corner!
716 - lucking out at the grocery store over the weekend. Tax-free day, and a sale on baby wipes. I bought a ginormous box so we should be good for a little while once our little one comes along:)
717 - bit by bit, wrapping up design projects for school. It's been a busy two years, and it's mind-blowing to have the finish line so close! I have a heavy week ahead of me, but it will be so nice to have these assignments behind me.
718 - the ability to work from home in my yoga pants and hoodie. I get so much work done when I don't have to make the commute to school, and if my work doesn't suffer, my instructors don't mind. Today I only had one class in the morning, so I made the call to work in the living room instead of the classroom.
719 - celebrating my niece's 7th birthday with family and friends on Saturday evening. It's wild to see a seven-year-old with a missing front tooth when I remember her as a little baby. It seems like yesterday!
720 - spending time with friends yesterday afternoon, having lunch and watching a replay of the Canadian mens' olympic team winning game. What an exciting time for Canada - we did so well this year! I came across this image on Facebook last night that I thought was hilarious:

Source: unknown

Happy Monday!

Little Lentil : 30 Weeks

It's week 30! That means that the longest amount of time possible to meet our baby is twelve weeks from now - or it could be as soon as in seven weeks! (Or anytime, really, but let's hope that it's between 7-12 weeks from now, so they'll be healthy and strong.) There's nothing like the reality of numbers and dates to make your heart race. I've gotta get cracking on so many tasks!

I've been working this past week on getting my school straightened away in regards to work terms and finish dates. I've had a placement interview and several meetings with my instructors. Once it's all confirmed, I'll share my plans here. So far, it's going to be busy but manageable!

Week 30 selfie

Here's what's new for this week:

Week: Thirty!

What's going on inside: The baby's lungs and digestive tract are just about fully developed now. They can distinguish between light and dark. Freaky fact alert! Apparently, sometimes if you shine a flashlight on your stomach, the baby can move their head to follow the light and may even reach out to touch it. Crazy, eh? They also have all of their eyelashes and eyebrows now. They also control their own temperature now. 

What's going on outside: I feel like I've been growing exponentially this past week. The baby's movements are so strong and a bit shocking sometimes. Last night Dan was watching my belly for a while and was amazed at home much the baby was moving and how visable it was. I've been having indigestion in the evenings, difficulty catching my breath and had a few weak spells over the weekend (I think my blood pressure's been low) but that's all to be expected. My body's working hard at growing a little lentil!

How big is that lentil? This week, they're about the length of an English cucumber (they're about 16" long). They won't get much longer (usually a max of around 22 inches by the time of birth) but they're packing on the weight. The baby's weighing in at around 3 pounds now! No wonder I can feel them so much! Between now and 38 weeks, they should gain about half a pound a week.

Total weight loss/gain: I'll find out this afternoon. I have a doctor's appointment after lunch (which kinda sucks, my other weigh-ins have been early in the day, so it won't be as accurate today.) I do know that I've gained since my last appointment, though.

Food cravings: Just chocolate of any sort, hehe. That's pretty typical for me, though. I'm so thankful that I don't have gestational diabetes - what a struggle that must be! I've been trying to be conscious of my eating habits and not snacking too much in the evenings to help with the indigestion. The only problem with that is that if I haven't eaten in the evening, I get more nauseated the following morning. 

Best moment this week: I was driving home from class one day and U2 came on CBC. I'm a huge U2 fan, and it was a song that I hadn't heard before. Before it even sunk in that it was them on the radio, the baby started moving like crazy. It made me so glad. I guess that they'll be a U2 fan just like their parents! :) 

I purchased a wooden activity centre for my hippie baby this week :)

Happy Thursday!

Scenic Newfoundland : Road Trip Photos, Part 1

Snow day! It's blizzardy outside, and the roads aren't in good condition. When we woke up this morning, it was impossible to see out of any of our windows. This has been quite the winter! I have a long commute to school, so on the days that I feel are hazardous, I stay put. I'm doing my schoolwork from home: the advantages of having modern technology :)

As I sit here this morning, sipping my (super sour!) smoothie and snuggled up under a blanket with the snow swirling around outside, I thought it might be nice to share some photos of our trip to Newfoundland this past August. I hope to share more later on this week as well. There's nothing like reminiscing about warm summer days to make the day seem a little brighter.

Pulling into the port early in the morning

Our first glimpse of Port-aux-Basque, the little village that my grandmother grew up in

Those mountains! That sky!

Even someone's junk pile can make a fun photo

Clothes drying on the line at a little museum - loved the colour of the house!

Dreamy sunsets, low tides and plant life

Beach treasures - shells that we took home, and an inukshuk with a dog

Panoramic beauty

A gorgeous boat trip through mountains

An adorable seaside village with fun shadows and tiny shops. We ate crepes on the dock.

Local plant life and our home for the week

That was fun - I can't wait to share more images with you! We had such a blast on the vacation. We both love road trips and the outdoors, so traveling and discovering our neighbouring provinces is one of our favourite things to do. We've been slowly checking off each of the provincial capitals from our list of places to visit. I wonder what the next one will be?

Happy Wednesday!

Multitude Monday : Birthday Boy Edition

It's my number one boy's birthday today! Since it falls on a Monday this year, I can't think of a better reason to do a Multitude Monday post dedicated to my guy. He doesn't read my blog, but I think I may have to e-mail him a link to this post. Nothing like a written public display of affection to make a guy feel awkward, eh? Hehehe

What is Multitude Monday? Each Monday (that I remember) I like to list ten things that I'm currently thankful for. It's a great way to start off the week with a bang - something positive instead of all of the negative goods that we have hanging over our heads. Feel free to chime in on your blog or in the comments, I'd love to hear what you're thankful for! This week, my friend Leah took the plunge and came up with her list of ten things - go check it out!

Alright, birthday boy, it's time for a sapfest. This week I'm thankful for:

701 - spending the last nine years (eek - ten years this fall!) with you
702 - how you provide for our family, in every sense of the word
703 - the constant love and support that I receive from you
704 - your desire to do God's will in our lives together
705 - how you take care of all of the little details that I don't usually notice
706 - the way your face lights up every time you see me
707 - that you get to be the one that I start a family with - you'll be a fabulous dad :)
708 - never feeling judged or threatened by you. Ever.
709 - how easily you take on tasks around home to lighten my load without any requests or complaints
710 - your wonderfully patient and kind heart. You're the best.

Happy Monday, and happy birthday, Daniel. 
xo

Little Lentil : 29 Weeks

Our little baby is now at 29 weeks! Dan and I looked at each other last night, both with a startled expression, after talking about upcoming tentative plans, and realizing that we could have a baby in our arms anywhere from 9-13 weeks from now! I'm working out some school deadlines, and it's so crazy how quickly the time is going to fly by. No pressure, but I've gotta get organized! :)

Here's what's new for this week:

Week: Twenty-nine 

What's going on inside: The baby is developing its immune system, with help from me. Their muscles and brain are continuing to develop. It's important for me to be filling my body with lots of protein, vitamin C, folic acid, iron and calcium to keep the baby growing big and strong. They're moving like crazy now! Sometimes the movements are so big and strong that they make me jump.

What's going on outside: I've been getting more general uncomfortableness (is that a word?!) in my lower back and pelvis, but nothing that I can't handle. My energy levels are fine, and after a few weeks of terrible sleeps, I'm back on track and sleeping a lot more soundly each night.

How big is that lentil? The baby's estimated size is different from each source this week, but the range is from 2.5-3lbs. They're gaining weight quickly now! Between now and 36 weeks, they'll gain weight at a fast pace, and then slow down a little bit to gain some more between 36-40 weeks.

Total weight loss/gain: Not entirely sure of this one - my memory's a little foggy as to what the exact amount was that I weighed last week. (Baby brain!) I'm sure it's still in same the general ballpark.

Food cravings: Nada. Good food? We went out for a delicious supper earlier this week, and boy oh boy, is my appetite back. I ordered a chicken parmesan dish that I had had back in my early pregnancy days, and Dan laughed at how much more I could eat. I'm so thankful that stage passed - I felt so sick all the time, and could only eat about 5-10 bites of each meal. Not anymore! Dan doesn't get to clean up on all of the leftovers anymore :)

Best moment this week: I passed my second glucose test! The doctor's office called me and told me that my levels the second time around were perfect. Thank goodness! Glad that little bean still has a healthy mama. 

Our stylish diaper bag - I'll soon need to get it packed with baby essentials!

I've made several big online purchases this week that are really exciting. We found a great deal on the carseat/jogging stroller set that we like - almost half price! It's on it's way to Heidi's place to save on the shipping, since the company considered our mailing address "remote" - which it is. I also ordered the diaper pail that I've been ogling online when the company e-mailed me to offer me 10% off and free shipping this week. Bit by bit, we're hunting and gathering all of the items that we need before our baby arrives!

Happy Valentine's Day! I'm spending the evening with my husband and baby :) Not sure what the night will hold, but quality time is the most important part of the holiday for me. I picked Dan up a little treat and I'll make him a card this afternoon to surprise him with when he gets home from work. (I had a storm day from school today, so I've been snuggled in with my pyjamas on all day!)

Happy Friday!

It's a Smoothie Kinda Morning : Tips and Tricks

Almost every morning that I spend at home, I make myself a smoothie. I've never really documented the process, but I thought I might share a few tips with you...

When I'm not pregnant, I'm lactose-intolerant, so I used to skip any dairy elements in my smoothies. This pregnancy has made me able to drink milk and consume dairy products without any nasty consequences, which has been really exciting! While growing up, my dad worked on a dairy farm, so I had fresh cow's milk daily. My milk allergy developed a few years ago, after I started consuming pasteurized dairy products. Interesting, eh? I've been using yogurt regularly in my smoothies for those great little probiotics.

I like to start with a base of either orange juice or coconut milk. I've tried soy and almond milk in the past, but I'm only a fan when it's a combination of the two, not individually. Both have textures and flavours that I have to be in the mood for. During the summer, my coworkers and I would make a huge batch of smoothies and we blended soy milk and almond milk for the base. Delicious!

I then add whatever type of yogurt we have to my liquid base. Dan is the yogurt consumer in our house - I only have it in smoothies. He loves blueberry greek yogurt, so that's my typical choice, too. Once in a while, I'll splurge and buy some coconut greek yogurt for my smoothies, but not very often. Sage, our dog, always comes running when he hears me open the yogurt container. After I add several heaping spoonfuls to my smoothie, he has whatever's left on the spoon, hehe. Don't worry, it gets rinsed and washed right away :)

Since this past summer, I've been adding hemp protein and fibre powder to my smoothies. The bright green powder only has a slight taste (if you add in the perfect quantity) and it's easy to get used to. I used to add ground flax seed and/or wheat germ, but I've gotten out of the habit. Any extra source of added fibre that you can sneak into your diet is a plus in my books!

In the summer months, I love to purchase flats of fresh local berries and freeze them for the winter. Once I run out of my own stock of local berries, I purchase frozen bags of Canadian fruit from one of our favourite grocery stores. One local company offers a 1kg bag of Nova Scotian blueberries for a reasonable price, which is really handy. I like to watch the sales and stock up when the berries are a little cheaper. My favourite berries for smoothies are blueberries (yay for antioxidants!), raspberries, and strawberries.

I typically use a combination of fresh and frozen fruits. I'm not a huge fan of bananas, since they overwhelm all of the other flavours, but if we have bananas that are barely ripe in the house, I'll add half of one to my smoothie. I always like to check the fridge for any fruit that's not at it's prime - you can get away with slightly over-ripe fruits in liquid form more than while snacking. For example, this morning I spotted some grapes that we've been munching on for a couple of weeks. I added any plump ones to my smoothie and tossed the shrively-looking ones. I often add unsweetened applesauce (the individual portioned ones are perfect!) or a bit of fresh or canned pineapple if we have any leftovers. Also, when we have baby spinach in, I love to add a handful of leaves as well. You don't even notice the flavour unless you add too much, and then it tastes a little bit like dirt :)

Dan bought a Magic Bullet for me several years ago, and it's been going strong ever since. It's the perfect size for a smoothie for one, or if we're having a smoothie with our supper, I often split one with Dan. Last year, there was a bag filled with extra Bullet cups at the thrift store, so I purchased them to add to our collection. As long as you rinse your cup as soon as you finish your drink, they're easy to clean. Don't let them sit for any length of time though - the grooves can be a bugger to wash!

I hope that you found some handy smoothie making tips from my past experience. It's a quick and delicious way to get a healthy amount of fruit and veggies into your diet. If you add a cute straw, it helps, too :) Let me know if you have any smoothie tricks or favourite combinations. I'd love to hear from you!

Happy Wednesday!

Valentines Day Freebies

My goodness, Valentine's Day snuck up on me! I don't know about you, but I can't believe that it's this Friday. Dan and I don't typically do a whole lot for Valentine's Day, as we like to go on special little dates and day trips as often as possible regardless of the time of year or applicable holiday. I'd like to surprise him with a valentine and a sweet treat or two, and maybe we can create a special meal together at home this year.

I'm a big fan of finding classy free printables online, since I always have a supply of thick white cardstock and printer ink at home. When you have those simple items, it's easy to share a quick Valentine's Day goodie with your friends or lover. Why not think of a special man or woman in your life and bring them a little something, with a free printable attached? I know that I'd be excited to get a treat from someone who was thinking especially of me.

Here are some links to a few great Valentine's Day (or any day filled with love, really) printables. Enjoy! Let me know if any of the links are of any use to you, and if you use them in a fun and loving way.

Image and file via Love vs. Design

A beautifully designed (and free!) valentine for your darling.

Image and file via I Still Love You

A fun free printable from I Still Love You (ISLY) to frame for your friend or lover.

Image and file via eighteen25

A fun piece of free printable art available in multiple colour options from eighteen25.

Image and file via Sprik Space

A free 5x7" love printable in a variety of colourways from Sprik Space.

(She has oodles of other free Valentines/love printables on her site, too!)

Image and file via Hostess with the Mostess

Fun, free woodland animal valentines to hand out to your friends via Hostess with the Mostess.

Image and file via I Heart Naptime

An adorable free printable xoxo banner from I Heart Naptime to dress up your home.

Happy Tuesday!

Little Lentil : 28 Weeks

We made it! Twenty-eight weeks, seven months, the third trimester. No matter how you phrase it, it's incredible that our little one is growing big and strong inside of me. It is incredible how quickly time is racing by. I'm sure being so busy with classes and everyday life helps to make the time fly, but I don't know. I wish there was a way to slow things down just a bit :) Each week, the weekly updates amaze me - it's like a little human-making factory in there!

(I'm running a bit behind on my weekly posts - I'll be 29 weeks in two days time, but hopefully this post will get me back on track.)

Week 28 belly shot - not sure how much longer I can zip that coat!

Here's what's new for this week:

Week: Twenty-eight

What's going on inside: The baby is beefing up - gaining lots of weight, very quickly at this point. Their little eyes can blink, and have eyelashes now. They can respond to bright lights outside (isn't that amazing?) and their sleep cycle now includes REM cycles, just like us grown-ups. They're also starting to press on my diaphragm, which can make breathing uncomfortable sometimes.

What's going on outside: I'm beginning to feel a bit uncomfortable now. My clothes aren't fitting as well, and quite a few general aches some days. I had a charley horse (YIKES!) last Wednesday morning and I was limping from it for several days. It was at the point where I was tempted to see the doctor about it, since I couldn't press on one spot on my leg without yelping. Thankfully, today seems to be the turning point.

How big is that lentil? The baby is about 2.25 - 2.5 lbs now! They're measuring about 15" from head to heel. (That's about the size of an eggplant, for your produce lovers!)

Total weight loss/gain: I had my doctor's appointment last week and I was up 4lbs in 5 weeks. That puts my total weight gain at about 8lbs, and total weight loss at about 20lbs, which makes the overall weight gain/loss -12lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight. That sounds good to me!

Food cravings: Not sure if this is a craving or just a preference, but if I want a cold drink, I want it to be cold. If I want a hot drink, I want it to be hot. I run the cold water faucet for a long time before I pour myself a glass of water. I purchased a beverage from Starbucks this afternoon and asked for the barista to make it "extra hot" - none of that wishy-washy warm drink for me. 

Best moment this week: I don't know if I could qualify this as the best moment this week, but it definitely counts. I had to go for my 28-week bloodwork last week, and I'm not the best gal around needles. Thankfully, Dan works at our local hospital and was able to come and sit with me while the technician took a few vials. He's the best - without having him there, I get really light-headed and sometimes faint (!). I'm so thankful to be able to get my bloodwork done at his hospital.

I had to do the infamous glucose test, that yucky orange drink. At first I found it like really sweet Tang (remember that orange drink?) but by the end of the bottle, it was pretty gaggy. My doctor's office called me later that afternoon and with regret in her voice, the receptionist told me that I failed the glucose test by 0.1! I had to go back in on Friday and retake the test, this time with a much stronger drink and three hourly intervals of bloodwork. Between the oodles of bloodwork and fasting from 8pm the night before until almost 11am that day, I wasn't feeling too hot afterwards. I haven't heard back as to whether or not I passed the second test. Here's to hoping!

Oh, hey baby! You're as big as an eggplant.

Happy Monday!