29 Week Bump Update and BabyMoon

BabyMoon time! John and I went on vacation this week to celebrate our 3rd wedding anniversary. We decided to stick relatively close to home and go to Atlantic City. I really pushed for this idea because it allowed us to drive, which meant I could bring my beach chair and umbrella, but more importantly, my body pillows:) I probably looked quite silly carrying my pillows through the casino to our room, but hey, a momma's gotta do what a momma's gotta do:) 

YAY!! A real baby bump!! The casino had a lot of mirrors, so I really noticed my growing belly this week.

John, at my favorite casino, the Wild West

Standing in line at a pregnant lady's dream: Lunch Buffet

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Waiting in line for a magic show

It was a fun show!

Beach time!

I love my hubby!

All ready for some sun! With my hat, umbrella, chair, and lots of sunscreen in tow.

Baby Bump!

Tanning. Let's hope baby girl gets her momma's skin and not her daddy's fair, prone to burning skin.

ooo, look at those tan lines.

Yummy lunch

I really wanted a fruit beach drink... so I settled for a strawberry banana smoothie

Love

John on the 'set' of one of this favorite shows:)

How Far Along: 29 weeks as of August 17th, 2013

Size Of Baby: According to baby center: Baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds, about the size of a butternut squash and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. Her muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and her head is growing bigger to make room for her developing brain.

Maternity Clothes: I am getting sick of wearing the same outfits, but I also don't want to go shopping and buy new clothes that I will only wear for a few months. The good news is that the last two times I went to the mall, I didn't buy anything! I just can't fathom spending money on new clothes when my tummy might out grow them in the next 10 weeks. I'm telling myself that my reward for losing the baby weight will be new clothes:)

Weight Gain:  I think I'm up about 14 lbs.

 

Stretch Marks: Just the same ones on my back.

Sleep:  We had to keep the light on in our hotel bathroom because I wasn't used to the room and it was pitch black thanks to the great curtains. The first night of our vacation I slept great. Then the next few nights, I tossed and turned quite a bit.

Best Moment of the Week:  I just loved going on our babymoon! It was wonderful spending a week with just John, not worrying about anything and just being together. I have to admit that I will miss this once little one comes. But life will just be fulfilling in another way:)

 

Movement: Baby girl is still low. She has been moving around quite a bit now, especially when it's time for bed. I love it!

Cravings: Nothing different. Just sweets, sweets, sweets!  Which isn't good because I received the phone call from my doctor this week while on vacation, saying that I failed by 1 hour glucose test. I am nervous about having diabetes now and have to take the 3 hour test on Tuesday. Geesh, the things they make pregnant women go through!

 

Gender: I've been so nervous throughout my pregnancy that 'she' will become a 'he.' Not that I wouldn't love a little boy, but I am a planner and ever since I was told I'm having a girl, I've been dreaming about what she will be like and filling her room with all things pink. Well, the start of our vacation caused a little baby gender anxiety for me. John and I stopped at a rest stop in New Jersey about half way through our trip to Atlantic City. While I was drying my hands at the hand dryer, the cleaning lady came up to me, pointed to my belly, and said, "You are having a boy. Definitely a boy." I replied, "Um, I hope not! They told me it was a girl." She said, "No, definitely a boy. I've had 3 boys. You are having a boy."  
So, the happy news is that I finally look pregnant and I love that someone asked me about it. 
But the not so happy news is that this stressed this momma out!! For the next hour in the car, I was googling positions of babies and old wive's tales of what boy and girl bellies look like. Ahh!! I really did not need this stress on the start of my vacation!

Belly Button In or Out: A wide innie.

Wedding Ring on or Off: On and happy about it, since we are celebrating our 3rd wedding anniversary in a few days:)

Anything Making You Queasy or Sick: No

What I Miss: Being active. I really want to run, twist, bend, and move around without making sure my belly is protected. I miss feeling athletic. But I am trying to soak in these momma-baby moments before they are gone.

Labor Signs: NO!!! Not for at least 10 more weeks.

Symptoms: Ugh, baby girl really tested me this week. I've been feeling so great this pregnancy and of course, the week I go on vacation is the time where the pains set in. Baby must be in a very low position this week because I have had the sensation to pee literally, every 30 minutes. Also, John and I walked a lot this week on the boardwalk, and every so often I would get a sharp, painful stab down below. So bad, sometimes, that it stopped me in my tracks. John and I had to take many rest breaks on benches and even more potty stops. By the end of the week, I knew all the casino bathrooms by heart! I was nervous about what was going on, but since I was in another state, I figured that the Doctor couldn't really do anything. I go see her on Tuesday, so I will ask her about it then. But it comes and goes and hasn't been too bad the last two days, so I think it was just the baby's position.

Nursery: Can't wait to decorate soon!

Emotions: I am getting excited to be approaching 30 weeks soon. Time seems to fly by at times (I can't believe we are almost there) but then at other times, it seems like I've been pregnant forever.

Building the Nursery

We starting building the nursery this week. I hung up all of Baby Cullen's clothing from her shower and John and I put together the glider and crib. I have been looking forward to this day for weeks and it was exciting to spend time with my little family getting ready for our new addition.

Baby Cullen will be very stylish, thanks to our family and friends from our first shower.

John had to give up some closet space for baby.

John, putting together the crib.

Starting to set up the nursery... the glider and dresser are in. Momma and Sammie are taking a break!

Good job daddy!

We listened to 90s hits on pandora during this... one day Baby Cullen will look back and think we were listening to oldies!

Oh no! Sammie got trapped!

He didn't know how to get out!

He finally jumped the bar! But it took a few minutes of problem solving.

Concentrating...

Crib is together!

Furniture is in... now to move on to decorating in the upcoming weeks.

28 Week Bump Update

25 weeks

26 weeks

We've reached the third trimester!!! How crazy is that? In some ways, I feel like I've been pregnant forever, but then in others, it feels like the big day is approaching quickly. I really can't wait until November is here, but then I am trying to remind myself to enjoy this time with my family of 3 (husband and doggie), to enjoy the excitement in preparing for our darling girl, and just cherish these moments of being pregnant. I haven't had a post in four weeks because I went home to visit my parents and attend a teaching workshop on the Erie Canal. I had a lot of fun feeling like a kid again at home. My mom sure spoiled me and baby Cullen. She surprised us with lots of clothing and diapers. We also had the Cullen family baby shower while I was home. Everyone was so generous and I had a great time seeing everyone and celebrating baby.

How Far Along: 28 weeks along, on August 12th

Size Of Baby: According to baby center: You weight about 2 1/4 lb, the size of a large eggplant, and measure 14.8 inches. You can blink your eyes, which now have eyelashes! Your eyesight is developing and you might be able to see light. You're also developing billions of neurons in your brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

Maternity Clothes: I bought a bathing suit top last week so that I can lounge on the beach with John when we go on our Babymoon this week to Atlantic City. I've been really lucky because the only thing that is growing is my belly and boobs!! My legs and arms have stayed thin, so far. Fingers crossed!

Weight Gain:  The doctor said I am up about 11 lbs this week.

 

Stretch Marks: No new ones, thank goodness.

Sleep:  I've been sleeping like a baby this week. (I'm sure this is a phrase I'll stop using once Baby Cullen arrives) Besides getting up to pee 3x a night, I've been getting great sleep.

Best Moment of the Week:  John and I built your crib and glider this week!!! The nursery has all it's major furniture now. We just need to move the computer and dresser out of there, and decorate. I'm looking forward to this project when I get back from vacation.

 

Movement: Baby is sitting low, a few inches below my belly button. The doctor thinks she might be in a 'n' shape and the movements I feel are probably her arms and legs kicking me. A few times they have been a bit forceful and make me jump!  But I still love being reminded she is in there and is ok.

Cravings: John and my new treat is Fro-yo! Yummy. I also have been hungry the past couple of days. So maybe baby is having a growth spurt. The one thing that I crave quite a bit is chocolate cake. Good thing that's not easily accessible!

 

Gender: I hope she likes pink! Her room will have lots of it!

Belly Button In or Out: Still an innie!

Wedding Ring on or Off: Still sporting the ring.

Anything Making You Queasy or Sick: Nada.

What I Miss: Running. I stopped running at 26 weeks because I had a weird cramp that lasted a day or so. I don't want to hurt little miss in there. She's my number 1. Running will just have to wait until December.

Labor Signs: No. No. No. We don't want that until 12 more weeks!

Symptoms: Still feeling great. The one complaint I have now is that every time I walk, I feel like I have to go pee. But I really don't have to!! It's an awful feeling. But I guess it could be worse.

Nursery: It's getting started!

Emotions: I've been feeling pretty happy and blessed this week. I love my little growing family of John, Sammie, and baby. :)