Tomorrow I'm officially 31 weeks.
How I'm Feeling Physically
Now that it's getting hot here and the part of my belly that hangs out of my non-maternity tees (usually what I wear just aroung the house) is starting to morph from cute and poking out to stretch-marked and heading south, pregnancy is getting a bit more uncomfortable. Pretty much everytime I have to stand up I also have to pee. If I'm standing for any length of time my back kills me. I bought a maternity support band. The one I bought was made by Medela . I really didn't like it. It did help my back a bit and even the frequent urination, but it wasn't very comfortable. I was always relieved to just get it off. So, I'm going to return it. The belly bands on my maternity jeans are also more uncomfortable now. They kind of squeeze me a bit, just around the top of the band and leave an indention when I take the jeans off. Part of me really wants to buy another pair of jeans and maybe some denim capris, both with either the elastic under the belly or the full belly panel (mine are mid-belly). With only a couple of months left though I'm not sure it's worth it. The Motherhood Maternity outlet by me has them as low as $16 sometimes, but I only ever find the full belly panel in petite sizes. :( The hot flashes are still here. I get up and drink a big glass of water whenever I get one. Leg cramps try to get me every morning too. I just immediately point my toes up stretching out my calves and they stop in their tracks. Evil leg cramps! My hands have started cramping up. Lately I've been sewing a lot, trying to get the crafty projects I wanted to do done for the nursery, and usually my fingers kill the next day for a little while. My lower back will hurt sometimes when I'm sitting, but I've found that putting a small pillow behind me really helps with that. A couple other pregnant body phenomena I'm not exactly loving are a little return of nausea and food aversions and the reaction my body has to vegetables. On this Blue Ribbon Baby diet you're suppose to eat 2 serving of greens a day and a serving of another vegetable. In my particular case, I could probably just do that and ask my doctor to please change me to a prenatal vitamin WITHOUT a stool softener in it. :/ Ewww.
Other Feelings and What I've Been Up To
Lately the people I was so bummed about ditching me during my pregnancy have really seemed to double up their efforts to support me and spend time with me. A nice and welcome surprise. My husband has been supportive the whole time, but instead of just doing it through words he's really been taking extra steps to help me in little ways that I never expected. Also, there were a few friends I invited to my baby shower who I really didn't think would show. They pretty much all either RSVP'd just recently or confirmed that they couldn't be there for whatever reason, but had sent us a gift. It's awesome when people surprise you in a good way.
I've been having definite mood swings. Sometimes I just really don't feel like doing anything but sitting here. I don't want to watch TV or surf the net or eat or anything. I just want to sit here. Usually when this happens I end up spending the whole time sitting here thinking about all I should be getting done and feeling guilty. So, I've started giving myself a time limit on "just sitting." I'll tell myself I can sit here for 30 minutes, then I HAVE to put the clothes in the washer into the dryer and unload the dishwasher, for example. Usually, once I'm up and doing something, I can snap myself out of the fog and stay productive.
I did a bit of shopping lately. I ordered some really cute maternity shirts from Gap. I should get them soon. I really wish they had a maternity store close to me, but at least they offer free returns. I also have a Gap card so I get free shipping. Although Gap and Old Navy are by the same company, Gap is such better quality. The maternity clothing I've purchased from Gap has been constantly comfortable and durable. The shirts I've purchased from Old Navy have not fit as well in the right places, have faded or shrunk, and are just over all not as good quality garments as my Gap purchases. If I did end up buying another pair of maternity jeans I think I'd go with Gap this time. Despite the higher cost, I'd still be saving money over many other maternity jean brands. Besides clothes, I bought some shampoo and conditioner by Aveda. I absolutely love them. My mom is a hairstylist. So, I'm pretty much always using professional products on my hair. Now that I'm pregnant though, I want to be able to look at the label on the products and know exactly what I'm putting on my body. So, I've switched to Aveda and am happy so far. Another recent purchase of mine has been new glasses and contacts. I was due for a check up and figured I better go now or I might not make it in for quite a while after the baby comes. I spent a little more on new frames than usual this time. I have been thinking more about how I am feeling about my changing body now and how I will feel as I transition back into a nonpregnant body and decided that it's ok to spend a little more on the things that I'll be able to continuously use no matter how much weight I gain or lose.
On the subject of body image, I have been a bit down about my body shape lately. I haven't gained any weight since I started this new diet. I will fluctuate up or down a pound, but I always stay within that range. No clear gain. It's been over a month so I'm a bit concerned. I have a prenatal appointment next week though. I'll mention it to my OB. I'm constantly eating and definitely getting all my servings of milk, protein, whole grain, fruits and veggies, and fats every day. The baby is just as active as ever too. My belly is also growing. The scale just isn't moving. So, we'll see what the professional has to say. I wouldn't worry, but I know it's normal to gain around a pound a week in the third trimester, about half of which goes to the baby as she gains weight. So, I just want to know she's growing ok mostly. If she wants to take her little fat stores from mine, I'm totally ok with that. :) I've gained 30 lbs so far and wouldn't mind stopping there as long as the baby is getting 100% of what she needs from me.
I had a little pregnancy photoshoot last week. I didn't like any of the shots with my upper arms in them. I've become a bit self conscious about my arms. My legs were never a favorite part of my body and are now a bit more jiggly. My face is also a bit more round. That really doesn't bother me as much though. I would just love to be prancing around in cute little flowy summer dresses or at least to switch my tops for a cute maternity tank or two and some comfy shorts. Not going to happen though I'm thinking. I bought a maternity bathing suit earlier in my pregnancy that'll most likely never see the light of day. :( I don't like being that way. I'm sure if I'd actually uncover a bit and get some sun on my jiggly parts I'd be able to stand looking at them a bit more. I'm more comfortable covered though I guess. This all definitely motivates me to work hard to get fit again once the baby is here. After I've gotten a bit used to the new-parent daze that is.
On a funner note, my baby shower is the end of this week. I'm so excited. I'm mostly excited to reunite with friends I haven't seen in forever. The presents will be great I'm sure; definitely appreciated. I'll just hate everyone focusing on me while I open them. Part of me wants to peak at my baby registries to see what we got! Bad, I know! But it won't be as fun that way. I paid for and put togther the favors and did the invitations. I figured it was the least I could do. I also found a bunch of ideas for activities online and let my sister pick the ones she wanted to do (that's her part of the shower). My mom is doing the food and decorations. I just need to pick up the little bundt cakes on the day of the shower to add to the favor bags and transport my sister-in-law and her husband from their hotel that day and show up to the party. So, besides figuring out what to wear, I'm not letting myself stress about anything. :)
I'll let you know how everything goes!
~Jessy
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