32 Weeks

Is this the roundest belly you have ever seen?

 My right hand is placed on the spot that Riley likes to push her tush.


I had a midwife appointment on Monday...I think. I cannot really remember this past week, that is how crazy it was.

The next 8 weeks do not look any easier.

Trying to continue to do research for the Mayor's Office, work 30-40 hours a week for my assistantship, finish my professional policy paper, complete all of the assignments for my weekend class and attend class twice a week all while preparing for labor and baby. It is overwhelming. At the point in pregnancy where most women start taking it slow, I am having to kick it in to overdrive. I am just happy that my body is allowing me to continue to do what I need to do and that at the end of all of this I get a sweet baby girl.

But, back to the midwife appt that may or may not have been this past Monday. I am measuring right on track, whatever that means, and Riley has a very strong heart beat. That's it really. I have another appointment in 2 weeks and will keep you updated.

 

And just for comparison, this was me at 14 weeks. I thought I was showing! Now that is funny!

Reflections on the perks of being prego

1: Smiles from Strangers: At 31 weeks I am now starting to get stopped by strangers and asked about my baby bump. In the grocery store, at the post office, on campus; everyone wants to know when I am due and what I am having. It is funny how men are just as curious about your pregnancy as women are. When I tell people I am 7 months pregnant they almost always say, "oh, but you are so little and cute!" I smile, rub my belly and say thank you, and think to myself, "Little? Are you kidding me, this thing is heavier than a back pack full of books and is the size of a soccer ball!"

2: Free Sweets: I met some friends for fro-yo last week and discovered that they have buy-one-get-one FREE frozen yogurt for your entire pregnancy!!! It is a good thing I just found out about this because I probably wouldn't be getting those, "your so small" comments if I had been enjoying that perk since the beginning.

3: Special Attention: Another fun thing is getting to be someones first pregnant belly experience. It is so funny to see their face after they lightly press their hand on your inflated stomach and then continue to touch you ever couple of minutes trying to get a feel of that foot, or elbow or whatever it is Riley keeps pushing out of the top of my abdomen.

4: Sharing is Caring: Besides the special attention  and free fro-yo, I would have to say one of the best perks is being able to share it with other expectant and new moms. No one else can relate to what you are feeling or can quite understand the excitement and anxiety that comes along with having a life growing inside of you. There are so many hopes that you have for your child, the kind of mother you will be, and the life you will provide for another human being, but there also exists an intense amount of pressure and responsibility as a mother. I automatically feel a bond with other pregnant women and it is so much fun to compare stories and learn from each other. I have received so many great tips through out the course of my pregnancy and I love to pass them on!

I know these perks have an expiration date and before I know it I will be just another mom who hasn't washed her hair in days and has spit up on her shirt. But, it sure is nice to soak it all in while I can.

Around the house

Thanks Dad for teaching me to wash windows, you should have seen me out there with the bucket and squeegee in the scorching heat. You can barely tell where the bedroom ends and the patio begins.

Lola loves it.

Dwell studio for Target onesies, so cute!

In this insane de-clutter spree I have been on I sold almost my entire collection of books. I got a whopping $18 for all of these! Note to self: never buy books new ever again.

Lola is already stealing Riley's toys for herself. This is not good.

This may or may not be the second piece of cake I have had today.
One for me, one for baby. That's how it works right?

Lately...

I am missing my short blonde hair.

To chop or not to chop, that is the question!

29 weeks

Does it look like I have a ball in my shirt?

My stomach seemed to grow a lot this week and it is looking awfully round and high.

(PS. I don't know if it is a good thing that at 7 months pregnant I still fit into my jeans, or if that means I was the size of a 7 month pregnant lady before getting pregnant?)

Baby Gear

I have spent many hours hunting online for the perfect baby gear for Riley. Luckily I have a library full of advice from my sister and friends who all have new babies and are kind enough to answer my many questions. I mean there are so many things to consider. Does baby need a bassinet or does a pack n play with a bassinet work just as well? What material receiving blankets are best: flannel, cotton, fleece, thermal? How many packs of newborn diapers do I need? Should I buy a bottle warmer? What about a bottle sanitizer? Oh, and what about that Bumbo thing...should I get one of those? Really, the questions are endless. So thanks again to all of you who put up with me. I feel like everything that comes out of my mouth lately has to do with the baby and I am sure it is getting annoying! I probably should change my blog to Hello Baby.

As promised to Grandma Irene, here are pictures of the car seat you purchased for Riley! After sending me the wrong color last week, Babies R Us redeemed themselves and sent me the right car seat (with an added discount for my inconvenience).

It is the Maxi Cosi Mico infant car seat and it works with the Maxi Cosi Foray stroller.

Lola always manages to work her way into the pictures somehow.

Thank you Grandma I for the car seat! And thank you Mom and Grandma N for the stroller!