39 weeks

cravings & such:  i have been wanting protein, big time.  just my body’s way of getting geared up for something pretty major in the coming weeks.  i have also been wanting candy.  sour, sour candy.  [thanks halloween marketing].  and people have been offering to make spicy food for me.  our family seems to have some chefs with ulterior motives.

the bump:  oh yes, i have one of those.

cool & cute things:  she is just hanging out in there.  napping and stretching.  and packing on that layer of fat.

new things:  she weighs about 6 pounds 7 ounces according to our ultrasound tech.  she is a little thing.  but, healthy and happy with a strong heartbeat.  plus, she is head down and super low in my pelvis…assume the position!

meaningful moments:  getting to see her little face during a quick ultrasound check-in this week.  she was sleeping and all curled up in my hip bone.  and, she was making the cutest little sucking movements.  her little lips were moving away!  oh, she was just so sweet.  i can’t wait to see that little face.

the countdown:  one week, one week!

current size:  a mini watermelon.  although, i like to think of her as more of a seasonally adjusted, tiny pumpkin. 

31 weeks

cravings & such:  this was a much healthier week.  barely any ice cream! with the exception of one yummy bowl of so delicious chocolate ice cream [made with coconut milk].  self control, folks.  i am still sucking back those smoothies and mucho coffee.  trenta, iced, decaf coffee.  yum.  i think i have consumed more coffee in the past three months than in all my pre-preggo months combined.  it tastes so yummy.  and, really hits the spot when it is hot, which is currently every. single. day.

the bump:  it feels huge.  and it moves and rumbles a lot these days.  little miss likes to use my internal organs as punching bags these days which can cause quite a ruckus.  so strange to have my midsection completely taken over by another person.

cool & cute things:  miss elinor measures over 16 inches long and weighs about 3.3 pounds…and is apparently heading for a growth spurt.  oh boy, get ready belly.  things are about to get serious.

new things:  baby can turn her head from side to side and her arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as fat accumulates underneath her skin.  by all means, take all the fat you would like.

meaningful moments:  hearing her heartbeat again.  getting kicked in the ribs for the first [noticeable] time.  that was an interesting feeling.  i’m pretty sure i audibly responded with “ugh!  you little monkey…”  buying our not-so-diaper-bag diaper bag.  putting sheets on her crib mattress.

the countdown:  63 days to go.  [gulp]  we are talking two months.  and, i have now entered the doctor-appointment-every-two-weeks phase of the pregnancy.  then, at 36 weeks, it is every week until baby girl arrives.  if i do my math right, that means that we are as few as 5 appointments away from go-time!

current size:  the weight of four navel oranges

25 weeks

cravings & such:  not much here.  gosh, i am boring.  pretty much the usual suspects… crisp salad, plenty of cheese, and meat.  i have enjoyed a caramel apple or two but i think that is more vacation related than baby related.  i know.  yawn.

the bump:  definitely growing.  i feel like i wake up to a bigger belly every morning.  baby is in the “packing on the pounds” phase.  she has about 6 to 7 more pounds to gain.  [oh. my. goodness.]  come on collagen!  stretch, stretch, stretch.

cool & cute things:  head to heels, baby girl measures about 13.5 inches and weighs in at about 1.5 pounds.  she is also beginning to exchange some of that long and lean look for baby fat.  so cute!

new things:  baby is growing more hair.  if i could peek inside the belly, i would be able to see the color and texture.  what do you think?  brunette or blondie?

meaningful moments:  all of the tumbling and kicking.  i can feel her all the time now with big bursts of movement after breakfast, around 3 in the afternoon, and before bedtime.

the countdown:  105 days to go!

current size: weight of a rutabaga