Hi everyone!

I am on a SERIOUS countdown mode.  Tomorrow I am 29 weeks and its an 11 week countdown (whoop whoop)!

This week was crazy busy at work and I must be going through a growth spurt as well because I have been EXHAUSTED, the scale jumped a little too much, and lots of round ligament pain.  Oh and my son is trying to kill me from the inside out.  I went to the doc for my monthly checkup and asked her about my excruciating rib cage pain I have been having for a couple weeks on my right side.  She checked, and since the baby is nestled up there he is also getting stronger kicks and is pushing my rib cage out.  Yep, thats right, becuase I am so short and not a long torso, he is so close to the cage that he is pushing it out.  It completely makes sense since I cannot sit, stand, or walk comfortably anymore. 

I am going to try to go to the chiropractor (per doc's recommendations) to see if an adjustment will work and maybe move him a bit.  I. am. all. for. it. 

Good news of the week is that I am now going to the doc every 2 weeks and I am loving it simply because I am closer to the light at the end of the tunnel. 

Russ and I have made major progress to Ryan's room and I can't wait to share the pics with everyone soon :)

Have a great weekend!
XOXO, Sherri

Survey says...

Written Thursday, Oct. 24

How far along?: 28 weeks and 6 days

Total weight gain/loss: Another 2lb-er this week putting me at 22lb.  Talked to my doc this week at my visit at my 2lb/wk gain lately and I am still on track and just hit another spurt of growth with the nugget.  I am still trying to eat a healthy and balanced diet with exercise so I am not doing anything wrong…not too worried about it since I am still at a average and healthy number for my pre-preg size.

Maternity clothes?:  95% of time.

Sleep: Getting sleep just not lots of quality.  Too many pee breaks.

Best moment of the week:  Monday night I was lying in bed and Ryan starting moving like a maniac…I looked down and saw an outline of a little foot print when he did a huge push.  I was in awe of this little being inside me!

Movement: Constant.  But it is all up under my rib cage which has led to a lot of pain for me.  I talked to the doc about it and she felt around.  Sure enough, he is under my right ribs and because I am so short, he is actually pushing my rib cage out a little which is causing the pain.  I hate to wish the next 12 weeks away but for the sake of this pain….ummmm, yeah.     

Food Cravings: Still have a little sweet tooth but no strong cravings.

Gender: Little king.

Belly Button:  Flattie…still

Stretchmarks?:  None…yet.

What I miss:  My rib cage not in sharp pain??

What I am looking forward to: Meeting this soccer player I have in my belly

Weekly Wisdom: Baby Ryan is the size of an eggplant and at this point everything is just maturing and he is getting more fat on him.

Milestones: Entered the third/FINAL trimester! And now on a every 2 week doc visit.

Workouts:

Friday- Rest

Saturday- 1 hr treadmill cardio.  Hill intervals.

Sunday- Rest

Monday- 1hr. Pure Barre Prenatal DVD and 30 min. small hill interval on treadmill

Tuesday- Rest

Wednesday- 1 hr treadmill cardio.  Hill intervals.

Thursday- 1hr. Pure Barre Prenatal DVD and 30 min. small hill interval on treadmill

Survey Says: 27 weeks preggers

This is it folks!  The time I have been waiting for.... As of tomorrow (Friday 10/18) I am in the THIRD and FINAL trimester!  Woohoo!  I am so excited I can barely stand it.  To think that I am just 12 weeks shy (if not sooner) of holding my baby boy!  I hate to wish my pregnancy away but it is so hard not to when you are so close.

This past week was an interesting week for me:

1. My heart burn stepped up a notch.  And I mean a painful "I am always on fire" notch.  They say if you have a lot of heartburn, then your baby will have a head full of hair.  Man I hope so!
2. I need a walker...or at least a masuess to follow me 24/7.  This week my back pain (mostly upper back/rib cage) decided to rear its ugly head.  I am feeling it everyday and it likes to start early in the evening and not let up until I fall asleep.  Sitting up doesn't help and laying down doesn't help.  No. use.
3. Sleep.. what is that?  I may dose off but there is no quality to it.  Oh and I need to buy stock in toilet paper...seriously peeing non stop.  Welcome to the 3rd trimester.

As you can see from the above, the uncomfortable parts of baby brewing has started.  I am optimistic though, especially knowing I am very close to all of that being over.

Russ and I still have no big plans in the coming weekends...just relaxing and tackling 1 nursery project at a time each weekend.  I do have my maternity photo shoot set for 11/2 and can't wait to see the end result!

Do have 1 quick question though... do you think it is REALLY beneficial to take a pregnancy class (for labor/delivery, etc)?  Still contemplating if that is gonna make a huge difference.

Everyone have a great weekend!
XOXO,
Sherri

Survey says...

Written Thursday, Oct. 17

How far along?: 27 weeks and 6 days

Total weight gain/loss: Hit a 2lb gain this week which puts me at the big 20.  I am starting to swell a lot in my feet by the end of the day so I know I am starting to retain some water. I just need to chug even more water now to make up for it.  (Yay for more pee breaks…not!)

Maternity clothes?:  Pretty much all in.  The only thing non-preggo are my cardigans or jackets as I just leave them open instead of spending OUTRAGEOUS money on preggo cardi’s or jackets.

Sleep: Not too much.  I sleep but there is no quality to it.  I blame it on the night heartburn, really bad back aches, and potty breaks.  I definitely can tell this is the third trimester now. 

Best moment of the week:  Having Monday off!  Momma needed a nice 3-day relaxing weekend…and it was.

Movement: His movements are definitely coming in cycles now as he is on a sleep cycle in my tummy.  I notice him more in the evenings but then again, I am so busy at work during the day, he may be moving lots and I just haven’t noticed as much.

Food Cravings: Milk and PB & J’s.  I did make some homemade Lara Bars (healthy fruit and nut bars) this weekend and they were delicious.  Now I want one at least once a day. 

Gender: Little King

Belly Button: Flattie

Stretchmarks?:  Not yet.

What I miss:  Last week was crazy busy at work and it made me miss my wine. 

What I am looking forward to: Tomorrow I will be 28wks and in my LAST trimester.  12 more weeks until I can meet my little man!!!

Weekly Wisdom:  Pregnancy Brain is a REAL thing.  And it happens to me EVERY DAY.

Milestones:  Ryan is the size of a rutabaga!  He is practicing his breathing and his brain activity is developing.  We’re in the home stretch!

Workouts:

             Friday- Rest

Saturday- Rest

Sunday- 1 hr. small hill walk (3.5mph, 3% incline)

Monday- 15 min. dog  walk + Pure Barre DVD

Tuesday- 1 hr. small hill walk (3.5mph, 3% incline)

Wednesday- 15 min. dog  walk + Pure Barre DVD + 15 more min. on treadmill

Thursday-  1 hr. small hill walk (3.5mph, 3% incline)

Survey Says: 26 weeks preggers

Eeeek!  I am so excited. T-minus 1 week and I will be entering my last trimester.  I couldn't be more thrilled to see the light at the end of the tunnel and to meet my little man oh so soon.  Granted it is still 13 weeks away but with the holidays quickly approaching I know it will fly by.

This week was ROUGH all the way around.  Swamped at work mixed with major heartburn and really bad pains in my rib cage = not a happy momma.  I researched the rib cage issue and google said it was pretty common and just the way my uterus is squishing everything...oh and the fact that my kid is half under my ribs. (he is oh so nice)

Russell and I don't have anything planned on the books for the next couple weekends (which I LOVE) because it means I get to relax all weekend in the baggiest clothing I can find.  I am starting to feel like a stuffed turkey on the reg now.  My goal, with all this weekend down time, is to start tackling some nursery art projects that I want to do and use for Ryan's room. 

I hope everyone has a great weekend...I get Monday off so you best beeelieve I am gonna have a fabulous lonnnng weekend.

XOXO, Sherri

Survey says...

Written Thursday, Oct. 10

How far along?: 26 weeks and 6 days

Total weight gain/loss: Up 1 lb from last week.  Total is 17.6.  Not stressing over it at all.  It is still a healthy number and baby is growing.

Maternity clothes?: 90% of time. 

Sleep: Sleep is okay… just up more than I would like for potty breaks and I am getting more uncomfortable.

Best moment of the week:  Getting Ryan’s car seat and stroller delivered to us!  My dad got us our first gifts off our registry and delivered to us that way when we do have a baby shower that is one less thing to worry about bringing home .

Movement: All the time.  He gets the hiccups now at least 2 times a day.  I love seeing my belly move with it.

Food Cravings: PB & J and milk.  I have been eating some PB & J’s like whoa and nothing satisfies me like a glass of milk.  I still have my sweet craving too for chocolate or ice cream sandwiches, which I give in to, but then make sure I eat lots of veggies too.

Gender:  BOY! 

Baby love

Belly Button: flattie

Stretchmarks?:  None yet but I think I see my linea nigrea starting to appear slightly.

What I miss:  Nothing.  I just am ready to meet him!

What I am looking forward to: Having a half day Friday and off Monday for Columbus weekend.  The perks of working for a financial institution that follows all government holidays.

Weekly Wisdom: Baby Ryan is up to 2lbs now and his eyes start to finally open!  He is approximately the size of a head of lettuce.

Milestones: 1 more week until the 3^rd trimester begins!  The end is so close and I am estatic!

Added section:  Workouts:

             Friday- Rest

            Saturday-1 hr treadmill cardio.  Hill intervals.

Sunday- 15 min. dog  walk + Pure Barre DVD + 15 minute treadmill fast walk

Monday- Rest

Tuesday- 1 hr treadmill cardio.  Hill intervals.

Wednesday- Rest day.  I needed it bad.  Wayyy out of it.

               Thursday-  30 min VERY STEEP incline interval + light weights working (arm, shoulder, legs, booty)

Survey Says: 25 weeks preggers

Another week down and just 2 weeks away from entering my LAST trimester.  Overall, the week has been great but I am definitely finding myself more and more tired by the end of the day.  I feel like I am back in my 1st trimester where by body required a nap every day.

Russell and I got the nursery furniture put together this past weekend and things are starting to get real :)  Now the only thing we have left to do is add the white chair railing to the walls and the pictures.  Then, Ryan's sweet little nest will be complete.

This weekend, I am going to try and sucker Russell in to taking me to the "Mistletoe Merchants" show at the ag center...its just where hundreds of vendors line up and showcase some holiday product for some early XMAS shopping. 

Russell's grandmother passed away yesterday so we are also on standby to hear about service arrangements so that we can try to schedule to attend. 

Until next week...xoxox, Sherri

Survey says...

Written Thursday, Oct. 3

How far along?: 25 weeks and 6 days

Total weight gain/loss: Up 1.6 from last week.  I have to admit, I was quite relieved to see a smaller number on the scale.  Not because I am afraid of weight gain, don’t get me wrong, but I want it to be sensible and healthy.  I really want to stick to the healthy range my doc suggested of 25-35 lbs.  It will help me physically, recover better, and not affect the baby’s growth at all.  Total now = 16.6

Maternity clothes?:  75% now.  Since my biggest months are in the fall/winter I am still able to wear my non-preggo cardigans (just unbuttoned) which helps.  So it’s just lots of maternity pants, dresses, and layering tanks or t-shirts.

Sleep: Much better since I got back on the workout track but now getting back heartburn right before bed time.  Oh and I am easily up 4 times a night to use the bathroom.  But I can’t help it because my thirst skyrockets in the evenings.

Best moment of the week:  I have really been enjoying staring at my belly and watching him move. 

Movement: We still have a flipper.  Seriously think he is just working on his flips in there and boy are they strong.

Food Cravings: Really craving milk now.  I have at least 2-3 glasses a day.

Gender: BOY

Belly Button: It’s a flattie.  Not quite in but not quite out.

Stretchmarks?:  Not yet.

What I miss:  Aside from a glass of wine in the evenings I am enjoying this way too much.

What I am looking forward to: In just 2 weeks I will be in my third trimester!  So exciting and I just can’t hide it!

Weekly Wisdom: Baby Ryan is the size of Cauliflower!  He is enjoying his new sense of equilibrium as he now knows which ways is up and which is down.  Annnd he is growing more fat and hair.  (Here’s to wishing/hoping for a chunky baby!!)

Milestones: Getting Ryan’s furniture together.  His crib, rocking chair, and dresser/changing table is all ready for his arrival.  (minus his bedding…still need to order)

Added section:

Workouts: So happy to get back on track with my workouts!  It feels so good and it really has been helping me sleep better.

             Friday- Rest

Saturday- Rest (my back was KILLING ME from putting baby furniture together all day.  Rest was much appreciated.)

Sunday- 30min. walking steep hill intervals. 

Monday- Rest

Tuesday- Pure Barre Prenatal DVD  + 1 mile dog walk

Wednesday- 30 min VERY STEEP incline interval.

Thursday- 30 min. walk slight incline and light weights working (arm, shoulder, legs, booty)