Happy 3rd Birthday Buddy!

We love you!!

Hiccups

Last night was day 2 of Rob and my Childbirth Prep classes. During one of the exercises, she had the guys go off to one room and the girls to the other, and come up with a list of "feelings" we've had since we've become pregnant. I really like our class but I thought this exercise was a little silly.

After a few minutes we had our list complete and we started talking about other stuff: sleeping, appetites, etc. Someone mentioned hiccups and the girl next to me said "is it really obvious when they have hiccups?" Everyone in unison (except me) said "ohh yes, you'll know." I turned to the girl and said "I haven't had them either."

About twenty minutes later when the group got back together and the instructor was talking about something, I felt a thump. Thump. Thump. Kind of in the routine of a heartbeat. I knew they were hiccups, so cool! I felt like it was happening for 2 minutes but it was probably just 1 minute. It was totally random that we were just talking about it and then it happened. I guess Bob didn't want me to be the last one in the group to experience them.

Oh, swell...

Swelling has entered my life. The last two nights I've noticed I had cankles. They seem to creep up on me at night, after work and go back to normal in the morning. Isn't it too early to start swelling? Bummer.

Red Cups are Here!

Jen told me yesterday that the red cups are at Starbucks. This means they are now serving eggnog lattes, gingerbread lattes and peppermint mochas. YUM! I indulged on my first eggnog latte of the season this morning and it did not disappoint.

You know how a pumpkin might represent Halloween or fall, and a bunny might represent Easter? Well, the red cups represent the holidays to me and get me in the holiday spirit. My favorite time of year is October - December but if I had to choose my favorite holiday, Christmas would be the winner - by a lot.

Here are some of my favorite things: red cups (duh!), holiday decor in shopping centers/malls/downtown, holiday music, decorating the house, buying presents, wrapping presents, traditions like baking cookies with the family, sending/receiving holiday cards, holiday parties, holiday catalogs, uggs, warm sweaters and scarves, staying inside and watching tv and baking while its raining outside, making homemade soup, the smell of a live wreath on the front door.....oh I could go on and on! Welcome holidays, you are HERE!

Pregnancy Quiz

How far along? 32 weeks, 1 day

Total weight gain/loss: +31 lbs. Oooooh yeah.....had my dr.'s appointment and I only gained 1 lb. I was really excited. I was worried it would be bigger with all the candy and cake that's been around the last couple weeks.

Maternity clothes? Yes. My goal is to not buy anymore. I haven't bought a ton, but I think what I have will last me throughout the pregnancy.

Stretch marks? Not yet.

Sleep: I stopped using my pregnancy pillow and I feel like my hips don't ache as much as before. I don't know if its because I stopped using the pillow or if its normal for them not to hurt as bad now. They still ache a little bit, but not as bad as before. The last two nights I've woken up and my left hip and butt is aching. Usually it will ache for about 8 seconds after I take pressure on it but it didn't stop aching for a few minutes (even when massaging my butt - TMI?). I think I am putting pressure on my sciatic nerve.

Best moment this week: I had my shower on Sunday and that was really fun. It was nice to have family and friends together to celebrate "Bob" coming into the world. I wish I had a chance to talk to people more but I did the best I could. The other highlight was my dad started paining the nursery last week. I'll post pictures once there are more updates.

Movement: All the time. When I roll from one side to the other at night, he lets me know if I'm putting too much weight on my stomach.

Food cravings: Not really.

Gender: Boy

Labor Signs: Nope

Belly Button in or out? In

What I miss: Still am really missing laying on my back and stomach. I also find myself getting out of breath. Babycenter.com says "with your uterus pushing up near your diaphragm and crowding your stomach, the consequences may be shortness of breath and heartburn." No heartburn yet but I find myself getting out of breath when telling a long story while walking Buddy or just doing simple things around the house - like walking up the stairs! It will be nice to have more room in there to breath. :)

What I am looking forward to: Tonight is the first night of our child prep class. I'm a little nervous Rob might yell out "Ewwww" or "Oh god" when things get graphic.

Other Updates: At my appointment yesterday she said he is still in the normal range (not too big, not too small). I also got my swine flu shot yesterday. Stay away Swine Flu! The lady at the front desk kept going on about how there was very little testing on the vaccine and how if I get into contact in the next 2 weeks I could still get it. She was a Debby Downer but I still feel good about getting vacinated.

Bob weighs about 3.75 lbs (same weight as a large jicama) and is about 16.7 inches long.

Happy Halloween!

Chinese takeout



Mom's cupcakes



Mimi and Emily



Emily and Buddy



Buddy, Ashley, Gracie and Grampy



Emily and Gracie

"You finally look pregnant"

My manager told me on Tuesday that I finally looked pregnant. She jokes with me that I shouldn't be able to go out on leave yet because I don't look big enough. A couple hours later, my coworker said "wow, looks like you popped!" So when I got home, I decided to take an updated picture. This is at 31 weeks, 1 day.

Since then, I've had a couple more people at work ask when I'm due. Yesterday at work we were having a Halloween party and one of our managers asked me when I was due. I told him I'm not pregnant. Quickly I said "just kidding!" Then there were a couple nervous laughs around me. I know, I'm rotten. An employee next to me whom I never met said "I was going to ask you the same question but you are never supposed to ask a woman that - at least that's what my wife says." I said "she taught you well!" I don't mind people asking, I just thought I'd have a little fun.