35 Weeks: Feeling the Burn...The Heartburn!

My uterus is 1,000 x it's normal size this week...and I believe it! Holy smokes things are getting awfully crowded in there...

How far along?

35 weeks

How big is baby?

A pineapple; 18.2" from head to heel and ~ 5.3lbs
Baby won't be getting much bigger, but will likely put on at least a lb before he is born.

Weight Gain
19 lbs according to the doctor's scale...my scale says 17lbs, so somewhere around there.

What's baby up to this week?
Baby’s hearing is now fully developed, and he responds best to high-pitched noises. Most of his development is complete by now, the only thing that needs a little maturing are his lungs.

Symptoms?

I'm getting heartburn less frequently, but when I do...whoa, watch out!! I am a fire breathing dragon and it is VERY unpleasant. I am taking Zantac most evenings and occasionally in the morning depending on how I feel.

 I have had some round ligament pains here and there, and just an overall soreness in my legs and back. I have trouble getting comfortable especially when sitting...but when I stand too long my poor legs/feet get achy. 

Just a few days ago I had my first little bout of swelling...and I know it's only going to get worse once I am back to work and on my feet all day. I had swelling at this time with Benny, and luckily it stayed just in my feet...so hopefully that is the case this time around.

Maternity Clothes?

Still enjoying my summer wardrobe and blocking out the fact that I have to go back to work in less than 2 weeks...

Sleep?

Eh...not terrible, but not great. I am having trouble getting comfortable and my belly is feeling super heavy. I have been staying up too late and waking up pretty early...which doesn't help the fatigue. I have also been using nap time trying to get ready for baby...so I haven't been getting in my afternoon catnaps.

Missing Anything?
Being able to get around easily and comfortably and having energy to do anything. I'm glad Benny and I were able to do so many fun things at the beginning of summer break, because nowadays we are lucky if we leave the house.

Craving?

Cold meat sandwiches...I didn't eat any lunch meat while pregnant with Benny, but my OB said she ate Mr. Goodcents weekly while she was pregnant and I was fine to indulge...sooooo I have :)

Aversions?

My appetite has been better this week. I have been hungrier, but finding something that sounds good and doesn't give me major heartburn has been tricky.

Emotions?

I'm tired, feeling guilty for being so lazy, and feeling a little anxious about going back to work. Bennett is starting at a new daycare and the thought of leaving him somewhere new after an entire summer spent attached at the hip is making this mama sad. Lots of new changes headed this poor little guys' way, and while he has proven that he can roll with the punches, I am him mama and I can't help but worry about him.

Movement? 

He is moving ALL the time. Lots of big kicks, pushes, shoves, and what feels and looks like shudders. He is getting comfortable in his tight space.

Also, just like his big brother he gets the hiccups at minimum 3x per day and sometimes even more. While it's cute, it's not my favorite...the repetitive taps get old really quickly.

Best Moment(s)
Spending lots of one on one time with Benny! With school starting back up and baby coming in about a month I know our one on one time is limited, so I am so grateful for my summer break with him to soak up all the extra time we can get.

Pregnancy Brain Moments

Last week I couldn't remember our address and this week I couldn't remember my phone number...

Looking forward to?
Is it too soon to say meeting our new little man? I have waves of anxiousness and feeling not ready...but mostly I am just so excited for his birthday and to finally get to see his sweet little face.

Projects/Baby Gear purchased?

We have just about everything ready to go in the nursery, we just have to put it together or hang it up...which I am hoping we will accomplish this week. I would really like to have all the last minute things done before heading back to school.

Running?
Running has been going really well until a few days ago. I think baby has dropped and he is now sitting on my bladder and making things really uncomfortable. I no joke went to the bathroom 3x before leaving the house the other day and got no less than 1/10 of a mile from home and had to turn back to go one more time...and even after that I still didn't trust myself to get too far from home. On top of the having to pee I could feel a ton of pressure as I ran, so I walked quite a bit more than normal. I haven't tried to run since and I am not sure I will...I just don't know if I am up for pushing myself to go any longer...it's not fun, my legs feel like sandbags, and I have to get up super early to beat the heat...just going to continue to take it day by day at this point.

Big Brother Moments 

Oh this sweet boy has made the last few weeks of summer break extra fun! He had a rough week filled with lots of tears and fits (his last 2 year molar is coming in) but then followed it up with a week filled with smiles, laughs, and lots of fun! I'm so grateful for this time together this summer before baby brother comes...it's been such a special summer spent soaking up all of this one on one time together. I will definitely miss our slow mornings together spent in our pjs eating breakfast, singing songs, and talking non-sense :) 

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33 Weeks: The Lava Tube

Left: 33 weeks with Baby #2 

Right: 33 weeks with Bennett

I'm so glad I took these photos throughout pregnancy (even though I hate taking them and didn't take near as many this time around) because it's fun to see the changes and now to see the differences.

How far along?

33 weeks

How big is baby?

A head of celery ~4.2lbs and 17.5'' long and let me tell you he feels every bit of that tall...my short torso is getting extra crowded!

Weight Gain
According to the doctor's scale I didn't gain any weight, so I am still sitting at around 15lbs. I haven't gained any weight in 9 weeks; but my doctor didn't say anything so I assume it's fine? I only gained around 20lbs total with Benny, so I seem to be right on track.

What's baby up to this week?
He is keeping his eyes open while awake and is coordinating breathing with sucking and swallowing. His bones are hardening and major brain development is going on.

Symptoms?

Buhhh...heartburn/indigestion/acid reflux...whatever it is (I have no idea what the difference is) has been horrible! I have been super nauseous and my esophagus feels like a lava tube. I could probably breathe fire if I tried. I didn't have much heartburn with Bennett so this has been a very unwelcome surprise. I find that it's especially bad after tomato based meals or when I am laying down or bending over...sooooo I'm avoiding the foods and hoping some Zantac will help with the other stuff.

Other than heartburn I am feeling pretty good. The round ligament pain seems to have subsided...I'm wondering if it was just a growth spurt of some sort causing all the issues...my belly did triple in size lol!

I'm starting to notice more frequent Braxton Hicks, and while they aren't painful they do take my breath away...it's like I am flexing as hard as I can...so it definitely stops me in my tracks. 

Maternity Clothes?

I am soaking up the last of my summer break and not having to worry about what I am wearing. I basically live in maternity leggings/shorts and my workout tops...it's been really nice to be quite honest. I am dreading those 3 weeks I am back at school...luckily, one of those weeks is filled with in-service so I will probably be able to get away with more casual attire for those few days.

Sleep?

Sleep is still pretty good...waking up to the go to the bathroom most nights, but the RLP when I get out of bed is gone so that is SO nice. The acid reflux seems to be the worst at night so I am pretty miserable when I wake up and on the verge of throwing up...sooooo that's fun ;) Luckily, I can fall back asleep really quickly because I am so tired.

Missing Anything?
Being able to eat pizza or a plethora of my other favorite foods. I am so grateful I don't have to watch my diet as carefully since I don't have GD...but this acid reflux has thrown a wrench in eating for sure!

Craving?

Still milk...and lots of it! I had to go out and by another gallon halfway through the week because I was drinking so much.

Aversions?

Food in general isn't sounding that great these days. The reflux makes me nauseous which in turn makes me not feel like eating at all. I am eating smaller meals/snacks throughout the day which seems to help a little...but I am just not really all that hungry.

Emotions?

Feeling much better this week, still tired but not as introverted and cranky. I am starting to feel a little anxious about the start of the school year (SO.MUCH.TO.DO) and the idea of having 2 kiddos in 7ish weeks...life is about to change drastically in the Smith household...and while I am so excited to meet this little man I know from experience what a shock to the system (and sleep) a newborn can bring. 

Movement? 

Still feeling and seeing LOTS of movement. Little man is quite the mover and shaker.

Best Moment(s)
AJ has been taking a few days off work here and there and it's been so nice having him home. We have had the chance to do some fun things as a family and it's been nice getting a break from "hold you mama" because Benny seems to be all about his dad these days.

Pregnancy Brain Moments

Some girls from work came over last week and I sent them my address via text and I sent them my old address...some day I will get my act together lol!

Looking forward to?
We picked out new carpet for our downstairs family room and living room and they are coming out to measure this week. I can't wait to have fresh new carpet! And next weekend we are going to pick out our new kitchen counter-tops...they said install is still 4-6 weeks out, but having it on the calendar is really exciting! 

Projects/Baby Gear purchased?

I bought a changing pad cover and finally decided how I want to decorate the nursery...so I have a few things I need to buy and I am hoping to do that this upcoming week or so. I want to have his room ready to go before I head back to work...I know I won't have the time or energy once I am working full time.

Benny now has curtains in his room, so now we just have to get a few things hung on the wall and his big boy room is complete! 

Running?
Summer running is hard....and summer running is nearly impossible when you are 33 weeks pregnant. The heat and humidity came in like a wrecking ball and while I am still getting out a couple times a week it's been harder and harder to catch my breath...obviously baby is crowding my lungs, but it's that humidity that takes my breath away the minute I open the door...woof! Physically running is feeling great, so I am going to keep at it as long as I can. I made it to 37 weeks with Benny so my goal is to make it that long...if not a longer if possible...I may just have to switch to the treadmill.

Big Brother Moments
We have had 2 names picked out for Benny's baby brother and when we ask Benny what is baby brother's name is he definitely has a favorite. He even added his own choice of middle name and it was pretty adorable....although, his middle name choice is John (guessing because of my grandpa John) and while we like it...there is something about John Smith that doesn't work for us ;)

With it being summer Benny has been joining me for my bi-weekly doctor's appointments and he has been SO good every time we come. He always asks "what's that noise" when he hears the heartbeat and he talks about Dr. Blevins for a few days after each appointment. He tells me "Dr. Blevins check on baby brudder"

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