Our bambino isn’t so small anymore; she’s about 18 inches long and over 5 pounds.  She’s the size of a honeydew melon or coconut.   She doesn’t have much room to move around and is very snug in my womb although that doesn’t stop her from kicking and shoving.  My weekly emails tell us that her basic physical development is now complete and for the next few weeks she’s just putting on weight.

Weight Gain: I’ve gained another pound this week.

Maternity Clothes: I wore lots of t-shirts and gym shorts as well as maternity dresses at the beginning of the week and then this weekend it cooled down and was in the 80s (and 70s in the evening) so I got a chance to wear my maternity capris again.

Sleep: A friend of mine asked me how I was sleeping and my response was, “Well, last night I slept great but that was because I was so exhausted from a lack of sleep the two nights prior that I feel really rested today.”  I’d say that’s how things are going these days.  I’ll get a few not so good days of sleep and then one or two really good days of sleep.  I’m losing a lot of the energy that I normally had and by the end of the day I’m just exhausted from doing my daily routine.  I’m still having crazy dreams.

Food: This week I craved eggs and toast with peanut butter and jelly.  I blame this craving on a friend of mine who I visited while she was eating lunch one day.  I don’t know what it was about the scrambled eggs and toast but I went home and had breakfast for dinner.  And then ate it for breakfast the next day and for lunch later this week.  And of course, I’m still enjoying those lovely desserts.

Movement:  Even with the little room she has, she’s still finding space to move around.  She likes to snuggle her rear end up in my ribs and it makes it a little difficult to breath at times.  I gently maneuver her so she’s not so far up in my ribs and she seems content for a while before trying to snuggle up again.

Belly Button:  No going back, it’s an outie.  When I laugh it’s funny to see my outie shake and pop out even more.

Mood: I felt really good this week.  I think the key to my good mood is having an understanding husband.  Dusty’s been great and helped out a lot this weekend to get the nursery ready!  We now have a dresser and shelves installed!  I don’t want to make it sounds like everything’s perfect and smelling of roses though.  I do get tired a lot easier and so later in the evenings I’m most definitely a little more irritable then normal and at that point I know it’s time for bed.

Pregnancy Symptoms: Our little bambino likes to bury her head right into my bladder and I’m taking a lot of bathroom breaks.  I’m still having a lot of aches and pains in my back and have to make sure not to sit or lay in the same position for an extended amount of time to lessen the negative effects.  I don’t think I’ve had any contractions yet but I’m not sure if this is because I just don’t know what I’m supposed to feel or it they haven’t happened yet.  I have a feeling it’s the latter and that they’ll be coming soon.

Best Moment(s) This Week: Best moment(s) this week were going to our birthing class on Saturday and going to our car seat installation appointment.  So, maybe these weren’t the best moments of the week (the birthing class was a few hours too long for my liking) but they sure did make me feel so much more prepared for our little bambino’s arrival.

We now have a car seat installed and ready to go!  The appointment was great because it was one-on-one with us an expert so we arrived, got specific directions on our car and our car seat and then got to leave!  The birthing class wasn’t as easy.  We spent our entire Saturday learning all of the necessary information about going through labor and bringing our little girl home, and had to sit through a lot of information that was repeated over and over again.  We were told quite a few times “it just depends and you’ll have to ask your doctor.”  I know all of the information was necessary and very helpful so I’m glad we went to the class.  It does make me more comfortable with the idea of going into labor and there not being so many unknowns.

Missing Anything: This week I really miss sushi.  I told Dusty that might be one of my first meals after our little bambino is born.  I’m also missing a pain-free, ache-free body.  I really can’t complain too much about the aches and pains, I know friends who have had it way worse and for a much longer period of time but I am most definitely not all that comfortable.

Looking Forward To: I’m looking forward to my summer classes being over.  I’m done teaching in two weeks!  I’m also looking forward to being able to say next week that I’m due in just one month!!!  From that point I can start counting down the days and not the months or weeks.  And finally, I’m looking forward to our first weekly doctor’s appointment.  Our doctor will start “checking” to see how I’m progressing and when the little girl might be coming home.

Weekly Picture:  This week’s picture was taken at the Mastercraft building, where Dusty works.  I’m wearing an Old Navy maternity top and Gap maternity capris.

I have another funny picture for you this week.  As I said before, we try to make our weekly baby bump photography sessions fun.  This week I was trying to show Dusty how strong I’m going to be when I go into labor.  Ever since our Saturday birthing class we’ve been pumping ourselves up for the big day!

***My weekly posts are written during the week and then posted the following week, after I’ve taken my weekly picture and I’ve had time to edit them.***