Confessions of an 8-month Pregnant Woman (35.5 Week Bumpdate)

Dress: Wal-Mart (4 years ago, NOT MATERNITY)

Holy crap! I only have about a month left before Rhys is due! Time has gone by so fast!

Cravings

- Chocolate Milk

- Frozen Peas

- Mango-flavor

Side Effects

- Feeling hot. It is constantly in the 90's now, and my apartment has no AC (just ceiling fans), but I'm still so hot! Thankfully, school is over because my classroom's AC unit was broken!

- Braxton Hicks contractions. I've had them 3 or 4 different times the past month.

- I've had a hard time getting off the floor.

-Exhaustion and having to pee.

- Thirsty!

-  I feel like I've strained my hips. But, mom says that's just the muscles, ligaments, tendons, etc. getting ready to stretch for the birth.

Do I look 8 months pregnant in this outfit? I don't think I do. But, I promise you the due date is a month and 3 days from now!

I've been doing a lot of thinking about my pregnancy. I've been very lucky compared to others in a few different ways, but sometimes I've been a bit jealous in others.

- I've only put on 25-30 pounds during this pregnancy. I can still fit into a lot of my shirts (some of which I might have to pack away as "maternity" after I give birth from stretching a bit) and I don't look very pregnant. People can't believe I'm 35 weeks along and say how lucky I am. They also say that from the back, I don't look pregnant. But...then I hear stories of how my friends get free things, or to skip lines, or complete strangers help them carry things because they look pregnant (and are pregnant). No one but my husband or my family has offered anything like that to me.

- I've had numerous friends who have recently given birth and either there was some complication with their baby or their baby passed away. As with any mother, I felt so bad for them, cried for them. But, I also worried about Rhys--what if that were to happen as well. Then, I'd feel guilt--my doctor said I was having a "text-book" pregnancy.

- I thoroughly miss running. This is the perfect time of the year for morning or evening runs and I can't run with this big bump!

- My visiting teachers (a pair of girls in your LDS church congregation assigned to visit you every month and become friends, etc) moved away. Typically, it's the visiting teachers in our congregation that hosts baby showers and I haven't met my new ones yet...which means I may not have a baby shower with my friends. =(

- I'm so thankful that Brooke from Silver Lining is willing to do my maternity pictures. But, Brooke, I'm apologizing here and now--I suck at taking pictures. I never know how to pose or what my face looks like!

- I don't like feeling useless. Part of our teacher-work day on Friday was to help move boxes and small furniture to the gym because our classrooms are getting re-carpeted over the summer. The custodial staff was going to move the desks, bookshelves, etc. All of a sudden, we heard over the PA for our principal to go to a classroom ASAP because it was an emergency. The rest of us wondered what had happened. Well, another teacher is due in November. I don't know all the details or the cause, but she had passed out for a bit. She was fine a few moments later and very responsive. But, after that, all the staff started to worry about me. They wouldn't even let me lift a transparency projector! It's less than 20 pounds and I'm very strong and in great shape, but they wouldn't let me. I appreciate their concern since I'm giving birth in less than a month, but I hate feeling like I can't do something and have to rely on someone else.

- Salt Lake City is hosting a FantasyCon the first weekend of July (the week before Rhys is due). I am a huge fantasy nerd! Not only do the panels look super interesting, but John Rhys-Davies (Gimli from LOTR and Mordecai from One Night With the King), Sean Astin (Samwise Gamgee from LOTR), Billy Boyd (Pippin from LOTR) and about half the dwarves from The Hobbit will be there! We are getting tickets for all 3 days and praying that I don't go into labor there!

Baby Bumpdate--32 Weeks

3 more weeks of school! Then, only 5 more weeks until our son arrives!

Dress: not maternity!! Wal-Mart Bella Bird Collection (super amazingly cute modest inexpensive clothing!)

Nude Heels: Payless

Side Effects

-Constant, constant peeing. Every time I move position, I have to pee.

- Rhys loves to kick me. Sometimes he vies for my attention when I'm trying to give it to my students.

- Shortness of breath.

- A little bit of motion sickness.

- Back aches.

- Sore legs and feet.

- Headaches

- I'm sooooo hot! My classroom thermostat is on the fritz and it's really stuffy. Also, at night, I wake up to kick off my blankets.

- I definitely feel pregnant. I feel like I'm almost waddling and that there is definitely something protruding in front of me when I walk. It's also really hard to roll over or get up.

Cravings

- Food that's ready to eat--AKA, food I don't have to cook--AKA fast food.

- Chocolate milk

Other Things

- I had a lovely Baby Shower with my relatives (I'm still hoping to have one for friends). We got a lot of cute clothing for Rhys.

- The Morrell girls were kind enough to get us a stroller, carseat, and swing. My parents were kind enough to get us a crib.

- I'm ready for Rhys to come, but at the same time, I'm a little apprehensive.

- Sometimes I get apprehensive about this summer: being a mom, giving birth, finding a house, maternity leave, etc.

28 Week Bumpdate

Holy Toledo! I'm beginning my 3rd Trimester! I'm 2/3 of the way done! Only 12 more weeks until I meet my son....12 more weeks of teaching, Justin having classes and graduating college, finding a job, finding a home, moving....yikes. 12 more weeks.

Side Effects

- Exhaustion. That one seems to never go away. It isn't fair.

- My fingernails grow quickly, but then they always break, regardless of the polish I put on them because they don't have time to grow strong.

- I am officially in maternity pants. I have 2 maternity leisure pants for weekends, 2 maternity slacks, and I only fit into my maxi skirts/dresses now. I can still wear most of my shirts, thankfully.

- Rhys's kicks have definitely been getting stronger. There are sometimes when he kicks so strong that it gets uncomfortable. The only way he'll stop is if I get up and walk around with a little bounce--he already wants to be rocked.

- Constant, constant, constant peeing...about every 30-60 minutes I have to use the bathroom. Sometimes less if Rhys kicks my bladder in the right spot. Also, I'm starting to wake up in the middle of the night again having to pee.
- Flatulence. Seriously, this is the most embarrassing one! The trickiest part finding ways to deal with it while teaching! Please tell me others have had to experience this humiliating side effect!

- Still a sore back when I get up in the morning, even if I sleep with a pillow between my legs.

Food Cravings

- Sonic. Their sandwiches, their corndogs, their drinks. Surprisingly, not their chili-cheese tots, like I craved in the 1st trimester.

Other Things

- I am still worried about his size. At 20 weeks, he was measured average during our ultrasound, but I still worry about how big he'll be (or not be) when it's time to give birth.

- After I took the glucose test, I was told I had too much sugar in my blood and had to take the 2nd round because I might have Gestational Diabetes. When I looked it up, I was a bit nervous. Now, I consider myself healthy and in shape. I do have a family history of obesity and Type II diabetes (caused by that obesity), but I just barely weigh more than I've ever weighed (which is barely average for a girl my height). So seeing that I might have some sort of diabetes that could make it easier for me to become obese after pregnancy and develop Type II made me a little nervous. But, knowing that my son could be extra large during birth and be more susceptible to obesity and both types of Diabetes made me worry even more. I took the second test over the weekend and I still don't know the results.....

- We are beginning to stock up on onesies and are beginning to look for cribs and furniture, etc.

- We found our middle name for Rhys and are so happy that his name is complete now: Rhys Michael Morrell. During a session at the Temple, I had a little inspiration and when I told Justin, he agreed with it. The meaning is important as Michael is Adam and was the first. Rhys is our first. He was willing to come quickly after we started trying. It fits wonderfully.

Next week, my in-laws will be in town since my SIL is getting married this weekend. We are taking advantage of that timing and I'm having an early family baby shower next week so they can attend. I'm pretty darn excited. I hope I'll have a baby shower with friends closer to the due date.

Baby Bumpdate--25 Weeks

Wow! I am on my last few weeks of the 2nd trimester. It certainly has gone by fast.

I am so excited about this good weather--it means that not only is the school year quickly ending, but the day I meet my son is getting closer.

Side Effects

- I'm definitely bigger. My wardrobe is stretching. I have to go shopping for maternity clothes this week.

- Exhaustion with no limits! My goodness gracious!

- Rhys is definitely my son--he wiggles almost non-stop. He actually kicked Justin in the face yesterday.

- Sore backs in the morning. It's hard to get comfy, even with pillows everywhere. I also feel bad for Justin--I wiggle all the time in bed, now. Sometimes, I'll even get up, walk around the living room and sometimes even fall asleep on the couch. Darn, son. =)

- I'm beginning to feel like a turtle. True, I'm not that big to the average eye, but compared with my normal body size, it is getting hard to get up!

- I am now the heaviest I've ever weighed (the same I weighed in 12th grade).

Cravings

- Fruity stuff: fruits, fruity drinks, fruity smoothies, fruity salads, fruity flavored candy.

Other Things

- People are actually beginning to notice  am pregnant now.

- Justin can feel Rhys kick now. I love it when Justin puts his hand on my tummy to feel our son, and when he talks to our son.

- Because this week is my school's Spring Break, I've had the time to go work out. I've missed it so much! Thankfully, Rhys is quiet and and behaves while I work on the treadmill and lift weights.

Also, we are doing a VLOG next week! Any questions you have for us?

22 Week Bumpdate

Side Effects

- Definitely still exhausted, and thus, falling a little behind in grading and lesson planning.

- I'm wanting to eat all the time. I'm not sure it it's actual hunger or just wanting food in my mouth....

- Carrying things or going up stairs is requiring more effort
- Only 1 more pair of jeans fit me and my two pairs of slacks are getting pretty tight--I may have to go shopping for stretchy pants soon!

Food Cravings

- Chocolate is becoming a bit more appealing to me, which makes me happy!

Exciting Things

- My mom is starting to plan a family baby shower for me for April (a little early, but a lot of my in-laws will be in Idaho/Utah for my sister-in-law's wedding then)

- Justin was finally able to feel Rhys kick

- My doctor said that Rhys's heart is very strong--that makes me so happy and relieved

- My mom told my husband/dad/brother to help me carry things, even though it still doesn't strain me.

- My students are becoming more aware of my pregnancy (they already knew, but they are commenting on it more). One asked me if I expect them to believe that a pregnant teacher stays up to midnight to make sure online homework is turned in on time (I said no, I just look at the time-stamp). Another told me that I definitely don't look like I'm half-way done with the pregnancy.

Things That Make Me Nervous

- Still indecisive about what I want to do next year--not that I can really decide until we know where Justin gets a job.

- I have a coworker who has gotten a lot of contagious illnesses recently, and that made me nervous for Rhys's sake. So, I got both a flu shot and a whooping cough shot. Now, my right arm is sore!

- I was given that weird juice drink for my 26 week appointment to check for diabetes stuff...but, having to work in West Jordan while living in Provo and only having 1 more paid day off I'm saving for my SIL's wedding, makes me a little nervous about planning it. I did get a referral to do it at a hospital closer to my school, if I can find one that take my insurance. Thankfully, I still have a few weeks to work all the details out.

20 Week Bumpdate and Gender Reveal

I'm super excited to introduce you to our son, Rhys.

Rhys is one of my favorite Welsh names. It means both "enthusiastic" and "brave warrior," which are perfect meanings to give to a boy's name. It is pronounced Reese, but definitely not Americanized or Anglicized. 

We aren't sure on a middle name yet. But, at least we know the gender and we know the name.

Both Justin and I have been counting down the hours all weekend to this ultrasound. Justin wanted a boy so badly that he started to believe that we would have a girl. I honestly wanted a girl more, but was hesitant because we couldn't really solidly agree on any names for girls.

The ultrasound was so fun! The first thing the radiologist did was tell us of it was a boy or girl. She pointed out Rhys's manhood, and said, "He is showing it off, so there isn't any doubt."

However, Rhys was being finicky with the radiologist--his back was turned to us, so she had a hard time getting pictures of his front side, which she needed to do. We both tried to get him to move, which he did quite a lot, but never in the way she needed him to be. Justin and I both agreed that the fidgety-ness and stubborness of Rhys definitely makes him my child, and makes me believe that he will most likely be a red-head like his mommy (because you know what they say about red-heads and their temperament).

I was also relieved to hear all the measurements were normal and everything was developing right on schedule. I was a little worried about Rhys's size since I'm still not showing very much, but he is a healthy, average boy so far!

This is my first picture taken with my new tripod--thanks Justin! (Now, just to convince him to get me a DSLR to replace my 5-year-old digital Canon)

Side Effects

- My appetite definitely is growing...I'm wanting to eat more often...not necessarily more at once, but definitely more often.

- I've been getting more headaches recently, which has also affected my eyesight. Now, it's been two years since I've updated my eye prescription, so needing new lenses could also be working against me, rather than it solely being second trimester headaches. Thankfully, I made an eye appointment to get that checked out.

- I've had another wave of fatigue. I want to sleep and stay asleep. I typically only get 20 minute catnaps in (when I have time) and still get up before 6AM, but I wish I could spend more time in bed.

- Definitely had two big pregnancy brains! #1 Put deodorant, instead of astringent, on a cottonball to put on my face. Thankfully, I noticed before it actually landed on my face. #2 I put leftovers from dinner (after serving Justin and myself) into a tupperware and put the tupperware away...in the tupperware cupboard. I didn't notice until after dinner...

Food Cravings

- Mozzerrella Sticks (guess where I got them...Sonic!)

- Gummy foods (gummy worms, peach rings, starbursts, gushers)

- Fruity foods, especially fruity candy

- During my 17 Week Bumpdate, I mentioned I was craving Pepsi, so Justin bought me some Caffeine-Free Pepsi for my birthday last week.

Exciting Things

- Rhys loves to move, especially during the evening. He is kicking a lot. He'll typically do it for about 10 minutes straight, then be done. However, every single time Justin has tried to feel him move, Rhys stops. It's like he's teasing his daddy or something.

Baby Bumpdate: Week 17

It's beginning to look like a beautiful second trimester!

I will be honest. The first trimester was hard, but not in the way I was expecting. I wasn't throwing up, I didn't have unnatural cravings, and for all the times I got up in the middle of the night to pee, I still got plenty of sleep. But, there were trials. For one, I teach 45 minutes away. I was exhausted all day every day from the end of October to about Christmas break. Coming home at dinner time to a messy home (because I don't have a lot of time to clean it) and lesson planning and family time, was extraordinarily hard. I had quite a few breakdowns. I felt sad, stressed, unmotivated, pathetic. I really, truly did. I was ecstatically excited that I was going to be a mom--one of my biggest dreams. But, I was mentally at my worst. I didn't realize pregnancy could affect your self-mentality that much. I knew I'd be emotional, but I figured it'd be like a period. I knew there was such thing as postpartum depression, but I honestly feel like I had "pre-partum" depression. I was worn. And, I started to get nervous about being a full-time commuting teacher further on in the pregnancy.

However, I am getting better. Not only physically, but mentally as well (although physically much quicker). The nausea is all gone, and I've been able to sleep through the night for the past week or so. I also don't have any more stomach pains. Even though I say that I had such a hard time, and am still struggling mentally a bit, I am happy and I have to remember that I am pretty darn lucky with this pregnancy. And I cannot wait to see if I am having a son or a daughter in a few weeks!

Side Effects

- I now have a permanent bump! It's interesting...I've never had a bump of any kind before. Well, ya, sure a food baby for like an hour. But never a belly.
- I constantly feel full, but hungry at the same time. I still can't eat a lot at once, but I do eat more often.

- Like mother, like daughter. My right arm tightens and constricts a lot--like the feeling you have after it's been asleep for a while. But, it doesn't fall asleep...

- Still a little bit of fatigue, but nowhere near as bad as 1st trimester.

- Beginnings of pregnancy brain. Just forgetting a few tiny things. Does more laziness/lack of motivation count as pregnancy brain?
- Snot like no tomorrow! I had the flu before Christmas Break, then a cold coming back, and I've just been stuffy since then. But, I've learned that being congested is part of the 2nd trimester.

Food Cravings

Sonic Chili cheese tots.  I made some homemade chili cheese tots and ate a bunch. But...they weren't as satisfying as I wanted. So, my sister got me some real Sonic chili cheese tots...and I ate them. Less than half an hour after eating dinner. And I was happy.

- Sushi. I know, I know. I can't have any uncooked sushi. But, I really want some.
- Pepsi. Now, I can have it...but I'm trying to stay away from caffeine during the pregnancy. I may end up caving and trying to see if a caffeine-free Pepsi will do anything for me.

Exciting Things
My pants are feeling a little tight. Now, to some, this wouldn't be an exciting thing. But, for someone who has always had to wear a belt or pin up her pants, it is a little exciting. It's proof that there really is a baby in there!
I felt the baby move earlier this week! A little rumble in my tummy and no noise...and it was more pinpointed than a stomach growling. Yaaay! It made me so excited!

I am also so excited that some of my friends are pregnant as well! One of my best friends ever is having a baby boy in April. A good friend from my church is pregnant for the 2nd time (she gave birth in like April or May) and she is due a week after me. My good teaching blogger friend, Brooke at Silver Lining, is due about a week before me! Another good blogger friend, after struggling with infertility, Jess from A Heart Full of Frost, is due in July as well. And....now my teaching blogger inspiration and idol, Bonnie from Life of Bon, has announced that she is also due in July! YAAAY! I can't wait for July! We bloggers are gonna have so much fun!

Brooke, Jess, Bonnie, here is an idea...let's make a July 2014 Baby club!

Baby Bumpdate: Week 13

I've seen these done on numerous mommy blogs and I think it's cute. I also thought it was very interesting to find out the weird food cravings (as well as side effects so I'd be prepared).

I'm not going to do the bumpdates every week simply because I don't have time. But, I think every month would be fine to do.

Now, even though I am 5'7.5", I am still quite petite for my height. Yes, I have muscle, but I'm very, very thin. So, I am barely getting a baby bump. Most people don't notice it, but those who know my body well can start to tell. Because, really. Look at the picture...I look like I have an average weight and body shape now rather than looking anorexic (don't worry...I've never been anorexic).

First Trimester Side Effects
- only threw up once (the morning after stuffing my face at Sizzler)
- nausea throughout the day most days (which sucks during school hours). But, we found that sniffing lemons and ginger really helps with the nausea.
- even more exhaustion than normal--like constant, perpetual exhaustion
- a feeling of "off-ness"
- bloating
- constipation, but Mini-Wheats helps a lot.

First Trimester Food Cravings
- Potstickers. I actually had this craving about the time of conception and for the entire first month (when I didn't realize I was pregnant). As soon as we took a test and got a positive result, Justin immediately went out (late at night) to get some potstickers because it was an official craving.
- Corn Flakes

First Trimester Food Aversions or Food That Do Weird Stuff to Me
- pumpkin
- lasagna
- not craving a lot of chocolate (and I'm a chocoholic)

I am very thankful that the first trimester is over. I've heard and read numerous places that the second trimester is sort of a "break"--you get your appetite and energy back and the nausea starts to disappear.
So, here's hoping!