35/40! maybe 2, 3, 4 or 5 weeks to go!

Your baby now weighs over 5.5 pounds and its crown-to-rump length is approximately 13.2 inches. Your baby's total length is around 20.25 inches at this point. Your uterus is now 6 inches from the bellybutton and the average weight gain is approximately 24 to 29 pounds.

• im pretty sure i've gained some sort of weight this week as i've been eating non-stop like a p-i-g! i wake up hungry and can eat within 10 minutes of waking up, and im still eating into the 9pm range at night which is really different for me. maybe because i've been off on vacay (with ahem, some sick calls haha) that im just used to doing nothing but eat as i'm bored! heck im even compelled to eat 3 meals a day which i never do unless im working. must be a growth spurt for the baby and it needing more and more calories from me.  apparently my body shape hasnt really changed except for the protruding abdomen

Most pregnant women begin to feel cramped and heavy around this time and often become tired of being pregnant. Some women feel like they do not have to room to breathe or eat. You should eat small, but frequent, meals and rest as often as you can throughout the day. Your cervix will begin to dilate and efface within the next few weeks to make room for your baby's head to emerge from the birth canal. Your cervix needs to be 10 cm dilated in order to deliver your baby.

• i definitely am feeling "cramped" and "heavy" ..in fact, my belly appears to be protruding enough that it's actually somewhat in the way when im washing dishes. like i actually notice i am quite far from the sink and dishes are a little more annoying to wash as it hurts when you bonk your abdomen
• im definitely not tired of being pregnant....sounds kind of harsh to say don't you think?!?!   but heck, ive been having a jolly old time so what's to complain about besides the stretchmarks, tailbone pain, and the odd feelings of heartburn right? im sure if i wasnt able to function properly, or eat well, or whatever else the textbooks/hollywood portray pregnancy as, i'd be stating something different
• as for breathing, i definitely feel the odd chest heaviness and shortness of breath even on small hills, but i think i can still breathe properly. i do feel that i can hear myself breathe while in bed, like my breathing is heavier?! but it's not manifesting itself into what i would classify as distress or discomfort

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• as for eating, hmmmm....again, im eating like a p-i-g in quantity and quality. hmmm...i dont think my portions have changed for the better as it has increased ...oh dear!! whatever, sadly, i realized beautiful seedless mandarin oranges causes me heartburn...not sure WHY as i can freely drink lemonade and put vinegar on my fries without any after effects? also, minute maid apple juice which tastes SO GOOD also gives me heartburn...WTF? This is supposed to be the healthy stuff, and i really want to drink it too booooo
• as for rest and energy, another sort of evidence that some major leeching is going on is that im actually tired!! omg! i said it! I get tired! hahahaha. i even had to take a nap yesterday for an hour in the afternoon, and then had a 12 hour awesome night sleep at bedtime! wow! the other day, i was falling asleep on the b-line and could barely keep my eyes open between clark drive and granville! hahaha. good thing when you get off the bus it's frickin blazing cold and since ive been wearing a jacket that i can no longer close, i have no choice but to wake up as im cold! LOL! yeah yeah i know, i have other jackets that actually do fit, but it's hard to layer when outside it's cold, and in the malls it's so frickin hot that im just dying from people's body heat. i still have to find a fine balance or a new jacket!

This week of your pregnancy your baby's fingernails will have definitely reached the tips of his fingers. When your baby is born, his nails may look long and pointy. Your baby is less likely to scratch himself at this point because of the lack of room in the uterus. Fat deposition will still continue and your baby is getting chubbier and rounder. Your baby's shoulders are plump at this point. The baby begins to develop its own immune system.

• im predicting im going to have an 8lb-9lb baby by the way ive been eating. argh! i really need to stay conscious of this if i dont want to rip/tear or have an episiotomy! but it's so hard to be convinced that this baby could be huge when im measuring correct, and weight isnt showing up in odd places. but of course, the other side of this is that i really dont have an excuse AFTER the baby is born so might as well go back to eating appropriate items at appropriate times and not just eat sheit when im hungry and bored. i think after 3-4 months of having this habbit, it might take awhile to get out of it right?  
• my belly has been kind of itchy this week...and that calls for some major moisturizing throughout the day, not just post shower. itching = skin tearing = stretch mark worsening!!
• speaking of stretchmarks, there seems to be "something new" every time i actually take the time to inspect my belly. like you can actually see it now if you look at my belly head on. Boo! let us remind ourselves of this touching picture

 ‎"A mark for every breath you took, every blink, every sleepy yawn. One for every time you sucked your thumb, waved hello, closed your eyes and slept in the most perfect darkness. One for every time you had the hiccups.
 One for every dream you dreamed within me. It isn't very pretty anymore. Some may even think it's ugly. That's OK. It was your home. It's where I first grew to love you, where I lay my hand as I dreamed about who you were and who you would be.
 It held you until my arms could, and for that I will always find something beautiful in it."
• i have to say im still frickin paranoid about baby kick counts and actually need to feel the baby at least 3 times a day...especially when i first wake up and then when i go to bed.  it doesnt even have to be huge, just some or any movements. the kicks and movements are definitely stronger this week...like the baby is closer to the surface of my skin if that makes sense? some movements are a bit stomach churning and rather somewhat painful, like you're being jabbed but from the inside rather than outside. even though this baby has somewhat of a schedule, i am definitely more in tune with what would make the baby move and what positions i should be in. so again, if im doing all this stimulating and i dont feel baby, then i freak (internally) but so far it's been successful
• on a fun note, we "took" baby to a concert the other day...a concert as in a rock concert where you would see people being escorted out by security for public drunkedness...and baby kept DANCING all night! im not sure if i traumatized the baby by exposing him to this type of music LOL! it was certainly loud and if the baby is able to recognize familiar sounds out of utero maybe i'll have a rock n' roller of a child in the future
• when i lie on my left side just prior to falling asleep, i swear i can feel a shape on my abdomen. definitely a bum and a torso length.  some of the jabs ive been feeling i can almost say feelings like im being elbowed or shoulder checked, or kneed! hahhaha. my abdomen is pretty firm now.
• i woke up after a night shift and was told my belly was lopsided! LOL! I wish i couldve seen that!
• just localized my post shopping pain to my tailbone area, on the right side ONLY. it's not really "lower back" but lower than lower back...like sacral/coccyx. ouch! in fact, right now my sacral area hurts. i must be walking funny if it's not equal on both sides?! but hell im not asking for pain on both sides! when my back hurts like this, it's so painful to get up, to sit on the ground, and especially hard to get out of the car...ow oW OW! it feels so strained and stiff...not painful...good range of motion, but im definitely hoping this goes away
• my belly button feels really shallow, but hasnt popped out
• ive been reading the Baby's Best Chance book and really...i want to know and educate myself, but the more I know, the more it makes me feel uncomfortable?! so, i read a few pages at night and be done with it! hahaha ...i wonder what the midwife will say on dec 28th after she finds out im really procrastinating? hey, it's Christmas though! im busy and it's a good excuse!!
• no leg swelling noted!
• ive been doing some more nesting this week....ive packed my hospital bag "in theory" but i dont know how much of what to bring? like how much diapers and sanitary pads am i supposed to bring? rest assured, ive packed some COKE for the both of us! hahaha.  i need to do a massive laundry haul on all the stuff for the baby's room and clothing. Soon!
• no major baby haul except for the fact that i booked newborn baby photography with a photographer from richmond. she came highly recommended from a super recent client, had a deal going on, has experience, her own props, and can come to my house.  did you know newborn pics are to be done before they're 10 days old because of the baby's natural curl, ability to sleep for longer periods, and no baby acne?  anyhow, im booked with SD Photography.  i was really on the fence about newborn photography but i was easily convinced due to the fact that i want to send announcements out, baby's only stay that small for so long, and this could be an opportunity for our first pro family shots. it's paid for! Swipe it and forget about it! LOL!  i was also thinking of just buying my own DSLR camera and doing my own pics, but, i really think it's one of those "easier said than done" type of things so it is, what it is.



How your life's changing:

Your uterus — which was entirely tucked away inside your pelvis when you conceived — now reaches up under your rib cage. If you could peek inside your womb, you'd see that there's more baby than amniotic fluid in there now. Your ballooning uterus is crowding your other internal organs, too, which is why you probably have to urinate more often and may be dealing with heartburn and other gastrointestinal distress. If you're not grappling with these annoyances, you're one of the lucky few.

• im pretty sure im voiding more often when i go out. like i need to go to the washroom when i arrive somewhere, need to go after i drink, and need to go some more throughout the day. it sucks at this time though as the malls are so busy and the washrooms are FILTHY. ew.  gravity is just adding extra pressure on the bladder. however at night, i only need to get up once

From here on out, you'll start seeing your practitioner every week. Sometime between now and 37 weeks, she'll do a vaginal and rectal culture to check for bacteria called Group B streptococci (GBS). (Don't worry — the swab is the size of a regular cotton swab, and it won't hurt at all.) GBS is usually harmless in adults, but if you have it and pass it on to your baby during birth, it can cause serious complications, such as pneumonia, meningitis, or a blood infection. Because 10 to 30 percent of pregnant women have the bacteria and don't know it, it's vital to be screened. (The bacteria come and go on their own — that's why you weren't screened earlier in pregnancy.) If you're a GBS carrier, you'll get IV antibiotics during labor, which will greatly reduce your baby's risk of infection.

• GBS swab due Dec 28th!

This is also a good time to create a birth plan. Using our form will help you focus on specifics — like who'll be present, what pain management techniques you want to try, and where you want your baby to stay after you deliver. It will give you a starting point to discuss your preferences with your medical team. Childbirth is unpredictable, and chances are you won't follow your plan to the letter, but thinking about your choices ahead of time — and sharing your preferences with your caregiver — should take some of the anxiety out of the process.

• i have some ideas, but generally am going to wing it- or like i like to call it "laissez-faire"

32/40!

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By week 32, your baby weighs nearly 4 pounds! The crown-to-rump length of your baby is approximately 11.7 inches and the total length is about 18.9 inches. Your uterus is now 5 inches above your bellybutton. Some doctors do not see their patients every other week until now. So, if you were going to the doctor monthly, you may begin going once every other week now.

• my midwife appointments have been every 3 weeks for the last month or so? right now im finding going there 1: annoying (because people who are late before me create a domino effect of lateness), 2: annoying (because some people TAKE FOREVER when it comes to their appointments, but I guess I would too if I was totally living in a paranoid world or in the abyss), and 3: convenient (as downtown is usually where i'm at anyways dilly dallying around the city), and 4: possibly inconvenient (as when the baby comes, I have to transit our arses to downtown for the next 6 weeks or so after the baby is born)

Sleeping boy. the baby sleeps 90-95% of the day, and sometimes experiences REM sleep, an indication of dreaming.  Now that your baby has grown so long and your uterus is higher, you might notice a new discomfort. Your baby is probably head-down and may occasionally stretch out and kick you in the ribs. The pressure on your rib cage can make you sore, especially if one of your baby's feet becomes caught. You can prevent this by sitting up straight as much as possible. Because your baby's demands for vitamins and minerals are higher than ever right now, you should continue to take your parental vitamins for the entire pregnancy.

• i didn't know it was an option to stop taking the prenatal vits? it does same "prenatal/postpartum" on the bottle!
• this week i definitely felt like there was some sort of growth spurt. my abdomen is a larger, rounder, fuller, heavier ...whatever you want to call it! i noticed in front of the mirror that my stomach just juts out and appears heavier...not sure how to describe it, just BIG. of course this gain in girth also has something to do with my sheity diet again this week! haha ...oops...bought a 24pack of coke from superstore...but ive only had 1 can so far. feels so good down the throat!
• ive also noticed some big time movements from the baby this week...enough that i have to stop and watch and literally say, "whoa!" the baby has reached my ribs and though it doesnt hurt...there's no other way to describe it but something inside is nudging or kicking or stuck in my rib cage area for a few minutes then repositions
• i've also noticed the baby's bum sticking out at times..that's when the most tightness occurs...then lets go after i pat at the spot.  again, most if not all of these movements are also on my right side. however, i have been feeling more movements on the upper abdomen and the right side, and definitely more in the lower abdominal/bladder area.  sometimes when im just doing whatever, i have this sudden urge to void, like i need to NOW...but i ignore it as theres probably no place to go at that moment...and then the pressure subsides. im pretty sure before pregnancy, when i gotta go, i gotta go...it doesn't just go away despite holding it
• i've also felt some of the baby's movements affecting my tail bone and bowels, like again, I feel like there's pressure and that i need to do #2, then it subsides
• this week i experienced my first baby hiccups sensation!! well, it happened 4 times this week, the last time being today...it's cute!!...yet also a little "annoying" (this is too harsh of a word) at times as the belly just keeps going and going for minutes on end! I tried to listen to see if i can hear the hiccups, but to no avail...my stethoscope sucks! For those that don't know the difference between hiccups and movements, hiccups i would describe as like a heart beat, steady pulsating of my abdomen for a few minutes with a regular rhythm

This week your baby's movements will peak. You should continue to monitor the fetal movements daily and address any concerns with your caregiver. The wrinkles in your baby's face are disappearing and fat is still being deposited throughout the baby's body.

The body growth slows down from now on. Because of the lack of space in the uterus, the legs are drawn up in what is known as the fetal position.  As a preparation for breastfeeding, your baby has learned to root for the breast. The baby will turn its head if touched on the cheek and open its mouth if the bottom lip is tickled. By this time the baby can also suck and swallow in a coordinated way.

• what else....   oh yes, my pregnancy related stretchmarks havent worsened but they also haven't gotten any better. i still say WHATEVER to this issue as i don't feel sick about it...but i was hoping I was one of the few that wouldnt get it! under certain lights, like the lights at work(!!), i can see some faint red stretchmarks forming near my belly button.  I HAVE GOT TO STOP EATING LIKE SHEIT as im sure this is not helping my situation! did i mention that the stretchmarks are only on my left side? i guess since the baby is taking up my right side most of the time...the left side of my abdomen has to stretch and accomodate the position preference!
• tailbone definitely hurts after a long day of shopping and sheity shoes...no im not going to get new shoes as the only shoes that don't give me back pain are my ugly work shoes. on a positive note, my legs aren't tired like before...i think that previous post way back when was an isolated incident after a crappy night.  ive been pretty energetic after my last night shift, needing a few hours of sleep, and then off i go making the shopping round...even better now that it's Christmas shopping!
• as for the transit, i've noticed that not many people offer their seats to pregnant women...is this just a feeling of entitlement I have? not sure, but i think all pregnant women should be offered a seat and transit should include seats for pregnant women, people with disabilities, and old people! right now, there are just signs for people with disabilities and old people. one time when i was actually tired, annoyed, and just dying to go home... i happen to walk into a B-line bus and lo-and-behold, EVERYONE just happen to be taking a nap or at least had their eyes closed! honestly, i wanted to laugh and tell some people to fck themselves for being just jerkoffs...but i diffused myself from the situation and was like, "ok maybe these people were already napping anyways, or are also coming from a hard day at work." I let it go. mind you, there are times when i have turned down a seat as im feeling pretty good...but of course it's those days when you are hurting and no one offers you a seat! ugh! of course!

• some unfortunate foods that have given me some heartburn this week:  McDonald's fries and glazed donuts from Superstore (someone feel sorry for me please?! LOL!). oh and if i lie down like in a...i dont know...60-75 degree angle, i get heart burn! haha...must be the baby pushing up on the stomach...aww
• super faint linea nigra forming, but again...faint...and only from my belly button to my pubic line
• sleeping well! actually, there's super frickin annoying construction going on in front of my window in the townhouses next to my bedroom...it's bad that it's noisy as of 8:30am...but good that maybe that the baby will get accustomed to this NOISE while in utero so when my place does get worked on, it won't be so startled/disturbed. um...wishful thinking!
• as for work, im on vacation as of today! sweet lawd!! work has been going well i think, i mean really, the probably really lies in that i need to take it easy! people are telling ME not to do stuff instead of me telling them that I shouldn't be doing things hahaha. it feels good to be cared for you know!? fck even the PATIENTS are telling me to not bend down and pick stuff up or do this or do that! I think the fact that early labor (or even harm to the baby) is a possibility that needs to sink in if i dont take the time to take it frickin slow. things have just been going straight forward that i almost feel invincible, or that i still can do what i've always been doing....really bad thinking there i know! there was this random twitter thing i read when i first got pregnant on how people should stop treating pregnancy like an illness...i think i was very impressionable then and this idea has sunk in and grew some roots! aiya! TAKE IT EASY (in Marco's italian accent LOL)!
• ive also been feeling somewhat short of breath lately...but honestly, it's heightened discomfort only in the first couple of hours of work. it's weird..im not anxious or anything...but i really feel some sort of heaviness and shortness of breath at that time. i wonder why? in general life though, i do find myself doing some pursed lip breathing...but i'm not gasping for air or totally winded
• as for any baby haul's....nothing really this week as i was working. the baby's room (no, not the nursery...i call it the baby's room) is essentially ready. I did buy a detergent for all the baby stuff i need to wash. i did some MINOR research on this topic and came up with a conclusion, detergent is frickin expensive...you never know what your baby will react to...stick to basics like "free" and "clear" of irritants ...and see what you can find at superstore.  There really is no consensus on what is the best...so i bought Tide Free and Gentle for the baby's stuff. Hope it works out and doesn't give the baby any skin irritation

How your life's changing:

To accommodate you and your baby's growing needs, your blood volume has increased 40 to 50 percent since you got pregnant. With your uterus pushing up near your diaphragm and crowding your stomach, the consequences may be shortness of breath and heartburn. To help relieve your discomfort, try sleeping propped up with pillows and eating smaller meals more often.

• SOB and heartburn! Aha! no, im not sleeping propped up. i feel great sleeping how i usually am sleeping.
  

 

You may have lower-back pain as your pregnancy advances. If you do, let your caregiver know right away, particularly if you haven't had back pain before, since it can be a sign of preterm labor.

• i did do some research on preterm labor...i think i just have back pain cuz this baby is getting bigger! ill keep an eye on it though

Assuming it's not preterm labor that's ailing you, you can probably blame your growing uterus and hormonal changes for your aching back. Your expanding uterus shifts your center of gravity and stretches out and weakens your abdominal muscles, changing your posture and putting a strain on your back. Hormonal changes in pregnancy loosen your joints and the ligaments that attach your pelvic bones to your spine. This can make you feel less stable and cause pain when you walk, stand, sit for long periods, roll over in bed, get out of a low chair or the tub, bend, or lift things.

• YES!

31 weeks! I'm Impatient, Bored, yet totally not Ready!

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Your baby is continuing to grow each week that you remain pregnant. Your baby's crown-to-rump length is nearly 11.2 inches and total length is approximately 18 inches. Your baby weighs approximately 3.5 pounds at this point. Your uterus is about 4.4 inches above your bellybutton and continues to get larger. An average weight gain at this point is between 21 and 27 pounds. The weight that you gain is made up of your baby, placenta, blood supply, uterus, breasts, fat, water storage and amniotic fluid.

Because the ligaments and muscles supporting the small of your back relax and loosen in order to get ready for childbirth, your back may be aching from now on. There is usually nothing that can be done to prevent backaches, only to make them more comfortable. Many women get heartburn during these last few weeks of pregnancy because the oversized uterus leaves less room for the stomach and the contents within the stomach. Eating smaller, more frequent meals can help relieve the discomforts of heartburn.

• i think i mentioned this in previous posts, but yes, my back continues to be most achy after a long day of shopping with lots of walking in sheity shoes.  This also extends to any form of exertion like HOUSEWORK, then my back hurts at the end. And then, when i wake up in the middle of the night to void, and just the sudden supine to standing up position feels like my back went from lengthening to a sudden shortening/compression once I stand up and I have to take a pause before i can move on to the toilet! ouch! but nothing lasting and major and nothing like this at work!
• no major heartburn, baby definitely does not like these Nature Valley Chocolate crunch granola bars. I've gone through 4 bars, and each and every time i get throat burn, and of course with throat burn, comes with frequent burping, which means more throat burn ...weird! too bad, it tastes good too

 

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This week marks an incredible milestone in your baby's lung development. Before now, the air sacs and branches in your baby's lungs were present but not functional. The lungs were not able to inflate properly. However, now there is surfactant being produced in your baby's lungs. Surfactant prevents your baby's lungs from collapsing outside of the uterus and the baby is able to take in air and breathe properly. The fetal ear is almost completely developed both inside and out. Your baby can hear your voice and other familiar sounds that she will recognize after birth. Your baby is putting on white fat under the skin and the skin's color is pink instead of red at this point. Your baby's fingernails have grown to the end of her fingers and she may scratch herself while she is in the womb.

• ive had some close calls in the past, but last night was my first leg cramp/charlie horse and boy didn't fcking hurt like a S.O.B!

Info on leg cramps per babycenter:

What is causing my painful leg cramps?

Your heart, kidneys, and circulatory system work extra hard to help you function normally during pregnancy, and your muscles, which are bearing the increasing weight of your pregnancy, feel the strain, too. So as a result, your tired leg muscles may seize up and cramp in protest, especially during your second and third trimester. The pain can wake you from a deep sleep.

Muscle fatigue isn't the only reason you may be suffering from leg cramps. Too much phosphorus (found in processed meat, snack foods, and soda) and too little calcium and potassium circulating in your blood can also cause muscle spasms.

And a third reason is that as your uterus expands, it can put pressure on the nerves leading from your trunk to your legs.

Is there anything I can do to stop it from happening?

Try our BabyCenter tip and eat a banana or drink a glass of milk before bed for a quick calcium and potassium boost. Don't take any herbal or vitamin supplements without first discussing it with your doctor or a medical herbalist.

• ok so i'm guilty of the snack foods, soda, and crossing my legs...but nothing out of the ordinary or in excess that night. maybe too much shopping that evening? LOL! i definitely get enough K+ and Ca2+ as im obsessed with chocolate milk and smoothies. but what i did wrong was flexed my left calf AGAIN as it was 2 or 3am and totally had no idea what to do...oh wow did that HURT! i felt my calf and it was rigid and tight. then i regained some sort of higher level of thinking and extended my leg which relieved it instantly...but it still has some lingering pain when i walk. boo!
• i had my first "attack" of paranoia this week as some pregnant people at work were talking about not feeling their baby move first thing in the morning like before and they had to shake their bellies to wake the baby up...im sure a paranoia thing as well.  Well of course, that got me into some sort of heightened awareness and thus paranoia for this week. so i started shaking/poking/prodding my belly more to get the kick counts quota. it's been fine, but since this baby has no schedule, it's hard to curb the paranoia feeling
• i would say the baby has been moving the same as before in terms of amount (as in not THAT much) but the movements have been big and strong and sometimes stomach churning. I really enjoy it when i know his bum is at this hard spot on my side, and then it shifts to reposition it self...the tightness is the most pronounced feeling ever! sometime after my last night shift, i was lying down and it was like there was some major gymnastics going on that i could see externally. my stomach was just rippling and pulsating and like an earthquake was occuring. last night was the first night i couldnt get to sleep fast because the baby was moving around so much...but no movement has ever really woken me up from a deep sleep.
• got the 2011/2012 flu shot this week. i was really on the fence about it as i never actually get the flu whether i take the shot or not and the fact that it has a mercury based preservative in it that of course brings up a whole new argument (yes, im pro-vaccination btw). But still, decisions that affect someone else's life right? Anyhow, i got it, it's recommended that all pregnant women get it, and that it may/will protect the baby from getting the flu once it's born assuming the strain given is the same strain affecting all the flu sufferers out there at that time!
• i found that i've been really short with some patients at work this week...ok, im more sure that it was because the patient(s) I had, had existing, unchangeable factors that contributed to my feelings of exasperation haha so, i took a mental health day off sometime this week before I really flipped out on them!
• i set up the Gulliver Crib all by myself this week! Yes! Seriously, this is a good thing as working with Gene on a project can drive me up the fcking wall. Who's ever done a DIY renovation with their husbands would know what I mean. it really tests your relationship...maybe even make or break one! Anyhow, i happily played around and successfully built the crib while Gene cooked dinner and washed the dishes. Talk about role reversal!  Thanks Sarah for the mattress, protectors, and the aquarium toy! hehe

                             

      Baby Haul Alert!

Note to self: NO MORE Baby Clothing!

• saw Janine's baby Jack yesterday and he's just so cute and SMALL. I had no frickin idea about baby size perspective, and literally thought all this time that the baby clothes sizing ie. 0-3mnths, 3-9mnths etc was all bullsht. um, it is but it ISN'T! Baby Jack is about 3.5weeks old now and at the right percentile if not "eating like crazy" as per Janine. so this of course got me thinking about what type of clothes i have for the kid at home.  Thanks to my baby brain, i thought i had zero newborn sized clothing so guess what I did? went to the mall on a mission! Went to oakridge-sucks, downtown- sucks, and metro- awesome! nothing at superstore JOE line unfortunately (i'm only looking at sales btw), but luckily enough, i went to OLD NAVY and found the motherload of baby clothes on sale with 30% percent off the clearance price! I spent about $38 dollars on a big haul of 0-12month clothing for about $2-$5 a piece (and most of it was really $2)!! Trust me, this is cheap! so when i got home, i found i already had some 0-3mnth sleepers, but oh well...this stuff was nice and at such a good price, can't go wrong! This baby better be a BOY!
• I also picked up a Diaper Genie II Elite with the foot pedal at Walmart for $27 ...this is being sold for $46 everywhere else...weird and so "cheap"! Ready for a not so stinky house! The refills are being sold at Costco in 3-packs...savings! i was thinking of just taking out the garbage all the time but i don't have that many garbage bags (like the ones at grocery stores), and then id have to buy a garbage can...so, this was a better investment IMO which i can use for years and years.

and because i saw my first ever live nursery at Janine's house...now im obsessed with getting wall appliques for the baby room (i kind of feel annoyed with the word "nursery," almost equivalent to the word "fiance").  I picked up this at TJs Kids ...so cute and easy to apply on (and take off)

How your life's changing:

Have you noticed the muscles in your uterus tightening now and then? Many women feel these random contractions — called Braxton Hicks contractions — in the second half of pregnancy. Often lasting about 30 seconds, they're irregular, and at this point, they should be infrequent and painless. Frequent contractions, on the other hand — even those that don't hurt — may be a sign of preterm labor. Call your practitioner immediately if you have more than four contractions in an hour or any other signs of preterm labor: an increase in vaginal discharge or a change in the type of discharge (if it becomes watery, mucus-like, or bloody — even if it's pink or just tinged with blood); abdominal pain or menstrual-like cramping; an increase in pressure in the pelvic area; or low back pain, especially if you didn't have it before.

• definitely felt some tightening, but occurs seldomly. The pressure feeling though happens every how and then after i've sat down for a while and get up...i think it's gravity

29 weeks! Woot!

Frontal view of my belly at 29weeks 2 days. BRAVE, I know! See that discoloration above my belly button? that's frickin scar tissue from the damn belly button piercing! Fck! It bothers Gene more than me, but I think it's just something I have to live with now, im sure the bar won't go through anymore and Gene is on the hunt for it anyways to throw it in the trash! He just hates it that much! LOL weirdo!

At this point in your pregnancy, your baby's crown-to-rump length is approximately 10.4 inches and the total length of your baby is around 16.7 inches. Your baby weighs about 2.7 pounds and continues to grow every day. If you measure from your bellybutton, your uterus is 3.5 to 4 inches above it. Total weight gain at this point is usually between 19 and 25 pounds.

• I definitely haven't weighed myself as Nov 14th is midwife appt day and then I will see how much weight i've gained in 3 weeks
• I have been eating super sheity this week, like pop and pastries sheity...I wonder why? Not too much in the chips dept, but after I eat something im like, "I need something chocolately to cut this taste." Or if I go out, 9/10 times i'm like, "I need pop" ...i don't always give in, but the next day, it's the same requests! haha. Maybe I should just admit it's a craving? but i'm not convinced as i'm not SUPER compelled...i just like that feeling of pop down my throat! Who knows what I mean? hehe.  Sorry little baby for the chemicals i'm exposing you to!
• on a brighter note, i've been really consumed with a good calcium intake as ive heard of stories of moms..ok...1 mom... at work who had some serious bone problems and cavities as she either didn't consume enough calcium or the baby just leeched a lot of it. for the last i dont know...4 months? i've been buying chocolate milk from Safeway...honestly, their Lucerne 2% chocolate milk is soooo yummyy...it's the best one out there next to the Avalon brand (which is expensive). too bad i just realized it was 2% yesterday, as all this time i've been thinking it's 1% ...but whatever. taste so good!

Babies that are born prematurely can be very tiny. Even a baby that is only a few weeks early can be very small. Your baby will grow rapidly from now until week 36, and then at a slower rate thereafter. Generally, boys weigh more than girls at birth. The average baby's birth weight at full term is 7 to 7.5 pounds.

• I wonder how big this baby will be? again, the sheit food i'm downing really will not help my baby or the baby's weight, or my idea of returning to pre-baby weight instantly! hahaha.  I'm guessing ill have a 7.5-8lb baby...is that big?

You might notice some leakage of colostrums from your breasts around this time. Colostrums is a sticky, watery substance that provides your baby's first food if you choose to breastfeed. Milk does not come in immediately after delivery and colostrums is high in calories and enough for your baby's first few days of life. Your baby is stimulating the production of colostrums. The baby's body is ensuring that there will be a readily available food supply after delivery.

• I definitely don't have any colostrum leakage that i've noticed...but it appears like something to look forward to?! (yeah right). but ok, there may be TMI  info here, but my right areola is always itchy and dry...like this is the first time EVER i've had this issue! WTF! I have to tell myself not to scratch as i don't want my skin to start flaking, and i'm trying to moisturize it w/ either some oil or some of Lucas' Paw-Paw ointment..but I dont know. The left areola is fine, just the right! UGGHH!
• and speaking of skin, bought a baby&me nursing bra (looks more like a sports bra) from theBay as it's 95% cotton, was 40% off on sale, and that well I needed SOMETHING to stop making the skin under my boobs/bra line itch like a biatch! Seriously, it's only at work, and im sure it's because im actually sweating at work and my bigger boobs and bigger belly are just trapping the heat and moisture at that localized spot! again, it's not like i have some sort of candida infection, it feels moist, so I itch, and itch, and itch ...and it get's red and worse! haha! the new bra helps somewhat, but i've seriously resorted to using some zinc and unisalve at work to help with this issue
• OH and speaking of skin AGAIN, i've had some clusters of dry skin patches on the right side of my body only! like my right forearm, my boobs/nipple issue, my right hip...WTF! weird how it's only on one side

Your baby will continue to open and close his eyes in the womb and may be able to see silhouettes of objects or even people in the right amount of light. Your baby should be moving many times throughout the day. Some of your baby's movements will be predictable and if you notice a decrease in fetal movements, you should lie down and do a fetal kick count. You should feel your baby move approximately ten times in an hour. If you do not notice the proper amount of movements, you should contact your healthcare provider.

• i definitely know i had some sort of growth spurt this week as my belly just seems bigger, firmer, fuller, and just pregnant!
• baby's movements have been STRONG. I dont feel it as much at work as im constantly walking around, but even at brief moments of rest/sitting down, the baby is kicking and moving and shuffling lots (so haven't really been conscious of the kick counts as it's definitely been more than 6 in 2 hours)
• this week ive really noticed and actually quite enjoyed watching the pulsating and rippling of my abdomen! For those that don't know what I mean, really, it is literally pulsating and waves of ripples on your abdomen coming from the inside that you can see on the outside.  It's very extra-terrestrial but also super cool. Gene was also able to see some of the rippling, but it's hard to time such moments
• i've been poking my abdomen quite a bit to get a response. baby definitely loves my right side, but I feel some left, upper, and lower movements now...im convinced my placenta must be on my left side hence why the movements are less felt there
• some patterns of movement ive noticed: when im conscious enough in that early waking up stage, baby is already moving (but doesnt wake me up yet), when Moe bothers us in the morning and meows- baby is either already up, or is responding to Moe, whenever I lie on my left side for prolonged periods, and around the 9-11pm time
• I wish I can catch some of this rippling and pulsating on video!! i'll try in a few weeks, though i have no idea how to upload it..so what's the point right?! haha but i have posted a video from youtube that is basically what I also am feeling and seeing.  There are some CRAZY ones from 35weeks plus, but I found this one of at 24 week belly that is essentially the same as mine

just too cool

Research has shown that your baby is not only able to hear, but also able to recognize your own voice. This shows that your baby can already learn, remember and recognize.

• i haven't really been talking to the baby directly...but i talk enough in general so i think we're ok. ive also been playing lots of Elvis christmas music, maybe i should start with some Bon Jovi this week?
• had some mood swings this week..as in majorly irritated at Gene in general...i think it's one of those weeks he doesnt have to do anything but be ALIVE to be annoying LOL!
• had some throat burn with McDonalds junior chicken and fries, and another throat burn with McD's little cheeseburger and fries....no more of THAT! but again, to add to my list of sheity diets this week, I had 2 burger king whoppers (no, not at the same day) and was totally fine...baby isn't a McD's fan!
• also had some throat burn with halloween cookies...like the beigey colored ones that you use a cookie cutter on and sprinkle with colored sugar ...baby didn't like that at all
• my faint linea nigra hasn't really expanded
• belly button is wider but hasn't popped out

• HOWEVER, again with this skin issue, i think my old stretch marks are getting stretch marks. I just noticed some pin point red dots at the tip of some of the ones on my side. i'm sad about this...but accepted the facts of life enough to post a picture. Gene says he is sorry for me, but assures me he doesn't care. Boooo to stretch marks!!
• going for my last dental appointment of the year on nov 16th ...i think i should be able to tolerate that trendelenberg position ..my belly isn't that giant and overwhelming
• my current issue/obsession is figuring out the MAT Leave and vacation process at work, im seriously annoyed by it and how im not getting a quick response from the admins or at least getting some run-around response that is totally not satisfactory..fck! Right now, im planning to go off on VACATION Jan 2-Jan 31st and start my mat leave Feb 1st
• oh and FML, mild-moderate constipation is back (yes i know this is nothing to some, but something major for me haha)! ok, so i haven't been eating my cereal as much as I like, but enough that im happy with the intake (and tolerating it), but the output just isn't as awesome as before with the same intake! Ugh! I drink so much water...i don't know how people who dont drink water as much as I do cope! I don't want grape sized hemorrhoids!
• haven't bought anything for the baby, but I saw this diaper bag and thus am now 80% compelled to have it.  doing the internet research whenever im off and dilly-dallying to a bunch of stores just to get a hands on feel for it.  I really like it!  It's the skip-hop Dash bag

photo credit

How is my life changing according to babycenter?
Your baby's very active now. Your healthcare provider may ask you to spend some time each day counting kicks and will give you specific instructions on how to do this. Let your provider know if you ever notice that your baby is becoming less active. You may need a nonstress test or biophysical profile to check on your baby's condition.
Some old friends — heartburn and constipation — may take center stage now. The pregnancy hormone progesterone relaxes smooth muscle tissue throughout your body, including your gastrointestinal tract. This relaxation, coupled with the crowding in your abdomen, slows digestion. Sluggish digestion can cause gas and heartburn — especially after a big meal — and contribute to constipation.

• oh great!

Your growing uterus may also be contributing to hemorrhoids. These swollen blood vessels in your rectal area are common during pregnancy. Fortunately, they usually clear up in the weeks after giving birth.  If they're itchy or painful, try soaking in a sitz bath or applying cold compresses medicated with witch hazel to the affected area. Avoid sitting or standing for long stretches. Talk with your provider before using any over-the-counter remedies during pregnancy, and let your provider know if you have any rectal bleeding. To prevent constipation, eat a high-fiber diet, drink plenty of water, and get some regular exercise.

• i already do this! it's not a cure all!

Some women get something called "supine hypotensive syndrome" during pregnancy. This happens when lying flat on your back causes a change in heart rate and blood pressure that makes you feel dizzy until you change position. You might notice that you feel lightheaded if you stand up too quickly, too. To avoid "the spins," lie on your side rather than your back, and move slowly as you go from lying down to sitting and then standing.

• i think i've had some lightheaded spells while at work, but it lasts briefly and happens only once or twice in a 4 shift set...and i was already standing! so im not sure...probably just a glitch in perfusion

7 months! 2 trimesters down, 1 to go!

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Your baby's crown-to-rump length is approximately 10 inches and the total length of your growing baby is around 15.75 inches. Your baby weighs about 2.4 pounds at this point. Your uterus is a little more than 3 inches above your bellybutton. Your weight gain at this time should be between 17 and 24 pounds.

• either the scale is wrong, or I just don't meet average weight gain! I wonder if I should be worried about this? i've definitely eaten enough halloween candy this week to make up for anything haha

Blood vessel in the umbilical cord. For several months, the umbilical cord has been the baby's lifeline to the mother. Nourishment is transferred from the mother's blood, through the placenta, and into the umbilical cord to the baby. If the mother ingests any toxic substances, such as drugs or alcohol, the baby receives these as well! You will probably begin visiting your caregiver once every two weeks. Week 28 is an important week for testing. You will probably be having your glucose tolerance test, an iron level test and if you are Rh negative, you should have an antibody test. The antibody test will determine if you and your baby will have any reactions to each other's blood differences. The glucose test will check for gestational diabetes.

• need to do that postpartum depression test. otherwise, GTT is done and passed. Iron level i have no idea, but i have no fatigue so i think that's fine too. My blood group is O and am Rh+ so I don't need that extra shot and need not worry about incompatabilities

Your baby's brain continues to develop and is now forming the folds and grooves of a fully developed brain. The amount of tissues within the brain also continues to increase in large amounts. The hair that covers your baby's scalp is also getting longer. Your baby is now large enough for presentation to be determined and your doctor might be able to find out if your baby is at risk for being breech. If your baby is breech, don't panic. There is still time for the baby to rotate.

• next midwife appt is on Nov 14th, so far she said baby's bum is on my right side with head down. I haven't felt anything major that would make me worried about the baby turning, plus, that hardness on the right side of my belly is where it always is

• i think i may have had a minor growth spurt this last week, i feel rather bigger and fuller. still getting the comments of "you're 7 months? you don't look it" but i think it's all about the scrubs and camouflage, im feeling/looking full in regular clothes
• i think a super faint linea nigra is starting to develop, but it's only running from the bottom of my belly button down to my pubic line. to see it is all about lighting too...definitely not hair...otherwise, im quite happy with how my belly is looking! it's more jutting out than affecting the obliques
• no pregnancy related stretch marks!
• whenever i work (and thus sweat) a mix of my new breast size and protruding tummy is giving me a rash just under my boobs...like the bra line? can't wear sports bras as the band soaks up sweat and makes me itch, i can wear my non-maternity non-underwire bra at work...though i don't itch as much..i still itch after i take it off. it's like a frickin chafing, sweat, friction thing?! WTF? I need INTER-DRY! hahahaha. so far i've been using zinc after showers, and prior to work, i just put baby powder under my bra. it's really frickin annoying and itching feels so good but is bad for you. I really don't want a candida infection! So far im ok as it's only at work and usually just after day shifts....hmmm...monitoring! Anyone have advice?!
• i think i've had a couple of braxton hicks contractions this week...of course at work...during a busy ass day. belly just tightens up. irregular, mildly uncomfortable, painless...normal, but definitely need to take it easy
• throat burn with Cheezies...baby doesn't like Cheezies!! Boo hoo
• no more pregnancy news at work...babies are coming out now! Aiya!!
• im starting to do kick counts this week as per recommendations. no problems today that's for sure. i can't say i really have figured out the pattern of the baby though so i guess I just have to set a time, and count
• 8/10 times the baby is now responding to my poking and proding...it's pretty cool to feel a response. sometimes the movement from within is so strong that it's like an internal earthquake if i catch it...like the entire abdomen just shakes/jiggles/moves but i don't see any silhouttes or anything from the outside of the baby moving
• my belly button is still an "innie" but definitely shallower
• 90% of the time the kicks are still felt on my right side, but now there is some happening on the left side...finally!
• nothing major this week!

Childbirth Video, NSFW!! WARNING for those who are squeemish. Heck, even i'm just a little traumatized!! OW!

How your life's changing:

You're in the home stretch! The third and final trimester starts this week. If you're like most women, you'll gain about 11 pounds this trimester.

• about a pound a week!! my poor joints!!

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At this point, you'll likely visit your doctor or midwife every two weeks. Then, at 36 weeks, you'll switch to weekly visits. Depending on your risk factors, your practitioner may recommend repeating blood tests for HIV and syphilis now, as well as doing cultures for chlamydia and gonorrhea, to be certain of your status before delivery. Also, if your glucose screening test result was high and you haven't yet had follow-up testing, you'll soon be given the 3-hour glucose tolerance test. And if the blood work done at your first prenatal visit showed that you're Rh negative, you'll get an injection of Rh immunoglobulin to prevent your body from developing antibodies that could attack your baby's blood. (If your baby is Rh positive, you'll receive another shot of Rh immunoglobulin after you give birth.)

Around this time, some women feel an unpleasant "creepy-crawly" sensation in their lower legs and an irresistible urge to move them while trying to relax or sleep. If this sensation is at least temporarily relieved when you move, you may have what's known as restless legs syndrome (RLS). No one knows for sure what causes RLS, but it's relatively common among expectant mothers. Try stretching or massaging your legs, and cut down on caffeine, which can make the symptoms worse. Ask your caregiver if you should try iron supplements, which can sometimes relieve RLS.

• i don't have this issue, thank the lawd!

OMG the baby could be here in 3 months! (EDD Jan 24th)

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Baby is about the weight of a head of cauliflower

cool!

You are now in the third trimester, and last, of your pregnancy! Your baby's crown-to-rump length is about 9.6 inches and your baby's total length is approximately 15.3 inches! Your baby now weighs about 2 pounds 3 ounces and is going to grow rapidly during this last trimester! Your uterus is about 2.8 inches above your bellybutton.

• i thought 3rd trimester was next week? Oh-ly shiet!

If your baby were born now, it would have an 85% chance of surviving. Even though your baby is still not fully developed, she would be well within the limits of premature viability. You still have approximately 13 weeks left of your pregnancy, and during this time your baby must continue to grow and develop. If your baby was born at this time, she would have several complications that would require special attention. Because babies do not have adequate amounts of fat at this time, your baby would have to be kept inside of an incubator for warmth. Because the air sacs in your baby's lungs do not yet have surfactant, she would require an artificial respirator. Your baby's brain, liver and immune system still need to develop more also.

• this paragraph is rather freaky! LOL! ok, thanks for the info i-am-pregnant.com ....

Make sure you take good care of your teeth. So-called `pregnancy gingivitis` affects most pregnant women to some degree, and generally occurs in the second trimester. If you already have gingivitis, the condition is likely to worsen during pregnancy.

• for anyone who doesn't know already, im rather "obsessed" with my teeth and have ZERO cavities and ZERO fillings and i'd like to keep it that way. not like i have perfect teeth, but i remember having this scare sometime in the 7th grade before I started flossing regularly.  The hygienist was cleaning my teeth, told me to hold this mirror, and she showed me a fluttering in-between tooth gum connection as she blew this machine that just let out air...i was like "WHATTT THE FCCKKK!!?!? (inside thought)" LOL! and she said it was due to not brushing my teeth or flossing enough, and it'll only get worse. so, been obsessed since then hahaha.  Next dental appt is sometime in December. i'm kind of on the fence about that as i'm not sure how great i would feel in a trendelenberg position and supine...isn't that a bad baby circulation position?!

Your baby can develop hiccups

• just watched that youtube video posted and subsequently felt my actual first baby response! I rubbed the right side of my belly (after a prolonged of no baby movement) and the baby responded with 3 jabs...AWESOME or coincidence?! I'll take it as awesome right now, as baby went back to sleep
• some people have already felt this hiccuping business from wayyyy before, but i'm not quite sure what this is supposed to feel like? 
• ive been getting a lot of "you don't look pregnant from the back" comments. interesting! i read somewhere this is a boy thing. but I also look at my other co-worker who's having a boy and she looks pregnant from the back...or that her scrubs are just tighter
• "suffered" my first and second physical limitations this week! ack!
• ok so first, i have a hard time picking stuff up from the ground or squatting to empty stuff from the ground (say a foley).  I was sitting in a chair, and usually I can just pick up stuff i dropped while still sitting down...but NOPE, had to actually get off the chair and squat down to pick the whatever I dropped! haha! it actually hurt to even try to pick the whatever (i think my cheat sheets?) from the ground while trying to remain seated. and of course, super difficult to pick up a pen I dropped from the ground without holding on to something and squatting.  same goes with catheter emptying, i have to hold on to the rail as I empty catheter bags! it ain't easy with a big hard belly!
• second limitation, my legs are quite tired during my day shifts. the left worse than the right as that knee is screwed up from the running I did way back when (as in, crunch crunch click click screwed up). compression stockings are good, clogs are good, but really, I need to SIT many many times throughout the day. so far, i cant say im totally debilitated, but i am noticing a difference in speed, endurance, and walking style. The extra weight i've gained/carrying is doing a number on the knee joints! i definitely savor my breaks and my feet are up as much as I can. mind you, i have no ankle swelling or anything so it's been ok at that front.  ive also stopped taking the full flight of stairs to the unit as i'm like "im already walking in kilometeres during my shift, im not going to add extra wear and tear on my joints than I already am doing"
• third limitation, again, my legs are tired and I can't even last for long periods while shopping! yesterday I went to the mall after a not so restful post night shift nap (can't waste a night sunny day staying indoors!), so I go to robson and boy do i feel like my pace is slower and legs just a little bit heavier. maybe I just needed more time to rest my legs from the night shift (like say, today would be a nice day to do some activities, but passed on that cuz it's frickin raining! argh). anyways, again, I was feeling kind of slow as I walked around. like not even an hour after i started I was like already feeling heavy-legged.  I even had to take a minimum 10 minute sit down break! prior to pregnancy, i can go on for hours and hours walking and window shopping...but nope! of course it didn't help that there was absolutely NOTHING to buy so I was turned off initially. I was/am also kind of sick of buying baby stuff right now as I feel as if I have everything already but the baby. so...there was no materialistic reward to be had except for a nice sunny day outdoors.
• vanilla yogourt with a crumbled breakfast bar/cereal bar gives me throat burn boo! by throat burn I mean, it burns when I need to kind of burp (but not big loud trucker burps)...and of course, when in discomfort, i am burping all the time! but if i use yogourt in my smoothies, no heartburn. weird.  officially, the only two things that have given me real heart burn from esophagus to throat are those two chips from previous posts *knock on wood*
• i ate 2 hot dogs this week. bought the natural selections brand with no nitrates/nitrites. it was alright...i think baby liked it...but i had some minor throat burn that night...or was it due to that vanilla yogourt concoction i ate afterwards?!
• i think the baby's back is tilted towards my right side, it feels harder there than my left
• im not sure if it was my first braxton-hicks contraction but i had some moderately painful cramping on my last night shift during my sleep break. i was lying on my left that entire break, woke up to some moderate soreness to my right lower abd. quadrant, and even if i rubbed it the pain wouldnt go away. it eventually did when i woke up and stood up. maybe it was gas pains?! (not constipated) or the baby just telling me that it did not like the position i was lying in
• i also had some kind nagging flat ache (not pain) running down my navel and kind of spanning the lower abdomen/(where my old uterus would be) late into my 2nd day shift and the beginning of my 2nd night shift. i like to think it may be round ligament pain, but i think i also know i did a bit more straining at work than i should have. so of course, Gene is telling me to call in sick and call in sick from now on at any time I may feel even slightly unwell! but i know my limitations, or am i realistic to my new limitations?! not sure yet. things just need to get done at work you know? and you dont always have someone there to help you out. hmmmm

info on aches from babycenter:
Surprising Facts: Symptoms you should never ignore

So many aches, pains, and strange feelings arise during pregnancy that it can be hard to decide what's normal and what warrants a call to your doctor or midwife. To complicate matters further, some symptoms may be more or less urgent depending on your particular situation or health history and on how far along you are in your pregnancy. Here's a rundown of symptoms that could be a sign of a problem. If you have any of these complaints, call your doctor or midwife immediately:
Before you reach 37 weeks:

• Pelvic pressure (a feeling that your baby is pushing down), lower back pain (especially if it's a new problem for you), menstrual-like cramping or abdominal pain, or more than four contractions in an hour (even if they don't hurt)
• An increase in vaginal discharge or a change in the type of discharge — if it becomes watery, mucus-like, or bloody (even if it's only pink or blood-tinged)

At any time:

• Your baby is moving or kicking less than usual
• Severe or persistent abdominal pain or tenderness
• Vaginal bleeding or spotting, or watery discharge
• Pain or burning when you urinate, or little or no urination
• Severe or persistent vomiting, or any vomiting accompanied by pain or fever
• Chills or a fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
• Blurred or double vision, or seeing spots or "floaters"
• A severe or persistent headache, or any headache accompanied by blurred vision, slurred speech, or numbness
• Any swelling in your face or puffiness around your eyes, anything more than mild swelling in your fingers or hands, or severe or sudden swelling in your legs, feet, or ankles, or a rapid weight gain (more than 4 pounds in a week)
• Severe or persistent leg or calf pain that doesn't ease up when you flex your ankle and point your toes toward your nose, or one leg significantly more swollen than the other
• Trauma to your abdomen
• Fainting, frequent dizziness, rapid heartbeat, or palpitations
• Difficulty breathing, coughing up blood, or chest pain
• Severe constipation accompanied by abdominal pain or severe diarrhea that lasts more than 24 hours
• Persistent intense itching all over
• Any health problem that you'd ordinarily call your practitioner about, even if it's not pregnancy-related (like worsening asthma or a cold that gets worse rather than better)

• no linea nigra or new pregnancy related stretchmarks
• i can definitely see a larger network of veins on my boobs
• this girl at work due date is a couple of weeks after me said she's already producing milk. i'm like WTF? (inside thought)...so i asked if she's already using nursing pads, and she said no, but she's already producing milk and thus knows she'll just be one of those people that leak or whatever. it was too late into the night shift for me to carry on that conversation. i guess she's already seeing colostrum stains on her bra or she's already expressing?! I have no frickin idea! I have NONE of that going on right now that's for sure
• baby is active, but i wouldn't say SUPER active. it doesn't wake me up at night though. it's funny this morning though one of my first conscious memories at 8:30am was my cat Moe meowing, and the baby kicked. Im sure the baby heard Moe nagging me to feed him this am and responded! hahaha
• I really enjoy sitting on the sofa with my shirt rolled up just under my boobs when the baby is active and seeing my entire abdomen kind of jerk up and down to the kicks and jabs. I definitely haven't seen any hands or strange body parts exert itself from within! my abdomen continues to move about evenly
• bought a box of halloween candy....BAD IDEA. they're sitting on my dining table and i head straight for them every day. im trying to limit myself to 2-4 a day or until the kit kat and Aero bars run out
• im thinking of joining a breastfeeding class ..i think this is something of unknown territory that i need an introduction on. like this is something that'll FEED the kid, and though im not feeling pressure yet, im sure i will when im stressed out and a hungry kid is screaming his lungs out
• my scrubs are no longer fitting well, especially the shirt, like im sure my belly is kind of exposed for the world to see at times and thus i dont dare do a full body stretch ...time to upgrade to a bigger size!! i'm also having a hard time finding the ties on my scrub pants when i need to undo them to go to the washroom. like, where's the knot I just tied?! hahaha
• my mom mentioned it took about 1-2 hours for her to give birth to my sister and I. i didnt get into the conversation about tearing, but I hope this rubs off on me!
• Janine is about a week overdue right now, but baby is doing well. she's having the induction talk with her MD today!
• I have a midwife appt today at 3:30pm, pregnancy addendums to come tonight

how is my life changing according to babycenter?
How your life's changing:

The second trimester is drawing to a close, but as your body gears up for the final lap, you may start noticing some new symptoms. Along with an aching back, for example, you may find that your leg muscles cramp up now and then. They're carrying extra weight, after all, and your expanding uterus is putting pressure on the veins that return blood from your legs to your heart as well as on the nerves leading from your trunk to your legs.

Unfortunately, the cramps may get worse as your pregnancy progresses. Leg cramps are more common at night but can also happen during the day. When a cramp strikes, stretching the calf muscle should give you some relief. Straighten your leg and then gently flex your toes back toward your shin. Walking for a few minutes or massaging your calf sometimes helps, too.

It may be the furthest thing from your mind right now, but it's not too soon to think about family planning. You'll want to have made some decisions about postpartum birth control before your baby arrives. If you're considering a tubal ligation, be aware that most states require you to sign a consent form at least 30 days beforehand. So if you'd like the option of having the surgery during your postpartum hospital stay, don't wait too much longer to discuss it with your caregiver. (You can still change your mind later.)

• as for family planning, I think Gene and I will have another kid 1.5-2yrs after the baby is born (hell, i have to see if i like this parenting business right? or even the kid to begin with! hahaha j/k!). but after 2 kids, Gene is getting SNIPPED!!