HOW FAR ALONG? 35 weeks…. only 5 weeks left.  (I’m currently 36 weeks, but this is a recap of week 35.) 

SIZE OF OUR SWEET BABY?  Weighs as much as a honeydew melon (probably btwn 19 -22  inches head to heal, and around 5 1/4 lbs).

MATERNITY CLOTHES?  Things are gettin’ tight (and shorter). It’s down to just a couple dresses.

GENDER: BOY

SLEEP? (Same as last week) Insomnia usually hits a couple times during the night. I sleep very lightly now. My dreams are still pretty weird and vivid. “Tossing and turning” at night is like an olympic sport and usually involves some grunting and gasping for air.

FOOD CRAVINGS?  Cold milk. Peanut butter. Lots of fruit smoothies. Ice cold water. Ice cream. Maggiano’s cheesecake. Banana popsicles.

WHAT I MISS?  Working out. Maneuvering like “normal” without grunting or gasping for a breathe. Being able to reach my feet.

SYMPTOMS?  Occasional hot flashes. Still swollen feet (now they hurt b/c they’re so tight). My fingers are a tad bit more swollen, but I can still wear my rings :). Short of breathe. Sometimes my heart races for no apparent reason.  Lots of Braxton Hicks contractions… pretty inconsistent each day, though.  Big Belly – I can’t seem to go anywhere in public (no exaggeration) without someone commenting on my belly.

BELLY BUTTON?  WAY stretched out, and you can see it pop through my clothes now.

BEST MOMENT(S) OF THE PAST WEEK?

1.  Watching my belly wiggle like crazy as Brady moves around. Some of his movements are so strong they make me wince. When Brian watches the baby’s “dance/karate  show” his eyes get so big and he sorta freaks out, especially when he puts his hand on my belly while the baby is wiggling like crazy.

2. Meeting my sister-in-law’s new baby girl this weekend. She was born via emergency c-section Friday afternoon, but thankfully momma and baby are nice and healthy. Alexis Grace is her name. She is the perfect little size (not too chunky and not to frail) to hold and just sleeps and makes the sweetest little noises/whimpers. She has a full head of dark black hair and chubby cheeks, which makes her look like a cute eskimo.  It was so great to watch Brian interact with her and volunteer to practice swaddling her and holding her and passing her off to each other. He’s so excited to meet our little boy soon.

3. Thursday after work the Switch crew went to a happy hour down the street from our office celebrate Michele’s belated birthday and it was pretty fun for me considering I couldn’t enjoy a drink. My water on the rocks with a twist was delicious. I played  a few games of skee-ball, which was probably interesting to watch a big ole pregnant lady chunk a ball. I’ve really tried to enjoy every social event I can lately seeing that my future may not allow as many social outings as I can freely enjoy these days.  When I got home, Brian was on dinner duty and had made a homemade pizza and we watched some more episodes of our new fav show, Breaking Bad.  All in all, it was a good day.

4. Saturday we had a small-ish luncheon for some of the Gather (Retreat) ladies and even met/welcomed a couple new ladies. Vivien hosted at her adorable house just down the road from me. We enjoyed some good food, with cute decorations, and deep conversation. It was nice to meet some new ladies and re-visit with some friends made through the Gather Retreat this past Spring. I’m excited to get things with Gather ramped up again in the coming seasons. Stay tuned…

5. I can’t remember specifics, but just laughing throughout the week with Brian. I’m so grateful to have a husband that can make me laugh (several times) a day.