Week 30 & 31: Finally Loving my Junk in the Trunk

Quick Recap: Up 35lbs Ugggggghhhh.... Good energy levels. Skin is clear! No stretch marks. Faaaat feet/ankles. Pelvis pain is improving. More patient and relaxed than I've ever been.

Peanut's Progression: 16 inches long. 3lbs 5oz. About the weight of a coconut. Getting fatter and less wrinkly every day. Loves to push it's lil feet into my ribs and sides.

And In This Corner, Weighing In At...

Now at 31 weeks pregnant, I've reached the top end of where I should be for weight gain for my entire pregnancy. 2 months left and I've hit the 160lbs mark. Honestly all I can do is laugh now, and that's exactly what I do. We spent the last week in Mexico and I thoroughly enjoyed the food. I wouldn't describe it as excessive but I sure didn't deny myself the desserts. I knew full well that coming back I would have put on weight so jumping on the scale I wasn't all that surprised. 6 pounds in 7 days. What's that doctor? I'm supposed to gain 1 pound per WEEK? You sure its not per DAY!?

Honestly though, at this point what can I really do. I'm not about to "diet" and try to maintain this weight or lose some. My Mom put on 50lbs with me so maybe a part of this is genetic.Thankfully I don't look like I weigh 160lbs which leads me to ....

Dum Dum Dummmmm Bikini Time!

If you are a regular reader of my blog you already know the battles I've had with my changing physique and my absolute terror when it comes to baring my belly in a bikini. Somewhere along the way I just accepted my tummy and embraced it and began to love it. I've been constantly reassuring myself that once the baby is here I'll be able to bounce back no problem.

So how did the whole bikini thing go??? It was actually awesome! I am so glad I didn't waste money on a maternity swimsuit!!  We went into Cabo for a Vegas style pool party as a part of our vacation away. Obviously, being surrounded by tonnes of fit and beautiful people all partying and drinking up a storm made me feel a bit out of place. Any discomfort I was feeling was quickly squashed by the lovely comments I got from complete strangers. Of course my friends have been so kind and are always reassuring me that I "look great" but there is just something about a total stranger taking a moment to tell you something kind. I am so flattered that women expressed the desire to look like me when they got pregnant. I mean how sweet is that!? I'm so busy feeling like a blimp and others are thinking the exact opposite. Those feel good moments are exactly why I didn't have a meltdown when I stepped on the scale this morning. I may weigh 160lbs,  have a bit more junk in the trunk, my arms "have meat on them" (as my doctor pointed out), my thighs rub together when I walk and I certainly have some solid love handles going on but all that doesn't matter one bit. No one else sees my new bum dimples, they see my beautiful baby belly and the miraculous life that I'm carrying.

31 weeks in and I have completely, wholeheartedly embraced this change.


Next up: Traveling in Mexico while pregnant...

Week 22: Writers Block

Quick Recap: I'm an eating machine. Up 3 inches on both my boobs and butt. Waist (around belly button) is about 34 inches (pre-pregnancy was about 27) Weighing in at 141lbs. Back pain continues. Haven't gotten a new pimple all week!!

Peanut's Progression: Weighs 1 whole pound! 11 inches long. Can sense touch now.

Writer's Block and Too Much Attention

I don't know if it was the craziness of the holidays this week or perhaps a self induced sugar coma from all the cookies and chocolate but I'm having a hard time writing an entry for this week.

Nothing really major happened this week. No weight gain like last week. No bad news from doctors. The only thing even worth mentioning is my coping with the added attention from family dinners.

For the majority of my family (and Steve's) this was the first time they have seen me since I announced we were expecting. Of course, they are incredibly excited and made a lot of comments about my shape. I am so grateful that we have a supportive family and group of friends but it can become a bit overwhelming at times when people are consumed by your belly, especially when you are still a bit self conscious of it.

It's a very odd sensation for me to feel awkward with all the attention. As an only child, and a major extrovert, I've always craved attention and now I tend to shy away from it. Just another hormonal shift I'm sure.


Post Pregnancy Project:

OK, this scares me but I also think its a great thing to share to help all women post pregnancy. As of this moment I am committed to sharing my physical transformation from pre baby, pregnant and post baby. 

My plan is to show photo progression of my stomach. I will take a photo daily after I give birth for the first week and then every couple of days to show how the body really recovers post birth. I think its an important thing for women to be able to see how REAL Mom's and NOT celebs recover and gain their body back. I will also include all my exercise and diet habits.

Likely I will continue to post on a weekly basis because let's be real, I will not have the time or energy to post daily and you don't need a daily update on my stomach!


Hmmm that didn't turn out so bad for having a mental block :)

Week 21 - Unsettling Ultrasound Results

Quick Recap: Up 17 lbs, not really sure where it's hiding though. Fighting off a cold without meds. Coping much better being the DD. Back pain.

Peanut's Progression: 10.5 inches long, a banana. 12.7 ounces. Sleeps 12 - 14 hours a day. Swallows amniotic fluid and can taste differences in diet. Lots of wiggle room still.

Ultrasound Results Are In! 

Well the good news is everything with our baby is normal. All of the organs look good and there are no problems. The bad news is I have a large placental lake. Before today I had never heard of this so, naturally, after my doctors appointment I took to Google.

Here's a basic description for you: Placental lakes are enlarged spaces in the placenta filled with maternal blood. Think of the placenta like a hunk of swiss cheese and the holes are filled with blood.


So what does that mean for me and the baby? Thankfully nothing serious. Small placental lakes are quite normal to find on ultrasounds and do not pose a risk to mom or baby. There is no associated risk of hemorrhage or growth concerns. In my case, the lake is quite big. Measuring 8cm long by 2cm deep (can't remember how wide). There is a possibility that my baby could experience some slight growth issues but as of now everything is on schedule and he/she is measuring normally. 

Where do we go from here? My ultrasound is being sent to a specialist and they will be meeting with me directly to consult on my case specifically. We will likely have a few more ultrasounds to monitor the lake and ensure no complications.

For more information: I found this blog entry helpful CLICK HERE

Big Butts and Back Pain

This week has been a big one for weight gain. I've put on about 5 lbs just this week alone. My total weight gain is now 17lbs and slightly above the normal range for where I am in my pregnancy. That being said I never would have guessed by looking at my figure that I'm up that much. I'm still all belly and the rest of my body is pretty similar. If I had to guess I'd say my butt has gained a few pounds, although it nicely balances out my belly LOL.

With my expanding midsection I've started to experience some back pain. From what I can self diagnose, it is posterior pelvic pain. It hovers around my sacrum and spreads into either side of my butt. Pretty much everything you do daily can aggravate it. Climbing stairs, walking/jogging, rolling in bed, sitting too long, etc etc. I'm pretty sure I brought it on myself during a yoga class. I remember hugging my knees to my chest on my back and being able to roll on a sore spot, ever since then it has been irritated. My plan of action is to avoid doing that from now on.