Two days from 33 weeks, I finally got this post together.  I’m glad to be documenting along the way even if it often takes me longer to get a post organized than I’d like.  Looking back on these memories is always special and worth it.

Baby Girl,

We are down to single digit weeks until we meet you.  I’ve come to terms with giving up lattes and treats for our health, and it hasn’t really been all that hard.  As the days dwindle down, I find myself daydreaming about what you will look like.  Will you look like your brother or have your own features from birth?  What kind of baby will you be?  Will you show us your personality early on or save that for later?  I look forward to snuggling you and the feeling of a new baby on my chest, those little legs all tucked in.  I can’t wait to look at your fingers and toes and the shape of your nose.  

At the same time some of that new mom anxiety is creeping in.  Will you arrive healthy? Will I feel as great after delivery as last time?  Will breastfeeding be as much of a success as last time?  Will you sleep any better than your brother?  How will I share the love between two?  How will I get two kids ready and dropped off at daycare on my own?

When I start to worry I default back to the good things…new baby smell, those little newborn sounds, watching you sleep, memorizing your face and seeing your daddy and brother hold you for the first time.  When I think about all the exciting and scary first moments to come, I know it will be crazy emotional, crazy overwhelming, crazy blissful, but mostly just crazy good.

Love,

Mom

Feeling:  Whoa, we are actually having another baby! I have so much to do. Let’s do this, this and this.  Wait, I’m so tired!

Ironically I felt this exact same way at this point in my pregnancy last time minus feeling so tired at times.  A combination of where has the time gone and there is only/we still have 8 weeks to go is definitely taking place.

I also have an intense desire to get projects wrapped up.  We’ve been working like crazy every moment we have to cross something else off the list.  Everything in our garage was removed, organized, sorted and cleaned.  It is currently in piles waiting to be put back on shelves, but it will be so great to have a clean and organized garage.

In the kitchen, a few cabinets have been touched up with paint, the coffee/beverage bar project underway, a new kitchen faucet installed and a hideous storage cabinet relocated to the garage that was also cleaned out and organized.

The house has been pressure washed, the deck swept and scrubbed, gutters cleaned and trees trimmed.  To do is a new mailbox post.

Baby girl’s room has been painted and needs a few touch ups, her curtain rod has been hung, some wall art ordered and her dresser ready to go.  Still to do: hang wall art, put up shelves, new closet doors and put the finishing touches on her room.

Cravings: Chocolate occasionally, but not really anything.  It helps knowing any treat I might crave I can’t really have so why even go there.

Weight Gain:  20 pounds.  After my appointment with the dietician last week I had lost 2 pounds since my previous dietician and 29 week appointments.  I guess giving up the lattes and the few times a week treats can add up even when pregnant.

Symptoms:  Feeling good most of the time, but very pregnant and tired at other times. Frequent potty breaks, feeling very pregnant by the end of the day, fatigue and being emotional at times.

Workouts/Running:

I’m already struggling with balancing back to school, getting projects done and working out.  In the past after bedtime was my go to workout time during the school year, but by evening I’m feeling too tired and uncomfortable to get in much of a workout.  I am still excited that running is even something I still want to do at this point.  Last time around I was done for and didn’t even really have an interest in running at this point in my pregnancy.

As for balancing time, I’ll be honest, I don’t have a solution in mind yet exactly.  Getting up earlier really isn’t an option unless I get up at 4:30 am, and that is not going to happen. I already have to be up by 5:30 a.m. to get myself ready, my son ready and dropped off at daycare, and get myself to work.

I’m hoping to feel well enough to run a day or two a week after school and to get a run or two in on weekend mornings.  I will plan to walk most nights.  With less than eight weeks to go until baby girl, this might be the best I can muster knowing there will be after school meetings and more frequent doctor appointments, too.

30 Weeks-

Ran-7.5 miles (3, 3, 1.5)

Walked-10 miles

31 Weeks-

Ran-4.6 miles (2.5, 2.1)

Walked-8 miles

Freezer Meals-So far I’ve made two freezer meals-Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas (we like to add extra veggies to this recipe like different colored peppers) and Chicken Manicotti (it’s called Super Easy Chicken Manicotti, but I’ll be honest stuffing those shells is a pain in the butt.)  When making freezer meals I simply make two pans of one dish for dinner one evening.  One gets eaten that night and as leftovers, and the other frozen with a label for a later date.

This means that once baby girl arrives the meal has already been cooked and only needs to be defrosted in the refrigerator the night before and popped in the oven for dinner.  I’ve linked both recipes above.  By using low carb tortillas and eating only one manicotti shell with extra chicken, both dishes have met my GD diet requirements.

Looking Forward To:  Meeting baby girl for the first time.  I’m really starting to look forward to all those sweet new baby moments.  I can’t wait to see what you look like, hold you and for you to meet your daddy and big brother.

Sarah