Friday, September 23, 2011

28 Weeks (second time around)

It's finally happening:

I'm starting to look pregnant.


Taken this morning on the way out the door to my doctor's appointment. In hindsight I wish I hadn't worn long sleeves, but it was chilly when we left at 8:15. Plus, I've been wanting to wear this shirt that I got on clearance at the Gap for $7, so I jumped at the chance!

Over the past couple of weeks I've started to feel pregnant. My legs and feet are usually aching by midday. I've found myself wondering how I waited tables until 35ish weeks with Lane, but this time my legs are hurting by lunchtime. I think I've found the culprit: concrete and wooden floors everywhere. In America, even if you work for eight hours on your feet, most of the time you come home and walk around on carpet with padding underneath it. Not so here. So I've taken to wearing my running shoes (because let's face it, I'm not running in them!) in the house (it's a big cultural no-no to wear shoes in the house here, so my tutor and babysitter look at me like I'm crazy for doing it). It's helping somewhat, but I'm still very, very achy a lot of days. My doctor told me today to be sure to elevate my legs every chance I get to prevent varicose veins. Ugh. At least I have a great bathtub...I think God knew when it took us forever to find an apartment that I was going to need a real (and nice!) bathtub.

This bathtub has been a real treat, especially after not having one at all for over a year!

My appointment today went well. I'm up to 15 pounds (7 kilos) gained, which is about right on track, I think. I'm not sure how well I'd handle having to carry much more around on all the concrete floors, so I'm glad to not be gaining too much yet. I'll take the weight as it comes...just trying to be good to my feet, legs, and back, as well as to the baby! I am now taking four vitamins per day, per doctor's instructions: iron, omega 3's, my regular prenatal, and calcium/magnesium. Sheesh I'm glad I don't have to take so many pills on a normal basis! I also took my glucose test, which was miserable. My appointment was at 9:30, and I wasn't allowed to eat anything this morning. I got blood taken at about 10:00, again at 11:00, and again at 12:00. And then I was finally able to eat. So not fair making pregnant women fast for 12 hours!

All looks well with our girlie. She's measuring right on track, although her abdominal cavity is measuring a bit on the small side. My doctor said that she suspects that she'll just be a skinny baby (like Lane was), but is still going to keep an eye on it. All major organs are developing normally and measuring on track.

Baby Girl is very active, more so than Lane, was, I think, at this point in the pregnancy. I feel like I'm further along than I did with Lane at 28 weeks. That might have something to do with Lane being so late and maybe my due date being off, or it could just be because all my muscles have done this before. At any rate, we're going to try to have everything ready for Baby Girl's arrival eight weeks from now, when I'm at 36 weeks. I wouldn't be surprised if this one comes early (although after Lane, I also wouldn't be surprised if this one is a January baby instead of a December baby!).

For those who are curious, you can click here to see my 28-week belly photo from when I was pregnant with Lane. I think I look more like I did here, at 30 weeks.

4 comments:

  1. You look so cute, Michelle!

    And I am soo jealous of that tub.

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  2. You look amazing! That tub looks so cozy too...I'm a little jealous!

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  3. Supportive shoes should help a lot I hope. You are looking great! What a great tub! I can see why you love it.

    ~Linnea

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  4. Can't believe your getting so far along and in the 30 week numbers! You are really pretty close behind me :) I am glad things seem to be going well and we will welcome these girls in no time at all....thinking of you guys all the time.

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Thanks for commenting!