what a difference!

I was just looking through all of my weekly “belly pics” and was truly amazed at how my body has grown and stretched and changed.

I cannot believe that I was ever this little… or that I thought I had a prominent “baby bump” at the time!  haha

That was week 10.

This is week 38…

I’ve already packed away most of my maternity clothes.  I’m really hoping that not having many larger item options will motivate me to lose weight quickly.  I know that it took 10 months to put this weight on, though.. so I don’t expect it all to fall off immediately.  At least it will be fall/winter so I won’t have to worry about being in a swimsuit!

39 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How far along: 39 weeks

Size of baby: supposed to be 20 inches and 7.25 pounds… but we are pretty sure Judah is bigger than average!

Maternity clothes: everything except for skirts and stretchy waist pants is maternity.  I’ve even outgrown many maternity clothes.  In the past week I have struggled to find tops that cover my belly and have been wearing more dresses.

Gender: baby boy. Judah Scott Perkins.  We cannot wait to see him!

Movement: Definitely less kicking.. but still lots of pressure and movement where he pokes his body out of my belly.  When he kicks, it HURTS. 

Sleep: Sleep is good… I just can’t go to sleep at a decent hour.  I have been finding myself wide awake until 2am and then sleeping really late in the mornings.

What I miss: I miss having normal size hands and feet.  I miss having ankles.  I miss being able to move without hurting.  I am definitely counting down the days until I can start on the weight loss journey and get some of this swelling down.  I know I will definitely miss pregnancy though.

Cravings: no big cravings this week… just very hungry!

Aversions: pot roast.  raw chicken.  leftovers.

Symptoms: You name it, I’ve probably been experiencing it.  The most prominent ones are probably indigestion and lots of aches and pains.  I’ve had more contractions this week.  And I am larger and heavier than I ever thought possible.  Each day it seems like I have somehow grown bigger in the belly.  And my nose is definitely wider.

Best moment this week:  All week long I have been constantly counting down the days and thinking, “at this time next week……”.  I’m just so excited to meet our little guy!  Only a couple more days now!!!

38 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How far along: 38 weeks

Size of baby: supposed to be 19.75 inches and 6.8 pounds, but about a pound heavier than this according to the latest ultrasound measurements.

Maternity clothes: everything except for skirts and stretchy waist pants is maternity.

Gender: baby boy. Judah Scott Perkins.  We cannot wait to see him!

Movement: Definitely less kicking.. but still lots of pressure and movement where he pokes his body out of my belly.

Sleep: Sleep is going well.. unless I drink too much water before bed.

What I miss: I miss being able to go, go, go!  I have really had to slow down and stay home more lately.  I have a bunch of pains and pressure when I get out and do too much in one day.

Cravings: breakfast cereal and macaroni and cheese.  not together!

Aversions: pot roast.  raw chicken.

Symptoms: You name it, I’ve probably been experiencing it.  The most prominent ones are probably indigestion and lots of aches and pains.  I’ve had a few contractions randomly and (TMI..) lost my mucus plug!  Oh yeah… and I’m HUGE! haha

Best moment this week: At our 37 week appointment we saw Judah on the ultrasound and set an induction date!  Having a date on the calendar has been a big deal!  Also, I really enjoyed putting the finishing touches on his nursery and spending time with lots of family this past week.

we have a date!

Today we had our weekly baby doctor appointment and an ultrasound.  I had Justin go with me to this appointment so he could see Judah one last time on the big screen before meeting him in person.  I also wanted Justin to meet our doctor before she is actually delivering our son in the hospital!

Everything went well today.  I had gained a few more pounds (blah).. I had a great blood pressure.. Judah’s heart rate was 140 bpm.. He is still head down and has even dropped into position!

It was so neat to see the ultrasound this time.  He has gotten so big in there that he is all crammed in, making it difficult to clearly see the different body parts.  We did get a good angle of his little profile and saw that he had some hair!  He kept putting his hand up by his face though, so we didn’t really see his face from the front.  We found out that he is still measuring a little bigger than average with a big head and weighing right around 7.5-8 pounds!  His little heart was flickering away on the screen, and we could clearly see all four chambers.  I’m so happy to know that he is a healthy boy :).

After the ultrasound, we saw the doctor.  I am officially 1 cm dilated, and Judah is engaged but not super low.  Doctor went ahead and stripped my membranes today (which hurt like CRAZY! by the way), so we are hoping I’ll go into labor soon!  We did go ahead and set an induction date, though.. just in case I don’t go into labor.  The big day will be in 2 weeks… 9/21/11! 

It’s so hard to believe that I will have  a baby in my arms in two weeks or less.  It’s really crazy thinking that I may know his birth date already!  This is so exciting and unreal!

After the appointment, we called lots of friends and family with the news and then decided to nap.  Now I’m up and trying to think of all that is left for me to do in order to be totally ready for this little man’s arrival!

37 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How far along: 37 weeks

Size of baby: supposed to be 19.25 inches and 6.3 pounds

Maternity clothes: everything except for skirts and stretchy waist pants is maternity now.

Gender: baby boy. Judah Scott Perkins.

Movement: Still lots of movement.  He really seems to enjoy poking his hiney/back/feet and possibly other body parts out.  He has spent a bunch of time lately with his body on my left side with feet poking out the right side or in my right ribs.

Sleep: I have miraculously slept pretty well here lately.  Usually only waking a couple times.

What I miss: I miss the days when I didn’t have to literally roll out of bed and off the couch. 

Cravings: I’ve had lots of random cravings.  If I hear someone talking about something that sounds yummy, I start craving it.  Not good for the number on the scale.  But not too much longer!

Aversions: pot roast.  raw chicken.

Symptoms: You name it, I’ve probably been experiencing it.  The most prominent ones are probably indigestion and lots of aches and pains.

Best moment this week: We are FULL TERM!

it’s officially baby month

So here I sit on a drizzly and lazy Saturday.  It’s the first Saturday in September.  And September is “baby month”!!!  I woke up a couple days ago thinking that, “wow… I’m having a baby this month!”  It’s really an overwhelming thought that brings all kinds of emotions.  Even though I feel like my pregnancy has absolutely flown by, I feel like I’ve waited forever for this month to arrive.

Everywhere I go these days, I have people asking how much longer and telling me that they know I must be so ready.  And they surely are right.  When asked about three weeks ago if I was ready.. my answer was no.  I still had too much to do.  I didn’t feel prepared.  What a difference a few weeks can make!  Now I really cannot wait to see my son and hold him and kiss him and talk about who he looks like and take a million pictures of him and share him with our families and friends.  I would be perfectly happy to have him tomorrow if I knew he would be healthy!

Besides hanging some artwork and picture frames, Judah’s room is completely ready for him.  All of his clothes are washed and folded.  His sheets have been washed and his crib put together.  I have his little bathtub and baby washes all ready to go.  Even his little diaper bag is packed with anything and everything I could think of to pack.  We are ready.

Justin has been talking about it more and more, too.  He looks at my huge belly and sees the rolling around that his son is doing under my skin and is amazed.  He has talked many times about how ready he is to meet Judah and to see his little face.  I’m so glad that he is excited.  I know he will be an awesome daddy.  :)  He has definitely been a great daddy-to-be.  So understanding and full of grace towards me.  These last couple weeks I have been very uncomfortable, kinda lazy, and a little grouchy even.  I haven’t done a wonderful job of keeping the house clean or cooking dinner.  I have done a whole bunch of sleeping and resting on the couch with my feet up.  But Justin hasn’t complained one time. 

He has been very thoughtful and even surprised me the other morning.  I have been super duper craving cereal lately.  Before I went to bed and he left for work one night, I was complaining that we were out of cereal but I didn’t want to go to the store.  I knew he didn’t have time to go to the store before work either.  But I woke up the next morning to not one, but four boxes of cereal and an almond joy waiting on the kitchen counter for me to choose from.  It made my little [big] pregnant day! haha.

I packed my bag for the hospital last night.  I’ll be 37 weeks and full term on Monday!  So we could go anytime now.  I know that it’s not likely I would go into labor early with my first child… but at least we know I’m prepared and ready if need be!  I go weekly to the doctor now, and last week I had some bloodwork done and had a “check”.  My body had not progressed at all yet, even though I had been having a bunch of cramps and pressure.  I go back to the doctor this coming Wednesday, and this time we will have an ultrasound.  The U/S will be used to measure Judah and see if he is still measuring big.  If so, we may be inducing as early as the following week!!!! (That means in just over a week I could be meeting Judah!)  If he isn’t measuring too big and everything else looks good as well, I guess we may just let him do his thing and come when he’s ready.  I’m so anxious about this appointment.  I’m ready to have a plan.. not to mention, I’m just ready to see his little face on that screen again!

But for now we wait.

And while I wait.. I have a few things to keep me busy.  I need to write thank you cards, cook some meals to put in the freezer, and plan a newborn photo shoot for my little man!  I won’t be too upset, though, if I don’t have time to get it all done before he decides to join us.

36 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How far along: 36 weeks

Size of baby: supposed to be 18.75 inches and 5.75 pounds

Maternity clothes: everything except for skirts and stretchy waist pants is maternity now.

Gender: baby boy. Judah Scott Perkins.

Movement: Still lots of movement.  He really seems to enjoy poking his hiney/back/feet and possibly other body parts out.  Sometimes it feels like he’s trying to escape through the front.

Sleep: It seems like it takes me forever to fall asleep these days.. but once I get to sleep I’m doing okay.  Still up a few times at night.

What I miss: This week I’ve started missing my stamina.  Just walking through Wal-Mart or Target gets the best of me.  And don’t even get me started on cleaning the house.  I have to take breaks between each task. 

Cravings: none that I can remember.

Aversions: pot roast.  raw chicken.

Symptoms: More of the same.  But add to it some nausea and period like cramping that comes and goes pretty often.  The doctor says it’s just my body preparing for labor.  Some people tell me it’s probably Braxton Hicks.  Either way, it’s not comfortable.

Best moment this week: Realizing that within a month, I will have a little boy in my arms is pretty amazing.  :).  I start my weekly doctors appointments now too.

35 weeks

(I skipped my 34 week update… oops!)

Pregnancy Highlights:

How far along: 35 weeks

Size of baby: supposed to be 18 inches and 5.25 pounds

Maternity clothes: everything except for skirts and stretchy waist pants is maternity now.

Gender: baby boy. Judah Scott Perkins.

Movement: Lots and lots of big moves/rolls/jabs.  I keep expecting it to slow down because he is running out of room… but that hasn’t happened yet.  The video in my previous post is proof!  He’s definitely an active little guy.  I’ve been feeling lots of hard kicks on my right side right under my ribs.  They are starting to hurt!

Sleep: It seems like it takes me forever to fall asleep these days.. but once I get to sleep I’m doing okay.  Still up a few times at night.

What I miss: I miss feeling cute.  I miss wearing my wedding rings.  I miss being able to get off of the couch without assistance.  I miss walking without a waddle.  haha… but I am okay with all of this because I know it’s getting my precious boy closer and closer to my arms!

Cravings: fried pickles!

Aversions: pot roast.  raw chicken.

Symptoms: aches and pains in my hips and back.. especially at night while trying to sleep.  Also, I officially have an outie belly button!  oh, and I’m staying swollen now.  And just recently I’ve started having some pressure like pain down low.  Maybe Judah has dropped a little??

Best moment this week: I’ve had a lot of fun doing online shopping for little things that we didn’t get from our baby showers.  Getting packages in the mail and delivered to the door is so fun!

judah showing off! (warning: bare belly video)

I have been trying to catch the rolling and shaking that has been going on in my belly for a while now.. but Judah usually stops as soon as I get the camera ready.

Tonight, though.. I caught him in action!

Judah at 34 1/2 weeks!

He is definitely an active little guy.  I’m kinda thinking that I should be worried!  I’ll probably have my hands full with him.  Can’t wait!

my very own baby shower!

I cannot count on both hands how many baby showers I went to and was secretly sad and maybe a tad bit jealous.  I so badly wanted to be the one with the round belly opening all of the tiny little outfits and soft blankets. 

Earlier this month, several sweet ladies got together and threw a baby shower for Judah and myself.  My very own baby shower!!!  :)  It was surreal.  And super cute.  The theme was “under the sea”, and I loved it!

We had close to 30 good friends, family members, and church members show up to bless us with sweet words and precious gifts.  I cannot express how grateful I am!

Here are a few pics:

Justin had been mowing and working and was sooo dirty!  But I made him come at the end to help me load all of our gifts into the car.  haha

This is my sweet friend, Hope.  She is due with her first little boy just a few days before I’m due with Judah!  She was one of several fabulous hostesses.

33 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How far along: 33 weeks

Size of baby: supposed to be 17 inches and 4.25 pounds

Maternity clothes: everything except for dresses, skirts, and stretchy waist pants is maternity now.

Gender: baby boy. Judah Scott Perkins.

Movement: Lots and lots of big moves/rolls/jabs.  I keep expecting it to slow down because he is running out of room… but that hasn’t happened yet.  I’ve been trying to catch him on video with my phone, but every time I get the phone out he stops!  Little stinker!

Sleep: what is sleep?  I am just not sleeping well at all at this point.  But I am able to nap during the day which helps a good bit.

What I miss: I miss feeling cute, and I miss wearing my wedding rings.. but I know he is worth it :)

Cravings: cold liquids… especially sweet tea and icees.

Aversions: I haven’t tried cooking chicken lately, but I don’t think it’s worth the risk! haha. Nothing else has been making me sick though.

Symptoms: aches and pains in my hips and back.. especially at night while trying to sleep.  Also, I officially have an outie belly button!  oh, and I’m staying swollen now.

Best moment this week: We had an incredible baby shower and were greatly blessed with almost everything we still needed for little Judah.

32 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How far along: 32 weeks

Size of baby: supposed to be 16.7 inches and 3.75 pounds

Maternity clothes: everything except for dresses, skirts, and stretchy waist pants is maternity now.

Gender: baby boy. Judah Scott Perkins.

Movement: Lots and lots of big moves/rolls/jabs.  I have had lots of fun this week watching the movements through my clothes and skin.  It truly amazes me.

Sleep: I just might be at that point where my body is preparing me for sleepless nights with a newborn.  I haven’t been sleeping good at all… back ache, indigestion, potty breaks.. it all keeps me up!

What I miss: not having to worry about finding clothes that will cover my belly.  I have many tops now that are too short.

Cravings: raisinets.  and milk.

Aversions: I haven’t tried cooking chicken lately, but I don’t think it’s worth the risk! haha. Nothing else has been making me sick though.

Symptoms: Indigestion has become a big one.  And the usual backache and swelling are still around some too.

Best moment this week: Justin and I celebrated (a little early) our 3 year anniversary this past weekend.  Also we had a friend pray for us and for Judah and got some really awesome promises from God through that. 

31 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How far along: 31 weeks

Size of baby: supposed to be 16.25 inches and 3.3 pounds

Maternity clothes: everything except for dresses, skirts, and stretchy waist pants is maternity now.

Gender: baby boy. Judah Scott Perkins.

Movement: Maybe it’s because I have been less active, but I have noticed baby moving WAY more this past week.  And I can see many of the movements through my clothes.

Sleep: Could be better… waking up several times a night for potty breaks and to change positions.

What I miss: being able to give myself a pedicure!

Cravings: sweet tea… I have been very thirsty lately.

Aversions: I haven’t tried cooking chicken lately, but I don’t think it’s worth the risk! haha. Nothing else has been making me sick though.

Symptoms: Back ache, heartburn, a little bit of swelling, belly getting realllllly round, belly button is completely flat and even pokes out a little at times.

Best moment this week: One day I got some gifts for Judah and found some awesome deals for him while shopping… I was super excited that day!

29 and 30 weeks

week 29 picture (no update):

week 30:

Pregnancy Highlights:

How far along: 30 weeks

Size of baby: supposed to be 15.7 inches and 2.75 pounds… however the doctor thinks he is quite a bit bigger!

Maternity clothes: everything except for dresses, skirts, and stretchy waist pants is maternity now.

Gender: baby boy. Judah Scott Perkins.

Movement: It’s so funny to me… I may go hours without feeling him move.. and then all of a sudden he is all over the place!  I have definitely felt some little body parts sticking out that I believe to be feet.  And he tends to stay on my right side more.

Sleep: Could be better… waking up several times a night for potty breaks and to change positions.

What I miss: being able to move around with any sort of speed.  I have definitely slowed down lately.

Cravings:  Not sure if I would call it a craving, but I have been drinking more milk.  I have a glass almost every night before bed.

Aversions: I haven’t tried cooking chicken lately, but I don’t think it’s worth the risk! haha.  Nothing else has been making me sick though.

Symptoms: Back ache, heartburn, a little bit of swelling, belly getting realllllly round, belly button is completely flat and even pokes out a little at times.

Best moment this week: I went to an appointment with my new clinic in West Monroe and had an ultrasound!  Seeing my boy on that screen was too sweet.  I’ll post pics in a post coming up!

28 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How far along: 28 weeks

Size of baby: 14.8 inches

Maternity clothes: yep!  currently wishing I had more maternity shorts.

Gender: baby boy.  Judah Scott Perkins.

Movement:  Lots of kicks and rolls.  I feel him all over the place.. from way down low to up high near my ribs.

Sleep: Could be better… waking up several times a night for potty breaks and to change positions.

What I miss:  being comfortable all the time.

Cravings:  ice cream!

Aversions:  I cannot bring myself to cook raw chicken.

Symptoms: Back ache, a little bit of swelling, belly getting realllllly round, belly button is completely flat and even pokes out a little at times, and I’m HOT almost all the time.

Best moment this week:  We made it to third trimester!  I can’t believe it’s already here!  Also, it’s great to know that if Judah comes now, his lungs are developed enough for him to most likely be okay.

26 & 27 weeks

week 26 pic (no update because I was too busy with the move)--

 

 

Pregnancy Highlights:

How far along: 27 weeks

Size of baby: 14.5 inches.. size of a head of cauliflower (2 pounds).

Maternity clothes: Yes!  and I’ve been wearing lots of skirts and dresses lately because they are cooler.  Most of those are non maternity.

Gender: baby boy.  Judah Scott Perkins.

Movement:  Over the past couple weeks I have felt Judah rolling around in my belly.  Not just kicks and punches anymore!

Sleep: Well, we are now staying with Justin’s parents in a spare bedroom until we get our own place… and I’m not sleeping great.

What I miss:  my Texas friends and family. :(

Cravings:  chinese food

Aversions:  I cannot bring myself to cook raw chicken.

Symptoms: Back ACHE!!!  oh my heavens… it’s bad every day and gets worse towards evening.  I’ve tried tylenol, heading pads, warm baths, massage, etc.  Nothing helps.  Any advice??

Best moment this week:  Seeing friends and family in West Monroe for the first time in a while.  I’m so excited for Judah to meet everyone in a few months!  The time is coming quickly!!!

25 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How far along: 25 weeks

Size of baby: 13.5 inches.. size of a rutabaga (1.5 pounds).

Maternity clothes: Pants are maternity or stretchy, and shirts are still a good mix.  I’ve been wearing lots of skirts and dresses lately because they are cooler.  Most of those are non maternity.

Gender: baby boy.  Judah Scott Perkins.

Movement:  This past week I started feeling some really hard kicks and jabs.  Sometimes they come out of nowhere and startle me!

Sleep: It takes a little while to get into a comfortable position, but once I’m asleep, I’m sleeping well.

What I miss:  being able to cook chicken.

Cravings:  mainly just fruit (watermelon, pineapple, strawberries) and sweets!  Also frozen yogurt.  yummm!

Aversions:  I cannot bring myself to cook raw chicken.

Symptoms: back ache, itchy belly, and hot!  oh, and my belly button is getting flat.  I really think it will be poking out soon!

Best moment this week:  One day before leaving for work, Justin put on IHOP’s Joy CD, and Judah moved around the whole time the music was playing.  I think he liked it!

23 weeks + 24 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How far along: 23 weeks (no pic this week)

Size of baby: 11.5 inches.. size of a large mango.

Maternity clothes: Pants are maternity or stretchy, and shirts are still a good mix.

Gender: baby boy.  Judah Scott Perkins.

Movement:  Movement is throughout the day not.. not only when I’m sitting still or laying down.  I love to feel these little movements.  Sweet reminders that he is in there and still doing okay.

Sleep: Sleep is good I guess.  I’m waking up a few times a night to reposition myself, but go right back to sleep.

What I miss:  not much this week!

Cravings:  mainly just fruit (watermelon, pineapple, strawberries) and sweets!

Aversions:  I cannot bring myself to cook raw chicken!  Also, the thought of pot roast has had me gagging.  For this week add the smell of a ripe banana to the list.  I took a bite of one and smelled it and then threw it in the trash.  SO NASTY!

Symptoms: back ache, thirstier than usual, itchy belly, and starting to be hot more often.

Best moment this week:  Justin getting to feel Judah kick was really neat.

 

Pregnancy Highlights:

How far along: 24 weeks

Size of baby: 12.5 inches.. size of corn on the cob.

Maternity clothes: Pants are maternity or stretchy, and shirts are still a good mix.

Gender: baby boy. Judah Scott Perkins.

Movement: Lots of moves this week!  Some of them were pretty hard.

Sleep: Sleep is good I guess. I’m waking up a few times a night to reposition myself, but go right back to sleep.

What I miss: cooler weather… it’s already SO hot!

Cravings: frozen yogurt/ice cream

Aversions: I cannot bring myself to cook raw chicken! Also, the thought of pot roast has had me gagging.

Symptoms: back ache, itchy belly, and hot.

Best moment this week: We had a baby doctor appointment and heard Judah’s heartbeat again.  I also had my first baby shower this past week.

things to remember….

A few nights ago I had a dream that I was in the hospital.  I was having a c-section with Judah.  I woke up just remembering how mad I was that I didn’t get to hold him first.  And I remembered what he looked like in my dream.  He had a really round face with chubby cheeks and dark curly hair.  He was adorable!!!  I wonder what he will really look like?!

Justin has told me several times lately that he thinks I look great pregnant.  It’s so sweet every time.  He makes me melt <3.  He even told me once that he like me better pregnant.  Haha… I told him that was sweet but could be bad because I won’t stay this way!  Hopefully I’ll have at least a couple more pregnancies though.  :)

Our little boy is kicking more and more these days.  He can hear things from the outside now.  The other day I put music from my iphone up to my belly and he started moving around.  I’m excited that he can hear our voices and stuff now.  It makes it more fun to talk to him throughout the day.

 

On another note… I got the bedding in today and LOVE it!  Justin loves it too.  It’s definitely a keeper.  I couldn’t believe how soft and well made everything seemed to be.  Now I’m really itching to find stuff that matches it to go in Judah’s room!

the truth

I’ve always imagined myself to be one of those women who has super easy pregnancies and loves being pregnant more than life itself.  Needless to say, I was a little shocked at how hard this process can really be.  I don’t hear too many people talk about the details of what it’s like to share your body with another person. 

I know it’s different for everyone.  But for me, the first trimester was pretty intense.  I spent weeks and weeks on end so sick to my stomach that I could sometimes not get off of the couch.  I never had full control of myself.. and would be so upset when once again I had the uncontrollable urge to throw up my food.  The precious food that was so hard to get down in the first place.  Every single day my body wanted something different.  I would crave pot roast one day and gag at the sight of it the next.   Same thing with many different foods.  Not to mention smells.  I just about couldn’t walk through the kitchen without gagging.  Besides the sickness, there was the constant state of zombie-ness.  No amount of sleep was ever enough.  I had no energy to even do a load of laundry or put my dirty dishes into the dishwasher.  It was hard.  I had to rely almost completely on Justin to make it through each day.  And I thought to myself… I really don’t like pregnancy.  But, I always loved being pregnant.

After about week 13, I started having more and more days where I wasn’t completely nauseated and sick.  Every day that I went without that uneasy feeling in my belly felt like a victory.  However, just when I would think the sickness and vomiting were gone for good, I’d have another episode.  At least they were fewer, though.  I could deal with that.  And then… the headaches.  Oh my goodness.  The headaches.  They put me out of commission.  I couldn’t read, look at the computer screen, have lights on in the house, listen to music or just about anything else.  I don’t know how many evenings I spent on the couch in silence in a dimly lit room.  Medicine was prescribed, but didn’t help one bit.  I seriously thought I would have to stop working or else my head would split in two.  With every headache, though, I still thought to myself that this is what I have been praying for.  I would still thank God for blessing us with this little gift inside of me.

Here I sit, at 22 weeks pregnant.  I’m a little over halfway to meeting my precious bundle.  Although the nausea is gone almost completely, and headaches are rare these days… there are new symptoms that have come along.  Heartburn is one. Swollen fingers and feet another.  Backache is even bigger than those two combined.  Even while I type this I feel like my spine is trying to splinter and pull in opposite directions.  It is a pain that never really leaves.  It only intensifies as the day goes on and turns into night.  I know that carrying around the 11 month old baby at work isn’t helping.  Only a few more weeks of that.  I’m really hoping that the back pain will be gone with the job.  Fingers crossed.  Despite these symptoms and the other minor ones that plague me, I am happy and in love.

I can honestly say that I really do like pregnancy now.  Knowing that I am carrying my son around inside me and feeling his little movements every day make it all more than worth it.  I remember telling Justin the other day that I would go through this all again and many times over just to have the chance to meet my sweet Judah.  No amount of pain or sickness can take away the love I already have for him.  I’m so thankful for this pregnancy.  Every single minute of it.  I realize that this is a special time that I’m sharing with my boy that I’ll never get back.  And nobody else gets this time with him.. not even his daddy.  It’s so special being a mother.  I never really understood that before.  Judah is teaching me all kinds of things.  He is my gift from God and answer to my prayers.

I have a feeling that the next 18 weeks of pregnancy aren’t going to be all peaches and cream.  I’m sure that new symptoms will come and others will intensify.  My body is in a constant state of change that I cannot keep up with.  I’m literally being stretched in all directions.  But one thing will remain-- he is worth it all.