34 weeks
and feeling sappy.
32 weeks: 34 weeks:
Is it just me, or has the belly gone through a major growth spurt in the past two weeks?! It’s also taking on the torpedo shape that I had predicted.
I’m kinda goofy with the belly sometimes –I’ll rub it, make silly faces and dance around Tom- and I know I’m going to miss it so much. A body part that I used to be so tough on myself about has quickly become my favorite. I’ll never look at my abs with judgment again… instead, it will be with gratitude that they supported and held my little lady in place while she grew. It’s been fascinating to watch my body and belly grow and change as the little lady has grown, too- she’s over 4 lbs now. What the human body is capable of never ceases to amaze me.
In 3 weeks, I’ll be full-term…. CRAZY. We’re more excited to meet her every day that we get closer, and it makes me really emotional. I start to think about how happy and excited I am, and before I know it, giant tears are streaming down my face. It’s something that we’ve wanted for quite a while –and Tom was ready a couple of years before I was- and it’s so exciting to think that the best gift ever, the person we’ve been thinking about, singing and reading to, holding and rubbing from the outside, and preparing for this entire time, we’ll finally have the chance to meet her.
Notes from this week:
-The crazy dreams are back with a vengeance! I’ve actually been sleeping really well this week *knock on wood* and credit that to my Snoogle, fantastic bed (Tempurpedic is life-changing), and Tom. He takes Bell out every night while I get ready for bed- my nighttime routine is slightly longer than his, and I like to read for at least a couple of minutes to unwind- and has been going to bed earlier with me, instead of staying up.
My most recent crazy dream:
We were in the hospital about to have the baby, and I had a surprisingly easy delivery. The little girl was born.. and then two more babies! Triplets. And in the dream, I kept thinking “no wonder people kept asking me if there was more than one baby in there!”
-Total weight gained: 24 lbs. Between 25-35 lbs is recommended if you were at a healthy weight before your pregnancy, so the midwives say I’m right on track.
– I heard that during the third trimester that it’s common for food to become pretty blah again, similar to the first trimester. While my appetite hasn’t been a problem, nothing sounds good to me. Ok, well a handful of things sound appetizing. The first two are cookies/sweets/vegan cookie dough and pizza, and as much as I’d like to eat them for all 3 meals, I need a lot more nutrients than that, especially while the baby’s brain is going through it’s most important growth spurt. I’m thankful that a couple of healthy things also always sound good: beastly salads and breakfast foods.
During the first trimester, smoothies were a lifesaver since my appetite was all over the place. It was a quick, easy way to get a lot of vitamins and protein, but since it’s too cold, salads do the trick.
This is my favorite salad beast bowl:
On the left is a regular-sized salad bowl
I always forget to post something else in the pic for size comparison, which makes it hard to tell how hefty the salad bowl is- it’s actually a serving bowl.
I’ll load it up with my favorite veggies, greens, some protein (usually beans, anchovies, heated up organic chicken or tempeh), healthy fats (nuts, avocado) or some type of goat cheese, and a vinaigrette and chow down. Baby LOVES it 🙂
I’m also two whole eggs each day
[with veggies, sea salt and nutritional yeast]
and drinking Greta’s pregnancy tea.
Lots of fresh, healthy foods to balance out the extra sugar I’ve been eating… yesterday I dominated a dark chocolate bar with sea salt and almonds. And it was amazing.
-Onto the sappiness…
Just when I thought I couldn’t be more of a crybaby, it happened. It’s hard for me to talk about with baby without crying right now, just because I’m so happy and excited about everything. It’s all good crying 😉
A blog friend sent me this song a couple of weeks ago, and I can’t make it through without sobstravaganza. Today, I almost made it, and then she got to the part where she says “there is an angel growing peacefully” and I lost it.
Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
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You look wonderful! I can’t believe you’re going to be full term soon.
You are such a cute pregnant woman! I am majorly sappy too so I can only imagine how I’ll be when I am pregnant!
You look amazing! You’re definitely a role model for a healthy pregnancy. When the time comes for my husband and I, I don’t want to lose track of my fitness level and maintain a healthy weight, even with adding the pounds.
I remember when I was preggers all I wanted to eat was fruit. Of course, I was having twins and didn’t have room for much in there besides them. I only gained 35 pounds but I was overweight to begin with.
By the way you should know that you are one of the healthiest looking pregnant women I have seen 🙂
congratulations! i am so happy for you & tom 🙂 you have a beautiful little family!
I hope I look as half as good as you do when I have a baby one day. Thank you so much for showing this video. I have a friend who just recently announced she’s pregnant. She is only 21 and having a hard time dealing with it. There’s not much you can say for comfort when you haven’t experienced it before, so I am going to send her this to let her know everything will be okay.
Definitely looks like your belly had a growth spurt the past 2 weeks! You’re almost there!!
I love that song! I know someone that named her first daughter Capri just because of that song. So sweet!
You’re at the stage of pregnancy where everything can become a sobfest. Ok, some weeks are like that for me and I’m not pregnant 🙂 but yeah, I remember those days. And yes, you are SO CLOSE!
I’ve mentioned before that no one ever thinks that first babies come early (They tend to be late rather than early from what Ive been told) but Skylar was 2 weeks early…no complaints on my part…but I barely had things ready! I wish you an awesome last 6 weeks or so. You look beautiful!
I just love reading about your journey! For some reason what you said about missing your belly really resonates with me even though I’ve never been pregnant – I can just imagine how easy it would be to become so attached. You’re SO close and I’m so excited for you, that little baby is so lucky to have you as her momma Gina. 🙂
huge growth spurt!! And its all belly. Too cute.
You look awesome! I told my mom that we’re having salad beasts tomorrow for dinner and she’s like, “What’s that?!” haha! Question for you? Does some small part of you ever worry that you could actually be having a boy and the 2nd ultrasound was wrong? I don’t mean this in a bad way or snotty way at all. I’m just curious because a few co-workers/friends are pregnant and we talk about whether or not we’d want to know the sex of the baby and why or why not? Just curious if you ever think about it.
I was wondering that too! 🙂 Especially since you’re obviously proving the stereotype wrong that “pointy belly equals boy”! 😀
Soo funny that this was mentioned. The first 20 weeks of my pregnancy I kept thinking I was having a boy and I was shocked to find out that she was in fact a girl! The whole time I was pregnant after that everyone kept telling me they still thought it was a boy! I was little worried in the back of my mind and kept picturing my little boy wearing pink for a few days till I got back on my feet but, then the day she was due the doctor ordered another u.s.(because I was measuring small) Sure enough she was “still” a girl who we finally got to meet two days late and she was not small at all she was 8 lbs and 2 ounces! I don’t believe any of the gender myths and I guess my mothers intuition was wrong in this case!
we’ve talked about it, but if it happens, it’s nbd. we thought about getting another ultrasound, but since i’ve had 4 already, i don’t want to go too crazy with them. if it’s a boy, things can be exchanged and changed around in the nursery. all that matters is that the baby (she, or he) is healthy
You look fabulous!!!! So exciting 🙂 Hope the rest of your pregnancy is picture perfect! xoxo
Why does pregnancy bring crazy dreams? I dreamed I went into labor while the hubs was at work and all of a sudden there was a package in the kitchen. It was our baby in doll form. As I put him together, he came to life! Then my hubby came home from work and there was our baby boy. Weird
P.S. You look fantastic! I hope I look as good as you in the weeks to come (I’m 25 weeks)
Haha I used to cry over that same song when I was pregnant with my daughter! 🙂 Also, it’s kind of fun for me to watch your blog, because our pregnancies seem a little similar: I got pregnant at a healthy weight and continued to exersize and eat right during my pregnancy and I gained weight at pretty much your exact rate–faster in the start and leveling off in the 3rd tri. I ended up gaining about 26 lbs total. And it came off immediately with bfing, so no worries for you there! You are doing awesome Mama! Keep up the good work. 🙂
that’s great to hear! thank you friend 🙂
You look fantastic!!!!
okay – you warned, but wow. Sobfest over here, and I don’t even know if its a girl! Haha. You look amazing – I hope I look that good in a few months!!!
You are gorgeous!! I can’t believe you’re already 34 weeks! Thanks so much for sharing this journey with us, its been flying by!
And if you’re looking for more healthy breakfast recipes that use eggs and are super filling, I actually just made a post today about my daily breakfast burrito. I love it, and it gives me energy for hours! Here’s the link if you’re interested: http://girlgoneveggie.com/?p=896
I always eat 30 g (one ounce) of dark chocolate each night…I always hope(d) that is okay …I’m not pregnant or a “real” exerciser (unless walking counts), so I guess I really can’t justify except that I’m addicted and I’ve no willpower to fight it….I’m kind of the same way when it comes to cereal, nut butter, muffins, and….(this could go on a while).
Re your protein pancakes: is that 30 g of protein powder (about 4-5 tablespoons i assume)??
a little dark chocolate is good for you, my friend!
yeah about 5 T i’d say
Thanks. It’s very thoughtful for you to reply! 🙂
Oh my gosh, I can’t believe you’re so close to the end! It seems like you JUST announced your pregnancy… crazy how fast time flies!
It definitely looks like your belly had a growth spurt over these last 2 weeks! And you look absolutely beautiful. 🙂
Is it just me or has your pregnancy flown by? Geesh. Looking great! Almost there!
it’s going by so quickly!
You also did not wear the shorts in this pic!
no, my legs are pasty white right now. haha
You are glowing! Enjoy these last few weeks … they fly by and you never get them back. However, the end result is absolutely worth it 🙂
Awe – when I had my little boy, Colbie Caillat’s album had just come out. I was in love with it and found it very soothing. I had it playing while I was in the hospital. When the doctor came in tell me that I needed to have a c-section, “realize” was playing, and I always tear up when I hear that song. When I came home with my baby, I played the CD constantly. I would dim the lights and play the CD while I nursed him. I remember “Capri” so clearly, as it always touched me. So I completely understand your emotions when hearing that song 🙂
WoW! That is some growth spurt of the little lady bump for sure! Amazing! It is also strange how torpedo shaped it is… I am glad that you are finding nourishing foods that sound good to you, there is nothing worse than knowing you have to eat when eating is the last thing in the world you feel like doing. Much love to you!
You just….look….magnificent!
And you will definitely miss the belly and the miracle of pregnancy. That is until you are reminded by the sweet little angel in your arms!
I am not even going to attempt to listen to that song. I am so emotional today already!!
thank you, friend <3
oh it will definitely make you cry!
Gina! OH MY GOD! I am so exited for you right now! For sure all you thousands of readrs are dying to meet your little -))) good luck with last three weeks! You are so close :-)))
thank you- i’m so excited 🙂
You look amazing!!! I think it looks like she has dropped quite a bit in the last couple of weeks. Not too much longer, Momma 🙂
really?! that’s awesome. i’m ready whenever she is 🙂
Gina – I’ve been such a fan for probably 9 months now – I started reading your blog *just* before you publicly announced your pregnancy. I just have to tell you that your baby-related posts have become some of my favs, and I’m so excited for you and Tom to become parents. Your experience makes me hope I will have such a special experience someday! Congrats to you guys for already being such great parents, can’t wait to watch your stories unfold <3
thank you so much, britta <3
I was driving in my car with my sister when she was just a week from giving birth. We had just been at the hairdresser and he had remarked to her that she was still quite tiny and ‘didn’t look like she was big enough to be so far along’. He was trying to pay her a compliment, but in the car she had a complete meltdown, bawling and saying ‘do you think people think I’m not eating enough?, do people think I’m not growing my baby properly?’. It was so random and it was lucky that I’d taken to the habit of carrying chocolate croissants for just such a low blood sugar moment. I’m pretty sure that late stage pregnancy could be considered a mental disorder (kidding… please don’t take it personally…)….
Wow! Your belly is incredible right now, what an interesting shape. Mine is really round at 30 weeks, like your 32 week pic. I wonder what contortions she’s doing in there to make her that shape?! Gosh pregnancy is so fascinating.
Loved this update, so much information on what’s to come! I am just starting to feel the same way about food and at the moment the best thing for me is nutella, so I’m also trying to supplement nutella addiction with very healthy food the rest of the time. Thanks for your healthy ideas, hope the 35th week is a fabulous one.
Gina, you look amazing! Can’t wait to meet the little lady! Do you think after she’s born you will continue with the family page, and blog about things that come up after she’s born? Or will you just incorporate everything back into the main blog?
yep, family page will stay separate, and everything else on the main page
You look incredible and I just know how the excitement is starting to build for you now. My eyes tear up reading this, but only because I’m a sap this morning, too. I keep staring at Hailey wondering how she has grown so much into a 2 month old. I’m looking at videos of her when she was first born and I just feel like she’s getting so big. The smiles and babbles make everyday so rewarding! I can’t wait for you to experience them 🙂
While I am not pregnant yet, I feel very blessed to also have a partner who was ready years before I was. I’m also lucky he is a very patient man!
You look gorgeous as always and I am so looking forward hearing about your last few weeks of pregnancy!
Wow- you ARE the Fitnessista! Your buns have not sagged an inch in this pregnancy! Rock it, girl!
You just are glowing as always! That baby bump is certainly changing as she gets closer to her B-day!
You seem to be in SUCH a good place re: happiness with your body and excitement for this new little one! Children and pregnancy really are great blessings that deserve to be rejoiced over!
You are so adorable!!! A friend of mine made a comment that all non-pregnant people can be very jealous of her expandable waist pants on Turkey day, haha!! 😉
haha i’m going to be very grateful for those maternity jeans
I am so excited for you! I had a little girl and towards the last few weeks she dropped and I felt like I was growing by the day-I’d say my most growth happened in the last few weeks. I love that song, so sweet! You just look amazing and I am so happy for both of you. I always heard people say how you cannot even imagine how you could love something as much as you love your child and I always thought it was such a cliche (of course everyone loves their child :)–but now that I have my own it couldn’t be more true. There are NO words to describe the love for a child-she is almost two and I didn’t think I could love her anymore from the time I was pregnant until I held her in my arms for the very first time…but with each passing day I continue to look at her in utter amazement at what a little miraculous blessing she is and how much joy she brings to our life. I am so incredibly excited for the fun times you have ahead for you guys!!! It just gets better and better with each passing stage/age.
Looks like you have dropped. Shouldn’t be long now!
really?! i still have a feeling she’ll be early
I just started my second trimester and finally came out on my blog with the news but have been following along with your pregnancy the whole time. You look great!
I couldn’t even get through half of the song and had to turn it off. Oh hormones!
happy second trimester! get ready to feel amazing 🙂
and yes, it’s a crier.
I have loved reading your family posts. To be honest with you, I’ve gone back and forth on the baby thing and when the right time would be. Reading your posts have really helped me see how positive pregnancy can be. Before I always thought that I’d be miserable and fat… but now I see that It can be a great experience if I choose to make it one. Thank you so much for helping me to see the light 🙂