15 weeks.

This is a week late, and I've yet to take pictures for my current 16 week bump, but whatever. These pictures were taken last week on the 3rd.

How far along: 15 weeks.

Weight gain: 2 pounds below my pre-pregnancy weight.

Maternity clothes: Not much. Just the occasional maternity leggings and t-shirts. I'll have to do the ol' hair elastic trick every now and then, too.

Stretch marks: None.

Sleep: Horrible! I'm not in the habit of going to the bathroom before falling asleep, and so I'll wake up to pee, and then stay up for hours at a time. It's the worst thing so far this trimester.

Best moment this week: Feeling little baby kicks! I started feeling them at around 14 weeks, and it's one of the best feelings in the world!

Miss anything: Good sleep. And not being winded after walking up the stairs.

Movement: Yep! The softest and tiniest little kicks, but they're there!

Cravings: Restaurant food and cold, fruity drinks.

Queasy or sick: Nope. I think I'm completely passed the first-trimester nasties!

Looking forward to: Starting the nursery. I've been in full-on nesting mode lately, and I should really probably do something about it before it goes away!

13 weeks.

How far along: 13 weeks. Finally in the 2nd trimester and feeling waaaaay better than a couple of weeks ago.

Gender: Don't know yet. I'm not sure if we're going to find out.

Weight gain: I lost 6 pounds since getting pregnant, which was weird, because I gained and gained with Franz. 

Maternity clothes: Only wearing maternity shirts because they're fun and new. Most of them are way too big right now though.

Stretch marks: None.

Sleep: Sleep is pretty good. I used to have to wake up more often than I do now to go to the bathroom, but I'm able to sleep through the night pretty well now. I just have to pee the first thing in the morning.

Best moment this week: Celebrating Franz's 2nd birthday with a train ride downtown! It was the most perfect day.

Miss anything: Being able to eat lots and lots (ha!). I can only eat regular portion sizes now because my stomach is so crowded. I guess that's a good thing.

Movement: Sometimes I'll think I feel a little flutter or push, but at this point I'm not sure if it's the baby or not.

Cravings: Cold fruity drinks, cold water, and mashed potatoes mostly. A few weeks ago I only craved meat. That's done now though.

Queasy or sick: A little queasy every now and then, but feeling much better now.

Looking forward to: Feeling kicks, seeing baby on the ultrasound screen, and getting a big belly! Oh, and Thanksgiving next week!

40 weeks.

We made it! 40 weeks today, and I'm feeling pretty good. I know a lot of women don't make it this far, and today I'm feeling grateful that I did, and that I've got a healthy babe inside getting stronger and stronger! But with that being said, any day now, baby Swenson. Really, any day.

Last night I was talking to Zac, and telling him how hungry I was after just having eaten a meal at Chick-Fil-A an hour earlier. I told him that I've been starving more frequently lately (if that were possible), and he said, "Maybe you dropped and there's more room in your stomach now." Then I realized that I haven't had acid reflux as bad as before lately, and I felt like an idiot because my husband was more in tune with my pregnancy than I was. So I dropped sometime in the last week or so. I definitely couldn't tell you when it was, only that it's happened. :)

I've taken to walking the mall these last few days I've been off work, trying to get things moving. No signs yet, but I did notice that there are a few elderly couples who also walk the mall the same time I do. My people! I've also been keeping busy cleaning our apartment, because so help me if we come home from the hospital to a messy house.

I've noticed that I've been drooling a lot the past couple of weeks while sleeping. I'm usually a drooler, so it's nothing new, but the amount of drool on my pillow when I wake up is shocking. We're talking a whole puddle. So there's that. That's definitely the weirdest late-pregnancy symptom I've had. I've also had a runny nose for a few weeks, too. 

I feel ready. I'm ready to meet my little babe and hold it and snuggle it. Ready to wear my old clothes again (I know, I still have a few weeks/months until I can. Don't remind me), and to sleep on my stomach, but especially ready to be a mama. :)

...

39 weeks.

I think it's finally hit me. I want to be done. I want this baby out! I'm so ready to meet him or her, and my body is exhausted and so ready. I'm quite proud for making it to 39 weeks without feeling this way, though, so go me! I can definitely see why women would want to be induced, but I'm still so against it. Unless it's medically necessary, inducing is not an option for me.

A couple of people have asked me when the baby is coming, and I've answered, "Could be tomorrow, could be in two weeks." Then I realize that I could have a baby tomorrow, and if that isn't a trip, I don't know what is (besides actually giving birth... I'm sure that's pretty trippy). With every little cramp and tightness in my belly, I get all worked up. "This could be it!" It hasn't been so far, obviously, but the fact that any little thing could be the start to my labor makes my head spin. 

I'm starting to feel fat now (once again, I'm glad I've made it 39 weeks without feeling like this), but I've noticed that if I get dressed and ready for the day, it makes me feel so much better. I've heard that that's one of the most important things for after having the baby, and I plan on getting ready for the day each day after having this babe. Plus, I'm not much of a sweat pants kind of girl. I'd almost always rather be wearing jeans with my hair and make up done, so I've got that much going for me.

I'm still sleeping through the night about half the time (the other half will be the death of me), and get this: still no stretch marks, and still no peeing my pants. It's a dang miracle, I tell you! I'm hoping to make it all the way to the end. I've started walking around the block every day to see if I can get things moving, but nothing yet. And today, out of pure excitement, I made a list of everything I want on my Subway sandwich that Zac will go get me after the baby's here, because I have been craving one of those this whole pregnancy, and I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel! Footlong ham sandwich, here I come!

...

38 weeks.

Just two more weeks left?! This whole pregnancy things has flown by, and I'm not sure I like it very much, because I know that when this babe comes, time will go by even faster, and that makes me feel like this babe is already growing up too fast, even though it's not even here yet! Slow. the. crap. down. Cripes.

My midwife estimated that my baby is about 6 1/2 pounds now (that's a really rough estimate though). My belly definitely feels crowded, and I'm sure my baby is almost ready to come out. It stretches all the time, like it's trying to bust outta there! And what do you know, it's as big as a pumpkin, right in time for Halloween! I thought that was pretty awesome.

This week, the sudden wave of uncomfortableness finally hit me. Now I wake up in the middle of the night about half the time, and can't get back to sleep for hours, if at all. I've got lightning crotch, but only in my thighs (lighting thighs...?), and my feet and hands get swollen every so often. It's funny at night when I try to take my wedding ring off. I have a tiny cut on my left ring finger from trying to pull that thing off so many times. I breathe like an obese lady who just ran a marathon every time I move, and bending over is almost impossible (and when it is possible, I feel like dying). I think the worst of it, though, is this acid reflux I get, ya know, about fourteen times a day. Yucky.

But with all the bad stuff, there's twice as much good stuff. For example, reading our new books to this little babe (it loves it, and moves around so much to the sound of our voices), and getting the last pieces of the nursery put together, and looking back in the car to see a little car seat (we finally installed it!) and thinking that there will be a brand new baby in there soon! Not to mention looking at all the tiny clothes in the closet, and making a list of what to pack in the diaper bag (I've looked forward to that for so long... don't think I'm weird. I'm a list maker, and a list involving my baby?! Hot dang!), and feeling the babe's little back and bum push out from my belly, and rubbing them (it loves that, too). My life is about to drastically change, and I really couldn't be more excited!

I'm wrapping up my time at work now, too. Today is my very last Monday, and Friday will be my last day ever. I didn't think I would be sad about it, but now that it's actually here, I am feeling quite down. I'll miss the people here. My boss, who shares his dinner recipes with me, is holding a few of them hostage to make sure I keep in touch. I told him that I'd show up unannounced every now and then with my ornery baby and tell him to entertain me while I sit in his office. I think it'll be a good trade.

I can't believe that I'm this close to being done. It doesn't seem real! Soon we'll have a little baby to take care of and snuggle. Zac told me the other night, "In a few weeks, we'll be parents for the rest of our lives." Here we go!

...

maternity pictures.

Remember when I mentioned that we got our pictures taken a couple of weeks ago? We got them back tonight, and while we were looking through them over cookies and a Reese's blizzard from Dairy Queen, Zac and I were really digging them! I kept turning to Zac and saying, "Oh my gosh, I love these!" I've made Heather my go-to photographer (she'll be there snapping away when I give birth!), and I'd highly recommend her! She's so much fun, and makes you feel at ease, and makes sure you look good in your pictures. You can visit her website here for more information.

Here are a few of my favorites!

37 weeks.

I had my last baby shower yesterday; a children's book themed shower! It was so much fun, and I got so many good books that I cannot wait to read to this little babe. I am obsessed with children's books, so I was in heaven. It was so good to see everyone on Zac's side of the family, and eat quiches and cheesecake and chocolate-covered coconut almonds.

This week, although I'm not quite at the point where I just want this baby out, I've been getting acid reflux quite a bit. I woke up with it in the middle of the night last night, and every time I bend over, I feel like throwing up, so that's fun. I can definitely tell that my thighs and hips are getting bigger (boo), but I keep telling myself that it will go back to normal after I have the baby (thanks to this little contraption I bought a couple of weeks ago--I've only heard good things about it), so I'm doing pretty good at keeping my chin up about my appearance. 

The popcorn and orange juice cravings are coming back for one last hurrah, I think, because I can't stop obsessing over them! Just trying to get my fill in before the baby comes (we bought 2 jugs of orange juice). Zac and I have also decided to take advantage of Friday and Saturday nights while it's just the two of us, and have been going on lots of dates lately. I'm certainly not complaining. Spending time with that man is heaven on earth.

This baby is somewhere around 6 pounds now. That's how big I was when I was born, so it's hard to believe that I'm so close! Just 3 more weeks! Not to mention I'm considered "full term" now, but I'm still hoping for a November baby. And the full moon last night didn't put me into labor, so that was nice. This little guy or girl is still head down, and sometimes I feel its feet all the way on the side of my stomach. It loves to stretch out as far as it can, and it gets the hiccups so much still. I love them.

For the most part, we've got everything ready to go. If the baby came right now, we'd be fine and have everything we need. We just need to do some finishing touches in the nursery, like hang the book shelves and make more crib sheets and changing pad covers. My hospital bag still isn't all the way packed, but it's close, and the car seat still isn't installed. I honestly wonder if we'll get around to that before I go into labor. :)

...

36 weeks.

We can mark this week as the week I suddenly became really uncomfortable and swollen. I have to waddle almost every time I walk, and I get so out of breath just walking around the store. My ankles and fingers are swollen (I was afraid my wedding ring would be stuck on my finger forever tonight), and bending over is a huge chore. But really, what can you expect this far along? I'm so glad I made it this far without too much distress!

Everything feels like it's finally coming together. The nursery is this close to being finished, we've got the pack 'n' play set up (although we don't have the car seat installed yet... that's on tomorrow's to do list), and my mom and I spent the good part of the day today sewing things for the nursery (I decided to make my own crib sheets and changing pad covers, because $55 for one crib sheet?!). Not to mention that my hospital bag is almost completely packed. We're just waiting for a few things to come in the mail. We're getting stuff done, and it makes this whole "We're going to have a baby in 4 weeks" thing seem more real.

As for the baby, I think it's ready to come out. Lately it loves to stretch its arms and legs, as I get little pokes and jabs through my belly. It's getting so big; it's somewhere around 5 1/2 pounds now, and 18 1/2 inches long. I'm getting so excited to see what it looks like, and honestly, I'm excited to stay up all night with it (I may regret saying that in a few weeks) and cuddle it.

I've made a mental list of things I'm excited for after the baby is born, and it includes: exercising, using my stomach muscles, sucking in (ha!), sleeping on my stomach, doing belly flops onto the bed, popping my own back, having a flat stomach, wearing my old clothes, and having normal posture again (I found out last week while getting maternity pictures taken that I stick my pelvis out).

I have a guess at what sex Baby Swenson is, but I'd love to know what you guys think! Over on my side bar, go vote and tell me what sex you think Baby Swenson is. I'm curious to see what you think. :)

>>>>>>

...

35 weeks.

I don't think it's occurred to me that there will be a brand new baby in my house in about 5 weeks from now. And to be honest, I don't think it will set in even when it is here. I think it'll be like when Zac and I got married, where it never really set in, we just got used to living with each other. But nonetheless, I cannot believe that there are only 5 weeks left!

I'm getting a little more stressed as time passes on and I look at the list of things to do and things to buy. "I need to do all of this in a month?!" I'm trying to get it all done as soon as I can, and have the last week or two to just sleep (because, believe it or not, I'm still sleeping through the night... praise the Lord!) and bum around. That sounds like heaven to me right now. Zac and I spent 7 or 8 hours yesterday during General Conference making 3 weeks worth of freezer meals. Seriously. I am set. Remind me to never do that again, because that was the worst day of my life. I was cursing by the end of it, and had Zac massage my feet in bed. But it'll be nice to not have to cook for nearly a month.

We got our maternity pictures taken on Saturday! I haven't seen them yet, but I can already tell that they are awesome. We waited longer than the average time you'd do maternity pictures so we could have the pretty fall colors in the background (because we're having a fall baby!), and did quite a lot (for me, anyway) of hiking and walking. But I think they're gonna be good, so stay tuned!

My baby is around 5 pounds now, and probably about 18 inches long! How it got so big so fast, I have no idea. It's still moving and wiggling and kicking so much, and loves to kick Zac when we hug or cuddle on the couch. I've been having some awesome (read: painful) braxton hicks contractions lately, and every time I get them, my normal walk turns into a waddle. There is no stopping it. When they come, I get just a little nervous, and think, Baby Swenson, please don't come early! Anytime between 39 and 41 weeks would be ideal. I really don't want it to be sooner.

I feel so good this week. I keep waiting for that very-much-talked-about third trimester uncomfortableness/exhaustion/just-get-this-baby-out-of-me symptom, and I'm just not there yet, I guess. I'm still trying to soak all this up, how I can feel the baby's kicks and hiccups and how I still have this cute bump. I think I'm going to miss it, but I'm so excited for this baby to come!

...

34 weeks.

I'm a little late with this post because I had my first baby shower on Saturday, and yesterday was spent in pajamas with a pajama fall drive to look at colorful leaves up the canyon. 

This last week, I've been sooo thirsty. Last Monday, I drank almost 4 liters of water. I just can't seem tog get enough! Sleeping is getting a little more uncomfortable, and using my stomach muscles officially hurts. I'm starting to wake up a little bit in the middle of the night, but it's not too bad yet. I'm mostly surprised that I can still sleep comfortably with only one pillow. Also, I think I'll be one of those girls who first pees her pants after she's had the baby, because it still hasn't happened yet. 

Things are getting real now. We ordered all of our big ticket items the other day, like the car seat, pack 'n' play, and bouncer. I'm going to start packing my hospital bag tonight. What?! And soon, there will be a baby in my arms instead of in my belly. That blows my mind, and I still don't think I realize what I've got myself into, but gosh, I'm so excited. All my questions of what it'll look like, be like, and feel like are going to be answered in a few short weeks!

I'm still craving sweets of all kinds. I'm scared to step on the scale, and haven't for a few weeks--mostly because we need to replace the batteries, but, ya know. I still can't believe how much this baby wiggles inside me. It loves the sound of Zac's voice when he gets really close and talks to it. It's the cutest. I'm so excited to see that relationship after the baby's born, when Zac turns into a papa.

My shower was such a good one. My mom and sister-in-law, Stephanie, put so much work into it, and it was lovely! I got so much good stuff that I can't wait to use! It made me so grateful for the good people in my life. There are a lot of them, and I love them so much!

...

33 weeks.

My baby has the hiccups all the time. It's the cutest thing ever. I can't wait to hear them on the outside. We've also got a leg stretcher over here. All day long those little feet slide up and down the right side of my belly. Sometimes you can even feel them through my skin. It's so creepy, but so adorable. Lately this babe has been hanging out on my right side, so I've had quite the lopsided belly.

This week at my midwife appointment, we were trying to find the heartbeat. My midwife felt around to see how the baby was positioned, and put the doppler where she thought the body was. No heartbeat. After feeling around for a while, she decided to try the other side, and sure enough, that little heartbeat rang through. This baby's got tricks. We also found out that the baby is roughly 4 pounds!

I've been so anxious to know who the baby will look like more: me, Zac, or a mix of both of us. Will it have hair? How big will it be? And, oh my gosh, is it a boy or a girl?! I keep going back and forth with that one, and now I think it's a boy, which kind of excites me, because I really like our boy name (I also really like our girl name, too, for the record).

I got my TDaP vaccine this week, and Zac will get his today. I also found out a few weeks ago that I passed my glucose test with "a perfect score," says my midwife. Yay! I'm now into my 2-week appointments, and soon I'll be having them once a week! 

Zac asked me if I was nervous to have the baby last night. I said no, which surprised even me. I thought by now I would be freaking out at least a little bit. I'm too excited to meet this little person, I guess. I'm excited for the whole experience: arriving at the hospital, watching movies and playing card games with my lover in the hospital room, and especially that one second that will turn me into a mother, seeing what it really feels like, and knowing that my baby is finally here. That's the one moment I'm looking forward to the most.

...

32 weeks.

The highlight of this week for me was when Zac asked the baby to give him some "sliders," because this little baby of ours slides across my belly more than it kicks now. And those pants? The last time I wore than was when I was 19 weeks along (look how tiny my bump was back then!). I practically had to squeeze myself into them. Laundry day...

Today I've had the hardest time catching my breath. I'm losing it a lot these days. I think I'm almost in the habit of eating tiny portions of food, and more often, like I did before I was pregnant. I think pregnancy has messed up all my good eating habits. In the first and second trimesters, I didn't care about eating real portion sizes, or what I actually ate. I was just hungry all the time, and liked feeling full. Now I'm trying to train myself to get back into those good habits, and eat less, but more often. And I think my sugar cravings are toning it down a bit, so that's nice.

So far I've gained about 26 pounds, and I've stayed at that weight for a few weeks now. I'm hoping to gain no more than 35 pounds by the time I'm 40 weeks along. So far, I'm looking good. And can you believe that this babe is about 3 1/2 pounds, and maybe even slightly more? It just needs to double its weight, grow just a few more inches, and then it'll be here! 

It's starting the sink in now, the fact that I'll be a mama soon. I've been having so many dreams about this little baby, and they seem so real to me. The other night, I had a dream that the baby was born on November 11th in the 9:00 pm hour. And now I'm curious to see if that's when it happens, because, hello! No dream is that specific! We'll see... :)

...

31 weeks.

Only 9 more weeks to go! We're in single digits now, and the countdown has begun!

This whole week, up until this morning, I felt pretty small, and like I could maneuver around really well, but this morning, I think the baby changed positions because now my belly feels like it sticks out more, and it's harder, too. And I've been semi-waddling around the apartment all day. This baby is squished in there!

Not to mention, the babe is about 3 1/2 pounds, and almost 17 inches long, and its eyes can now react to light. It pushes up against my belly all the time now, in place of its kicks (but I still get little kicks here and there). And when I go on walks, I get winded and my belly starts cramping up. Welcome to my life, Braxton Hicks.

I've had a little more desire to eat healthier this week, as in I eat more produce than I did before, but this baby still loves sweets! It'll be weird to see if that goes away after I have the baby. I used to be a health freak, guys, but now all I eat is junk food. That's been weird to go through.

The next few weeks are going to be crazy as I get ready for this baby to come home with us. All that's on my mind lately is, "We've gotta put all the freezer meals together" and "When should I pack my hospital bag and wash all these cute little baby clothes?!" and "I need to get a stock pile of pads, man!" Time to prepare.

I was talking to Zac the other night about how crazy it is that I haven't experienced that many pregnancy discomforts yet. The last time I woke up to pee in the middle of the night was in my first trimester, and as of right now, I'm still sleeping through the night. My muscles and joints don't get achy very often, and my hormones are just like, "meh." This pregnancy has been so nice (knock on wood); I'm just hoping the birth won't be a disaster.

...

30 weeks.

Happy 30 weeks to me and baby Swenson! We're 75% done, with only 10 more weeks to go. I feel like I've reached a pregnancy milestone. We're in the 30's now!

This week I've had no desire to nest. Not because I'm tired or uncomfortable, but because cleaning and organizing doesn't sound fun to me at all. I'm waiting to wash baby clothes and put the nursery together when I'm about 35 or 36 weeks along, so we'll have everything by then. That's what I'm excited for. :)

I. cannot. stop. eating. sugar. It's insane. That whole no-sugar-until-Fall thing flew out the window that night. This baby cannot get enough. Cookies, cake, brownies, candy, and root beer! My parents took us out to Brick Oven the other night, and I probably drank about 3 tall glasses of root beer (again).

I don't feel very big for being 30 weeks, but I am definitely still getting bigger by the day. And this baby loves to kick and squirm and roll over all the time. I think it knows mine and Zac's voices, because whenever either of us talk, it kicks. And when we push on my belly, it kicks us back. We like that game. :) 

I'm trying to not buy any baby things now until after my baby showers. I'm focusing more on what I need want, like maternity leggings that I can wear after I have the baby, and bras (I haven't had to buy one yet... I don't know whether to be happy or sad about that... also, does anyone know how much bigger I'd want to buy?). And in the next couple of weeks, I'll start making freezer dinners, and try my hardest to fit them all in our tiny freezer.

Pregnancy so far has been awesome. I'm slowly starting to get more uncomfortable. I can barely bend over anymore, and Zac has to help me up from laying down. I haven't had acid reflux in a while (yay!), but those cramps are coming back lately. At least you don't see me waddling yet! 

...

29 weeks.

At 29 weeks, I am busting out of this chambray top, obviously. I keep telling Zac, "I don't know how my belly is going to get any bigger--it's already sooo big!" I'm going to laugh when I'm full term. I'll be huge. I can't believe there are only 11 weeks left until this little babe comes.

It seems like since I entered the third trimester, all the uncomfortable symptoms just hit me. I get acid reflux almost everyday, and I have to stop and catch my breath several times a day! And I just want to sit at home and eat cake and cookies, dang it! I'm trying to go without sweets until the first day of Fall, because I have been eating a lot of those. We'll see how it goes, because this baby is all about sweets and desserts. I'm still deciding if root beer falls into that category... This baby likes the root beer, too.

I've been starting to do prenatal yoga a few times a week (and I even lose my breath with that!), and it's wonderful. At work, I walk around the back parking lot a couple times a day. That's the only exercising I do. I know. Don't worry about it.

This baby has the strongest kicks, and loves to slide its arms and legs across my belly. It's starting to feel weird, but I still love it! The baby loves to kick things I set on my belly, like books and my water bottle, and I'm starting to have to sit further and further away from my desk at work. I feel like with how small I felt in the beginning, this bump is making up for it now.

The baby is just more than 15 inches long and somewhere in between 2 1/2 and 3 pounds. And it keeps its eyes open when it's awake! I find that adorable, little baby eyes. No stretch marks yet, no middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks, and no peeing of the pants. Let's see if I can make it the whole pregnancy without peeing my pants. That would be awesome.

...

28 weeks.

I'm officially in the third trimester! I've made it two thirds of the way, and that kind of blows my mind. This week I discovered my new favorite treat: vanilla bean ice cream topped with little sprinkles of cinnamon and nutmeg. I had told Zac that someone should make a cinnamon flavored ice cream, and then one day I decided to make my own, and it did not disappoint. And the fact that I've been craving cinnamon helped, too.

This little baby that I've fallen completely in love with has started kicking its papa when I hug him goodbye in the mornings. I think it's the highlight of Zac's day. I can't believe they're so strong that you can feel them so well from the outside--I remember when I was the only one who could feel those little kicks. The baby is just shy of 2 1/2 pounds, and almost 15 inches long! And I read that if it was born right now, it would have an 85% chance of surviving. Dear Baby Swenson, please stay inside for 12 more weeks, thanks.

So far I've gained about 23 pounds, and sometimes I feel like a busted can of biscuits, but not always, so I'm grateful. The biggest annoyance this week has been the fact that I'm out of breath about half of the time, but especially when I lie down at night. In addition to that, I've had the baby sit on a few nerves that shoots pain down my left thigh, and the bottoms of my feet will get charlie horses sometimes. I've never heard of that one. But so far, I haven't peed my pants (!!!), although I swear I was going to a few days ago when the baby was kicking my full bladder. I was talking to some friends last night, and they were shocked to know that I don't have to wake up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, nor do I go an unusual amount throughout the day. Counting my blessings, here.

So far I've had no swelling (I'm even still able to wear my wedding ring!), no heartburn, and no stretch marks, although my poor belly is being stretched more than I ever imagined it could be. It makes me laugh to think that it's going to get so much bigger. I'm still craving root beer and popcorn (I think my subconscious just wants to go see a movie...), as well as cinnamon, desserts, and carbs. I still can't get into produce, unless it's sweet, like strawberries. Raw onions and ranch still make me sick to my stomach. I can't wait until that goes away. I can handle any smell though, even cleaning products!

I'm starting to think of outfits the baby can wear on Thanksgiving and Christmas, and I'm having fun. I ordered a onesie for Thanksgiving, and I'm really tempted to buy this to go with it. I think I have to now. And I've already got some ideas up my sleeve for Christmas outfits. I'm having so much fun with this. :)

...

27 weeks.

We've got exactly one day less than 3 months to go until this baby's due date! I can't believe it's gone be so quickly, but at the same time, I want it to be here now! Zac and I have been talking about what it will be like when I actually give birth, and when the baby is finally here. He asks me if I'm nervous, and I say, "Nope! Just excited!" I have felt absolutely no nervousness about giving birth to this baby. Maybe it'll change when I'm further along, but I don't think so. I think a big part of that is because I've done my research (and a lot of it) about labor and childbirth and hospital procedures and things that could go wrong and things that happen postpartum. I feel like I've done pretty well at educating myself about everything that will and may happen (and I still have lots to read up on before the baby gets here), and I feel prepared. If you do one thing while pregnant, I highly recommend reading anything and everything you can get your hands on that has anything to do with childbirth. 

This week has been so much fun, because I have started to feel kicks and jabs in two places now: on my right side where the baby's feet are, and on my left side where its little bum is. You can feel it stretch its legs, and that will make its backside push up against the other side. And when it does this, its bum will make a big bump on my belly, and we'll poke it, and it'll poke back, and ohmygosh I'm so in love!

I am craving root beer all the time, and carbs too (surprise), and now I'm starting to really want pumpkin-flavored anything (kind of like that one time I was craving pumpkin ice cream back in May and NO ONE had it because, well, it was May). Thankfully Fall is just around the corner, and I'm so excited for it to come! As much as I'm craving root beer and pumpkin, I still have no desire to eat produce. But oddly enough, smoothies sound really good to me, so I'm going to start drinking green smoothies in the morning like I used to.

So far I'm up about 20 pounds (and I still fit in the dress I wore at our engagement pictures! ...but only because I weigh the same now that I did back then), and the baby is just over 2 pounds, and a little more than 14 inches long! How did it get so big?! Lately I've been so out of breath, even with light walking. I'm not sure if the baby is up in my lung space, or if I'm out of shape. Probably a little of both. :) Also, lately I've had a little bit of a sore throat and that stuffy nose I had in my first trimester is coming back. My back, hips, and legs get sore occasionally, and headaches! I had two bloody noses yesterday, too (the last time I got a bloody nose was at 16 weeks, and I got two then, too). But being pregnant is so awesome, and those little kicks alone make everything worth it.

...

a friday night with jason & abby.

Last Friday night, we met up with our new friends, Jason and Abby, and a few other people, for some soccer and burgers. Zac and I only watched (you better believe I would've been out there playing if I didn't have a baby bump!) and picked grass and talked while the others played, but we did our share of eating (I ate two burgers, and it was awesome!). 

Later in the evening, we went to the Rooftop Concert and got there in time to see Mindy Gledhill play her music. And ya know what? I wasn't a huge fan of hers before, but her music is actually really pretty. And she's from Provo! I swear, all the good musicians are (like RYAN INNES!!!!! who's actually playing next month's rooftop concert!). 

We had so much fun with these two, laughing all night long and talking about where to get glasses (everyone seems to love the fact that Zac and I have glasses), and what it's going to be like when we have the baby (Abby really wants a baby... I seem to do that to people), and moving three times before we found the perfect spot amidst the crowd at the show. :) We were completely exhausted by the time we got home. I live for nights like these!

...