34 Weeks

Technically this is the last week of winter, but the weather is already spring-like and it's wonderful! Having an extra hour of daylight after work is pretty great too.

At 34 weeks...

Not only has my belly done some major expanding, but my hands and feet have had a little swelling this week. My doctor warned me that this would happen after traveling. I've been drinking a lot of water to keep it in check though and I'm still able to wear my rings.

My pregnancy brain moment of the week:
On Tuesday I took Darcy to the vet for her annual check-up (she got a great report!). Darcy isn't a fan of the vet so she was more than ready to go when the time came. She practically pulled me to the car and she jumped in as soon as the door was cracked. I had my hands full and my car doors are heavy so I didn't get the door opened all the way. The door slammed behind Darcy and at the same time I dropped my keys, stepped on the remote and locked the door. I stood there for at least a full minute freaking out because Darcy was locked inside my car with my phone! I was just about to walk back into the vet when I realized that although Darcy and my phone were inside the locked car, my keys were outside the car. So glad that hit me before I said anything to the receptionist!

On the food front, I ate a peanut butter and jelly sandwich three meals in a row. I would've kept the streak going, but we ran out of jelly. I guess PB&J can officially be classified as a craving.

Highlands, NC

Keith and I had lots of discussions about a big babymoon trip, but when it came down to it we decided to keep it simple. And it was perfect. We took a long weekend trip to Highlands, NC, about a 5 hour drive from Nashville. It is a cute little town in an incredibly scenic area. During the day we had endless choices for hiking and viewing waterfalls and Keith got to go fly fishing while I checked out some shops and got a mani/pedi. We're big travelers and have stayed at some great hotels and enjoyed some really good food on previous trips, but we both agreed that Old Edwards Inn and our meal at Madison's ranked pretty high on our list of favorites. Here are some pics and commentary on our last little getaway before Parker's arrival!

Day One:

Lunch stop on our way to Highlands at No Name Deli.   

Drive to Highlands.

These views were literally from the side of the road.

Welcome to Highlands, NC!

And welcome to the Old Edwards Inn!

Our room was on on the second floor and had two of the four balconies!

Highland Hiker where Keith picked up some fly fishing supplies.

Then it was time for dinner.

Paoletti's- so yummy!

Day Two:

Hiking, fishing, shopping and relaxing.

Dinner at Madison's. Our favorite!

Day Three:
Morning hike at Whiteside Mountain before heading back to Nashville.

We fell in love with Highlands and will definitely be back!

Week 33 Pic

33 weeks, 4 days at Whitewater Falls- 

the highest waterfall in the Eastern US at 441 feet:

33 Weeks

Day 1 of  Week 33 was spent in an unsuccessful 10 hour mediation. Day 2 of Week 33 started with 6 hours of depositions (plus 2 hours of traveling) and ended with tears. I was exhausted, my back hurt from sitting in the most uncomfortable wooden chair and all I wanted to do was go home. So I did. Have I ever mentioned that I have the best boss? Because I do. I also have a pretty amazing husband. I called Keith when I was leaving my depositions (a little teary) and told him I was going straight home. He didn't even hesitate and said that he would meet me there despite my assurances that I was okay. 

Parker's faring a little better this week, I think. He's now the size of a honeydew. His bones are hardening, he's keeping his eyes open when he's awake and his brain is developing at a rapid pace. 

Keith and I are off to Highlands, North Carolina tomorrow for our last little getaway. A long weekend of relaxation could not have come at a better time! Week 33 picture to come!

32 Weeks

I'm at the end of my 32nd week.

I've started referring to Parker as my little (or big!) basketball. He is the size of a squash and weighs as much as a jicama.

This week...

I woke up about 2:45a.m. last night and was not able to go back to sleep for at least half an hour. Parker had the hiccups and that kept me up. I really wanted to wake up Keith, but luckily for him I resisted the urge.

I had a major pregnancy brain moment when I forgot my Raymond Weil watch at the security check point in the Davidson County Courthouse. Thankfully, the officer noticed it in the basket he ran through the metal detector and chased me down. I would have died!

I've also been introduced to the baby consignment sales. Last weekend I went to one at Westhaven. It was pretty small and manageable and was a good preface to the Otter Creek sale this weekend. The Otter Creek sale is massive. I met a friend there when it opened at 8am and there was already a line to get in! I did score some sweet little outfits for Parker at amazing prices at both sales. I can't wait to see him wearing them!

Non-Baby Happenings

So we do have things going on in our lives besides baby. We're really trying to take advantage of the time that's left with just the two of us (8 weeks!) so we're spending a lot of quality time together and going to a lot of dinners with friends (and even bowling one night). Last weekend we got all dressed up to attend the wedding of some college friends, Brent and Katie. It was fabulous. The ceremony was so personal, the bride was beautiful, the food was delicious (and catered by Red Pony!) and every detail was obviously well thought out. It was so good to see some old friends too and catch up on everyone's lives and plans and talk babies too! :)

31 Weeks

While Week 30 had a fantastic beginning (remember the roses, chocolate and Girl Scout cookies), there was one less than fantastic moment towards the end of the week. On Saturday morning Keith, Darcy and I set out on a walk. We hadn't gone far when all of a sudden I felt the sharpest shooting pain in the side of my low back. It was all I could do to get home. Keith brought me some water and a heating pad and I settled in on the couch with my "What to Expect" book. Apparently, while moving around, Parker hit my sciatic nerve. Ouch! Thankfully, he moved and the pain went away after about 15 minutes or so.

Here's some other random, more light-hearted pregnancy info:
* I had a true pregnant woman breakfast the other day- a bowl of Whole Foods organic "Frosted Flakes", strawberries and a snack size bag of carrots. Weird.
* Shortness of breath has officially set in and I particularly notice it when I walk Darcy or take the stairs. I don't think it helps that I have a short torso to begin with.
* Pregnancy brain is a real thing. I've been reading about how my brain cells decrease during pregnancy and over the past 7 months or so I have certainly experienced the effects of this with lapses in memory and increased forgetfulness. Apparently, these lost brain cells will return post-delivery. Here's hoping! ;)
* I'm a little less of a cry baby than I was previously. I still tear up on occassion, but I think I can make it through a furniture shopping trip without a melt down (which couldn't be said a month ago when I cried over choosing between two consoles for our living room).
* Bending over is a major ordeal lately. It's difficult to pick up anything off the floor and I can forget about adequately tucking my jeans into my boots!
* Parker's kicks have gotten mighty! If these latest kicks are any indication, he's going to be a strong little guy!

At Week 31 Parker is either the size of a pineapple or weighs as much as four navel oranges (I've seen both comparisons). Between my last appointment 2 weeks ago and my appointment today I've gained 3 pounds (of course, I did have Goldfish, Godiva and homemade pizza right before I left for my appointment). My doctor is very aware of my Type A personality and commented that I'm even being Type A with my weight gain as it is exactly where it should be.