How far along?  37 weeks

How big is Allie?  About 6+ pounds. 

How is Allie developing this week? Fattening up!

How I'm changing:  Nothing new this week that comes to mind.

What I'm eating:  The usual - oatmeal for breakfast with English muffin.  Lunch and supper has been real dicey because of awful indigestion/sour stomach/acid reflux this week.  I've eaten a lot of cereal because that's all that sounds good lately.  Consequently, I've been STARVING all week.

What I'm NOT eating:  big portions at meal time, nothing really heavy or spicy.  Dairy. 

How I'm feeling: I'm at peace about things and ready and excited to meet her.  I'm trying to have positive thoughts and attitudes about having a C-section - hoping that helps my attitude during recovery, etc.  I'm praying anytime I have fears and worries, so I'm praying A LOT.  :)  I read a great blog from another C-section Mom who talked about ways she focused on the positive: changing her wording/language from "surgery" or "C-section" to "birth".  I've started calling it "Allie Day".  It helps me remember it IS BIRTH and it's the day I meet my daughter.  I can't wait to meet her!!  I've also been trying to see the blessings in it: the ability to even conceive, to carry a child, to give birth to her, the medical advances that allow me to.  Just all things to keep me from being Debbie Downer about it (which is so easy to do for me).  I'm sleeping AWFUL this week because the indigestion is so bad.  Allie is really low so there's just a lot of pressure and heaviness that causes muscles and joints to just ache quite a bit.  I've also had emotions pop back up since we're so close and my one-on-one time with Landon is ending. 

How my workouts are:  Non existent.  Makes me sad, but it's just not comfortable anymore.  While my recovery will be yucky, I'm getting excited about getting back to pre-pregnancy intensity workouts again soon!

Highlights this week:  No dilation at my doctor's appointment.  Whew.  Landon's been in a good mood, thank you Jesus.  We've had more sweet moments together and as a family.  Almost daily he says "Allie come out".  :)  He's so ready and excited.

Bump details:  Still the center of conversation - even with strangers.  Everybody says I'm all baby and "tiny" which makes me laugh because I feel huge.  Everybody also tells me she looks really low.

Facts this week:
- My belly measured at 37 cm at my dr apt.
- I've gained a total of 23 pounds so far.
- Allie's heart rate was in the 150s.
- I got checked for the first time and my "cervix was closed and thick, Allie is head down and in -3 position".
- I'm positive for group B strep.  Boo.
- Everything is ready!  Pack N Play is up in our room, 8 freezer meals have been stocked in the freezer, we're all set!
- I took my wedding/engagement rings off this week.  They were still fitting, but got too tight when I'd get hot.
- Ben said "I feel like you've been pregnant for 2 years".  LOL

How far along?  31 weeks

How big is Allie?  Measures over 16 inches long and 3+ lbs 

How is Allie developing this week?  She has taste buds now and is about to head into a growth spurt.  Grow Allie, grow!!

How I'm changing:  Nothing really comes to mind this week.

What I'm eating:  The usual - oatmeal for breakfast with English muffin.  Lunch is a mix of leftover soups, sandwiches and salads.  Snacks are apples, oranges, nuts, yogurt, and cereal.  Supper has been the same - just nothing really heavy or spicy.  I'm still dealing with yucky indigestion so I'm eating small meals.

What I'm NOT eating:  LOTS of food at meal time and nothing really heavy or spicy.

How I'm feeling:  I got a cold this week, so that's been annoying.  And other than that, it's just typical 31 week pregnant symptoms: back pain, out of breath, tired, and my hips have started aching.  Also.....EMOTIONAL.  I've felt like an emotional wreck this week.  Whew.  I cry several times a week and just feel super overwhelmed a lot of the time.  All completely normal, but exhausting too.  The fact that February is the last full month before Allie comes about makes me lose my mind.  I'm trying really hard to be present with Landon this month and soak it all in.

How my workouts are:  I got in 2 days this week.  With my cold, I didn't get too much in.  Just a gym workout and an outside walk (which about did me in).

Highlights this week:  I had a shower thrown by some friends over the weekend and it was so special and thoughtful.  I felt so loved.  Plus, we got some essentials: diapers and wipes, and some super cute (and needed) clothes for Allie.

Bump details:  Feels so heavy by the end of the day.  It's HUGE.  I did have several strangers ask me when I was due when out running errands this week and were shocked when I said 31 weeks.  They said I was "tiny" and "all baby" and I could've kissed them.  :)

Facts this week:
- My sprinkle is rescheduled for this coming weekend.  Yay!!  After it's over, I'll tackle all the remaining needs for her arrival!
- I have been washing clothes, boppy covers, carseat cover, and just getting things together.

Our amazingly talented digital guru at church is a killer photographer.  We had him come to the house and snap these family Maternity pictures.  Landon was acting really whiney and cranky (little did we know he was actually coming down with a virus) and it was really cold outside.....but Nick did great and still got some beautiful shots that I LOVE and will treasure for years to come!

It should be noted that Landon is OBSESSED with horses.  It makes my Momma heart so incredibly happy that our neighbor's horses were out, and cooperative, and Nick got some pictures of them.  Plus, Landon's holding two of his toy horses in the pictures because that was our bribe to get him to smile.  AND, in the picture on the bed Landon is eating a fruit by the foot because it was the only way he'd cooperate.  The bed picture is a tradition.  We have one from Landon's maternity pictures and his 1 year pictures.  I can't wait to get even more with Allie here!  I just love how these pictures accurately show what our life is like at 29 weeks pregnant (when the pictures were taken) with an almost 3 year old.  :)  Perfect!

How far along?  30 weeks -- this feels like a HUGE milestone!!

How big is Allie?  Measures over 15 inches long and nearly 3 lbs - about the size of a large head of cabbage 

How is Allie developing this week?  Her brain is getting bigger, the tiny hair covering her body is going away, and her bone marrow is starting to make red blood cells which helps her thrive on her own once born. 

How I'm changing:  Starting to process how CLOSE to the end I am.  Holy cow.

What I'm eating:  The usual - oatmeal for breakfast with English muffin.  Lunch is a mix of leftover soups, sandwiches and salads.  Snacks are apples, oranges, nuts, yogurt, and cereal.  Supper has been the same - just nothing really heavy or spicy.  I'm still dealing with yucky indigestion so I'm eating small meals.

What I'm NOT eating:  LOTS of food at meal time and nothing really heavy or spicy.

How I'm feeling:  I'm starting to feel 30 weeks pregnant at 31.5 years old with an almost 3 year old.  :)  Just HUGE and sore by the end of the day.  I told Ben last week, I think I'm starting to waddle now.  Also, I've been SUPER emotional this week.  I've felt like my emotions and hormones have been out of control.  I went for my 30 week doctor's appointment this week and they mentioned to me in regular - no big deal - conversation when my C-section was scheduled.  It took me by surprise and I acted like no big deal.  I even called my Mom after to tell her and felt ok.  Then as I was driving home it hit me and BAM a flood of emotions came over me and I bawled like a baby.  Excited to have a date set to meet our little Allie.  (I can't wait to meet her!!)  Nervous as all heck about having another kid and another C-section.  Scared out of my mind about ALL of it.  Such a mix of emotions.  All my C-section Momma friends assure me it's completely normal and they all felt the same way.  Whew.  Still, it's a bit overwhelming and I'm praying for peace as we ZOOM nearer to that date!!

How my workouts are:  I got in my 3 days this week!  Yay!!  I felt good during and after the workouts, too.  I did 1 workout at home via my pregnancy DVD and 2 at the gym (felt so good to be back after a month away!) where I focused on upper body weights one day and lower body weights the next.  I tried walking on the treadmill but it hurt my back and felt really uncomfortable.  Funny story: I tried to do the sit down bike (you know the one where the pedals are out in front of you) and I only lasted a minute because my belly was too big.  It kept my legs from moving properly.  LOL

Highlights this week:  SNOW!!!  We got 4-5 inches of snow and Landon was THRILLED to finally get to build a snowman with Daddy.  He'd been wanting to for weeks after watching the Daniel Tiger Snowflake Day episode.  :)  We couldn't keep him out of it and his favorite part was eating the snow and icicles.   Ha!  I loved making memories with him!  We even had our very first homemade snow cream!

Bump details:  It measured right on track for 30 weeks at my appointment.  It is just HUGE and I feel like it takes over.  Ha.  Also, Allie has started getting in a position (usually around 8-9:00 pm) where I can feel - what I'm guessing - is either her arm or leg right around my belly button.  It's the coolest thing.

Facts this week:
- My friends are throwing me a shower this weekend!!  (I had one this past weekend we had to reschedule for next month, because of the snow.)
- I had my 30 week dr apt and I'm not counting my weight....I had on snow boots and the number was WAY off.
- My hips have started hurting some when I sleep.  It's been harder to get comfortable this week.
- Allie's heart rate was in the 150s.

{It was freezing outside and I was too wimpy to take my weekly pics out there, so I opted for the front door instead.}

How far along?  28 weeks ---- Hello 3rd trimester!!

How big is Allie?  Measures about the size of a large eggplant - 2+ lbs. 

How is Allie developing this week?  Adding fat on her body! 

How I'm changing:  SUPER hormonal this week.  Wow.

What I'm eating:  Still working through indigestion, so I'm eating a lot of small meals instead of big ones.  I'm still eating the same things: breakfast = oatmeal w/English muffin, lunch = sandwiches and salads, snacks = cereal, clementines, apples, yogurt, carrots.  Suppers have been regular, just smaller portions for me.  :)

What I'm NOT eating: Really gassy, spicy, and fatty foods. 

How I'm feeling:  I can't believe I'm in my 3rd - and final - trimester!!  Woah.  I'm nesting BIG TIME and wanting to get everything done like NOW.  I know that's not possible, but I wish it was.  :)  I'm getting scared, excited, nervous, afraid....tons of emotions.

How my workouts are: I got the all clear at my 28 week dr apt for exercise again.  PRAISE JESUS! 

Highlights this week:  Getting the all clear to exercise!!

Bump details:  Allie likes hanging around my belly button and sometimes she'll push her back/butt out against it and my belly looks almost pointed.  It doesn't feel too good either.  She's got the hiccups almost daily and has kept me up with them several nights.  She's one active little girl, just like her brother was. I tried putting on a pair of my favorite maternity dress pants for church and they were too tight.  Ha!

Facts this week:
- I got shower hostess gifts done this week!  Check that off the list!
- Landon's new Glider came!  We'll set it up in his room and move his into Allie's room.
- My belly measured right on track at the dr.
- Allie's heart rate was 154.  The doctor found it right at my belly button which is where she hangs out.
- I have negative blood type so I got my rhogam shot at my appointment and it hurt like CRAP.  Ouch!  I don't remember it hurting that bad with Landon!
- I gained 4 lbs so I'm up 18 lbs total.  (I gained 20 with Landon so I'm definitely going to bypass that this time around!)