30 Weeks

How far along? 30 weeks 2 days

Total weight gain/loss:  +13 lbs
Baby Comparison: Size of a a large cabbage
Maternity clothes: Yes and I just found some capri's that my sister gave me, Score!!
Stretch Marks:  Nope and I am hoping it stays that way
Sleeping: Sleeping thought the night and fighting the urge to get up to go to the bathroom, I know I won't be able to resist for much longer
Best Moment this Week: Feeling the baby move all the time and Chris has finally gotten to feel her moving marathons
Baby Movement: She is moving and shaking!!
Food Cravings: Now I have food cravings that are off limits to me but I keep telling myself it's all for the baby. Right now I am loving Jif creamy peanut butter and yes I can eat it!!
Gender: It's a GIRL!!

Belly Button in or out: Belly button in but not for much longer 
What I miss: Sitting down to tye my shoe or bending over and getting back up with ease
I am looking forward to:  Ok not so baby related but finding a house
Milestones: Lots of movement this week and only 10 WEEKS TO GO!!

 30 Weeks 2 days

10 weeks to go!!

That is right only 10 weeks left before we get to meet Carmella. It's so crazy to think that in 10 weeks (or less) she will be here and life as we know it will change. Oh my when I think about it I get a little nervous, we don't even have a car seat or a stroller yet. How am I supposed to bring my baby girl home from the hospital without a car seat. Chris seems to think we can walk out and just tell them we're putting her in a stroller, he is in for a rude awaking when the nurse tells us no way!

When I think about how fast 10 weeks is going to fly by I begin to get a little overwhelmed. Nothing is as I planned it... we are still looking to buy a home, haven't even begun to figure out what we need for baby and I have been trying to catch up on the sleep that I know I will be lacking when she arrives. 10 weeks that is what is left actually 2 months and 2 weeks, where has the time gone?

Everyday I am amazed at the growing baby in my belly. She is becoming more and more active and kicking me all the time. I don't really mind it much and have actually become very fond of her little love taps. I think she is trying to communicate with me, like I don't really like this position mom or that Indian food you ate was way too spicy. 

In 10 weeks we'll be posting pictures of our baby and not just talking about her, wow this time is going to fly by (just savoring it for now).

29 Weeks

How far along? 29 weeks 3 days

Total weight gain/loss:  +13 lbs (lost a few pounds, just got back from the Doctors office)
Baby Comparison: Size of a butternut squash
Maternity clothes: Yep and thanking all the my family and friends for the maternity clothes
Stretch Marks:  None yet
Sleeping: Still sleeping through the night, trying to sleep on my side
Best Moment this Week: Watching Carmella kick the doppler when the doctor was checking for her heartbeat
Baby Movement: Feeling her move and kick me on my sides and upper tummy
Food Cravings: Everything that I am not supposed to eat
Gender: It's a GIRL!!

Belly Button in or out: Belly button in but getting closer
What I miss: Sushi and certain cheeses
I am looking forward to: Meeting our baby
Milestones: No weight gain in 6 weeks and baby is still growing

29 weeks 4 days

The big GD

Gestational Diabetes
(ok I finally said it)

That is right, the test results are back and I in fact have gestational diabetes. I was in denial when I took the first glucose test so I decided to take it again. And let me just tell you that the sugary drink doesn't taste any better the second time. In fact it was worse, this time they gave me the orange flavor and it wasn't even cold. I thought for sure that I would pass and even brought my walking shoes and made a few laps around the lab after I drank the drink. (this time they didn't tell me to stay put)

Yes, I know it probably sounds like I didn't follow the rules, but in my stubborn head I just figured I was doing what I always do. I was going for a walk after a big meal. After the one hour test I was feeling pretty confident and even took another little stroll before the two hour test. I left the lab feeling pretty good and thinking I had aced the test. But I must not have been too confident because I didn't want to know my results until after the weekend (didn't want to ruin another weekend).

So on Monday I emailed my doctors office and the results were in ....... I have Gestational Diabetes (GD). Actually I handled it a lot better the second time around and didn't freak out as much. I cried a little bit and had some of the same feelings as I did before. Feeling like I had done something wrong or like I was a failure. Questioning how this could have happened to me, I eat healthy and exercise all the time.  Even as a Registered Nurse I know that GD doesn't have anything to do with your lifestyle, it has to do with how the hormones from the placenta cause an insulin resistance. As a result it makes it harder for my body to use insulin and the increased amount of insulin in my blood passes through the placenta. Which can harm the baby and cause other issues if not cared for properly.

It all finally clicked for me and I ended my pity party when I realized that if someone would have told me two years ago when we were trying to conceive that I would have GD, I would have said sign me up. It wouldn't have matter to me. I would have taken having morning sickness and vertigo or any other side effect of pregnancy just to have a baby. So now that I am pregnant why has it all the sudden changed? Did I expect a perfect pregnancy and one that would be glamorous without flaws? It was at that moment that I was reminded of all our struggles to conceive that I decided to read the very first baby blog.  As I read tears began to run down my cheeks and all those feeling and emotions came rushing back to me. This baby is a gift from God and what an injustice I was trying to do just to beat the system (test). I needed this wake up call to help me remember that I would have done anything and will do anything for our daughter. And if that means I have to count my carbs for 10 weeks and stay away from Pastas, sweets and everything else yummy to keep our daughter healthy than I can do that. And maybe someday I will be able to look back at this experience and thank my daughter for helping me not gain unnecessary baby weight.

So for now I am laying off the pastas and desserts and remembering how much we wanted this baby. I can do anything for 10 weeks when it comes to our daughter. 

28 Weeks

How far along? 28 weeks 3 days

Total weight gain/loss:  +15 lbs
Baby Comparison: Size of a Chinese cabbage
Maternity clothes: All the time but still loving the belly band with my pre-pregnancy tops and scrubs
Stretch Marks:  None :)
Sleeping: Sleeping through the night
Best Moment this Week: Remembering the struggles we went through to conceive Carmella and how that just puts everything into perspective
Baby Movement: Kicking me on my sides along with other belly movement
Food Cravings: This week has been a bit of a food challenge
Gender: It's a GIRL!!

Belly Button in or out: Belly button in but getting closer to popping out
What I miss: Not having to count my carbs, ugh!
I am looking forward to: A big pasta meal with dessert at the end (It's been a food week for me)
Milestones: Officially in the third trimester!

28 Weeks 3 days

Finally the Third Trimester

So it's official I am in my Third trimester, which means only three more months left!

I am not sure if I am ready to say good bye to the honeymoon trimester and enter into the aches and pain of the final stretch. It was quiet nice sleeping through the night and watching my baby belly sprout. But everything changes and I welcome the growth of our baby girl because as each day goes by we are one day closer to meeting her.

The exciting part of this trimester is how much Carmella grows and develops. She will begin to see and hear our voices as well as suck her thumb. This is the point where she begins to put on her baby fat and I pray that I can help plump her up without plumping myself up too. I think it's really funny how in the last trimester the baby grow and finishes developing while the mother experiences the most difficult stage. For example the fetus radiates body heat, causing mom to feel hot (welcome summer), increased urinary frequency returns due to increased pressure being placed on the bladder, retaining fluids causes swelling of the ankles, hands, and face and the list goes on and on. Well with that being said I am still excited to be pregnant and praying that I can float in a pool all summer till she arrives. Truthfully everything about being pregnant so far has been a blessing so I guess just bring in on.

27 Weeks

How far along? 27 weeks 5 days

Total weight gain/loss: Haven't check recently but I think +15 lbs
Baby Comparison: Size of a head of cauliflower
Maternity clothes: Yep and I even got a new dress for the summer
Stretch Marks:  None yet
Sleeping: Still sleeping through the night
Best Moment this Week: Really looking pregnant and loving it 
Baby Movement: Little bits here and there
Food Cravings: This week loving a cheeseburger and let's just admit it I love cheese
Gender: It's a GIRL!!

Belly Button in or out: Belly button in
What I miss: Running oh how I want to run a mile or two, but for now I am just walking it out
I am looking forward to: Scheduling a 3D ultrasound so we can see who are baby is looking like
Milestones: Last week of the second trimester

27 weeks 5 days

A letter to Carmella

Baby Girl,

I have been thinking about you a lot lately, how can I not when I feel you moving around all the time and kicking me on my right side. That being said I still love every minute of it! Your mommy and daddy have been dreaming of you for many years and wondering when you would bless our lives. And now we are overjoyed to know that in October we get to finally meet you, see you, touch you, and gaze into your beautiful eyes. I can't wait to hold you and smell you sweet baby smell, taking in those precious moments when you fall asleep in our arms.

I just wanted to tell you how special you are to your daddy and me; we loved you before you were even born. I know you will come into our lives and turn them upside down but I can't wait to be your mommy. When you cry we may jump and not know what you need right away, but we'll do our best to figure it out.  I’ve studied everything I could about how to be a good parent, how to help you learn and grow, how to be the best example I can be for you but I know only God can prepare me to be a mother. As you grow and explore this new world I promise to do my best to protect you and prepare you for all that lies ahead.

I can't wait for you to meet your daddy, I think he is pretty fantastic and I am sure you will too. I have been pretty spoiled to feel you and bond with you everyday and I know he is looking forward to that too. I just know he is going to be a great daddy and be your prince. You are going to melt his heart and make him smile like never before. I completely trust him and know that he will take exquisite care of our hearts and did I mention that he is funny too. With daddy in our lives we are going to have lots and lots of laughter and love.

Even though there will be times when we disagree I hope you know that I am only trying to prevent you from making the same mistakes that I made. I pray that we will always communicate openly and that no matter what happens that you can always come to us to share your heart and we'll love you no matter what. We know how much we love you now (and we haven't even met you) well God loves you even more than that! You're an answer to our prayers and the beginning of the family we have always desired.

So welcome to life outside of the womb and welcome to your family. We pray that you will always feel God's love and peace, grow to be your up most potential and know that we love you unconditionally no matter what. We promise to always love you and encourage you to learn and grow.

Nothing can describe the love I have in my heart for you and I look forward to the day we finally meet.
Love you today and always,  Mom xoxoxo