More Apple Orchard Fun While Uncomfortably Pregnant

Lots more going on at the Apple Orchard here lately. Tons more varieties of apples are now ripe - though we still stick with our favorite Jonathon's. And a slew of other goodies are now available as well, including these fabulous Steuben grapes. Yum! Makes my mouth just water thinking about them.

Preggo at the Willard

Matt and I finally made it out a few weekends ago and dined out at the famed, historic Willard Inn in Franklin. This little dining spot is quite charming with it's history and breezy, cool patio space. Can definitely see why so many people love it! :)

Preggo at the Apple Orchard

Since preggo at the pool gets a little too many stares these days, and since it's been a tad cooler anyways, apple orchards have been my stomping grounds of choice here lately.

 

Our favorite place to visit is the Pleasant View Anderson Apple Orchard. No visit is complete without at least a 1/2 peck of Jonathon apples and one large apple cider slushie. Maybe add in a caramel apple or a handful of candy corn and you're golden!

P.S. Don't drink the slushie too fast. Ice cream headaches will ensue - delaying caramel apple consumption. :/

 P.P.S. It helps to have a hubby who isn't that into caramel apples. this means more caramel apple for you! :) I was able to get a decent shot of him actually trying it - but he was pretty much not having it. Something about the caramel being too thick and chewy - jeez that is the best part!!

38 Week Bump Update

How far along? 38 Weeks

Food cravings: Random craving for Yoohoo - though once we bought it didn't taste as good as I imagined. Think my taste buds are a little off kelter though because we went to the apple orchard and the slushie was just eh...and nothing really sounds that horribly good right now. Though my husband did made some killer chocolate chip pancakes yesterday morning - yum!! And milk - I am downing milk like crazy!

Milestones: Picked up sensitive wipes and newborn diapers to be ready and washed her going home outfit! 

Oh, and this: Delivery date predictions are starting to roll in - random stranger lady at TJ Maxx said Sept 27 - coworker says Sept 24. Due date is October 3rd - though my ORIGINAL due date according to the calendar/cycle was supposed to be Sept. 18! Dr. pushed it back since I was measuring small.

37 Week Bump Update

How far along? 37 Weeks

Food cravings: Famous Amos cookies, blueberry muffins, sweet tea, cold milk, apples.

Milestones: Finished up our classes and had our maternity shoot taken by the wonderful Jessica Limeberry from Lemongrass Photography - can't wait to see the pics! Had my first cervical check at the doc last week - oh fun. Not dilated yet, but cervix is softening. Woot.

Oh, and this: I feel like crap a lot of the time now. Tired and my feet, legs, knees and back hurt - plus Braxton Hicks - I think. Fun times! :) I still sleep really well, just wake up with sore hips and back. Somedays I feel like I am coming down with some awful cold - but then I don't. Stuffy nose, sneezing, etc.

36 Week Bump Update

 How far along? 36 Weeks

Food cravings: Orange juice, cereal, sweets, jonathon apples, apple cider slushies, caramel apples, raspberry sherbet, salt water taffy - still!

Milestones: Carseat is installed in the car, first load of baby clothes and blankets have been washed, I am almost finished lining the dresser drawers with pretty pink polka dotted scrapbook paper. Our rocker came in the mail and it put together in the room! We have a hamper now...almost all complete! Might need a diaper pail of some sort to squeeze in the room yet - but we are almost ready!! Boppy cover came in the mail, so did our Moby wrap...things are looking ready! If only I felt as ready as everything looks!

Oh, and this: Energy levels really ebb and flow. One minute I am an insanely tired grouch monster who just needs to go to bed no matter if it is 3 in the gosh darn afternoon and the next day I am little miss sunshine with enough energy to organize my bathroom drawer, fold up the tissue paper sheets and make dinner. I get two insanely exhausted days to one good one - go figure.

35 Week Bump Update

Again a little late with the post! 


How far along? 35 Weeks

Food cravings: Concord grapes have really hit the spot, still loving my honey dew for breakfast, cold cereal is always fabulous (honey nut cheerios and frosted mini wheats). Pizza has always sounded good. I've pretty much shunned of anything really salty - like chips and salsa (a normal summer staple for me) and I practically gag on anything I consider too salty! Kinda crazy! Not as hungry as I have been in other months - definitely less room in the belly.

Milestones: Stroller is officially put together! And we have a carseat! For some reason this has been a big issue for me. I have been feeling a little panicky because we didn't have a carseat. And the hospital won't let you take her home without one - so something in my mind just kept saying, "we need a carseat, we need a carseat, we need a carseat." I am resting fairly easy now with that out of the way. Though I will be 100% better once it is completely installed in my car...

Oh, and this: Pretty sure I am having braxton hicks contractions. Very tight, very unpleasant and almost painful. Oy!

34 Week Bump Update

A little late in posting this - almost 35 weeks now! But the photo is from last Sunday when I did turn 34 weeks.

33 Week Bump Update

How far along? 33 Weeks

How big is baby? 4.2-5lbs and gaining! The size of a honey dew!

Image from The Bump.com

Food cravings: Still loving my cold cereal - moving on from cheerios and on to frosted-mini wheats minis! Love buttered bagels with scrabbled egg too! And apples - I think part of me is wishing for the cooler weather of fall - the thought of crisp apples and frozen apple slushies sound sooo good! Making a roast this week also in boycott of the hot weather! Still working on our bag of charms blow-pops. Matt likes the green ones only - I like all the flavors - but especially the grape of which there are only a few of course! 

Milestones: Could feel our little one's bony little foot or elbow - could actually push back on it she was pushing it out so far against my side. Was so amazing! Loud sounds make her jump now too - it is the weirdest thing to have something inside you jump like that at sound. :)

Oh, and this: Nosebleeds, hip pain, charlie horses, tingly feet and hands and achy feet - oh my! :) I've had such a great pregnancy so far that these mild discomforts are really taking me by surprise. And goodness I am getting hot! Coming from someone who is ALWAYS cold that means a lot! Finally stocked up on the needed third trimester goodies I didn't know I needed.

 

Random Tidbits: (from the emails I get)

 Baby's now the size of a honeydew!
Things are heating up inside as well: Baby may grow up to a full inch this week alone, and his brain is developing like crazy. Pretty soon, he'll be able to coordinate breathing with sucking and swallowing. Also, his bones are hardening, and he's started to keep his eyes open when he's awake.

You are one hot mama -- literally. A 20 percent metabolic rate increase throughout pregnancy can leave you begging for a cool breeze no matter what the weather is like. Distract yourself with an exercise in blind identification. Try to distinguish between baby's feet, fists, knees, and elbows -- all doing some major pushing and nudging inside of you.

[ tip ] Wash just a few of those adorable infant outfits before baby comes and keep the tags on the rest. Baby will probably outgrow most before she gets to wear them, and you'll be able to return or exchange for a bigger size.

32 Week Bump Update

How far along? 32 Weeks

How big is baby? Still the size of a squash - maybe 4.5 lbs or so. Big enough to pack quite a wallop to my poor bladder and ribs. Oy!

 

Food cravings: Orange juice, salt water taffy, strawberry twizzlers, lemonade, those suckers with the gum in the middle - charms I think...nothing really crazy - just things that sound particularly good. It isn't like I am sending out my hubby in the middle of the night for these things - but they sound good. :) Fruit - like always - still loving my blueberries, watermelon and cantaloupe.

Milestones:  Had our baby shower this weekend! Celebrating with friends and family was the best ever!

Oh, and this: Hip pain is getting a little unpleasant, I think it's from missing my prenatal yoga classes - I think they helped a lot. Will have to put them off in the next couple of weeks though for our Child Birth Prep classes. I've waken up with hips hurting - almost cramping. And lots of painful, pops and cracks just walking sometimes. Also starting to have random sciatic pain - fun.

Baby Quasebarth Kicking & Moving at 31 Weeks

31 Week Bump Update

How far along? 31 Weeks

How big is baby? Should be around the average of 17 inches and about 4lbs. She's the size of a squash...though a different timeline thing shows a watermelon at this stage.

 

Food cravings: Cookies, apricots, peaches, cookies, sweet corn, cookies, cheerios....cookies. :)

Milestones: Random people at stores and check out lines now notice I am pregnant. I've gone so long without anyone ever saying anything that now when they do it throws me all off guard and I just stare at them for a second before I realize what is happening.

Say what?!: So, those people I mentioned at stores noticing I am pregnant. Yeah, they are a hoot. One lady told me I would have my baby September 27 - after asking when my due date was. She said to mark her words - she was right with all her babies. She also asked if it was a boy first - so if she was wrong there then how is she predicting my due date? Oy veh.  But if she's right...holy cow. 

 

I have had a lot of, "Are you having a boy?" questions - kinda throws me off. Lady at Walmart said it was because she saw some blue stuff in my cart of decorations - it was a percentage of like 90% pink and 10% light blue  - but ok. :)

Oh, and this: Random 4AM insomnia is interesting. My eyes just pop open and my mind starts going and I am ready to start the day! LOL.

Bump Update: 30 Weeks

How far along? 30 Weeks

How big is baby?  The ultrasound tech told us she was in the 75th or 77th (don't remember now) percentile and that she is growing great! She is somewhere around 3lb 4oz. Still kicking up a storm - even gave the ultrasound tech a piece of her mind with a big wallop! :) She's started doing this odd little rubbing sensation on the inside of my belly - the weirdest feeling! Not sure if it is her foot or hand - but she isn't kicking - just rubbing. Watching the ultrasound has to be one of the coolest things ever - besides meeting your baby in person of course! Matt and I were just in awe watching her little mouth move and seeing her open her eyes and move about. So amazing!

Food cravings: Sweets...goodness the sweets. Angel food cake, cool whip, apples, blueberries - yum!

Milestones: Cleaned out the nursery closet! Now it's no longer full of holiday decorations. Took quite a bit of reorganizing and some throwing out of stuff from our office closet where everything from the nursery closet went into - but it is pretty much finished! Just have to haul out what didn't make the cut into the garage and out to Goodwill and the trash. Feels good to have that done!

Oh, and this: I am tired. So,  so tired! I get a rush of energy in the evening - around 7 or 8 but from 10am till 4pm I could just lie around. It is amazingly frustrating because I know I have so much to do - things to make for the shower, house to clean, food to make, closets to clean out. But if I dread even just making it up the stairs you know I am feeling crappy. Just a down to your bones tired. Growing a baby is apparently some hard work!

Bump Update: 29 Weeks

How far along? 29 weeks

How big is baby? Baby's now the size of a squash! Her energy is surging, thanks to white fat depositing beneath her skin. And since she's growing so fast (weight will triple by birth), things are getting kind of cramped in the womb. What all this means for me: More kicks and jabs to the ribs - oh goodness! Apparently our little one is measuring a little small - our doctor has set us up for another ultrasound  (our third) next week. I asked her, with slight panic in my voice, if I should be worried. 

Her: "No, it might just mean you'll have to push less." 

Me : (relieved at her answer) "Is that a bad thing??

Her: "No! You might just have smaller babies - with your frame, genetics, build, etc."

She said I was gaining weight appropriately so she wasn't concerned - just routine to make extra sure things are a-ok. And I definitely don't mind getting to see her again through ultrasound! :)

After talking to my mom I feel even better - all three of us kids were small babies - like 6 pounders. So, I am not worried. Especially since everything was fine on the last two ultrasounds - both done because I was small for how far along I was.

So I guess I won't be popping out a 8 or 9 pounder. I think I am a little relieved to be honest. :)

Food cravings: Blueberries - good thing too because I have a 5lb carton full of them in my fridge that we  were given at a family reunion last week! Thank you Great Grandma Peggy! Your great, great grandaughter (in my belly) loves them! :) We've had them for a week and they are almost gone.!Maybe only 1/4 left. Still loving peaches - has to be from the Farmer's Market though - yum! And chocolate...good grief I could drink hersey's syrup straight from the bottle - but I refrain for the most part and just use a spoon. ;)

Milestones: Not sure if this is a milestone, but I started working on the fabric bunting and matching quilt for her room and we bought and repainted a 9 drawer dresser that will double as our changer off craigslist - officially getting the nursery and everything ready!

I love working on projects like this for our little girl - quilts, decorations for her room and retouching up the perfect pieces of furniture. I am getting so excited!


Oh, and this: My belly button is JUST starting to pop out. There is one little spot in the middle that is beginning to push forward - looks kinda crazy! And, I am starting to get hot finally - all this summer I have been feeling normal temperature wise - but lately I've been cranking up the air, sleeping with a sheet and avoiding too much heat exposure.

Preggo at the Pet Carnival

My husband and I have gone to this Annual IVEC Pet Carnival almost every year since we've been in Indy! It is a great opportunity to take the dogs out where they are welcome in public and to have them experience large crowds and lots of other animals (great training and socialization opportunity).

Not mention there's lots of free goodies and fun vendors to meet and pet products/companies to discover! And there's always a free pet caricaturist, discounted or free micro-chipping, free pet psychic and free hot dogs, lemonade and popcorn for the humans!

This year they added a photographer who was doing 5x7 portraits for $7 - a pretty good deal (if we had any cash at all on us that day - we didn't).

Bump Update: 28 Weeks

How far along? 28 weeks

How big is baby? Still the size of an eggplant. She is now approximately 14.80 inches long and weighs roughly 2.22 pounds.

 

Food cravings: Blue berries [my great grandma picked us up a 5 lb carton - and I bet we'll be through it here soon!], peaches [need to go back to the farmer's market!] and still on the honey nut cheerios kick. Chocolate - salt water taffy - cherry star kisses from Dairy Queen - yum!

Milestones: I have my glucose screening scheduled for this week - Thursday morning.

27 Week Baby Bump Update

How far along? 27 weeks

How big is baby? The size of an eggplant. She weighs approximately 2 pounds and measures nearly 14.5 inches from head to heel!

 

Food cravings: Honey Nut Cheerios in cold milk, fruit - not much else. Unless you count pizza - which has been my constant. :) Nothing hot sounds good in this summer weather - except pizza! Specifically Arni's, Chicago's and Abe's Taco Pizza - which I haven't had in almost a year! boo! :(.

Milestones: A total stranger asked how far along I was just out of the blue - I finally look pregnant!

Say What?!:

"So, you're going to take a day or two off (for the baby), right?"
[insert raging pregnant lady outrage here]
"I don't see what the big deal is - celebrities bounce back in a day or two. "

Oh, and THIS:  

Found the cutest little small town candy shop to custom order candy for my baby shower candy buffet table! Forget ordering from Oh Nuts! - you're likely to get on back order - this great shop is all about customer service! M.W. Wadsworth's & Co. Fine Chocolates

Preggo at the Pool

One of our new favorite places to go during a lazy summer evening is the neighborhood pool. We just recently discovered this practically historic local gem. We didn't even know it was here and had been going to another town's pool. This charming old city pool has quick become our favorite though! The super cheap snack shack area complete with $1 slushies, $2 pizza slices, $1 hot dogs, $1.50 pretzels, nachos, 10 cent candy, red pop and more! :) The cute little kiddie area, the diving boards and slides. And lots of room to just mosey about in the water. Pergolas built around the perimeter so you can drag your chairs into semi-shade if you want. Attentive lifeguards who will actually blow their whistle and stop rough housing and running. The periodic "adult time" where the life guards all blow their whistles and shoo the splashing kiddos out so the adults can all stand around in the water and get stared at by the waiting kids. I love it!

And the snack area! Did I mention the snack area yet? :) P.S. Don't get between the pregnant lady and the food, people. Seriously. I don't care if you are twelve or not. I am pregnant and hungry.

Happy preggo lady, all fed and cooled off in the pool! Perfect way to spend a summer evening!

Especially if I get to sit next to this guy! :)

26 Week Belly Bump Update

How far along? 26 weeks! Under 100 days to till my due date!

How big is baby? She weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures around 14 inches according to all the fun baby bump update emails I get in my inbox.

Maternity Clothes? Not really. I have a pair of maternity jean capris I'll wear if the weather is cooler, but with the high heat and humidity I've been sticking to skirts, dresses and loose pants and tanks layered with a cute cardigan or sweater for work. At home I'll change back into cloth shorts and tank top - wearing my bathing suite 24/7 with just a sarong around my waist or a swim cover up dress is heavenly too. :)

Sleep: The good old pillow-between-the-knees trick is still working out quite nicely! I'm also sleeping with no covers or just a sheet now - which is very unlike me. I like to be wrapped up in a blanket, but it has been warm upstairs and I am zonking out without the covers so...whatever works! I only wake up around 2 or 4AM to use the restroom. Thank goodness she is a daytime kind of gal so far - she quiets down movement wise as soon as we hit the sack.

 

Movement: Lots of tumbly movements now - like she's doing flips in my belly. I am starting to be able to tell when a jab is from an elbow or from a foot. Usually they happen close together in time and one is a powerful kick and the other is a much softer jab. Feels like she does full body stretches right up against my insides! Eveything gets really tight and I can feel pressure by my belly button or side or wherever she's pushing whatever limb out. Kinda painful sometimes! :) But always amazing!

Food cravings: I eat less in the summer anyways - probably due to the heat and we keep our house pretty warm as well so the thought of turning on the oven or eating anything hot is gross. I am eating up plenty fresh fruits and veggies though! The peaches I got from the farmer's market last Wednesday had to be the best I've had all year - sooo good! And the pint of blueberries only lasted two days. Been craving more chocolate lately too - some days I wish we kept bags of M&M's in the house - thank goodness we don't! Mornings at work are the worst I think - I feel like I am eating every hour until lunch. Been increasing what I eat for breakfast - adding a slice of toast or piece of fruit to my normal toaster strudel or bowl of oatmeal - that is definitely helping combat the mid-morning munchies. Otherwise I try to keep stocked up on lots of little healthy things (granola bars, carrot sticks, celery and peanut butter, etc) to munch on.

What I miss: Being more active. I love spending the summer weeding and planting, bike riding, taking walks, etc. I still do those things, just not with the same get-up-and-go as I used to.  Some weekend afternoons I can only muster out a nap and nothing more. And bending down is also becoming mildly unpleasant. Fitting into my all of my clothes. Every now and then I'll try on something I think will fit and ha! it wont. :( Thank goodness for that belly band and swishy summer skirts and dresses.

What I am looking forward to: Meeting our little girl - seeing what color of hair she has - my blonde or my husband's brown - what color and shape of eyes. Just seeing what she looks like and meeting her in person beyond the kicks and jabs I get everyday. :)

Milestones: Under the 100 day mark till my due date! The nursery is looking more and more like a nursery! Many thanks to my Dad and Cindy for sending us some fun packages in the mail lately! We now have a mattress and crib sheets for our crib and thanks to Nikki for the bumbo and umbrella stroller! :)  And many thanks also to our cousins Jonny & Jenna in Hawaii for sending our little one some love - she is going to love her bouncer seat! And we are going to love the bath temp turtle and the pacifier thermometer! I've also officially switched out my belly ring to a maternity version - thank you, Mom! Not really out of necessity, I think I could have gone a little longer in my old ring, but just to have it in - it has cute little baby footprints on it! :)

Say What?:

Lots of comments lately about how bad it must be being pregnant in this weather. For the most part I don't mind. I love summer! Now I am being smart about it though - not being in the sun for long periods, staying hydrated/in the pool/shade, etc. But I love the warmth and so far knock-on-wood no swelling. Though my toes do get a little toasty and red during my mile long walk to and from the farmers market around 12noon every Wednesday.

Oh, and THIS:  

Pregnancy hormones are definitely crazy - I am still sporting the fun acne despite having switched completely over to a sensitive skin beauty bar and foaming face wash about 3 weeks ago. It is definitely 90% better - but still there. And the emotional ups and downs are no fun - ask the hubby. :) For the most part I am always up - but there are definitely down moments - like last night when I found out my favorite pj pants no longer fit quite right - pretty sure my hips have expanded - not extra cush but physically expanded. And seeing yourself in pictures while pregnant is always a little shocking. Some angles I think I look fine and others I am mortified. Do I really look like that?? Are my hips really that big? What is wrong with my thighs, my face, arms, neck -arg! Look away, look away!

25 Week Baby Bump Update

Finally made it out to the pool for the first time this year! It was so nice - water was warm, not too crowded, plus they had a fabulous little snack stand - complete with $2 rectangle pizza slices (identical to the ones we used to get for school lunch - yum!). 

At first our little one was completely still in my belly while I was in the water - but after awhile she started moving and kicking about! :) She kicked and bounced my belly all around while I was drying off in sun - even enough for Matt to see from the seat next to me! Loving this little moments!