36 weeks and dating my Michael

Friday morning I woke up to my weekly pregnancy update on my phone:

Congratulations! You are 36 weeks (9 months) pregnant!

Even when you feel 9 months pregnant it's a little shocking to see it in print like that. Over the last couple of weeks I've been doing a great job of nesting and checking to-dos off my list, but I haven't been appreciating these last days alone with Michael as much as I should. So, I decided we'd go on a date that morning - no errands, no chores, just me and Michael doing things he loves. 

When the heat index is 108* (as it has been here for nearly a week), nothing sounds as good to me as the nice cold mall. It probably wouldn't have been Michael's first choice, but on this particular day I decided we'd go to the fancy mall - the one with a carousel, and a pet store, and a Disney store, and fountains and a giant fish tank - so I knew he'd be happy. Also, I had birthday money from my parents burning a hole in my pocket, and the fancy mall has the closest Anthro, so that settled it. We put on our fancy mall clothes and off we went. 

We were only there for two hours, and I didn't buy Michael anything but a pinkberry, but we had a great time. He took his sweet time and chose just the right animal to ride on the carousel (a frog). We spent 45 minutes at the pet store - Michael chattering away to the birds and rabbits, both of us fawning over a feisty little pup who looked just like my childhood pup, Patty. We tested the entire line of Toy Story toys at the Disney store very thoroughly. We shared our first pinkberry - good! - and rode the elevators. Michael ran along beside the stroller most of the time. I didn't rush him or direct him too much, I just kept snapping pictures and taking in his happiness.

Once we were back home I started to feel a little sad that this chapter is coming to an end. Most of the time I'm so focused on what's ahead with the new baby, I only feel excitement. But our morning together was so sweet and fun, and Michael has been my little sidekick for so long now, the realization that change was right around the corner made my stomach turn. Then I remembered that when I was a girl (in a family with four children) my Dad made time to do special dates with each of us. I loved those dates and they always made me feel so special. They were never fancy or expensive dates, but I got to choose what we did and the emphasis was on spending time together - going to the beach and taking pictures, going to an art museum, and going to the movies stand out as some of my favorite memories. 

So, instead of feeling sad I've made a resolution to start having regular dates with Michael. I'm hoping Tim and I can each have one special date with him per month - no baby brother, no pressure to get things done, no agenda - just enjoying some one-on-one time and letting Michael's happiness be our guide. It's such a simple concept, but one that gets lost in the day-to-day bustle far too easily. 

Pregnancy faves

During my pregnancy with Michael I took weekly belly shots, wrote letters to him here on the blog, wrote things down in my pregnancy book, and worked on Michael's baby book. Things are obviously different this time around. But over the last couple of weeks, I've been feeling the need to document a little bit more before our babe arrives and the two pregnancies permanently run together in my mind. (Documenting and nesting. That's all I seem to want to do these days. And eating ice cream.)

If I had written a 'pregnancy faves' post when I was pregnant with Michael the picture at the top would have looked so different. There would be a big deli sandwich, hot thai food, bagels with cream cheese, a dog leash and a picture of Ella's face, big comfy scrubs for work, my long coat that fit over my belly until the very end, and my favorite maternity cords that I wore out the winter I carried Michael. That pregnancy was all about comfort food and being cozy. This time cool and refreshing is what I crave. Here are a few of my favorites:

1 Tracy Anderson's pregnancy workouts - tailored to each month, they're effective and fun
2 Curel lotion - it's not glamorous, but it's inexpensive and it took good care of my skin the first time around!
3 Rosebud salve - my lips always seem to be dry when I'm pregnant and this heals them up fast
4 Iced tea - sweet and cold, even better when enjoyed on the front porch
5 Fudgesicles - the yummiest way I know to handle my mad sweet cravings
6 Peaches and strawberries - I can't get enough
7 iPregnancy - my favorite app for weekly pictures and info, storing information related to doctor visits, and counting down (63 days until due day!)
8 Old Navy maternity tanks - again, not glamorous, but they fit great and the price is right (I live in mine)

Three things

...about this pregnancy.

1. The first three months were rough. I found out I was pregnant at about 5 weeks. A few days later I started feeling really sick and tired. I never actually "got sick", but for the first three months I felt like I was getting over a bout of bad food poisoning - weak, sleepy, and nauseated by most foods. I lived on lots of cereal and clementine oranges and naps during that stage. And then, at 12 weeks I felt better! It was amazing how quickly it changed, and such a relief! I still don't want meat very much, but I've had lots of other (mostly sweet) cravings: peaches, ice tea, s'mores (with peanut butter), ice cream, strawberries, milk, hummus and greek salad, pizza, and popsicles.

2. It's possible that my memory is fuzzy, but this baby seems a lot more active than Michael was. I felt the first kicks at 15 weeks and they were strong! Ever since then, this little guy has been flipping and rolling and kicking almost constantly. I'm so interested (and a little scared) to see how his energy level compares with Michael. I thought Michael was active, but I think this one might keep me even more on my toes....

3. Once those first few yucky months were over, this pregnancy flew by. We've still got 9 weeks to go, and I can feel time slowing down a little bit, but overall I can't believe how quickly it has passed! I'm so thankful that the baby and I are healthy, and I'm thankful that I have Michael to keep me distracted from the countdown. I'm so excited to meet this little man and cover his sweet face with kisses.

Babymoon 2

Coronado beach

Tim and I love any excuse to travel, so when we were expecting Michael we jumped at the idea of a babymoon. We wanted to go somewhere warm and relaxing, and new to us. So, on a snowy day in February we boarded a plane out of JFK, and a few hours later we landed in sunny St. Martin. It was heaven! We slept in, we lazed by the pool, we read on the beach and played in the water, and we drove all over the island eating all the way. It was the perfect babymoon for us then. (See a few photos here and here.)

When we found out we were expecting again we decided to take full advantage of our time with Michael and plan another babymoon - this time with less focus on relaxation, and more focus on doing all the things that Michael loves most. He's a great traveler (by my count he's already been on 18 flights and visited 9 states!) so we were only limited by my comfort when we were planning. One of the first places that came to mind was San Diego. Michael is pretty obsessed with the ocean and ocean creatures, and we had visited San Diego before and had a great time, so we knew what to expect (great weather, a beautiful setting, good food, etc.) It turned out to be the perfect choice! 

One of the great things about traveling with a two year old boy is that everything is an adventure. He was so excited just to go to the airport and see some airplanes. When we actually boarded the plane and took off I thought his head might explode from happiness.

On our second day we were up before the sun, celebrating Father's Day with balloons and cards and gifts for Tim. We spent the day at the zoo and Michael had a great time following the map and looking for animals with his new "noculars". That night we had dinner at one of Tim's favorites, Neighborhood.

We started day three with a huge breakfast at Hash House A Go Go. We spent the day at the La Jolla Cove and we all had a great time. There were sea lions, crabs, birds, fish, waves, and a cave to explore with Dad. Michael loved it! We had so much fun watching him take it all in. Afterwards we grabbed lunch at Ocean Terrace. The views in La Jolla were so beautiful - I'm so glad we spent a day there!

On day four Tim and I were so excited to take Michael to Sea World. We filled up on yummy breakfast at Snooze, and then headed to the park. Michael loved it! We knew he would, but seeing his excitement over all the animals was thrilling. He especially loved all the petting tanks, and I think he would have gotten right in the water if we hadn't held him back.

We spent the evening in Coronado playing at the beach and having dinner. One of my favorite parts came at the end of the day when we all snuggled up on one of the hotel beds and watched a movie together. We were all happy and worn out - and Michael was still holding his new Orca whales.

On our last morning in town we went back to Snooze because I had to have more Reese's peanut butter pancakes. We had some time to kill before our flight, so we played in the park at the USS Midway Museum. It was a beautiful morning, and I'm so glad we got to spend a couple of peaceful hours there.

It was such a wonderful family vacation. I'll always remember it with a happy heart and be so thankful that we had this special time while we were still a family of three.

the shoes and jewelry stage

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8

There comes a time in a girl's pregnancy when she has to stop, take stock of what is happening to her body, come to terms with the state of things, and work with what she's got. I have arrived at that place, friends. (25 weeks tomorrow!!) I think of it as the "shoes and jewelry stage" because shoes and jewelry still fit the way I want and they draw attention away from the oh-so-large parts in the middle. I've got plenty of comfy basics for summer - tanks, skirts, shorts, and stretchy dresses - but I'd like a happy necklace that will perk up my mostly neutral wardrobe and "draw the eye upward" as needed ;)

I fell in love with number 1 after I saw it here (the colors are so good - it looks great with everything!) but it was way out of budget. So, I went on the hunt for a more reasonable substitute (with some help from my sister - thanks, Van!) and found all of these beauties! Number 7 is just what I was looking for, and the price is so good I'm tempted to grab number 4 too....

P.S. This shop has some really beautiful rope necklaces that would be gorgeous for summer.

When the maternity clothes don't fit anymore...

...it's time to have a baby. There is no way I'm buying bigger clothes now! I'll wear a bathrobe until delivery before I buy more maternity clothes. And our due-date is still two weeks away...that's not a good sign. *sigh*  (Is it obvious that I'm getting a little impatient here?) 

I'm trying to keep things in perspective - I've had a very easy pregnancy, and even now my list of maladies is short. I fully believe that God, in His infinite wisdom, made gestation the perfect length of time (for me, anyway). It has taken me the full nine and a half months to absorb the shock of getting pregnant, enjoy the wonders of pregnancy, come to grips with the reality that a new soul is on the way, and finally be so ready to meet said little soul that I am wishing for labor. Incredible. I never, ever thought I would wish for labor. So, I'm thankful that I've had all this time to get ready, but there are definitely some things I'm looking forward to:

eating sushi, rare beef, soft cheeses...the good stuff

wearing belts (around my waist - NOT my ribs)

jogging

power yoga

pants with zippers and buttons

breathing through my nose again

walking at a reasonable speed

sleeping on my back

or my stomach

or however the heck I want

On the other hand, I'm sure I will miss:

little feet poking out of my side

his hiccups every time I eat

this (relatively) simple form of taking care of a baby

doing things according to my timetable 

I debated, but have decided to include this most un-flattering self portrait because I think it really hits the last-few-weeks-of-pregnancy nail on the head: I feel like I've become a tiny little head orbiting around a ginormous belly. It's time! We're waiting! Come on, Bun!!

To: Bun

7 months

These days I'm getting a lot bigger

and so are you!

I can feel the shape of your little body

(there's your back, there's your head!)

At night we laugh at your kicks and jabs and hiccups.

We're working on your room. I think you'll like it!

(Here's where we'll practice your ABCs.)

Ella knows something is up. She likes to stay close to my tummy.

We wonder if she can hear your heartbeat? Or feel you moving?

We're all waiting to meet you, precious little man.

Not too much longer now!

xoxo

To: Bun

6 months

I'm feeling great

You're kicking and growing

We're both hungry all the time

Dad and I can't wait to see your precious face 

and hold you in our arms

Bump is beautiful

It's week 14 people, and I am assured by co-workers and friends that I now have a baby bump! (As if I didn't know! The old pants haven't fit right for quite some time now...) So, it's about time to start dressing for a bigger belly. Lucky for me, there are several amazing resources out there that show a girl how to have fun with her new shape and still look young/fun/cute/stylish/slim/etc. Here is one of my faves: cardigan empire. (Thanks for sharing Vanny!) The author Reachel recently did a week-long series about dressing your body type during pregnancy. The looks are adorable. I want them all!