29 weeks

How big is the Baby?
Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash or a squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. To meet his increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because his bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day (via babycenter).

How Life's Changing

my stomach looks pointy in this picture. ha.

The Lil Nugget is so active. He is rolling and kicking pretty much all day long, but seems to be the most active from 7pm until I fall asleep. If this is any indication of what he'll be like out in the real world, I think we'll have our work cut out - he's a busy guy!

I've really been struggling with keeping my energy level up. Honestly, I pretty much feel tired all the time, which has led to me feeling pretty 'blah'. I have so much I want to do and work on for the nursery, but I can't seem to muster up enough energy to actually do anything! It's hard to get excited about things when you would rather close your eyes and take a nap. Hopefully, I will start to feel like 'nesting' soon...or else baby boy is going to have one plain and boring nursery - not that he would really care! ;-)

This week I've also dealt with some weird leg cramps. It's not the "charlie horse" types I've woken up with in the middle of the night in the past, but a pain that I tend to only get when walking long distances (the 2.5 mile walk Nate and I try to do most nights). It almost feels like a shin splint, but it is so so painful. I'm not sure what to do about it. Maybe there is nothing I can really do, but it is sad to have it ruin our nightly walks (which I cherish) because I feel like my legs are going to snap in 2!

Oh, and headaches! I am getting them all the time. My doctor said she isn't worried about it because my blood pressure is good, but said it could just be due to hormones. Fun stuff.

I hope I'm not coming off has a huge complainer. I really am thankful to be pregnant and cherish feeling the nugget roll around inside me, but there are also some weird "side effects" that I never really thought of or would have imagined before I got pregnant! No matter what...it's all worth it!

How I'm Feeling
It's kind of crazy to see myself pregnant. Before I got pregnant I always secretly wondered what it would be like. What I would look like pregnant and how I would feel. Is that crazy to admit? I can't lie, it's pretty cool to "watch" and now be able to feel a human grow inside of you.

It sounds cheesy, but the other night while Nate and I were walking the dogs I said something like, "Isn't it crazy that the little guy is half you and half me?" I feel so blessed to be able to have a child with the love of my life. It really is a miracle / blessing. Nate has been really sweet lately too. We were sitting on the couch last night talking and I asked him what he was staring at. He responded, "Your belly. I love it!" *Sigh* I love that man! He has never made me feel fat or ugly once this whole pregnancy. He tells me (daily) how great I look and likes to tell me how his co-workers mentioned how good I look for being pregnant. One of them even said they would never even know I was pregnant when seeing me from behind. At this point I don't even care if it is all lies. It makes a pregnant woman feel good when her body is changing so much and so fast! So men, tell you pregnant wife she is hot! Haha. Seriously.

I am getting so excited for my trip to MI! I have a 1/2 day at work today...so I am heading straight to the airport from work and getting on a plane! I'll be there for the long weekend...just relaxing at home with my parents. I am praying for cooler weather because it is still hot here and I'm over this weather! I am really sad to be leaving Nate behind (he has Sunday and Monday off) and we hardly get 2 days together (back-to-back). Earlier this week I was feeling really sad about it, but I am trying to look at the bright side - good quality time with my parents in MI! I am just hoping Nate and I can take a 3 day weekend sometime before the nugget comes to enjoy some quality time with one another. I love my boo!

I'm starting to feel scared (and excited) regarding the arrival of our little guy. The whole idea that he'll be here in approx. 11 weeks is crazy to me! I am now starting to wonder if he'll be early, on time, or late - the unknown kind of stresses me out! I just know I don't want to go into labor at work! Ha!

For some reason lately I have been feeling like he is going to arrive early. I'm not sure why, but maybe I'm just trying to prepare myself?! Ha! I asked Nate the other night what he thinks and he said late, because we are both always running late. Ha. Too funny.

my belly button is trying so hard to pop out! i wish it would stay in!!

Quote of the week (from a male co-worker of mine): "Wow, you are starting to get big!" Ummmm, thanks. ;-)

Pregnancy Milestones
* Total weight gain: 17 pounds
* 6 days until our next doctor's appointment
* First flight as a pregnant lady - to Michigan
* MI Baby Shower - 10/8
* 3rd and final trimester! Woohoo!