3rd Trimester: Weeks 28 and 29

I cannot believe the 3rd, and last trimester is already here! It has already flown by! I hope these last few months go a little slower so that I can be better prepared for Brooks to arrive!

During week 28, we went on a short vacation to the mountains. We stayed right on the Tennessee/North Carolina border at Lake Watuga. (Keep in mind, we have not had a chance to vacation in the mountains since our engagement weekend.)

It was beautiful, but sssooo cold! I would love to go back.....during any season OTHER THAN winter! One night, it got down to 2 degrees! There was also supposed to be a storm that could make the wind 65 MPH and a possible loss of power. We were near the top of the mountain, so that was a little scary. 

One of the days we ventured out to this waterfall (or icefall). As you can see I was layered up, with Jared's clothes on top!

It was just a LITTLE chilly!

When we got back, I had my glucose test done at the doctor's office. I expected the orange drink to be disgusting and room temperature/hot. Surprisingly, it wasn't bad at all. It literally tasted like everyone said...orange soda, and it was cold, thank goodness! They took my blood pressure again and it came down to 98/58. Which seemed very low since the past few times I've been in. I realized that this could be because it was first thing in the morning and unlike my usual appointments which are after school. Well the doctor told me to monitor twice a day and that I could probably come off the medication. Yaye! The nurse also had me sign papers about the delivery, which freaked me out a little bit. I am not ready yet! I finally went back, after an hour, and got my blood taken. She called me back the next day to let me know I passed! Some more good news!

Week 29: After coming from 2 degrees, it was nice to come to 70+ (at least one of the days this week). This girl was not made for cold weather. I don't know how I ever lived in Colorado or Korea!

Bruce, my father in law, took some practice maternity pictures around the neighborhood. We will take some more as my belly gets a little bigger.

This week, or the past few days, my skin has felt so tight. I feel like my belly button might split open! He has been moving around like crazy, contorting my belly. It has even hurt. There not always just little jabs anymore. I can feel him moving from one side to another. I keep hearing it will only get worse as he continues to grow.

I also had my first baby shower this week! It was after school. The teachers I work with are the best!

Brooks is spoiled already! Now, we just have to get started on putting his room together! Stay tuned... Gotta get the hubby into high gear!

Weeks 25 & 26

First of all, let me start with time is going by so fast. As I sit here and type this, I am currently 12 weeks and some days away from my due date!? WHAT? It is absolutely absurd! I know that every year, we all don't know how the time gets away from us. But of course, the day in and day out, seems to drag on. I'm on the fence... I want time to slow down a bit, because I don't feel like I'm ready yet (although, I know you can never be fully ready for this adventure). Then again, I can't wait to meet my little bundle of joy- to hold and kiss him! It is definitely all in God's perfect timing.

Week twenty-five...

Jared made fun of me for my sign in this one... But as you can see Baby Bartlam is giving mommy heartburn, acid reflux, indigestion...etc. I know it's all worth it, but boy does it hurt after I eat (and it's random food, too). 

I had a friend take this picture at school. This picture marks the day before 26 weeks and 99 days remaining...

During my 26th week, I had my doctor's appointment. The blood pressure came down- I've still continued to take the medicine- it was 106/78. Like I've said before, I think (hope) that the reason I was having the hbp was because of the unknown...not knowing if everything was alright in there. Also, the uneasiness of going to the doctor in the first place. Now that I can feel this wiggle worm moving constantly, I don't have as much fear. My weight on the other hand is a whole other issue...

At the beginning the doctor told me to try to gain only 25 lbs. Well, I am about to surpass that mark. I am VERY thankful that I did not have the morning sickness, but the tiredness that came along with the first trimester led to laziness. Literally everyday that I came home, up until about week 15, I could not do anything. I would want to eat and go to bed! I'm blaming that! 

For the past month, since the last time I went to the doctor, I only gained 4 lbs- which is normal. According to my apps, it says that I should typically be gaining about 1 lb a week from here on out. I hope that that's not true either!! All of January I have been "exercising" (aka walking) for 1-1.5 hours five days a week. I think that has definitely helped keep the lbs at bay. Thank goodness for the energy! It's crazy how much I can get done (although sometimes I still don't feel like it). I don't feel like I'm that big yet, so I don't know where these lbs are going! I really hope baby isn't taking it ALL!

I will have my next ultrasound at my 30 week appointment. I can't wait to see him- it'll have been 12 weeks since the last time I saw him! So his heart rate was 154- the tech said it was perfect! He didn't kick the doppler off this time. I did mention to the doctor that I have been having pains in my upper left side of my ribs after I eat, and it's not every time I eat. I noted some foods that seemed to trigger the pain and let her know how long it lasted (1-2 hours). She said the symptoms sounded like gallbladder issues, but on the opposite side. She said that I could be developing, or soon develop, a stomach ulcer. So, I am also taking pepcid. She also suggested eating smaller meals throughout the day instead of 3 big meals. I also blame it on having a small torso. Baby is wanting to take up all the room so I'm sure my stomach is all crammed up under my ribs!

I take my glucose test in a 10 days. Praying for good news!

 Here's my cuddle buddy, watching tv with me and baby bump!

 Here I am walking around the gym during recess because our kids couldn't go outside- it was too cold! They loved the gym and I loved being able to get my steps in!

And one of my little girls took a picture for me. A little blurry, but here I am at the end of 26 weeks.

And on Saturday, the first day of week 27, Mandi and I went shopping. We spent 3 hours in Babies R Us registering for our boys. We were both exhausted afterwards. She is 19 weeks.