35 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 35 Weeks

Size of baby: Turtle is about the size of a honeydew. She weighs about 5.25 pounds and is more than 18 inches long.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 33 lbs. I don't quite understand how I'm still gaining 2+ lbs per week considering I eat cereal ALL the time. uuuuuuugh. I'm just telling myself it's all water weight...you know from my huge swollen feet (that's all water, right?).

Maternity Clothes: What used to be comfy has now turned into a "oh crap, did I accidentally put these pants in the dryer?" I refuse to buy new maternity clothes this close to the end. I'm being stubborn, but please know if I hear of anyone making snarky comments about how my pants are too tight...I WILL cry.

Gender: It's a GIRL! Brooke Henley Femiano!

Movement: Crazy amounts of movement this week. I can tell that she's running out of room because she's moving in ways that say "Ok, that's good. No wait. That's not comfortable. My foot is falling asleep. Let me twist this way. Nope, that won't work, Mom keeps pushing on my elbow. Maybe if I just stick my butt this way...." She moves all day long...I'm amazed that I'm actually able to concentrate and get things done.

Sleep: Not much of an update on sleep. I have tried sleeping with different pillows and rearranging them in multiple positions. I find it a little humorous that I now sleep with three of our 'decorative' pillows (2 euro pillows and 1 regular sham) AND my regular pillow. That's right, I sleep with 4 pillows as of right now. I have them all angled so that it creates a 'wedge' shape so that I can sleep on my back. It seems to help some nights...other nights I get frustrated and end up throwing some on the floor.

What I miss: This week I had a mini melt down because I missed my 'independence'. After work one night I was elevating my feet and I couldn't lift my upper body to throw the blanket over my feet. I kept trying and trying and ended up getting so frustrated that I just started crying. Mike came to the rescue (which I was grateful for) but at the same time I was upset that I couldn't do it myself. I'm very much an "I can do it myself" type of person and I'm struggling with learning to ask for help. I plan to ask God why he didn't give husbands mind reading powers while their wife is pregnant.

Cravings: I haven't necessarily been craving anything this week. So I'll just say that my days are basically cereal for breakfast, fruit for morning snack, PB&J, chips/crackers and fruit for lunch, granola bar for afternoon snack and then dinner (such as a salad w/ chicken fingers, shrimp casserole, spaghetti, fish, etc.). Although I guess I should confess that we willingly accepted the left over cake from our baby shower and treated ourselves to 'small' bites each night. :)

Symptoms: Typical pregnant symptoms still apply: shortness of breath, can't bend over, swollen feet, pregnant face, etc. One night this week I was sitting in bed and Mike said I sit like a panda bear.

Best Moment this week: We had another small shower at my Dad and Pam's house. Everyone that attended were family friends and neighbor's that live in their neighborhood. We got lots of great things. I continue to be overwhelmed by the generosity of our family and friends. Brooke is one lucky girl!