Woopie!

We were getting ready for bed last Thursday and I let out this super strange giggle/yelp/screech and Kevin didn't know what was going on. But that was my "super excited because our baby is getting so close" noise. I've been so darn excited about getting to week 30 and I'm not sure of the importance of that week in particular but it seems like a milestone. So I let out the joyous noise and did a little dance before going to bed! Woo hoo for almost week 30! On the same note I am also excited that my appointment with Dr. K on Tues marks the start of going to the Dr. every 2 weeks as opposed to every 4...which again means that Max will be here before too long! Holy Toledo!

Through the first 6 months of pregnancy I didn't really think I was having very strong cravings but I realized recently that yes, I sure do crave certain things. I'm still stuck on beef but more precisely, Arby's beef and cheddar sandwiches. And I could eat oatmeal every day...probably twice. As far as sweets go, I don't want them but that hasn't stopped me from eating them lately.

I've been trying to get back into the groove of working out lightly. Since all last month I was "focused" on gaining weight I didn't do much in terms of going out of my way to walk or bike. I've started to feel a bit "fluffy" and have decided that I miss getting a little sweaty. I'm completely ok with gaining weight for Max I just don't want to gain a ton and then have a terrible time getting rid of the after baby junk. :) So in the last 2 weeks I've walked/waddled on the treadmill a few times, swam, biked, and used the elliptical. It feels REALLY good and I'm glad to be back on the bandwagon.

And this might be TMI but recently my pubic bone feels like it is being ripped apart in the middle...ok maybe not quite that painful but it isn't comfortable. I read on the Internet that my hormones are starting to "separate" my bones to prepare for giving birth. If that's the case bring on the pain! I can't wait to see my Max!

Here are the Baby Bump pictures of week 29 day 4 of the Max Journey.

See what I mean...

She loves her Uncle Kevin!

What a Weekend!

I sure do enjoy long weekends and we made the most of it!

Friday we went to GB and spent the evening with Bob and Darlene. We chatted a bit and Darlene spent a great deal of time guessing Max's "real" name. :) Only 3 more months G-ma Burkey and you'll know! Then Kevin treated us to Braums! Isn't it funny that even on a cold evening ice cream tastes great?!?

Saturday Kevin stayed in GB and helped his dad and played some basketball with his friend Matt. I went to Hoisington and saw a few of my favorite girlies play volleyball! And this preggo lady did a bit of digging/setting/spiking herself! It felt fantastic and reminded me that I NEED to find an old lady league around Wichita to play in soon. Sat evening was dedicated to the Steeler's game! It was a lot of fun! Andi, Sean, and Ly were there along with Pat and Barb. The game was super exciting but watching Barb and Darlene was even better! Oh and Miss Thang {LOVES} her Uncle Kevin! We played the whole time and she spent a lot of time with me but when she had the choice she went to Uncle Kev...he made sure to rub it in. :)

Sunday we went to church, ate lunch with G-ma Box, watched more v-ball and then my whole family loaded up to watch Kevin play basketball in GB. And I got more Braums...I promise I didn't ask for it...it just appeared! I guess my family thinks I need ice cream? :) Then home for a game of marbles.

Monday was a day of sanding. We received an old table and chairs from a friend of a friend and they are really nice but they needed a bit of love. Over the course of the last 6 months we sanded and stained the table and are using it. The chairs, however, have taken a bit longer as they are VERY labor intensive. My dad had the day off so Kevin, Dad, and I (Bryce conveniently found another more important activity to do) spent the whole day sanding, staining, and varnishing...well I sanded and they did the rest. I wouldn't say the chairs turned out great but they look pretty good and they are special because we put work into them.

Then we went out to eat with Mom, Dad, Bryce, his girlfriend Abi, and two of his other friends. My dad took us to Backroads grill in Galatia so that Kevin could try to eat the "buckshot", a 1 lb burger with lots of bacon, and ham piled on top. Let's just say it wasn't even a challenge for my hubby! I'm so proud of him. :) Then back to the parents house for a bit of Foosball where Bryce and Kevin were the champs. Then we said goodbye and headed for home.

All in all it was a great weekend and we enjoyed every minute we got to spend with our families.

Well that was easy...

A month ago when Max and I had our appointment with Dr. K (OB/GYN) I was told I needed to gain weight. At 6 months I was still down from my pre-pregnancy weight by about 3 lbs. I obviously wasn't trying to lose weight but the foods I was used to eating (doughnuts, ice cream, cookies) just didn't sound very tempting. So I was eating but in a healthier way...hence the weight loss. So Dr. K told me it was my "goal" to gain weight this month...and boy was that easy! I ate EVERYTHING in sight! I had an excuse to pig out over Christmas and New Years. I devoured pizza, pasta, salad, and more pizza. Kevin and my friend Heather also took this as a challenge to themselves and often times I found extra piles of food on my plate. I guess that's what friends are for! :)

And the outcome you ask?

Drum roll please........... SIX whole pounds!

I've passed my pre-pregnancy weight and Dr.K was happy!

Just let it be known that I see this "goal" set before me as being a terrible thing now. :) I've become used to seeing food and eating it and am a bit worried my habits are set. I guess I'll just have to make a more conscious effort this coming month to continue eating but in a healthier style! You hear that Heather...I don't want your fries finding their way to my plate anymore!

And for any of you who would like to guess Max's sex based on heart rate it was 150 BPM. I would love to know your "expert" opinions! :)

Here are pictures of the Max bump at 27 weeks. My belly has been pretty itchy and I try to put lotion on it constantly but I guess I was slacking here as you can see my scratch marks. :)

Baby Max Update

Let me say I have been one lucky girl. I feel great! I'm not sick, I still move really well, and I'm rockin the hot mom fashions! :)

This is the Max Bump at about 24 weeks.

The only really weird part is sleeping. I'm usually a back/stomach sleeper and as you can guess that doesn't work so well. I've been using a pillow between my legs while on my side and that seems to take quite a bit of the pressure off of my hips.
Max is a mover! Sometimes when I put my hands on my belly I swear I can feel actual little feet moving around. Every night/morning my belly looks and feels like the 4th of July night sky...boom, boom, boom-boom. He/She sure is active! But this is such an awesome feeling and I wonder what he/she is thinking while kicking around in that tiny space.

Max is now very visable from the front!

I've been keeping my friends and family updated on Max's size using the bump.com's measurement chart. The last 2 weeks Max has been the size of an eggplant...which really means nothing to me...I don't know that I've ever paid attention to the size of an eggplant? But what really hit me was the average size for a baby at 26 weeks: 13.6 - 14.8 inches! Can you believe that! There is a little baby in me that is longer than a ruler! Where is there even room for that? I see my stomach growing but it hasn't grown THAT much! Really this whole process is {amazing} to me and I'm as happy as can be!

This is baby Max saying Happy New Year at 26 weeks!

I hope everyone had a Very Merry Christmas and a fun New Year!

Here's to knowing our 2011 will be filled with new adventures at every turn!

I can't wait!