33 Weeks and It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

**This is a pregnancy-related post, so please feel free to skip this post if you're not up for it. God bless.**

Good morning, all! I will keep this short and sweet, since I have already posted TWICE this week (wowwwwwie)!

First, I’d just like to ask for your prayers for a fellow sufferer that I just recently connected with. We don’t know each other very well, but we became pregnant around the same time and I just learned that she lost that baby to miscarriage shortly after. She is currently pregnant with a new miracle, and is scheduled for her big “heartbeat” ultrasound next Monday. She is nervous, but faithful to God and His plan for her life. I know she would really appreciate your prayers.

Well, you already know that we had a busy week! Thursday was Thanksgiving, and we shared a lovely meal with my dad’s side of the family. We don’t see those guys too much, so it was great to get in some quality time! Friday we got our CHRISTMAS TREE and did some holiday decorating, yippee!!! I love this time of year, and always will, so having our decorations up just makes me SO SO SO happy.

Saturday was a relaxing day, and Sunday was our Indiana baby shower.

Gratuitous bump shot of my baby shower dress, and

the sunlight shining on my doughy arm...HAHA!

Busy busy busy!

This weekend should be slower, more low-key, which is great because I NEED IT. Seriously, I am walking like a 95-year old all of the sudden. Something is majorly wrong with my hips and man, is it painful. I just keep telling myself, only FIVE weeks until my maternity leave begins…I’ve got this, RIGHT?!

Some quick updates, and a bump!

How far along? 33 weeks…baby is the size of a cauliflower (yuck) and weighs anywhere from 4-6 pounds! Although my other app says probably closer to 4.5, it sure feels like 6! Baby is also nearly at her birth height…I wonder if she’s tall like daddy?!

Clothing? Super duper limited. Although I have always loved fashion, lately, I am the opposite of fashionable.

Stretch marks? Still holdin’ on…

Sleep? Bad. I am not sure if my sinuses are officially on strike or if maybe I have a sinus infection, but either way, breathing through my nose at night is a no-go. Because of this, I wake up at midnight, two, and four (like clockwork) to use the restroom and flush my sinuses out (charming, right)? Also waking up when the position I’m sleeping in gets too sore, usually hip pain. Yuck!

Best moment of this week? My first baby shower, which was amazing and surreal! Also, seeing and feeling baby get NOTICEABLY bigger this week!

Worst moment of this week? Physically really uncomfortable, oh well!

Miss anything? There is nothing that I can’t live without until January!

Movement? Uh YAH. This was the first week I found myself googling “is it normal for baby to move constantly?” Seriously, I feel like she hasn’t slowed down at ALL recently! Not only that, but she is officially slam-dancing against the sides of my stomach. When she does a big flip, sometimes I find myself involuntarily saying “WOAH” out loud…it’s so crazy!!!

Symptoms? Hangin’ in there, though I have some sort of cold/sinus problem this week that is very unpleasant. Also very achy (especially my hips and pelvis), indigestion/heartburn, breast tenderness, increased hunger (and with it, increased fatness), Charlie horses at night, trouble with sinuses, upper/lower linea nigra, weak legs, pregnancy brain, sciatica. Oh, and officially waddling. My center of gravity is way off. I think I accidentally opened the refrigerator with too much gusto this morning, and the force threw me straight to the ground! Yes, landed on my butt. What’s a girl to do?

Food cravings? SWEETS like woah. I have been snacking on peanut M&Ms at work like they’re going out of style. Though the numbers on my scale suggest that I take a beat on that.

Gender? Did get a few boy predictions at Thanksgiving from family, and actually, I am starting to think that I’ve jinxed myself with all of this girl talk to the point where I will DEFINITELY have a boy. Ummm…IDK?!

Labor Signs? Nope, though the Braxton Hicks are kickin’ up a notch.

Belly button in or out? OUT .

Mood? Grumpy when I’m sore/trying to sleep, but so happy most of the time!

Rituals? Nighttime lullaby, holy water on the belly in the morning, holy oil on the belly at night. Routine bedtime chats. And a few playful poke fests to watch the baby squirm around in my belly!

Milestones? Baby is now keeping her eyes open when she’s awake, and closed when she’s asleep, just like a big girl! Also, baby’s skin is no longer see-through…she is really looking like a tiny human!!!

Looking forward to? My 34-week appointment on December 10,5 weeks and counting until my leave, CHRISTMAS, NEW YEAR’S, and my other two BABY SHOWERS!!!

This week's pregnancy-small-talk-gems (aka things other people say to pregnant ladies without thinking): Still cannot convince my 23-year old brother to feel a baby kick. He’s the only sibling who hasn’t caved! Though my younger sister felt one and immediately screamed “ew,” so, that was nice.

Notes from doctor’s appointment: Next Wednesday…I’ll keep you posted! Hopefully I don’t break my doctor’s scale.

And a little mid-week Magnificat inspiration for you. This really hit home for me, especially now, as I stand on the precipice of motherhood.