My Bean is getting so Big!

I was looking at my ultrasound pictures the other day, and was amazed at how big and how developed Bean is now.  I saw the very first ultrasound, and immediately started tearing up.  He was my itty bitty Bean back then...so small...so fragile....and so...Bean like, lol.  Thats where his nickname came from...he looked like a little Bean.  

I had a check up yesterday, along with another ultrasound.  I am 30 weeks now, and everything looks good so far.  Bean was VERY active during the ultrasound, and just like the last time, the tech had a hard time getting what she needed because he wouldn't stay still, lol.  She did mention, however, that he is a bit on the big side.  So it looks like I may have a chunky Bean.  I guess we'll see...either way, I can't wait to meet him and finally hold him in my arms. <3 <3 <3

Here are some of my ultrasound pictures...

At 12 weeks...lookin like a Bean <3

At 19 weeks...sucking his thumb <3 <3

At 30 weeks...lookin like a chunky Bean <3 <3 <3

When I think about my Bean, my heart just swells up and I start to cry.  I've heard of the love of a child being so enormous your heart cant take it.  I now see what people mean, and he isn't even here yet!  I can only IMAGINE what he will be like, or how he'll look...either way, he has my whole heart now. 

More new pics!!!

So I found this shirt on clearance, and my friends loved it.  I wasn't sure about the stripes at first.  I thought they may make me look bigger, and who needs that!??!  But...it was very comfy when I tried it on, and lately thats all I care about! Lol.  Anyway, so here I am...big belly and all.  Can you see my Beanie in there?!?  He's the real star! <3

Beanie and I

Yes...I did the cheesy heart with my hands...but isn't it cute?!!?

My friends looove to make me do stuff...lol

My friends have been bugging me to take pics of me and my baby belly, but I've been putting it off.  Well, they love to make me do stuff, lol....especially when they think I'm just being hard headed (which is often).  Here are a few pics that we took after work one day.  It was windy so my hair had to stay in a pony tail, and it was HOT!!  If you zoom in, you may see the beads of sweat rolling down my face, lol.  Thanks to my photographers, Katie Mac and Fitz!

Loving my Bean

I'm 29 weeks today!

Wow...I can't believe I only have 11 more weeks to go!  When I found out I was pregnant, I signed up for a few of those baby websites that help you figure out whats going on with your baby.  I have to say, they have been great!!  Every week, not only does it let me know what the baby is going through, but it also tells me about some of the symptoms I might be having.  It was so useful because it made me feel like everything was ok and normal.  I didn't have to call the Dr's office every time something new happened, because I already new that I was right on track!

I get a couple emails from different sites.  One site mentioned that his head is getting bigger to accommodate for his growing brain, which is busy developing billions of neurons!!  I think its time for more Baby Einstein, lol.  Here is one of our 29th week emails:

At 29 weeks pregnant, your baby is almost 17 inches tall now (nearly as tall as he or she will be at birth), and close to three pounds (a weight that will likely more than double — and may even come close to tripling —  by delivery time). His or her wrinkled skin is smoothing out as more fat is deposited under the skin surface. This fat, called white fat, is different from the earlier brown fat that your developing fetus accumulated. Brown fat is necessary for body temperature regulation while white fat (the fat you have, Mom) actually serves as an energy source.
 
Which explains why your energizer baby feels so…well…energized!  Space in your baby's living quarters is now at a premium, so you'll be feeling jabs and pokes from elbows and knees mostly. But those kicks will be more vigorous than before (and also less erratic) because your baby is stronger and excitedly responding to all sorts of stimuli — movement, sounds, light, and that candy bar you ate half an hour ago.

Luckily, your baby doesn't have teeth yet that would need a brushing after that sugary treat, but it won't be long before you'll need to buy that first baby toothbrush! You'll recall that your baby's baby-teeth buds formed weeks ago, but now the buds for permanent teeth are forming in his or her gums as well.
 
And back to those kicks, who's counting?  Actually, you should be.  Now's a good time to start doing a kick count twice a day to make sure baby's doing just fine (plus, it's a good excuse for a rest). Lie down (preferably after a snack) and keep track of your baby's movements. You're looking for at least ten movements in an hour's time (don't forget to count movements of any kind — kicks, flutters, swishes, rolls, and so on).

29 Weeks

Me and the Monkey

I had a good time babysitting my nephew yesterday.  Monkey was in a good mood the whole time I was there, although I did leave a bit earlier than Grandma because I needed a nap, lol.  We took some pictures, had some milk...even changed a diaper!  I know how to do it, so its not new...just thought I'd get some more practice in before Bean gets here.  It was a good afternoon .  :)

Monkey and I

 Don't step on your cousin Bean!

Feeling fat...part II

I was trying to get past those feelings of feeling fat and yucky.  I kept telling myself that I'm carrying a baby...I have LIFE growing inside of me, and what could be more beautiful than that!?!?!  Who cares that I've gained a few extra pounds of fluff??  I was doing ok with that until I decided to go out and look for an outfit for my upcoming baby shower(s).  All of the maternity clothes that I bought at the beginning were plain...nothing really cute.  I was just happy that I found some clothes that I could wear, since I wasn't sure that there would be a plus size maternity section to begin with.  Now that I want something cute for my baby shower, I'm stuck.  I went to several stores and found nothing!  Either they don't carry plus size maternity, or if they do, they have very little to choose from.  Don't they know that every woman, whether big or small, wants to look cute!?!?  Just because I'm bigger than average, doesn't mean that I don't want to feel pretty too!  I guess I should be use to having limited selections in clothing...

Ok...enough ranting...time to go get ready for a day with my Monkey!  (For those that don't know who that is, its Bean's older cousin...they'll be about 9 months apart when Bean is born.)

Pregnancy is beautiful...until I feel fat

Lately, I have been feeling pretty plump.  I have always been overweight, and when I got pregnant, the Dr warned me about gaining too much weight.  Unfortunately, due to diet changes, I gained a lot of weight, really fast.  I was a vegetarian for 4 years, and around my 3rd or 4th month of being pregnant, I could not ignore my cravings for meat anymore.  So I gave in...thinking that at least this way, I wouldn't have to worry about not getting enough protein for the baby.  Of course, after 4 years of eating veggies, tofu, and soy products, once I ate meat, I was a goner.  The baby seems to like beef the most, since thats what I've craved from the beginning.  Hamburgers and tacos being my favorites.  So, now I feel fat.   I have been able to slow down the weight gain, but I still feel fat.  Not because of my growing baby belly...but because of all the extra fluff I have growing everywhere else.  Fat...fat...FAT!!!  Fat ankles (I know its water retention, but still), fat thighs, fat hips....I could continue but I wont.  It also doesn't help that when people ask me when I'm due, they all have a shocked look on their face when I tell them I still have a few more months to go.  I'm sure I already look like I'm about to burst!  Anyway...I'm just venting.  It doesn't take away from the beautiful feeling of being pregnant.  I don't wish the baby would come out already....and it definitely doesn't stop me from eating!  I just hope that once he's here, I can find a way to gain some control back.  I wonder if I will ever be able to go back to being a vegetarian?