How far along? 30 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: +10 lbs
Maternity clothes? Yep, all maternity shirts and I pretty much live in stretch skirts and dresses (note: September baby WAAAAY hotter than February baby)
Stretch marks? Nope.
Sleep: It's hit or miss. I have our air unit in our room set at 70 and I'm still hot (while Jeremy is absolutely FREEZING) and as long as I have enough pillows surrounding me I can sleep.
Best moment this week: My first prenatal yoga class - I'm on my feet at 30 weeks! I won 12 sessions at a great yoga studio down the street from us at my La Leche League conference so I called our sitter to watch Owen while I took the 90 minute class. It was really, really great.
Movement: TONS!
Food cravings:I'm not having as many cravings this time around, not sure if it's the P17 injections or what. I have been enjoying cherry dipped cones from Dairy Queen, frozen strawberry lemonade from McDonalds and lots of Qdoba chips and salsa.
Gender: Baby Brother
Labor Signs: Other than the triage visit, just one other morning with lots of contractions. Doing lots better this time around.
Belly Button in or out? In.
What I miss: carrying Owen when he asks, he's just too heavy for me now and I know he is very disappointed.
What I am looking forward to: I'm trying to enjoy this pregnancy rather than wishing the weeks away until I'm in the safe zone. This is easier said than done. Going to prenatal yoga was a huge step for me and it helped me build confidence that I can do this. I've also been trying to savor my alone time with Owen. I adore him so and part of me is sad I'll have to share my attention in a few months.

Weekly Wisdom: Prenatal yoga is a WONDERFUL stress reliever in the third trimester. I'm not much of a yoga person, but I've found it physically challenging and emotionally filling.

Milestones: 30 weeks and on my feet!

21 weeks

I had an OB visit and cervical ultrasound on Friday (4/20) and my cervix was exactly the same length as two weeks ago so we were very happy with that.  Baby Brother's heart rate was perfect at 140bpm and he looked nice and cozy in there... with a little case of the hiccups!

How far along? 21w
Total weight gain/loss: +2 lbs
Maternity clothes? Yep, I mix and match with pre-pregnancy stuff. Most all of my pants are maternity pants now, but I can wear one pair of 'fat jeans' unbuttoned with a bella band but that's it.
Stretch marks? Nope.
Sleep: I'm doing pretty well lately.
Best moment this week: no cervical changes! Yay!
Movement: TONS! Especially in the evening or after I eat dessert :)
Food cravings: Since I started the P17 injections my appetite has decreased and so have my cravings. I occasionally crave ice cream or salad but that's about it.
Gender: Little brother on the way
Labor Signs: No, thankfully.
Belly Button in or out? In.
What I miss: Cold cuts, margaritas, and sangria. 
What I am looking forward to: Going to the beach in a few weeks for some much needed family time.

Weekly Wisdom: This week I've been consumed with Owen and some pretty wicked toddler tantrums. I think being pregnant has my emotions on high and when I have a rough day with him, I contract like crazy which makes me even more upset. I wrote about some of my fears about having a second baby over at Kveller.com and the comments both there and on Facebook were so sweet. Someone said, "there has never been any sharing of love but just more love."  And I was really touched by that.

Milestones: Over half-way there!  I'm also leaving Owen for 8 hours this Saturday so that I can go to a La Leche League conference (which is over twice as long as I've ever left him before). I'm both nervous and excited. I need to learn how to leave my firstborn before I go and have another, right?

I almost asaulted a woman over a frosty

How far along? 36 weeks 4 days
How big is baby? 6+ lbs
Total weight gain/loss: +20 lbs (but after consecutive weeks of gaining, I lost a 1/2 lb this week)
Maternity clothes? I was so happy to fit into my maternity clothes last night to go out to dinner. I didn't wear a single bit of casual spandex!
Stretch marks? Nope, holding out hope for a stretchie-free pregnancy.
Sleep: This isn't going well, I'm increasingly uncomfortable and not even my bed nest (comprised of a pregnancy wedge and 4 pillows) is helping. I wake up at 4am like clockwork to pee, and lay awake until around 6 or 630 staring at my sleeping husband. So if you're up at 4 - give me a buzz and we'll chat!
Best moment this week: 36 weeks, a massage and bed rest free Valentine's Day with my hubs!
Movement: My ribs and sternum are pretty sore, he pushes and stretches every available inch of space in my abdomen.
Food cravings: I'm pretty hungry and although my eyes are bigger than the skittle-sized pocket that is inevitable my baby crushed stomach - I WANT TO EAT EVERYTHING I SEE.
Gender: Boy!
Labor Signs: Almost 9 weeks of bed rest and we're holding strong. He's okay to come anytime now, can you believe it??
Belly Button in or out? Mostly flat but it's tempted.
What I miss: breathing and sleeping are probably at the top of my list these days ;)
What I am looking forward to: I'm hoping to squeeze in a haircut and pedicure before this little guy arrives. Gaining some of my strength back in my legs. Also spending some "us" time with my husband before the baby comes.
Weekly Wisdom We went to childbirth class again this week but the only things I learned were that forceps look like GIANT salad tongs and I hope they aren't used to yank out my babe, you can't wipe your hoo-ha for about a week after delivery and you have to squirt it with a water bottle and carefully PAT DRY, AND during transition you will yell awful, terrible things at your husband and he has to forgive you because you are squeezing his spawn out of your body with all of your might.
Milestones: 36 weeks, getting some privileges from bed rest.

So the end of pregnancy has brought about some highly irrational thinking. Like last week when Jeremy left me reclining in the car while he ran into IKEA, a lady pulled up next to our parked car in her mini van and was eating a frosty. When I saw it I WANTED A FROSTY. Not only did I want, make that NEED, a frosty - I wanted HER frosty. I was sitting there thinking (irrationally) of ways that I could get it from her, like tapping on her car window and saying I was pregnant and I needed it more than she did. Or saying my blood sugar was low (which probably would have worked). Of course I didn't act on my crazy-pants urge and was somehow able to wait until Jeremy came out and could drive me the .1 miles to the Wendy's drive through - but seriously? That lady could have been a germ infested spit eater and I LEGITIMATELY WANTED TO SCARF DOWN HER HALF EATEN FROSTY.

Then my mom and I were watching reruns of Two and a half Men the other day and they were eating lasagna for dinner AND NOW I WANT LASAGNA FOR DINNER. I DON'T EVEN LIKE LASAGNA!!!!!

I hope I can continue to find what little shred of sense I have left to prevent me from killing someone or eating a mouse if one happens to look delicious. But please don't show me food you're not willing to hand over, immediately. Regardless of whether or not we actually know each other.

You want me to stretch out my WHAT?

How far along? 33 weeks
How big is baby? 4+ lbs
Total weight gain/loss: +15 lbs
Maternity clothes? I have so many rockin' maternity clothes that are sitting in my closet not being worn. How fancy can you get to sit on the couch? I've convinced myself that I must have another winter baby just so that I can wear the clothes I bought (and never risk being seen 8 months pregnant in a bikini!)
Stretch marks? Nope, but my belly has started to itch a little.
Sleep: Eh, my medicine either keeps me up or zonks me out depending on when I took it and how much I had to eat prior. That combined with 2-4 trips to the bathroom and having to rotate from one side to the other to avoid my hips hurting... let's just say this isn't the best sleep of my life.
Best moment this week: Making it to 33 weeks.
Movement: Lots of hard pushing and stretching going on in there, and the hiccups - he's quite the pro at those!
Food cravings: We've had Thai food THREE times in the last EIGHT days. We're going broke, but man is it good!
Gender: Boy!
Labor Signs: Almost 6 weeks of bed rest down, we're holding out hope for a full term baby.
Belly Button in or out? Mostly flat with a little pop at the top.
What I miss: Helping out, tidying up, feeling energized, not having to ask for simple things and fitting in the bathtub.
What I am looking forward to: When Dr. K told us we might have a baby in just over two weeks - EVERYTHING seems more real. I'm trying so hard to picture us with a baby. OUR BABY! I'm also looking forward to the (bed rest) baby shower my mom is throwing for us, makes me feel like something normal/traditional is happening towards the end of this pregnancy.
Weekly Wisdom I look forward to my email from Babycenter.com each week "Your Pregnancy: 33 weeks" and while I agree with and appreciate much of what is in the emails - today I just couldn't get on board with this:

Some practitioners recommend massaging the perineum (the area between your vulva and your anus) to help you avoid tearing during childbirth. Not everyone is comfortable doing this but if you'd like to give it a try, now's the time to start. Here's one method:

• Wash your hands and then sit in a warm, comfortable area, spreading your legs apart in a semi-reclined position. Put Vitamin E oil or pure vegetable oil on your fingers and thumbs and around your perineum.

• Place your thumbs about 1 to 1 1/2 inches inside your vagina. Press down toward your rectum and then out toward the sides. Gently and firmly continue stretching until you feel a slight burn or tingling. Hold this stretch for about 2 minutes — until the tingling starts to subside.

• Be gentle, as a vigorous touch could cause bruising or swelling in these sensitive tissues. During the massage avoid pressure on the urethra (urinary opening). This can cause irritation or infection.

CAN YOU IMAGINE A PERSON DOING THIS? I'm not easily put off and would say I'm pretty comfortable with my body... but lubing up my V-hole with veggie oil for a stretch session might just be where I draw the line. AND THEN MY HUSBAND SAYS THIS:

Jeremy: I don't think this is a bad idea at all... what do you think the doctor is doing almost the entire time you're pushing?

Me: They do WHAT?

Jeremy: I'm actually kind of glad you're in ignorant bliss about all this...

Milestones: 33 weeks - one more week until lung maturity!!

I had a very nice conversation with the nurse in charge of childbirth education. We're scheduled for two weekend days of 7 hr class and we were afraid since I'm on bedrest we couldn't attend. She assured me they would make every effort possible to accommodate me - from wheelchairs to a full recliner during the session. She said, "Bed rest is really hard on moms and I think it's great for you to get to attend the class in person, ask questions, interact with other people and just feel like you are getting the same experience everyone else has."

She is also doing a one-on-one breastfeeding class with Jeremy and I next Thursday because the one I signed up for was at the very end of February.

I hung up the phone and felt...included. Something I've been grasping at for weeks now.

30 weeks: A New Year, A New Life

How far along? 30 weeks
How big is baby? 3 lb 5 oz (yay!)
Total weight gain/loss: +8 lbs
Maternity clothes? Now that my days are spent on the couch, I wear fleece pants and Gap stretch maternity shirts. The sofa doesn't judge me.
Stretch marks? No, actually since being on bed rest my belly has gotten less tight as he (and my organs) have settled back into my abdomen more.
Sleep: Doing pretty well despite having to set alarms throughout the night to take my medication. The Boppy Pregnancy Wedge has really helped!
Best moment this week: Getting a glimpse of my little boy on the ultrasound made the scary hospital trips worth while.
Movement: Strong little kicks in my ribs and hip bones!
Food cravings: My appetite has been low because of the meds and being sick, but the other day I really wanted Marzetti veggie dip and rainbow sherbet. Together? I'm not sure, but Jeremy rushed out and bought both without questioning me.
Gender: Boy! and his squishy little scrotum was one of the first things we saw on the ultrasound - modesty really isn't in our genetic make up :)
Labor Signs: Contractions and cervical changes, but we're holding out hope for a full term baby.
Belly Button in or out? In, but flat now.
What I miss: Sexy time with my husband and leaving the house to run errands (at Target).
What I am looking forward to: Every single day that this wee one stays put as my inside baby. I'm just not ready to share him yet.
Weekly Wisdom: Take everything one day at a time now because a full term baby is completely within your reach.
Milestones:30 weeks and praying for seven more.

These past two and a half weeks have been an emotional roller coaster and I could not have done it without such an awesome partner by my side. Jeremy is working so hard to take care of me and baby. Every single time he helps me off the couch or refills my Gatorade I am reminded of how much he loves me (messy bed hair and all) and of the thousands of reasons he is going to be an *amazing* Daddy.

Happy New Year Babe, 2010 might just be the most incredible year of our lives.

Viability Week!! (stay in there baby, stay in)

How far along? 24 weeks 4 days
How big is baby? Just over 1 lb and a foot long (the length of an ear of corn).
Total weight gain/loss: +5 lbs
Maternity clothes? My belly is busting out of my non-pregnancy shirts in an offensive way - guess those are retired for the season.
Stretch marks? Nope, still giving myself a daily lotion bath. Also, I found lotion that you can put on IN THE SHOWER!
Sleep: Making some progress here, much to my husbands disappointment because I now take up 90% of our king bed with me, my baby belly and my nest of pillows. We also had to trade sides of the bed so I could be closer to the bathroom. As a result- he's been waking up with no idea where he is! The other night he was roaming around the room looking for some shorts to put on because he thought someone was going to walk in on him. Yes, my husband sleep talks and it entertains me greatly.
Best moment this week: Slept in with my husband this weekend for the first time in over three months.
Movement: I think I'm brewing up a wriggly octopus in there!
Food cravings: I'm onto my peppermint kick for the winter - had my first peppermint hot chocolate of the season while people watching in Boston.
Gender: Boy, who apparently can hear sounds now so my husband is teaching him how to fart and burp with spirit.
Labor Signs: Still praying for a full term baby.
Belly Button in or out? In (barely!), and yesterday while inspecting it, my husband found a booger in there. No one has claimed it yet.
What I miss: Sleeping on my stomach and not having to use the airplane lavatory. ALSO, squatting to pee - NOT POSSIBLE ANYMORE. Oh the germ phobia that overwhelms me when I cannot find a thin paper seat cover!!
What I am looking forward to: Hosting Thanksgiving dinner for BOTH families!
Weekly Wisdom: Remember when I told you how bad I am about reading baby books - I found a solution! Happiest Baby on the Block makes a DVD (only 38 minutes!) that hubs and I watched yesterday. It was probably filmed in 1980, but the 5 "S" techniques/demonstrations had us both in awe.
Milestones: My GINORMOUS boobs are now officially resting on my rounded abdomen. SHELF BELLY. AWESOME.

I always decide to take my belly pictures at night when the light is terrible. This picture is brought to you by "maybe if I edit it in black and white it won't look like total crap" (except for the belly shadows, but work with me people.)

Fred Freckle Watch 2009!

How far along? 22 weeks 3 days
How big is baby? about 1 lb and 10.9 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash)
Total weight gain/loss: +3 lbs
Maternity clothes? Yes! I need to buy a few more shirts - somehow the Gap read my mind and sent me a 25% off coupon. You sneaky marketing geniuses, are you reading this blog? (if so, send me FREE stuff, not coupons. My husband doesn't have a JOB, remember?)
Stretch marks? Not yet, slathering on the lotion with wild abandon though. Pass the spatula and stand back!
Sleep: Better! I actually slept through the night TWICE this week. WOO HOO! GO ME!
Best moment this week: Going out to dinner (Thai food!) and to a movie with my exhausted husband in the 24 hours we had together.
Movement: My ribs are officially punching bags now.
Food cravings: The usual suspects of course, in addition to banana peppers and anything pumpkin.
Gender: I already told you I have a penis.
Labor Signs: No, praying for a full term baby.
Belly Button in or out? In, but Jeremy keeps trying to coax it out of the exceedingly less-shallow hiding spot.
What I miss: Sangria and walking fast.
What I am looking forward to: You know you're an adult when you're looking forward to new carpet. I'm also pretty jazzed about an impending trip to IKEA - going to strategically plan this around lunch time so I can chow down on some Swedish meatballs in the cafeteria.
Weekly Wisdom: I've been SLOW-LY reading Happiest Baby on the Block. I say SLOW-LY because, unlike Redbook magazine, I have no concept of what is going on in this book. The message I took away from the first couple chapters is this: Hope and pray your baby doesn't get colic. If baby DOES get colic, re-read these chapters and actually pay attention.
Milestones: I went to temple last night and the Torah portion was on the birth of Isaac. Abraham has the son who will be his heir. From Abraham’s point of view, Isaac is a gift from God. God kept his promises and is a just God. Our Rabbi noted it was a particularly wonderful night with four pregnant ladies in the room... he then added, "...even though it took over 5 months for Tamara to actually look pregnant." Ah, Mazel Tov indeed :)

This morning out of boredom, magazines plastered with fall-themed desserts and my cravings for anything pumpkin - I present to you -

My attempt to hold on to fall for as long as possible, in three ingredients or less

(1 box spice cake mix, 1 cup dark chocolate chips, 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree)
Complete with holiday muffin cups and EEWY GOOEY CHOCOLATE CHIPS!
added bonus: they BOUNCE!

I used up all my patience today and I'm not getting a new shipment until next week

(Note the giant freckle on my abdomen. This thing use to be the size of a pin head and I'll bet 'ya FIVE BUCKS it's the size of brussel sprout by the time this kid comes out!
I hereby name him Fred. Fred the Freckle.)

How far along? 21 weeks
How big is baby? 14 ounces!
Total weight gain/loss: 0 lbs (but my doctor's scale said 2 lbs this week - so we'll go with that for all you peeps who are worried about my weight.)
Maternity clothes? Pants, YES. My shirts are getting shorter though.
Stretch marks? Nope.
Sleep: Lots of nightmares and restlessness.
Best moment this week: Seeing our healthy baby! He's measuring two days ahead and is perfect in every way.
Movement: This is one active little guy.
Food cravings: Getting my appetite back is nice, I've been craving smores so we'll have those this weekend when we carve pumpkins and light our fire pit. Also, Jeremy promised we can get Thai food!
Gender: It's a BOY!!
Labor Signs: No, praying for a full term baby.
Belly Button in or out? In, but I can barely get an M&M to stay in there these days.
What I miss: the energy I used to have and being able to hold in my farts!
What I am looking forward to: Being at home this weekend with my husband, trick-or-treat, and wearing my new winter coat (Thanks Mom!)
Weekly Wisdom: Boys are WAY easier than girls - (pretty much everyone says this)
Milestones: I have a penis growing inside of me and I couldn't be more proud.

Today we stood on line for over 3 hours to get my H1N1 vaccine. Most of the wait was outside, which was better than being closed up in a stuffy auditorium, but once we got in the building it was a total mess. Only ONE table was vaccinating the pregos and of course it HAD THE LONGEST LINE. With 20 minutes left in our wait some paramedics started asking the pregnant ladies if we would like a chair to sit down in... THEY ARE LUCKY THEY DIDN'T LOSE AN EYEBALL.

Hint: When approaching pregnant women who have been STANDING in line ALL AFTERNOON, do not offer them a chair. Instead, shower them with chocolates and massages while telling them they're skinny and reminding them they're next. Otherwise, GO AWAY.

Also, Jeremy was thoroughly amused by the pandemonium that is public vaccination of children. Watching other children scream like holy hell while your mom tries to roll up your sleeve and convince you it doesn't hurt - GIANT FAIL.

Blowdrying my hair makes me dizzy sometimes

Wow, you really look pregnant. Hot and pregnant! - Jeremy

How far along? 19weeks 3days
How big is baby? About 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom
Total weight gain/loss: 0 lbs
Maternity clothes? Yay Thanksgiving pants! Yes, jeans and work pants. Shirts are still okay, except for the tank I wore to the gym on Tuesday -- that didn't quite make it over the belly.
Stretch marks? Nope.
Sleep: Still not getting much.
Best moment this week: Lots of movement!
Movement: Yep, everyday now :)
Food cravings: Still eating candy, my appetite seems to be coming back. I was able to make a list of things I wanted the other day:
Lemonade
Grilled Cheese
Thai Food
Red Velvet Cupcake (cuppies!) with cream cheese icing
I'm also craving all kinds of fall foods - but I think this would happen even if I weren't pregs! I cannot wait for Thanksgiving.
Gender: It's still probably a boy or a girl
Labor Signs: No, praying for a full term baby.
Belly Button in or out? In.
What I miss: Hard cider, pumpkin ale and normal-sized boobs.
What I am looking forward to: Finding out the gender a week from tomorrow!
Weekly Wisdom: Be your own kind of mother, just do what feels natural for you. - some Jewish mothers at a dinner on Friday
Milestones: Movement PALOOZA!

I cannot wait until Starbucks releases the peppermint hot cocoa and Chick-Fil-A has the peppermint milkshakes again. Ah, winter drinks. I'm convinced my baby will love you too!

Here is my belly pic!


and one of Miss Har staring at my belly...


And then just one of Harleigh, because she just got her hair cut and she's so damn cute!

I have one pair of work pants that still button!

Time for another pregnancy survey!!

How far along? 18 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: -1lb
Maternity clothes? I've worn one pair of khakis but I felt like I was swimming in them. Very few of my other pants button.
Stretch marks? No thank you.
Sleep: Not getting much. LOTS of nightmares.
Best moment this week: Telling our parents
Movement: I thought I felt some little pops and flutters today... hoping for more :)
Food cravings: Still sour candies and red sauce - however, I did have a strawberry milkshake. Making my way back towards ice cream I hope.
Gender: It's probably a boy or a girl
Labor Signs: No, thank you.
Belly Button in or out? In but not as deep as it used to be (no you can not put your finger in there...)
What I miss: Sangria and exercising with my heart rate around 180.
What I am looking forward to: BIG Ultrasound in a few weeks!!
Weekly Wisdom: You'll know it when you feel it (movement) - my mom
Milestones:We're not hiding it any more!!

This cartoon pretty much sums up my thoughts for the week:

SECOND TRIMESTER! Woot! Woot!

I figured it was time for a cheesy pregnancy survey!
How far along? 13w4d
Total weight gain/loss: -5lbs
Maternity clothes? Nope, but I do unbutton my jeans a lot!
Stretch marks? No thank you.
Sleep: Depends. If I take a nap during the day, then I can't sleep at night. Since getting pregnant, I've actually had a lot of restlessness and VERY weird dreams. Last week I dreamt about thin purple snakes with see-through skin crawling all over me.
Best moment this week: Seeing the baby.
Movement: We got a while for that.
Food cravings: Anything tomato based and SOUR CANDIES!!
Gender: no guesses.
Labor Signs: No thank you.
Belly Button in or out? In.
What I miss: Wanting to eat food, ice cream and not having a headache all the time.
What I am looking forward to: telling our parents in October.
Weekly Wisdom: We haven't told anyone we're pregnant - so no one gives me advice yet :) But I did read a pretty cool quote by Nicole Richie "It's something completely new, so you just have to go with whatever works for you. There's a million different ways to be a mom."
Milestones: 2nd TRIMESTER!!

Here is a belly picture. I only have a tiny bulge, which is probably more gut than baby (I swear it feels like a small piece of fruit underneath), but I wanted to post one before I pop out. This way I can remember I wasn't always a house :)