How Far Along: 32 weeks.
Size of Baby: 3.75 pounds and 16.7 inches tall :)
Maternity Clothes: Yep! Still going with the belly band! I'm too cheap to buy any maternity jeans, so hopefully the band sticks with me till the end. By the time I get home from teaching though I'm in leggings--way more comfortable! I also wear a lot of dresses. My wonderful sister-in-law, Emily, gave me a ton of maternity clothes to borrow during the pregnancy which I am VERY grateful for, and they have come in handy so many times. Thank you Emily! :)
Gender: It's a boy! Also, we have officially decided on a name. Andrew Benjamin Vanderhorst :) We really liked the name Andrew, and then realized that it was the name of one of Grant's life-long friends, so we decided to have his middle name be the name of Grant's other life-long friend (Grant, Andy, and Bear (Benjamin) were all really close).
Movement: Of course! It hasn't been a lot of kicking though as much as it has been him doing somersaults and shifting. I think he's getting too big to really kick or punch me, and he has thankfully stayed out of my rib cage. He did kick me in the ribs once and so I used my hands to push him down. I apparently have a very obedient and considerate son because he's stayed out ever since then haha.
Sleep: Tons and tons of sleep! I think third trimester has been the most tiring--even more so than 1st trimester. I'm able to sleep pretty well through the night, but I do have to shift from side and side because if I sleep on one side for too long my hip falls asleep. I feel like I shake the whole bed when I move positions, but thankfully Grant stays asleep through it (I hope!) I have to express gratitude for Grant. I cannot tell you how many times he has carried me to bed because I fell asleep on the couch, or how many times he's come home to a napping wife with the apartment still dirty and dinner still not made, and he just goes along with it. He really has taken on so much at home with cleaning and cooking all for the sake of me getting the rest that I need and I so appreciate that. He really has been my rock during this whole pregnancy.
What I miss: Not being able to lay flat on my back or stomach. A few weeks ago I got a prenatal massage and the massage table had a little cut out for my belly, so I could lie flat on my stomach. I swear I would've paid just to be able to do that for an hour. I really need to invest in one of those tables!
Cravings: I've been wanting fruit a lot more. I have a fruit smoothie once a day, which is perfect because right now I can't fit a whole lot in my stomach at once, so having a smoothie as a meal replacement has been perfect!
Aversions: I'm pretty much fine with everything except any meat that has been cooked in BBQ sauce. It's the weirdest thing--the other day I made this BBQ chicken in the crockpot which I usually have LOVED, and I took about 3 bites and was done. I tried it again a few days later and the same thing happened. Even the thought of it makes me cringe. It's so weird! I usually love BBQ anything, so that's been a little odd.
Symptoms: Just back aches and tiredness. Oh ya and Braxton Hicks contractions! The back aches are getting better (thank goodness for my prenatal yoga!) and the contractions aren't painful, so it's nothing too bad :)
Best Moment: I've had quite a few best moments. My mom came into town last week and I got to spend some time with her shopping for some baby stuff, and she also came to school with me to hang out while I taught. She is such a saint! She helped me clean my apartment, bought all the ingredients for me to make some frozen meals, and she made Grant and I breakfast! She really sacrifices so much for her kids and she is always so generous. I love spending time with my mama :) I also found a sub for my maternity leave which is a huge relief, and to be honest I have really enjoyed the Braxton Hicks contractions haha. I know they are a little uncomfortable sometimes, but it makes me really excited for Andrew to be here and excited for labor and delivery :) We start our birthing classes this week as well. Good things are coming our way :)
