7 months

Week 28

Wow! All I can say is that I only thought I was big! I've hit a new high and I'm afraid the waddling will start soon. Every time I feel it coming on, I fight it....hope Bennett doesn't get my stubbornness!!! I have had lots of people tell me I look tiny for 7 months, but it's still weird to see it all happen in front of your eyes!

I have started getting in our pool--started b/c it's still pretty cold water since our pool is only in full sun for about 4-5 hours a day--and love it because it lets the pressure off of my back/belly/etc. We had Jeff's niece's high school graduation this weekend and got lots of pool time on Saturday and Sunday. Thank you to my sister Ashley for sending me her old maternity bathing suits. I have a feeling I'll be in our pool so much I might have to invest in one myself with all the use it will get!

Jeff's mom wanted us to take some fun belly pics this weekend at Maddy's graduation party besides our normal "Jeff & Steph" pic and this is what we got! (Ignore our double chins) No...Jeff has not gained a sympathy belly. He just has this great ability to push out his belly so he looks pregnant! What a talented dad Bennett will have!

Week 29

School is out!!!! We go on our trip to NYC next week, and now it's all about getting everything ready for Bennett's arrival (well, that, teaching summer school, remodeling the kitchen, and possibly doing an addition above our driveway). You know...minor plans!

The Saturday after school was out we went to the "Prepared Childbirth Class" at the hospital--you know....to learn whatever was absolutely necessary for the birth! Let me just start by saying that we both did learn a few things like when it's actually time to go to the hospital, where labor and delivery is in the hospital, etc. BUT (and this is a BIG BUT) it is absolutely NOT necessary to see videos of births--whether it's regular or c-section. REPEAT: NOT NECESSARY!!! I cried the entire way home because it was the first time I realized that this baby was just going to have to come out of me some other way. Thus began the "Stephanie Freaks-Out For at Least a Week" period. (Fun times for Jeff, don't you think??) :)

Week 30
We left for our "vacation/babymoon/late celebration of Jeff's SHSU graduation" the day I began my 30th week. We went to fabulous NYC because Jeff had never been and we got a great deal on flights/hotel (and we couldn't have been luckier with how it all worked out---look for another blog post on that!).

I also started teaching summer school that same week after getting back from our trip--nothing like earning a little bit of extra dough to help out when we adjust finances after Bennett arrives! I'm teaching from 8am-3:30pm with only a 30 minute break for lunch, so needless to say, I'm exhausted!

Monday, June 13th--Dr. visit and glucose test for gestational diabetes. Apparently the range is 140-165 for the glucose test and after drinking my fabulous orange drink I got a 165, which got me an invitation to the 3 hour test later that week! Bennett was the same this week--kicking, punching, and telling me hello all the time! When I lay on the couch in the afternoon my tummy sometimes looks like a river b/c of all he's doing!

Week 31
Thursday, June 16th--our kitchen cabinets came in with no prior notice, so my fabulous hubby packed up most of the kitchen (the dude is like the tasmanian devil sometimes) and I helped once I got home from school and talking with my maternity sub. What a night! Kitchen = demolition zone!

Friday, June 17th--3 hour glucose test. Passed the fasting test; failed the 1st hour by 1 pt (high range was 195 and I got a 196); failed the 2nd hour by a mile!! (high range was 145 and I had 216). Needless to say, my test was over and I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, which

did not make me happy! I'd actually been eating better throughout my pregnancy than any other time except when I've dieted! Talked to Ashley (thank God I have a registered dietician in my family!) and called the nutritionist to set up an appointment. Let the good times roll!

Saturday, June 18th--First baby shower for Bennett!!! Wow, is all I can say! It's amazing how much people show their support for you--and very overwhelming at the same time! We were literally "showered" with love and things for Bennett (and thankfully my mother-in-law was in town and could help me figure out where to put most of it!) Jeff's dad was also in town this weekend and helped him install the kitchen cabinets, and we're so thankful for that b/c the hard part is now done. Measuring for granite and installation of our new appliances happens next week!!

Tuesday, June 21st--meeting with nutritionist went well except for the fact that she never introduced herself, which hit a nerve with me! Anyway...I'll follow what she says I'm supposed to be eating, prick my finger 4 times a day and test my glucose, and then call my sister for everything else!

Week 32

We went on our "for sure last trip of the summer" and went camping at Canyon Lake with the Dunagans. It was SO relaxing and after all we've been doing we definitely needed it! We ate well, lounged like lazy lizards, and rented a little boat to get around the lake on our last day there. We stayed in cabins, so it wasn't "real" camping, but I loved it and Jeff really enjoyed being out in the wild for a little bit! He can't wait until Bennett gets older and they can go "real" camping without mommy!

Our "Jeff & Steph" pic---I didn't feel this big, but I guess pics don't lie!

Our group at the "beach" at the campground

View from the boat--isn't this water gorgeous?

This is the last picture of Amber and I looking alike because Claire is due in just a few weeks. Needless to say...this is definitely the best background for our belly pics!

Monday, June 27th--Dr. visit: I'm now in the period of "every other week" visits and will do this for another week or so. My blood pressure was high at the first check, so they had me lie on my left side and it went down a lot, which was good. BUT...I did get the warning to not do as much. Needless to say, telling this to Jeff makes him worry, and he is continually telling me to not do as much. Being me, I have a really difficult time with this, but I am trying (kind of!).