Pregnancy Update: Month 8

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i distinctly remember being 10 weeks pregnant, knowing i’d have roughly 30 weeks continuing gestation passed that. i remember wondering what it would feel like to be 30-something weeks pregnant and here i am, already.  it’s about what i expected except for the movements going on inside of me.

they are so hard to explain if you have never felt them and it really is pretty amazing and pretty weird at the same time. i am quite grateful that while i wouldn’t necessarily describe my pregnancy as ‘easy and super fun,’ i do get to describe it as healthy. i do not take my health or our baby’s health for granted so let’s keep on trucking.

today: i’m 35 weeks pregnant and bavery is measuring anywhere from 19-22 inches long (probably on the long side thanks to giant parents). she is around 5.5 pounds! i am not going to give you my measurements.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • feeling her massive movements in my belly now (more about that below!)
  • we have all of her necessities now (this means carseat, stroller, place to sleep)
  • it’s been so fun imagine what she is going to look like with my husband!
  • feeling quite solid in unlearning and relearning about birth and women. our bodies and our babies know exactly what to do and birth does not need to suck or be painful. it’s a beautiful and natural occurance that has been happening for thousands of years!
  • getting henna and photographed by sarahkate butterworth! shoutout to my friend kate for letting me know she was seeking ‘pregnant models to henna!’ she made me feel so comfortable, beautiful and embrace my full belly. this was taken when i was 33.5 weeks

Henna Chelsea0020aeightx12 - Henna

Henna Chelsea0245a12x6 - Henna

  • OH! my amazing husband WON me my dream diaper bag thanks to a giveaway from camp patton and lily jade! can you believe it!? they are quite spendy but very high quality and i literally screamed and ran/waddled around our home when he told me! yes, i have used it already to carry my laptop – i mean the changing pad is perfect for put on a coffee shop table.lily jade
  • we also celebrated a 7th honeymoon (a month and half early) in estes park!

estes park anniversary

LOWLIGHTS

  • sleep has been exceeding difficult this month. i’m averaging about 3-4 hours a night and that makes everything else haaaard. this sleepy time tincture was recommended to me and i’d like to believe it’s helping.
  • i have had a lot of aches in my hips and pelvis – but went to see a prenatal chiropractor last week and she readjusted and realigned – somewhat better now
  • my energy appears to be on the steady decline (though my hunger is on a steady incline)

STRANGE/INTERESTING FACTS

  • at 31 weeks, she is process and perceiving signals from all 5 sense!
  • at 32 weeks, her digestive system is all good to go!
  • at 33 weeks, she is keeping her eyes open when awake and closed when sleeping!
  • at 34 weeks, she is peeing about a pint a day (no wonder i go to the bathroom all the time – peeing for 2!)
  • by 35 weeks – the uterus has expanded 1,000 times it’s original size!
  • since she’s growing so fast the amount of amniotic fluid in her sac decreases so that’s why you can see body parts moving

SYMPTOMS

  • restless leg syndrome is still not my friend but my midwife recommended some magnesium + calcium and it seems to make it a little more bearable
  • round ligament pain like whoa – ouch.
  • swelling – because of the heat my fingers and feet swell pretty much daily
  • my feet totally spread at week 31! suddenly i had to loosen my tennis shoes by like double! these are the only thing that are comfy and fit my feet – i wear them daily
  • many many more braxton-hicks contractions (they actually started around week 20 for me but now getting stronger and more intense)
  • shortness of breath almost always. she is taking up some serious room in my belly and that’s with me having a pretty long torso!
  • well i officially have an ‘outie’ belly button but my husband assures me “it’s the cute kind”
  • around week 32, i woke up with the first two joints in all of my fingers and also in my toes aching. it’s especially bad in the morning but thankfully usually loosens up
  • i now groan basically every time i have to move my body – it’s involuntary

and now for the photo compilation where you can see me getting progressively more tired weekly…

8 months pregnant

i took the below photo right before bed last night and look at the difference! i generally take the photos in the morning so either i’m bloated or my belly expanded insanely in one week. no wonder i can’t breathe!

35 weeks pregnant

AVERSIONS

heat.

oh and getting up from a seated or lying down position.

CRAVINGS

chips and a milkshake. still can’t digest that much lactose so i’ve made a few “milkshakes” with soy ice cream, lactose free milk and delicious protein powder. slightly healthier so go me! the one good thing about being pregnant in the summer is access to lots of fresh fruit – i have been craving peaches, watermelon and strawberries!

update – over the weekend my friend kate and i went to get vegan milkshakes (still have no idea what was in it but i know it wasn’t dairy) and it. was. the best. i dubbed it as top three things i’ve put in my mouth this year. now i’m craving another one ever sense! we got them from watercourse foods – a vegan restaurant in denver.

vegan milkshakes denver

MOVEMENT

she has moved from wiggles and squiggles to full on leg and arms whooshing across my belly. you can see it and it’s NUTS!

earlier this week i experienced my first pretty painful jab when she proceeded to shove her elbow at an angle from within. she left it like that for about 1 minute (in elbow-jabbing times, that feels like a lifetime). usually when she’s wiggly and moving i can touch that same area and she plays a little back and then moves away but not for elbow jab. she took her sweet time retracting that.

we went to the midwife last week and now she is currently in the perfect position for delivery! that means her head is down and she is facing back (anterior). when i went a few weeks ago, she was facing posterior so i have been using the exercises from spinningbabies.com. i am continuing with them to keep her in the correct position!

we could also feel the outline of her head at my pubic bone – so crazy cool! who is she?! what is she like?! does she like us squeezing her head?!

WORKOUTS

this month i experienced pretty bad round ligament pain, which basically means it hurts every time i take a step so my walks weren’t as frequent. thanks to those who participated in the prenatal yoga giveaway – yay! i have been trying to do that but i find my motivation to exercise has gone down.

this could be because i’m constantly out of breath so maybe my mind thinks that i’m working out all day. seriously, i’m out of breath when i turn from one side to the other in bed.

MISSING ANYTHING

  • sleep
  • my husband, because we are in the middle of a 3 week stretch of craziness (but he comes home today for a few days)
  • margaritas
  • not bumping into things

LOOKING FORWARD TO

  • my baby shower at the beginning of august! my sister and i are having a joint one so she can feel the love while she’s in town too! plus my bestie alison is coming out!
  • my husband accomplishing his ironman the following day! he has been working so hard and i am very impressed and proud of him
  • my in-laws officially moved here yesterday – YAY!
  • the fact that our yas queen could arrive healthily between 37-42 (that’s a normal time for babies to be born – no induction needed unless baby or mama are at medical risk in between that range)
  • starting 31 days of kindness on monday – join us!

want to not do whatever you are supposed to be doing and read about my earlier month progression? i have you covered:

first trimester (month 1-3)

month four

month five

month six

months seven

28 Comments

  1. Nina @ Hugs and Lattes

    July 27, 2016 at 8:33 am

    Ahh this is so exciting! And like I’ve said before, you’re an adorable pregnant lady. Craving milkshakes and not being able to eat dairy sounds miserable. And being pregnant in the summer sounds not fun as well. I can’t believe you’re so close to your due date! Only 1 more month!
    Nina @ Hugs and Lattes recently posted…Finding Contentment When You’re Burnt Out

    • chelsea

      July 27, 2016 at 4:52 pm

      aw thank you nina! some days i definitely feel cuter than others! yeah i’ve also been having cheese cravings – so not fair! hard to believe it’s only one month! ahhhhhh super excited!

  2. Jennifer Haston

    July 27, 2016 at 8:57 am

    SO exciting! You are so right about.. “you can’t really accurately describe it unless you feel it”.. our petite bebe is moving and SEEING her move is a nice preview for what’s coming.. 31 weeks today.. so it’s getting very exciting! Thanks for keeping it oh so real, Chelsea! I love reading your posts, it’s sooooo handy for “coming soon to a uterus near me”.. Hugs and rest! Love you lady!

    • chelsea

      July 27, 2016 at 4:53 pm

      the seeing my belly move from the outside is totally bizarre and fascinating to watching, jennifer! happy 31 weeks yay! haha “coming to a uterus near me” is hilarious and totally made me audibly laugh! glad we are in it together!

  3. Lauren @ Oh Hey! I Like That!

    July 27, 2016 at 9:14 am

    Eeek! It’s getting so close! I’ve loved following your pregnancy! Can’t wait to see pictures of your girl! Yas Queen!
    Lauren @ Oh Hey! I Like That! recently posted…Wedding Wednesday: First Fitting

    • chelsea

      July 27, 2016 at 4:55 pm

      i’m so excited to see what she is going to look like, lauren! thanks so much for coming along on the journey of pregnancy – it’s wild and crazy 🙂

  4. Amberly

    July 27, 2016 at 9:41 am

    Oh pregnancy, it’s such a joy and such a pain at the same time!! I’m glad you had so many great moments this month. Your henna pictures look amazing!! Bensen was born at 37.5 weeks, even though I told him that he could hang out until 41 weeks (after finals were over and I’d had a week to breathe and finalize baby stuff). With this girl, I’m telling her that it would be ok with her due date were really what I think it is (not 3 weeks later like the doctor keeps telling me it is) and if she wanted to come a couple of weeks before my estimate for her due date haha. Pregnancy has not been kind to my body this time around. I have constant pain from varicose veins…

    • chelsea

      July 27, 2016 at 4:57 pm

      haha you said it amberly! i had forgotten he was born at 37.5 weeks amberly (and right in the middle of finals ahhhhh)! hah i totally feel you on the due date you believe vs. what the doc told you! we are the same – about 2 weeks ahead of schedule in my mind (and according to my calculations) so time shall tell!

      so sorry your pregnancy this time around has been worse – i am will give thanks for not experiencing varicose veins, those sound yucky

  5. Alison

    July 27, 2016 at 10:53 am

    I’m so excited to see you and your belly!

    • chelsea

      July 27, 2016 at 4:58 pm

      YAY! can’t wait for it allllll xox

  6. Paula Howley

    July 27, 2016 at 11:06 am

    You look AMAZING. So sorry you’re so tired honey- I remember. And it’s so damned hot in the summer too. Have you done much swimming? Does it help?
    I’ve been trying to figure out what to send you because I know Ravery doesn’t like ‘stuff’ that much and I’m sure you have more than enough. It just came to me today! I would love to do an astrological chart for your girl after she’s born if you would like one. 🙂 totes up to you- some people don’t so let me know ok?
    Paula Howley recently posted…Synthesizing an Unmistakable Voice

    • chelsea

      July 27, 2016 at 5:00 pm

      we have a pool at our apartment complex but it’s not really a swimming one but i do need to utilize it more. it would probably help to feel weightless. good idea!

      you are SO sweet to think of us (and especially think of ravery not loving ‘things’ – he sometimes panics about how much stuff we have for her and she’s not even here yet!) we would LOVE an astrological chart for her when she’s born – totally adore that idea. thank you paula 🙂

  7. Elyse

    July 27, 2016 at 11:49 am

    You’re so close to meeting bavery! Say what you will but I think you look absolutely stunning(sleep deprived or not!). I’ve loved seeing your pregnancy!
    Elyse recently posted…Alphabet Date Nights

    • chelsea

      July 27, 2016 at 5:02 pm

      oh elyse – you’re the sweetest! somedays i feel better than others. i am getting SO excited to meeting bavery ahhh it’s getting so close!

  8. Audrey

    July 27, 2016 at 12:20 pm

    GORGEOUS PHOTOS! Those turned out awesome! Someday when I have a kid I need to find an artist to henna my tummy! Too cool!!

    Also, I can’t believe you’re 35 weeks!! Your little queen is going to be answering your questions in no time! (And I am SO ANTSY to find out the name y’all have picked! I love names!)
    Audrey recently posted…Cape Cod [ 2 of 2 ]

    • chelsea

      July 27, 2016 at 5:06 pm

      you totally should audrey! it was such an empowering and awesome experience to help me embrace my growing belly. there is still even some left on my belly (mostly because i haven’t been scrubbing it off)!

      i keep almost spilling the beans on the name – ravery’s 88 year old grandma keeps saying “well i’ll be – that’s the most interesting name for a little girl. are you sure about this?” haha

  9. Ania

    July 27, 2016 at 12:21 pm

    So cute <333

    • chelsea

      July 27, 2016 at 5:06 pm

      thank you ania 🙂

  10. Vivien

    July 27, 2016 at 1:39 pm

    Thanks for another great pregnancy update! I don’t know what you mean about the tiredness…you are glowing in all of the pictures!

    On another note, I just realized (took me this long eh haha) that my cousin and his wife are also expecting their first child right around the same time as you and Ryan! A lot of baby things going on now 🙂

    • chelsea

      July 27, 2016 at 5:09 pm

      thank you for reading vivien and for thinking i’m glowing! you’re so kind 🙂

      how fun that your cousin and his wife are expecting around the same time as us – must be something in the water! ha!

  11. Courtney {Alkeks Abroad}

    July 27, 2016 at 4:12 pm

    Eeek we are getting so close!! I love that diaper bag, I can’t believe he won it! The big movements are so crazy looking. Yay for finding vegan milkshakes, my appetite has been crazy lately too I’m glad I’m not the only one.

    • chelsea

      July 27, 2016 at 5:11 pm

      we really are, courtney! can’t wait to hear the name you all picked out for your baby A! i still get so excited every time i see that bag and can’t believe he won it either!

      seriously that appetite. i ate a whole personal pizza and salad at lunch and almost started eating my backup PBJ AT the table because i was still hungry.

  12. Elizabeth

    July 27, 2016 at 5:47 pm

    Ahhhh so close!!!! As I was reading through your symptoms I was thinking–yes, yes, YES–especially on the outie belly button and the aching joints. Hurrah for vegan milkshakes and husband’s coming come!!
    Elizabeth recently posted…A Day at the Honolulu Zoo

  13. Samantha

    July 27, 2016 at 7:14 pm

    Chelsea, those pictures with the henna are gorgeous! (Although you are a natural at that already) I am sure you will treasure those forever! I have a few pictures and (angrily) deleted a few out of my raging hormones. Garrett took a pic of my first attempt at nursing Matthew when we got home and I struggled with nursing so out of anger I deleted the ONLY picture I had. (DONT DO THAT!!)
    Congrats and let the countdown begin. I can’t wait to see pics of you and Kendal next to each other!! Two beautiful Mamas inside and out!

  14. Louann Kristy

    July 28, 2016 at 3:40 pm

    Oh my but you look so stunning and radiant with your pregnancy.
    I absolutely adored the henna belly photography – so gorgeous !
    What an exciting time and experience. 🙂
    Louann Kristy recently posted…How do you connect | A Social Media Newbie

  15. Jun Yen

    August 7, 2016 at 11:50 am

    You look alike your husband 🙂 People say that if a couple have been in love with each other long enough, their faces look the same. Can’t wait to see your baby Chelsea
    Jun Yen recently posted…How I Get The Healthiest Food For Our Baby

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