Maternity Photoshoot

I have seen some beautiful maternity pictures online and was inspired to get one done for our first pregnancy. I've been told that children are the best form of birth control - so in the event that this is my only child, I would've at least captured the memory in forms of still images. The initial challenge was to identify this photoshoot as a "need" or a "want"...do I "need" to have belly pictures, or do I "want" to have maternity pictures? The answer is very obvious, thus to justify the shoot, I needed to find a very good deal! I was hunting Groupon for a long time, however, most of the deals did not give me digital copyrights, so I switched over to Craigslist. I found a GREAT deal for under $30 (isn't it great to experience Gods' favor??) and we are rather pleased with the outcome. Of course, Caleb and I are not professional models by any means, but it sure is fun to experience being in a studio.

Weight Gain

Since I failed the first glucose test (to check if I have gestational diabetes, GD) I got concerned about delivering a big baby...after all, this is my first birth and doing it all natural seems scary if the baby is bigger than my opening...concerns of tearing or a head stuck in the path, is not a pleasing thought! I tried accomodating a diet that cuts out sugar (even though I wasn't big on sugar to begin with) but I'm suspecting that my German husband may have passed on some genes that enables a bigger baby than a typical Asian-sized baby (I may be completely wrong, but who knows).

Most resources provided the following information regarding healthy weight gain. Women are expected to gain typically between 25-35lbs (11kg - 15kg). If you look at the chart I built below, I am not within the estimated range that I am suppose to fall into. As it is, I am presently 31weeks pregnant and have gained a whopping 32lbs, but I still have at least 8weeks more to go! Most people look at me and will agree that majority of my weight gain is shown on my belly, but personally, I do feel some chubsters hanging onto my thigh & butt.

• Baby: 8 pounds
• Placenta: 2-3 pounds
• Amniotic fluid: 2-3 pounds
• Breast tissue: 2-3 pounds
• Blood supply: 4 pounds
• Stored fat for delivery and breastfeeding: 5-9 pounds
• Larger uterus: 2-5 pounds
• Total: 25-35 pounds

I don't think I am eating more than I am supposed to - I snack healthily (except on weekends when I see Caleb) with baby carrots, string cheese, yogurt, fruit and hard boiled eggs, and I break up my meals into smaller portion so I don't eat three big meals. I just got done with my 2nd GD test (which was super no fun - 12hours of fasting before the first blood draw, and then a continued 3hour fasting for the next 3blood draw) and am anxiously awaiting the results. If all goes well, I probably will opt out of the test for the next pregnancy; I figured I should at least take the test once since all 4 of my grandparents have diabetes!

After all that is said and done, it is in God's hands and I pray for a healthy & safe delivery. Of course I have to still do my part of eating healthily. A recent article I read said that doing perineal massage helps prevent tearing, so I think I will consider doing that (and probably increase my kegel exercises!) 

Hot Summer for Big Mama

We are coming to the tail end of our long-distance relationship and I can’t wait to move back with my hubby. It went from sadness to numbness to madness and now I’m glad I don’t have to wait and see what’s the next phase of separation will I get into because (hopefully) be the end of the month we will be reunited!

If I actually give birth on the baby due date, I am currently 70 days away from meeting the precious little one. It is fun having a 9-month roomie that always accompany you in everything you do…especially one that is so considerate like my little princess. Praise God that I do not have the typical pregnancy with the Braxton Hicks, heartburn, back pain, sleepless night, insufficient room for meals, throwups, etc…because I am having a great time with the pregnancy! When I sing, baby sometimes squirm, when I rub my belly, baby occasionally surface to the top of my belly to get some lovin, and when I eat, baby jumps around! Very exciting to feel baby inside me :-)

Yesterday I went for my first foot reflexology...people say to pamper yourself before the baby comes, and I am glad I did because it was a relaxing time to release some tension from my feet after carrying so much weight around. I love groupon and all them great deals! We will probably get another groupon deal for a couples massage. 

The summer has been great because its mostly been around the 80s (high 20s for those who do Celsius!!) so its not too hot..but when it did get hot, we were able to splash around in the lake to cool off. I was expecting to be a lot more buoyant especially with all the excess water that I am carrying, but I needed the Styrofoam noodle to help me stay afloat (since treading water knocks the wind out of me!)