third trimester!

i am entering my 28th week of pregnancy and i can't believe it! although 3 months seems so far away, when i tell people "12 more weeks," it starts to get really REAL. did i mention we still have nothing for baby? did i mention we actually don't have anything in our apartment besides two suitcases, two camping chairs and an air mattress? the baby will be cool with that, i'm sure.

i don't feel nervous about having the baby or the baby being here-what i am stressed about is finding an OBGYN and getting the baby stuff. frankly, i just can't wait to sit on my new leather couch or in a soon-to-be-purchased-rocking-chair-i-hope cuddling my sweet child. i think living for two months with my 3-4 month old niece helped me realize that babies can get by without all the fancy things baby registries tell you are necessities. the surprise of finding out my baby's gender is also lending labor a surprising appeal. i've read many birth stories and looked at all sorts of pregnancy and birth checklists and i have formulated my goals, but i'm also pretty flexible regarding birth and baby.

first trimester was defined by sickness, which spilled a little into the second but maybe about once a week until week 18. after that, i was HUNGRY and it didn't help i was living with my own gourmet chef, my mom. i felt great for the most part-no jogging or working out as hard. i didn't really watch what i ate, but i made sure to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables each day. i've experienced lots of body aches over the last few weeks, mostly in my back and recently....sore feet! i craved salty foods a lot during the middle weeks (i always wanted cheetos or nachos, not that i ate them....often). i tear up or cry anytime i read or hear anything sentimental. i also LOATHE sleeping on my side. that's about it!

here's a progression of my belly over about 15 weeks, it's getting so big. i don't love gaining weight everywhere but i do love stretchy maternity clothes. i feel very grateful to be experiencing this and i'm so thankful for everyone's love and support and excitement. cory and i cannot wait for our little boy or girl to join our family in january!