Complications of Pregnancy

So far the least fun thing about pregnancy has been the constant comments and/or judgments about my belly size. I get it, it's big, but really, is it necessary to say that it looks like I could go at any moment? No, it's not. And frankly, the rest of my body is pretty close to being what it was before I was pregnant, having gained only a total of eight pounds since before pregnancy. It probably shouldn't bother me, but when you grow up with body issues and struggle with weight throughout your life, people, random ones at that, stating you are 'big' do not help your mental state. Luckily, I have an amazingly supportive and kind husband that reassures me every time I'm having a bad body image moment, that I am in fact pregnant and am supposed to be larger than normal.

Aside from that fun one, a few other complications have arose as of late. The first being ridiculously swollen ankles and feet. We're talking cankles and/or bricks. These puppies are MASSIVE. It used to be that it would only happen if I was on my feet all day (our Halloween party was awful) or ate too much salt. But no, not now...it starts like this first thing in the morning and continues all day no matter how hydrated I may be.

pretty right?!

And the latest, and not necessarily greatest development is that I have....gestational diabetes! Really exciting right?! Apparently my body, when pregnant, can't handle the amount of insulin the additional hormones produces. This condition affects roughly two to ten percent of the pregnant population, which means I'm not completely abnormal. And the good news is that it will most likely go away after the nugget makes his/her arrival.  Until then, I have to watch what I eat. I will be attending a gestational diabetes class next week to get the full download on what to do. And as usual, I am completely grateful to have Paul in my corner. He's already planning meals and keeping me on track, as painful it may be as the holidays approach.  Good thing I've gathered some diabetic dessert cookbooks over the years for preparing meals at holiday get together's...guess they'll be more handy than I ever thought! I will definitely miss some things though...Just have to remember its for the nugget and it puts it all in perspective.  :)

Baby Bump & Nugget Progress

Sorry the posts have been a little delayed...not sure where the weeks are going! So, here is an overview of the last few weeks of bump photos...

All black still doesn't hide that bump!!!

 It's AMAZING how the angle affects the 'size' of the bump in these photos! YIKES!!

No chalkboard photo for 28 weeks...

I don't have a purple chalkboard marker and the nugget was the size of an eggplant. :\

You have to admit...the drawing of the acorn squash is pretty good!! I even impressed myself ;)

So that's what you missed over the past four weeks. Just getting larger and larger. Surprisingly, however, my total weight gain for the pregnancy is at only EIGHT pounds!!! I know those around me don't believe it, since it seems I get nothing but comments like "OMG, you're huge! You're really not due until late January?!", but I had the doctor double check the weight gain. 

The good news is, regardless of all the amazing comments I get about my size, is that the nugget is completely healthy. He/she is tracking perfectly in the 55% percentile for growth, already at about 2.5 pounds. Unfortunately, he/she is just like her daddy...shy!!! There was no getting a good face picture or a 3D  ultrasound to show who the baby takes after more. Apparently the nugget wants to surprise us with more than his/her gender, he/she wants to make sure we don't know what he/she looks like either!!

Or the nugget didn't want mommy to know more than daddy since he was out of town for the ultrasound. Regardless, we love him/her and were relieved to hear everything is cooking normally in the womb!