hello third trimester

hello 29 weeks. hello beached whale status. 

at 29 weeks, i feel:

heavy and slow. i can barely keep up with my kids and all their scurrying around.

big. i dread picking things up off the floor, it's like doing crazy yoga poses just to figure out how to sweep things into the dust pan.

hungry - all the time.

a couple things i love:

little mr. wiggles. i love feeling my belly move this way and that way. this little guy is so active and it is very comforting. i remember when i was pregnant with samiyah, i called the doctor once because i hadn't felt her move for a really long time.

ice chips. i crave ice. i cannot stop chomping on ice, even though i know how bad it is for my teeth, i just can't help myself.

this well rounded belly. it's a little strange being so comfortable with how big i am - and knowing that i still have 10 more weeks to gain even more - i'm happy with this pregnant self of mine.

somehow with kids being sick, and holiday travel, and photo business stuff, i've been too busy to really take advantage of my second trimester nesting phase. i just hope i don't get too uncomfortable to get some things done before this mister comes. with every pregnancy i've felt my body get weaker. things like walking, and bending, and carrying kids become more painful. braxton hicks contractions have been going non-stop, which never bothered me before, but now i have to stop what i'm doing and take a breather. i've had to curb my running and take it easy with housework things like mopping or lifting laundry up and down the stairs. i'm not used to playing the helpless pregnant woman, but i realize if i want to keep myself from being bed-ridden these last months, i really need to slow it down.

anyway, i just recently read one of my friend's blog posts who is also expecting a baby this year. 

 and it just so happens that this is the year of the dragon according to the chinese calendar. 

"In ancient times the dragon was a symbol reserved for the Chinese emperor, and it is considered to be an extremely auspicious sign.Often regarded as one of the most important signs in the zodiac, Chinese tradition dictates that those born in Dragon years tend to be brave, innovative and highly driven, regularly making it to the top of their profession."

i remember, as a child, eating at our favorite chinese restaurant, my brothers and i would always look at our chinese animal signs and horoscopes. it was so much fun comparing our signs to one another. 

i thought this was a fun little tidbit to know about this upcoming baby. he'll be our little dragon baby.

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today i am grateful for:

*a helpful husband who shoved and iced the walkway for me.

*kids who are well and back in school.

*samiyah's long nap today.