Week 29...Swelling, Sleeping, Snoring and PreNatal Yoga

I dont have ankle bones any longer. At least not that you can see.  I'm not complaining, as I'd give up visibility of all my bones if that's what I had to do to bring Rylie into this world. But it does kind of suck, nonetheless. Swelling causes tightness, which I have never experienced quite like this before. It's hard for me to make a fist due to the swelling in my hands. This doesn't limit my ability to do my normal daily activities by any means, it's just more of a noticeable pain in the butt!  I never realized how much I liked my feet before they got all puffy. I should have complimented them more, and showed them off in pretty sandals more often.  Now I just want to cover them up and not look at them for 2 more months. It's a good thing my belly is sticking out enough that I cannot see my little fat feet when I'm standing. Poor little piggys!

Sleeping is becoming a nightly challenge. Not only because it's getting difficult to find a comfortable position, but I guess "gestational snoring" has kicked in. I'm not sure if that's really a true medical term, but it sounds much better than just "snoring". Adding the gestational to it just makes it sound temporary and tolerable. This statement is more for Brian's benefit than mine, as he is the one affected by it. I dont know i'm doing it since i'm asleep at the time. But he says it's pretty bad.  He even recorded me on his phone the other night to make sure he has the evidence to back up his claims.  :)    We did buy me a super big and comfy back and belly pillow which is helping. I love it so much I'm not sure I will be able to give it up after Rylie is born. We'll have to see. It takes up half the bed, so my guess is that Brian will find a way to get rid of it sooner or later. :)   Look at this darn thing though. Who wouldnt fall in love with such an awesome pillow! So cuddly!

I started my weekly prenatal yoga class a couple Tuesdays ago.  I go every Tuesday night from 6-7pm.  What I thought was going to be a relaxing evening of mild stretching is actually a hard core sweat shop led by a yoga-nazi. It was NOT easy. The "downward dog" is for the birds! The instructors name is Courtney and she is my age, 38. She just had her 3rd child 5 weeks ago and she looks AMAZING!  Okay, she's not a yoga-nazi, she's actually a really nice gal. So I'm pretty motivated to keep going weekly, if only for the reminder that, yes, even at 38 there is hope to get my prebaby body back quickly if I try hard enough!

Some poses that you would think wouldnt necessarily be that good for prego's...but apparently are! Modified a tad to make room for the extended prego belly, but pretty much unchanged. The hardest part is holding the darn poses for as long as we are supposed to...with the unbalance of being pregnant and all.

Downward Dog

Childs Pose

Bridge Pose

Tree Pose

Dancer Pose

some sort of Angle Pose

and some sort of Sitting Pose

Sun Salutations (this set of continuous moves is HARD!!!)

Now that i've mentioned some of the worst parts of my pregnancy thus far, I want to end on the BEST part of my pregnancy thus far....I'm starting to feel Rylie move around a lot more frequently.  Every time I feel her move, or when I think about how Brian and I have created this beautiful little girl that we are going to get the joy of meeting in a little over 2 months, it makes all the un-desireable symptoms of pregnancy just go away. They dont matter at all. I'd endure 10 times the discomfort for this little miracle. I absolutely love being pregnant and I love the thoughts I have of our future raising this beautiful baby. Brian and I are so anxious to meet her! We love you, Rylie!

Week 27...Happy Easter!

What a beautiful Easter weekend we had. Brian and I did a lot of yard work on Saturday and we even got to clean out the shed in the backyard, it was great. We love outdoor spring projects. I don't think Rylie knew what to do, as mommy was up and down pulling weeds, planting in the dirt, helping daddy move stuff around in and out of the shed. She probably just sat back and enjoyed the ride. I did too, until my feet and lower back hurt so bad I could barely walk. Good thing my adrenaline for outdoor projects keeps me going until the end. It's only when I really know the project is over that my body lets me give into pain and suffering. But once I did, it was on!

Sunday we went to church and then out to lunch with my sister and my mom. I was able to squeeze into a nice spring pair of capri pants of mine (non maternity) with the help of a belly band. Thank goodness for those, since all my maternity clothes are darker wintery colors and patters. I don't think my dark corduroy winter maternity pants will translate well into an Easter outfit.  And I refuse to buy more maternity outfits. So belly bands it is. Thank goodness my butt isnt getting bigger!!  :)  I'll take a pregnancy swollen face over a swollen butt any day!

HAPPY EASTER to ALL!

Hi Rylie....It's Daddy

91 days and counting.....91 days until I get to see you, hold you, hug you, kiss you....91 days until mommy and daddy get to meet you......91 days until you come into our lives and change us forever......You are such a special part of my life and you are not even here yet. There is not a day that goes by that I do not think about you. I wonder what you are doing in mommy's uterus. What you are seeing...what you are hearing...when you are sleeping...when you are awake...even though mommy usually lets me know when you are active and when you are asleep.....speaking of you being active...I have been feeling your little baby punches...you pack a mean little punch....we might have a boxer on our hands :)

There are so many people that love you.....your mommy and daddy...aunt tracie....your grandma dorothy (she has not picked an official name yet)....nana and pops.....I could go on and on....you are such a blessing in all our lives.....we can not wait to meet you...and I will tell you before you even come into this world, you are going to be somewhat spoiled! Especially by your grandparents! There is not much they won't do for you....

As your mom and I wait these next three months with great anticipation, I want you to know that I already love you with all of my heart and that love grows each day...The day that I get to hold you in my arms for the first time can not get here soon enough....but until that day, know that your daddy loves you very much and I can not wait to see you!!

I LOVE YOU RYLIE,
DADDY