Y’all – today I am officially 30 weeks pregnant. 30 WEEKS PREGNANT. What the heck just happened, wasn’t I just holding up a grape and securing my pants with a hair tie and easily manuvering in between crowds and stretching all the way to my toes? Hell, able to merely look down at my toes?

10 weeks away. Final countdown. I am not having a panic attack. I am not having a panic attack. I am not having a panic attack…

Let’s revisit the simpler times in my 20’s, shall we?

24 weeks: Baby is size of an ear of CORN!

How I am feeling: Pretty great and very festive! Getting very excited for Christmas, especially since I am feeling the holiday spirit in a whole new way now. Next year at this time, we will have a little baby to tote around and dress up in very embarrassing Christmas outfits.

With Matt and his dad in San Antonio this weekend for the San Antonio marathon, I spent my days making crafts, baking cookies and watching corny Hallmark movies. Also went to a very fun Christmas pajama party and saw a few old Springbox friends who hadn’t seen me since I gained a tire around my waist.

Health-wise, I had my rescheduled appointment this week (since I had zero regard for writing my appointments down on my calendar and therefore totally missed the last one). Weight gain is on track at 14 pounds total so far (with another 10-15 more to come!) and baby’s heartbeat is strongly thumping away. And speaking of thumps – this baby is a serious mover and shaker! While the doctor was listening to my heartbeat, the baby audibly kicked around a few times – pretty funny stuff.

Best thing I ate all week: Made another pot of pasta fagioli this weekend, which was obviously delicious. But besides that, have to say that Christmas cookies and Trader Joe’s chocolate mint stars are attributing to my growing waistline.

Favorite memory: Listening to the baby’s heartbeat and getting surprised with loud baby kicks, too!

Currently top of the baby to-do list: Registering for childbirth class and tour of hospital! Must.do.next.week.

25 weeks: Baby is size (well, weight) of ACORN SQUASH!

How I am feeling: No big news here…still feeling energized, healthy and excited for the holidays. And also still pretty anxious about being more than halfway to the delivery point! Still haven’t booked that baby class. Eeeep!

Naming conventions: Matt and I are prettyyyyy set on a name. We have thrown a few in the mix since we found out the baby’s gender, but there has only been one that has naturally stuck. We now call the baby by this name, and so far, we are still pretty in love with it! Neither one of us has gotten sick of it or thought of any reason why we should go with something else.

What I am wearing: Now that my belly is hanging out loud and proud, I am totally embracing/relying very heavily upon maternity clothes. While I sometimes still sport the belly band around unzipped regular jeans, my LOFT maternity jeans and leggings have been my lifelines. For tops, I have a rotating selection of Target maternity t-shirts, Destination Maternity long-sleeved maternity shirts and comfy Lou & Grey sweaters to comfortably clothe da bump. I can still wear a lot of my non-maternity tops, but I do like that maternity tops help to show off/accentuate my new shape rather than cover it up and cause my middle to look like one round pork sausage. 

Favorite memory: A lot of home updates this week! We had the last of the tile removed from the baby’s room and guest room (hurrah!) and had carper installed. While all that was happening, Matt and I spent time decorating our new (alas, fake) Christmas tree – which is a big deal considering the one we have had for the last six years has white branches, colored lights and stands about 3 feet tall. We also assembled and decorated two bookcases we scored from Ballards on Black Friday. Now that the space is filling up, our home feels much more warm, cozy…and ready for a baby to come in and destroy it.

26 weeks: Baby is as long as a bunch of SCALLIONS!

And I am as lazy as a teenage boy, as I am obviously wearing the same outfits over and over again (see previous week). :)

How I am feeling: Overall still great! Definitely starting to feel my size though – I find myself out of breath quicker as well as unable to easily do simple things I did before – like, pick up a pen I dropped under my desk. I also tried to reach in the backseat of our car yesterday for my purse and quickly realized that there was a large bump in the way and my twisting abilities were severely limited. 

At yoga, I’m moving slower and less likely to do every pose in its greatest form. I am perfectly happy if I can merely reach down and touch the floor a few times with a wide leg, bent knee stance. And it is kinda nice to have an excuse to not hold chair pose for longer than two seconds!

Sleep is getting a little less comfortable, and I just started noticing my feet aching at the very end of the day, right on cue around 9 or 10 every night. My hips also are beginning to feel really tight when I sit for too long – I have been doing a lot more standing at my standing desk at work, which is always a good thing.  But overall, nothing major to complain about. I still am loving pregnancy, which I know is a bold statement!

How my body is changing: While standing in line at 7-11, a homeless man walked in front of me, stopped dead in his tracks and said “congratulations on your pregnancy!” So it is official: I am pregnant enough for strangers and homeless people to feel confident enough to tell me just that.

What I am wearing (besides the same clothes from the previous week):In exciting events for a Buffalo girl, the Texas weather took a deep dive this week, so it actually feels like winter – so happy to be pregnant during these months, where big sweaters, leggings and boots are the norm. I can’t imagine being pregnant in the Texas summer heat – note to self for any future (very future!) babies. 

What I am eating: My normal veggie fare – green smoothie in the morning, rice or quinoa bowl for lunch and big bowls of soup for dinner. Although, we had pizza every night this weekend. And a LOT of hot chocolates. (Best one was from Mozart’s, by far.)

Favorite memory: While we skipped out on Austin’s beloved (and, from what I have heard, somewhat overrated) Trail of Lights, Matt and I went to the Mozarts Coffee House light show on Saturday night. It was freeeeeezing out (low 30s, which to Austinites, is sub 20 degrees) and so we chugged a big ol’ cup of hot chocolate with a scoop of marshmallows on top while standing outside and enjoying the festive atmosphere. I couldn’t help but think that next year at this time, I will have a baby boy on my hip, who will be pretty entranced in the thousands of twinkly lights all around. I can’t wait to take him back here.

I also picked up some cute items for Baby Izzo’s nursery at the Blue Genie Art Bazaar and had a very hilarious chat with my dear and also pregnant friend Cate. I can’t tell you how awesome it is to go through this experience at the same time as some of your favorite preggo ladies!

27 Weeks: Baby is as big as a CAULIFLOWER!

How I am feeling: HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY! We are home in Buffalo for the holidays and I am doing a pregnant happy dance. It has been really awesome to see all of my family and friends and show them my newly acquired bump! Showing my mom was the best – while I have been sending her almost daily bump pictures (and I know she is one of the 10 people that read my blog), having her see my belly as well as see and feel Baby Izzo’s crazy movements has been ultra special.

What I’m eating: Um, HELLO. I am in Buffalo. Meaning you will find me face-down in a plate of my mom’s lasagna, with one hand holding a slice of Franco’s pizza and the other shoveling scoops of Mint-Ting-a-Ling. With my appetite, excuse to eat more calories and maternity leggings, this is a pregnant person’s dream week.

Did I mention Christmas cookies? Nom nom nom nom nom.

How my body is changing: My belly is still getting bigger, of course, but it is more about how Baby Izzo is doing inside of my belly – which is basically some form of Zumba, interpretive dance and high kicks/Rocky punches. I swear, if this is an indication of his active personality and high energy levels once he is born, we are in for a realllll treat. Least I know I will lose the baby weight fast, as I will never be able to sit down for the rest of my life.

Favorite Memories: As far as my pregnancy goes, this week has been pretty damn epic. Of course, there was Christmas Eve (my favorite day) and Christmas Day, both spent with my glorious family and friends (and third helpings of lasagna). But the day after Christmas was my baby shower….and I can’t tell you how wonderful it was.

My mom and sister-in-laws really spoiled me rotten, as well as all of my favorite family and very best friends who all came to love on Baby Izzo! From the ADORABLE (and homemade!) invitations to a Snowman diaper cake to all the eats and non-alcoholic drinks and games and cake and presents, it was a very special night. I am so thankful for everyone who came and/or sent their love, as well as to my mom, my sister-in-laws and nieces who created such a memorable time. I love you all so much! <3