Who's that lady with a big belly?

Behold my pregnant belly! One of these shots are at 28 weeks, one at 18 weeks and one at 14 weeks. Can you guess which one is which? Don't you love the "buff mama" shot?

I just made it to 29 weeks...by next week is when I will start to freak a little. In the 30's...wow. I've started seeing my ol' chiropractor due to the pains on my right leg. That leg happens to be a bit shorter than the other and my right side as always bore the brunt of all my activities. In softball/tennis it was my right shoulder. During horsebackriding/snowboarding it was my left knee, and now during pregnancy my left sit bone is killing me! I've had to tone down the leg lifts considerably. At lease I can still work out them arms.

Enter! The 3rd Trimester!

The third trimester came not in a whisper but with a primal scream. I'M HERE. YOU. REALLY PREGNANT! Exactly 28 weeks, I experienced some real pregnancy complaints. My belly suddenly blew up, my back hurt and I've started to get "rehearsal contractions" aka Braxton Hicks Contractions. Supposedly painless. Hah! I read somewhere that since MR Hicks never felt one, how would he know that they felt... hellish! It was on a regular Thursday evening after work, when all of the sudden these tightenings in my abdomen came one after another. Every 5 -10 minutes, lasting :30 seconds. FOR TWO DAYS AND TWO NIGHTS! It hurt my back, my groin, and really took my breath away.

A bit concerned I went to the doctor. Everything is fine and I'm not in real labor, baby is fine-but these gave me an idea of what i was in for! (Which will hurt way more by the way)

It was hard for me to do anything. To walk, to get up, to sit. I for the first time, was immobilized! It lasted a couple days, went away, and still comes back to give me a hard time. I remembering experiencing them before, during exercising of all things, and now, I've got to take it easy. No more buff mama. I plan to take it easy until 36 weeks, then go back to walking more to encourage labor.

I heard that these Hicks can help w/ a shorter labor, and I hope that is the case! Oh, Tiger Balm realllly helps and so does drinking alot of water, a heating pad, a belly support belt, laying on the left side, and taking deep breaths through them, much like I'd have to during the real thing. I guess not all women feel them or even get them. Its making me feel finally like a pregnant lady! Well, If it does help my body in toning for the real thing, I suppose I will just have to learn to live with them!

Buff Mama

Throughout the pregnancy my exercise regimen is walk around the block at lunch and walk for about 40 minutes after work. Couple times a week, I would lift some very light weights (5-10lbs) just to tone up some arm muscles and back muscles. 2 lb leg ankle weights would help me tone the glutes and butt. Then the days would be for yoga or stretching. I read that exercise helps for a easier labor, as well as recovery. I like to feel fit and tight and exercise helps my mood and attitude. I made sure never to work out laying on my back, kept my heartrate steady and not high and rested if I got too tired. Thanks to my dogs, I've already been walking this much for the last 5 years, so it wasn't hard to stick with it. As of now, I gained about 13lbs. From 125 to 138. However, my belly is getting very large (more on that later). I'm all belly, with not much fat put on anywhere but the necessary parts, a little fuller in the face. I still eat whatever I want but I make sure that I eat a variety of foods. I don't deny myself, but at the same time, I try and eat more fruits and vegetables and lean proteins. I do love a sip of Coke every now and then, and really enjoy cookies and cakes, how can I claim to be a rebel if I don't give in to some vices!

What I didn't expect is given all this exercise I experienced horrifying night leg cramps, but luckily, a banana, kiwi or watermelon really does the trick to get rid of them. As long as I eat one of those fruits a day I don't get the cramps. They really suck because they just sneak up on me while I'm dreaming of puppies, flowers and ice-cream.