28 weeks

Just yesterday we hit the 28 week mark of pregnancy. I continue to get bigger although I was glad that my weight gain did not stay at the same pace it had been over vacation. I had gotten the watch your eating habits talk from my OB last month. From here on out, since I'm in the 3rd trimester, I switch to appointments every 2 weeks.

I had been feeling really well and then a great trip to Artscape downtown and 5 hours on my feet resulted in a full on protest from my body. My hip and leg started to hurt at the end of the day and have continued to give me trouble since then. The mornings were especially bad and I had shooting pain in my hip and down my leg and it was hard to walk or even stand without holding onto the wall. It did ease up after 10-15 minutes and I was again mobile. The pain stuck around off and on all day. My OB suggested changing positions regularly, using the heating pad and getting my belly some support.

Those things have helped and my late night Olympic watching was put to an end so I have been waking up with less pain. I also realized that floating in the pool makes a huge difference so instead of siting in the shallow end I go out and let the weight of my belly float off my hips for a while. Pumpkin seems to enjoy the pool as well.

As Pumpkin grows and my belly sticks out farther I have noticed that I am bumping into things more and not fitting through tight spaces well. Last weekend I bemoaned my big belly because it became the landing spot for boiling water. I was making dinner and opened the lid to the boiling corn on the cob, one of the ears shifted in the water and a large splash hit me right on the belly. Oh did that hurt. I immediately lifted my shirt and pulled down the belly panel of my pants to see the skin peal away with the fabric and reveal bright red raw skin. The family came to my aid but the damage was done. The burn healed well but by the 4th day my poor belly skin had had enough of the medical tape and band aid adhesive and broke out in red spots. The burn area could handle being touched by then so I was able to just apply ointment and not gauze. 1 1/2 weeks later the new skin is looking good and started to fade to a more normal color. Poor belly.

Pumpkin is regularly active and the family gets to feel her move often. We have been doing a lot of preparation for her arrival. Jim put together a new shed for the side of the house so the garage can be less cluttered and the exercise equipment will fit. I've been going through random piles of things that need to be taken care of and we have had contractors in to bid on the basement. It looks like we will turn the TV side into Emma's room and make Jim's room part of the family space. Hopefully that project will start soon, the weeks are ticking by incredibly fast and Pumpkin will be ready whether or not we are. The calender says 12 more weeks but I am guessing 11.