now that we're safely out of our groundhog month, the chronicle continues...

week 31-34 (almost week 35)

• the bump/physical appearance: bigger and rounder. i saw myself in the mirror and am so surprised at how large this belly is... my coworker is five weeks behind me and her bump is much smaller than mine -- proof positive that twinkle is going to be a big baby. the belly is also very smooth, and i've been carrying pretty high. a big development milestone -- last week, twinkle has started to get settled in a head down position so my belly has started "dropping". varicose veins and linea negra (small, faint, thin, vertical line that stretches down your belly) have appeared (boo). belly button is completely gone but haven't turned into an outtie (thank goodness). strangers and some coworkers have commented that i look like i'm ready to deliver any day now. the rest of the body looks about the same except that my ankles, feet and hands have started swelling. i never thought i'd be one of those ladies with thick ankles and feet but i'm staring at what appears to be my feet and ankles and sure enough, they're thick and swollen. eew. not pretty.
  
• chest size: no change -- yet. based on advice from the books, nurses and other mommies, it's almost time to go buy nursing bras. most likely i'll go next week when we hit week 36.
  
• appetite: always hungry! continuing to graze and thankfully i'm able to eat some sweets (fruits, ice cream & non-chocolate flavored desserts) without kicking off heartburn. twinkle still favors spicy -- i've been partaking in sun du bu and a spicier version of char siu (bbq pork). and i'm really glad that i can eat ice cream again... i've really missed that cool, refreshing and comfort food treat.
  
• digestion: heartburn continues. thank goodness for gaviscon. chocolate has been banned from my diet until twinkle is born. accompanying heartburn is another issue that affects my lower half. i've never had this problem before and quite frankly, it was an uncomfortable month and required me to break down and buy some over-the-counter meds to address the issue. i was skeptical about it working and was ready to upgrade to prescription strength but the past week has been more comfortable and it's easier to go now. whew.
  
• mood: moody and anxious. despite all the discomfort, i *can* wait for twinkle to stay inside for awhile... still wrapping my head around the idea that in a few weeks, we will have this little life to care for and that life as we know it will no longer be the same. i also recognize that it's much easier to care for twinkle while he's inside my belly and well, not yet ready to give up my "freedom."
  
• mommy brain: have you seen my tweet about accidentally washing b's iphone this past weekend? that is just one example that proves that it's still there.
  
• twinkle activity: twinkle is an athlete and over achiever. for kick counts, it's a good sign if your baby kicks/moves at least 10-12 times per hour during the "more active" periods. well, this guy moves/kicks 10-12 times per minute! we had an ultrasound last week and it looks like twinkle has moved to the head down position with his spine curving on my left side and his appendages all on my right side. he's pretty big and getting cramped in my belly so he's not swimming around like he used to. but that hasn't stopped him from stretching and practicing his karate kicks and punches. the hiccups still continue and if you believe in old wives tales, that means he'll be a good nurser (awesome).
  
• sleep: b has joined the sleep deprived club. not because there are too many pillows or because of an ever expanding, protruding belly that makes it harder for moms-to-be to get comgy and sleep. the cause is due to what b describes as a rumbling, snoring sound that is strong enough to shake the bed and sound like a freight train. poor hubby. while i have no issue with him sleeping in another room, he wants to stick around. i think he's a glutton for punishment. as for me -- i still wake up every two hours to go on a bathroom run and my snoogle is my pfd. i can't sleep without it.
• activity level: starting to wind down... not as fatigued as the first trimester but definitely going to bed earlier than my pre-twinkle days. my walking pace has slowed down and i've given up trying to climb five flights of stairs in the morning to get to my desk. i tried once and it was brutal -- i was huffing and puffing all the way up and felt quite dizzy when i reached my office floor.
  
• mobility/agility: gaining 30lbs really affects your mobility and agility and really impacts your joints. not only can i not bend to touch my toes, i'm clumsy and find myself tripping all the time... hopefully i don't face plant. =P on top of this, i find myself generally more "achy" -- esp in my joints. while walking this morning, i noticed some sharp pangs shooting into my hips as i took a step... that has never happened before. this is a sign that my body can only carry this extra weight for just a little while and reminds me that i need to work hard to get back into shape and lose this extra weight. my joints can't take the abuse!
  

b continues to be an awesome hubby. he's been extremely supportive, caring and nurturing. it's a bit disconcerting to not be able to lift, climb and reach for things that i used to but i'm glad he's more than willing to help me finish that errand or carry that heavier package. not only that, my friends and family have been amazing and caring too. i am a very blessed woman to be surrounded with so many loved ones. what a wonderful gift.