Sunday, September 29, 2013

37 Weeks

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How far along? 37 weeks

Due date? October 15, 2013

Weight gain? Gain shmain, but I think about 28 lbs. And I can feel every last bit of it.

Exercise? Swimming and Body by Trimester videos. I still get plenty of walking in just by living in the city without a car, so I’ve cut back on walking solely for exercise (although Luke and I are about to head to the park on this cool Fall morning!). If I start my day with a 3 mile walk, it’s a lot harder to want to go do all my errands, etc via foot.

Maternity clothes? My options are few and far between. However, I have bought a couple of loungy, comfy shirts to wear after baby arrives, Shopping is always fun, but thinking about holding our sweet baby while wearing the new stuff is even better!

Stretch marks? Not that I’ve seen, but I’m sure they’ll show up eventually. Can’t imagine that there aren’t with the way this tummy has stretched.

Sleep? Sleep seems to be getting worse. Two nights this week I had major problems falling asleep. Being up until 3 am while the hubby snoozes soundly is no fun, but I guess it’s good practice for the future!

Miss anything? Ready for a glass of wine and to move freely.

Movement? All the time, but it seems like the movements are starting to change a bit as the baby is running out of room.

Food cravings? After hearing at the last sonogram that the baby was on the smaller side of normal, I decided I needed to make a more conscious effort to get enough protein. So I’ve been eating a grilled chicken breast for lunch almost daily. Not so much a craving, but it is really good.

Anything make you queasy or sick? Nope.

Other symptoms? Occasional backaches by the end of the day, but seriously, this week I feel great. Weeks 32 – 36 were really hard on me for some reason (I think my tummy had a major growth spurt), but I feel different this week. I’m not exactly sure what has changed, but I think it’s that we’re back into our normal routine. We seriously were in vacation mode since mid June, and while we don’t regret any trips we took or would change one visit that we had, it feels nice to be back into a routine. I’m cooking good dinners, going to bed at a decent time (still late since this is Spain, but much earlier than the past few weeks), and getting up at a decent time too. We’re caught up on laundry and errands and baby prep, so it’s been really nice to just enjoy our low key evenings together, especially since the days of just being two are numbered.

Have you started to show yet? Duh! (Now offer me your seat on the metro, please! Especially when I’m holding 3 bags!)

Gender prediction? It’s a GIRL! We wanted to keep the secret to ourselves and have been holding out on you this whole time!!!! Meg, pack up Molly’s clothes to send with Mom!

P9284755Luke’s belly art.

JK…..We still have no idea.

Happy or moody? Happy. Emotional. Nervous. Anxious. Ready. A few times recently, I’ve had the thought that, though I’m beyond ready to hold our baby, I’m going to miss being pregnant. (Although I think every time I’ve had that thought, I’ve been swimming weightlessly through the pool! Ha!) In all seriousness, though, I’ve really enjoyed this time, and I’m proud of myself for how I’ve handled it. I’m going to try and really cherish these last few weeks and soak it all in before our life changes forever.

Looking forward to? Meeting our sweet baby, of course. But until then, an appointment on Tuesday where they’ll hook me up to a fetal heart rate monitor to make sure that the baby is still thriving in there. In the US, I read that they don’t do this until after you’ve passed the due date or have some other issue, but seems like they’re more proactive with it in Spain as it’s standard procedure around this time of every pregnancy

Thursday, September 19, 2013

36 Weeks

P9184738Say cheese.

P9184737How I really felt this night (and most nights.) Ha.

How far along? 36 weeks

Due date? October 15, 2013

Weight gain? Plenty, but I’ll take whatever my body needs to grow a healthy baby.

Exercise? Swimming, walking and Body by Trimester videos. Swimming by far feels the best.

Maternity clothes? All maternity and running out of things that fit comfortably.

Stretch marks? Not that I’ve seen, but I’m sure they’ll show up eventually. Can’t imagine that there aren’t with the way this tummy has stretched.

Sleep? Up several times a night, but so far, I’m always able to go back to sleep. I imagine it’s as good as it gets at this point.

Best moment this week? Being in the pool. It’s so nice to feel weightless.

Miss anything? Ready for a glass of wine and to move without hurting.

Movement? All the time, and it hurts!

Food cravings? Nothing really. Last week I caved and bought a box of Frosted Flakes (aka Frosties in Spain.) I’ve since eaten what I wanted of them and then threw them away. Too much sugar!

Anything make you queasy or sick? Nope.

Other symptoms? Just a sore, achy body from all the stretching going on and extra weight I’m carrying.

Have you started to show yet? Duh!

P9184739Checking out the belly.

Gender prediction? If forced to choose, I say boy.

Happy or moody? Happy. Emotional. Nervous. Anxious. Ready.

Looking forward to? Meeting our sweet baby.

Monday, September 16, 2013

Valencia–July 2013

We thought that Luke was going to have to work the weekend just after my family left to go back home but were pleasantly surprised when we found out Friday evening that he would be free! We lounged around Friday night and had a leisurely Saturday morning before going to walk/run in Retiro. On the walk back, Luke started throwing around the idea of leaving town for the rest of the weekend, and I was immediately onboard. We looked online and tossed around several ideas before deciding to head to Valencia, which was only about an hour high-speed train ride from Madrid. (This is one of the greatest things we’ll miss about living over here. Trains aren’t really an option in Texas, and a one-hour drive wouldn’t get us very far.)

Anyway, this vacation was super relaxing, kind of like a vacation from vacation since we’d been traveling so much the previous two weeks. We ate paella (twice) and laid on the beach before training back to Madrid. Gloriously, we had no plan and didn’t feel like there was anything we had to see or do. We went for the food and the beach, and we succeeded. It was so relaxing that we really didn’t even pull out the camera much, which explains the pitiful pictures below.

Despite the lack of pictures, though, I wanted to record this little trip in case we ever want to go back and count up all the places we were able to visit. (And this one might not make it into the photo book that is slowly but surely coming along.) It was short and sweet, but it still counts!

P7134051Fancy drinks before dinner. (Virgin for moi.) Don’t mind the squinty girl in the background.

P7134056Yummy paella for two.

P7134058We didn’t have a problem finishing it all.

P7134061 Luke at our second paella lunch on the beach. The first paella won. (We were so relaxed about this vacation, Luke ended up with a bright red sunburn. Luckily, it didn’t end up being too bad, but he sure was red faced back at work on Monday. Whoops.)

Monday, September 9, 2013

34 Weeks

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How far along? 34 weeks

Due date? October 15, 2013

Weight gain? I haven’t gained much recently (according to my scale), but the tummy is certainly growing. And the doctors tell me our little baby is a little bit bigger than average and has a chubby tummy, so as long as s/he’s growing, I’ll take it.

Exercise? I just returned to the gym for the first time in a while due to all of our travelling. I swam, and it felt awesome. I’ve also been walking and keeping up with the Body by Trimester videos. (Luke’s a champ and will even do the videos with me.)

Maternity clothes? Maternity bottoms all the time, and everything else is a mix of non-maternity/maternity. I just bought a pair of skinny jean legging things to go with boots just in case we get lucky with some cool weather before the baby comes. I’m so lucky to not have to put together a whole new Fall wardrobe of maternity things!

Stretch marks? Not that I’ve seen.

Sleep? Still lots of bathroom breaks and certainly getting tired of only side sleeping. Lately, I’ve experienced really bad pain in my lower abdomen when trying to turn from one side to the other during the night. I think maybe the baby is starting to drop and putting more pressure on bones, ligaments, etc lower than before.

Best moment this week? Having Luke home early from work nearly every evening and a nice relaxing weekend. I’m pretty easy to please these days.

Miss anything? Last week, we went to the park several times during the evening, and all the runners and the nice cool weather definitely made me miss a nice run. Also, being able to bend over, get up and down, and just move easily and comfortably. And wine. I want a bottle all to myself. Winking smile

Movement? Definitely. I’m pretty sure I’ve got a cute little bootie just above my belly button and tiny feet on my right side that sometimes give me big kicks right in the ribs.

Food cravings? If I see a picture of food, it usually makes me want it. For example, an episode of How I Met Your Mother was on last week, and they were eating Chinese food out of the little boxes. I subsequently wanted Chinese food. Fortunately, the cravings typically pass without having to figure out where to find good Chinese food in Madrid.

Anything make you queasy or sick? Nope. Nada. Zilch.

Other symptoms? Braxton Hicks contractions if I’m on my feet for a long time. Some sore, achy muscles, ligaments, etc. And a little cold/congestion that I think was pregnancy induced.

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Have you started to show yet? Of course. Before we went to dinner on Saturday, I wanted to change because I thought the dress I was wearing made me look bigger than I am; it was too flowy. (see pic above.) Luke wouldn’t let me. He said I wasn’t foolin’ anybody no matter what I wore.

Gender prediction? Luke still thinks girl. Last night I dreamed it was a boy, and he was so cute with quite a bit of dark hair. In my dream, we were having a sonogram, but instead of seeing the normal sonogram type pictures, it was like watching a home video or something with a fully dressed, super cute baby boy.

Happy or moody? Happy. Emotional. Nervous and anxious for all that’s to come.

Looking forward to? Starting a couple of prenatal classes on September 21. The lady we are doing them with just does 2 3 hours classes, but it will be better than nothing. A little baby shower that my friend Colleen so graciously decided to host on September 22. And most of all, baby’s arrival (but not too soon!)

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Keeping up with the Joneses – Euro style

We kicked off our non-stop, wild and crazy summer when our first familial visitors arrived in June. My mom, dad and sister, Anna, arrived in Madrid and spent 2+ glorious weeks with us. (It was so quiet and lonely when they left, that Luke and I had to leave that weekend as well and got away with a quick trip to Valencia.) I can’t possibly begin to do a day by day recap because the thought is just overwhelming, especially since more than two months has passed (what?!?) since they were here. I’ll suffice it to say that it was absolutely perfect. We made the most of our time together and saw all we wanted to see while also having some downtime to just chill and recuperate in our tiny apartment. Of course there were a few dramatic moments along the way (We are the Jones family! Winking smile), but there were no travel mishaps, car rental catastrophes or pickpocket travesties. It was perfect. I’ll let the pictures and brief itinerary tell the rest of the story!

June 25 – 28: Madrid and Toledo, Spain

On our balconyP6263514

Dinner with our Spanish amigos, Nico and Jose CarlosP6263516

Drinks on the terraza in Cibeles. These folks stayed up past 3 am!P6263519

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Mom and Dad in front of the Toledo Cathedral. P6263528

Dad admiring the altar. P6263533

Wandering the winding streets of Toledo. P6263535

On the high speed train. Toledo-----MadridP6273538

Pre-dinner drinks at Angel Sierra in Plaza de Chueca. P6283539

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Anna’s first dinner in Spain, and we go for pizza at our favorite Pizzaiolo.P6283544

Street dancers in Puerta del Sol. Anna made their night month with a 5 euro tip! SmileP6283545

Luke at La Torre del Oro en Plaza Mayor. A must stop on the Matthews’ guide to Madrid. P6283549

June 29 – July 2: Mallorca, Spain

Planning our first day. P6283553

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The Cathedral in Palma de Mallorca. P6283574

Our only dinner out in Mallorca. The beach wore us out the other days, and we opted for living room picnics and paella left overs. P6293582

Paella for 5. So good and big enough to feed us all twice!P6293584

Dessert was good to the last lick. P6293585

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Cheese at the little market we happened about in the most charming town of Valldemossa. P6293595

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We found the best sangria in all of Mallorca…maybe in all of Spain!P6293633

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More sangria!P6293655

Catch of the day!P6303659

Our view from lunch.P6303663

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The boys went on a tour of some cool caves. P6303698

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The girls opted for more beach time. P6303723

Of course we had lunch here. P6303726

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Mountains of Mediterranean salt.P7013743

Back to the airport. P7013745

July 2 – 5: One night in Madrid; Florence, Italy with a lunch stop in Lake Como, Italy.

The mounds of free food from El TigreP7023747

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After a plane and a train, we were finally in Florence!P7023753

Enjoying an Italian Aperol SpritzP7023756

Luke’s beer was bigger than my belly. Funny how pregnant I thought I was at this point. P7023758

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This little church was quite plain in comparison to the Duomo, but I really liked it. P7033766

Crossing back over the bridge after dinner, with a gelato stop of course. P7033781

 

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The David. P7033792

Climbing the dome of the Duomo. P7033804

Looking down on Florence and the Tuscan countryside. P7033809

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Ponte Vecchio. P7033837

Luke’s impersonations of the statues in the Uffizi were priceless!P7033846

A Razorback in FlorenceP7033850

A giant swordfish at the market. P7043855

Beautiful Lake Como. P7043857

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July 5 – 7: Beatenberg and Interlaken, Switzerland

The drive up and over the pass was beautiful with snowy mountains, grassy valleys and so many waterfalls! We were in awe!P7043886

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The view from our patio. P7053922

Our picnic in Switzerland with goodies from the Florence market. P7053930

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The boys parasailed, but all the in-flight pictures are on my parent’s camera. P7053966

Reenacting the tandem parasail.P7053970

Walking up for dinner at the tiny restaurant owned by the lady who owned our rental cabin. VoilĂ ! Awesome!P7063973

July 8 – 11: Madrid, Spain

Toasting Anna’s birthday!1017683_10100718565276427_1835589886_n

Our reservation for Flamenco at Casa PatasP7083984

The boys clapping along. P7083994

JC, Anna and NicoP7084000

Evening walk through Retiro ParkP7094010

One of the best night time views in Madrid. From the Puerta de Alcala to the Metropolis building. P7094014

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After shopping drinks at the Gourmet Experience in Callao. P7094022

Anna couldn’t keep her eyes open, but we made her visit the palace anyway. P7104025

Picnic and sunset at Templo de DebodP7104031

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Sharing oysters at Mercado San Miguel. They’re ALL yours!P7104034

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Late night bocadillos de calamari on the last night. P7104043

And there you have it! A picture glimpse into our amazing two weeks! Wish the rest of the fam could have been with us! Wish it were longer! Wish we were closer! But we’re certainly having the experience of a lifetime, and I’m so glad they got to come share a part of it, even if just for a short time. And now Mom and Dad will be back in just over a month for a whole new, even more special, adventure! We can’t wait.