A Visual Update.

At week 32. 

Introducing Isabella Long's Godparents: Lindi and Dan. 

At week 31.

An almost Father's Day treat for Ryan. 

At week 30.

Posing in my bridesmaid dress from the Long-Davis Wedding. 

Maisie was a flower dog. (j/k)

At 30 weeks. 

29 weeks.

At 29 weeks. 

Maisie bonds with her Little Sister. 

Eight.

Eight. It is lucky number in China. Why, I don't know. I'm not Chinese. I just heard that during the 2008 Olympics (I believe most anything on television). But unlike the far east, eight is not my lucky number. It is actually a horrid number. 

Eight is the number of pounds I gained in two (2) weeks. TWO WEEKS. Impossible? Nay..."impossible things are happening everyday," (lyric from Cinderella, the musical). Leave it to me to accomplish the impossible.

On Monday, I had my 30 week check up. It consisted of the usual steps: urine sample, weight check, blood pressure check, belly measurement and heartbeat count. The urine sample was a cake walk. My blood pressure is awesome. The belly measurement is totally normal. And, Baby's heartbeat was perfect. My weight, on the other hand, is another story. 

I stepped on the scale, watched my number blink across the screen and gasped. The nurse writes it down, as she is talking about something. I, still trying to breathe, follow her to the exam room. I am quietly and quickly trying to do math in my head, while trying not to miss her questions about cramping and/or spotting (neither an issue). I calculate eight pounds. I must be wrong. I need a calculator. This can't be right. The nurse leaves to get the doctor. "Quick! Cell phone..." I think as I ponder the amount of time I have before the doctor knocks on my door (I don't text, so this is a challenge). "Beep beep beep," sounds my phone as I carefully plug the numbers in. Moment of truth as I hit the equal sign...then, 8 flashes on the small, glowing screen. Ack! Again. Same answer. Again! SAME ANSWER. 

Eight. Eight. Eight. The number, as if on a marquee continues to roll through my every thought. When the doctor arrives, I immediately tell her that I gained way too much weight. "Something must be wrong." The doctor is not at all concerned. She maintains that I look "cute" and have a "perfect belly." "Liar," I think to myself. Then, like a bipolar mess, quickly change my mind and encourage the flattery to continue. It helped long enough to get out of there, do the math one more time and call Ryan with my disgusting news. 

Eight pounds. It must be a record. Feel free to use this tale as a person self-esteem booster because no matter how fat or bloated you feel, I can guarantee you didn't gain eight pounds in two weeks. 

Now Entering the 3rd and FINAL round...

At 28 weeks. 

Please note, modeling dog in photo (That is Big Sister Maisie). 

All done and full loaded with glucose. 

Chug, chug, chug...

Drinking the orange sugar sweetness. 

This has been an exciting week in the life of the future diva Baby Long! 

First, we celebrated the beginning of the third and FINAL trimester. Not that I am counting down or anything (12 more weeks...12 more weeks...). This is actually a much bigger deal for her, as she is eagerly anticipating fall fashion. I can't say I blame her, though I have always been a fan of the summer frock. 

At the most recent doctor appointment, I was delighted to drink a fizz-free orange soda-like beverage chalk full of SUGAR. Sounds oddly awesome, yet horribly disgusting at the same time, right? It is actually not so bad. The worse part the two tubes of blood they extract to check your sugar levels and determine if further testing is needed. Luckily, I am jut find and gestational diabetes free! In addition to the liquid pleasure, I received my first of multiple RhoGAM shots. I get this lovely shot because I have Rh negative blood, which may not mix well with a baby's Rh positive blood. This is not a big deal for the Little Lady Long, but could become an issue with future pregnancies. Preventative medicine, I guess! As the nurse prepared my dosage, I asked her if I could expect soreness in may arm like with the flu shot. She chuckles, smacks her rear and said, "Oh honey, you get this one back here! Bend over!" Awesome. I am not sure who had it worse, me or her....  Finally, I succeed at my goal of maintaining my weight in the normal range: total gain at 28th week is 24.6 pounds. 

This week, Baby Long and family celebrated a wedding of a wonderful couple and the high school graduation of Auntie Annie. Baby Long greatly enjoyed both events, moving about rapidly during the wedding (she is such a romantic). 

Congrats to the newlyweds! 

Congrats to Auntie Annie, we are incredibly proud of you and look forward to watching your life unfold. Best of luck with Americorps!!!