Pregnancy Update: Weeks 29-30, Gestational Diabetes?

Hey guys! Less than ten weeks left! I wanted to update you guys on whats been going on and how I have been feeling the past few weeks. First, as you can tell by the title, I was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes. I never thought I would get it. I have been being cautious of what I have been eating for the most part throughout my pregnancy, with some crackers or a treat here and there and I have been exercising at least 5 times a week throughout my entire 2nd trimester and into my third! So, I was really bummed when I failed the 3-hour glucose test. Last time I updated you guys I was waiting to go back for the 3-hour. I went this last week and honestly it was really bad. Not the drink or anything, but I felt TERRIBLE throughout it and almost threw up and passed out multiple times because I felt so awful. I kind of had a feeling I wasn't reacting well to it and might not pass just based on how I felt the whole time. I mentioned before too, I have had multiple times at work where I just feel really light-headed and weak and then all of the sudden will get really nauseous, sweaty and my brain just can't focus on anything. They called me the day after the test and told me my levels were elevated for 2 out of the 4 blood draws (they draw your blood fasted, then an hour after the drink, then another hour after the drink, then another hour later). So, because it was elevated for more than one, they consider me to have Gestational Diabetes. The good thing is that at least now I KNOW what was going on with me recently and have an answer as to why I have been feeling so bad, plus I only have 10 weeks left so I know I can do it! They scheduled me with a registered dietician a few days ago and she taught me how to change my diet and check my blood glucose levels 4 times a day (just like a diabetic...prick your finger, log your food, the whole 9-yards) and I have to bring my log into all of my appointments so they can check to see if my levels were okay. I have my next appointment in a little less than 2 weeks and I think they start monitoring with ultrasounds at that point. I honestly felt like a failure finding all of this out, but after talking to the dietician, she explained it to me that sometimes you really just can't control having it. She was explaining that your placenta produces all of these extra hormones and they can attack your insulin, leaving extra sugar in your blood stream. I didn't really think I was eating that many carbs, but after a full day of tracking I realized there are certain foods that just spike my blood sugar so at least this way I am monitoring and trying to not make that happen! As far as my bump goes, I feel like it is getting bigger everyday! I still have yet to have a stranger ask if I am pregnant though, which is so hard for me to believe! But, maybe people are just scared to say the wrong thing :) It's getting a lot more uncomfortable to sit straight up in a chair, that is probably the worst position for me to be in, which makes me get kind of antsy at work. Sleeping is going well, no complaints besides my dog waking me up at 4-5 am every morning. I still make my pillow fort with pillows on either side of me to make sure I don't sleep on my stomach and that really seems to help and be comfortable! Still feeling the baby move around mostly at night and in the morning when I am laying down in bed. The movements are seriously the best feelings ever and make it seem so real! I need to make a checklist this week of all of things I need to get done before the baby comes, just because it is really coming up quickly! I wasn't going to do a birth class, but after really thinking about it and looking into it I think it would be a really good idea and I know they teach you more than just birthing. I am going to look into that and a hospital tour the next few weeks. I also have my baby shower this next weekend, which I am so excited about seeing all of my friends and family. That is one of the hardest things is living so far away from all of them, so I am really looking forward to it. The baby's room is really coming along and I will post pictures once it is finished! We got our rocker this last week so now all we really need is an ottoman, some wall decor and a few baskets to organize some stuff and we will be set! It is sooo cute I can't wait to post pictures of what it looks like done :) I LOVE home decor and furnishing rooms so this has been so fun for me to have an excuse to do so! That's pretty much it as far as an update goes! Talk to you guys soon :)

Spring Transitional Must-Have: Sheer duster

Hey guys! I wanted to share one of my most favorite recent wardrobe purchases: the sheer duster. It's still pretty cold here where I live, so I pretty much freeze outside with just this on, but I know I am going to get so much use this spring and even summer and fall with these two pieces. I picked up mine from Forever 21 in black and taupe (exact linked below, but taupe is sold out online right now so check in stores). I have a pretty monochromatic wardrobe, so I knew these two would be able to mix and match with almost everything I own. Since I am currently 29 weeks pregnant, I also knew that these would be awesome with dresses in the spring before I have the baby! I think one of the cutest outfits for spring is a tight, body con dress with one of these over the top! I also think it would look super cute with denim cutoffs and booties for more of a boho look. Check out some of the ones I linked below :)

Pregnancy Update: Weeks 26-28

 Hey guys! So, I started to actually feel "pregnant" over the past few weeks. My bump is definitely stretching and growing bigger and I am feeling all of the lovely side effects of that :) I started to feel baby move all the time and can definitely see the movements from the outside too now, which is really cool! I am currently 28 weeks right now and I actually think the movements have decreased a little since last week, which I read is normal because there isn't as much room right now. At 26 weeks I swear I could actually feel a limb or hand/foot once when I put my hand on my lower stomach, which was really cool/weird! I feel most of the movements pretty low still and I feel some pressure like I can feel him turning around below my belly button too. At 26 weeks he was the size of a butternut squash and now at 28 weeks a coconut (according to my personal favorite app, Ovia pregnancy). I can't believe he's that big, so crazy! It also says at 28 weeks he is about 16 inches long and weighs about 2.5 lbs!! How exciting! Little tasks like putting on my shoes, bending over to pick up things off the floor, shaving my legs, etc. have all become so much harder over the past few weeks, but I know I am just in the beginning for that! Still have a ways to go! Last week (27 weeks) was Easter and I think I overdid it with the Easter candy. I have actually been really good at not eating too many sweets until the last month or so, which is weird for me because I always have such a sweet tooth. I went to work on Tuesday of last week and felt really off. I got really light-headed and dizzy and started to get the sweats and feel like I was going to throw up so I had to lay down & ended up having my husband come pick me up. I called my OBGYN office and they said I should come in. I went in and they checked the baby's heart beat and everything looked fine, but they said they were worried I was maybe not getting enough protein and that it was possibly my blood sugar being off. I was supposed to come back two days later for my 28 week appointment and glucose test and they said I should wait until then to do the glucose test since it does tend to make people feel a little off anyways. That morning I had eaten a breakfast of literally all carbs, and the midwife said your body metabolizes carbs so much faster during pregnancy so to make sure I am getting protein in with every meal. I went home and coincidently think I got the flu because I was in bed for the rest of the day, plus the day after with the chills, nausea and a fever. I forgot to mention too, the night before I kept waking up every hour or so with the worst back pain and could not get comfortable for the life of me! They said this was probably just because my back is arching more with my belly growing and to try stretching and pre-natal yoga (I have yet to try it because it actually went away, but I want to start adding that into my workouts for sure!). I went in 2 days later for my glucose test and 28 week appointment with my doctor and the appointment went great, it was super short and easy. He said he will see me for one more monthly appointment at 32 weeks then 2x a week until 36 weeks, then once a week until the baby comes! So exciting :) The glucose test: definitely tasted way better than I expected; I picked orange and it tasted like flat orange crush to me! It was really cold and also really tiny. I didn't feel sick or shaky or anything after I drank it and just waited the hour before I got my blood drawn. For anyone that doesn't know what I am talking about: they have you drink a high-sugary drink quickly and then after an hour they draw your blood to test for gestational diabetes, as well as a few other tests I think. They called me the next day and said I failed the test (I was super bummed and felt a little defeated, but I know that it doesn't mean I for sure have it, I just have to go back in a week to do a 3 hour test and then they will let me know). I am hoping that I just overdid it with the Easter candy the previous days. They also told me I am anemic and need to up my iron intake, which I have read is pretty common for pregnancy as well. I will keep you guys updated on this in my next post! As far as working out: I have kept up about 5 times a week doing a workout in my basement (nothing crazy, but 20 minutes on my elliptical and some light weights and it really makes me feel so much more energized and keeps my endorphins up for sure :)) My mom came this weekend and totally cleaned out the nursery so it actually looks like a baby's room now! I was so thankful she came and helped with that because it was making me a little stressed out. It still isn't done, but the dresser and crib are the only pieces of furniture in there now (before it was a dressing room kind of for myself) and we purchased a super cute rug at Home Goods for $59 yesterday and it fits perfectly! Now, we just need the rocker and some few other little pieces and we will be good to go! I also started working on my registry since my shower is coming up in a few weeks. That has been a little overwhelming because there are sooo many things! I don't know where to start, but if you have any recommendations please let me know :) Another thing, any stroller or carseat recommendations are totally welcomed! We are wanting to buy ours next month. I am linking some of my favorite affordable baby clothes that I have recently picked up because I have had a few messages asking where I have found everything! That's pretty much it for the past few weeks, though. Thanks for reading! ;)