Hello 3rd Trimester!

Welp. The second trimester is in the past...

12 weeks, 16 weeks, 19 weeks,

5 months, 6 months 

7 months

Some refer the second trimester as the "honeymoon period" and for me IT WAS! I have felt great! A few things I want to remember:

• Energy! I have it!! I have been walking and doing some prenatal yoga. 
• Cravings? Not really. Nothing that I would just DIE if I did not have. But there have been a few things that sound good: ice cold juices and smoothies, fresh fruit, veggies, peanut butter, slight sweet tooth (but not like it was during the first trimester!).
• He's a movin'. A lot. I can now see my belly move from his kicks and jabs. I love it!
• Got Iron? Apparently, I am slightly anemic (Mom, this is totally normal). So I have started taking iron supplements, and I think that has really helped my energy levels. 
• Hair. Usually when I blow dry my hair, there is shrapnel everywhere. Typically I have to wipe the floor constantly to remove all the hair that I have lost in the process of getting ready. Not lately. I am terrified to know how much hair is going to fall off my head after Cooper arrives. 
• Sciatica? Yep, still causing me some grief. It is manageable though. The physical therapist gave me some exercises to do, and some suggestions to prevent the pain. Like sleeping with a pillow between my legs, which has really helped.
• Sleep. I am still able to get comfortable, but there have been some nights that I wake up for no reason. If you know me, you know I can sleep through ANYTHING. I usually never wake up at night. It has only happened a few times (it started happening around 25 weeks), but when it happens I am miserable. I just lay there for hours trying to fall asleep. I have so much more sympathy for people who suffer from insomnia or sleep apnea. 
• Smells. Is it possible to develop sensitivity to smells this late in the game? I feel like I smell things others do not smell, and I am typically really bothered by whatever smell that may be. 
• Itching? Not too bad...yet (see picture above of rapidly growing belly). But there are days that I can't stop scratching my belly. One very thoughtful friend gave me Motherlove Pregnant Belly Salve, and it helps a LOT with the itching. I like using it at night because it is fairly greasy (but not bad) and I don't like to get it on my clothes. I especially like it because it smells like lavender! It reminds me of a spa massage. 

Cooper is so loved already. Here is his outfit for his first football game (it is a newborn size - thanks Auntie Stone!) and it will go perfectly with his UW newborn sock booties (thanks Barkers)! We will enjoy watching many games together this fall. 

He is going to be here before ya know it!