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As I write this LONG post, I’m now 2 weeks from my official due date of August 11, 2014.  Technically, it could be any day, which is exciting to think about!  It’s also maddening to imagine having to wait another 3 weeks.  It’s so strange that such a momentous and life-altering day is also one big mystery.  When I prepared for our wedding, I knew the date of the big day.  Now, I have no clue other than knowing that it will eventually come!

WEEK 27

I started my third trimester in mid-May.  Our “other” anniversary, on Saturday, May 17th, marked 23 years of Eric and I being together as a couple.  No one can tell us we rushed into having kids, now, huh?  😉

WEEK 28

On Tuesday, May 20th, I had another midwife appointment.  It was another opportunity to hear the heartbeat:

I also noted more “big rolling movements,” rather than distinct kicks.  Baby was tough to catch on video, but I got a pretty good clip here:

28 Weeks

28 Weeks

That weekend, we went for a short hike at Meadowdale Beach Park.  I was eager to be with the trees!

Meadowdale Beach Park – May 24, 2014

Afterward, we had the Vegan Sofritas, at Chipotle Mexican Grill.  YUM!  I love that they give you a LOT of guacamole!!

Vegan Sofritas at Chipotle Mexican Grill

WEEK 30

30 Weeks

On the same day that I wrote, “most active day yet” in my calendar (June 3rd), I received this baby shirt in the mail.  It’s from my #NSNG friend, ScottyO, from Aspen.  Sweet!

Thank you, Uncle Scotty!

On Wednesday, June 4th, I took the day off work, to go to a 3 hour midwife appointment.  The purpose was testing for gestational diabetes.  I had to fast the night before, and get my blood drawn at 9 AM.  Then I drank 75 grams of glucose.  Icky!  My blood was drawn again at 10 AM and 11 AM.

I felt a bit ill and headachy after consuming the drink, but it was okay.  The worst was that I didn’t eat any real food until shortly after noon, and by then my blood sugar was really crashing.  As I sat down to eat my lunch, I was shaky and sweaty.

Gestational Diabetes Testing – June 4, 2014

Fortunately, my results were excellent!  They want your readings to be:  fasting glucose <95, 1 hour glucose <180, and 2 hour glucose <153 mg/dL.  My readings were:  87, 104, and 90 mg/dL.

WEEK 31

On Sunday, June 8th, we hiked to Heather Lake, which is right next to Mt Pilchuck.  It’s ~4.7 miles round trip, including circumnavigating the lake.  It starts at 1400 ft elevation, and the lake is at 2400 ft.  It felt really wonderful to be in the mountains, and I saw 2 other pregnant hikers, too!

31 Weeks – Heather Lake

Heather Lake – Sunday, June 8, 2014

My first baby shower was on Saturday, June 14th.  It was fun to socialize with family and friends.  And, I “made” each person pose for a picture with us when we opened his or her gift.  I am a picture taker!

The venue was the Shire Cafe, a vegetarian restaurant in Arlington, WA.  All the food served was vegan…of course!  My sister made this adorable diaper cake…

Diaper Cake by Karin

Baby Shower – Saturday, June 14, 2014

WEEK 32

On Friday, June 20th, we drove to Bend, OR to visit my family for the weekend.  On the way out of Seattle, I finally had the opportunity to satisfy the vegan donut craving I’d been fighting way back in January/February.  Mighty-O for the whole family!

Mighty-O Donuts (Vegan)

We met up for lunch in Bend at Salud! Raw Food Cafe.  It’s pretty much the polar opposite of vegan donuts!  You gotta have balance in your life, right?

Eric’s Salad

My Plate

On Saturday, June 21st, Eric went mountain bike riding with our brother-in-law, while my sister and I hiked along the Deschutes River with her kids.

Hiking along the Deschutes River – Saturday, June 21, 2014

WEEK 33

On Monday, June 23rd, I had a special surprise waiting for me at work.  My ~95 year old former patient, Lillian, had left me a baby present.  Lillian never had kids of her own and she was so happy for me when I told her I was pregnant.  She was way too generous!

Gifts From Lillian

WEEK 34

This week I officially decreased my work schedule from 5 days per week, down to 4.  It was time!

At my midwife appointment on Wednesday, July 2nd, I found out that baby was head down and facing toward the back.  To date, he’s stayed in that good position.  We also met with my doula, from Serene Doulas.

34 Weeks

For the 4th of July holiday, we headed to Wenatchee for our last “just the two of us” weekend at our condo.  I put on my bikini and we cooled off in the pool.

34 Weeks + 4 Days

For comparison, THIS was me exactly a year prior!

What a Difference a Year Makes – July 4, 2013

On Saturday, July 5th, we hiked 4.6 miles of the loop trail at Icicle Gorge, just outside of Leavenworth, WA.  More wilderness therapy…I need it to remain grounded!

Upper Loop at Icicle Gorge

Mountain Views From Icicle Gorge

Along the Icicle River

After the hike, we had a tasty and beautiful vegan pizza at Lemolo Cafe & Deli, in Wenatchee.

Vegan Pizza at Lemolo

WEEK 36

Thanks to my friend, Molly, we got a nice car seat and stroller set.  Here, the fuzzy frog from Nana tests it out for us!

Looks Comfy!

36 Weeks

On Wednesday, July 16th, I started my weekly midwife appointments.  I also had my 2nd baby shower.  My thoughtful co-workers at my last job put it together for me.  I hadn’t seen these gals since last October.  I especially thank Sharon for being the host and Julie for making the cake.  I felt very special!

Anacortes Baby Shower – July 16, 2014

Vegan & Gluten Free Cake with Coconut Bliss Ice Cream

Before I left work on the evening of Thursday, July 17th, I suddenly leaked some watery, clear fluid that gave me a brief scare.  It wasn’t much, but it didn’t seem like urine, and it wasn’t anything typical for this pregnancy.  I called my midwife and she told me to wait and see if more fluid leaked out.  It didn’t…phew!  I was glad that it wasn’t my water breaking.  I was only at 36 weeks + 3 days.

For the weekend of July 19th, we traveled to Ocean Shores, WA, to visit Eric’s parents.  It was our last “long” road trip before baby comes.  Now, we’ll stay close to home!

WEEK 37

At my midwife appointment on Thursday, July 24th, I found out that I am a carrier for Group B Strep.  That means I will take IV Penicillin during labor.  GBS can cause serious problems in newborns, even though it’s not harmful to the healthy carrier.

WEEK 38

At this late stage, I’m thankful for a LOT.  Top on the list is not having our baby premature.  But, I’m also thankful for no stretch marks, and for being able to keep my navel ring in.  I’ve had the ring since 1996!

38 Weeks

38 weeks

Now– Just WHEN will this #minivegan be born???  I hope soon!

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3rd Trimester Weights (Weeks 27-40):

May 13, 2014 = 124.6 lb
May 20, 2014 = 126.4 lb
May 27, 2014 = 125.6 lb
June 3, 2014 = 126.0 lb
June 10, 2014 = 128.6 lb
June 17, 2014 = 128.0 lb
June 24, 2014 = 130.2 lb
July 1, 2014 = 130.2 lb
July 8, 2014 = 131.2 lb
July 15, 2014 = 131.4 lb
July 22, 2014 = 132.8 lb
July 29, 2014 = 131.0 lb
August 5, 2014 = 131.4 lb
August 11, 2014 = ?? = Due Date!