Week by Week!

Dear Elijah,
I've been reading about my pregnancy week by week, and each time I read, I receive a peace of mind kind of reassurance from it. Heehee... It helps to know that your mommy's normal, and most pregnant women are and have gone through everything I am experiencing. This week what I read was so true and confirmed everything I have been experiencing! For instance, "Your baby is still gaining weight (about half a pound a week), and he could grow up to another full inch this week. With that much baby inside your uterus, your amniotic-fluid level has maxed out, which explains why some of his pokes and kicks feel pretty sharp these days. (There's less fluid to cushion the blows." That makes complete sense as to why I can not only feel you so much more now, but I can also see your little pokes. Also, "With midnight bathroom runs, leg cramps, heartburn, and your basketball-sized belly, it's no wonder sleep is elusive." Couldn't have said it better myself! Haha... They also said, "Shortness of breath: That burgeoning belly is pushing anything out of its way — including your lungs, which can’t fully expand. It’s more uncomfortable for you than it is for your baby, who is getting the oxygen she needs from the placenta. What helps? Standing as straight as you can so that your lungs have a little more room." I figured that trick out before reading it since my shortness of breath has been pretty bad. I just stand as straight as I can, and when I'm sitting and can't breath very well, I stand and stretch my belly out so I can get some good deep breathing going on!The funny thing I read today was, "Increasing clumsiness: A bigger belly means a shift in your center of gravity and that can spell clumsiness. What to do about it? Slow down and take it easy — rushing will only make you clumsier." I was rushing the other day and found out that it took me twice as long to "rush" than it would have if I would have just slowed down. I dropped something three times, tripped twice and fell sideways into a wall... I learned the hard way that I really need to slow down because it's true, my center of gravity is WAY off. It's such a weird feeling when you have no control over your body when you are rushing around. I lose all sanity when it happens. Your daddy walked into the kitchen last night to find ice cream all over the refrigerator, on the floor and all over my hands... I can't exactly tell you how it happened, I just know that I was in a hurry... I'm going to try this whole slowing down thing. Love you Eli <3

Here we are on Valentines Day Eli :)