Quick and to the Point

I wanted to post some third trimester pix, since today is the lovely 2/3 mark!!

It's true: She gains ounces, I gain pounds.

I feel large and in charge, and I look it here!

Other notes:

• Of course, after I mention sleeping better, sleep has eluded me ever since!
• The restless legs (RLS) had been showing up on occasion, but RLS is back EVERYDAY.
• Bending and leaning isn't a good option anymore. Aolani is just too big. If I drop something and it hits the floor, you'll hear, "Uh-oh, Ricky..."
• The acne is still going strong; Ricky thinks I spread it to him, too :)
• Well, we were waiting to see if it would appear, and it has. We were nervous... my legs, my ankles, and (mainly) my feet are SWELLING. It's still a shocker to look down and see my skinny, bony feet looking like puffy blimps! I want to reach down and squish them (but that's nearly impossible). We tried my winter boots on last night. Verdict: not even close!
• Biggest downfall, which I only expect to worsen, is that I am exhausted! I dream of sleep and rest and a land of pillows and back massages...

We leave tomorrow after work to begin our journey to Cincinnati (to visit and love on Ricky's immediate family) for Thanksgiving. We have next week off of work and will return the following weekend (yes, with all the traffic). Please pray for our travel, as I haven't gone on any big trips during my pregnancy. And this one is a doozy!

Third Trimester?!

We've been so busy, but an update is overdue! I hit the third trimester this upcoming Thursday, Nov. 19 - YAY ;)

She is a kicker (maybe the best Seahawks kicker is yet to come). I think I felt her get the hiccups twice this past week. It felt like bubbles hitting the inside of my belly, and it tickles :) I feel her move internally A LOT, but whenever I try to feel her on the outside, she will NOT move for me! However, whenever Daddy puts his hand on my belly, she moves for him! He likes it :) I am pretty sure I had my first "Braxton-Hicks" contraction last weekend. It was weird. I have gained 18 pounds; Ricky is feeling it (and me too!). My belly button is more out than in, my butt and hips are so sore, and we think my ankles and feet are starting to swell some (ughhh). I am sleeping better (finally) unless work is particularly stressful that day. The OB/GYN doctors are threatening me with blood-thinning medicine because they are nervous about future blood clots in my legs. I promised to stretch my legs more.

I had an ultrasound a while ago, and Aolani is remarkably healthy. She is very active with long legs and big feet! All her organs, brain, heart are perfect. She kept putting her hand in her mouth, which is a sign of a thumb-sucker! She is now over two pounds. The high-risk OB/GYN is scheduling me to go see a pediatric cardiologist next month to check Aolani's heart very thoroughly (just for reassurance). Here's a pic:

Did you get your swine flu or seasonal flu shot yet?

Question of the past month for me... and the answer is absolutely NOT!

Instead of explaining all the many reasons why not, I decided to highlight a few facts and then post the links to some very highly recommended articles.

• Flu Vaccine DOUBLES Risk of Getting H1N1
• Pregnant Women Have a 0.03% Chance of Going to the Hospital from H1N1
• Obese People at Six Times Higher Risk from H1N1 Complications
• Pregnant Women Given Vaccines Have Babies with More Health Problems
• Pediatric Flu Deaths by Year Made WORSE by Flu Vaccine
  1999 -- - 29 deaths
  2000 -- - 19 deaths
  2001 -- - 13 deaths
  2002 -- - 12 deaths
  2003 -- - 90 deaths (Year of mass vaccinations of children under age 5 years)
  2006 -- - 78 deaths
  2007 -- - 88 deaths
  2008 -- - 116 deaths (40.9% vaccinated at age 6 months to 23 months)

Why pregnant women should NOT get these shots:
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/11/03/What-We-Have-Learned-About-the-Great-Swine-Flu-Pandemic.aspx

Why children should NOT get these shots:
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/10/06/Why-You-Should-NOT-Vaccinate-Your-Children-Against-the-Flu-This-Season.aspx

Vaccines are more dangerous than getting the virus:
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/08/11/Swine-Flu-is-NOT-the-Problem---It-is-the-Vaccine-that-May-Harm-or-Kill-You.aspx

Overestimation of flu cases:
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/10/27/Obama-Declares-Swine-Flu-Emergency.aspx
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/10/21/Special-Swine-Flu-Update.aspx

Here is a really good poster to weigh and consider before getting the swine flu vaccination.

Remember:
Vaccines are dangerous! This is NOT an epidemic. Malaria alone kills 3,000 children every day! Do not let panic or fear of death control you!