Here I am, 37 weeks pregnant, and feel like I have no brain left! This baby has sucked all my memory and intelligence in general from me. Does anyone agree? You know- the typical ‘baby brain’?! It is real. And it is taking over in my life, which is why I am so glad I have documented this whole pregnancy. Lord knows I am not going to remember all the little details once I have this baby boy, so I am very glad I have blogged weekly about it. There are multiple fun ways to document your pregnancy, and here is how I did mine.
1:
Every week on Wednesday I would snap a photo {or 50 until I got one I liked enough!} of myself and belly and answer the same set of questions from the previous weeks. 
The list of questions I always use are these:
How far along: 29 weeks!
Total weight gain: gained 16 lbs total
Maternity clothes: Work pants for sure. Some of my shirts now are looking a little ridiculous {aka too tight, or rides up the belly!}
Stretch marks: Just the ones from Christmas Eve on my chest, but still using the amazing tummy stretch mark oil {here} and the chest cream {here}
Sleep: Still getting up every night to go pee and/or from leg cramps
Best moment of this week: Taking our maternity photos with the ever so talented Melissa Young, my {soon to be} sister in laws bridal shower, and just getting to spend amazing quality time with the hubs!
Miss anything: Running, beer and wine. But the things I get to experience now completely outweigh those:)
Movement: SO much movement. My belly looks like something is literally trying to come out of it at times…
Food cravings: Oddly enough, haven’t felt as hungry as usual this past week..maybe i’m beginning to run out of room in there!
Anything making you queasy or sick: nope!
Have you started to show yet: Duh
Gender: Boy!!
Labor signs: Still just the Braxton Hicks. Started the Hypnobabies homestudy last week and loving it so far. Already is making me feel at peace with his upcoming birth.
Belly button in or out: The top half of my belly button is out, bottom half is now starting to finally creep on out- I find it so amusing!
Wedding rings on or off: On, on the days that I actually wear them..which I am trying to do more these days so I don’t look a hussy;)
Happy or moody most of the time: So happy. I know this sounds so cheesy but I honestly find myself laughing and smiling more than ever lately.
Looking forward to: Celebrating our nephews 1st birthday this weekend, and hopefully getting some relaxing time in there as well as working on the nursery.
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Along with documenting my pregnancy on the blog I have also been updating this adorable pregnancy journal my mom bought for me {keep in mind, she bought one for each of my siblings..probably 5 years ago..ready to be a grandma much?!}. I like this better than a blank journal because it asks me specific questions, which really helps me to focus and write all the important details month to month.
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The final way is to set aside a separate journal from your normal one, and designate that to writing to your growing baby. You could document the facts, and write them loving notes. I think this would be sweet to have done and one day be able to give to them.
LOVE the idea of answering those questions each week to track your pregnancy! I’m going to have to do that next time. I wasn’t good about blogging weekly but I did make a maternity album and included one photo from each week as well as a description of how I was feeling and what had been going on that particular week. I just posted photos of it on my blog! 🙂 I’m so glad I made it…it’s been fun to look back on and see what was going on this time last year. Hopefully whenever we have a second child I’ll be able to do something similar.
Adrianne, I love this! I did not do this kind of stuff with my first two babies. I am not sure why – partly because I felt a little shy or cheesy about taking/sharing my pictures, partly because I always think “Oh, I’ll remember this feeling – I don’t need to write it down”, and partly because I wasn’t as connected to so many other pregnant moms and blogs and ideas when I went through it the first time. As we contemplate a hypothetical 3rd (and probably final) babe, I really want to do all the fun stuff to document and memorialize what will likely be my last pregnancy. Thanks for the ideas! 🙂
Adrianne,
Congratulations! I can still remember the day when your mom came by my house soon after my journal for expectant parents was hot off the press. Yes, she did buy books for you and your siblings. Thank you for sharing my book with all your readers. I hope you enjoy recording your words of love and joy for all of posterity!
Blessings,
Chris
Baby brain is totally real. I read once that because of hormones your brain actually shrinks during pregnancy. Unfortunately, I don’t think it grows back. LOL. I’ve been learning a lot about baby development reading this brand new book that’s not like your usual week-by-week. It’s called “The Wonder Within You: celebrating your baby’s journey from conception to birth” by Carey Wickersham. It’s an awesome combination of week-to-week pregnancy information, what’s going on with the baby, “Did you know?” plus health advice about what to eat, cravings, nutrition, etc, BUT also with awesome 3D/4D pictures and videos you can link or QR with your phone to and see what your baby looks like at each week stage. Even better than the typical week-to-week books, and so personal! It’s got mom stories and even a journal/note section to write your personal memories and letters to your baby. The pregnancy information is as up-to-date as it gets and it’s such a great keepsake. I want to get one for everybody I know who is expecting! I highly recommend it! TheWonderWithinYou.com.
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