We aren't the best photographers and more often than not we forget to take pictures, unless they are of Cooper. So this is my best attempt of documenting this season of life. Good thing I don't have to know too much to grow a human - just eat. And I'd say I've been doing a pretty good job of that.
Overall this whole pregnancy ordeal has gone WAY better than I ever imagined. I always thought I wouldn't be able to walk after my abs split (because I compensate so much with core muscles to help me walk). And loading a wheelchair was difficult enough as a paraplegic and I thought being a pregnant paraplegic would be nearly impossible to go or do anything by myself. But I have been substitute teaching, getting groceries, mountain boarding and all my other normal activities - with relatively minor difficulty. One of my biggest concerns was my medications, but I found out that I could stay on my medication for my spasms which has been such a blessing - like huge huge huge. It's hard to function even with medication so thinking about life without my medication for 3+ months was so scary. After consulting with numerous doctors though we decided the benefit outweighed any risk and that there wasn't risk. It's been quite the pleasant surprise and I am so grateful.
22 WEEKS
Phuket was the last stop on our trip & I was 22 weeks then. I really hadn't felt or looked pregnant up until this point. And even then I just felt pudgy in a swimsuit. But now with some perspective (being huge now) I look back at this picture and can see a little "bump"- but my lordosis & lack of glut muscles also make it so my back arches making my stomach look bigger anyway.
31 WEEKS
I really am pretty terrible at documenting this whole human growing process. But honestly the whole idea of a mini human in me freaks me out. So I really try not to think about it too much. I take care of my body & am definitely not in denial anymore, but still tell myself that the kicks are just my organs digesting food. This lil nugget weighed in about 4.5 lbs around 31 weeks so I'm kind of hoping he comes a little early so he's not sooooo BIG at 40 weeks.
32 WEEKS
My dad was in town & my mom demanded he take a picture so I ended up having "weekly" pictures for a two week streak. Also I finally got some maternity leggings and workout top so I started wearing more official "maternity" clothes.
35 WEEKS
This is the first real maternity dress I've worn in public that was more form fitting. When I'm in my wheelchair and sitting I guess my giant stomach tucks away and people still hesitantly ask if I'm pregnant - it's pretty funny. But now at about 35 weeks people are finally confident enough that I'm pregnant that they'll ask. I'm not really one to shout it from the roof tops and share that I'm pregnant, but at almost 35 weeks it's getting undeniable and I really only have a few weeks left. Standing & walking are getting pretty difficult without my normal abdominal muscles, but I'm still going strong loading my wheelchair, walking, teaching, mountain boarding and daily life. Except now the hills I mountain board are pretty tame - like the slightest up hill is quite the struggle.
I'll tell you right now though - I am planning on cutting my hair. Not super short mom bob, but a long bob I think. Call it a mom hair cut or whatever you want. I've wanted to cut my hair since March/April. But I've held off to see if grows extra long or thick during pregnancy. Honestly, I haven't noticed much of a difference.
Cooper has been extra needy ... I mean Cooper is always needy so who am I kidding.
