When Did I Get So Old?

My coworker has a membership to Cove. Have you heard of this before? I hadn't. It's a network of workspaces all over DC and Boston. People can rent time at these offices by the hour or by the month. There are individual workspaces as well as conference rooms, plus free wifi, coffee and tea, and sodas.

Our team wanted a change of scenery so my coworker suggested heading to Cove for the day. The location is super convenient--right in Chinatown, and it's always fun to get out of the office.

While I really enjoyed the space, it made me feel ancient. Everything was super modern; everyone was in jeans and hoodies. There was even a tandem bicycle start-up working out of the space! It was straight out of a movie--specifically, The Intern with Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway.

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It was fun and I would do it again, but it was just one of those times that makes you realize you are in fact not the same age as your 22 year-old co-worker who just graduated college. Instead, you are a 33 year-old who is about to pop with her second kid. When did that happen?

31 Weeks

Dates: May 18-24

Baby is the Size of a: coconut (approximate length and weight: 16 inches, 3 1/3 pounds)

How I'm Feeling: Still sick. It's nothing serious--just a cough and cold, but it is terribly annoying. I'm loving my doctor who told me "there's no need to suffer" and that I should take NyQuil. I wasn't getting any sleep without it. Now, I'm out like a rock.

How I'm Changing: Let's just say that if I drop something on the ground, it better be extremely important for me to try and bend down to get it.

What I'm Eating: So much watermelon! Even though the weather has been terrible and rainy, the watermelon we've been getting from Costco is super sweet and juicy. It's making me really excited for summer!

What the Baby is Doing: My best guess? Practicing for the summer Olympic trampoline events. I have no idea, but whatever it is, he's at it day and night. He moves so much in fact, that my physiotherapist who specializes in women's health and sees tons of pregnant women all day long told me that she's never seen a baby so active. I told her I have: Zahara was exactly the same way. Makes me nervous for what's in store.

Read about my first pregnancy:
My Pregnancy
Week 31

30 Weeks!

Dates: May 11-17

Baby is the Size of a: large cabbage (approximate length and weight: 15 3/4 inches, 3 pounds)

How I'm Feeling: Sadly, a little sick this week. Nothing major, but this cold is really bringing me down.

How I'm Changing: Physically, it's just more of the same--getting bigger by the day. Emotionally though, I'm really starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I still have a long way to go, but hitting 30 weeks feels like a big milestone. The countdown can really begin now that we're in single digits.

What I'm Eating: My in-laws came in town this weekend and my mother-in-law made delicious Russian food. I especially enjoyed the lamb kotleti (cutets). Also, I've been really craving wine and beer lately. Since I'm sick I haven't given in yet, but maybe a little glass won't hurt me next week.

What the Baby is Doing: As baby continues to grow he is really making use of all the space available to him. He stretches out from my lower abdomen all the way to my ribs. Often I'll have to push him down so that I can get a little more breathing room.

Read about my first pregnancy:
My Pregnancy
Week 30

Mother's Day 2016

Once again Dan and Zahara made sure I had a wonderful mother's day. I say it all the time (but probably not often enough), I am so lucky to have such a thoughtful and loving husband.

This year's celebrations were pretty low-key. I really didn't want or need anything, so Dan and Z did the right thing and focused on something homemade and meaningful. Z was so excited to show me the picture frame that she painted all by herself! I think daddy might have helped with the letters though :)

Actually, it was so funny.  A few days before mother's day as I was walking in the door after work, Zahara shouts: "Mummy, we painted you a heart! It's a surprise for mother's day! It's drying now. It's a surprise, right daddy?" Haha! I really assumed it was just a painting on paper, but this is so much better.

Z and Dan also picked out beautiful flowers for me. One bouquet, the tulips, was deemed "not fancy enough" so apparently the second one was purchased as well. I love them both. Hard to believe this is my last mother's day as a mum of one.

Week 29

Dates: May 4-10

Baby is the Size of a: butternut squash (approximate length and weight: 15 inches, 2.5 pounds)

How I'm Feeling: Sore, but good.

How I'm Changing: The swelling seems to have been a temporary thing. Yay! My rings fit again!

What I'm Eating: Nothing too unusual.

What the Baby is Doing: Baby is definitely getting bigger, and I can now feel distinct body parts. It's so weird! I think I'm mostly feeling his rump and legs. I feel a big hard lump and then smaller, skinnier parts moving all around, all the time. I think it really freaks Dan out.

And since this is such a short post, I'll throw in one more picture for good measure.

Read about my first pregnancy:
My Pregnancy
Week 29

Thoughts by Z

We are having a blast hearing all the thoughts that are bouncing through Zahara's head these days. I'm going to start documenting a few of my favorites here.

Thought 1:
Z: Daddy, how many times do I have to tell you to keep both hands on the steering wheel!

Thought 2: 
Me: Z, what do you love most about daddy?
Z: I'm lucky my daddy gives me dried cherries.

Thought 3:
Me: What do you want to be when you grow up?
Z: I want to be a sheep, no a lion, no a bunny...I choose a turtle when I grow up because I want a very noisy shell, and turtles drink milk.

See previous Thoughts by Z here

Week 28

Dates: April 27-May 3

Baby is the Size of an: eggplant (approximate length and weight: 15 inches, 2.25 pounds)

How I'm Feeling: My mood is definitely improving week by week, and this was a good week. I'm generally pretty happy with bouts of grumpiness. I'm also pretty exited because this is the first week of my last trimester!

Both Dan and I are nesting in a big way. We've been organizing, purging, and decorating the house. The biggest changes are the kids' (!) rooms. We bought Z a twin-size bed, a new dresser, and a bookshelf. We moved her old bookshelf and changing table into the guest room/nursery. I'll make a separate post on these changes. But it feels great to get stuff done.

How I'm Changing: Sadly, I'm startting to swell a bit. I didn't have any swelling with Z, but my hands and feet are noticably bigger. I'm thinking it will only get worse as it gets warmer out. I also think I have a bit of the "pregnant waddle." I haven't confirmed that with anyone yet though.

What I'm Eating: I  made a very dangerous discovery at work the other day: we have a frozen yogurt machine in our cafeteria. It's the really good kind, and there's a topping bar--with mini M&Ms and crushed Oreos! So far, I've only indulged once, but I fear this might become a regular habit.

What the Baby is Doing: Baby has found a new home right next to my bladder. He seems to love hugging it, especially in the middle of the night.

Read about my first pregnancy:
My Pregnancy
Week 28

Passover 2016

Another Passover is in the books. We are officially back to eating "regular food" and I'm already mourning the absence of matzoh. Maybe I'll just have a few more days of matzoh and cream cheese for breakfast. Here's a quick recap of this year's holiday. 

Family:
To me, Passover means family. I am so lucky that my family was able to join us this year in DC. It was a short visit, but it was so fun having my mom, dad, and sister spend time with us. What's crazy is that this is the last visit where it's just us before the baby comes!

Pre-Passover Prep:

There is always a ton of work to do before Passover starts, but it was nice fitting in quality family time before the festivities really started. After a traditional last brunch filled with chametz (pancakes, bagels, french toast, oatmeal), mom, Bradi, and I went to a really relaxing nail salon for manicures and pedicures. I splurged (I mean, my mom splurged--thanks mom!) and got a super fancy pedicure with orange slices in the water and tons of beautiful sugar scrubs from which to choose. It was lovely.

Food:
I know I'm in the minority here, but I love Passover food. There's all the traditional stuff, like matzoh ball soup, brisket, noodle kugel, gefilte fish, charoset, home-made horseradish (that my dad totally nails!). But, also, in an effort to make up for not being able to eat leavened products, we go completely overboard and eat junk we would never eat year round: Dr. Brown's Black Cherry soda (which you know I love!), potato chips, and so many desserts. This year I had a great little dessert-making helper.

Eating a pre-Seder mazoh ball

Speaking of desserts, do yourself a favor and make these cookies! Don't wait for Passover, make them now. I made them last year too and can't get enough of them.

Seders:

This year we had a great first seder with friends and a low-key second seder at home. It was so exciting though because it was the first year Zahara could say the four  questions! Well, we only practiced one of them, but it was pretty impressive for a 2-year old! She sang the first question in Hebrew both nights. I am so proud!

Redeeming the Afikomen with Pop

Can't wait until next year when Baby Boy Levin will be joining us!

Read previous Passover posts:
2015: Passover Recap
2014: Passover in Paris
2013: Passover Preparation; Passover Musings
2012: Happy Passover!; Road Trip