Oh, the irony! (+28 week update!)

First, I'm going to show you the other side of my belly with my little (but growing) turtle. This picture was taken 3 weeks ago (@ 25 weeks). Does this side make me look fat? Hahha. :)

Now I'd really like to revisit a topic that many people tried drilling terrible thoughts and fears into my head about (and then I ranted about profusely on here). And that is: the flu shot. This will be much shorter than my past discussion, I promise.

So basically I was told back in October that my immune system was compromised significantly due to my pregnancy and that If I did not get a flu shot, I would almost definitely get the flu. And, if I get the flu, that it would be the worst flu in the world and could potentially be fatal to my baby, and even myself. I read this on multiple websites, and both my doctor and midwife warned me of the risks. I did additional research (click here to read my previous post) and decided it wasn't for me so I politely declined every time I was asked. (At least twice by my midwife, the one and only time I decided to see my actual OB doc, three times by the nurses that took my vitals at each appointment, and by my maternity nurse during our telephone appointment.) The funny and ironic thing is what happened (and didn't happen) over the course of the next three and a half months:

1. I did NOT receive a flu shot, while many other people I know did.
2. Several of my coworkers (both in my dept and others around the store) got the flu and were out of work for days. Even ones that got the flu shot.
3. I've noticed when several friends on my Facebook feed contracted the flu. Again, even some who got the shot.
4. A few ladies in my birth group mentioned having to see other doctors or midwives temporarily because their OB doc contracted the flu. (I'll bet you a million bucks that they got vaccinated, too!)
5. Articles have been circulating the web that I have stumbled upon or that have come across my FB and Twitter feeds about how wrong doctors were this year as to what strains of the flu they included in the vaccine. They were apparently wrong about one particular strand that has been pretty sneaky and making it's way around pretty much terrorizing people's immune systems.
6. Seeing how many other people were getting the flu and reading those articles got kind of scary and only for a second did I doubt my decision. Then I realized that while this was all happening, there was one thing that didn't happen: I HAVE YET TO GET THE FLU.

Now I am not saying that flu season is over and that I will definitely not get it, I'm just putting this into perspective for anyone else who thought I was nuts for not getting vaccinated. The flu shot isn't even helping a ton of people who are getting it anyway because a particular strain was not included in the vaccine. Also, I haven't felt even for a second that my immune system has been compromised. I'm sure it's not in tip-top pre-pregnancy shape, but I eat healthier than most people I know and, although I am no expert, I'm pretty sure what you put into your body has a lot to do with how it responds to outside threats. My body has treated me well thus far, and even if I somehow do get the flu I will know that getting that shot would not have prevented it.

Now, on to my 28 week update!

Sprout is the size of a large eggplant this week!

How far along? 28 weeks.
Total weight gain? Over 17 pounds.

Belly size? 37 1/2 inches. Look out!

Stretch marks? Nope.

Baby's sex? Girl.

Size of baby? 2 1/4 lbs and 14.8 inches long!

Movement? She has even started moving around lots while I'm at work. I didn't really notice her much while running around at work before.

What is your baby doing? Baby blinks her eyes (only as a reflex right now though) and has cute little eye lashes! She is developing billions of neurons in her brain and is adding more body fat. :)

What is your body doing? I am expected to gain 11 lbs this trimester. Eek! And I guess I should be expecting Restless Leg Syndrome. Ugh, doesn't sound fun! I haven't seen any back pain yet, as suggested last week so hopefully I skip that and RLS lol.

Belly button in or out? Flat, thankfully.

Happy or moody most of the time? I got cranky at Ashton this week :( Then I bought him a peanut butter bar because I felt bad. I'm sorry I'm such a brat!

Symptoms? Continuing pelvic pain from last week. I also noticed this week that my arm pits look fatter, if that is possible? And that my sweat smells bad so now I have to wear deodorant. Still acne, I hate it so much. And I've had an on and off stuffy nose all week because my mucus membranes decided to swell. Awesome.

Maternity clothes? This week I wore both of the maternity shirts that I received for Christmas. I love them so, but am afraid I'm actually not big enough for them still, lol. Soon though!

Sleep? Saturday night I had trouble sleeping but I'm pretty sure that was due to sleeping in a chair at my mom's... :(

Food cravings? Brownies. And still ice cream.

Anything make you feel queasy or sick? No.

Miss anything? It's so hard to think of something that I miss, when I really just have a ton to look forward to when she arrives!

Looking forward to? Moving, of course.

Best moment this week? Baby's first hiccups! My gosh, she is adorable. Also, I am halfway through her block set. :)