24 Weeks

How far along? 24 Weeks
Total weight gain: 2.5 lbs. Doctor is a little concerned w/the lack of weight gain and has prescribed me anti nausea meds and vitamin B6. Hoping to add a little weight by next appointment. She isn't concerned, yet, for baby girl, but she stated I "looked skinnier." If I wasn't pregnant I would be thrilled to hear that.
Maternity clothes? Nothing new this week. I'm really looking forward to fall so I can wear leggings, uggs and sweaters.
Stretch marks? Still no sign of any.
Sleep: I have my moments. I bought a wedge to see if that would help and it's helped take the weight off the front, but my hips still hurt.
Best moment this week:  I don't know that I really have a "best" moment this week. I love feeling her moving around. If I had to pick that would be my favorite

Miss Anything? Food. I'm really only able to eat my cravings and those are few and far between
Movement: Yup, I love feeling her rolls, punches and kicks
Food cravings: Bread w/butter, watermelon, celery and peanut butter, cereal
Anything making you queasy or sick: If I don't crave it....it comes up. It's really becoming a vicious cycle.
Gender: Girl
Labor Signs: No
Symptoms: Nope
Belly Button in or out? Still in, but getting flatter
Wedding rings on or off? On
Mood: Worried that I am not taking care of my daughter, because I can't seem to keep food down for both of us. Hopefully the meds help and I can get back to being happy.
Looking forward to:  Seeing my best friend and her family for Labor Day and going baby furniture shopping!

Letter to my Unborn Daughter

To my Daughter:

While Pretty does bear weight in this world {only a fool or a liar would tell you otherwise}, may you always remember that Smart, Funny, Thoughtful, and Kind are infinitely more beautiful than just Pretty.

May you accept no idea, religion, or platform blindly. At the same time, may you have deep faith in something larger than yourself.

I hope you always value a hand-written note and a book printed on paper.

For selfish reasons, I hope you love to read... to cook... to sing... to dance wildly... to be outdoors. I hope we spend countless hours doing these things together. But whatever your interests, I hope you have a few small passions that fit easily and snugly into your daily life -- find three minutes of bliss in an impromptu car aria; achieve momentary calm in the rhythm of a chef's knife.

I hope you cultivate a diverse group of encouraging friends who celebrate your victories, comfort your sorrows, and make mischief with you... Some will be lifelong and some that may appear for just a short time or specific purpose, but I hope they each enrich your life in ways big and small.

May negativity and self-doubt be fleeting. May the media, social pressures, and other outside influences occupy only the tiniest piece of your mental real estate {better yet, none at all}.

I hope you enjoy an active pursuit that keeps you healthy and involved -- preferably one with a ball of some sort. While your mama never had a natural ability for team sports, I feel strongly that girls greatly benefit from an organized sport in which they are encouraged to whack or kick something with all their might.

I hope the travel bug bites you hard. May you discover new pieces of yourself all over the wide world.

May you be generous and accepting, even to folks who do things differently than you do.

I hope you always remain curious and hungry for knowledge. Even when it is unkind to you, may you always see the world as a place of endless possibility.

May you fall hopelessly in love with someone hopelessly wrong for you. May you have the good sense to remember fondly but move on quickly.

I hope you come of age in a world where you are free to marry whomever you choose to love. I hope you choose someone who makes you laugh hourly, challenges you daily, and pushes you to be the best version of yourself possible always.

May you always be comfortable in your skin. I know in my heart that, wish as I might, this one will not always stick... Hell, it might never stick again after the age of 12. During lapses in confidence, may you always know I find you practically perfect in every way, regardless of your clothing size or the state of your cowlick. At times, that won't feel like nearly enough, but, remember, it is a constant, faithful something.

I hope the world continues to provide you with strong female role models and girl crushes - both in the public eye and in your personal life.

May your imagination take you on the most wondrous of adventures. May you believe in magic, Santa Claus, and the innate goodness of humanity as long as you possibly can.

I hope we will always be honest with one another. I hope communication between us remains easy... or, in those dark days of teenagerdom, as easy as can be reasonably expected. While I promise to be your parent first, I do hope we grow to be as close in friendship as your grandmother and I have.

Anyone who tells you it's possible to have it all at once is selling you something... However, I hope you get as close to "it all" as humanly possible.

One more {for now}...

May you always feel and NEVER doubt the depth of my love for you.

You are my best girl...

xo, Mom

23 Weeks!

How far along? 23 Weeks. According to "What to Expect When Expecting" I'm in my 6th month...woah!

Baby Size: A pomegranate or a large mango!  Her little face is fully formed this week! 
Total weight gain/loss: I haven't gotten on a scale since my last doctor's appointment 3 weeks ago...I have one next Monday so I'll have a better idea then
Maternity clothes? Still the usual...
Stretch marks? Not that I can see
Sleep: Awful. I have the snoogle and I threw it off the bed the other night because I just couldn't get comfortable. I feel like I need something under the belly to prop me up. I wake up several times a night to pee, with legs cramps or because my hips hurt.
Best moment this week:  Seeing my belly jump when she kicks or punches. Having Kevin sit on the floor and watch her was pretty awesome. Kevin also painted one wall in our nursery a gorgeous shade called Granite. I can't wait to finally put her room together!
Miss Anything? Not really
Movement: Feeling her move a lot! Her nickname is ninja ballerina.
Food cravings: I keep craving cereal.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Leftovers
Gender: Beautiful Baby Girl
Labor Signs: No
Symptoms: Lower back, and my pelvic area HURT when I stand, sit in the same position or walk for long periods of time.

Belly Button in or out? It's in, but getting more flat. 
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: I get snippy. I might have thrown a pile of wet laundry on the floor last night because I couldn't put away laundry while holding that. Yeah minor meltdown.
Looking forward to: Seeing the doctor next week. I can't wait for fall. I just want to live in leggings, sweaters and boots right now.

22 Weeks

How far along? 22 Weeks

Baby Size: A papaya... baby girl is 1 lb 4 oz according to the doctor yesterday
Total weight gain/loss: 2-3 lbs
Maternity clothes? Shirts and pants
Stretch marks? Not yet...
Sleep: Not too bad
Best moment this week: Seeing my belly move and Kevin seeing it too! Spending this past weekend in WV seeing my family and having everyone tell me how tiny I am (makes me feel great!)
Miss Anything? A glass of wine and the ability to sleep on my stomach
Movement: Yes, lots of movement, mostly at night! :)
Food cravings: Not today
Anything making you queasy or sick: Creamy food such as cream based soup or sauces
Have you started to show yet: Oh yeah...the bump is out and here to stay!
Gender: Girl
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Mood: Happy for the most part!
Looking forward to: More movement and my 33rd birthday in a few weeks!

 

The best part of my week was the doctor yesterday morning confirming once and for all that it is in fact a little girl. I am thrilled to have a daughter and can't wait to meet her. She is now head down and no longer in the breech position. They also confirmed that I am no longer suffering from partial previa. My placenta is 1.6cm from my cervix and they feel that it will continue to move upwards. I ordered all of baby girls bedding and had a pillow embroidered with her name (we have told a few people baby girls name, but are keeping it private till after she is born).

21 Weeks

How far along? 21 Weeks

Baby Size: Banana or carrot
Total weight gain/loss: I think  about 2-3 lbs.
Maternity clothes? yes
Stretch marks? Nope, not yet
Sleep: Not bad. Started really using the snoogle. I do wake up with sore hips though.
Best moment this week: Picking out the paint color for little ladies room.
Miss Anything? I've really wanted a glass of red wine. 
Movement: Oh yeah, this morning I was laying in bed and watched my stomach just moving around with her kicks, punches and rolls. It was so cool.
Food cravings: Sour cream. I don't eat white condiments, so it was by far the weirdest thing I've craved (since I have no recollection of what it actually tastes like)
Anything making you queasy or sick: Not eating every couple hours or overeating when I do eat. I tend to get really sick when that happens.
Have you started to show yet: Yup, I have a bump
Gender: Lovely little lady
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? Innny
Wedding rings on or off? On
Mood? Tired again
Looking forward to: Going to WV to host my soon to be cousin in law's wedding shower. My grandma and aunt will finally get to see the belly!