Week 23, Spring Break & NY Trip

Well, I'm starting to get really antsy about how little is complete in the nursery and how much still needs to be cleared out. It's such a daunting task this time around! The room is literally next to Isla's in our small townhouse, so even if I plan to go up there during nap time I have to be extra quiet, resulting in slower production. Not that I've had the energy for productivity, anyway. Nor the time… One would think that a few days off would provided said time, but preparing for a trip and working on laundry and paperwork apparently took that from me. Grrr. Where did Spring Break go??

We ventured out for a car trip this week to upstate New York. Isla did wonderfully - I was so thankful. Hanging out with and seeing old friends you knew once upon a time comes with such a mix of emotions, but I am loving it. So thankful for friendships that last! 

Fun at the park in NY; 23 weeks

How far along: 23 weeks as of April 25

Size of baby: The baby this week measures about a foot and weighs just over a pound, about the size of a large mango (apparently these are bigger than papaya? News to me…)

Maternity Clothes: Yes, yes, I am sporting the maternity-wear

Weight Gain: Up 13 pounds at my last appointment

Sleep: Have I mentioned I really love sleep?

Best Moment of the Week: Trip to NY with the fam

Movement: All. The. TIme.  I love it.

Cravings:  Still nothing, and I get full way too fast

Gender: Precious baby girl

Belly Button In or Out: None of the above.

Wedding Ring On or Off: On…tight at night, but loose in the morning

Anything Making You Queasy or Sick: I still get a weird stomach after eating bananas or too much sugar

What I Miss: Sleep, coordination, wine, and running

What I am Looking Forward To: Still enjoying our NY trip, but nothing big on the books at the moment

Labor Signs: Nope

Symptoms: Exhausted, pregnancy brain, and extreme loss of coordination (I wiped out recently when stepping on a curb, and managed to jam my two toes UNDER the console in our car when sitting in the back seat)

Nursery: Don't ask. Sore subject.

Emotions: Emotional and irritable (hello, intense mood swings! I did NOT get these with Isla!), tired

Week 22 - Pampering, Shopping, & Easter eggs

Thank. Goodness. For. Spring. Break.

Every week I find myself saying how long of a week it was. It's really been crazy. Night shifts for Ray mean difficult nights for me, trying to balance work, dinner, walking the dog, bath, bed, errands, and everything in between, all before 8 PM. Ray's comforting advice when I admitted night shift is tough on me during the week? "It's only going to get harder.". Oy vey. Thanks babe. ;-)

What a beautiful weekend it was, though. Saturday I was able to spend the day out, starting off with a prenatal massage, venturing to a nail salon, and spending the rest of the day shopping with the crazies at Potomac Mills with my friend. It took until approximately 4 PM before I realized I did not have to rush because I had no little one with me and nowhere to be; "we've got time" became our mantra…until we realized that we spent so long shopping that we actually did not have time, because stores were closing! Whoops.

taking a coffee break during the Easter egg hunt; 22 weeks

Sunday we trekked to church with Isla for a beautiful service, watching our precious princess dance and worship during our praise & worship, then promptly requesting to "play", knowing that after worship she goes to the toddler room. We came back for naps (including me, at Ray's prompting…I must've been grumpy :-D) and spent the afternoon with family in the beautiful sunshine for a cookout, baskets, and egg hunt. Isla knew instantly that she was supposed to pick up eggs and put them in her basket, and became on a mission to find every egg she could, insisting, "more eggs, basket". Isla additionally informed me today, "Like shoes off". She makes my heart happy daily.

My beautiful family on Easter Sunday

I am So. Blessed.

Having Isla makes me more and more excited for another precious princess, and makes me start to wonder even what she will be like.  Will she be spunky and opinionated and silly like Isla, wanting to join in each emotion and pacify the tough ones with her goofy nature and sweet smile? Will she be shy and sensitive? Will she want to dance and sing, or read and draw? Will she have the blonde curls that frame her head, or darker, straighter locks? Will she get my blue eyes or Ray's green/hazel? Of course, only time will tell…

How far along: 22 weeks as of April 18

Size of baby: The baby this week measures between 10.5 and 11.8 inches, and weighs approximately a pound, about the size of a papaya (or a small doll, according to one site, but that kinda sounded creepy to me)

Maternity Clothes: Almost exclusively, though my recent shopping trip provided a couple of nice options that I will be able to extend beyond pregnancy :-)

Weight Gain: Up 13 pounds at my last appointment

Sleep: Would love it 24/7. When Ray is on night's, I'm in bed anywhere between 8 and 9:30.

Best Moment of the Week: Prenatal Massage. The salon might be noisy (and I could hear every appointment being made), but the masseuse was WONDERFUL

Movement: Constant. This little girl does not keep me guessing.

Cravings:  Not really anything at all.

Gender: Precious baby girl

Belly Button In or Out: Can I call it a "flattie"? :-) It must look strange - I had my belly uncovered and was lying down earlier this week, and Isla began crying and pointing to my belly button! She's quickly gotten used to it, though

Wedding Ring On or Off: On…tight at night, but loose in the morning

Anything Making You Queasy or Sick: I still get a weird stomach after eating bananas :-( So sad…they were a daily thing for me.

What I Miss: Bananas (ha), wine, bending over without it hurting my stomach

What I am Looking Forward To: Trip to NY to see friends I haven't seen in (at least) 3 years!!!

Labor Signs: Nope

Symptoms: Exhausted, pregnancy brain, slight swelling in my hips/knees/ankles at the end of the day, sore ligaments in my lower abdomen, and heel pain (is there such thing as pregnancy-induced plantar fasciitis?)

Nursery: Starting to build some ideas in my mind. I need to get moving just a bit faster...

Emotions: Irritable, excited, fatigued, overwhelmed

Sugar & Spice: Week 21

enjoying the cherry blossom festival with mom, Chelsea & Kelan; 21 weeks

As you might have guessed, we found out the gender this week - it's a GIRL! Now that the shock has worn off, we are beyond excited to be creating a little best friend for our precious Isla.  What a week it was! Between dealing with the anniversary of my dad's 3rd birthday in heaven, the last time we spoke, and 4 years from the day of his passing, to the ultrasound and excitement, to planning for Ray's birthday party and visiting family, we have really been on a roller-coaster of emotions this week. Whew! 

Our little family, just before we revealed to our close friends and family if our penguin was a he or she

How Far Along: 21 weeks on April 11.

Size Of Baby: Our precious princess now weighs about 12oz and is approximately 10 1/2" long - about the size of a carrot.

Maternity Clothes:  Sadly, I'm in mostly maternity clothes now other than some flowy shirts and forgiving (elastic-waisted) pants.

Weight Gain: Already up 13 lbs!

Sleep: Really needing it this week

Best Moment of the Week: Finding out the gender

Movement: Wow, is she a mover! Late morning and in the evening when I'm lying in bed seem to be her favorite times - and so does kicking my bladder :-P

Cravings: Still got nothin'

Gender: Precious baby girl!

Belly Button In or Out: I'm an innie, but getting flatter

Wedding Ring on or Off: Still on, though I've had a little swelling this week

Anything Making You Queasy or Sick:  Still having a little trouble with bananas :-(

What I Miss: Running, the hot tub, and a nice glass of wine

What I am Looking Forward to: PRENATAL MASSAGE

Labor Signs: Nope

Symptoms: Heartburn, fatigue, itchy skin (hello, allergies!) and sore joints/ankles. This might just be a long summer...

Nursery: Some progress has finally been made in clearing out the room - it's seeming more within my grasp! Now if I could only make it past 9PM...

Emotions: overwhelmed, excited, tired, solemn

Marking the Half Way Point

Well…..so much for weekly posts. I kept meaning to, and kept wanting to take a picture first, but Ray has been working weekends, and the last thing I want to do when we are home in the evening is pose for a picture to post. Long story short, I got nothin'. That being said, I realized this week that the only pictures I have thus far in my pregnancy are on my phone in the bathroom mirror. If someone sees me, ask if I want to take my picture! I'm gonna be sad I don't have any! :)

I'm getting exited to start the nursery…I started some house projects over the weekend, and might have ended up with a small battle scar. Let's just say, a), our lights over our vanity get HOT, and b), yes, I was close enough to the lights over our vanity to receive a 2nd degree burn on my forearm. Ouch! 

Not feeling too informative or interesting tonight, so, I'll get to the point:

How Far Along: 20 weeks…halfway mark!

Size Of Baby: The little penguin (or dingo, as Ray prefers) weighs about 10 1/2 oz, and is about 6 1/2" head to rump, or 10" head to heel - the length of a banana. Coincidentally (or not?), this week my daily banana has started not sitting well in the morning…I may have to give it up for awhile :(

Maternity Clothes:  Mixing and matching, though bottoms are mostly maternity. There are just not many cute maternity pants…come on, summer maxis…make yourself known!

Weight Gain: 8 lbs total at my last appointment, though I seem to be gaining a little faster this time and shirts fit a bit tighter, so I'm sure I'm higher. 

Sleep: Love it. Don't get enough.

Best Moment of the Week: Ray getting to feel the little one move around

Movement: Movement has really kicked up a notch this week - this one appears to be a mover and a shaker! So far, much more movement than I ever felt with Isla, and it seems to enjoy resting on my bladder when I sleep. 

Cravings: Nope. Nada.

Gender: Ready or not, we find out in the week!

Belly Button In or Out: I'm an innie, but getting flatter

Wedding Ring on or Off: Still on

Anything Making You Queasy or Sick:  Bananas are making my stomach a little weird after eating them.

What I Miss: Going for runs

What I am Looking Forward to: My mama and sister and nephew coming for a visit!

Labor Signs: Nope

Symptoms: Heartburn is daily. Uber fatigue. And very ITCHY. I've been a bit irritable/moody, but I think it's the continual rain and busy nights I've had…feeling a bit better tonight! I'm starting to feel a little joint swelling, but, like I said, it's been a long week.

Nursery: Still stressing here...

Emotions: overwhelmed, tired, excited, blah