Week 23

Baby is the Size of a Bunch of Grapes

23 weeks, 5 days

Harrison is listening to voices and my heartbeat, has fully formed facial features (eek!), 

weighs over a pound, and is forming nipples.

How far along? 23 weeks

Maternity clothes? Absolutely.  I desperately need mascara, but have been avoiding Target because I can't stay away from the maternity section.  I might need an intervention.  

Stretch marks? No. 

Sleep: Sleeping long periods of time is getting less and less frequent.  I'm either readjusting my position, getting up to pee, or thinking about everything that still needs to be done.  They really need to make a pregnancy safe Nyquil.  Million dollar idea?

Best moment(s) this week: 

-Having an abnormally large piece of cookie cake delivered to my classroom on Friday.  Jessica never disappoints in feeding the preggo at work- thanks lady!  After a LONG week of homecoming craziness it was a much needed and deserved slice of heaven.  It's the little things. 

-Finding out that if anything were to happen and my baby came now that he is viable--meaning the doctor's would do everything they could to save him.  Of course, I want him to cook for a while longer, but it's comforting to know that in case of emergency he is strong enough to survive.  

Miss Anything? At the moment, no.  Most days I actually prefer being pregnant.  People are nicer, I feel comfortable in my body, I'm required to eat extra food.... if wine was allowed I would do this like six more times. 

Movement: I'm starting to notice patterns developing, which is helpful when people want to feel him kick.  I felt him kick up around my ribs for the first time the other morning when I woke up- the kicks never hurt, but they do take me by surprise sometimes.  

Food cravings: I finally bought more chocolate chip edible cookie dough today.  The monster flavor was not cutting it.  I want to kiss whoever invented this delicious dough.  I also finally realized what I've been craving throughout my whole pregnancy- cereal.  I knew I was eating more cereal than usual, but when I looked in the recycling bin and saw three empty boxes  of my childhood favorites I realized the extent of my true craving.  I would have it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner if my husband would let me, but he seems to think I need a variety of foods in my diet for the baby... I guess he's right just this once. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: The thought of raw chicken.  Mike suggested chicken the other night and it made my stomach turn.  I still enjoy  chicken, but only if it's prepared in a kitchen outside of my line of vision. 

Gender: Mini-Mike

Labor Signs: No, thankfully.  Braxton Hicks contractions could start around this time, but I haven't felt anything yet and I would like to keep it that way.  

Symptoms: 

-Feeling lightheaded- I know it's time to eat (protein specifically) when I start feeling a little weak.  

-Pregnancy brain is still in full force

-Exhaustion has returned, how cruel.  I would like my energy back now please.  

Belly Button in or out? In, but it is totally still freaking me out.  I used to have a super innie; it was an abyss.  Now I can see the bottom of my belly button, which I never knew existed.  There are so many odd things about pregnancy, but this is the one that weirds me out the most.  

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: I can go from Jekyll to Hyde quickly, but I was relatively happy this week.  

Looking forward to: Meeting Harrison!  I had my first real moment of really wanting him here this week.  Of course, I've always been excited to meet him, but this was an all consuming feeling of needing to see his face, kiss him, smell him, and hold him close.  I absolutely cannot wait to meet my son.  

And... I wanted to give you a preview of the crib!  Mike still has some finishing touches to put on it, like the bottom portion, but I'm so proud of this piece he created just for us!