Paint Party (23 & 24 week update)

How far along

23 weeks (A little over 5 months)

Baby is as big as a: 

Papaya

Total weight gain: 

10 lbs
Maternity clothes: 

Skirts are my best friend at work! I've noticed that although my jeans still fit, they're starting to slide down in the front because of the baby bump now. I'm having to pull them up and wear a good belt. It's like trying to keep a collar on a pug.

Sleep:

I noticed a small amount of back pain while we were on vacation and I super glad to get back to our own bed. First night back on the mattress and those sheets were heaven! 

Movement?

It's fun to be going about my day and suddenly feel him move. I'm suddenly reminded I an pregnant and that I'm growing a HUMAN BEING. God made out bodies just incredible.

Best moment this week: 

This nice member at work commented on how happy and perky I was when I was helping her that morning. I told her it was because I just got back from vacation so I was relaxed and rejuvenated. While I was in the back getting her request she was talking to my coworker saying how it wasn't the vacation... it was something else for sure. She asked him if I had gotten married. Yes but four years ago. Then she asked if I was pregnant. My coworker responded affirmatively and the member was like, 'Yes! That's it!' She complimented me on my attitude and glow that she saw and attributed it to the pregnancy then gave this awesome speech about how women's bodies are amazing. I'm not sure if the pregnancy glow exists or if I have it but it was really nice of her to say!

Weird pregnancy moment:

I've had a lot of people tell me my belly has officially popped. I looked in the mirror when I got home and they might be right. Regardless of how I look, I definitely feel fat.

Symptoms:

I need to be more careful when stretching in the mornings. I keep forgetting until that round ligament starts screaming.

Food cravings:

I've had a really bad sweet tooth especially for chocolate. My 'cravings' have been kicked up a notch from, 'Oh that sounds good' to 'I really want that'. I'm not in the HAVE TO HAVE it stage yet.

Gender: 

Boy

What I'm looking forward to: 

We went Colorado this week which was so fun! Then we came back and I get to see baby again. It's cool that I'm starting to show a little bit but I am grateful for all this time that I still fit into my normal clothing.

The biggest thing we've done in preparation for the baby is deciding where the nursery is then painting it! The bottom half was a pretty brown color, but too dark for my liking so we painted it white. Polar Bear white to be exact. I love it. Pictures can't really get the color right, so the top is a beige/ light brown like the rest of our house. We didn't do a perfect painting job (amateurs over here) but it's good enough for baby and I!

Before example

After:

So the top half is exactly the same, we didn't touch it. See how weird colors can end up in photographs? So the top photo is better for the true color of the top half. Then the bottom it just white. I LOVE it. I wanted neutral walls so I can dress them up any way I want depending on what we're having.

How far along

24 weeks (60% of the way there folks!)

Baby is as big as a: 

Cantalope weighing 1lbs 7 oz

Total weight gain: 

12 lbs
Maternity clothes: 

I've been wearing lots of skirts still because pants are a hassle. I've starting going through all the maternity clothes I've been given to hem/sew them. A lot are pants so I'm going to make some of them shorts/capris. Switching over to baby clothes, a friend in my ward who just had her 4th baby (all boys) gave me all of her baby clothes and I'm so excited to go through them all!

Sleep:

Sleeping great! I did have restless legs one night but once I move them around and stretch them seem to be fine.

Movement?

All the time!

Best moment this week: 

Having another ultrasound this week! I got to see our baby boy again. Of course he wouldn't show his face but the family jewels were on full display! Such a boy. We got a cute ultrasound photo of him playing with his toes by his face.

Weird pregnancy moment:

Some (brave) strangers are just starting to assume I'm pregnant which is nice and weird all at the same time.

Symptoms:

Restless legs. Overall pudgy feeling

Food cravings:

Sweets! Still nothing that I'm CRAVING or HAVE TO HAVE but at the end of the day I just need some chocolate. And milk.

Gender: 

Definitely boy

What I'm looking forward to: 

So bad news/good news. Baby has a tiny case of prenatal hydronephrosis which means the ureters (the tubes that connect his kidneys to his bladder) are a little dilated or bigger than usual. He has a mild case and since the last ultrasound nothing has changed which on one hand is good because it hasn't gotten worse. The good news is his kidneys look perfect which usually means this will work itself out. Just to be safe, my doctor is sending me to specialist to take a better look and make sure his case is still mild. Even if it got worse and was born with it or even had to get surgery to correct it (worse case scenario here), the vast majority lead long healthy, normal lives. I'm looking forward to seeing baby again! but not so much for my glucose test...

Here's baby, head on the left, hands grabbing toes

Here's all the baby clothes we were given! We owe them a HUGE thank you! What a blessing!