6

 



I hit the 24 week mark on Valentine's Day last Thursday and that means: I'm six months pregnant!

I have been extremely fortunate to be feeling well again throughout pregnancy, just like with my first and second. I'm wondering if I should read into that, thinking that this baby might likely be another girl because of the similarities, or maybe this is simply how my body handles pregnancy. Whatever the case, I'm digging it.

 

Is it even worth mentioning that I am hungry all the time? Probably not, but I am.

 

 

(It is fitting that this image is so big!)

 

Once again sweets are what I crave. Something might be wrong with me that I haven't had my quota of Potbelly oatmeal chocolate chip cookies (I am almost ashamed to say that I don't think I've had even one my entire pregnancy! I am pretty sure I had about three a week with babies 1 and 2!). Those cookies have been replaced by Ben & Jerry's ice cream, Chocolate Fudge Brownie in particular. That stuff is magical and I wish I could eat a pint a day without consequence.  

I'm only now beginning to feel slightly uncomfortable during bedtime, trying to get myself in a good position with my ever-expanding belly. I try to sneak on my back from time to time, but for the most part I follow the guideline of sleeping on my side, my left they majority of the time. I can truthfully feel a difference if I am on my back for too long, my discomfort being a reminder to tell me to turn.



 

By the time we get Mirabella and Viviana down for bed, I am pretty worn out myself. My ankles have started to swell a bit and putting my feet up feels fabulous. I feel decently productive throughout the day and my second wind comes during the girls' naps. Sometimes after dinner we let our girls wind down with a show or a movie if they have been good. Over the last few weeks of doing that, I find myself drifting off for a cat nap. Figuring I'll head right into dreamland immediately after Mirabella and Vivi, I somehow almost always surprise Jeff and me and end up staying up late (usually in bed though, catching up on the latest and greatest trash on my DVR!). I guess that 15 or so minutes I drift off during the kids' show time gives me the little energy boost I need.

 

 

I have 15 bloody noses under my belt, an ailment that has plagued me with each of my three pregnancies. I know from practice that this can be common in pregnancy, but they can be a nuisance. Thankfully most don't last too long, but some won't stop gushing, leaving me wondering if there could possibly be any blood left in my body upon their conclusion.   

 

 

While I'm on the nose subject, I am feeling an almost constant stuffiness. I'm blowing my nose all the time!

 

Something I am having that I don't remember with my first two pregnancies (although I had a different type of pain in my tush) is tailbone pain. If I sit for an extended period of time, my rump is cursing me out! When I get up to stand, the pain worsens before I find some relief in standing.  



 

Absent-mindedness, forgetfulness, space cadet syndrome, pregnancy brain - whatever you want to call it, I have it. My mind is hazy; please don't hold me accountable for anything right now.

 

My short fuse has lengthened from the early days of pregnancy...but it's still on the short side.

 

I always seem to be much more full of worry and paranoia when I'm pregnant, something noticeable with all of my pregnancies. Basically I am more emotional all around; I'm sentimental, sappy and sensitive, tearful, tender and weepy. Besides that, I've totally got it together!

I am delighted to report that I have not had one migraine this time around! There was one time I thought one may be coming on and that I'd have to reach for the Tylenol, but I waited it out and had no issue. What a relief! I have not had to pop one pill aside from my daily combo of my multivitamin (sometimes prenatal, sometimes just a basic women's), DHA supplement and folic acid.

 

So that about sums it up! I look like I am two months more pregnant that I am, but pregnancy has been treating me well. I think I could do this again sometime. (Ha! Just kidding, hubby!)   



Doctor appointment: Ultrasound and 24 week fetal and maternal assessment

 

 

So relieved to say that the second more in-depth look at our baby went well! I had another ultrasound this past Friday (Friday, February 15th) and was told, "Baby looks great!" as our doctor put it. A closer look of the heart was needed since he or she didn't want to fully cooperate to allow for any good photos at my last appointment. Everything checked out well and it was nice to have another peek at our baby-cakes! We were able to listen to the heart beat again too (heart rate was 135) and were told that the baby weighs 1 pound 7 ounces.  

 

 

Baby's mouth is open in this one! We even got to see his or her tiny tongue. Very cool.

 

 

Brace yourselves (or maybe it was just me that needed bracing): I gained a whopping eight pounds since my last appoinment a month ago! Holy Ben and Jerry's Chocolate Fudge Brownie! Total weight gained thus far is 11 pounds. I asked both the woman doing my weigh-in and of course my doctor if that was concerning and each said no. But, seriously, eight pounds?  I suppose I better slow down on the ice cream and sweets, which have been heavy on the rotation for me. Oh, and let's not forget about all those super delicious carbs. Gosh, I was getting so much better before this pregnancy! So not the case right now.  

 

I received my sugar-filled water in fruit punch flavor to chug before my next appointment, my glucose screaning. If I fail the first round of the test (roughly 10 % do and I did fail it with Viviana), I have to go back for a three-hour test. I am so hoping that is not that case! Even more so, I am praying I don't fail that one (roughly 3 % do) since that would mean I have gestational diabetes and the sweets are packing up and getting the heck out of my house. I was actually told last time that it has more to do with my hormones than my diet, but I know the excess of sugar in my diet does not help. Obviously my most important concern would be the health of our baby, and having this does pose some health risks. I'll certainly be praying for a pass on the first try!

Pregnancy glow

Husband: "You really have a nice glow about you."

Wife: "Really? Wow, thanks!"

Husband: (pause) "Maybe it's because you showered and washed your hair, but you do have a very nice glow."

Our baby at 23 weeks

At 23 weeks, the baby neasures more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound, about the size of a large mango.