Photo: Week 23

I was trying not to laugh while Joey was taking my picture--Torin was kicking like crazy!

Baby shower invites!

Since we're not having a theme (e.g., trains, puppies, construction) for our nursery, Jennifer picked this super-cute invitation design to keep with the colors of the nursery:

Sarah C., Sarah H., and Stacy--also friends of mine--will be helping Jennifer host the shower. I can't wait to see what a wonderful party these ladies will put together!

It's all too much.

Whenever I think about the myriad things I have to do to prepare for the baby, I feel overwhelmed. To respond to this, my body's defense mechanism is to become worn out. I just got up from a 2-hour nap. I really need to get going on the nursery, and I need to kick my parenting and baby reading and research into high gear. But then I get so sleepy again...

Week 23: Friday, June 18, 2010

Weight: 140 pounds
Symptoms: itchiness, insomnia, fatigue, swelling (minor, only in left ankle so far)
Cravings: french fries (especially from Chick-fil-A), vanilla soft-serve ice cream, cupcakes
Listening to: Heligoland by Massive Attack

I had my first "cankle" this week. Yep, my left ankle swelled up. Luckily, the swelling was minor, but it did last for about a day and a half. It was alarming, but based on everything I've been reading, this swelling is normal at this stage of the pregnancy.

I've had to work a lot of overtime this week. Plus, a coworker has been coming in to the office while sick--with a stomach bug, no less! I had to work from home yesterday to avoid the germs because she wouldn't go home, but my duties required me to be back in the office today. I made sure I wore my latex gloves and sprayed Lysol readily. Sure, I got laughed at, but I don't care. I'm doing everything I can to prevent myself and my unborn son from being harmed. I can't understand how some people can be so inconsiderate.

On a lighter note, I am feeling the baby regularly now. He's getting strong enough to jolt me awake at night! Besides kicking when I lie down, he also likes to kick when I'm eating. As sleep deprived as his movement might make me, I still relish it and look forward to it. I wish Joey could feel these kicks from the inside. They give me a whole new reason to smile and be thankful.

Gifted.

This weekend, as usual, flew by. Yesterday, we went to a birthday party for Preston, Andrew and Jennifer's son. He just turned two and is simply precious. We loved watching the kids playing in the water and jumping in the bounce house. I made sure to take mental notes for parenting! We came to the party with a gift, and we left with gifts of our own--lots of toys and supplies that Preston no longer uses. We got a bathtub, a Baby Bjorn carrier (I can now remove this from my registry!), an activity mat, and all sorts of other goodies (thanks, Andrew and Jennifer!).

Just look at that--our son is already being spoiled, in utero!

Week 22: Thursday, June 10, 2010

Weight: 138 pounds
Symptoms: the extreme fatigue is back (at least for today), cravings, all-over back pain
Mood: exhausted, happy
Reading: Baby 411

My disposition has improved a bit over the past few days. I no longer feel blue like I did last week. The baby has been making his presence known more than ever before (he's been highly active), so that probably has a lot to do with my lifted spirits.

As much as I am enjoying the second trimester, I sometimes wish I could fast-forward to October, when I can finally hold my son in my arms. Other times, though, I want to bask in this fabulous second-trimester glow for as long as possible--Joey loves the way I look, and honestly, so do I. But time will continue to move quickly, and autumn will be here before we know it. And then we'll be parents.

Hot diggity dog!

I had a routine visit with the doctor today. All seems to be well. The baby's heart sounds good, and I've gained 7 pounds since I got pregnant. However, the size of my uterus--a key measurement in determining the baby's growth--is a bit ahead of schedule. Our boy is growing fast! My only concern about this is that babies tend to be larger if the mother has gestational diabetes, which commonly leads to Cesarean sections. I will be tested for gestational diabetes at my next visit, in 4 weeks, so we'll know more by then. The doctor is not concerned at all, so I guess I shouldn't be concerned either.

Also, I got some more good news from the doctor: I've been avoiding hot dogs and deli meat in vain. I had read in many places that pregnant women should avoid hot dogs because of the nitrates and uncooked deli meat because of the risk of listeriosis. However, my doctor isn't very concerned about these risks and said I can munch on these items in moderation, probably once a week. Five months of hot-doglessness is about to come to an end--woo hoo!!