My Pregnancy Journal: Weeks 22 & 23

Well it’s been another busy couple of weeks! I feel like I just did an update &it’s been two full weeks. If this keeps up, baby will be here before I know it. Here’s hoping, right?

How Far Along: 23 Weeks

Due Date: February 6, 2014

Boy or girl: Baby BOY!

Baby’s Development:

Turn on the radio and sway to the music. With her sense of movement well developed by now, your baby can feel you dance. And now that she’s more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about the size of a large mango), you may be able to see her squirm underneath your clothes. Blood vessels in her lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your baby’s increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing her for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won’t faze her when she hears them outside the womb.

Movement: It’s becoming apparent when baby is napping now because whenever he’s awake he’s kicking- and hard! I’m yet to catch a visual on a kick yet- I know that they can be seen, because I can tell where he’s pressing against by both sight & feel, but I always miss the kicks. I just have bad timing.

The Bump:

Symptoms: My biggest complaint for the last few weeks {I even touched on it on my last update} has been a rib that just won’t stay where it’s supposed to. At first I thought nothing of it, since I have bones go in & out of place often {weird, I know}. But after 5 days {&several instances of physically relocating the rib} without relief, I consulted Dr. Google. Apparently this may be a pregnancy side effect, as it seems to commonly pop up right around this time for short girls like me &is a result of a, well, heavier chest &an ever-expanding uterus. The pain is like a muscle cramp that won’t let up & it makes it hard to sit down at all- whether that’s to eat, to work at the computer, or just to play a game with Shane. I’m definitely going to bring it up at my next appointment.

Cravings: Nothing specific, actually. I’ve been drinking a TON of water if that counts.

Food aversions: Meat, but not as bad this week. Oh & I made these delicious enchiladas the other day- I couldn’t get enough of them- but then when I opened the dishwasher the next day & the lingering smell of the sauce I used came wafting over, I was instantly sick. I’m getting nauseous just thinking about it!

What made me cry this week: Nothing comes to mind.

Medical stuff/appointments: I see my doctor again on Tuesday! I am not looking forward to it because it should be the glucose test. I was able to find a sitter though, so at least I won’t have to keep Shane occupied while I wait.

Something I am excited about: So far, so good on the stretch marks. Of course I’m knocking on wood when I say that, but apparently most women have developed stretch marks by now. I’m hoping that I won’t get any since I got a LOT last time- it’s probably wishful thinking but for now I’m enjoying it.

Something I am not so excited about: We are working hard to come up with a name for baby brother but nothing is sticking out. We’ll keep working on it, but I’ll be happy when we decide on something.

Baby purchases: I ordered a few cute outfits from Gymboree when I bought Shane some new jeans yesterday! It’s hard because I’m trying to buy ahead for both warmer & cooler months, but warmer weather clothes are starting to leave shelves & cooler weather clothes right now are all fall or holiday themed, and he won’t be here until January/February. So I’m getting a little here & a little there.

Shane’s Thoughts: I mentioned to Shane yesterday that pretty soon he’d be able to see baby brother move, so every few hours he’s been stopping me &just staring at my belly. He’s so excited to see him!

Today, Shane & I looked at pictures of when I was pregnant with him, including the drive to the hospital, and pictures from the couple of days that followed. He enjoyed seeing himself so small & finding out what happened- who visited, what he wore, etc. In fact the picture of us going home showed the teddy bear my dad brought us at the hospital, which we still have but has been on display on his toy cubbies since he was born- and the teddy bear is now sleeping in Shane’s bed.

Read More:
Gender Reveal
Week 20 & 21 Update
Week 19 Update
Week 18 Update
Week 17 Update
Week 16 Update
Week 15 Update
Week 14 Update
Week 13 Update
Week 12 Update
Week 11 Update
Week 10 Update
Pregnancy Reveal

Did you have a hard time coming up with names?