How far along? 22 weeks.
How big is baby? 11 inches and 1 pound – a spaghetti squash, apparently.
Total weight gain: + 7 pounds? My scale battery died this week.
Updates: Pretty uneventful lately, which is how I like it. I had to swap out more non-maternity shirts and I made a list of “things to buy before baby” (it involves four items. Hooray for second babies!). And Gabe did inform that he and the baby are going to share a room and that the baby is going to jump on his bed with him.
Anxious about: T-minus one week until we find out where we’re moving. HOLD ME. And maybe pack for me once this belly gets bigger. I’m anxious about figuring out childcare and work with two kids in possibly a new city. I also need to start researching my hospital options a little more and figure out if I need to switch care providers.
Excited about: Is it strange that I’m already looking forward to nursing a snuggly baby? I really, really enjoyed that part, so I’m hoping it will be a little smoother this time. I’m also looking forward to getting a chiropractor referral at my next appointment and hopefully helping the aches and pains going on in my hindside.
Feeling: GOOD!!! HOORAY! I went without Unisom and didn’t hurl the next morning – perhaps I’m in the clear. I’ve been cooking a lot more and just generally feeling human, if not a bit of a tired human. Getting more confident about the baby aspect of this whole pregnancy endeavor. Which is sort of overwhelming and exciting in its own way.
Exercise: Giving up on getting to go outside for exercise (a foot of snow that isn’t shoveled off sidewalks), we went for walks in our building halls a few times and I did some work with my squats/abs/push ups apps. Then I dug out a few prenatal exercise DVDs – I did this yoga one once and this weird one involving salsa dancing (“don’t look at me!” I’d yell at Mike). I’d really really like to run outside. Even just a little run/walk – but I’m worried that by the time the snow melts from the sidewalks, I’ll be so big I won’t be able to run. (Treadmills and pregnancy don’t work so well for me since I don’t listen to my body as well when I’m on a treadmill and tend to push myself too hard.)
Sleep: Is great. Mike lets me sleep in almost every day. Three cheers for great husbands!
Movement: Still rather low, but a few jabs near or above my belly button. I think I can feel the baby getting hiccups. Every single night between 10 and 11 pm there is a dance party in my uterus. I don’t know that I’m a fan of the schedule you’re developing, Little Foot.
Food cravings: Juicy fruit (like oranges, grapefruit, etc. Not the gum) and lemonade.
Misc:
- Someone said to me this week, “You finally look pregnant!” with relief. Um. Thanks?
- My coat is getting rather tight. Winter should end soon, I think is what that means.
- I thought that perhaps pregnancy this time would involve more cautiousness since I’ve generally been more anxious, but I’m still not overly concerned with all the “AVOID THIS OMG YOUR BABY” business. I eat Brie and goat cheese (pasteurized), enjoy a little wine or beer from time to time, and drink coffee daily. I even *gasp* have taken Zofran and other medications. Maybe doing everything *right* and still losing pregnancies has actually made me less overly cautious about this kind of stuff. Not that I’m all, “I’m soooo blasé, you guys. Look how laid back I am! OMG just eat the sushi!”, because I know everyone’s comfort level is different. Once again, I totally agree with Amy’s take on this (“A lot of the warnings seem to be based on the idea that women aren’t responsible enough to understand MODERATION.”)
- I am already rather uncomfortable, much more so than I was with Gabe at this stage. I’m grunting when I get up, am incredibly achy at night and in the morning, and just in general feeling like the little belly is taking a toll on my body. Which is a little crazy considering I have like 4 more months to get even bigger! I guess being four years older this time is starting to show. (I’m kidddding. Mostly.)
- This week, I was sitting on the couch with Gabe, reading him a book. The baby was moving a lot, so Gabe just kept his hand on my belly feeling the kicks as I finished the story. It was so sweet. I really can’t wait to see this boy as a big brother. I might be as excited about that as about the whole baby thing.
You look so cute! Love the necklace.
You look wonderful! I am so glad that you’re feeling better and more “human.” “Human” is a good feeling :) Prayers for you as you learn more about your move. Moving is very stressful!
You’re looking (and sounding) great, Ashley! Yay for feeling better!
Another way to look at all those pregnancy warnings is our litigious society calls for it. If they don’t warn you and something does happen, well, surely the mother’s decision making cannot be to blame, therefore the xyz is; hello lawsuit!
You’re still too young to have all those aches and pains. I chalk it up to being a parent AND a pregnant mama … you can’t just focus on your own needs this time. =)
You are ADORABLE :).
You look fantastic, Ashley.
You look great! I totally agree on the pregnancy restrictions :) plus what else will get you through all the aches and pains haha. I hope whatever you want to happen with the move, does happen!
First of all, I agree with San – YOU LOOK FABULOUS.
On that note, I am SO HAPPY for you and your family over this pregnancy. What a blessing. :) And it is going to be so fun hearing about Gabe as an older brother.
And, yes, three cheers for amazing husbands. Hip, hip, hooray!!! You go, husband.
Excited to hear where you end up moving!! We will going through a similar eenie-minnie-miney-moe when my husband finishes his PhD in a year (or two? eek.)
xoxo
You look wonderful! I was actually “prescribed” red wine with all of my pregnancies at the end (LOVED my midwives!). A half glass and a bath was just the thing to calm down all those braxton hicks and relax a bit. All those aches and pains are totally normal. It has to be hard right or we’d just keep having babies, they are so dang cute.
Pretty sure I didn’t register anything after you called the baby Little Foot. Ahhhhh!
I second what Becky said. I love the Little Foot nickname; too adorable. Well, you’re pretty darn adorable, too :) I selfishly hope you move closer to me so that we can visit more easily and then I can hold your baby and hang out with you, Mike and Gabe. It’s so surreal to me at times to see these big boy pictures of Gabe because I remember so vividly the mini baby shower we did in the hotel for you and Erin. Can we go back to Indy now, please!?
Hi Ashley,
That was so sweet! (Gabe holding your tummy, feeling the kicks). As a mom, this could be one of the precious moments to cherish. Thanks!