23 Weeks

How far along: 23 Weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Holding steady

Maternity Clothes: Almost full time

Stretch Marks: I’m getting a tiny one right above my belly button

Sleep: Good I suppose

Movement: Cirque du soleil in my belly on a daily basis now

Food Cravings/Aversions: lemonade… Arby’s is back! But the service is still terrible

Gender: Girl!

Belly Button In or Out: Think we’ll make it a few more weeks with an innie

What I Miss: Being able to bend over

What I am Looking Forward To: Painting the nursery

Weekly Wisdom: Hold the crib straight while your husband is trying to put it together.

Best Moment This Week: Getting the crib delivered and put together. Our bedding set should be here soon.

Here are some pics of how things are coming together.

The letters that will hang above the crib

This is the bedding set we are waiting for

22 Weeks

Somehow week 22 slipped away from me. I managed to take the picture but guess I've been in nesting mode and forgot about writing. I've cleaned the nursery out and we have ordered the crib. I'm also working on all the little details right now but still have not figured out exactly what the paint colors are. It would help if I could make up my mind on the bedding. Me + making decisons = no action at all. We have also hit the point of not having a new fruit pic every week. This one is good from week 22-24.

Watch what you say -- baby is now able to hear outside noise from down in the womb. Studies show that baby finds gentle music and your own voice most soothing. Nipples are starting to sprout, and that little face is fully formed. And, baby's starting to settle into sleep cycles, snoozing about 12 to 14 hours a day. It shouldn't be hard to figure out when -- just pay attention to those kicks as they start and stop.

21 Weeks

So here is a bare belly this week with my stretchmarks in all their glory.

How far along: 21 Weeks 6 Days


Total Weight Gain/Loss: Holding steady at 191

Maternity Clothes: Most of my regular tops are not an option any more

Stretch Marks: Staying the same for now but they are most likely plotting their next move.

Sleep: Pretty good

Movement: Gracie has her sleep patterns down now. She’s very quiet during the day with the exception of mid afternoon and really comes to life once I get home and then again when I lay down at night. Even Daddy got to feel some good kicks and I'm starting to see a few from the outside.

Food Cravings/Aversions: Chocolate and lemonade. I ate an entire chocolate bunny filled with caramel today that was left over from Easter. We can thank Memaw for this.

Gender: Girl

Belly Button In or Out: Getting very shallow but I don’t have any idea how much longer it will hold out.

What I Miss: Still missing a nice fruity drink on the weekend

What I am Looking Forward To: Getting the registry completed and starting the nursery

Weekly Wisdom: Calm down… I’ve been really anxious for the past couple of weeks. I guess it’s hormonal. I’m a planner and trying to make sure everything falls into place since I'm now on the down hill slide to September but I can’t help but worry over things I have no control over.

Best Moment This Week: Well I guess having my first mother’s day sort of. I got some cards and a lot of well wishes on Sunday.

Baby gulps down several ounces of amniotic fluid every day, both for hydration and nutrition and to practice swallowing and digesting. And, these days, those taste buds actually work! Studies show that after birth, babies are most interested in tastes they've already experienced through amniotic fluid. Meaning, think about what you want your future child to eat as you prepare your own lunch.

20 Weeks

How far along: 20 Weeks 4 Days

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Still holding strong at 191

Maternity Clothes: I don’t guess I’ve worn any older clothes here lately

Stretch Marks: I don’t think they are any worse but I’m getting more spider veins on my legs. It looks like someone gave a blue ink pen to a toddler and gave them free reign over my legs.

Sleep: Pretty good but I actually got up to pee twice that’s a new record for me.

Movement: Getting some good kicks but Daddy can’t seem to catch you doing it. You’re sneaky little one.

Food Cravings/Aversions: Lemonade and I still want Arby’s but I don’t suppose they’ll ever reopen :(

Gender: Girl!

Belly Button In or Out: Shallow

What I Miss: Mobility… I bent down earlier and thought for a moment I wasn’t coming back up.

What I am Looking Forward To: Well I guess my follow up tomorrow with the specialist for my gall bladder. I just want reassurance that everything will be ok and that we are on the same page and won’t turn to surgery unless it’s absolutely necessary.

Weekly Wisdom: I guess I don’t listen when people offer advice and wisdom because I never seem to remember anything.

Best Moment This Week: We are half way done! Yay! I went shopping and I couldn’t resist and come home with the cutest onesie.

Baby's digestive system is busy creating meconium (a tarry black substance made of swallowed amniotic fluid, digestive secretion and dead cells), which will fill the first diaper after birth. And, speaking of the diaper situation... baby's genitals are now fully formed!