23-Almost-24 Weeks

We're actually almost at 24 weeks, but lately -- not much has been different or notable between them. That is, besides my ever-growing belly. OK. Yeah. The belly is getting enormous. And quickly.

So far, I haven't noticed stretch marks, but who knows. At this rate, I might explode. (Currently to combat possible stretch marks, I'm using Palmer's cocoa butter and this new organic lotion my mother-in-law got me for my birthday. Fingers crossed they work!) My belly button seems to be doing something weird, too. Not popping out, but changing shape.

Oh, my changing shape.


You may recognize this dresser from our house tour. It was -- up until today -- in our family room as our television stand. But after months and months of stalking Craigslist for good furniture deals, we gave up. Either we couldn't find anything. Or we could, but it was too expensive (seriously? $250 for a USED dresser?). Or the people wouldn't return our calls/emails.

PLAN B: Use the TV stand, which is actually a dresser, and buy a new TV stand. Which we did. Last night. For around $200. Not the way we thought things would go, but not terrible either.


This dresser is the perfect height, width, and length to double as a changing table. We refuse to buy a changing table. REFUSE!


So, in week 23-almost-24, we're getting closer to finishing the nursery. Surprisingly to us, we have found so many decor elements in our house. I don't imagine buying much else -- a couple key things (like a foot stool or pouf). A few DIY projects (for a crib skirt, rocking chair cushion cover, etc.). Then all we need is a baby.

Definitely need to jazz up this area:


And make this closet functional. Which is proving a difficult task, as the access to our attic is also through this space.


23 WEEKS:

• I went to my midwife appointment on Tuesday. Everything seems fine. I have indeed gained 11 pounds. Baby's heart rate was at 140 BPM. I got information on the birthing class she and the other midwife in the practice are giving. On October 1st. Which seems both too soon and too far away.
• I asked her about the contractions/tightness I've been having over the past month. She thinks they are likely a mix of stress (both mental and physical) . . . but that I've also grown tremendously fast in a short period of time. Some of what I'm feeling is just normal stretching that most people don't feel. Apparently.
• We've picked the middle name. So both the first and middle names are SET. Again, we're not sharing them because we'd like to retain some mystique with this whole pregnancy thing, but we have told our parents.
• Uh, I'm getting bigger. But Pequeña is growing by leaps and bounds. At this week, she's over a pound and longer than an ear of corn -- nearly a foot long! I think Stephen will celebrate by eating 12" subs all week.
• My allergies have been BAD. Hence the glasses lately. I asked if they get really bad if I can take anything for them. Because for me, it's sometimes that or get a sinus infection. So, if things get too out-of-hand, I have been cleared to take some Zyrtec. Anyone else take allergy meds while pregnant?
• My next midwife appointment is at 27 weeks. When I'll be in the third trimester. At the end of this month. The 3rd out of 3 trimesters, people. And it has started to sink in that this baby will be here. Really here. And I will somehow need to DELIVER her. Cue the freak-out.
• Running is still going and going strong. After my decision to step back my exercise, I've been running mostly between 3 and 5 milers. 4 days a week or so. Walking other times. I have been able to manage some push-ups because they feel more comfortable now. But I'm doing 10 to 15 versus 25. I WILL go to prenatal yoga this weekend. I've been meaning to for weeks. My ultimate goal is to continue running until I'm 30 weeks and stay active after that. We'll see.

That's pretty much it! Just chugging along. Feeling slightly overwhelmed that technically we only have 13 weeks until we reach full-term. 16 weeks till our due date. And time just keeps ticking . . .

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