24 Weeks

Amelia's size as compared to an iPod Touch.
I just had to take a picture of a papaya yesterday afternoon at Publix!
How Far Along: 24 weeks and 5 days
Total weight gain: Guess what folks?? I was 2 lbs down at the doctor's office yesterday! What a shocker!
Maternity clothes: I'm wearing my maternity capris like crazy and maternity shirts on my days off work. If I leave the house, that is. Otherwise, it's just a t-shirt and shorts!
Sleep: It's actually been really good this past week. Hopefully that will continue.
Best Moment this week: Hearing my sweet girl's heartbeat at the doctor's office yesterday. The nurse found it right away and it was in the low 140's. That's definitely a sound I will never get tired of hearing.
Movement: She's a little gymnast in there! I was laying in bed the other night doing my kick counts (for those of you who don't know, you lie still so you can feel them move and see how long it takes you to feel 10 kicks). She did 6 in the first minute alone! It took probably a good 10 minutes to feel all 10, but she was definitely making her presence known!
Gender: Sweet baby girl!
Labor signs: None and I hope not to see any for a long time!
Belly button: Innie
Cravings: I was craving something really sweet yesterday, so I satisfied that craving with a black and white cookie from the Publix bakery. Yummo.
Nausea: Still throwing up during the brushing of teeth....in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Good times.
What I miss: Loving every minute of my life!
Stretch Marks: They're all there in their gross glory!
Weekly wisdom: Not so much wisdom, but everything was great at the doctor's office yesterday. He said everything looked perfect. What a relief to hear! Even though nothing has felt wrong, it's still nice to have it confirmed by the experts.
What I am looking forward to this week: Nothing really to look forward to for the next few days, but next week is the Eclipse premiere! And then a few days after that we're going to the beach!

In addition to getting a good report from the doctor, I got another bag of goodies with my Similac trimester gift, magazines, and samples. We also scheduled my follow-up ultrasound to check the heart and umbilical cord and my glucose tolerance test for my next visit.

I don't think I mentioned it in my last post, but we've chosen a pediatrician! Yay! We're going to use Dr. Minor Vernon in Macon.

We had a great time at my class reunion last weekend. I still can't believe it's been 10 years! It was great seeing some old faces and catching up.

23 Weeks

Since The Bump says that baby is a papaya for the entire fifth month, you get a picture of me this week!

How Far Along: 23 weeks and 6 days
Total weight gain: I got on the scale yesterday and guess what it said?!?! Two pounds down! Are you really surprised?
Maternity clothes: I had to wear my belly band last week for the first time in order to wear my dress pants. I also wore it last night at my first class reunion event and it worked well again. The only issue I have is when I bend over, my zipper comes down a little. So that might make for an awkward situation!
Sleep: It's pretty awesome these days. I am, however, having very crazy dreams. Like, random, non-related people in odd situations in odd locations. I should write a book.
Best Moment this week: Seeing my classmates at my 10 year class reunion this weekend. It's amazing how everything changes, yet everything stays the same. Cliques, personalities, etc.
Movement: Oh yes...we have a very active little girl in there! It's an awesome feeling!
Gender: Sweet baby girl!
Labor signs: None and I hope not to see any for a long time!
Belly button: Innie
Cravings: Egg salad. I haven't satisfied the craving yet though!
Nausea: The tooth-brushing vomit session has returned with a vengeance. Even in the middle of the day. Not pleasant if I've just eaten something. But, it's what I have to deal with right now, so that's okay!
What I miss: Everything is lovely!
Stretch Marks: Present!
Weekly wisdom: My assistant director at work actually looks out for his employees. I haven't really seen this side of him before, but when I asked him about my maternity leave he surprised me. I asked if I would have to use part of my maternity leave if I had to go out early (i.e. bed rest), and he said I wouldn't. My 12 weeks would start when the baby is born. That's a big relief!
What I am looking forward to this week: Having lunch at my house on Sunday for Father's Day and celebrating with Thomas when he gets home from work.

22 Weeks

Baby is now the size of a papaya!
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.

How Far Along: 22 weeks and 6 days
Total weight gain: Still lacking 2 lbs from where I started 14 weeks ago.
Maternity clothes: I bought a few new shirts this week because I'm bored with the ones I have. I got them at Sears and J.C. Penney, but after those two stores, I was tired of trying stuff on, mostly because it was like 8,000 degrees in the store.
Sleep: I'm able to sleep in on my days off, but I haven't been sleeping very soundly during the night. Hopefully that will get better.
Best Moment this week: People telling me that I actually look pregnant.
Movement: She's been pretty active this week. Especially when we were watching So You Think You Can Dance and the music made her really move. Thomas is still too inpatient to try and feel her though!
Gender: Sweet baby girl!
Labor signs: None and I hope not to see any for a long time!
Belly button: Innie
Cravings: I really wanted spaghetti the other day and I must say, my sauce was insane! Very yummo. On an odd note, I ate a salad the other day with grape tomatoes and now I keep tasting them, even when I eat actual grapes and it's not that appetizing. Blah.
Nausea: It's gotten a lot better, thank goodness. I still have a small vomit session when I brush my teeth, but it's usually over quickly instead of lasting about 5 minutes, therefore making me run late for work.
What I miss: Loving every minute of my life!
Stretch Marks: Yeah, definitely there and not going anywhere. Yuck.
Weekly wisdom: Three and a half more weeks until the beach!
What I am looking forward to this week: Giving my friend Meghan a baby shower at my mom's house.

21 Weeks

Baby is now the size of a banana!
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.

How Far Along: 21 weeks and 5 days
Total weight gain: I haven't weighed this week, so I'm guessing it's about the same
Maternity clothes: I haven't worn my jeans this week, so I'm not sure how those are fitting. The maternity capris and shirts I'm wearing definitely show off my baby bump though!
Sleep: It's pretty decent these days. On my days off, I'm still waking up around 6:30 to pee, but I can usually go back to sleep for a few more hours. Some nights the heartburn is pretty rough (especially when I turn on my right side...weird), so I have to get up to take some Tums. Blah.
Best Moment this week: Feeling Amelia kick a lot! It was especially great on Monday night when Thomas came home and as soon as she heard his voice, she started moving like crazy! It was awesome.
Movement: She's moving around a good bit and I'm ready for Thomas to be able to feel it.
Gender: Sweet baby girl!
Labor signs: None and I hope not to see any for a long time!
Belly button: Innie
Cravings: Unfortunately, my cravings for fruits and vegetables has gone by the wayside. If they're on my plate, I usually just ignore them completely. I hope that changes soon!
Nausea: I stayed out of work on Monday and Tuesday due to my sinus issues, so I haven't been having as much trouble with vomiting. My left eye looks awful from last weekend's illness. It looks like I've been punched!
What I miss: Everything is great! I love feeling my sweet girl move around inside me and actually looking pregnant.
Stretch Marks: Still present! Not my fave part of pregnancy though.
Weekly wisdom: It's not pregnancy related, but the National Board of Respiratory Care, which I must do business with to keep my RRT credential, (and to actually do my job!) are complete jackasses. I spent an hour on the phone with them yesterday and when all was said and done, I ended up paying $250. My blood pressure was not at a good level yesterday afternoon, I can assure you.
What I am looking forward to this week: Celebrating my mom's birthday with the fam tonight at Cheddar's. Good times!