25 Weeks…. My Belly is how BIG?!?!

How far along? 25 weeks

Weight gain? ??? Good question, I don't know!  It's been two weeks since I've looked at a scale! (Note to self: buy scales for home) But I do have a tape measure and I can tell you that my belly is 41"

Baby is the size of - a cauliflower

Stretch marks? No signs of any as of yet *insert sigh of relief*

Sleep? This week has been better as far as sleep.  This might be due to the fact that the past few nights we've went to bed after I'm beyond the point of exhaustion so I've slept through the night.

Miss anything? Nothing new on the miss list this week

Cravings? Frozen chocolate covered bananas and spicy shrimp tacos

Anything make you queasy or sick? The glucose test is on Friday.  I'm ready to get this behind me, I had needles and blood work.  Crazy that the only thing that makes this pregnant gal sick or queasy is the thought of having blood drawn!

Symptoms?  This week I had my first nose bleed.  I've been told these are pretty common with pregnancy so I wasn't worried; even more so since my sinuses have been on drip since the day I got pregnant I'm pretty certain.  Also "the line" started making it's subtle appearance on my belly.

Belly button - in or out? This week my belly button can't figure out if it wants to be an "innie" or flat.  In the mornings when I wake up it's a big on the innie side but by the end of the day, it's flat again.

Wedding rings - on or off? They are on.  They leave an imprint on my finger if I take them off but they aren't uncomfortable or hard to take off.  Hope it stays this way.

Any movement? He's still in full ninja mode and kicking lots.

Happy or moody? It's been a happy week this week!

What emotions have you been experiencing this week?  This week I've had the whole "time is flying" feeling and the need to get everything rolling is kicking in!

Looking forward to -  We've started the painting in Jaxon's room finally so I'm really looking forward to getting that complete and getting the carpet installed so we can get the crib put together and the furniture in place.

Week 25 Fun Fact - Jaxon can now touch and hold his feet as well as make a fist!  Also, I just read that John may be able to hear his heartbeat by pressing his ear against my belly!  HOW COOL!  We will have to try this!  This is definitely something that he can experience that I can't during this pregnancy!

He HATES the vacuum cleaner!  He attacks it every time!

Okie making sure that John had the windows taped good before primer!

The weather has been so nice this week, I feel as though it was just a complete tease of spring though.  But, I'll take whatever nice weather we can get at this point.  It's been great to get outside and to open the windows and feel the fresh air flowing in!  It's been much needed in so many ways!

I officially got us signed up for a birthing class.  Hopefully we'll learn a few things aside from the obvious that will benefit us.  It includes the hospital tour, which I definitely wanted to do.  Obviously, after working there for 4 years, I know what all the units look like but it can be alarming to walk into a NICU for the first time.  I'm not the type of girl that ever lives in the "sunshine and rainbows" state of mind, I'm more of a realist and know that things can happen and in case they do, I didn't want John's first step inside a NICU to be with our child.

Next on the list to get signed up for is an infant CPR course as well scheduling a 3D ultrasound

24 Weeks

How far along? 24 weeks

Weight gain? 21lbs last week but I haven't stepped on the scale this week

Baby is the size of - a cantaloupe

Stretch marks? I'm really liking how the Palmer's Cocoa Butter Massage Lotion makes my skin feel!  Still in the clear when it comes to stretch marks

Sleep? At 4:10am this morning Jaxon decided that he was going to party till the sun came up and boy did he ever!  I'm pretty certain he wanted me to know just how much he was growing and how far he could stretch out!  No sleep for me and this has been the story every night this week.

Miss anything? Sleep!  Everyone says, "sleep as much as you can before the baby arrives."  Have those people actually carried a night owl in their womb that say this?!

Cravings? My appetite was off and on this week.  A lot of times I knew I needed to eat but I just wasn't hungry.  When I do crave anything it's typically fruit of some sort .  The cravings for Dr Pepper have kicked up this week and I've tried to control those cravings but same days, it's impossible!

Anything make you queasy or sick? Still the thought of the glucose test, have I mentioned I'm really dreading that?!  I've considering myself really lucky because nothing has made me sick at all so far!

Symptoms?  Just my broken crotch….I think that's symptom enough right there!

Belly button - in or out? It's flat now

Wedding rings - on or off? Still keeping my sparklers on although I may have to part with them for a bit so they can get some TLC in the sonic cleaner.  All this lotion is starting to take their shine.

Any movement? TONS.  He's such a night owl though (guess he takes after his mama).  He doesn't liked anything to be close to me in "his" area.  He really gets to kicking if he feels anything up against me.  Sorry Jaxon, mama wasn't taking the support band off yesterday while we were at Biltmore regardless of how much you protested!  Haha!

Happy or moody? Happy for the most part.  I just cannot tell you enough how much I just LOVE unsolicited advice though, always gets my blood flowing.  I'm learning to ignore some people's comments and "advice."

What emotions have you been experiencing this week?  This week I've not been as hard on myself as I was last week.  I'm getting more and more into a panic over us having to buy last minute purchases because I've been told so many times that "no one shops from your registry."  It's really causing me to panic because if you know me, you know that I like to have a plan and I like to be prepared.  I may start buying some of the "have to have" items off of the list. 

Looking forward to -  Getting Jaxon's room going and flowing.  We started it weeks ago but it seems like things have been so busy or we've been so tired by the end of our days that we haven't kept up the momentum.  After lots of thought last night and all day today, we are making some changes to bedding we picked previously.  It's still going with a sports themed room but this mama-to-be needs to knock the dust off the sewing machine and get busy!

Interesting week 24 fact - The fetus develops waking and sleeping patterns (oh no…our babysitter will be happy and we will be zombie-like parents; I pray this pattern doesn't keep up).  Jaxon's hand and footprints are forming.  

We had lots of snow this past week so we got out and enjoyed it for a bit.  John and I set up the camera and took some of us together since we hardly have any bump pictures with the both of us.  Here's a few of our fun in the snow pictures.

23 Weeks… A House Hermit with a Broken Crotch

How far along? 23 weeks

Weight gain? 21lbs

Baby is the size of - a grapefruit

Stretch marks? None showing up but I have ordered some Palmer's Cocoa Butter Massage Lotion  Maybe I'll get lucky and get a massage from the hubs once it gets here!  ;)

Sleep? I.CAN'T.GET.ENOUGH

Miss anything? Getting out!  With me working from home every week now (until the flu clears from the office) I feel like a hermit.  It's amazing how much better I feel when I get out and do something.  John and I have both notice how being closed up is taking a toll on me so we are going to start making more of an effort at getting me out of the house, even during the work week.

Cravings? Anything fruity and sweet

Anything make you queasy or sick? Just the thought of my upcoming glucose tolerance test at the end of this month.  Have I told you how much I hate needles?!  Yes, I know, please don't state that I will have to get over that before delivery day or I will quickly tell you that NO I won't but it's not like I have a choice other than to deal with it and try not to pass out!

Symptoms?  So after several questions last .  
week I'll go ahead and state what might've been the obvious to some, I feel like I've been sucker punched in the crotch.  Seriously and not over exaggerating.  It's uncomfortable to sit or stand for long periods of time and rolling over in bed at night even hurts!  Thanks to trusty ole Google (and professional advice from my OB) there is not a ninja sucker punching in the vagina it is simply stretching…"simply"…bahahaha.  This is called Broken Crotch Syndrome, aka SPD.  It is pain that occurs because our pelvis is separating to accommodate the baby and assisting with labour.  Your pelvis is made of 2 halves and as your pregnancy progresses, your body produces more relaxin which allows your ligaments and joints to shift and open and stretch.  It can cause inflammation and pain

Belly button - in or out? It's flattening more and more out by the day!

Wedding rings - on or off? On, although they are starting to get snug at times.

Any movement? This has been the first week that I've had a mini panic over not feeling Jaxon.  He's been so active the past few weeks I expect to feel him all the time now so when he decided to be a little bear and hibernate, I flipped out a little.  No worries though, he's back to beating up my innards.  

Happy or moody? I've had my moody moments this past week.  I think it's mostly due to the fact that this is the third straight week working strictly from home and I'm starting to feel like a house hermit.  For days on end, I don't even leave the house.  So ready for warmer weather so I could at least get out and enjoy some fresh air and even a walk.

What emotions have you been experiencing this week?  This week was one of those weeks were the reality of it all hit me.  Knowing that in less than 4 months, we will be parents.  I'm excited but absolutely terrified all at the same time!  The past two years have brought so much change in our lives, all happy of course!  Blame it on hormones or just fear, I beat myself up with thoughts this past week.

Looking forward to -  Warmer weather… I long for either a warm weather vacation or warmer weather here.

Interesting week 23 fact - The testicles begin to descend from the abdomen into the groin.  His eyes are formed but there is no pigmentation. This week Jaxon will begin to pack on the pounds (so will I).  By the months end, he will have doubled in weight (thank God I won't be doubling in weight)!



On the move…  my placenta that is!  We had our checkup visit with the OB on Wednesday.  I wasn't worried about it until the day of the appointment, then I started thinking of all the "what ifs'."  The thought of bed rest was weighing heavy on my mind.  While some days I wouldn't mind at all to lay in bed all day long, it's different to be told you have no choice.  Although the ultrasound tech couldn't tell us anything we both knew before the doctor came in to confirm that the placenta had moved.  We were praying for a minimum of 1/2cm but the actual movement was 4cm!  The doctor told us we are completely in the clear where that is concerned and it will no longer have to be monitored.  Thank God!

The appointment really got me to thinking about what I wanted in terms of a birth plan.  I'd never even thought about how I wanted the day to flow. My only plan was the safest way possible for Jaxon to make his appearance, that was my plan and it still is.  But, I wanted to know my options, I wanted to know why some women seems to have such a lengthy birth plan.  After all, you are just going to the hospital and pushing a baby out or delivery via c-section, right?!  Wrong!  Boy was I ever wrong.  I started looking up different birth plan templates and let me tell you, there's A LOT to think about!  A LOT!  I'll keep you updated on some of the decisions we make when it comes to some of the things that were pointed on by looking up these plans.  One decision I can tell you that is already made is yes, I want drugs!  I can also tell you that I am not hellbent on having a vaginal birth.  I don't understand why some mothers beat themselves up because "they couldn't do it" and they had to have a c-section and they label themselves as a failure.  In my opinion (keep the claws back, it's MY opinion), you are more of a failure for being so hellbent on delivering your child that you put yourself and your child at risk.  As I said before, I will keep you updated on our birth plan.  I do say "ours" because although I may be birthing the baby, John has a say in this as well!

22 Weeks

How far along? 22 weeks

Weight gain? 19lbs. I'm now pushing 160lbs on the scale, made my heart quiver to see that BUT it's for a good cause!  I won't complain about weight gain for this reason!

Baby is the size of - a spaghetti squash and weighing in at just under a pound

Maternity clothes? I'm starting to think that this is no longer a valid question….have you seen the size of my bump?!

Stretch marks? Still in the clear when it comes to stretch marks…now if only the noticeable cellulite would pump the breaks.  Not very appealing at all!

Sleep? I've been waking up a lot this week with some pain.  I won't go into details but I've been told by a friend that she had the same issue and was told that it was due to stretching.  All I can say is with the pain I feel some nights, a red carpet should be rolled out!  (No pun intended….LOL)  Seriously, though it's unpleasant!  

Miss anything? Breathing effortlessly at all times.  I'm seriously missing having a clothing selection also.

Cravings? The Super Bowl was last night and I'm not sure if it was tradition of junk eating during the game or cravings but tater-tot nachos were involved in the festivities!  YUM!!!

Anything make you queasy or sick? Negative

Symptoms?  Still getting winded quite frequently.  Hopefully after Wednesday's appointment, everything will check out great and I'll feel comfortable with trying to get into a workout routine.  Nothing crazy, just something to help keep my body flexible and help with my lung/heart endurance.

Belly button - in or out? It's flattening more and more out by the day!

Wedding rings - on or off? On, although they are starting to get snug at times.

Any movement? Lots of movement, especially last night once we laid down for bed.  I guess he was still in the Super Bowl party spirit and he was kicking rather hard and often!

Happy or moody? Happy, I've been a little more relaxed this week than I have in the past few weeks.

Looking forward to -  Getting to see Jaxon again during our checkup/ultrasound on Wednesday!  We both love getting to see him moving around and seeing his progression.

Interesting week 22 fact -  Jaxon is entering his fifth month of existence.  His fingernails are almost fully grown and his organ systems are becoming more functional and specialized.  His first canines and molars are developing below his gum line.  Jaxon is looking like a miniature newborn.  Blood is traveling through the umbilical cord at 4 miles and hour!

This past week has been a good one, other than the pains of course!  Saturday the ladies in the family met up at Canvas Paint & Mingle in Asheville for a little fun in honor of Mamaw Collins and Leslie's birthday.  This was the first time any of us did anything like this and it was a lot of fun.  Our instructor, Robin, was great and helped make the class more relaxed.  I think some of the ones went in thinking they had to create an absolute masterpiece, but they were all masterpieces even if they didn't look exactly like the one that Robin created!  Lots of smiles and something out of our bubble, which if you know my side of the family, not many like to step out of that bubble very often!