23 weeks

It's been a pretty good week. I've definitely felt larger this week which is probably why I'm a little more achey. My lower left back feels like she's starting to pinch my sciatic nerve so long walks tend to irritate that. I sure do love my belly though, it's at the perfect size where I don't feel too large, just right.

Yesterday I was a little hormonal and just a little bitter that I'm going through all these changes and have restrictions on me and Brian is free to do whatever he pleases. I don't remember feeling this way with Bria, but I also know he was a little more thoughtful with my first pregnancy :) I feel like I'm a pretty good sport most the time but this week with added aches and pains I just wanted a little more empathy.

I'm at the body pillow phase now, meaning I HAVE to sleep with a body pillow between my legs and then rest the belly on it. This always make it feel like I toss and turn all night because turning over on the other side is such a chore since I have to adjust the body pillow and get everything all situated, and I probably have to pee too. Other than all that I do sleep pretty well, I took 2 naps this week which felt great. I actually don't love taking naps because I have a hard time waking up, but I remember after I had Bria I wished I had taken more naps :) So this time I'm trying to give in every once and awhile and get the extra rest when I feel tired. Otherwise by 4 pm I am pooped and ready for bed, which obviously doesn't work out with a toddler.

My chin acne got a little worse this week which was disappointing since it was clearing up, darn hormones. Let's see, I think that about does it for week 23. Can't believe I'm a month away from the 3rd trimester! Guess I should start making lists and planning or something :)

My belly

23 weeks pregnant with Bria

How far along? 23 weeks

Total weight gain: According to my scale I've gained 6 pounds (since last week, 10 total), but that's first thing in the morning so we'll see what the doctor's office scale says tomorrow.

Maternity clothes? A majority, yes.

Sleep: Not too bad.

Best moment of this week: Watching her move, it's fun to be able to see it on the outside now :)

Food cravings: Yogurt and grape nuts, LOVE. Cereal, big surprise ;)

What I miss: Caffeine

What I am looking forward to: Tomorrow-we have an appointment! Can't wait to hear her heartbeat and hopefully talk more about the u/s and all that fun stuff.

Milestones: She's about as large as a mango :) And can sense movement, good thing I'm a good dancer ;)

22 weeks

Right? I'm 22 weeks? Sheesh, it's definitely going by fast this time around, I can barely keep track.

This was the first week where I thought, "I FEEL pregnant." It was on Sunday and for some reason I felt like I was in my third trimester, which is weird because I've barely felt pregnant this whole time and all of the sudden it felt like I had to waddle everywhere. But the rest of the week I've felt pretty good, just 2nd trimester pregnant :)

I started going for walks this week, not just my fun walks with Bria, but walks by myself where I can get a little cardio in. It feels good and I want to try and take at least a small one everyday, I think that time by myself is good and it's nice to be outside.

This week I started looking at nursery decor. It's so funny because with Bria I had it all picked out and I believe ordered by now. I'm definitely taking my time, I think it's for 2 reasons:

1. I know that she'll be in our bedroom for the first 6 weeks or so (that's how long Bria was in the bassinet beside our bed)

2. We have some scheduled guests coming to stay with us so we're keeping the 3rd bedroom a guest room for a little longer

Anyway, I still wanted to get a start on the nursery. We're going to do a purple theme, with brown (since we already have a brown chair and curtains) and maybe some green in there. Brian is being pretty tight with the purse strings so I'm not sure how much he'll actually let me buy, but I'm gonna try!

"What, we're taking a picture?"

I know you are jealous of my elastic waist maternity pants, don't hate.

And when Brian took this picture he goes, "That belly is getting big!" He's right, it is.

How far along? 22 weeks

Total weight gain: I think 8 ish, but I really need to step on the scale, I'm just scared

Maternity clothes? Mostly. I did go maternity clothes shopping with my cousin Lanie and found some great deals, plus we had a blast.

Sleep: Pretty good actually, yay!

Best moment of this week: Honestly, everytime I feel her kick and squirm in there, I love it. She's been pretty sleepy the past 2 days so I haven't felt her very much, I miss it :(

Food cravings: Still frozen yogurt/ice cream. Last night I made the most delicious bowl of ice cream, it had Nestlequick on it (yes the powder), some Gold Grahams, and bananas. It was SOOO good.

What I miss: Small boobs, oh wait, nope, don't miss those! Hmm, I guess I wish I could tan right now, to get ready for the summer.

What I am looking forward to: The next appointment, and figuring out a middle name

Milestones: Eggs are developing in her ovaries!

21 weeks

I had a little bit of a scare on Tuesday. I had a little bit of spotting. Now in the first trimester that is somewhat common, I had it with Bria at 6 weeks and it went away after a few days, no big deal (although at the time it freaked me out). This time around I didn't have any first trimester spotting and I was grateful for that. So on Tuesday when I saw the spotting I freaked, and then googled and then freaked some more. I know better than to go on google but I couldn't help it. It's not very common to spot in the 2nd trimester and if you do it's usually not a good thing.

I called the doctor and after describing to the Medical Assistant my issue, she relayed it to the doctor than called me back. Why I can't just talk to the doctor directly is beyond me, it's frustrating to say the least. Anyway, because it was a small amount and I wasn't having cramping she said to keep an eye on it and take it easy (no sex, no marathons, that kind of thing). I had a little bit on Wednesday but by Thursday it was completely gone. I still feel her move and I'm grateful for that, I guess I would just like an u/s so I can see her and make sure she's doing well and my body is holding up it's end of the bargain.

So I've been trying to take it easy this week, minimal lifting and minimal walking. It's hard to do minimal when you have a toddler, but I'm trying.

The belly, getting big :)

Otherwise things are going well. I'm still in the pregnancy blissful stage where I am just loving it. Although the belly is getting bigger I don't always feel pregnant, the belly hasn't gotten in the way of things yet :)

How far along? 21 weeks

Total weight gain: I think 7 but I'm not sure

Maternity clothes? A majority of the time, yes. I have a few shirts and 2 pairs of pants that aren't, but it's getting harder and harder to squeeze into them

Sleep: Every other night I sleep crappy, just because turning over takes a lot of energy

Best moment of this week: Picking out her name!!! Sorry though, we aren't telling so don't bother asking ;) I know, we're those people. But we don't want other's opinions and we want it to be a surprise!

Food cravings: Frozen yogurt, ice cream, mmmmm. I particularly like the self serve places where you can pile on your own toppings, soooo good.

What I miss: Caffeine

What I am looking forward to: The next appointment and hearing her heartbeat and that everything is okay.

Milestones: More than halfway now :)

20 weeks

Holy cow, I am halfway to my due date!

This week has been amazingly awesome in almost every way. I feel really good and we had our big u/s which was of course the highlight of our day/week/month!

I had a feeling this little baby was breech and the u/s confirmed that, little stinker ;) I know there is plenty of time for her to move but I can't help worrying and praying she'll be head down soon and stay that way until delivery. She is crazy active and watching her was so much fun. She sucked her thumb, swung her legs up by her head, played with her feet, kicked hard, and just squirmed all over the place. Sooo different from Bria. Although Bria was a VERY squirmy baby, so maybe that means this little girl will be calm...wishful thinking.

She measured 19 weeks and 2 days I believe so just a few days shy of 19 weeks 6 days which was okay, she was estimated to be about 12 oz. She is also estimated to be quite the little ham :)

I seriously can't believe we are having another girl! I'm so so giddy, Bria is going to have a sister. Love it.

20 weeks pregnant with Bria

19 week belly

How far along? 20 weeks

Total weight gain: Not sure

Maternity clothes? Still a mix of maternity shirts and normal 2 normal jeans. I'm going to try and make it without buying maternity jeans since we're almost to warm weather.

Sleep: Okay, I've been waking up a lot at night but I'm not sure why

Best moment of this week: Um, the big u/s!!! Seeing our baby and finding out it's a girl and she is healthy!!

Food cravings: Hmm, coffee? I've been getting decaf vanilla lattes often, but I don't seem to have a strong craving for a certain food right now.

What I miss: Only having to pee a few times a day versus 1,038 times.

What I am looking forward to: Planning the nursery and figuring out a name!

Milestones: The big u/s

I'm so incredibly happy right now, I love being pregnant and I love thinking about meeting our little girl. I can't wait to see Bria as a big sister, she is going to be wonderful...and bossy ;)

The big news!

First and foremost the u/s went great, I just love these u/s, I wish we could have them at every appointment. The baby is very healthy, everything looks good and it seems we have an incredibly active baby on our hands.

The perinatologist was super nice and so much fun, she looked around for a little bit and then measured the legs so we got the money shot. Right away Brian said, "That's a girl, isn't it!?" She confirmed, we are having another baby girl!!! Ahhh, we are so incredibly thrilled. We made sure and checked multiple times, but the 3 lines were incredibly obvious. Brian and I were so shocked and surprised which made it even more fun. We got all teary eyed and just couldn't believe we are having another girl. Bria gets to have a little sister! I seriously can't stop smiling, so happy.

This little girl is very very active, like so active that the perinatologist mentioned it multiple times, ha. She would take both her legs and kick them as hard as she could, it had me laughing so hard. Seriously, this little girl is a mover!

She's also a little stinker because she is currently breech and that freaks me out. Logically I know she has plenty of time to move but it still worries me. I kind of knew she was breech because all the movements I feel are down low. Let's hope she turns in time for her arrival into this world.

Speaking of her arrival, we're hoping by then we have a name. We had a boys name all picked out but we are completely stumped when it comes to a girls name. I think we'll wait and tell people the name until she is born too, so that will be a fun surprise :)

Anyway, we have a ton of pictures so I'll have to get them scanned and then post them. Oh my goodness we are so excited, another precious baby girl!!

The big u/s!!

The 20 week u/s is scheduled for TOMORROW at 10 am and we are so thrilled. Praying everything is going well and the baby is healthy and strong, I always get anxious right before this u/s, well I did with Bria anyway. Just hoping our little one is okay in there and cannot wait to find out if we're having a boy or girl, come on money shot!

I'll post the big news tomorrow shortly after :)