Weeks 20 and 21 Pregnancy Update

How far along? This is an update for Weeks 20 and 21

Total weight gain: More than 10lbs.  I’ll have an accurate update in two weeks!

Bump Alert: Oh yea!  I’m finally able to do the classic “bump clasp” pose now that there’s enough bump to speak of.

Weeks 20 and 21

There’s more than a little difference in just a few weeks!

Weeks 19 vs 21

Maternity clothes? I’m wearing half regular and half maternity tops, but still 100% maternity bottoms.

Stretch marks? Still moisturizing and still luckily stretch mark-free!

Sleep: Tons and I’m always wanting more!  8-9 hours per weeknight and the occasional weekend nap.  This past weekend called for one on both Saturday and Sunday.

Workouts: Four or Five days of walking and two days of strength training.  I’m still feeling really good with my routine.

Best moment this week: It wasn’t the best week in terms of how I felt, but I did feel a lot more movement from our little boy.  He’s either practicing his soccer kicking or shadow boxing, according to his daddy of course.

Miss anything? Being able to wear my regular clothes.  My t-shirts are completely done and I’m having to wear my husband’s size Large t-shirts.

Food cravings: WATER!!!  I’ve been a very thirsty girl lately!  If I get tired of water, I am easily found with a glass of orange juice in my hand.

Labour signs: No!

Symptoms: Extreme fatigue and growing bump.

Belly button in or out? Still an innie despite the belly growth.

Wedding rings on or off: On.

Baby Stuff: TONS!  My friend, Tiffany, gave us several bags of her son’s hand-me-downs.  I can’t wait for my dad to finish painting our dressers white to fit in with the nursery decor.

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy and tired

Looking forward to: Weekends and putting on my pajamas after a long day.  This isn’t exclusive to pregnancy, though.


 

Reflections:  It’s been a bit of a difficult few weeks in terms of feeling comfortable in my own skin.  A growing bump means many more changes to my body.  It’s been difficult not being able to do the things I used to do, eat the way I used to eat, wear the clothing I use to wear and feel comfortable.  I know that these changes are necessary to help our son grow into a healthy and happy baby, so that keeps me focused during times when I feel uncomfortable.  I also know that these changes are only temporary.  When I think about the way I used to feel about my body only a few short months ago, I now realize that I wasn’t truly grateful for where I was health-wise of self-esteem-wise.  I am now appreciative of what I was capable of accomplishing.  It’s an amazing and beautiful thing to grow a new life, and I vow to remember how I feel now, and will always be grateful for all the things this body has done.

Week 19 Pregnancy Update and A Trip to the Beach

How far along? 19 Weeks

Total weight gain: After my OBGYN appointment on Monday, I have officially gained 10 lbs.

Bump Alert: He’s definitely there!

19 Weeks

It’s hard to tell because the little string/tie is hanging down over the “empty” space above my bump, making it appear that the bump is smaller than it is.  Trust me when I say, he’s definitely popping out!

Maternity clothes? I am still only wearing maternity bottoms, but at the rate of Baby Bump Growth (BBG) I will be in the tops in no time!  I have started wearing my husband’s old t-shirts to workout in because my tighter shirts are no longer comfortable to do all that moving around in.

Stretch marks? Still moisturizing and still luckily stretch mark-free!

Sleep: 8-9 hours per weeknight and the occasional weekend nap.  This past weekend called for one on both Saturday and Sunday.

Workouts: Because of the increased fatigue this week, I have taken a few days off of walking and exercising.  It made all the difference in the world!  I have gained back my energy and was back in my normal routine today.

Best moment this week: It wasn’t the best week in terms of how I felt, but I did feel a lot more movement from our little boy.  He’s either practicing his soccer kicking or shadow boxing, according to his daddy of course.

Miss anything? The energy I had for the past several weeks, but I think I’ve figured out my nutritional/exercise ratio to ensure that I keep on feeling good.

Food cravings: WATER!!!  I’ve been a very thirsty girl lately!  If I get tired of water, I am easily found with a glass of orange juice in my hand.

Labour signs: No!

Symptoms: Extreme fatigue!

Belly button in or out? Still an innie despite the belly growth.

Wedding rings on or off: On.

Baby Stuff: Nothing new to report here.  I did get a thoughtful gift from some of my students that I shared with you yesterday during my Photo Dump posting.

Random 5

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy and tired

Looking forward to: seeing my sister and niece over Thanksgiving.  I know that’s several weeks away, but after a wonderful and uplifting FaceTime session with them this morning, I am very excited about seeing them, in person, soon.

Reflections:  Ever since the movement in my belly has increased to a noticeable cadence, and finding out that we’re having a boy, I cannot help but feel that this little boy has become more and more real.  I now refer to my baby bump as “my son” and myself as “his mom.”  I’ve tried out some of the optional names we are considering and like the way that they feel coming out of my mouth.  I look at my husband, our parents, our extended family in a new light.  They aren’t simply my husband, parents, siblings anymore; they are my son’s father, grandparents, and aunts.  The memories that I have of my own grandfather, one of the most important men during my formative years, my laughs and giggles with my aunts and uncles while growing up, they fill my heart with love because those are some of the same memories that will be created and will complete my son’s childhood.


Yesterday morning, my mom and I took a long walk on the beach at sunrise.  It was such a wonderful experience that when I noticed the gorgeous beginnings of Sunday morning emerging over the rooftops in our neighborhood, I rushed to get my husband and Sophie up and ready to have a repeat experience.

Sunrise 3Sunrise 1

We weren’t disappointed
Sunrise 2

Sophie has been to the beach before, but she wasn’t quite so sure about the waves today.

Beach Sophie 2

I think the words that best describe her sentiments about early morning salt water are “tolerate” and “avoidance.”

Beach Sophie 1