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.

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

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.

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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 18 Pregnancy Update

How far along? 18 Weeks

Total weight gain: Around 7 lbs.

Bump Alert: To me, I can totally see the bump developing, but the clothing that I have been wearing doesn’t really show it off.

Maternity clothes? Only bottoms.  I have some really great demi-style pregnancy pants for both work and causal.  I ordered ALL of my maternity clothing through ThredUp, a wonderful website that sells and buys gently-used women’s and baby/children’s clothing.

Stretch marks? None.  I’ve been moisturizing religiously!

Sleep: I’ve become a chronic napper lately.  This weekend I napped both days, between 2-4 hours AND went right to bed.

Workouts: The routine hasn’t changed much, but I have noticed that I’m more inclined to go walking outside now that the temperatures have started to fall.  I hit up the gym 3-4 times a week to do moderate upper and lower body workouts.

Best moment this week: Monday we found out that we are having a boy!  Particularly after Thursday, I have really felt a lot of movement from our little boy.  So exciting!  I can’t wait for my husband to be able to start enjoying this experience as well!

Miss anything? Some of my cute outfits for work, but I have some great things waiting or me soon!

Food cravings: bread, tangy flavor (marinade and salad dressings) and sweet potatoes with ketchup, per usual!

Labour signs: No!

Symptoms: Extreme fatigue!

Belly button in or out? In, although I’m starting to get nervous as to what it’s going to look like if my innie becomes and outie!

Wedding rings on or off: On.

Baby Stuff: I am in love with the phrase “I love you to the moon and back” and found a beautiful cross-stitch pattern that I wanted to make for our son’s nursery.  Here is the original pattern:

Here is the progress that I have made over the past few weeks:

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy mood most of the time, especially right after having my one cup of daily coffee or before heading to bed =)

Looking forward to: My “20 Week” appointment.  Technically, I am just one day shy of reaching the 19-week point, and my posts review the previous week, so today’s appointment is about the midway point of the pregnancy.  WOW!  Time has really flown by!

Reflections:  I have been spending a lot of my time thinking about what is going to happen with my career once Baby Boy arrives.  I know, logically, my job is IDEAL for a family: the majority of my nights are off, weekends are off, holidays and summers are off, and I am secure in my job requirements.  I have things down!  I can’t help but feel that if I’m a good mother, I will stay at home.  Some say that it’s such a short amount of time for a baby to be little and not be enrolled in some sort of pre-school, so don’t jeopardize anything career-wise.  Sometimes I think that same argument supports my desire to take a few years off.  Financially, it’s not truly an option; I need to work.  I considered trying to find some work-from-home jobs, but when I think about it without my rose-colored glasses, I don’t want to give up my awesome schedule or the money that we need to make our lifestyle possible.  We aren’t rich, but we are comfortable.  I want to give my son as many opportunities as possible, so I know not staying at home for a few years will only continue to give him the best my husband and I possibly can.  It’s just a hard conclusion to come to sometimes.