Week 23- Already!

So I've completely neglected my blog for the last two weeks...but it's not for lack of activity! This little boy is moving and kicking all the time now. I've forgotten how strange but cool it feels to have a little somebody hanging out inside of me. I'm beginning to realize that maybe my holiday sweater isn't going to cover the entire belly this year...and more and more shirts are looking like Donald Duck's. I'm still trying to stick to my resolution NOT to buy maternity clothes- tops, anyway. The styles in the stores make it easy- half of them look like maternity tops (which I will not be buying) and the other half are super long and as long as they have a little stretch to them work just perfectly!

Old Navy is having a ridiculous sale on things...lots of $6 tops which I've recently brought home with me. The only downfall is most of them are very boring solids (a few stripes...but really, with a widening waist do I need stripes to point out my biggest current attribute??!!) Ooo, and Old Navy has some great maternity jeans- a "real waist" style and another that has an extra low waisted band. They're 30 bucks, compared to some you find at Pea in the Pod for $120. I just can't justify buying expensive jeans to wear for less than 6 months! It's not like they're going to hide my belly or make me feel sexy. (We're a bit beyond that.) I ordered online because I'm short, and needed the shorter cut, but you can return them to the store if they don't fit (even if it says "online return only" on your receipt.) There were 5 or 6 maternity styles to choose from, so I just ordered all of them, tried them on in my own home and returned the rejects. Let me tell you, shopping is not nearly as enjoyable once your two little ones begin crawling in and out of the racks so I appreciated the convenience!

I also really like that Aerie brand...did I spell that right? Their tops are so soft and stretchy and have a little more "flair" to them.

Apparently, my little guy is about the size and weight of a Harry Potter book. (No, I didn't pull that out of my arss, I snatched it from my "3D Baby" weekly email update.) Crazy! I've gained about 10 pounds, but most of my weight gain usually is in the last trimester. I think the guidance is one pound a month for the first two trimesters and one pound a week for the last trimester. With all the holiday yummies and all the baking I've been doing, I don't think I'll have a problem there.

Other moments to note in the last two weeks: I've gotten my belly ledge. I catch myself resting my drink or hands on my tummy...and when I look down at my shirt cringe at the spots I"ve obtained from having a stomach that now protrudes over the counters and catches all my crumbs. Ug!! And, somewhat related to the first observation, I was working out and noticed my belly was in the way while I was lunging. Lovely!

Week 20

What a difference a few weeks can make! After returning home from our Thanksgiving vacation, I feel completely rejuvenated. The lack of motivation that's been keeping me from my "normal" anal cleaning has dissolved and I'm now "Miss Hard Worker." It helps that Christmas is already around the corner and I have not yet ordered the Christmas cards. I've downloaded the picture and written the "Christmas letter," but I've been trying to complete all my other photo projects so that I can put it all in one order. Ug! This is the third night in a row I've been up past 3am...and my afternoon naps aren't cutting it any more.

I've also returned back to the pool. There is nothing better than the peace and buoyancy of the water, especially when pregnant! I'm feeling the little guy move, remembering how cool that sensation is and trying to savor it...as this is probably the last little bun in the oven. I'm so ecstatic my energy is back, especially at this time of year! And we're now 1/2 way through the pregnancy, so really this kid is done with the major stuff and just packing on the pounds...hmmm, will I, too? I've been good with exercising and have gained about 8 pounds, which I guess is about right. (The recommendation from most books says 10-15 pounds...but they don't know how much I eat in the last few months of my pregnancies!!!!)

Time for bed...for both of us!