23 Weeks and Bumpdate

How many weeks:

23 Weeks

*Entering the Sixth Month!*

Only 4 more months to go until we meet "Ellie the Sneak."

How big is Ellie:

The size of a grapefruit

This fruit size seems much more appropriate for the way I feel!

It looks like I'm smuggling a bowling ball under my shirt now.

Maternity Clothes:

I'm wearing the Maternity Support Band daily.  It has helped tremendously with the RLP and also does wonders for back support.  I can't keep it on all day, because the material gets itchy, so I take an hour break from it and reapply lotion mid-afternoon.

Weight Gain Alert!

146 lbs

Gained This Week:  2 lbs

Total Weight Gain:  23 lbs

Movement:

When she kicks low on my stomach, I can see my belly move.  It's the coolest thing ever.  Of course, she never does this when Brandon's watching.  He gets a little discouraged, but I'm just sure that she'll start making more visible movements as she grows.
She still is extremely active after I eat and when I come home from work and sit in the recliner.  

Food Cravings:
I'm not really craving anything this week.  I'm a creature of habit and eat the same things on the same days.  I don't think that really counts as a craving.

Food Aversions:
Still no fast food other than Milo's and Zaxby's.  I only eat fast food from those places after church on Sundays.
I haven't been wanting any red meat, but that's not out of the ordinary for me.

My Current Eating Pattern:

I've cut back on sweets this week since our appointment with Dr. Radbill.  I eat 3 waffles for breakfast along with my juice, and I've been not eating as many snacks.  (I haven't been eating as many snacks at work because I've been keeping myself busy).  I still guzzle water like it's going out of style, and my throat feels dry if I go even 30 minutes without drinking.  I'm also pleased to report that I've been back in the kitchen cooking dinner for the past few weeks and it feels great.  I forgot how much I enjoyed my cooking!

Symptoms:

backache, round ligament pain, frequent urination, mild menstrual-like cramps, tight skin on tummy, fatigue, mood swings, grumpiness, weepiness, clumsiness, pregnancy brain, swolen and tender breasts, indigestion, heartburn, increased appetite, oily hair, weird looking belly button, more changes to surgery scar, strange dreams about breast feeding and babies

Sleep:

Sleep has been much better this week.  I alternate nights between wearing the maternity support band.  I usually wake up early in the morning to go to the potty, and then Ellie wakes up and starts kicking.

What do I miss:

Easily bending over and underwear that fits.  My boy-cut underwear now look like regular underwear (sorry for that visual).  

Best moment(s) of the week:

-Hearing Ellie's heartbeat again.
-Nesia saying Ellie's name when she points to my tummy.

-Buying new living room furniture and lounging in my recliner!  Also the people who own the store said I looked no where big enough to be as far along as I am.  =) 

-Scheduling our 3d/4d ultrasound for March.

Worst moment of the week:

Being told to limit my dessert intake.  I miss devouring an entire sleeve of Oreos in one sitting.

What am I looking forward to:

Continuing to work on Ellie's room- we need to find a crib to get more completed!  Also, I'm excited that Liz is hosting a baby shower for me in April.  

Milestones:

Entering the 6th Month of Pregnancy!

"By the end of the month, Ellie will weigh double what she does now!  She's fattening up (and so am I).  Her skin will become less transparent as fat deposits settle in."
from What to Expect When You're Expecting

Bumpdate
Right now Brandon is helping with the pancake breakfast at the middle school.  I will update with better bump pictures tonight.