Bumpdate - 24 weeks

Now is what I consider my halfway point! It's right in the middle of when we found out and our due date.

During Week 23, Baby R is still papaya-sized. However, he gained weight and is somewhere between 12.7 and 20.8 ounces. As I mentioned three weeks ago, he was about a pound, so definitely on the high end of that. We go to the doctor today :)

During week 23, Tuff sprouted his two tiny nipples.

No real cravings this week. In fact, I think I've developed a bit of an aversion to a lot of meats. My cravings are mostly my drinks and dairy, but I eat plenty of other food to make sure Baby R gets all he needs.

I'm up about 6 pounds from my beginning weight. I figure if I gain about a pound a week for the rest of the pregnancy, that puts me around 20 lbs, which is what is recommended for me.

I think I may be developing carpal tunnel in my left arm. I plan to talk to my dr. about this today and probably get a brace.

I don't think I've ever discussed in-depth my "birth plan" but I absolutely DO NOT want a C-section unless it's totally necessary. That goes even more now, since I learned that I won't be eligible for short-term disability at my new job, as I had previously thought. Six weeks off is hard enough, eight would be really tough! We are already starting to put money back for this period, however.

I wore this black dress to work last week (with a cardi, totally didn't show off those puffy arms!) and really liked my preggo shape in it. So I had J take a picture (it was on July 28, so I was 23 weeks, 2 days)

Still feeling LOTS of movements. As I type this, Baby R is kicking up a storm. I tell J that I think we have a very smart baby, because I SWEAR whenever I put my hand where the baby is, the kicks get a lot harder and frequent. And I love it.

We plan to start registering today. As far as I know, two showers are being planned. One by a couple of my aunts for family/people who live in my hometown (a big 20 minutes away!) and then my friends are doing one down here. It will be a surprise shower, and I'm super excited!

And here I am last night - 23 weeks, 6 days. Belly is definitely rounding out, I think.

And, just for fun (very picture-heavy this week, I know!) I'm throwing in a picture I snapped before leaving for work Monday morning. I walked by the mirror and thought "whoa, I look like a cute pregnant woman!" 

Please don't think that's egotistical of me, it's not supposed to be. I just always feared that when I was pregnant I would be sloppy the entire tim, and I loved what I saw! I finally look pregnant but still professional and pulled together. I hope I keep feeling that way for at least 10-12 more weeks :)