24 Weeks Update

I'll be 24 weeks tomorrow.  4 more weeks left until the 3rd trimester!  I am so excited to get to the 3rd trimester, because I am looking forward to the "progesterone high," which made me feel so great with James.  We'll see how I feel this time around!

I still have dizziness.  It's mainly from not eating often enough, not drinking enough water, or just getting used to the hormones and all the new blood circulating around.  I'm very tired- whoever said that fatigue lifts in the 2nd trimester was wrong.  At least for me!  And I recall that it didn't lift when I was pregnant with James, either.  Oh well, small sacrifices.

I am also gearing up for some good weight gain- for me, there is NOTHING I can do in the 3rd trimester from slowing the weight gain.  It just piles on then, no matter how hard I work out or how well and normally I eat.  But it's a good thing, I'm not complaining.  That's why I work really hard to keep it slow and gradual right now.  I think I'm up about 12-15 pounds now (it fluctuates, thanks to water retention).

My hormones are a little more ornery this time, haha.  I have very little patience for things that irritate me (like people smoking around eating areas, rude people, dogs at playgrounds, etc.).  And it seems like lots of things irritate me these days, and I definitely have a hard time keeping them to myself.  It's a good lesson, though, because I tend to keep things to myself instead of speaking up when something really bothers me because I hate conflict.  

Being pregnant and having a toddler to raise is a much different ballgame than being pregnant with no children around.  It's really difficult to lift him and run after him all the time.  Not to mention, I have pretty much kissed my beloved naps goodbye.  Being pregnant with a little one on the way is one of the hardest things I've had to do (...wait until she's here- that's going to be the hardest, for sure).  But it's also wonderful.  I get to share this with James, and it brings me such joy to know that soon he will have a sister to love and play with and share his life with.  And I do love being pregnant, all minor annoyances aside.  It's such an amazing gift to have the blessing to grow life inside of me, and I am very thankful for and humbled by this opportunity every day.

23 Weeks Pictures

It seemed to have happened overnight- I have a baby belly!  I am definitely showing a lot earlier than with my first pregnancy. 

Here I am at 23 weeks:

Here I was, pregnant with James, at 18 weeks and 28 weeks (keep in mind that the 2nd pic is 5 weeks later than where I am currently): 



18 Weeks- James

 

28 Weeks- James




Side-by-side comparison (although I will be bigger at 28 weeks):



28 Weeks- James



23 Weeks- Girl



22 Weeks' Update

The little fishie (as James calls his sister) is moving around a lot.  I can finally feel her from the outside, too.  It took a while to feel movement because, just like when I was pregnant with James, the placenta is facing my belly on the outside wall ("posterior," they call it.  It's nothing bad- just where it decided to implant).

I am getting over some 2nd trimester dizziness, a normal side effect of a large amount of new blood circulating in my body.  I realized that I wasn't eating frequently enough or drinking enough water (12 glasses now).  Now, instead of 3 eating big meals, I am just trying to graze every 2 hours.  This has made me feel so much better.  I am also getting more protein than my non-pregnant normal.  I've been getting about 80-110 grams per day- a TON, but it's also veggie protein (I don't need to worry about the growth hormones in meat that my midwives say to stay the he*L away from!). 

My belly has "popped," and I am looking mighty pregnant.  With James, it didn't op until around 7 months, but he paved the way, and just like most women, I am showing earlier this pregnancy (at 5 months).  I'll have to post a pic soon.

I'm still working out 5-6 days a week (I worked out until the day James was born, which was so helpful in relieving many discomforts) for 30-45 minutes.  I like the recumbent bike, treadmill, elliptical, free weights, and yoga. 

James has been kissing my tummy a lot, it's so sweet.  He's also been talking up a storm.  It seems like there are new words everyday.  And he's starting to make sentences, which is so fun.  The day before Valentine's Day, he said "I love you, Mommy!" 

James Loves His Sister Already

(click pic to make larger)

I've been trying to help James understand the new addition to our family.  When I ask him where his baby sister is, he smiles big and points to my belly.  When I ask him to give his baby sister love, he hugs and kisses my belly.  It's so adorable- I will have to get it on video! 

I am so thankful that they will have each other.  They are going to have so much fun playing together.  I know that James is going to be a wonderful big brother.