24 Weeks

I thought it was time, or past time, to do a little pregnancy update. I'll use the prompts that many people use for weekly posts and also add what's been going on recently. And no, there is no picture. I got home from my appointment today, and it was dark (bad lighting) and I had a little girl ready to eat pizza. By the time things settled down again, Ned had to go to a wreck. Since I'm not sure if I've been in a picture since July, I'll work on one over the next few days.

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 24 weeks

Size of Baby: Baby Center says a little over a pound and almost a foot long.  He was measuring over a pound according to the 20 week ultrasound, though.

Total Weight Gain:  In the last 4 weeks I gained 6 pounds...hello three Thanksgivings!  That brings my total for this pregnancy to about 11 or 12 pounds.  I didn't show any gain at my last appointment due to the stomach virus.

Maternity Clothes:  Very few regular shirts or sweaters still fit.  I can still wear most of my regular pants with the help of the band I picked up a few weeks ago.  I have a few pair of pants and jeans from when I was pregnant with Avery, and I'm wearing those too.  I just ordered my first maternity pants for this pregnancy.  Most of my tops and sweaters are maternity with the exception of a few more flowy tops I bought in Loft in the fall.  I like to buy regular things when I can because I think I'll wear it when I'm not pregnant, but that didn't happen after Avery.
 
Movement: We have another mover on our hands.  I started feeling movement around 15 or 16 weeks.  It's pretty consistent and getting stronger.

Gender:  It's a boy!  His name is Samuel Vincent, and we'll call him Sam.

Sleep:  I'm sleeping pretty well.  I've gone through a few spells of waking up in the middle of the night and staying awake for awhile.  I've also gone through some weeks where I start waking up every thirty minutes or so starting around 4:30 or 5 a.m.  I'm not really able to sleep in, even when Ned and Avery allow it.  I'm not yet having to get up to go to the bathroom.

What I Miss:  I initially really missed sleeping on my back and stomach, but I guess I've gotten used to it by now.  I also miss not worrying what's in food, like what soft cheese is in a pasta salad.  I miss eating turkey sandwiches on a whim, although I have had some.  I miss a downstairs bathroom!

Cravings:  I haven't really had any consistent cravings.  One week I'm eating a ton of kettle cooked chips, and the next week it's something sweet.  It took about a week for my appetite to return after being sick, but boy did it come back.  I'm eating ridiculous amounts of food between the time I get out of school and the time I go to bed.  My worst pregnancy craving problem is that I get a food on my mind and am not satisfied until I get it.  That's a problem when it's a sandwich located 2.5 hours away on the Outer Banks of North Carolina!

Symptoms:  Praise the Lord, I'm feeling good these days.  The stomach virus took quite a toll in itself, plus it worsened the common pregnancy bathroom issues and left me with horrible indigestion/reflux.  Tums weren't cutting it as I was recovering from the virus, so I started taking Pepcid.  I was taking it twice a day and sometimes still felt bad.  Luckily, after about a week, I was able to stop.  I've only taken it twice since then.  I wasn't on death's door or anything, but still weeks later I stop and think how nice it is to feel good.  I do have some shortness of breath, especially when stairs and/or Avery are involved.  I thought I had varicose veins coming on my left leg a few weeks ago, but the spot is gone now so I'm hoping it was a bruise.  I'd also say emotions are running higher in this 2nd pregnancy.

Best Moment This Week:  There were lots!  We celebrated Thanksgiving and (mostly) decorated for Christmas.  It's so exciting to think what our family will be like this time next year.  I also ordered Sam's bedding and got him an outfit for next fall/winter (smocked ducks of course.)  Finally, Avery wanted to show Sam a combine as she rode in the car.  It's special to see her include him in things.

What I'm Looking Forward To:  I'm looking forward to good results on at my glucose screening in 4 weeks.  I don't dread the actual test, because I get to pick a meal to eat instead of drinking the drink, but I do worry about the results.  I also look forward to continuing to hear good reports for Sam and I, especially concerning my blood pressure.  It's been perfect so far which is an answer to prayer.  Finally, I'm looking forward to continuing to plan for Avery and Sam's rooms in the new house.