Week 22

I feel like my weeks are starting to blur! It's wedding season and I'm just trying my hardest to keep on top of all of my work. Week 22 was nothing crazy exciting pregnancy wise, except that I got bit by mosquitoes like crazy. I had several shoots at Tonaquint park last week and they ate me alive, especially on my feet. This caused me to not sleep much at night because there was no relief. Finally Sunday morning at like 6am we went to Walmart to get me all of the different anti itch creams and those would help get me out of feeling crazy, but not an full relief. Finally today I have been able to function 100% and no itching. On Monday after I slept in really late (I was up most of the night itching) Carson and I went to eat Poncho and Lefties (a current obsession of mine) and went to get me good, reliable, close toed shoes. I have learned my lesson, and for the rest of the summer I'll be in my new sneakers every time I have a photo shoot. It was really traumatic! I have had mosquito bites before, they usually love me anyways, but nothing has been like the itch in pregnancy. I guess I'm just extra tasty now. So basically, I really needed comfortable shoes. Something not hideous and something that would last me more than a few wears. I had bought some shoes at target (similar style to what I just bought at Dillards) and they literally fell apart after a month of use. I have converse at home but my pregnant feet are too fat for them right now (Converse are just super narrow anyways). So when you see me out shooting, I'll be wearing those! (And have a huge layer of bug spray ALL over me).

Aside from my horrific bug situation, we were able to go out to dinner with some friends, Shalli and Brock. Carson really likes Cappelettis and the last and only time I went there I just hated it. But I feel bad because we always go where I want to eat and I wanted to have Carson enjoy some of his favorite food on a date night. Lucky for him, Shalli and Brock like it there too so I thought it was perfect. We all went and I was trying to decide what I would get there (I was kind of dreading on finding *something* to eat haha). Upon hearing the specials, I decided to go for the filet mignon in red wine sauce and I was hoping it would be better than my last experience there. I asked for medium well, more on the well side, and our waiter said they normally like to cook it medium but he would have them do it a little more. *GREAT* I thought, I'm going to get super red meat and I won't be able to eat it. I was kind of bugged and worried. They brought out our food and Carson's steak was cooked less than what he ordered and I was panicking (you know me, I love food and I just hate eating for the sake of filling my body up. I NEED to enjoy the experience). I cut into my steak and oh.my.gosh. It was perrrrrrrrrfect. Absolutely perfect. Like zero pink (so more like well done) but still so tender and amazing. Wow. I was in heaven. I love being surprised when I feel like something is going to go horribly wrong. I told Carson I would be calling to see when that special was and we would be going a lot more often ;)

We had a wedding on Saturday and it went really well! 2nd trimester has been fairly easy and I just hope 3rd treats me just as nice.

How far along? 22 weeks for this post!

How big is the peanut? Coconut! I wish I liked coconut better. About 11 inches and almost 1lb.

Total weight gain/loss? I'm currently at 5lbs up from my lowest in the pregnancy... still about 11lbs under from the beginning of the pregnancy. Baby steps! 

Maternity clothes? Belly band has been doing wonders and my swing dresses. 

Sleep? Good if it wasn't for those dang mosquitoes! There was one night I had weird upper tummy pain and that was lame/scary so I had to prop myself up on a huge amount of pillows. It hasn't happened again so that's good. I have to have a pillow under my belly for sure now though.

Best moment this week? Eating that steak.... yep.

Symptoms? My belly feels like it's going to explode sometimes, like, super stretched. I looked at my photo progression from week 21 to 22 and there is a big difference! Yikes! 

Food cravings? All the food. I could really go for a hot brownie and ice cream right now.

Food aversions? mmm nothing out of the ordinary.

Gender? Boy! 

Labor signs? None! 

Belly button in or out? In currently... but it's happening guys. It's coming out.

What I miss? Um... nothing this week! 

What I'm looking forward to? We have our 24 week appointment next week so I'm excited for that!

Bump? Yes. I finally had 2 strangers yesterday ask me or assume that I was pregnant. I sometimes forget my belly sticks out a good amount now! 

Week 20 & 21

I don't know what this 2 week thing is, I need to be better about weekly!

So during week 20 we had our "big ultrasound" because we are halfway done! YES! At our appointment it wasn't as "big" as I thought it would be, it was quite a quick ultrasound compared to other's experiences... I'm hoping that's just a good sign everything is good! He is measuring about a week ahead, especially with his long legs and big head haha ;)

He is a lot more active now and I'm afraid I'll have a hard time when he gets bigger haha! He's super low still. My ultrasound tech was surprised how far down he was! Which I guess gives my ribs and lungs some extra room, but not my bladder... I go quite frequently now.

Some not so fun symptoms the last few weeks are round ligament pain and always being stuffed up. I just don't know how it's possible to have so many boogers being made in a single day. It's ridiculous. I'm tired of not being able to breathe for very long through my nose without having to go blow it, yet again. And it's not just that, it's bloody noses too. It's out of control. On the bright side, I haven't had killer back pain the last few weeks and that has been so nice to just shoot a wedding and feel on top of the world! I did buy a belly band that actually fits and that has made all of the difference.

During week 21 Carson was able to finally feel him with his hand! He was surprised at how hard the kicks/punches were and it was fun to see his reaction. Ollie's most active times are in the morning and right before bed. Luckily he let's me sleep! He kicks throughout the day too, but not like right before bed.

The past few days I've noticed that I didn't FEEL hungry, but all of a sudden I would be so nauseated that I would just try to eat something and then once I was eating I realized just how STARVING I was. It has been weird. So I'm trying to snack better throughout the day. At my wedding on Saturday it was decently warm, 85 degrees, but to me it felt hotter and I wasn't doing the best halfway through the reception. I had a glass of the delicious lemonade they were serving there and I drastically felt so much better. I think that's low blood sugar or something, so my new plan is to have 2 thermos's. One with ice water and one with cold juice/lemonade, just in case the reception doesn't have any refreshments. It made a huge difference and I was able to knock out the rest of the wedding with an extra pep in my step!

During week 20 was Mother's Day and that was so fun to be celebrated. We went to church and I was called to be Activity Days leader! Then we had some brunch at Denny's which was fabulous. Carson went to visit his mom while I rested and then had some cheesy potatoes and chicken and apple turnover things. I love apple anything in the summer! Then later that evening we went swimming at my mom's. I still fit in my swim suit and my belly was large and in charge haha!

How far along? I'm currently 22 weeks, but 20-21 weeks for this post!

How big is the peanut? An endive.. whatever the heck that is. Another app said carrot. But around 10-11 inches! 

Total weight gain/loss? As of last Saturday right before week 22, I have gained a few more pounds! So I'm still down 11lbs from pre pregnancy weight, but that's better than 16. I'm really happy about that.

Maternity clothes? Not a lot yet... I have super flowy stuff so that has been working out. My belly band has helped with a few jeans being too tight in the waist too.

Sleep? Pretty good! I wake up once a night still.

Best moment this week? For 20 it was our appointment! I love having ultrasounds. Sadly that is our last I think. For 21 it was being able to get everything done, work has been crazy lately. 

Symptoms? I talked about them above... round ligament pain and boogers. Guys. Gross.

Food cravings? All the food. Nothing specific. Just all of it. 

Food aversions? I don't like the smell of fish.

Gender? Boy! 

Labor signs? None! 

Belly button in or out? In still, but it's disappearing and it'll be out soon haha.

What I miss? having a clear nose. mmhmm. 

What I'm looking forward to? This week being over. I'm super excited for all of my shoots but also stressed. 

Bump? Yes. This might be a silly question from here on out! 

Week 18 & 19 (I'm a slacker)

Hi Hi! I don't know what happened to week 18. It was busy and things got crazy with all of my work (I am a full time wedding photographer, part time contract editor, and I take other editing jobs on the side... so basically I'm at my computer A LOT).

The best thing about week 18 was finally FINALLY feeling him move/kick. It's honestly the best feeling in the world. I always have a buddy with me wherever I go. He specifically likes to kick when I'm in the car (that dang seat belt is throwing off his groove haha) or when I'm sitting at my computer. He was really active week 18 and Carson was able to watch my belly move which was awesome. He still hasn't felt him yet officially with his hand, baby tends to shy up when he puts it on there. So we just stare at the little pokes. Baby is also REALLY low. Like, too low for me to show my family his movements without things being awkward ;) So basically he's just rockin' it on my bladder and pelvic region, so I visit the bathroom a good amount during the day. Luckily I only get up about once a night (sometimes I make it to 6am and that makes me happy!)

Another thing I've noticed is that when I get up from sitting or laying down, I have one little hiccup. I don't know what that's about, but it's annoying. haha! I also wake up having to pee but also because I can't breathe.. congestion is just super fun. So I have to get up to blow my nose even if I don't have to pee. And then blowing my nose comes with bloody noses and this is a morning ritual now for me. Kind of gross.

I have finally found my hunger. I have gained about 2lbs and I'm super stoked! Except sometimes I get so hungry and then it makes me feel like I have to throw up haha, even though I had just eated 2 hours earlier. So I'm working on snacking and not being a crazy garbage disposal during main meals ;)

Honestly, 2nd trimester energy is awesome! I feel so productive lately with staying on top of my work/deadlines and slowly making a dent in my laundry. Carson cleaned out the garage and it looks beautiful! We just need to get shelves up and organize just a little bit more. We're working on projects so things don't feel so chaotic in our home when baby comes.

How far along? 19 weeks! (.... tomorrow I'm 20, half way there!)

How big is the peanut? A mango..yum! ;) 

Total weight gain/loss? I'm up 2lbs. Really happy about that since I lost so much and had been the same weight since week 13.

Maternity clothes? I have a maternity/nursing bra that I exclusively wear now. Some maternity clothes, but mainly my regular stuff since they were sized for when I was 23lbs heavier! I think I need to go get a little bit bigger of garment tops though, I hate having restriction right under my boobs. I need to be loosey goosey right now. 

Sleep? Decent. I wake up in the early mornings because of pee or congestion and then it takes me some time to fall back. I don't want the pregnancy insomnia! Please NO! 

Best moment this week? For 18 it was definitely feeling him move. Week 19 was when Carson took me on a date for cinco de mayo, dinner and a movie! We are really working on being aware of each other's needs and doing things around the house. It's been a really happy week! Crazy what you can accomplish when both people want to make a marriage beautiful. 

Symptoms? hmm. My stomach is stretching, I don't like that feeling. I also can't move to quickly with like bending over or sitting down, it hurts my uterus haha. 

Food cravings? I love sunbelt granola bars right now! And fruit, always fruit. But really, all the food. 

Food aversions? hmm.. none really. 

Gender? Boy! People keep commenting how they'll laugh when I have a girl because I have his whole wardrobe already bought. Hmmph. 

Labor signs? None! 

Belly button in or out? In!

What I miss? um... I miss not having to take 2 zantac a day for heartburn. I used to get away with just 1 haha.

What I'm looking forward to? Our 20 week ultrasound on Wednesday.. I cannot WAIT.

Bump? oh yeah.