Bump Day Blog: 22 - 24 Weeks

Apparently going on vacation and trying to get back in the swing of things has thrown off my blogging. I know y'all have been on pins and needle for another bump updated. haha! Since I just went to the doctor yesterday for my 24 week appointment, I've decided to combine that update in this blog post as well. So for a little catch up...

We all had a great time at the beach! However, being at the beach six months pregnant is a little different than I expected. I can usually stay on the beach from sun up to sun down, but this time I was done after just a couple of hours. Mostly I would go up around lunch time just to take a break and was too tired to go back down. Plus, no matter how much sunscreen I put on my belly, it was the only thing getting sun. Especially my belly button. Weird! So I did what any and all pregnant women do...eat and take naps. It was glorious!

23 weeks in St. George Island

I had my 24 week appointment this week and everything was perfect. There was no ultrasound, just a weight check, measuring my stomach and listening to the heartbeat on the doppler. I have a doppler at home so that part wasn't too exciting for me, but always good to hear a healthy heartbeat nonetheless. I  also was given the yucky drink I've heard so much about for the gestational diabetes test I take at my next appointment. I'm so not looking forward to downing this drink in five minutes or less. I'm not good with stuff like that at all and I'm so afraid I'm going to throw it up! Lastly, I was handed a folder with all of my hospital registration papers and information about baby classes. I can't believe it's time for me to register at the hospital! Lord willing I won't have any sort of pre-term labor, but I guess it's good to have all the paperwork complete just in case. We are definitely going to take a tour of the hospital and also one of the Baby Essential classes as well. 

I finally broke down a bought a Snoogle pillow. See below how well that's going. :-)

Josh passed out with my Snoogle. He doesn't know I took this pic. Oops. 

Bump Day Survey: 24 Weeks

• How far along: 24 Weeks

• Total weight gain: I got weighed at the doctor this week and I've gained a total of 16 lbs. I gained 5 lbs between my last two appointments! My doctor said my weight gain is completely on track and was actually happy about the 5 lbs and was impressed it wasn't more since just coming back from vacation. It's still weird to see numbers on a scale I've never seen in my life before. I guess baby girl had a growth spurt! 

• Gender: All Girl

• Maternity clothes: My mom bought me a few maternity pieces and I love them. I was having a hard time breaking down and buying myself new clothes and so she treated me. Thanks, mom! Don't worry Dad, it was all on sale. 
• Stretch marks: None so far! 

• Sleep: I'm sleeping fine, it's Josh who is having trouble. He says I toss and turn all night long and my snoring has now turned into a growl. The snoogle has helped with that a little bit since it keeps my head elevated. 
• Best moment this week: Getting our nursery fabric in. My mother in law is going to make us a three tiered ruffle crib skirt and I'm so excited about it! 

• Miss Anything: I was super jealous of all the fun frozen drinks at the beach. 

• Movement: We officially have a wiggle worm. I can now see her move on the outside of my stomach! Weird and amazing at the same time. 

• Food cravings: I randomly had to have Burger King last week. 

• Food aversions: Still buffalo flavored food. 

• Symptoms: Lower back pain, heartburn and shortness of breath. I don't know what I will be like at full term....geesh! 
• Belly Button in or out? Still in but getting wider and more shallow.  

• Looking forward to: Crib shopping this weekend! 

• Weekly Wisdom: "It will all get done, it will all get done." This is what I have to keep repeating to myself when I start to hyperventilate over finding a pediatrician, getting the nursery done, showers, getting my house clean and organized...I could go on forever. I seriously felt my blood pressure rise just typing these things out! 

Sneak peak of nursery fabric

24 weeks 3 days

Comparison from 21 weeks to 24 weeks. See any difference? 

Bump Day Blog: 21 Weeks

This past week of pregnancy has been pretty uneventful. I've just been counting down the days until VACATION! We are leaving Friday morning heading down to Valdosta and then on Saturday we will be on our way to St. George Island to spend an entire week at a beautiful beach house! I can't wait to read a book on the beach, nap and eat good food. That will be the extent of how my time and energy will be spent. I'm most excited about going with my bestest friend, Kim and her family. The last time Kim and I were at the beach together was for my bachelorette party. I'm sure this beach trip be a little different than the last one. Haha!

Kim & Can - Bachelorette Beach Trip 2009

Bump Day Survey - 21 Weeks

• How far along: 21 Weeks

• Total weight gain: I haven't been on the scale since my last doctor's appointment, so I'll still say 11 pounds. My next doctor's appointment is the week we get back from the beach, so after eating my weight in seafood (the pregnancy approved kind) I'm not going to be too excited to see the results. 

• Gender: Team Pink 

• Maternity clothes: I officially can't wear anything in my closet anymore. Depressing for me, good for my mom who raided my closet when she was here last week. ;-)
• Stretch marks: Not yet, but my skin is starting to get super tight so I better start buttering up.  

• Sleep: Still sleeping, still peeing. 
• Best moment this week: Josh finally got to feel her kick! For the past couple of weeks every time Josh would put his hand on my stomach she would completely stop moving. So the other night Josh talked to my belly and said "I will be buy you pretty things if you kick for me." And BAM, she kicked! I think we are in trouble now...haha! 

• Miss Anything: I'm sure I will be missing margaritas while we are at the beach, but at least I don't have to suck in my stomach! 

• Movement: Tons! She is either a gymnast or a soccer player for sure. 

• Food cravings: None really...still eating Chick-fil-A though. 

• Food aversions: Still buffalo flavored food. 

• Symptoms: I officially know why they say don't lay flat on your back. It now feels like an elephant is sitting on my chest and I get out of breath a lot easier too. 
• Belly Button in or out? Still in. 

• Looking forward to: The beach!! Once we get back from the beach we are full on baby mode!  

• Weekly Wisdom: Strangers will ask what you are naming your baby...don't tell them! Speaking of baby names, I still can't decide if I will do a blog post on our baby girl's name or not. It's not a secret, but it's also not Facebook/blog public either. Thoughts?

21 Weeks 6 Days

Bump Day: 20 Weeks & Family Reunion

Josh and I just returned from his family reunion in Gatlinburg, TN. It was a super fun and always too short visit with his family members that we don't get to see very often. Most of my time was spent lounging by the pool where I had my first experience with a maternity swimsuit. Let's just say when we go on vacation in couple of weeks to the beach, this preggo will be busting out the bikini! ;-) Josh spent most of his time trying to keep up with his younger cousins at basketball and tennis. He said after this weekend that he was glad we were having a girl. He was exhausted!

Cousin Kermit, Uncle Mike & Josh 

The best part of the weekend was a complete and total surprise. Josh's family threw us a SURPRISE Baby Shower! It was so sweet and completely unexpected. I'm so glad we got to celebrate Baby Lowe with family that might not have been able to shower this little lady with love otherwise.

We are so blessed! 

Last week was also a big week for Baby Lowe. She had her 20 week anatomy scan and we got to record the entire ultrasound on DVD. I may have watched it a thousand couple of times already. She is a completely healthy baby girl with four heart chambers, all her blood vessels doing their job and she already weighs 11 ounces. She even got the hiccups during the ultrasound and my doctor said that it's pretty uncommon to see that at 20 weeks and it means her nervous system is doing great! My little over achiever. :-) I tried to upload the video (cause I know y'all are dying to watch it) but I couldn't figure it out and I'm too impatient. Nevertheless, I have a couple of pictures from her scan.

20 Weeks - Love her nose and cheeks!

Getting so big! 

Bump Day Survey - 20 Weeks 

• How far along: 20 Weeks

• Total weight gain: I've reached double digits - 11 pounds. Even though it makes me cringe, I'm right on track for healthy weight gain! 

• Gender: A Little Lady

• Maternity clothes: Yes. It's funny cause when I'm out shopping I forget that I'm pregnant and pick up these super cute dresses and then I'm like...oh wait, that will not fit the bump or the boobs. 

• Stretch marks: Still none!  

• Sleep: When will I stop having to pee one, two, three times a night?!
• Best moment this week: Getting a healthy report from our anatomy scan and our surprise baby shower. 

• Miss Anything: Nothing at the moment. I'm actually enjoying this time in my pregnancy. Let's hope I didn't just jinx myself. 

• Movement: She is moving all during the day now and sometimes she gets in a really strong kick that makes me jump! I love it. 

• Food cravings: Chick-fil-A. I blame this one on a fellow pregnant friend, Whitney, who blogged about her Chick-fil-A cravings. Ever since I read that, I dreamt about it that night, and have been wanting it non-stop ever since. Thanks, Whitney! 

• Food aversions: Buffalo flavored food. I'm starting to wonder if this child is mine. If you know me, you know I love all things spicy. Buffalo chicken, pizza, sauce, etc. I even put Texas Pete sauce on my popcorn. But this child does not like it one bit. I just have no desire for the stuff. It's kind of weirding me out! 

• Symptoms: I had my first leg cramp the other morning. It was about 5:30 am and I woke up in horrific pain from a leg cramp in my calf. I told Josh I needed an epidural. Haha! My calf was sore for days afterwards. 
• Belly Button in or out? Still in, but getting wider and more shallow. 

• Looking forward to: The second half of my pregnancy. I'm half baked! 

• Weekly Wisdom: It is completely possible to hysterically laugh and uncontrollably cry because your house isn't clean enough for your unborn child. 

20 Weeks 5 Days pregnant in Gatlinburg.