Week 23

WHAT?!?!?! How did this happen? I was just getting used to week 22. Time is flying by me as I sit at my desk completely unprepared (not completely, but that's the feeling anyway). I have spent the last few months hunting and gathering things for my impending babe and I feel like we have the absolute basics for her at this point. Though I'm not entirely sure how she is going to fit into those newborn onesies that are so ridiculously tiny! I should be grateful that they are tiny though since I have to eventually pushed this baby out.

BACK PAIN it's arrived. my lower back often feels as though I've been lifting 70LBS incorrectly for a 12 hour work shift. Sitting seems to relieve it, but does not cure it. Sleep seems to reset the pain meter so that it can slowly build up  throughout the next day which is helpful. In the coming weeks I may find it necessary to purchase one of those belts that helps to balance the weight, but I'll cross that bridge when I get there (if you have any to recommend please feel free to leave the info in the comment section).

STRETCH MARKS I have lots of them, but they are currently all the ones I accrued while growing, filling out, and growing some more. I have been told that next week is a "danger" zone for getting more of these suckers and I'm not pleased about it. I know it will all be ok and that I've made it a much bigger deal in my head than it is in real life, so I'm trying to calm myself back down. I don't want them, they are uncomfortable and unsightly and I would rather not have more of them. So there.

SWELLING yep, got that too. My feet are swelling a bit in the heat, which I think is pretty normal for me. It is all very minor at this point and I'm hoping to keep it that way with proper hydration and not pushing my body too hard. I have to remind myself that not only and I carrying more weight than I ever have in my life, but that I have 50% (50%!!!!!) MORE blood in my veins that I have to pump from down in my toes all the way to my heart. Be kind to your body and it will be kind to you. Cankles are not just unsightly, they are a symptom of a bigger problem and you need to listen to your body.

CRAVINGS I actually have yet to have a craving. I have things I want to avoid, but nothing I particularly want. I figured I'd have all sorts of strange cravings that would be annoying and hilarious, but alas I am super boring just eating away at chicken, sweet potatoes, and kale salad...

FINGERNAILS are growing at lightening speed! This also includes my toenails, but people don't like feet, so I probably shouldn't have mentioned them at all. I cut my nails only to notice they are just a bit too long about a week later. They are also much stronger than normal which has been nice.

BELLY is still huge and has doubled in size since two weeks ago. This thing constantly amazes me. I can also see Badger kick and flop around through my skin now which I thought would freak me out, but is kind of cute (still a tiny bit freaky though). No linea negra yet, but I'm told that might come after next week as well.

EXCITEMENT 10/10 I think this will stay the same since I'm so looking forward to holding my babe, but I'll leave it in anyway. I choose clothing for her based on if I can envision myself holding her in it...that might be a bit much, but to each her own.