23 Week Update

We've made it to 23 weeks already! When July 7th came and went, I thought to myself, "How can there only be 4 months left??" (Since due date is November 7th!)

I was going to do a chalkboard picture at 22 weeks.. since it's an even week. But I worked that day, then I decided I'd wait for an update on Baby's heart to do a post. (Recall that at our last ultrasound, the gender scan, the doctor felt that the heart was a little more midline in the chest than it should have been, so she ordered another one for about 3 weeks later.)

We went in for a repeat ultrasound on Monday morning. We ARE still having a boy. :) And confirmed by both the tech and the MFM doctor who reviews/interprets sonos, Baby Boy's heart is perfect. It is in the right place, it's four chambers are doing exactly what they are supposed to do and it is the correct size. I believe God answered our prayers, and the prayers of many, and put our little boy's heart right back where it is supposed to go. We are so thankful.

So here you go! 23 weeks down, 17 to go!

We've only had the one check-up since my last update. But I did overdo it last week and baby told me to slow down. I was scheduled to work 5 days with only one day off in the middle. Well, by that fourth day, I was feeling it. We're not allowed to have water in our rooms at work anymore, and sometimes we're too busy to go to the break room. This causes Braxton-Hicks contractions. Which I was having frequently. This, coupled with a continuous lower back pain and not feeling the baby move at all for several hours (and some other unmentionable symptoms) had me calling my doctor on Friday. She advised me not to work that 5th day, so I had to call in on Saturday. And all day Saturday and Sunday, I laid on the couch and drank water. I felt much better and baby boy started back with his normal kicking and squirming. And everything at our check-up on Monday went perfect. She checked my cervix and said it was not budging, not to worry about that. :) BP was great, weight gain is good. And he was behaving perfectly on the ultrasound. So, I've definitely learned that I have to take it easy some and 5 days of 12 hour shifts is too much. Period. And to drink water. Like, once you think you've drank way too much water, drink double that. 

Let's see.. We ordered our first baby items this week! The Moses basket and stand from rhbaby! I can't TELL you how thrilled I am with this purchase. I just can't wait for it to get here, so I can set it up and look at it everyday and admire it. Oh, and we did a small baby registry at buybuybaby. We don't need a lot, since big brother Coco was also born in the winter. :)

We traded rooms with Cohen this week. He had the bigger room, and let's face it. The soon-to-be three of us need more space than his little self. And he's quite happy with his new room! Now we have a nice big area to fill with baby stuff. (All the more reason I need that bassinet to get here!)

How big is baby? the size of Papaya! What to Expect app says baby weighs 1.2 pounds and is about 8.5 inches from head to bottom. And our sono said he weighed 1 pound, 4 ounces. He always measures about 5 days ahead of where we are.

Weight gain/loss: 10 pounds gained, still.

Sleep: Still not sleeping very well. I feel slightly less tired these days. But I still nap if I can. And I wake up so many times a night. Usually to go to the restroom, even if it's very little pee. :( Gets old. 

Movement: He moves all the time. More in the evenings, I suppose. He moves consistently enough now that I can make myself nervous when I don't feel him for any amount of time. 

Symptoms: Backaches when I don't rest enough or drink water. Reflux, reflux, reflux. I keep my bottle of Maalox in the refrigerator, so that it's cool and refreshing when I need it. :) Other than the gross reflux, I feel pretty great right now.

Belly Button: Innie still! (with Coco, it never popped out!)

Food Cravings: No real cravings right now.

Gender: It's a BOY! We're so excited for Cohen to have a little brother. I was initially a tiny smidgeon disappointed when the tech said "boy", but got over it immediately and am getting very excited! No name yet!

What I miss? Sleeping on tummy (or good, at all)

What I'm looking forward to? Getting his bassinet this week! (Hopefully!) 

Big brother: Is so fun right now. He is a good helper (Buddy, bring me that remote!). He loves going to the pool and playing cars and trains. He loves watching Cars and Madagascar. He likes to say "just" a lot lately. i.e. "I'm just looking mommy." "I just want to run mommy." "Just come play daddy!" :) He's so smart. 

Dr. Appointment notes: July 8th, we had our second anatomy scan. Everything looked great. He has grown so big! And Dr. R said everything seemed fine. Very reassuring. We'll go back on the 25th of July for my 1 hour glucose test. Yuck! I remember this!