Letter to My Little One - 3

Dear Little One,

It didn't take you long to completely change my life.  Each day that goes by I feel my identity becoming more and more wrapped up in being your mommy, and I don't mind that one bit.  It's an honor to be a mommy to someone as special as you.

By now your tiny features are completely formed. Each finger, each toe, each tiny nail is already perfect. You   are even growing hair, and if we could see you now we would be able to tell the color. Your eyelashes, your taste buds, your fingerprints... all magically and wonderfully complete.

You can hear us talk and sing to you, and sometimes you dance to the music you hear. I can see you moving around when I look down at my belly and the weird and wonderful sight never fails to make me smile.

People think I'm crazy when I say I'm looking forward to giving birth, but it's true. I can't wait for those first contractions that tell me you will soon be here. I can't wait for the moment I tell your Daddy - "It's time.". I can't wait to put you on my chest and hold you tight. But most of all, I can't wait to look into your eyes and tell you "Happy birthday Baby. Welcome to the world.".

Waiting to meet you,

Mama

23 Weeks

How far along?: Twenty-three weeks.

Baby is the size of: A Papaya. 

Total weight gain/loss: +13 from pre-pregnancy weight. 

Symptoms: I'm starting to get lower back pain that's tough to deal with. I'm sure it will get a lot worse though... 

Food Cravings: I've been making smoothies out of coconut-almond milk and strawberries every night. Mmm!

Anything Making Me Queasy or Sick: Not really.

Sleep: My sleep is going back to daytime, which stinks. I end up going to sleep at 3AM and waking up at 3PM. *sigh*

What I miss: Some Albanian foods that I could make here, I just haven't gotten around to it yet.

Wedding rings On or Off: On, but a little snug. 

Movement: Lots and lots. My husband can see it moving from the outside now. 

Maternity Clothes? Wearing them about half the time, and then stretchy pants or yoga pants the rest of the time.

Labor Signs: Nope!

Best Moment of the Week: I might have found a doula! We're meeting with her soon for an interview, but I have a good feeling about it. 

21 Weeks

How far along?: Twenty-one weeks.

Baby is the size of: A carrot. 

Total weight gain/loss: +10 from pre-pregnancy weight. 

Symptoms: I've been feeling some pretty significant round ligament pain. It's not especially fun. 

Food Cravings: Coconut-Almond Milk.

Anything Making Me Queasy or Sick: Lettuce, green stuff in general. 

Sleep: Reasonably okay, but I have to wake up a couple of times to pee.

What I miss: Espresso Fudge ice cream. I keep staring at it in Publix. 

Wedding rings On or Off: On, but a little snug. 

Movement: Crazy movement. I think it's doing back flips in there. 

Maternity Clothes? I've finally gotten a few things and my parents bought me some things as well, so I'm doing a little better in the wardrobe department. 

Labor Signs: Nope!

Best Moment of the Week: Ultrasound last week! We got to see our sweet little baby yawning and sucking it's thumb.