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. 

Nineteen Weeks

How far along?: Nineteen weeks.

Baby is the size of: An Heirloom Tomato

Total weight gain/loss: +7 from pre-pregnancy weight. 

Symptoms: I started experiencing some braxton-hicks contractions this week, which scared me until I figured out what they were. Also having trouble sleeping and dealing with some "growing pains" in my midsection. 

Food Cravings: Raspberry Smoothies 

Anything Making Me Queasy or Sick: Pasta. 

Sleep: I have a hard time getting comfortable enough to get to sleep, but once I fall asleep I'm usually okay.

What I miss: Soft serve ice cream.

Wedding rings On or Off: On.

Movement: Definitely feeling movement now! My husband can even feel it if he puts his hand down at the right place at the right moment. 

Maternity Clothes? Still really need some, still haven't bought any. 

Labor Signs: Nope!

Best Moment of the Week: Feeling all kinds of movement, and my husband being able to feel the baby as well!

17 Weeks

How far along?: Seventeen weeks.

Baby is the size of: A Turnip!

Total weight gain/loss: +3 from pre-pregnancy weight. I'm finally putting on some weight!

Symptoms: Feeling like myself again! I'm still tired a lot, and occasionally get dizzy, but I feel much better. 

Food Cravings: Tacos. I've eaten them every other day. And mint ice cream, which I never liked before.  

Anything Making Me Queasy or Sick: Milk. 

Sleep: Still going to sleep in the afternoon, waking up in mid-morning.

What I miss: Soft serve ice cream. Starbucks. 

Wedding rings On or Off: On.

Movement: I think I can feel it now, although its not very strong. I'm waiting for something definite. 

Maternity Clothes?: I really need some maternity yoga pants and jeans, and some tanks, but I haven't bought anything yet. 

Labor Signs: Nope!

Best Moment of the Week: Feeling what I think was the baby! :) AND, the seconds sale at Cotton Babies that saved me hundreds and almost finished my stash.

15 Weeks

How far along?: Fifteen weeks.

Baby is the size of: An Apple. 

Total weight gain/loss: I lost a pound (so one pound below pre-pregnancy weight), but then I ate at Olive Garden and gained four pounds, which has since evened out to one pound up from pre-pregnancy weight.

Symptoms: I'm feeling slightly better, but I've had a couple of bouts of sudden, strong nausea.

Food Cravings: Olive Garden minestrone soup and salad. 

Anything Making Me Queasy or Sick: Anything that is slightly overripe or just on the verge of going bad.

Sleep: Decent. I've been going to sleep in the early afternoon and waking up in the early morning.

What I miss: Soft serve ice cream. Starbucks java chip ice cream.

Wedding rings On or Off: On.

Movement: Possibly? Probably not, but I felt something that I wasn't sure of. 

Maternity Clothes?: I'm starting to look obviously pregnant, but I haven't bought any maternity clothes yet.

Labor Signs: Nope!

Best Moment of the Week: Olive Garden? Ha! I just really needed that soup!

Thirteen Weeks

How far along?: Thirteen weeks.

Baby is the size of: A peach!

Total weight gain/loss: No change. I’m starting to wonder if that’s a problem…

Symptoms: So tired. So nauseous. So ready for change.

Food Cravings: Mexican and Indian food.

Anything Making Me Queasy or Sick: Almost all food.

Sleep: My sleep schedule is so screwed up. I go to sleep at about 6AM and wake up about 6PM. I really need to reverse this somehow.

What I miss: Soft serve ice cream.

Wedding rings On or Off: On.

Movement: Not yet.

Maternity Clothes?: I bought a maternity dress at a thrift store because it was too cheap to pass up, but I don’t need it yet.

Labor Signs: Nope!

Best Moment of the Week: Ordering my first batch of cloth diapers to start my stash! Bumgenius and GroVia should be here any day.

Letter to My Little One - 2

Dear Little One,

It’s a big beautiful world out here, and we can’t wait to explore it with you. Our happiness is now caused by your existence. When you are born it will be a wonder to welcome you into this world, but for us, you will be a new world.

The world into which you will enter is a wondrous place. It’s full of vibrant colors and cultures, languages, and people living beautifully different lives. We will talk to you in three languages when you are born – Albanian, English, and Sign. When you are a little older we’ll add more languages, an ode to the multi-cultural identity and mentality we want you to embrace. You are a citizen of the world. Learn about it, travel it, love it, change it, make it better.

You’ve already boarded your first plane at just five weeks gestation, made your Mama sick during a cross country road trip, and apparently already have an international palate based on my cravings thus far. I’m so glad you’re on your way to becoming a part of this world.

Although I look forward to the world to come, I also love this world. Yes, it has pain and suffering and filth and hunger and tears… but it also has spectacular beauty and kindness and laughter and uniqueness.

I want you to live deeply. Breathe it all in, and find your place in it. Find your corner, and make it a better place. Because I know this world will be a little brighter because of you.

Looking forward to watching you change the world,

Mama