24 Week Update

A 24-week old fetus

Everyone says that the 2nd trimester is better than the 1st, but I'm not sure that's true for everyone. And I'm sure if I had been sick during the 1st trimester, then I would agree with the masses. But, since I had a very easy 1st trimester, the 2nd one doesn't really seem that much better or harder, just different.

Slightly more energy: I have more energy than I did during the 1st trimester, but I'm still not running on even close to 100%. I hear that the 3rd trimester, you get really tired again... great.

Backaches, backaches, backaches: Oh my. This is probably the worst and most prominent symptom I've had to date. Not a day goes by that I don't have back pain. It makes me feel like an old woman. I'm so used to sitting cross legged in chairs, and sitting on the floor for hours, and I just can't do that anymore. Even sitting normally on the couch gets painful without a pillow in the small of my back. And church is starting to feel really long in those uncomfortable benches and chairs. Though, on the upside, at least Eric is more prone to give me backrubs now :)

Lack of control of my own bladder: Umm... yeah. Let's just say it ain't pretty if I my bladder is full and I sneeze. I've learned to run at the first sign of a sneeze. On a particularly bad day, Eric bought me "What to Expect When You're Expecting" to cheer me up, and because one of the ladies in the movie had the same problem. If you haven't seen it yet, you need to, so many good laughs.

Acid reflux: I've heard many women complain of heartburn, and luckily I haven't had heartburn once... yet. But I have had my fair share of unpleasant acid reflux. It happens with no matter what I eat or drink, even water.

Swollen fingers: If I don’t drink enough water or exercise in the sun my fingers swell, bad. And it’s extremely uncomfortable. Luckily I usely work out in an air conditioned gym, and drink plenty of water, but if I haven’t, I can quickly tell. I'm just hoping I can keep the swelling down to a minimum... I really don't want to have to take my wedding ring off or get cankles...shudder.


Disappearing belly button: I knew this, I expected this, but it sure is weird when it starts happening to you. It’s only just begun, and I’m sure I’ll end with an “outie” before we’re done, but can I just say that I have a huge aversion to outies? I think they are abnormal and downright creepy, (I really hope baby girl doesn't get one!) so I’ll be glad to have my old belly button back.


Aching feet: When I spend a lot of time on my feet, which with a desk job is uncommon for me, but when I do, my feet ache, a lot. Last week when I picked raspberries all morning and spent the mid afternoon making jam, my feet were in serious need of a massage.

Lots of kicking :) She has been kicking a lot lately. It took me awhile to really feel her kicks (around 19 weeks) and when I did they felt kind of like cramps and kind of like gas and kind of like something really weird. So, even though it was so neat to feel her alive and kicking up a storm in there, it wasn’t my favorite thing. As they have gotten stronger and more frequent they feel less like cramps or gas and more like a baby kicking—which is still so weird and amazing.

Eric has yet to feel her kick, she’ll only kick a few times in a row and by the time he his hand in position, she’s done. She really likes to kick mid-morning too, so Eric has fewer chances to feel her kick. I’m hoping this is a good sign, that she doesn’t wake up and start having a party when I’m trying to sleep, and is instead awake when I’m awake.

And today for the first time, I not only felt her move, but SAW her move. Boy was that weird, and it was only a little tremor! I’m a little terrified for the day when I see my whole stomach move with her! Definitely having half-vampire baby nightmares here (thank you Twilight...not)!

I'm well on the way to getting things ready for baby girl's debut in 16 weeks. 

1.I'm in the middle of crocheting 2 baby blankets (1 for her room, 1 for her baby blessing)
2. I'm half way done with the bird mobile. 
3. Her crib is painted white and ready to be set up.
4. I have fabric to make her crib skirt, binkie clips, hair bows, and throw pillows for the armchair (that we have yet to get).

But I'm in no rush for her to get here just yet. She can stay nice and cozy inside and that's just fine with me. Though by 34 weeks I'm sure I'll be wishing she would come early.