Week 23 - Grapefruit

Little (well, now not-so-little) bean -- we have reached 23 weeks!!! Did you know that 23 is one of daddy's lucky numbers? ;) This week, I received the baby shower invitations from Etsy, sent them out, and finished 99% of the prep for the baby shower (hello color coded spreadsheets!). Daddy says I should stop staying up until 2am working on baby stuff and just rest - but I am feeling great getting so much stuff done. Weird how I am the most productive late at night...

This week, you are the size of a grapefruit! My baby apps say you are almost a foot long and over a pound now (I believe it, ha!). I've gained another pound this week - which isn't making me feel great, but hopefully it's because you're growing and not because I'm just getting fat. Your brother Woodrow still loves to boop my belly (to say hello maybe?) but I still have yet to catch it on video. It's sooooooooo cute. <3

My baby apps have told me that in the past few weeks, your hearing has increased. Have you noticed that I play music 24/7? Mommy loves classical music in the morning, and you apparently love jamming out to Queen and Red Hot Chili Peppers in the afternoon. :)

This week, the swelling in my feet has gotten worse from last week. Daddy and grandma were really worried and wanted me to go to the doctor but fortunately my blood pressure was normal so no concern for anything other than typical pregnancy swelling. Goodbye ankles, hello cankles!

This week, you really started stretching your legs and practicing your kicks! What an amazing feeling. I've been feeling you squirm around in my tummy for a few weeks, but nothing like what I've felt this week. I've actually seen my tummy move a few times when laying down. But of course - when I hit record on my phone you stop (just like you stop when daddy tries to feel your kicks!), ha. The other night, you were kicking a lot after dinner. The second I told your daddy and your grandma - they rushed over with their hands all over mommy's tummy, and of course - you stopped. =P My favorite part of the day is coming home from work, and laying down to feel you kick. You also do it at night, but mommy is so tired by then she usually falls asleep within 30 seconds. This morning you were up, so mommy stayed in bed (a little longer than she should have...) and enjoyed feeling all your kicks. Daddy jokes around and says you're throwing a tantrum like mommy does all the time. =P

*A* -- (daddy still doesn't want to tell people your name, so I'll refer to you by your first initial) You are so incredibly amazing. I think about the many years that daddy and I tried so hard for you and waited for you... We are so blessed. Your grandparents feel this way too, and are so excited to meet you. Even though I feel like an ugly fat whale, have incredibly fat feet (which makes it super painful to walk) - I feel so blessed to be your mom, and get emotional thinking about how soon daddy and I will get to meet you. You have had daddy wrapped around your little fingers since he saw your little heartbeat flicker on the screen. He has hearts in his eyes whenever he talks about you, and will talk about you to anyone that will listen to him. :) We can't wait to see your face, hold you, kiss you, and love you so much. <3