24.5 Weeks - Baby is Trying to Escape Out of My Bellybutton

This little girl of mine sure is active. I'm sure it's perfectly normal activity at this stage but it's quite distracting. Sometimes, as the title suggests, it feels like she's trying to escape out the bellybutton. Wrong way little monkey! Although please do refrain from any escape until it's safe enough for you to do so.

She's kicking pretty hard, too - sometimes I can see my belly move. She still hasn't been very helpful with kicking when her Dad is in the room, however. I know over the next few weeks her kicks will get strong and happen more often though so I'm sure he'll have the chance soon! The other night she was kicking up a storm as I lay in bed so I called Jared to the room, who placed a hand on my belly only to have her stop until the moment he left the room again. He figures he has a calming effect on Baby!

Still feeling pretty darned uncomfortable. This pain in my right ab/rib is nerve pain, I have learned, and will probably cause irritation for the rest of the pregnancy. That's okay. It's not too bad, except when it feels like I'm being stabbed. I know there are things that are much worse. I just wish that for a time I could take off this pregnant belly and set it aside for some time. That would be cool...

So far I'm feeling pretty happy with my open ended birth plan. I know that having rigid plans often ends up in disappointment and I really don't want much about that day to be disappointing. I'll just have to roll with it and see what the little one is going to do, and that's just how it's going to work. From reading all the birth stories though, it seems like people end up getting into trouble when they don't time their contractions and they ignore their gut when the contractions are 2 - 3 minutes apart consistently. I think your body is going to be sending signals - sure, some will be wrong - but those signals should be acknowledged nonetheless. I am quite certain that come the day I give birth, I'll have no idea what's what. But I will try not to ignore what my body is telling me, either. Thankfully I live close to the hospital so if we get sent home a couple times, it's really not a HUGE deal.

I went to my first OBGYN appointment and had Dr. Lewis, who was very pleasant and answered many of my questions. She measured baby (who is long, though she said that's no surprise considering Jared is 6'4") and I got to hear her heartbeat again - yay! She's very wriggly, Dr said, and we were both surprised that I didn't feel it! It sounds as though baby is frequently facing the back, so I wouldn't be feeling too many kicks.

How far along?: 24.5 weeks

Baby is the size of a: Cantaloupe 

Total weight gain/loss:  20lbs (5 less than before??)

The Bump: Popped again - I'm feeling rather stretched!

Symptoms/How I'm feeling: Hmmm. I'm feeling uncomfortable but I'm starting to get used to the discomfort, so I feel pretty okay.

Food Cravings/Aversions: Really nothing. If I had to say I was craving something, I'd say protein. And ice.  

Sleep: Not too bad actually. Besides a little heartburn. 

Weddings Rings On or Off: On

Exercise: Walking. Started some strength training as well in preparation for the marathon that is giving birth. I've also been feeling super flabby and have been hoping to gain some strength again.

Any Names Picked Out Yet: Names I like and names he likes are not really jiving together very well. We still don't have a name that I feel fits her.

Gender: Girl!

Movement: Lots more. She's currently doing aerobics or something in there. Very wiggly, especially after I eat.

Maternity Clothes: Yep. No turning back now!

Labor Signs: None yet, but I read that I may start experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions this early! I don't know why that is exciting but it is!

What I miss: Seeing my feet. Fitting through doorways. Not opening doors into my belly. This week I've missed sleeping on my back or stomach. Mostly I miss not being pregnant! I know it's going to be worth it but it's not the best time of my life right now. I'm a house and that's uncomfortable!

Best Moment of the Week: Organizing the baby clothes by size and folding them. FYI, baby clothes are tiny and weird to fold! I put them in marked bags for now until I get my super IKEA dresser, which is exciting. 

What I’m excited about/looking forward to: Just going forward! I'm finally taking care of all things baby related and that makes it pretty real to me. I am looking forward to getting the baby room all done!

I *promise* to post a bumpdate pic next time.