24 Weeks

Only two weeks behind...

How far along? 24 Weeks
Total weight gain: 8 lbs. Have my next appointment on Thursday (4.26) we'll see what I'm up to at 25 weeks.
Maternity clothes? Mostly work pants and jeans. The regular shirts are getting tight.
Stretch marks? None yet.
Sleep: Varies by the night.
Best moment this week: Actually seeing the baby move.
Miss Anything? Soda, although I do allow myself to have some
Movement: Mainly at night or early morning
Food cravings: humus
Anything making you queasy or sick: Not currently
Gender: Team Pink
Labor Signs: None
Symptoms: heartburn
Belly Button in or out? still in
Wedding rings on or off? on
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy

Possible Controversial Topic

Before I found out I was going to be a mother, I would never have doubted the need to vaccinate my children. However, since I have found out that I'm going to be a mom in a little over 3 months the topic has been at the forefront of my mind. I have to say that David inspired me to research the need/effects of vaccines.

I've been reading a couple books talking about vaccines, one for and one against. It has made me think about the potential harmful side effects vaccines can produce. I know the reports that are cited mention the   side effects of getting the vaccines are low and the potential effects of not getting the vaccines are high. Most of the vaccines that children receive for diseases are all but eradicated here in the US. I understand that if everyone stopped vaccinating their kids the diseases could come back in several generations.

About 6 weeks ago I posted about this on a discussion forum. My post was met with a myriad of responses from both ends. Some people were downright mean in their responses and indicated they wouldn't allow their child to socialize with a child that wasn't vaccinated. I have two responses 1) how would they know a child is not vaccinated and 2) if your child is vaccinated shouldn't they be protected from children who aren't?? I get it that they might be referring to socializing with kids when their own haven't received all their vaccinations but I think it's downright rude to punish me or my child for a decision that we felt was the best for our family. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and choices and I shouldn't be guilted into giving my child a vaccine if I don't feel it's safe.

I'm still in research mode, but the more I read about what goes into vaccines the more skeptical I am of them. I am looking into a delayed approach in giving vaccines. The one I am really against, at least at birth, is the Hepatitis B vaccine. I think it's totally unnecessary when they are that little.

It's hard to talk about this topic because I don't want people to think that I am weird if I don't give my child vaccines. Also I don't want to be looked down on or judged.

Have any of my readers, the few of you out there, researched this topic and which side are you on?

23 Weeks

Still behind in my postings, but I'm trying to catch up soon.

How far along? 23 Weeks
Total weight gain: 8 lbs. I expect that to change at my appointment in 2 weeks. I started working out again, so hopefully that offsets some weight gain.
Maternity clothes? Work pants - yes. Jeans - yes. Most of my shirts still fit which is a bit bizzare. Stretch marks? None yet.
Sleep: Varies by the night.
Best moment this week: David getting to feel the baby move.
Miss Anything? Bending over.
Movement: Yes, she's becoming a night owl.
Food cravings: ice cream
Anything making you queasy or sick: Not currently
Gender: Team Pink
Labor Signs: Minor cramping, but no contractions.
Symptoms: Ligament pains, soreness when moving certain ways
Belly Button in or out? still in
Wedding rings on or off? on
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy

So many crafts so little time...

For those of you who know me well, you know that I love taking on the challenge of trying a new craft project. There's nothing I can't replicate or at least find my own way of replicating. For the past two months I've been laboring over my sewing machine every weekend in an attempt to finish the gazillion projects I have started, but not finished. Some I plan to include in my Etsy store, that is if I ever post anything, and some are gifts for others. I don't have photos of the finished products on this computer but I've shared the tuturials below. I blame Etsy for my inability to get anything else done around my house.

Completed Projects:
Burp Cloth
iPAD cover
Running Headband (copied off of one's I purchased years ago)
Baby Headbands (crocheted, elastic and fold over elastic)
Flowers to accompany headbands
Diaper Strap AND
Carseat baby Blanket


Projects I want to try:
Felt Flowers
Fabric Bins
Wristlet key Ring
Braided Necklace
Yarn Chandelier

Happy Crafting!

22 Weeks

It feels like I'm always a week or two behind in my posts. I'm currently at 22w5d as listed in the world of pregnant moms.

How far along? 22 Weeks
Total weight gain: 8 lbs. I don't weigh myself weekly, per recommendations I've read. Maternity clothes? Slightly resisting, because I don't have any cute ones. I went to buy some this weekend and they are all ugly and expensive. I do need to start wearing the maternity work pants I have as my other ones are no longer fitting.

Stretch marks? None yet.

Sleep: I've been using a body pillow and it appears to be helping.

Best moment this week: Feeling baby girl's movements. She is most active in the late afternoon.

Miss Anything? Being able to get up as quick as I use to.

Movement: Yes.

Food cravings: chocolate, that could also be attributed to all the Easter candy I've been around.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Vitamins and Medicine

Gender: Team Pink
Labor Signs: None.

Symptoms: Ligament pains

Belly Button in or out? still in
Wedding rings on or off? on
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy

21 Weeks

I started this post at week 17 but I never got around to posting a picture. I swear all my attempts to get a "cute" pregnant picture have failed. I just look better straight on than from the side.

Anyway, maybe someday I'll get around to posting the pictures I've been taking since I found out we were pregnant. I modified a maternity photo idea I found on Pinterest. Here's a link to the posters blog that I have been reading for weeks now.

How far along? 21 Weeks
Total weight gain: 8 lbs. I think constipation from my hospital stay accounted for at least 2 of those pounds.
Maternity clothes? I've bought a couple tanks, dresses, one pair of jeans dress pants and shorts. I don't need them yet but summer will be here before I know it.
Stretch marks? I don't think so. I'm been using an oil since week 8.
Sleep: Depends on the night. I still sleep through the night most days.
Best moment this week: Finding out we are having a girl!!!
Miss Anything? Going to the bathroom.
Movement: Yes, she seems to be active most when I eat.
Food cravings: Nachos
Anything making you queasy or sick: certain smells
Gender: Team Pink
Labor Signs: I sure hope not.
Symptoms: Gag reflex from all the medicines I was on.
Belly Button in or out? still in, barely.
Wedding rings on or off? on
Happy or Moody most of the time: Even keel, but more emotional