23 Weeks

Time is flying by (I think I say that every week now).  I have lots to get done because I want to stick to my goal of having everything ready by the time I'm 35 weeks.  That gives me exactly 12 weeks.  On our immediate to do list, we have the following:

• interview and finalize a doula
• sign up for a birthing class
• interview/select a pediatrician
• list of questions for OB regarding birth plan
• finish reading Pushed
• finish reading Hypnobirthing
• return pre-registration packet to hospital
• tour hospital's labor & delivery section
• go to daycares to check them out for January enrollment

So yeah, that's a lot.  But we'll get through it!

How am I feeling? Pretty good.  Still have heartburn (I think this will just continue throughout the rest of the pregnancy).  I'm feeling pretty big.  And I think I'm gaining weight everywhere - not just in the belly.  But I hear this is much more common carrying a girl so hopefully it'll come off once our little girl makes her debut.  In the meantime, I'm trying to wear slimming colors that make me feel a little less huge.

How big is baby?  For weeks 22-24, baby is about the size of a papaya, between 10.5-11.8 inches and between 12.7-20.8 ounces.  That's a super wide range for the weight.  She was about 10 ounces in between 19 and 20 weeks, so I'd probably venture to say she's in the middle of that range, maybe around 15 ounces or so.  She can officially hear us, so we're encouraged to talk to her.  She will be able to recognize our voices when she's on the outside. 

Also her face is fully formed!  Holy crap, I can't wait to see what she looks like.  I hope she has Ian's nose (as opposed to mine!), mine or Ian's eyes but Ian's good sight, my lips, Ian's butt/legs, Ian's normal everyday health (not my asthma or allergies), my dental good luck.  Sounds like funny requests!  Honestly, as long as she's happy and healthy, I don't care.  She is going to be the cutest little girl that has ever walked the planet to us no matter what.

Ian felt baby girl many times over the weekend and was impressed with how strong her kicks are.  We've also been noticing some sleep/awake patterns.  She's normally very active around 9-11am, 2:30pm she's wide awake, 6:30-8:30pm, and 10:30pm-12am.  Sometimes it varies a bit - but it seems like these are her big times to be moving around.  I have no idea what she's up to while I'm sleeping because thus far, her movements don't wake me or prevent me from falling to sleep going to bed, or each time I have to pee in the middle of the night either. 

Pretty soon I will grace you with a photo of my bare belly, but in the meantime here are a couple regular pictures.

I also have a post coming later so stay tuned!