23w

How far along? Photo is from 22w6d, today is 23w2d

Stretch marks? None (yet...)

Sleep: Still struggling to become a side sleeper. I usually fall asleep on my side and wake up on my back but I've really been fighting to stay off of my back. I am now using a grand total of 4 pillows--two under my head to combat reflux, on between my legs and one that I either hug or put behind my back. I will probably be adding another very soon for constant back support.

Best moment this week: Feeling/watching/loving her kicking. It's much more consistent, it makes me feel like I'm starting to get to know her a little. She always gives me 3 good kicks right before bed.

Movement: I think I've felt her roll over too. It's interesting that the kicks don't "come out of nowhere" anymore--I can usually feel some pressure from wherever she is and then I know that kicks are soon to follow.

Food cravings: I had too much chocolate this week. I bought a bag from work in May that lasted me the whole month. I think the same bag only lasted me a week this time. No more chocolate purchasing for me! Oh and I'm having a love affair with carrots. Maybe these two cancel each other out? ;-)

Food aversions: None that I can think of.

Labor Signs: None

Belly Button in or out? In, but I think it's gotten a wee bit more shallow.

What I miss: Alcohol. I was at a wedding this weekend and I hate to sound like I need to check myself into Betty Ford, but I just can't get motivated to dance without a drink. I did buy myself some n/a white wine to enjoy on a few summer nights. It's okay--still not quite dry enough for my tastes.

What I am looking forward to: Getting everything ready for a happy, healthy arrival. I'm finally starting to believe that it's really going to happen so nesting has kicked in full-force.

Weekly Wisdom: I don't really have any, but what I do have is an overwhelming urge to slap people for being ungrateful for the blessings they have in their lives and only speak about things in the negative.

And why does everyone only want to mention the awful things about having children and all of those "just you want!" condescending remarks. I'm aware that sometimes you may want to run away or sell off your children--but clearly I've signed up for this (twice) and am looking forward to it. Why urinate in the Cheerios, pray tell?

And if I can go 3 deep on this topic, I'm also confused when people try to complain about pregnancy FOR me. Like they talk about how hot I must be or how I must be so tired, etc. Then I'm like--Nah, I'm fine and they just keep going like they know better. I mean, some people have difficult uncomfortable pregnancies--I get that. But so far, I'm not one of them.

Weekly WTF: So last week DH and I were talking about J.Lo and how she's trying to look all hot and saucy in her skin tight clothes. He made some comment that celebrities should give up the sexpot thing when they become parents because they are someone's mother... And I was like--Wait, are you saying moms can't be sexy? He tried to backpedal, talking about how their bodies change, etc. Backpedal FAIL. I started crying and he was confused. If a celebrity can't be a sexpot, what kind of hope does that give me? We sort of agreed to drop the topic, but it just brought out my fears on having to sacrifice certain parts of my body for a baby. I understand it's part of the tradeoff, but it's not easy.

Nesting madness: Started working on house projects. We have a lot to do in the baby's room, but we're on hold with some electricians. In the meantime, we agreed to tackle a few outside jobs and our porch. The floor of the porch needs to be repainted and some repairs to termite damage we had last year.

DH spent Sunday scraping the paint and I did some spackling, painting of our mailbox, lamp post, and new house numbers, as well as scraping our front steps and side door to prep them for a new coat of paint. DH has forbidden me from painting (*whines* even with no VOC paint and in well ventilated area, even though I've done it before!) so these projects are probably going to take longer than they normally would. I hope he gives in on the paint thing soon--I have a burning desire to wield a roller!

Milestones: This morning I realized that I'm quickly creeping up on 3rd tri--I honestly never thought I'd be here. I tried to believe it, but it never really sunk in. Lately things have been feeling more real.