24 weeks

Here we are. Another week, another update. And I realize we’re fast approaching the third and final trimester. Um, yikes.

• How far along?  24 weeks
• Total weight gain:  Well, last week at my appointment my doctor basically told me I’ve already gained too much weight. Awesome. I’m not sure why, either. I’m eating way less than I did in that nauseating first trimester, I’m actually exercising regularly, my clothes are fitting fine (one of my pairs of maternity jeans still falls off), and I honestly don’t think I look like I’ve gained 28 pounds. Ugh, there, I said it. 28 pounds so far. What?!? Holy shit. I only gained 33 with Della and 36 with Lana. Am I on track to gain like 50 with this one? I sure hope not. My doctor did even say she has no idea where I’m putting it because I don’t look like I’ve gained that much, so that’s good, right? I have no idea. I can’t exactly go on a diet right now, so I’m not really sure what to do about it. My doctor said the actual poundage isn’t what she’s worried about since it’s not an unhealthy amount and it all comes off at the same rate in the end, but she doesn’t want me to be too uncomfortable later. So I guess I have to aim to gain only 5 pounds in the next what, 3+ months? Eesh. The only thing I can think of is that this time I started almost 10 pounds lighter than with Della and 5 pounds lighter than with Lana, so maybe it’s just catch-up? Can you tell I’m grasping at straws here?
• Maternity clothes?  Pants, yes, and just a couple maternity tops. One good thing about being pregnant in winter is since it’s cold, I can cover up in all my sweatshirts and sweaters and not worry about finding shirts to fit.
• Stretch marks?  Nope, not yet. And the third time around better not be when those suckers rear their ugly heads, either.
• Sleep:  So far pretty good.
• Best moment this week:  Certainly not hearing that I’m too fat. But definitely almost finishing this mammoth diaper bag project that I expected to take literally months.
• Miss anything?  Nothing right now really. However, I could really go for a Guinness or glass of wine every now and then. Which I know I can have, I just haven’t yet.
• Movement:  Yes, since 1 day before week 15. That’s the earliest of all 3 – D was 20 weeks and L was around 16 weeks.
• Cravings:  Not right now.
• Aversions:  Now that the first trimester is over, again, not really anything. Those first couple weeks, though, wow – life in general was an aversion of mine. Scents are still stronger than normal, but nothing like when I was pregnant with D and my entire sense of smell got turned upside down.
• Gender:  Did not find out. I’m still sure it’s a boy.
• Labor signs:  Zero.
• Symptoms:  A little heartburn here and there, abdominal pressure (confirmed normal with the doc since everything is trying to bust out through my abs), my hair is definitely shedding less and less when I brush it, more aches and pains in my pelvic and hip joints, and my back hurts often. Guess it’s all that weight.
• Belly button in or out?  Starting to go out on one side, so I’m sure it will go the full monty again since it did with Lana. This is exactly how it started with her.
• Wedding rings on or off?  On.
• Looking forward to:  Finishing this diaper bag.

Ok, so here’s the latest comparison. Do I really look huge? I’m for sure bigger than with Lana (middle), but am I considerably bigger than with Della and I just can’t see it? Help me out here, people. I’m at a loss. But at least I gave you a smile this week.