23 weeks - 6 month mark!

How far along? 23 weeks! Since pregnancy is not exactly 9 months long, pregnancy months start at odd times. Today is the 6 month mark! Can you believe that? It seems like it is going by way too fast.


Total weight gain/loss: Clearly my scale at home is not working. I had my OB appointment today and I've gained 18 pounds. That's 9 pounds this month! She wasn't too pleased, since gaining 9 pounds a month is not a good pattern to start. No more second dinners for me... But I am only 5 pounds over her target weight for me this week, so I am doing relatively well!


Maternity clothes? As you can see in the picture above, one of my last "fake maternity" shirts is starting to get pretty tight. It's cute though, so I am going to keep wearing it as long as possible :)


Stretch marks? They are definitely starting to creep around from the back of my hips towards the front. Eek! I saw a picture recently where the woman was showing of her stretch marks and referring to them as "earning her tiger stripes". I don't know about tiger stripes, but I guess it's a good way to think about it!


Sleep: I've been sleeping a lot lately - I think Henry must be going through a growth spurt because I am much hungrier and exhausted than I was last week.


Best moment this week: Ben felt Henry kicking this week! It was awesome to see the look on his face when he knew that's what he was feeling. So adorable.


Movement: I guess I thought the kicking would come slowly, but he has just been going to town this week. I can especially feel him in the evening when I put my feet up and when I wake up late at night. Sadly, he would not wake up and move this afternoon for the sonogram, so we have no new cute pictures of him.


Food cravings: Carbs carbs carbs. I guess I know where that 9 lbs came from...


Gender: He was proudly showing off his manhood for the ultrasound today, even though he wouldn't show his face. :)


Labor Signs: I actually had what may have been some Braxton Hicks contractions this week. That's not labor by any means, but it kind of freaked me out at first. It's nice to be able to have Ben around in those situations - he expects these things to happen and he knows they are nothing to worry about. It's very reassuring.


Belly Button in or out? I think it looks more in than it did before - maybe it won't come out at all!


Wedding rings on or off? Off


What I miss: Sleeping on my back.


What I am looking forward to: Today the ultrasound showed his kidneys are still dilated, even more than last month, so I have to go see a specialist, who will do a detailed scan and make a determination on what, if anything, needs to be done. It's making me anxious, even though it's probably nothing to worry about. So I hope I can get in to see him soon. I am looking forward to seeing what he has to say, and reviewing whether anything out of the ordinary needs to take place for the rest of the pregnancy.

Weekly Wisdom: Some people told me that we shouldn't call the baby by his name until after he is born - but I am glad we refer to him as Henry. It makes me feel even more connected than before. I can't wait to meet him!


Milestones: I seriously cannot believe we are already 6 months along. He'll be here before we know it!