22 Weeks

This pregnancy is going by quickly. I can’t believe we’re already past the halfway point. I feel like I’ve just been floating along, trying to absorb the idea of being a mother while simultaneously figuring out how to work with a body that no longer seems to be mine.

I know a lot of you have been asking for belly pictures, but if we’re being truthful, I’m not very good at keeping track. Weeks fly without updates because all I want to do is lay on the couch. Taking a picture? Not exactly the best self-esteem booster when dealing with puffiness. But don’t worry. It should get better. I have a plan.

I’m going to steal an idea from my blogger friend, Holly. All through her pregnancy, she kept us updated through answering a static list of questions and posting a picture of her baby bump. So I’m taking her list of questions (changing a few) and I’ll do my best to answer them each week or two. (Thanks, Holly!)

Does that sound okay?

Why don’t we get started right now:

How far along are you?

22 weeks 4 days.

How much weight have you gained?

15 pounds. (25 if you count the 10 I lost at the beginning)

How big is baby?

A whole pound this week! About 10 inches (the size of a spaghetti squash)

How are you feeling?

Mostly fine if I eat every hour and a half. And take my anti-puke pill. As soon as I skip just one measly little pill, I throw up. Still. The bigger problem right now is self-image. I’m not used to seeing the scale where it is, and although I know it’s good weight and a normal puffiness, I still don’t like seeing everything get a little rounder. Plus I’m puffy in my knees. And that’s just wrong.

Are you sleeping?

Fairly well, actually. I’m waking up about 3-4 times because my daughter likes to punch me in the bladder, but other than that, I sleep like a rock.

What are your current cravings/aversions?

You’ll be happy to know, I’m over the artificial cheese funk of last month. Now I’m mostly craving steak and anything sweet I can shovel into my mouth. I’m in love with this local bakery called Hokulani and their wonderfully butter-filled cupcakes. Also, I can’t seem to get enough of sugar cookies or cream cheese frosting. I don’t know what’s up with the sugar overload lately.

What’s new in the nursery?

We just received a couple packages in the mail filled with sweet little things for Teadora—receiving blankets and soft little washcloths, plus a healthy assortment of books from her Honey and Papa (my mom and dad). We also just recovered her borrowed car seat with brand new material. It looks pretty awesome.

What are you thinking about this week?

Birth plans. I know it’s a titch early, but I’m wondering what I’ll actually want on the big day. How should I know? I’ve never done this before. Do I want a squatting bar? A jacuzzi tub? Do I want to eat? Who do I want in the room? Do I want to walk around? No idea. And I haven’t even started thinking about things like her shots. I need to research. Talk to people. And you mothers out there—what do you recommend?

What are you missing?

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I actually miss bacon. (Not sure I ever really ate bacon before I was pregnant, but now that I can’t, I want it.) And legs that don’t look blubbery.

What are you looking forward to?

Sleeping without sweating. Drinking more than one caffeinated soda per day. Cuddling Tea in the crook of my neck.

Random question: What do you think she’ll look like?

Mostly Brandon. She’ll probably have dark curly hair and dark eyebrows and long eyelashes—just like him. I think she might have my nose. And probably my Swedish legs and forehead. I’m hoping she looks more like him than me.