24 Weeks!

Okay, this pregnancy thing is a little weird. For one thing, it seems to be flying by. I'm already 24 weeks. That right there just blows my mind. It seems like maybe two months ago I got my positive. But at the same time, it feels like forever since I last had a glass of wine or a beer. So maybe the only part of it that is going slowly is the drinking part. Although truth be told, I don't miss it NEAR as much as I thought I would. It actually hasn't been too bad. Plus, my dear husband is more than making up for me. He's so thoughtful, isn't he???

With only 16 weeks left (yes, 4 months) we have had to start buckling down and making some decisions. As I stated in my last post, we sold our boat (yay!) so decision #1 down. Decision #2 involved selling our house and moving into something a little larger with a pool on a larger lot. After spending about 3 months looking (and watching our search criteria slowly climb from $250K to $300K to $350K to $400K...) we finally found "the house". Lucky for us, it's the one we're already in. Yes, we're staying put. After looking at a million and one houses, both in person and online, we finally realized that 1) our house is actually a lot better than most of the ones we've been looking at that cost $100K+ more than our current house, and 2) we are in an awesome financial position right now and don't want to mess it up. The only debt we have is our (little) mortgage! And the reason we are in this position at the ripe old age of 29 is because we've made really good decisions with our money thus far, so we figured why start being stupid now? Needless to say, I am relieved! As much as I would like a bigger, better house, the one we're in is perfect for us at this stage in our lives. And I am more than thrilled to hunker down (as they say in The South) and begin to work on the nursery. Now that I actually have one to work on that is. Of course that leaves me with the decision of what exactly to do with it. I have zero ideas for colors or themes. I have a feeling I'm going to end up mish-mashing this together and hoping for the best. If anyone has any ideas, I would LOVE to hear them so send 'em on my way. I need all the help I can get!

Another big step we are taking is day care shopping! We had originally thought of getting a nanny for the first year or so, but after we realized that our ideas of what a nanny should be were completely different, we tossed that idea. The main difference was that I was picturing my nanny as the cute little grandmotherly type, Kevin was imagining his as more of the 18 year old, blond, Scandanavian chick with big ta-tas type. So day care it is! The wait list around here is about 6 months, so we need to get moving on it. I have a really good recommendation from a friend that we're going to check into first. Hopefully that's the one that pans out.

CHECKING IN - WEEK 24!

Due Date: November 12, 2010
Total weight gain/loss: Ugh, tack another couple of pounds on. I have no idea where it is all coming from. People keep telling me that there is no way I have an 18 pound baby inside me, although I beg to differ. And not helping the situation is that I wasn't thinking about my morning weigh-in last night when I agreed to go out for Mexican for dinner. Can you say salt overload? I went to bed last night with a full Liter of water on my night stand. When I woke up, it was pretty much gone. So I'm sure that had something to do with the extra couple of pounds, right?........right???
Next Appointment: August 5 - we decided to do the 4D ultrasound just for fun. That way we'll have some new pictures to take back home to Michigan for my shower that Saturday. Hopefully they turn out. They say the pictures should be taken between weeks 26-32, preferrably as close as possible to 32 weeks so that there's more fat and it looks like an actual baby. I'll be 26 weeks the day following the appointment. I have a feeling we'll be looking at an alien baby.

Maternity clothes?: I'm still in the same ones, although I may need to spring for an extra couple of work outfits. I'm getting tired of rotating the same 5 outfits. Some new shirts might be in my cards as well. Mine are starting to get a leeeetle short in the gut area.
Sleep: I seem to be sleeping decently, but I still have some days that I can hardly keep my eyes open. Yesterday was one of them. I ended up going to bed at 9 last night. It was heaven. I'm still waiting for this 2nd trimester energy that everyone talks about. Any day now would be lovely.
Best moment this week: Making the decision to stay in our house! I was so stressed about the thought of buying a house (and moreso of the moving and packing part) especially with the baby this close. By the time we found one, we'd be closing and moving in right around my due date. And of course I would have felt absolutely horrible sitting on the couch pointing to where each box goes instead of helping. Absolutely horrible......

Movement: Definitely getting stronger still. And he seems to be going from sun up to sun down instead of just a few times a day. I'm hoping that this isn't a sign of things to come.
Food cravings: Still none. But I'm really hoping to get some good ones soon. I mean, what fun is pregnancy if I don't even get to send Kevin out at 1 in the morning to get me food???

Planning/Preparations: Nursery time! I think we're going to start on it this weekend. We've decided to disassemble the workout room and put it there so it's next to the master bedroom. Less walking for Kevin when he has to get up for all of those 3 am feedings. I think we're going to move the treadmill and the free weights to the office, which will become the pseudo-workout room/office/bar (the final one is if Kevin has anything to say about it) but we'll see how it goes. We may end up having to put a second story on our house instead. (I'm kidding!!!)
Belly Button in or out: I think we're getting ready to pop. Since my belly is no longer flat(ish) and has taken on a much more rounded appearance, I finally had to take my belly button ring out on Monday. After having it for over 10 years and only catching it on things maybe 3 times total, I was at the point where I was catching it 5 times a day. And every time it caught it felt like someone was trying to tear my insides out. So out it went. As for my belly button, it's on it's way out as well. It looks like there is a bubble in it. It's still an innie for now, but I don't know how much longer that will last.

Stretch Marks: None!
Showing?: Yes, mom. I'm showing a LOT.

What I miss: Being able to see my feet.
What I am looking forward to: My showers! (Now that we are finally registered.) We are so incredibly blessed to have friends and family that want to throw them for me. I can't wait to see everyone in Michigan in a few weeks, then my friends here are throwing one for the Texas group! I can't wait!
Milestones: Registering at the hospital. Next up - deciding if we're going to take any classes.

24 week pictures:

If you want to see them compared to the other pictures, you're on your own. I'm not even going there....