23 Weeks

22 weeks, 5 days

• How far along?: twenty-three weeks 
• What's baby up to?: Watch what you say -- baby is now able to hear outside noise from down in the womb. Studies show that baby finds gentle music and your own voice most soothing. Nipples are starting to sprout, and that little face is fully formed. And, baby's starting to settle into sleep cycles, snoozing about 12 to 14 hours a day. It shouldn't be hard to figure out when -- just pay attention to those kicks as they start and stop.
• Weight Gain: I have gained seven pounds total; as of my last appointment
• Symptoms: baby bump; back pain 
• How big is baby?: about the size of a papaya (about 10.5 to 11.8 inches) 
• Sex: boy! 
• Maternity clothes?: yes 
• Stretch marks?: nope, and I’m working to avoid them, even though I know there is no way to avoid them if I am meant to have them 
• Sleep?: not so good anymore; I am having trouble getting comfortable, and still gotta go potty at least twice a night now-a-days 
• Best moment this week?: shopping for baby clothes
• Movement?: yes, though recently instead of kicking to try to make me move my hand, he has been moving to avoid my hand. smart baby.
• Food cravings?: none 
• Labor signs?: n/a 
• Belly button in or out?: out; it pokes out enough that you can see it through my shirt, if I’m wearing something that fits closely 
• What I miss: sitting for extended periods without pain 
• What I'm looking forward to: setting up the crib - still