The Bump Update- 23 Weeks

These updates are running about a week behind but, alas, so am I.  The bump pictured here is 23 weeks.

My care is about the same, going less frequently for IV fluids is causing my blood pressure to dip quite a bit.  I normally carry very low blood pressure even while not pregnant but lately it's been hovering around 70/45. Not much can be done about this, it's certainly a better problem to have than high blood pressure so I'm not complaining.  I've upped the sodium in my diet and I'm trying to stay fairly active for as long as my hips permit.  Aside from the "floating" spots occasionally in my vision, the biggest hurdle has been fighting the energy slumps it can cause.  I have a midwife appointment this Friday and I have a feeling coming back in for more frequent IV therapy may be brought up in order to counter the low blood pressure symptoms, so we'll see.  Otherwise, I'm carrying the same as I did with Isabelle, basketball style which later turns into beach ball style!  My belly button is barely there.  When I was pregnant with Isabelle I had a co worker who called it my "headlight" so once it finally pops it's pretty apparent to everyone.  This pregnancy is varying from Isabelle's in that Fiona is head up still so a lot of her big movements are very low and sometimes can't be felt on the outside because they are happening in my pelvis.

My other growing baby toddler *sniffle* has officially graduated to 4t sized clothing.  Isabelle and I spent an entire day this week cleaning out her dresser drawers and closet of all the 2t clothing to make room for the brand new 4t wardrobe taking it's place.  What can I say, we grow 'em big!  We take her to the local kid's castle and I understand the fear other parent's have letting their small 2 year old play with our very sturdy 2 year old.  Bless her heart, she wants playmates but her size leaves other parents afraid she'll mow their kids over (never intentionally).  Thankfully my best friend has a son 3 weeks younger than Isabelle but he's also a rather large 2 year old and built even more hardy than our girl, so those play dates are perfect.

Daddy has been working so hard on the house trying to finish up some projects before our "true" winter hits and Fiona arrives.  The downstairs is almost done and looks like it belongs to a completely different house.  The girl's bedrooms are also getting makeovers and the goal this weekend is to make a dent there.  My next post will probably be the grand update on all of these household changes. Stay tuned.

Our Weekend Together: Pumpkin Patches and Street Fairs

Fiona had a cozy wiggly weekend, we did lots of walking and I felt quiet a few flips (which is great because she was head up at our last ultrasound). 22 weeks and 5 days in this picture.

October is a time of pumpkin picking, decorating, and street fairs!  My personal favorite being the street fairs.  It felt a bit odd this year not having a booth but it was so nice to just stroll and actually shop.  The weather today was divine, 72 degrees and breezy. (Made all of the walking waddling a lot more enjoyable).  Tomorrow we'll be enjoying yet another craft fair, weather permitting.

Baby punkins were her favorite.  Anything "baby" seems to be the winning ticket these days.

We have been renovating in an attempt to get some projects done before winter and Fiona's arrival.  And if you're not familiar with renovating your home, when you start working on one room the construction mess trickles into other areas of the house.  We are currently at a stand still as we wait for new window treatments to arrive and to finish all of the trim work painting.  Because of the halted status of the house we are definitely making an effort to escape the chaos.

Wishing you a blessed weekend with loved ones!

Holy Moly It's October! [20 and 21 weeks]

It's really hitting home today, we woke up and the house is still dark and any trace of early summer mornings are gone.  The windows in this old house are allowing the damp fall air to radiate through the glass, it's raining and cold outside.  I'm extremely sore but Isabelle is up and ready to get started on breakfast.  We shuffle downstairs.  Daddy remembered to start the heat before he left for work this morning and it instantly feels toasty when we round the corner, I send him a mental thank you.  Isabelle asks for oatmeal and in the kitchen she notices the floor is cool to her feet.  I see a can of pumpkin and I'm already pulling the ingredients from the cupboards to make pumpkin pie.  After I wake up a little bit this will be a fun project for us.  I pour my large morning glass of cold milk (I've never liked coffee), grab her now warm bowl of oatmeal and she's racing me to the couch.  We sit together and she asks for "covers" and snuggles in close to eat.

Well, hello October.  It's fall.  And as this always growing toddler reminds me daily, time isn't slowing down for us.  The nudging girl in my belly is growing at what seems like a quick pace as well.  Yesterday marked 22 weeks and it really is just rolling along.

20 weeks

21 weeks

The status of my care and symptoms for HG are the same but an old nemesis has decided to rear it's ugly head a little earlier for this pregnancy: SPD. (Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction).  Basically my pelvic joints separate and it's horribly painful.  Some poor women are bed or chair bound by this, luckily for me I just can't raise my own legs past a certain point.  With Isabelle I didn't start to have symptoms until I was closer to the third trimester, but as with most things in subsequent pregnancies, things happen a little sooner.  My pregnancy waddle depends on how my hips are feeling that day but my movements these days definitely resemble those of a penguin.  A sleep aid has been added to the regimen, and as with Isabelle, I'm doing all I can to avoid pain medication.  I've already ordered a hip support belt and I'm hoping it works wonders (I just figure if I can avoid all things caffeine, etc. it's odd to muck it up with pain pills).

Isabelle is talking to her baby sister and at night time she's added Fiona into her bed time prayers.  She's very enthusiastic about her arrival and we are really trying to nurture that.  This little growing family of ours is really starting to take hold in all of our hearts. <3