22 Weeks - and we have GENDER!!!

That's a papya up there in case you didn't know (I didn't).

TOTAL WEIGHT GAIN: Had MD visit today...20 lbs. compared to pre-pregnancy (ouch), but OB is happy with weight gain, but he did note I was a bit ahead of the curb and to watch my carb intake (which also hurt since I'm loving the carbs right now...time to put some limits and abstain a bit!)


MOVEMENT: The butterfly flutters/muscle twitches have moved into full on bat flutters.  Getting stronger and more consistent every day.

CRAVINGS: Hit the broccoli craving again and it's now combined with carrots...I'm happy that they seem to be sticking with fruit and veggies in the last couple of weeks.

SYMPTOMS: All the usual suspects: emotional ups and downs, feet swelling (although it's been a lot less due to the consistency with elevating my feet), I feel hot/stuff ALL the time (no matter how chilly it is), some mild insomnia (I woke up at 12AM last night and couldn't go back to sleep until 3AM!), feet still MIA, wedding & engagement ring still MIA, crazy dreams (the last one had to deal with spider - NOT a favorite of mine), yucky heartburn (I've been trying to stay away from culprit foods, but it's been difficult), aversion to anything spicy (which for those of you who REALLY know me, you know hell must have now frozen over!).  The itching of the Double D's and the belly have subsided somewhat (maybe Cookie was going through a growth spurt?).  Now for some gross stuff (as you know, I'm not shy)...first bout of constipation...and let me tell you for those of you who have not experienced pregnancy and constipation - it sucked!  Also my uterus is sore (I guess from all the growing).  No one told me about that one and I had to ask my pregnant girlfriend (she's 12 weeks with her second) if something was wrong or if this was normal.  It's strange feeling - it's like that feeling when you sit in one position too long and then get up to move and it's like "oh!"

BELLY BUTTON: Still an innie, but I looked at it this morning and it has this discolored ring around it now...I think it's stretching out, I can almost see the bottom whole of my belly button ring (that I no longer wear, but the whole is still there - whoever said they're not permanent was a LIAR!). 

PREPARATIONS: Ceiling is painted, ceiling fan purchased, all birds are completed.  I didn't get a chance to work on my painting this weekend.  I got adventurous and took a very long walk in our neighborhood while Nick was working on the yard.  It was a little hot that day and I shouldn't have done it.  I came home overheated and slept the rest of the day until dinnertime.  The next day was spent working on getting supplies to paint the ceiling and a debate over what color the nursery should be (I think we're going to stick with the navy carpet because it's there and it will be easier to just keep it that way).

MILESTONES: We have a gender!!!  Welcome to Bambina Muscolino (below)...Nick was right, it's a girl!  We are beyond excited!!!  It's strange to know what she is...it makes her a very real person to us now and calling her "she" has been a strange adjustment (shout out to Aaron our US tech who spent an hour with us to get the gender - this is after he got the shots he needed).

Nick felt movement!!!  This is probably the best thing that's happened so far, I've waited so long for him to be able to feel her.  It was Saturday morning.  I loved the look of wonderment in his eyes.  He hasn't felt it again, Cookie was a little quiet on Sunday, but he keeps asking if she's moving and if he can feel her.

WEEKLY WISDOM: Make sure you do as many things with your significant other as possible and spend as much time with your friends.  We're not parents yet, but we've been told SEVERAL times how much our lives will change.  A thought hit me the other day, Nick and I will never be just Nick and I ever again once this baby comes.  It will change our relationship so cherish the alone time you have left.

And here she is...Bambina Muscolino.  I think she's pretty cute, but I admit I may be biased!