22 Weeks, 4 days. April 15

This week, our baby seems quite large considering that baby is now approximately as big as a spaghetti squash, and weighs about a pound. She is now about 11 inches in length!
I dont feel much bigger this week, and I dont feel the baby  often. I notice and feel the baby a few times a day, often in the morning or at night when Im resting and lying down. A few times I have been able to feel the baby externally, with my hand on my belly. Dennis is a bit weirded out by a little human being inside of me, and isnt interested in touching my belly. I hope that he will want to, and that he warms up to this. 

I feel great, I think that I have more energy. 

My breasts have grown bigger, yet again and Ive had to go and purchase D size. Ugh! I hope that they shrink after breast feeding. Hardly a complaint though :) 

So far in my pregnancy I have gained approximately 15 lbs which is perfectly normal and on track for where I "should" be. The number on the scale scares me a little bit, but I feel great, and healthy. 

 I still dont have any cravings, my diet is pretty much the same as it was prior to being pregnant. I have an additional snack during the day to curb my hunger. Surprisingly I have a bit of an aversion to red meat, which is odd because I have an iron deficiency and it would be a source of iron. However, Im not interested in the taste of red meat. 

I have been having night sweats occasionally, which is common; based on the crazy hormone changes. 

I have noticed my linea de negra developing this week. Can you see it (in the picture below)? The picture doesnt chapture it well and it's still subtle but Im excited to have it. 

Our nursery is feeling more prepared, however, we still dont have our crib, or our chair. The crib should be here within the next 2 weeks. This week I received a painting that I ordered for the nursery, from Etsy. Im pleased with it; we will hang it once the crib arrives. Dennis thinks it's "lovely", Im pleased that Daddy approves. See the pictures below. 

We have so many clothes for the baby girl, already. Our closet, and dresser are packed full; as well, we have 4 large tupperware bins of 6-12 month clothes in the basement (please dont buy us clothes prior to 18 months). 

We had our midwife appointment yesterday, April 13.  Unfortunately the appointment was rescheduled for the morning due to lots of babies being born. Dennis was disappointed, he was unable to come due to work. I saw a new midwife, Kelsey she is on my team of midwives. She was lovely! She had been working all night and delivered a baby that morning. We talked about the placenta previa, she is hopeful but it will move but if it doesn't we discussed options about having to get an OB/GYN involved sooner than later so that they are a part of the team. She mentioned that the most important thing is for us to be informed and a part of the decision making process all the way. I like that she said that, and very much agree in all areas of health care, this is key. She provided me with paperwork for gestational diabetes lab work and blood tests; I will have both of those done at the beginning of May, around 25 weeks. She measured my belly, for the first time which was cool. They measure from the top of the pubic bone to the top of the uterus, above my belly button. I am measuring at 24 weeks. The centimeters correlate with how many weeks you are pregnant, fascinating. Like my family, we might be growing a big baby! The midwife check the baby's heartbeat with the Doppler. It was so loud and evident immediately. She has a strong heartbeat at 140 bpm. It is normal for the babies heartbeats to slow down later in pregnancy. She has always been between 150 to 160 bpm.  My blood pressure, and weight are normal and right on track!

We start our prenatal classes the beginning of May. The midwife thinks it's a perfect time for us to start the classes. Dad's often don't know what to do or how to be involved so it helps them, and earlier and pregnancy is helpful for partnership and collaboration.

My wonderful girlfriends Alli, and Steph are planning a co-ed casual BBQ Babyshower for us September 19th, so mark your calendars :)
We will likely have a separate family baby shower at Aunty Bobby's house, and a separate BBQ with friends. 

Our baby registry is at: http://babyli.st/brandi-and-dennis. 

I am so grateful, and in love with my pregnancy! This pregnancy is such a blessing, and a dream come true. 

Thanks for following along. 

 Go flames, Go! 

xo

I have noticed my linea de negra developing this week. Can you see it? The picture doesnt capture it well and it's still subtle but Im excited to have it.