Snap, Crackle, POP!

Well, it happened. My tummy has finally popped! It is bittersweet because I was actually liking the fact that I wasn't showing until now which has truly been a treat. But of course, I knew it was coming. We will be 23 weeks tomorrow so I guess I should be thankful. I have been wearing maternity clothes for the most part but luckily I have been off of work for awhile with the holidays so I have been enjoying the lounging clothes instead. It is going to be hard to get back into business attire next week for sure! I am a bit nervous now that I am officially showing of what reactions will be from people when they start asking questions. Of course all of our friends and family know, but I am thinking of people I know from my industry that I only see periodically or people that are casual friends at the gym. I just really don't feel like going into a long explanation to justify my decision here every time someone asks me "Oh, when are you due?" Let's just hope people will have a positive and supportive reaction so I don't feel like a freak show.

The little guy is kicking, flipping and moving like crazy! He is very active throughout the day, but still mostly at night between 8-10pm. The kicks were even strong enough last week for Al to feel a bunch of them from the outside. Hopefully R will be able to feel some too at our appointment on Monday morning (although I think that is usually baby sleepy time so not sure if it will happen.) We are also scheduled for another ultrasound to get better pictures of the heart since he was moving too much last time. Then of course is just the usual 4 week check up and weigh in. This one will be a doozie I am sure considering I have been binging on sweets for the past 4 weeks!

I feel good for the most part but unfortunately have been having a lot of bad stomach aches lately (similar to the first trimester) and then to top it off I am starting to get really tired. I never had that pregnancy exhaustion in the first trimester this time but boy am I am making up for it now. I pretty much need an hour nap every day lately which is obviously not going to work when I go back to the office next week! My other problem with the nasty varicose vein has actually gotten worse if you can believe that! It is spreading and just plain disgusting! I can't wait to ask the dr. about that on Monday.

Well here it is, my first official belly shot which was taken on xmas day. I hope my husband is not too freaked out watching me get bigger daily. It is so different this time of course because before, we could both justify it as me carrying our child. But now, I am carrying for someone else and I think the weight gain is a lot harder to accept for both of us. Of course he hasn't complained yet about it but I do feel more self concious this time around for sure.

More updates to come after next week's appointment.