24 Weeks

Dear Farrah,


You are growing, I am growing.  And something amazing has really developed this week.  Your daddy and I can FEEL you!  You are bigger and stronger now.  I used to feel a "thumping" and I thought that as I felt you more and more, it would just be a stronger or bigger "thump."  Instead, it's completely different.  You're in a particular spot and you push out, just as if we would push in and poke you!  And you move again, and again, and again in the same spot.  And then sometimes you move and we can follow your movements.  It's amazing.  I decided the other day that during this pregnancy, feeling you is the next best thing to seeing you in the ultrasounds.


Then I realized I can see you now, too.  I see you in the beautiful, perfectly round belly I carry with me.  I can look at my belly when you are moving, and I can see you moving.  It's beautiful to me.  You're so beautiful to me.


This week I keep feeling like my body is trying to fight off a cold/sickness.  I would love to have a nap each morning around 10:00, and I like snacks every couple of hours.


Cravings: Chocolate milk, brownies, chocolate cake.


Aversions: None.


Symptoms: Raised body temperature (I'm always warm and kicking off blankets and keeping the heat turned lower than what's normal for me), back aches (lumbar support is a necessity), trouble sleeping, occasional heartburn.


Mood: My mood is much more stable this week.


Missing: Being limber, flexible, and able to move more easily.


Excited for: My doctor's appointment next week.


Body changes: I can still fit in some jeans, although I obviously can't button them, at all, but I wear them with a belly band.  I don't have any stretch marks, and my belly button is still an "innie," and can stay that way if it is up to me.


Sleep: My sleeping experience isn't the best.  I usually wake up to pee a couple times each night.  Luckily my side of the bed is directly next to our bathroom.  I can't roll over and cuddle with Keane like I used to do, and I wake up often with insomnia.  "Why am I not tired right now when I know I will not want to get up in a couple hours?!"


Movement: Oh, she's moving and I love it!  I was beginning to question how I would be able to go the next four months anxiously awaiting her arrival, but now I know.  It's like she went from little thumps to big movement! Pretty much anytime I want to feel her, I can.  And so can Daddy!  It's my favorite when I can feel her move from one spot to another.