23 weeks - Start of Month 6

This week was so action packed - if I didn't schedule some much needed naps in there, I don't know that I would have made it through in one piece!

My little darling is kicking constantly now, several times a day - all of which are straight downward into my pelvis, - which I'm not sure that says about our little one's position, but I look forward to the day I see that adorable little foot slide across my tummy and really make it's presence known!  She's still not kicking enough to disturb my sleep or anything - so I'm not complaining!

The Heat wave that hit Edmonton is particularily uncomfortable for me these days - especially since I'm chugging cold water like it's going out of style - which means my already compressed bladder is working in over drive - I swear I should just sit in the bathroom and drink my water there just so I don't have to waddle back and forth every 10 minutes!  I also discovered that all of my summer dresses are made of ployester - whoever thought summer dresses should be made of this horrible fabic in the first place should be shot - but I also deserve a good swift kick for buying so many of these items as well!  I own one cotton dress - and it's a wrap dress that I'm not confident covers enough of my bum with my new larger than life belly, so I'm pretty self conscious about wearing that one these days.  Luckily I did invest in a couple pairs of maternity shorts, and they have been a godsend so far!

As you can see - there is a little more belly these days!  (Not bigger around, but I feel like it's bigger in general - it gets very round very high up now) - so I feel like I'm quite a bit bigger- especially since I'm starting to feel the pressure on my innards now!

But so far so good - I really have no complaints to make.  I still love being pregnant, and I still very much love my belly, even though it's starting to make reaching my feet a bit more of a issue now...  I would like to direct your attention to Exibit A - Ben is such a darling, he helped me clean the old nail polish off my toes just before a wedding last week because I couldn't reach any more!  (well I can still reach, just not for any period of time, and I end up gasping and grunting the whole time I'm leaning over)

And I'm trying to make the best of this heat...  And by heat I mean....

So naturally - pregnant or not - I'm not wearing a shirt to cut the grass outside - and the neighbours who don't like it, don't have to look!

Oh, and just for amusements sake - here's a dark grainy cell phone picture of how I usually find my little Lump first thing in the morning... As you can see, there's a reason I call her Lump:

Anyway - here's the recap!

How far along? 23 Weeks

Total weight gain: 12 Pounds  - Climbing every week now!
Inches gained in the waist: 6 1/2"   - holding steady! 

Maternity clothes? Yes!!

Stretch marks?  None that I can see anywhere!

Sleep:  Not great these days – the summer heat has us sleeping in the basement, which means Ben and I are sharing a Queen with my big Body Pillow, - and I find I just don’t have the same room to roll around and adjust that I do in the king – so I think tonight it’s back in the upstairs bed! 

Best moment this week: I got to see a few old friends and family who all took turns rubbing my belly and congratulating me! 

Miss Anything?   My usual walking speed – these days I’m definitely waddling, and my lungs seem to be feeling a bit of pressure lately as I find I’m out of breath very easily when Ben and I go for walks now. 
Movement:  Yes!!  Constant little kicks now!  It’s so great to feel! 

Food cravings: It’s probably the heat wave Edmonton is facing, but I haven’t really felt like eating much lately.  I still find that my “stuffed” feeling passes quickly, but I’m just not in the mood to eat.  …. Too hot! 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not really no

Gender: GIRL!     

Labor Signs: Too early! 

Symptoms:  I’m peeing like a pregnant woman…  And I find I’m grunting a lot more when I try to roll over in bed – as well I discovered on the weekend that I have no concept of my actual size – which was evident by my thinking that I could slide behind someone’s chair, and getting stuck – or having to go on my tippy toes just to slide my belly past someone. 

Belly Button in or out? Still in, but I’m checking it daily (Ashton has request immediate notification when it “pops”)
Wedding rings on or off? Off, but I'm still wearing my "replacement ring" which is my old junior high ring from my parents.

Happy or Moody most of the time:  Very Happy!

Looking forward to:  Seeing my little one again!  (and seeing her a little chubbier!) And right now it’s looking like I’ll have another Ultrasound mid August.