25 Weeks

How far along: 25 weeks

Total weight gain: 18.5 lbs...

Maternity clothes: Oh yeah- and I'm pretty much completely out of my "regular" clothes now

Sleep: Much better than the last couple of weeks, but still could be better...

Best moment this week: This was a really good week- Mitchell's birthday was on Friday, so we went out to dinner with Jacob and Sara and their two kids and Erin. We also had a huge shopping spree this weekend (not sure if that's a "good" thing), and picked up our really comfy glider/recliner, ordered the car seat (had to get it online because Mitchell said Madison HAD to have the pink one), got some new outfits, and got a microwave sterilizer to go with the breastpump. We also ordered a custom-finished bookcase so we can try to match the stain with the rest of the furniture in the nursery. It's all starting to come together!
Movement: Yes- lots.

Gender: Girl! (Madison Elizabeth)

Labor signs: None

Belly button: Starting to stretch out and get flat- not cute

Cravings: Not too much... still loving Salsarita's veggie nachos (had those again this weekend!)

What I miss: Having control over my emotions... I seem to get upset lately for no reason at all

Stretch marks: None that I have noticed…

What I am looking forward to this week: Our two year anniversary is today! We get to celebrate on Friday when we leave for Charleston for the weekend. We got some good restaurant recommendations that we can try out too. I'm also really looking forward to the end of this week because it is the last week of classes at school! After Friday I have a long weekend for Memorial Day, then two half days for finals, graduation ceremony on Thursday, and I'm done for the summer!!

24 Weeks

How far along: 24 weeks

Total weight gain: 18 lbs... and I blame it all on the cupcakes from the baby shower!

Maternity clothes: Yup- and I just got some new ones from Mom. I also got a bathing suit so I can spend some time at the pool at Mitchell's apartment this summer!

Sleep: I think I've been sleeping ok, but I have been REALLY tired this last week. It's probably just stress from the end of the school year...

Best moment this week: Hmm... this wasn't a great week... I guess the best part was the relaxing weekend with Mitchell, brunch at Highland Lake Inn with Mitchell, Mom, Dad, Mo and Reggie, and finishing cleaning out Madison's closet and getting it organized. Oh yeah, getting the mattress from Mom and Dad was a high point too- it's nice to have the crib finished (just waiting on the "puddle pad").

Movement: Oh yeah! I think she's a big fan of fruit... she kicks a lot after I eat fruit or drink a smoothie.

Gender: Girl! (Madison Elizabeth)

Labor signs: None

Belly button: My belly button is looking WEIRD. It's at this strange in-between stage where it's still in, but looking kinda stretched and getting flat.

Cravings: Those darn cupcakes from the shower... why did I ever let them send me home with all those extra cupcakes??!!

What I miss: Still missing coffee- especially with how tired I have been this last week.

Stretch marks: None that I have noticed…

What I am looking forward to this week: Starting to plan our anniversary weekend in Charleston... it'll be our mini "babymoon" - haha

23 Weeks Picture and Ultrasounds

23 Weeks

Missed the last couple of weeks- whoops! Updates: We had another ultrasound at the doctor's office (she confirmed that it's a girl!), but we were sent to a specialist to check on a few things they saw. Everything turned out fine. My stomach continues to get bigger and bigger. Two of my friends from school are throwing a baby shower for me, so all of the teachers at school now officially know I'm pregnant if they didn't already. School has been extremely stressful the past couple of weeks, and I'm sure all of the extra pregnancy hormones are not helping matters, but I only have 16 class days left until summer break!!

How far along: 23 weeks

Total weight gain: 14 lbs - 16 lbs depending on when I weigh myself :)

Maternity clothes: I haven't been too happy with the selections, so I've started wearing a lot of skirts and dresses that I can still fit into. I do really like the maternity jeans I got though!

Sleep: Haven't been sleeping that well lately. I have some CRAZY dreams, and I tend to get really bad heartburn right at bed time too.

Best moment this week: Going to the specialist for a detailed ultrasound and finding out that everything is OK! (At the last ultrasound we found out that the baby has a couple of cysts in her brain and some calcification in her heart, but we were told that this is fairly normal, and that everything looks fine.)

Movement: Lots of kicking- I think I might have a small octopus in there... she moves around a lot!

Gender: Girl! (Madison Elizabeth)

Labor signs: None

Belly button: Still an innie, but starting to pop out a little.

Cravings: Still really liking spicy foods (although that doesn't help with the heartburn). I've also been drinking a ton of OJ lately.

What I miss: Coffee... had some decaf this morning that was so good.

Stretch marks: None that I have noticed…

What I am looking forward to this week: My first baby shower tomorrow! Two coworkers/friends are throwing it for me at school- so exciting!!