Baby Bump Wednesday: Week 23

My belly, she is here. No amount of "sucking it in" (yes, that's a technical term) will hide it, I am, indeed, with child. It's strange how one day it just pops out like that, I had a coworker comment on my visibly pregnant state, he'd been out of the office on vacation and was surprised at the difference that one week made. Yeah, me too.

This seems to be the period of just pure growth. Other little things are developing, his hearing is developed fully, the rest of his senses are still in the process, and he's moving around, enjoying all the space in there. His bones are continuing to develop (ossify) and I can definitely tell, every few days it seems his kicks have more and more oomph behind them. Just last night I was sitting on the couch marveling at how hard he was kicking, I still find it the strangest sensation. Most of the websites are estimating his size to be, uh, the same as last week. A little over a pound, 11ish inches. The food comparison for the week is a "large mango", and, uh, what? Last week it was a spaghetti squash (I think I forgot to add that in...oops), and then a butternut squash, and now we're to a mango? Whatever. The sites also mentioned that I may be experiencing Braxton Hicks, swelling of the legs and ankles, and stretch marks. Apparently I'm ahead of the game. I've been furiously rubbing cocoa butter all over the dreaded stretch mark prone areas twice a day, knowing full well there's no proof it actually works. It's mostly genetics, I know, but it doesn't kill a girl to try. So far my belly is free. That's all I'm sayin'.

One nice little reassurance is that several sites have said that this is the first week that there is a viable chance of life if he were to be born. I know I mentioned this last week, but I think that was sort of an anomaly. At 23 weeks there is a 10 - 70% chance of survival, and each week increases by 3% until week 26 when it jumps to 80 - 90%. That's when you can breathe your sigh of relief I guess, though I can't imagine feeling any kind of relief if he were to come in three weeks. Three weeks. Less than a month. If the sheer shock didn't kill me, the knowledge of being so unprepared, would.

I may have found my crib bedding. That's one down, nine zillion things to go.

Less money than my previous choice, simple, great colors to work with. Except that now I'm reconsidering my preference for a black / dark brown crib. I think it would look best with a natural wood, or white. Do you care? No. Sorry. I'm thinking out loud. Moving right along.

I went shopping on Saturday and bought my first pair of maternity pants, white capris to be exact. I was pleasantly surprised, I bought them on sale at Old Navy (no link, couldn't find them on the website) and actually like how they fit. Maternity wear sure has come a long way since, well, my mom was pregnant. The top has about two inches of nice, stretchy material where there should be a zipper / button combo, so you just pull them right up like toddler pants. Sweet. They're a little big, these pants weren't sized by number but by small, medium, large, etc. but they're comfy and they look cute, dang it! And they were only $13.99. When I checked out they handed me a coupon for $10 off my next purchase, and uh, I'm on to them. I know what they're trying to do, I get it. And it's working. I'm a sucker for the cheap but current maternity clothes.

Speaking of The Bump (I was, right? Indirectly?) I'm terribly unstable these days. I know it will get worse, I'm not that big yet, but I can definitely feel a difference. Today I was walking out of Target with my little bag (little, Caleb...I promise. I only bought the bare essentials, deodorant and supplies to make indoor smores. I swear.) and was accosted by those sales people that stand outside in wait, hoping that your mind has been weakened from the amount of money you just spent so that you'll hand over your spare change willy-nilly to help fostered whales. Anyway, I walked past and the sales woman called out, "Ma'am? Do you have a minute for The Environment?" No I don't, sorry! I said, and then started laughing at the silly exchange. No, I don't have a minute for The Environment, not a single minute! That brat hasn't returned any of my phone calls, and I'm starting to think she really is two-timin' my BF Father Time, and TWO can play at this game! So I'm laughing, haha, and totally roll my ankle over my new wedge sandals and do the drunken-man wobble for a good yard before I'm able to right myself. I start to think Mother Nature heard my inner sarcasm and gave me what-for.

 

Sleep line of the week: The Curve. A mountainous range. Maybe a sign? I am as big as a mountain. Or I should go to the mountains. Or I have my own set of Grand Tetons.

Comments

[Jess]

First, I love the crib bedding! Where did you find it? Honestly, I think a nice dark wood crib would be a great contrast. But that's just me.
And hey! You almost kinda look pregant here! I think this is the first picture that I thought "yeah, there could be a baby in there." Maybe a shot at night would be more convincing?

[sarah]

I think that bedding would look so good with a dark wood crib-very chic.

[Kimba]

Thanks guys! I can't seem to trust my own opinion these days, so I'm glad to hear you think it would still go well with dark wood. At least I don't have to start from square one now...

Jess, it's another Design Public item. They feature all different kinds of brands, so I'm sure you can get it elsewhere. I'm currently trying to see if I can get it even cheaper somewhere else. I love the website though, because they have lovely things that are the style I love, and then I can go do more research.

[Stacy Stevens]

I love the bedding. It's very cute. I have some news for you on the Noah's Arc thing. I spoke to my friend in Logan that owns Stork Landing and did at one time purchase that item. I think they retailed at like $400 but since it's Logan they finally sold it at $200. I think she said she bought them from a guy in California. She said she would look into and see if she could order one and have it shipped to you or your parents if you are still interested.

[Ella]

you have such a cute baby!!!!!!!!