23 Week Bump Update

Happy Monday, sweet friends! I’m trying to share more bump updates during this pregnancy, since I know it’s my last. Although, I don’t think that’s really hit me yet. I’m not the best at living in the moment, at taking it all in. I like a countdown. I love marking off the days, ticking off the weeks.

Lately, I’ve been trying to BE in this pregnancy. To feel it all, the sweet and the bitter. Because I know that without a doubt, as the years pass, I will miss this time in my life tremendously.

Day by day, I’m a work in progress. Always.

Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts and life events – both big and small. I truly appreciate it.

I hope you enjoyed your weekend and if you’re a mama, I hope you were spoiled and got to relax for at least 5 minutes or so. We went to our local nursery and picked up some flowers for our pots. We haven’t planted them yet, but soon. 🙂

(Head to the bottom of the post for the winner of the Newsletter Beauty Haul!)

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23 Week Bump Update

SYMPTOMS

Well, the nausea that I was hoping would be long gone by now is still present. I’m pretty good in the morning and during the day, but it hits almost every late afternoon/evening. (So, yes, I’m still taking Diclegis and will most likely take it for my entire pregnancy.)

My skin has been awful during this pregnancy! In my last two, I didn’t break out once. But this time, my skin is going crazy. It’s mostly on my nose and cheeks and I’m pretty sure it’s rosacea. I’ve recently started using this Eminence skin cleanser and it’s the only thing that has helped lessen the breakouts.

I think the “superwoman” second trimester period is starting to wear off. (Although, it’s funny because I don’t think that even exists after the first pregnancy.) I’m hard pressed to make it through the day without a nap (which is tricky with a 4 year old who is go, go, go and doesn’t nap anymore). So, I’m pretty much always tired.

Interestingly, I haven’t had sciatica pain for weeks. Thank you, God! I’ll be SO happy if that never happens again.

MOVEMENT

He’s moving all the time now and I absolutely love it. He’s especially active when I lie down at night, and it’s my favorite time of day. I was worried that since my placenta is in the front, I wouldn’t feel him as much, but as he’s getting bigger there’s no mistaking those sweet kicks.

CRAVINGS + AVERSIONS

Well, my Jimmy John’s veggie sub craving is finally over and has turned into an aversion. I’m not mad about it, because I definitely had my fair share.

My sweet tooth has returned, so I feel at home. Ha.

I’m totally off of meat – both because I can’t stomach it and because I’ve been 80% vegetarian my whole life. I watched Forks Over Knives when I was home for Easter and if you’re considering giving up meat, I can’t recommend it enough. (Also: if you have no desire to give up meat, DON’T watch it.)

WEIGHT GAIN

Ugh. Well, since you asked. Actually, the weight gain has slowed down, which was a nice change. I’m not doing anything drastically different with my diet or exercise. I’m still on pace to gain close to 50 pounds the entire pregnancy and I’m not (totally) freaking out, because I gained that with both of my previous pregnancies.

If you’re in the same boat, here’s the thing: don’t freak out. Our bodies are doing what they’re supposed to do. They know what’s up. It’s hard to watch my body change, but I also know it’s all for that sweet boy inside. When he’s here, I will make milk from scratch. (How insane is that.) And before I know it, my body will be mine again and I’ll likely miss all of this.

EXERCISE

I’m working out more than I ever did in my previous pregnancies. I’m going to my HIIT/treadmill workout class three times a week, and you guys – I’m actually running! OK, it’s more like a jog, but still. I never even tried to run during my previous pregnancies – I think I was too scared of cramping and overall discomfort.

SLEEP

Overall, sleep is pretty good. Especially if I don’t nap during the day. I’m down for the count by 9am and generally get up 4 times a night to pee. I still haven’t gotten a pregnancy pillow – I’m just using a regular pillow underneath my bump and between my knees.

NESTING + NURSERY PREP

Umm, yeah. We are still at a standstill here. Pretty sure at the this point in my first pregnancy, I had all of the furniture ordered and everything planned out. Oops. I am going to order his furniture this week. Thankfully, we get to re-use Harper’s crib. Here’s what I’ve got my eye on for his nursery:

I’ve been buying baby boy clothes here and there and just went through them the other day. Turns out I need to go shopping. Darn. 😉 Here’s what I’ve picked up so far:

BUMP STYLE | MATERNITY FAVORITESS

COMING UP…

I have my monthly Dr’s appointment this week and then the appointment after that is the dreaded Glucose test. Eeeek! Which also means I’m almost to the third trimester, which blows my mind.

AND NOW FOR THE NEWSLETTER GIVEAWAY WINNER: