There's a Jungle Gym in My Belly

I have decided that either 1. Baby is a delightful morning person (unlike its mother and oldest sister, Dottie the Dalmatian) or 2. Baby hates my job and wants me to leave it. Seems most of the day's action takes place at my desk. A little banging & kicking at night when I'm hunkering down for my beauty rest, and it's all on the right side or the lower portion of my belly. Mostly I notice it when I'm at work. Maybe it's just because I'm plastered to my chair most of the day and I'm not moving around enough to rock the little one to sleep. The movements range from the growling stomach feeling to mostly little muscle spasm feelings. The neatest thing - last weekend hubby & I laid on the floor and watched my belly moving up & down and it was fabulous! It's still very surreal to have this tiny being inside of me.

And holy cow, my fingernails! Me, who it takes weeks of careful manicuring and gallons of Sally Hansen Hard as Nails clear polish to grow what are now sprouting virtually overnight. I actually had to cut them because they were getting so long and days later, they were back. They are truly a sight to behold. It's unreal. I will truly be sad when my eagle talons are gone. I had heard about this nail-growing phenomenon and thought it was a pregnancy urban legend, but low & behold, it's true! And yes, the gas...it's still here and in full swing. I think this actually is a source of pride for my hubby. Thank heavens for a shock (and smell and sound) absorbent chair that can withhold the force of my rear end. I think there must be a green cloud hovering above my desk area...the poor chair is covered in my funk.

During pregnancy, I don't recommend eating more than you can handle. Actually, small amounts are best. I have found on a couple of occasions where I have over-indulged (ok, it was actually last night at a birthday party and I was lured in by mashed potatoes & chicken & noodles...dammit!) that I literally cannot breathe. It's ten times worse than non-pregnancy fullness. Which goes back to one of my earlier posts - I don't know how pregnant women say they can eat so much. I can't eat near as much as I did before without feeling miserable, so I don't recommend it. And honest to God, I do not have cravings. I recently found out a cousin is pregnant (yay!) and she is craving hot dogs! Already! I actually sometimes wish I had a craving so I could decide what to eat. Nothing ever sounds fantastic, but nothing ever really sounds bad, either, so I guess I'm lucky. And speaking of sounding bad, I actually have found something that doesn't agree with Baby & belly. Seems that pizza and seafood don't agree with mama. Two things I love very, very much. I guess the pizza thing could be a blessing since it has the capacity to make me a Hefty Hideaway girl. But seafood...I miss you.

I have decided that I love the nursery now. It is delightful with the second coat of paint and fresh white trim. My lovely and wonderful parents have given us the gift of a crib. It's the most beautiful crib I have ever seen (read: tears at Babies R Us) and my adorable dad picked it out. It's gorgeous and I want to sleep in it myself. Hubby's g-ma has also kindly offered to purchase our changing table/dresser combo and I am thrilled about that as well. Thank goodness for kind and generous family members. These are things I would not feel right about registering for because they are obviously some of the more expensive items needed. I have heard stories of fabulous garage sale finds, which I am certainly not opposed to, but I also love that our crib is ours and will hold only our memories. My next challenge: bedding. Don't even get me started.

Today we will go to the doctor again...I can't believe another appointment is here and that I'm 24 weeks pregnant. Baby is weighing in at about a pound now, so think of all the growing that will take place over the next 16 weeks! I'm excited to see family that I haven't seen since I found out I was pregnant and hopefully have some much-needed down time. Hubby is playing in an alumni baseball game, too, so I will be nursing him back to health come Sunday. Everyone take care and have a great weekend!