24 Weeks: Pregnancy Update

Baby size: Girlfriend is as long as an ear of corn now and apparently gained about 4 oz since last week.

How far along:  24 weeks and 5 days.  Only 107 days to go.

Total weight gain:  Up 22 lbs. My total weight gain goal of 30 lbs went right out the window.
 
Exercise: Besides the miles walked in Disney last week, I have not exercised.  I had the best intentions of getting back to my running routine this week, but this polar vortex we are experiencing squashed that plan.  I just don't have enough motivation to layer up and run in 20-30 degree temps.

Stretch marks: No, and hoping I can avoid them.

Swelling: None.

Belly button: Pretty much out.

Sleep: I have full blown insomnia from 2-5 am each night.  Wed morning I commuted to Philly for work at 2:30am, which was nice b/c there is no traffic on the roads at that hour.  Last night I watched the local news which was on replay at 3am.   

Food cravings: Some sweets lately which is not like me b/c typically I crave salt.


Symptoms: My hips were hurting me in Disney from all the walking, insomnia and major constipation - sorry about the TMI. 

Movement: Yes! She loves to kick or punch me while I am relaxing.

What I’m loving:  Preparing for Christmas - only 35 days left!  Some people nest while pregnant, but all I've wanted to do is Christmas shop.  Most of the presents are already purchased or in the works and it's still a week out from Thanksgiving. This weekend we plan to hang the lights but our display will be scaled down this year since I can't hang off the roof like I did last year to outline the house.

Disney Recap

I will not bore you with all the details of our family vacay to Walt Disney World but touch upon the highlights.  I am certainly glad Randy and I were able to partake in this vacation but had my fill of Disney for a few years.  I think we are better suited for Caribbean beach vacations where the tempo is much slower and way more relaxing.  Needless to say, we need a vacation from our vacation.

Downtown Disney is good for two things - eating and shopping.  Both of which I am pretty professional.  Since all of Disney is already decorated for Christmas, it made the experience that much more enjoyable with the lights, garland & bows accenting every nook & cranny.  If you like seafood, Fulton's Crab House is a must visit.  Growing up at the shore, I have tried my fair share of New England Clam Chowder, but Fulton's takes the cake on the best chowder I have ever tasted.  It was thick and hearty and certainly didn't skimp on ingredients.  If you are looking for a fast & casual meal, Wolfgang Puck Express  is the place to go.  I was quite surprised at the quality of food for a quick service establishment. They offered a variety of choices for example our meals consisted of raviolis, spaghetti & meatballs, wood-fired pizza & rotisserie chicken.  If our hotel was closer to Downtown Disney, I may have had a meal there every day.

My favorite part of the trip was the dinner show, Hoop Dee Doo Revue, at the Wilderness Resort.  This musical show entertained our entire party ranging in ages from 4-72.  In between skits, they feed you family style starting with home-made corn bread, followed up by the BEST fried chicken, BBQ ribs & mashed potatoes and finished up with strawberry shortcake.

Prior to our trip, we were invited to test drive Magic Kingdom's newest dining hall Be Our Guest.  Their french themed menu inspired by Beauty and the Beast was delicious and very well executed.  Since we pre-ordered, upon arriving we confirmed our lunch selections at at touch screen and then found a seat where our food magically appeared.  It's so nice to have options other than hot dogs, hamburgers and french fries for the quick service meal plan.

Chef Mickey's in the Contemporary Hotel was a hit among the family.  Their buffet style breakfast was so delicious that I went up 3 different times to fill my plate, and the kids loved the up close interaction with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto & Donald Duck.  My family joked they have never seen me eat so much.  Hence why I put on 6 lbs during the vacation.

Last but not least, the Osborne Spectacle of Lights may be the most breathtaking display you will ever see.  Who wouldn't love the dancing lights to Christmas classics, falling snow and over 5,000,000 individual lights?

22 Weeks

Baby size: Baby Frank is now 11 inches long and almost 1 whole lb.  She is the size of a spaghetti squash.  Since I had to google what it looks like, figured others might not know as well so see below.

Weight gain: As of yesterday morning, I had only gained 1 lb since my last doctor's appointment almost 2 weeks ago.  Total weight gain thus far = 16 lbs.  This may be surprising looking at the pic below b/c I feel like I look 8 months pregnant instead of 5 months.

Maternity clothes:  I got sick and tired of wearing leggings everyday so I tried to squeeze myself into the last pair of pre-maternity jeans still in the closet using the rubberband trick.  However, my husband informed me they looked a little tight in the legs so I rocked them one last time before giving into buying maternity jeans.  Overall they are not awful, but since I have no butt they slide down more than desired.  I look forward to the day when I can fit back into my Hudson jeans purchased during the Nordstrom sale and still hanging in my closet with the tags on b/c I didn't get them hemmed in time to wear prior to pregnancy.

Stretch marks: No and I pray it stays that way!  I try to lather on Palmer's Cocoa Butter as often as possible.

Belly button: Just about to pop out.

Sleep: It seems my internal clock thinks 6 hours of sleep is enough, so I wake up in the 4:00 hour every morning. 

Movement:  At my cousin's baby shower on Saturday, I felt a kick or punch for the first time. I forgot to mention anything to my husband about it until the following day when it happened again while he and I were sitting on the couch together.  When I said the baby was kicking me, he looked shocked but got to feel it which was amazing.  As the week has progressed, I have felt her moving so much more.  Most of the time it is small flutters, but every so often she really winds up and gives me a good nudge.

Looking forward to: We leave for Disney with my family this week so I am excited for some warm weather and hopeful for some relaxation.  Not sure how relaxing Disney can be when there is an hourly itinerary created by your sister but I plan to make the most of it.

Miss anything: Since I am really starting to feel fat, I thought wearing a pair of heeled boots to work would improve my self-image.  Apparently my calves weren't ready for heels after wearing flats all along and being much heavier b/c my ATTEMPT to run that day was an epic failure. I literally thought my calves were going to explode!  As a result, my run became a painful walk with a slow 1 block jog here and there just to get home and off my feet.