Nick + Lauren: ): 23 and 24 Weeks

Weekly Survey

How far along?: 24 weeks - but this post will talk about weeks 23 and 24 because I'm so far behind!

24 Weeks - Saturday 10/8

Callie helped with pictures this week; )

23 Weeks - Saturday 10/1

Total weight gain/loss: + 20 pounds (almost 21!)

Sleep: The nightmares have subsided - yay! I think I've been sleeping a little bit better overall, but I find myself in the restroom 3-5 times each night!

Best moment(s) this week (and last week): Spending time with my friends in Omaha! They called the baby "Ozzy" all weekend, and it makes me giggle every time! We may have spent quite a few hours watching The Osbournes on MTV when we were in college. It was fun to spend time with them and to hear them talk about the baby! It was CrAzY to say goodbye, though - Krista pointed out that most likely I will have a baby the next time we see each other!!!

Movement: Yes! Sometimes I don't feel him as much, and that makes me nervous: ( I feel reassured every time I feel a little kick: )

Symptoms: I seem to be having some mood swings lately...poor Nick! I also had a meltdown after paying the bills...without moving money into the account. Nick called the bank, and they removed the overdraft fees...but it wasn't pretty when I figured out my mistake!

Maternity clothes?: Absolutely! I've even worn a few of my shirts. I think the ones from Gap may be my favorite - they're SO soft! The shirts still seem kind of loose, so I may try to keep wearing some of my regular shirts a little longer. I'm kinda sick of my regular shirts that do fit, but I'm hoping that I can wear some others now that the weather is starting to shift.

I have this shirt from Gap in white and black -

and mine were MUCH cheaper in the store!

Stretch marks?: Nope.

Food cravings: Hmmm. I don't think I'm craving anything like I once was. I'm really just hungry ALL.THE.TIME.

Food aversions: Nope.

Healthy eating?: Yes! I've been doing much better and really making some conscious decisions over the last few weeks.

Exercise: Yes, yes, yes! I have to say that I am SUPER proud of myself for working out in the hotel on Friday and Saturday in Omaha in order to make sure I fit in all of my weekly exercise! On Friday, I rode the bike for 20 minutes, walked for 20 minutes, and jogged for 20 minutes as soon as I woke up, and in the afternoon we walked around the zoo for 3 or so hours! Saturday I rode the bike for 30 minutes and lifted for 15 minutes as soon as I woke up. My friends were not quite as eager to get up after the late nights, so I didn't even really miss out on hanging out and felt great about getting my body moving!

Gender: Little baby boy!

Labor Signs: Nope.

Belly Button in or out?: Hmmm. It is kinda flat!

What I miss: My belly button - ha!

What I'm looking forward to: GARAGE SALE!!! I have very little expectations for making any money, but I'm excited that everything that goes into the garage will NOT come back in the house. I think the baby's room can really start to take shape after all this crapola is G.O.N.E!!

I'm also looking forward to going to the doctor next week! In the last five years, I've probably been to the doctor 7 times. I'm rarely sick or having health issues, so I guess I don't find myself thinking about the doctor much...until now. Now I'm constantly counting down until our next prenatal visit so that I can hear the baby's heartbeat and know that he's still in there. At the next appointment, we'll also ask about our next (and probably final) ultrasound. I'd love to see the little guy again!

Weekly Wisdom: Don't help with the painting! I was becoming a little nutty trying to help with the painting details (e.g., how much paint do we need, how much time will it take, how many brushes do we need, how will you keep the dog fur from sticking to the paint...), so I am trying to let it go and let Nick figure out the details. I keep telling myself that I'm not supposed to be around the paint anyway!

Milestones: Nick *thinks* he felt the baby kick. I didn't want Nick to try to feel the baby and then not be able to, so he's only tried once to feel him. The baby was kicking pretty hard, so we went for it. Nick said he felt a twitch - which is a good way to describe the feeling from the outside - so I think he probably did! So fun: )

We also visited three childcare centers! I still have some more calling and researching to do, but I think at least one of these may be a good fit!

What I'm Smiling About This Week (and Last Week!) V. 11

- My trip to Omaha for Molly and Ben's reception!! Congrats to Molly and Ben!! We all had so much fun, and they looked so happy: )

Thursday: drove to Omaha after work, airport runs, those of us that were in had dinner and checked into the hotel

Friday: workout, final airport runs, lunch, zoo, dinner, night out, lounging in the hotel room