Bumps and Babies: Weeks 24-25 Update

 Did someone say pregnancy brain?

I could have sworn I was all caught up...turns out I was a week behind 😅

This whole time, I thought I was taking mental notes for a recap on my most recent week. Laa dee daa. Then I realized I didn't even recap on last week!

It's honestly fine. As I get closer to the end, I feel like the weeks all kind of mesh and blur together. The biggest change I notice, is baby Greys growing home - my baby belly. Big, big baby Grey :)

As the end of each week approaches, I get all of the pings and dings from updates on my pregnancy apps. They give me insight on what changes I can expect for the upcoming week, and that I am in fact, one week closer to meeting the Peanut. And every single time this happens, I have to pick my jaw up from the floor because I can't believe how quickly time has gone by.

Week 24 was exciting because it was officially my 6th month of pregnancy. An entire half year spent brewing up a perfect little Peanut. 6 months spent adjusting to a new body, changing my house into a baby friendly space, and feeling rumbles and bumbles of my tiny wild child. Oh - and 6 months Aunt Flo free?! I'd say I'm pretty much winning over here.

Speaking of - a few days before I found out I was pregnant, I was going through all of the toxic products in my house and tossing them. A toxic detox, if you will. 

I wanted to up my chances of being able to conceive, so this included ditching all tampons and purchasing a Diva Cup. I honestly dreaded trying it out, but I was willing to do anything to make my body as healthy as possible. The same day I did this, I also started my weekly Vitamin B shots to increase my chances of fertility. 

Days after buying my Diva Cup and getting my shot...I realized I was actually late. Low and behold, Peanut was already 5 weeks cooked.

Funny how that works, right? I was graciously reminded that it's not MY timing that I need to rely on. God had my back the entire time - all I needed to do was trust Him and show him that I was ready.

Last week, my friend Carley was prepping for her baby shower + Halloween party. Being a host of any kind of gathering can be S O much. Austin and I have had our fair share of parties in the past few years, and every single time, it was a stress fest. As a host, your thoughts are with your guests. Is there enough food? Drinks? Games? Will everyone have fun? What music will be played? Is there enough decor? What if people get bored? What will I wear?

So, when it came to my best friends party, I wanted her life to be as easy breezy as possible. We decorated and planned and when the day came, it was so much freaking fun. Watching an anime character, Willy Wonka, and a 70's cowboy get blindfolded and have to change a dolls diaper was priceless.

And seeing as how this was a costume party...Austin and I were in our element. 

"We have to go all out." I have to pat myself on the back, because before Austin was with me, he wasn't a fan of dressing up or themed parties. Until I threw him a surprise birthday party 5 years ago, that was a costume party, it's been balls to the wall ever since. He goes for the details, the make up, and everything above and beyond. It makes me so proud :) So this year, we Halloween-ed Wonka style. 

I thought, "how can I tie in my belly to a costume / character?" Wam, bam thank you ma'am - Violet!

Parties are a little different these days. Austin has told me that even though he loves my pregnancy journey, he does miss our play dates that involved a glass of wine wine or a couple white claws. 

When asked if I miss drinking, the honest answer is...I don't. I don't miss the hang-xiety, the need to recover for days, and the bloating. But sometimes, I do miss the social aspect. Sitting around with friends, having drinks and laughing at nothing. I mean, I still do that now. But I've swapped the Vodka water for a water and a sprite. 

I know once Peanut is here, I will enjoy a drink again. But for now, I'm doing just fine. My pregnancy pact sisters, Carley and Leah, are in the same boat. Because our significant others are all best friends and work together, a lot of our past gatherings included us getting wild and crazy, too. Now we sit back, openly observe the alcohol induced shenanigans, laugh at the nonsense, and get our guys to call it a night before midnight because our feet are killing us.

Can I just reiterate how incredible is is to be pregnant with friends? I was talking with my midwife about this a few days ago. The feeling of just...not being alone is amazing. Pregnancy is no walk in the park. In our first trimester, Carley even said "this isn't for the weak," and I agree. 

It's not just the physical aspect of things, but both mental and emotional, too. I texted Leah the other night with crippling anxiety and we both talked through it. I voice message Carley every single day and we talk about how we are feeling. A highschool friend and I message daily and talk about our experiences and appointments. My sister in law has been a saving grace for baby prep and expectations. During a life changing time, it's so refreshing knowing that I'm never alone on this journey.

Of course, I have good ol' google to rely on. And I can go to my mom or mother in law for advice. But there is something so special about actually experiencing things WITH other women you're near and dear to.

 Speaking of advice - and this may be different for others, but for me personally...Unless specially asked to give personal thoughts on a topic during pregnancy, please be careful when giving your two cents. 

I openly ask questions on social media, or ask request of guidance from others because pregnancy comes with its massive and wild amounts of anxiety + curiousity. And when I ask, I mentally prepare for answers.

I know from the bottom of my heart, I will need help and recommendations. But unless I come looking for it, I don't need to be more stressed out than I already am. 

I've had people saying that I "need to do..." or "stop doing....because then....will happen." I've even had people come to me out of the blue telling me tales about what will happen if I sleep too much or not enough, if I eat too much of something, if I laugh or cry too much, or if I watch too much of something and I'm just like AHHH.

...Listen, Linda. I know it comes from a place of sharing, caring, and genuine thoughtfulness.

But the truth is...I'm freaking out as it is. FREAKING OUT. 

I constantly worry I'm going to mess things up. So when you come at me when I wasn't looking, you end up stressing me (us) out even more. I will ask when I need suggestions. 

I don't want this to be taken out of context, or come off as me being ungrateful. The people pleaser in me needs others to understand. This hot mess express is just trying to chug along and not fear that I'm ruining my child's life. So, when I come asking, please feel free to share. Otherwise, please no thank you :)

And I know I will have more questions as I get closer and closer to my 3rd trimester...because I'm getting closerrrrrr! As I get bigger, my mom points out how noisy I am when I sit down, stand up, or...basically move 😂 

It's not easy being round. I told her I'm going to do the watermelon challenge with Austin - where I saran wrap a melon to his tummy and have him do daily tasks. I bet he will be just as dramatically noisy a me.

I love my belly so much. Face it, pregnancy bellies are so cute. But the clothes that cover them up aren't always flattering. Genetically, I hold my extra fluff in my flanks. So when I was shopping for maternity dresses, instead of looking like a sexy momma, I looked like a lumpy bag of popcorn. "You're pregnant, stop being so hard on yourself!" I know I know...but I can't show up to an event not at least feeling pretty. So I've learned that it's all about finding a material that stretches, hugs in the right places, and is built for comfort. 

I'm happy to share that I found some dresses that made me feel beautiful :)

 

As far as appointments go, I have my glucose test next week, followed by my Rhogam bum shot, then biweekly appointments until Peanut is here. 

I know that the holidays are going to make the next few months absolutely fly by. I'm already anxiously anticipating everything I'm going back for seconds for on Thanksgiving, and Grey has already started his Christmas list for Santa. Before I know it, it's going to be 2023 and literally weeks before I'm losing my mind in labor and delivery.

Peanut has one last party - his baby shower! It's quickly approaching, and I can't wait to see what my mother in law has come up with during her prep and planning. After the gender reveal, my brain was toast and I basically gave her total control to do as she pleased for the shower, knowing full well it's going to be perfect. 

Come December, the guys are packing up and heading out for their annual snowboarding trip. This leaves us pregger ladies home alone to nest, eat, and waddle around in peace. We are planning a girls night to clean and divide gifted clothes while we binge feel good food and Christmas movies. 

Before we know it, it'll be spring and we will be elbow deep in baby lovins and diapers.

As for now, I close the chapters for weeks 24 and 25, because tomorrow is day one of week 26. He will be measuring around 13.8 inches, and weighing about 2 pounds. At some point in the next couple of weeks, Greyson will open his eyes for the first time. I've read that towards the end of pregnancy, my appetite will also increase. I'm not sure how much more I can take because I'm already constantly hungry 😆 But it's fine. I've accepted that this body is no longer my own, and I will happily oblige to the needs of the little man in control.

I'm undecided whether I'll continue weekly or biweekly updates - so until then...