23 weeks, pregnancy updates, other stuff

22 weeks have come and gone with Papoose and I sharing our little 2 bodies-in-one adventure (and to prove the point, the little creature just did a somersault! Thanks, buddy!).  I thought I'd be so much more obsessive about baby things and making this perfect baby room by this point. I imagined myself spending hours looking at photos online, picking out art for the walls, fabric shopping for throws, pillows, bedding.  None of that has happened.  I've just been to darn busy!

In that vein, I do need to update on some pregnancy related things.

1. Symptoms.
I'm fussy. I have been a bit fussy and a bit tired recently, and the headaches are coming back.  It's hard to know if this is end of semester PhD student fussiness, or baby-pregnancy fussiness, or a bit of both, but I have definitely felt more emotional and sensitive recently.
I also have a big belly.  This is a relief because I was starting to develop a little complex over everyone telling me how small my belly is, and how small my baby must be. I felt like an underachiever.  I think they are just trying to be nice, but I was feeling bad.  Now, Im never mistaken for just having eaten a big lunch.

Also in good news- my hair is amazing. HAHA!Not to be vain, but oh my gosh- its thick and shiny and I hardly shed. I dont even have to wash it daily anymore and it looks good. My nails are also stronger and dont split anymore.  Not a bad side effect!
In annoying side-effects, I have been having a lot of numbness in the top of my right leg.  Totally normal, per the OB, but its really annoying.  Just the skin gets numb and feels cold and icky.  The only thing I can do is try to reposition the baby so its not pressing on that nerve, which doesn't always work well.
Another annoying side effect- my nose runs constantly!  Pregnancy induced rhinorrhea. It's really irritating.

2. ULTRASOUND! we had it.  At 20 weeks we went in for the hour-long appointment.  It was AMAZING!  They measure every bone, the brain, cerebellum, ventricles, spinal column, heart, diaphragm, kidneys, stomach.  Little papoose was so active, it was amazing getting this hour long glimpse into its world.

In this photo, it is in profile, head on the right side, looking up. It is not, in fact, smoking or blowing bubbles, but its little right hand is up to its mouth.  The image isn't deep enough to see the entire arm, but it is either touching its mouth, or sucking its thumb, or just playing.  Its so cool that its so human! a little kid in there!

3. SEX.  (not ours, the baby's)  We are finding out the sex, but we didnt the day of the ultrasound.  We decided to have the sonographer write it down in a beautiful sparkly glittery Christmas card, which we will open together on Christmas morning.  It is currently sitting upstairs in our guest room.  I'm actually not tempted to go an open it.  I kinda like papoose just being papoose.  I want to know the sex, but its not killing me to find out right now.


4. MOVEMENT!  Papoose is super active (no surprise there!) It moves all the time.  Some kicks and rolls big enough for Reggie to feel, but mostly lots of little dance moves. It seems to be having a really good time in there.  I imagine it can read my mind. Sometimes, as Im contemplating something, I get a good jab and think that's papoose telling me- "totally, mom, that's a great idea!"  Papoose's "witching hour" is from about 930/10pm-11pm.  It probably continues, but that's about when I fall asleep and it doesn't wake me up in the night....yet.

5. Prenatal Yoga.  Ive been going more regularly now, which is great.  I actually am liking Yoga Matrika more than Schoolhouse Yoga, but the race is close. I attend a class at each place weekly (or try to).  Prenatal yoga rocks.  It's so cool being with all of these other pregnant women, at all stages of pregnancy.   And the exercises are fantastic- the stretching helps my belly aches and pains so much.  Lots of side bends and squats and kegels. woohoo!

Otherwise, school ticks along.  We were in Syracuse for Thanksgiving with Reggie's family.  His sister, Stephanie, got engaged that weekend and we are SO excited to celebrate her wedding.  Her fiance, Chris, is spectacular, and we couldn't be happier for them! 
Despite all of the madness, I do love this time of year.  Last night we went to hear Verdi's Requiem with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and the Mendelsohn Choir.  It was stunning!  Today I spent running subjects for one of my advisor's studies at the voice center all day, but this evening we went to dinner and to see Tally's Folly at the Pittsburgh Public Theater- also absolutely incredible.  Such a cultured weekend we had.  I love being downtown with the holiday decorations.  All the shushing. It's ideal!