How Far Along: 25 weeks, 3 days. 6 Months.

Size of Baby: An Eggplant

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 5-10 lbs.

Maternity Clothes: I needed another pair of "work pants" so I stopped into a resale maternity store and found some for $18.

Baby-related Purchases: I was planning on purchasing the Medela PIS...the unfortunate thing about it...it's $250! Luckily a friend of mine gave me her barely-used Medela PIS! Yay! I  have been holding off on buying anything for the baby. I went a little crazy buying stuff for my son and then received a TON of baby items at my shower. Some of his clothes were never even worn. I learned my lesson and this time I will wait!

Gender: It's a GIRL!
 

Movement:  She is still pretty active but only at certain times of the day. She was up early this morning...gave me a few kicks while I was getting ready for work :)

Sleep: This is still pretty hard to come by. Last night I was exhausted and sleepy but didn't actually fall asleep until 11:30ish. I was in bed at 9:45....

What I Miss: Having a glass of wine. Fitting into my clothes. Having a bra that fits...

Cravings: Smoothies! My favorite: Frozen peaches, peach yogurt and apple juice.
 

Symptoms:

• Still thirsty!
• Leg cramps
• Occasionally peeing in my pants. Embarrassing. Unfortunate. But whatever...
• Tired!
• Nesting. I cannot stop cleaning!
• Well I'm back to irritable.
• I get overwhelmed with messes...

Managing the Stress: Bubble baths in the whirlpool tub.
 

Worries: My main concern right now is childcare. What I am going to do when it's time for me to go back to work.
 

What I Look Forward To: Meeting my new baby!

Names:  I have two names in mind. Still debating on the middle name.
 

Pregnancy Week 23

How Far Along: 23 weeks, 3 days.  6 Months.

Size of Baby: A Grapefruit

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 5 pounds. I do not know how this is even possible...

Maternity Clothes: I did a little shopping this past weekend for maternity clothes and found some "steals" at Target and Old Navy. $50!!

Baby-related Purchases: My mom has purchased 3 cute little outfits for the little one but I have yet to purchase anything. I did however register at babiesrus.com and on Amazon.com for the baby items that we need. Luckily I kept the co-sleeper, the baby swing and my boppy from my first pregnancy!

Gender: We found out on January 7th that it's a GIRL! My husband really wanted a boy and I could visually see the disappointment when we were told it was a girl. I know that as soon as he holds our little angel in his arms that he will fall completely in love with her. She will have him wrapped around her little finger!

Movement: At 18 weeks, I could feel movement. Only flutters. I knew this time what it would feel like. The doctor told me no, that I wouldn't feel anything until 20 or 21 weeks. Well, I think I know my body more than any doctor. At 21 weeks I could completely feel her rolling around and little kicks. At 23 weeks, she is in full high-kick mode. Usually very early in the morning, then around 11am and in the evening around 7pm.

Sleep: My best friends these days: Pillows! I am usually surrounded in a cocoon of pillows. I still have difficulty going to sleep and of course I have to tinkle once or twice a night. I have always had issues with sleep...so I'm coping well.

What I Miss: Comfort. Whether I am sitting, laying down or standing...I am uncomfortable. I still feel like I can take a full breath of air so I can really can't complain too much...yet.

Cravings: Salad, fruit, ice, water, crackers (Cheese-its and graham crackers), milk with cookies.

Symptoms:

• Thirsty. All the time THIRSTY.
• I have to sleep on my side which makes my hips hurt. I hobble to the bathroom in the mornings.
• My hair is awful.
• Tired but not sleepy.
• Clumsy. Still getting used to the big o tummy.
• Weepy. I cry quite a bit these days. Even the sight of a baby makes me teary-eyed. 
• I get overwhelmed with messes.

Managing the Stress: I have been reading a lot lately. My goodreads account is all caught up!

Worries: I am mostly worried about my husband. I think he may feel overwhelmed with the baby, diapers, money, etc. I know my son will be fine and he will even become a wonderful little helper. Daddy may need a little extra TLC...

What I Look Forward To: Meeting my new baby! When I was pregnant with my son, I was so excited about just being pregnant and being a mom in general. This time, I cannot wait to meet my little girl! I am also excited to see our son with his new sister!

Names:  We decided that if the baby was a girl, I would get to choose the name :)

I love names that end in y and ie. They just seem cute. Nice, sweet people have names like Emily, Ellie, Charlie, Cody and Katie.

I don't want anything too odd, ie., names of objects (radio, cash, apple-unless it is a flower)- or colors (blue, hazel, gray-unless the name is specifically Hunter, Amber, Crystal, Jade, Kelly, Rose, Ruby, Scarlet, Sienna or Violet).

Places/locations are perfectly fine with me...unless you decide on Paris. Just don't do it...

While names like Aiden, Hayden, Cayden, Braden and Peyton are cute...we all know that they have been over used to the max!  No more...

Changing the spelling of your child's name is just going to make things complicated...for them. Think about it, they will have to spell their name out over and over and over...forever! Aayden, Khate and Rhyan. Really? Aiden, Kate and Ryan will do. It isn't changing the sound of the name so why spell it in a ridiculous way?

My little girl will have quite a bit of German in her blood, but names like Gretel, Claudia and Ursula are just not my cup of tea. :/

An acceptable Gretel:

I prefer simple, classic names like Kate, Marie, Grace and Elizabeth. But nothing too old fashioned like Mabel, Ida, Maude and Ethel. I'm having a baby, not an old lady.

Branching out of the classic names, I like Holly, Lily, Autumn and Cheyenne.

I tried with my son to pick a name before he was born. I had a few ideas but I simply couldn't decide! I knew immediately when I saw him that he was a "Charlie." No other name would have fit. Same goes for my little girl. When I see her, I will know her name.
 

Stocking Stuffers

 

When I was a child, the first thing we would "open" Christmas morning was our stocking. The stockings would be jam packed with small gifts, candy, movies, etc. and we couldn't wait to see what Santa left in ours. Today, I am practicing the tradition with my own family and every year I look forward to seeing their surprised faces. Now that I am the one jamming all the goodies into the stockings, I try to switch it up with gifts that are different, creative and sometimes goofy.

I made up a list for anyone who is stumped on what to stuff into their loved one's stockings this year.

CHILDREN

Gel pens, scented markers or Crayons
(My son loves the Crayola Twistables)

Coloring books, Crossword puzzles, Sudoku books

Stickers

(Scratch and sniff are super fun!)

Enormous bouncy balls

(Kids love them!)

Fizzy bath tints

Mini Lego packs

Funny eye glasses and/or stick-on mustaches

Potato shooter or marshmallow gun

Character bandaids

Mittens, earmuffs, scarves and/or winter hats

Bath Markers

Matchbox cars

Lip Smackers flavored chapstick or lipgloss

Hair clips, bows, hair tie ball and/or headbands

Wallet and/or coin purse

Funky socks

Travel games

Silly Putty

Faux makeup

Fun shaped erasers

20 Questions handheld game

Crazy drinking straws

mp3 Player

BeanBoozled Jelly Beans

Fingerpaints

PEZ

Mini Flashlights

Stamp set

Card games/Flash cards

Barbie clothes

Chocolate golden coins

Mini action figues

Solid perfume

Pretend shaving kit

Bubbles

Character shampoo or soap

Playdoh

Doll accessories

(Diapers, clothes, bottles, etc.)

Video games

Diary/Notebooks

Sea Monkeys

Money

Slipper Socks

Shrinky Dinks

Flying monkeys

Sidewalk chalk

A bell from Santa's sleigh

(For the children who love The Polar Express!)

EVERYONE

Underwear and/or socks

(This is an every year occurance/must have)

Chewing Gum

(large packs are available at Dollar Tree)

Fun Printed Kleenex packs

Gloves, winter hats, ear warmers

Bookmarks

A toothbrush

Hand sanitizer

Blurays or DVDs

Gift cards

(Starbucks, movie theatre, iTunes, etc.)

CDs

Jewelry

Phone Cover

Candy/Chocolate

A piece of Fruit

Wrist watch

Hair gel/mousse

Money clip

Earbuds

Hot cocoa kit

Bubble bath

Kindle Fire

Tablet protector

Flavored dental floss

Nail and/or grooming kit

Magazines

Body wash

Back Scratcher

Disposable hand warmers 

Golf balls

Month membership to Netflix

Handheld mirror

BATTERIES!!!

(Go crazy...I promise you will eventually use them all!)

ADULTS

Ice scraper

Mini bottles of liquor

Hot Sauce

Koozie

Spiced nuts

Nail Polish

Cologne/perfume

Engraved Flask

Makeup

Gift cards

(Spa treatments, GNC, golf, etc.)

Cigars

Bath oils, salts and scrubs

Gourmet chocolates
(Glacier Confection of Tulsa!)

Car air freshener

(They even have bacon scented fresheners on Amazon!)

Personalized coffee cup or travel mug

Address/date book

Razors and refills

Lint brush with refill

Bottle opener

Beef Jerky/Slim Jims

Fishing lures, line and hooks

Pocket knife

Essential oils for warmer

Bottle of seasoning

Wallets

Travel size hand lotion

Neck tie

Lottery tickets

A big o' lump of coal