21 Weeks!

Hey, all! I hope all of you unlucky ones (or lucky if you like snow?) survived the big time blizzard. Shockingly, Chicago stayed flake free. Because I have a nearly-1 year old who gets completely stir crazy in a matter of minutes, I am glad for that.

We had a lovely week, as we anxiously (and tearfully-->me) approached BIRTHDAY WEEK. That's right, on WEDNESDAY Eileen Marie turns ONE. And this hormonal mama cannot keep it together. Not one bit.

Part of it was reading online that children are considered TODDLERS when they reach the age of 1. I mean, yes, I guess I knew that. But reading that I will no longer have a baby in three short days?! Too much to handle!!!

We also had the immense pleasure of meeting this little fella over the weekend, Mr. Jacob.

Because this is a community of mamas who love babies, I can say with absolute certainty that each and every one of you would've been as overjoyed as I was to hold this little peanut survivor. Born at just over a pound with opiates in his system, this little buddy was only 4 lbs. 5 oz. when we met him on Saturday (when he was 5 weeks old already). Jacob is a foster child, and because my parents are registered foster parents, they were able to "babysit" him for the day before he went to his next placement. Because of our history with foster care (you can read about that here), every child we receive is a blessing but also a bit of an emotional struggle, especially for my mom. But I am still so glad we got to spend some time with this guy. What a sweetheart, and with such bad fortune right from the start. It's enough to make you sick...until you remember that we have a God who loves us equally. Still, he needs your prayers, if you can spare them.

Now, onto bump stuff.

A woman asked me this week if I was "gettin' there." I replied with a "look" on my face that no, I still have 4 months to go. Oy. People.

How far along?  21 weeks and 1 day! Hey hey hey!

Clothing? Limited, although just bought 3 new maternity shirts at Tar.get for $8 each! For maternity clothes, that's a steal!

Stretch marks? Nothing new!

Sleep? No charlie horses so far, I've realized! But still waking up pretty much every hour. Oh well.

Best moment of this week? I'm drawing a blank, but only because it was a pretty good week in general!

Worst moment of this week? Again, nothing terrible to report!

Miss anything? Ummm...I'm gonna say no.

Movement? Okay so, I am re-reading 21 weeks with Eileen, and it seems that movement really picked up around this time. I was getting more kicks last week, but now she (we'll say she for now) has slowed down again. "Kicks" are more like rolls, and they are way down low, and they are only when I am completely still and focused. I guess I have less time to count kicks nowadays. Please wiggle more, little Sunny!

Symptoms? Not sleeping great and still very lightheaded/dizzy when I stand for more than a minute. A little nauseous this week too. And STARVING.

Food cravings? This weekend it has been ICE CREAM. T got me the most amazing brownie sundae on Saturday night. I could eat another one right now. But gotta cool it on the cals!

Gender? Still feeling girl right now.

Labor Signs? No siree.

Belly button in or out? Little bit of outie.

Wedding rings on or off? On, fingers not swelling yet (though it is the dead of winter, ha!).

Mood? A bit stressed about the party, but in general, happy!

Milestones? Um my first baby is turning ONE. I would say that's a huge milestone. Sunny, you are three weeks away from viability. I cannot wait!

Looking forward to? MY FIRST REAL STRONG "OW THAT KINDA HURT" BABY KICK, the party this weekend, and my 24-week viability appointment!

The queen is awake from her nap, so that's a wrap! Bye guys!