23 Weeks!

As usual (at least per lately), I am writing this as I intently watch my monitor and PRAY that Eileen goes to sleep. This cannot be the end of naps. I refuse!!!! As if it were up to me, ha! Mamas, any of your littles stop napping before three?! This would be TERRIBLE timing, but I also know that it is not unheard of.

Back from Boston, and EXHAUSTED. Really truly exhausted. First of all, I will never fly Spirit Airlines again. Most of you probably already knew how terrible they are, but I never travel, so I didn't know. Lesson learned.

Beyond that, it was absolutely lovely to see my dear friend Jess and meet her puppy/see her new home/gush over her engagement ring! Jess and I met studying abroad in Spain together EIGHT YEARS ago (sheesh) and have been great friends ever since. Because we live so far away, we rarely get to see each other, and it's a treat every time we do. She was in my wedding five years ago, but I won't be able to go to her wedding because it is this August in Ireland...boo (for me, not for her). So a visit was needed! We had a great time catching up, but I wasn't able to catch up on much sleep. I was also nauseous pretty much every day, because we took a lot of 1 hour+ car trips, and, well, I'm pregnant. HA! And, DUH, I missed my kids. A LOT. Other than that, a swell weekend!

Understandably, I did not take many pics. But here we are...the REAL END (I think) of the beautiful weather, as we slowly transition into a more traditional fall.

My Kiki bird!

Always standing in my bushes!

Sisters on bikes.

My sweet friend and I in Boston!

...and of course, upon return, we all required lots of naps.

Tim reported that the girls were NOT very well behaved while I was gone. I suspect that was because he rarely (pretty much never) gets them overnight without me there. So, I'm sure they were testing some limits. Yesterday was a continuation of that, but today we are nearly back to "normal." Of course, it's pouring rain, and I don't feel like doing anything. So that's no fun, for any of us!

Also, my mom (and number one back-up person) left for Haiti this AM for a whole week! We miss her already. She will be volunteering with the Sisters of Mercy at an orphanage and helping them with childcare/building projects/misc. items, etc. If you could spare a prayer for her, I would appreciate it!

And I know this ain't NOTHIN' compared to what winter will be like, trapped inside with these little nuggets with minimal help. So we'll call this practice. Until baby Bud storms onto the scene, and then I think I will have no choice but to completely 1000% embrace the crazy.

In conclusion, bump. It grew three sizes in Boston, I think. Could have been the big bag of peanut M&Ms that I bought upon arrival and hid in my purse all weekend. Yum. Not sorry.

How far along? 22 weeks + 6 days!

Clothing? Fall, thank goodness. Not trying to squeeze myself into ANY MORE SHORTS. Stained a brand new maternity shirt beyond repair while on my trip, so, that was a bummer!

Stretch marks? Yes.

Sleep? Crazy dreams. Constantly waking and falling back asleep. Really not fun.

Best moment of this week? KICKS HAVE PICKED UP THIS WEEK! Finally! I can now count on a mega kick session in the morning, and several at night. I love love love this part. It really never gets old.

Worst moment of this week? Eileen still fighting naps (including right now). Hate flying, so that was unfun. Spirit airlines unloaded us onto the runway and I had to carry my heavy carry-on (that I paid about $100 for) up three very steep flights of stairs, and no one offered to help. Screwed up my back. Oy.

Miss anything? Doing fine.

Movement? Yes! It has noticeably picked up! Praying it stays that way!

Symptoms? BIG. Do not even want to weigh myself. Heavy feeling in my groin, and crampy/stretchy feelings throughout my stomach. Tiiiiiired. But more kicks!

Food cravings? Peanut butter M&Ms. Baked goods. Can't stop.

Gender? Honestly, feeling girl.

Labor Signs? Nope.

Belly button in or out? Outie.

Wedding rings on or off? On.

Mood? Tired, and kind of spacey (I blame the gloomy weather). Otherwise fine!

Looking forward to? My 24-week appt. and VIABILITY next week!

That's all she wrote! Have a great week.