Bumpdate 23 Weeks

Sorry for the off-center picture & view of our comforter.  I took this using my camera timer last week because Michael had already left for work.  I've been meaning to crop this picture or have Michael take a new one but finally decided to just post it rather than delay this update even longer...

How Far Along:  23 weeks

Gender:  It's a boy!  The doctor got another look at my 20 week appointment.  Then I had my high tech ultrasound at the imaging center a few days later - it's definitely a boy!  He was not shy at my ultrasound appointment & had his legs open - the tech even was laughing about it.

Movement:  I've been feeling him all the time for the last month or so.  He's very active - just like his older brother was.  Lots of kicks & pushes.  Michael got to feel him about a week ago.  We were watching a movie at home & the baby was having a dance party or something.  Michael used to call Alex "Pele" after the soccer player because he kicked so much.  I think this one might be "Pele Jr".

Sleep:  It's ok.  I get up at least once a night to use the bathroom & sometimes I have a hard time going back to sleep.  Very annoying.

Maternity Clothes:  As you can see, I definitely look pregnant.  I haven't broken out my maternity clothes yet.  I've been wearing a lot of skirts & dresses & using the BeBand with pants.  I need to get my maternity clothes out, but I've been putting it off because I need to wash them & I can't find our extra hangers.  I'm sure they're in some random box somewhere in our house!

Symptoms:  Been feeling good.  Moving to the new house wore me out, but we're getting settled.  My allergies have been really bothering me (and my asthma) but that's about it.  It's manageable & I'll take it over feeling like I did in the first trimester!

Aversions:  Nothing noticeable.  Certain foods don't sound good to me depending on the day but I haven't been disgusted by anything.

Cravings:  Oddly enough, lattes.  I don't even like coffee very much.  I'll occasionally drink frou frou coffee drinks like flavored lattes but they have to have a lot of sugar.  I've been a little more of a latte drinker since going to Italy in 2010, but I'd only drink them every once in awhile.  But for the last few months, I have CRAVED lattes & here's the kicker - I want just a plain latte with no sugar.  I've never liked coffee drinks without sugar!  Now lattes pop into my head all day long.  What sounds good in the morning?  A creamy latte.  What about at 1 pm?  Oh yeah, a nice latte.  10 pm?  I'd kill for a latte.  It didn't help that for over a month, I had to drive by a drive through Starbucks location every morning taking Alex from the apartment to daycare.  I allow myself a little caffeine here & there (I go off the March of Dimes recommendation that you not consume more than 200 mg of caffeine a day).  Most days I don't have any caffeine but I don't worry about the occasional glass of tea or Coke.  I've been letting myself have one latte a week but lately it isn't cutting it.  Two lattes a week isn't that bad, right??  I mean, I get the small size.  Has anyone read any articles lately saying a latte a day while pregnant is not only healthy but recommended?  Please pass it my way.  I'm begging you!

Best Moment This Week:  Now that we're in the new house & have unpacked a little, I finally allowed myself to think about the baby's room.  I don't think I'll go all out with the bedding & decorations, but I plan on getting a new crib & doing some kind of color theme.  I'm thinking about a white crib, which should go with the natural wood changing table we used for Alex.  I found a few on Amazon I liked that were reasonably priced.  I also found a color scheme I like.  I ordered a blanket today, so I can see if I like it in person.  I'll post more once I get further along in the planning process.  I feel like I've neglected this baby a little since I haven't bought anything for him yet but we've been busy.  Plus, we already have a lot of baby stuff from Alex that we'll use.  But it was exciting to start thinking about getting the room together for this little guy.  J